There's no need for such intense competition within the industry.

After much persuasion, Wan Anran finally managed to convince Hai Tao to give up the idea of ​​using the Jade Face Powder to massage her. Even so, Hai Tao still looked regretful and inquired in detail whether Ju Bai had heard any other stories about the palace concubines.

After thinking for a moment, Ju Bai actually came up with several names: For example, Consort Hui, who was the oldest among the concubines, was said to drink the Rejuvenating Soup every day and tofu was an indispensable dish in her daily meals, which is why she had such fair, flawless, delicate and radiant skin.

For example, Consort An, who was the head of the eight consorts, had the habit of washing her hair with Polygonum multiflorum soap every day, and even the water she used for bathing was filled with a decoction made from various medicinal herbs.

The sheer number of things they mentioned left people speechless.

Not only were Hai Tao and Zi Su surprised, but Wan Anran also couldn't help but look at Ju Bai with a sidelong glance. She reached out and poked Ju Bai's forehead, and couldn't help but sigh, "So our Ju Bai is quite the little rascal."

Ju Bai stuck out her tongue.

She blushed and lowered her head, saying, "This servant doesn't like to talk, but the other sisters like to nag me..."

So, Orange White is also an emotional dumping ground.

Wan Anran patted Ju Bai on the shoulder: "That's not bad! Next time, we'll have to rely on you, Ju Bai, for all the gossip we want to hear!"

Orange White slightly raised its head.

Her eyes lit up: "Really, really?"

Wan Anran nodded emphatically: "Of course!"

Then her voice lowered slightly: "Come on, Ju Bai, tell me what other rumors are circulating in the palace?"

"Hmm... then I'll say one more..."

"Whoa!? Is there really such a thing?"

"And there's more..."

"Hiss... That's terrifying."

"This servant remembers..."

"Tsk tsk tsk, only the palace could have something like this, right?"

...

If Haitao hadn't remembered that tomorrow is the first day of the Lunar New Year, this tea party might have gone on all night. Even so, Wan Anran was still not satisfied and repeatedly said that they should chat again later.

The first day of the Lunar New Year is an auspicious day.

Starting with the two empress dowagers, the emperor and empress, Consort Tong, and all the imperial concubines of the rank of concubine and above, they all sent their rewards one by one.

The Empress Dowager's gift was three times more generous than usual.

Several of these items brought a smile to Zisu's face: "Master, these are the rations for the nobles."

The palace is under strict control.

Without the permission of their superiors, there would be no mistake in bestowing a reward. What does it mean to send such a special allowance? Not only Zisu, but even Haitao and Jubai could not hide the burning desire in their eyes, and a thought was vaguely emerging in their minds.

Wan Anran was excited for a moment, but then calmed down.

Kangxi wasn't one to bestow titles so easily. She was overthinking it. She waved her hand, instructing the three to put away the Empress Dowager's gifts, then excitedly examined the other gifts. The Empress Dowager and Emperor's gifts were standard, but the Empress's gifts, according to Hai Tao, were much better than those given to Consort Xu next door. They included four rolls of newly arrived silk and a considerable amount of rabbit, fox, lamb, and bison hides—a truly generous gift.

Consort Tong's gifts were also very generous.

Wan Anran glanced at them twice, then set them aside with little interest. In the past, she might have liked them and displayed them on the curio cabinet for appreciation. But ever since Grandpa Kang filled the curio cabinet in one go last time, Wan Anran's small east wing room had nowhere to put these gorgeous but large and useless things.

She continued reading.

If the Empress sent the finest and rarest fabrics, then Consort Xuan sent the finest common and average fabrics. The former was for her own use, and the latter was for giving as a gift. Wan Anran naturally did not miss Consort Xuan's good intentions. She picked out these rolls of fabric and pushed them in front of Hai Tao and the other two with a smile: "These are for you. You can make a couple more outfits for the New Year!"

The palace maids' clothes were all standardized.

However, during festivals and holidays, one could change the style to add to the festive atmosphere, or slightly alter the palace attire—it is said that several palace maids attracted the emperor's attention in this way. Of course, most people chose to take these fabrics home, which was also a kind of perk.

The peach, perilla, and orange peel were overjoyed.

They knelt down and kowtowed: "These servants thank you for your reward, Your Highness!"

That's not all!

With the new year bringing new beginnings, Wan Anran generously distributed holiday red envelopes: ten taels each for Zisu and Jubai, and a full twenty taels for Haitao! Palace maids only received three to five taels a month, so this generous gift made the three of them beam with joy.

In contrast to the joy in the east wing, the palace servants in the west wing looked utterly dejected. Forget about festival gifts and rewards; Consort Xu had been running around like headless chickens since dawn.

What is the purpose?

Of course, it's tonight's palace banquet!

The palace banquet on the first day of the Lunar New Year was held in the Cining Palace. Compared with the Qianqing Palace family banquet yesterday, which was full of formalities and did not resemble a family banquet at all, today's family banquet was the only one where we would have a real chance to meet the Emperor.

Xu Changzai gritted his teeth.

Since the Emperor is not present today, I must make sure to get his attention!

As for the others.

Consort Xu had long since forgotten about it—once I ascend to the throne, wouldn't you all have whatever you want? After a busy day of dressing up, the determined Consort Xu bumped into He Li and walked out the door. She glanced at the east wing where laughter and chatter were still going on, gave a light snort, and strode towards the front hall.

The sound from Xianfu Palace gradually faded.

Without the laughter and commotion of the Ninth Prince Wan Fu, and without the helpless nagging of Consort Xuan and Noble Lady Nara, the entire palace became empty and silent.

Wan Anran was the only master left.

Wan Anran was not stingy. She sat leisurely on the veranda with a hand warmer in her pocket. When palace servants came to pay their respects, she would grab a handful of loose silver as a New Year's gift. Everyone, from Granny Xia to the eunuch in charge of sweeping, received a share. Soon, the palace servants of Xianfu Palace all had genuine smiles on their faces.

The crowd gathered in the courtyard.

The cheerful chatter finally brought a festive feeling to Wan Anran's heart, though eating the holiday dishes alone seemed a little lonely. After thinking for a moment, she gathered the remaining palace servants from Xianfu Palace and started barbecuing in the courtyard again.

Wan Anran clapped her hands: "Let's all celebrate the New Year together!"

The palace servants initially wanted to refuse, but seeing Wan Changzai's expectant gaze, they hesitated one by one. Hai Tao was the first to respond, followed by a series of responses echoing in the courtyard.

Let's celebrate the New Year together!

The blazing flames seemed to melt away everyone's hearts. The palace servants, who had been trembling with fear, gradually smiled. Accompanied by the aroma of roasted meat that gradually spread, their laughter grew louder and louder.

Suddenly, a muffled "bang" sounded in my ear.

Wan Anran looked up and saw that the sky was dyed golden with dazzling fireworks. This was only the first one. Then came the second, the third, the fourth... Red, purple, and yellow lights bloomed in the sky.

The fireworks were dazzling and colorful.

Wan Anran kept the brilliant fireworks in her mind, not even noticing Hai Tao's reminder. It was only after a long while that she heard Hai Tao's voice: "Your Highness, someone from Cining Palace has arrived!"

The eunuch delivering the imperial decree had a broad smile on his face.

He stepped forward respectfully: "Young Master Wan, these are dishes bestowed by the Emperor."

Wan Anran was truly shocked.

How could someone as honest and unassuming as herself in Xianfu Palace possibly be remembered by the Emperor? Not to mention Haitao, Zisu, and Jubai, who were so excited that their hands and feet went weak, even Granny Xia and the others were completely bewildered.

This is truly unexpected!