Chapter 263 Concubine Ling 3
"I clearly heard Concubine Hai say that Concubine Chun should take you and the Third Prince with her, but Concubine Chun only took the Third Prince and left you here to practice calligraphy."
"I am not the daughter of the Pure Lady. She is different from my mother. She has her own children, unlike my mother who only has me."
"Big brother, I am afraid that you will feel wronged."
Wei Yanwan picked up the big characters written by the eldest prince Yonghuang and put them aside. Her face showed the innocent look of an ignorant girl who was indignant for her master, which made Yonghuang feel inexplicably better.
For the first time ever, he spoke to Yan Wan earnestly, "Even if you feel wronged for me, don't show it. If we leave Zhongcui Palace, I'm afraid our life will be even more difficult."
"I'll start my own business when I grow up."
"Yes, I understand."
After applying her eye drops and helping the old man finish writing, Wei Yanwan quickly headed back to the kitchen. Because she was a good cook and her cakes were a favorite of the two princes, they often reserved a spot for her in the kitchen.
As soon as the little girl entered, the two cooks from the long-tube stove came up to greet her with a smile and a very attentive attitude.
It was because Wei Yanwan was a generous person and did not hide her secrets. During the time she came to Zhongcui Palace, she made a lot of pastries. Most of the common milk cakes and steamed buns in the palace were made in front of everyone. However, when others imitated her, the taste was always a little less than what she made.
As for the two new types of dim sum she brought out, she simply memorized the recipes and gave them to the pastry chef.
"Miss Yanwan is here, are you hungry? I specially left some rice cakes for you, please try them."
"Thank you. I'm here to get some snacks for the eldest brother. He must be hungry after practicing calligraphy."
As Wei Yanwan opened her mouth, a clever eunuch beside her picked up a few plates of snacks and put them in. She opened them and saw that they were indeed the kinds that the eldest prince liked to eat. She couldn't help but look at the eunuch:
"What a clever kid! Master Wu is a real teacher."
After saying that, he picked up the lunch box and left.
A few days passed uneventfully, and Concubine Chun was promoted to Concubine Chun, and she even managed to keep her own son, Yongzhang, by her side. Naturally, everyone in the Zhongcui Palace was delighted and proud.
On this day, Su Lujun specially invited Hai Lan to come, and no one knew what the two of them were talking about in the house.
Outside, Wei Yanwan held a wooden sword, protecting the two little tails behind her, and played a fake game of attack and defense with the eunuch. The two children jumped up and down with joy, pulling her around.
Yan Wan seemed to be looking back casually, and the pure smile on her face caught Hongli's eyes so vividly that it made his heart move slightly.
"The slave deserves death."
Wei Yanwan hurriedly knelt down first, and everyone realized that the emperor had actually come to Zhongcui Palace at this time.
Concubine Chun and Noble Lady Hai also hurried out to pay their respects. Hongli smiled and asked them to stand. Turning his gaze to his two sons, he said with emotion, "Zhongcui Palace is a little more lively. I am happy to see it."
Before Concubine Chun could be happy, Hongli frowned again: "But Yongzhang is already four years old. You can't indulge him in playing all the time. Look, Yonghuang has lost interest in studying."
Concubine Chun immediately became panicked and opened her mouth to excuse her son.
Wei Yanwan spoke at the perfect moment, interrupting Concubine Chun's plea: "Your Majesty, the eldest prince wants to strengthen the relationship between brothers. He often takes the third prince with him when he reviews his lessons and even teaches him calligraphy."
"Oh, Yongzhang can recognize words now?"
Yonghuang immediately took over, holding Yongzhang and pointing at the plaque of Zhongcui Palace: "Third brother, what's that word in the middle?"
"pure!"
"Okay, it seems Yong Zhang can really recognize words."
Yonghuang praised his father like an elder brother, saying, "I thought that an elder brother should always care more about his younger brothers, so I often taught my third brother. Later, I discovered that he was actually very smart, but he was too young and lived in Xiefang Palace. The servants only dared to flatter him, which naturally delayed his development."
Hongli was even more satisfied after hearing this. He patted his third son's head and patted Yonghuang's shoulder: "An elder brother is like a father. I am very pleased that you can love your brothers. It is also good that Yongzhang knows to study hard under his elder brother."
"Yes, the eldest brother is filial, respectful and friendly. Yongzhang also respects his elder brother very much."
Hongli nodded, his eyes sliding over Yanwan's face. There was a hint of interest in his eyes: "What's your name? Why have I never seen you before?"
"Your Majesty, I am Wei, the newly sent maid from the Imperial Household Department. Concubine Chun has chosen me to serve the eldest prince."
"You're quite clever. I'll serve you attentively from now on."
After saying that, he took his son and walked in.
Seeing that both her son and adopted son were praised by the emperor, Concubine Chun smiled brightly. After the emperor took one of his sons by the hand and walked into the room, she whispered to Hailan:
"I was really scared just now. Fortunately, Yonghuang was smart. If the emperor really blamed me, Yongzhang's future would be ruined."
"How could that be? My sister and the Emperor have taught us well. Look, the eldest and third princes both received praise from the Emperor today. Their futures are definitely bright."
Hai Lan's eyes were smiling, but they lacked sincerity. She glanced at Yan Wan, her thoughts turning for a moment before she said to Concubine Chun, "Sister Concubine Chun, you must reward this palace maid well. If it weren't for her today, I'm afraid the Emperor wouldn't be so happy."
"Reward, of course I will." Concubine Chun didn't even look at her. She just told Ke Xin: "Go and get the milk snowflake pastry that the imperial kitchen sent today. Give it all to Yan Wan."
Unlike her previous life, in this life, Wei Yanwan succeeded in making Concubine Chun remember her by relying on her attentiveness, meticulousness and excellent cooking skills, and Ke Xin also developed some friendship with her.
Naturally, the two ladies hurried in to serve the emperor after they had finished their visit. Wei Yanwan held the plate of snowflake crisps and silently marked it for Hai Lan. Looking at the orange dot not far from her on the map, she felt more secure.
In Yan Wan's opinion, she was not worried about Hai Lan's scheming, but rather her elusiveness. With the map, she could avoid her in the future.
As for the Emperor, Wei Yanwan had marked him on the first day of her arrival. Using this mark, she traveled back and forth between Zhongcui Palace and the Imperial Study over the past few months, often dressing up a bit to encounter the Emperor.
However, Yan Wan knew very well that she shouldn't be deliberate, so every time she only left the other person with a silhouette or back view, and never said a word.
When she returned to her room, she distributed some of the milk snowflake cakes to the palace maids in her room. She wrapped the rest in a clean handkerchief and put it in her purse.
Afterwards, while sending the eldest prince to study, he specially found time to invite Ling Yunche out.
"Yan Wan, how have you been lately?"
Ling Yunche saw Yan Wan wearing brand new clothes, her complexion becoming more rosy, and her whole body exuding an indescribable temperament. He felt a little disappointed in his heart, and he spoke more restrainedly without realizing it.
Wei Yanwan pretended not to know and nodded at him with a smile, "Everything is fine. Concubine Chun and the eldest prince are indeed excellent masters. The food and clothing in Zhongcui Palace are much better than those in the Sizhiku. I even received a reward for my work there."
As he spoke, he took out his plain purse and handed it to Ling Yunche: "Here, Concubine Chun was rewarded with a snowflake pastry, and I saved it for you. Eat it when you are on duty tonight, and don't forget to share some with the Concubine in the Cold Palace who has helped us a lot."
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