The Lunar New Year is just around the corner.
Although Mingxiu hadn't deliberately kept track of what was happening in the harem during this time, she probably knew a little about it. The Empress's health was failing again, and judging by the days, the historical anniversary of the Empress's death was fast approaching.
With a sigh, the Empress's health was poor, and the affairs of the harem could only be handled by the concubines. Besides Consort Tong and Mingxiu, there were also Consort Hui, Consort Yi, Consort Rong, and Consort Xi, who were of high rank.
I was busy until New Year's Eve before I finally finished and breathed a sigh of relief. I don't know why so many people like power. It's just too tiring. There's no better way to relax than lying down.
The New Year's Eve celebration was held at the Qianqing Palace. Everyone was expected to participate in such an important occasion, and even the Empress attended despite her illness.
Mingxiu sat below, looking at the Empress at the head of the table. Her face was covered with powder, so you couldn't tell how bad her complexion was, but she still seemed a little lacking in energy.
At the banquet, everyone took turns toasting the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, including the young princes and princesses. Of course, the Emperor had few children, so to protect these young ones, they drank fruit juice instead of wine.
The banquet officially began only after the emperor had bestowed upon the delicacies.
Mingxiu looked at the food on the table. Fortunately, there was her favorite roasted ham, braised pork with lychee, and a small portion of fruit.
That's right, it's made from lychees grown on the lychee tree in Mingxiu's backyard.
Whether it was because Mingxiu frequently watered it with the spiritual spring water that it had an effect, or because the tree was naturally growing well and was due to bear fruit, in any case, it blossomed not long after Mingxiu built a heated kang in the glass house, and then quickly bore fruit. When they first learned that the lychee tree was bearing fruit, they were somewhat incredulous, but they didn't expect it to be true.
Looking at the trees laden with fruit, Mingxiu was overjoyed. The fruit had just ripened a couple of days ago, but before Mingxiu could even eat it, Kangxi had already pre-ordered all of it.
Before Mingxiu could even taste a single one, Kangxi led his men to pick all the ripe lychees.
She also had cherries, strawberries, watermelons, and grapes. She didn't finish picking all the watermelons and grapes, but she picked all the rest that were truly ripe.
Mingxiu's heart was bleeding at the sight. She had worked so hard to water them, and before she could even eat a bite, they were gone.
Mingxiu was initially very angry, but Kangxi had given her too much, so she could only reluctantly (happily) have all the fruit picked.
Anyway, the temperature inside her glass room is high, so another batch will be ripe soon.
So this was the first time she had ever eaten fruit she had grown herself.
Looking at the small dish of fruit, Mingxiu pouted, feeling that Kangxi was a bit stingy. He had clearly picked a lot, but only gave her this little bit.
Despite the complaints, it doesn't stop us from eating. After all, fruit is a scarce commodity in winter, let alone lychees. Since Mingxiu is irrigated with spiritual spring water, the lychees taste even sweeter and more delicious.
It's so good that you'll fall in love with it at first bite.
Each person had a serving of various fruits on their table: sweet and sour grapes, sweet lychees, thin-skinned and large-seeded watermelons, and sweet strawberries—every bite was a delight.
Not only did Mingxiu love to eat, but when she looked around, she found that there was no one she didn't like to eat. Even the Empress Dowager and the sick Empress ate quite a lot.
The banquets at the palace were all pretty much the same. During the banquet, there was a performance of singing and dancing, and a performance of opera. It was very lively, but it was too long and Mingxiu really didn't like listening to it.
The Empress Dowager was old, and the Empress was in poor health, so they both made a brief appearance and then left.
When the Empress Dowager was leaving, she reminded Emperor Kangxi that the fruit was delicious and asked him to send some more over.
The Empress Dowager could leave, but the other concubines couldn't. It was so boring that Mingxiu was getting drowsy. She could only try her best to focus her attention on the table. The feast was quite lavish, and of course, there were more than just a few dishes. There were fish and shrimp.
However, Mingxiu secretly glanced over and noticed that there was a small plate of pan-fried buns on her table, which was different from the other tables. Logically speaking, such a thing should not appear on the table.
However, Mingxiu really liked this crispy treat, so she often asked the kitchen to make it. Kangxi had also eaten it many times, but today she didn't ask the kitchen to make it.
Looking up at Kangxi sitting on the throne, he realized that Kangxi was the only one who could give orders.
He looked up and met Kangxi's gaze, and smiled slightly.
The other concubines also noticed the eye contact between the two, and their thoughts varied. Consort Tong's handkerchief was almost torn to shreds, but she dared not show the slightest change in expression.
Mingxiu ate what was on her plate, glancing at Yinreng from time to time. The three-year-old child already showed signs of royal bearing, sitting with Yinzhi and directing the eunuchs to serve him food.
The two had finished the fruit on the table and were now finishing the braised pork with lychees, clearly enjoying it very much.
As if sensing something, Yinreng suddenly raised his head, met Mingxiu's gaze, and revealed a big smile.
Mingxiu couldn't help but smile too. She was so cute, with meat stuffed in her mouth, showing her big teeth as she laughed, revealing her gums.
The banquet wouldn't end until midnight, so everyone was still supposed to stay after dinner.
The Grand Empress Dowager is no longer here, but the Empress Dowager is still here. The Empress Dowager is much younger and in very good health. She is currently organizing everyone to play cards.
Although the Empress Dowager couldn't speak Manchu or Chinese, they could communicate while playing cards without speaking. Emperor Kangxi then served some fruit and pastries for everyone to eat and drink.
Mingxiu wasn't interested in these things. Leaf cards were similar to modern mahjong, but not as fun.
I'm thinking about whether I should bring out mahjong, so I can play with some of the palace maids in the palace.
However, Mingxiu doesn't want to play now, and Mingxiu isn't actually very popular. It's not that people don't like to play with her, but because Mingxiu intentionally keeps her distance from the other concubines, so they don't really know her.
Looking at the weather outside, she saw that Yinreng was having a great time playing with Yinzhi. Next to them was Wanfu, the son of Yinzhi and Consort Tong, whom Mingxiu had met once before. This child was about the same age as Yinreng, but his health had always been poor, so he rarely came out. Mingxiu had hardly ever seen him.
Seeing that they were having a good time, Mingxiu took Luzhu outside. The place was decorated with lanterns everywhere, all kinds of lanterns, but the most common were octagonal round lanterns, because it was New Year's Eve and everyone wanted to have a festive atmosphere.
Not far away, against the wall, there was an extremely long shelf, covered with lanterns of various colors and shapes, arranged in two tiers, which looked quite spectacular.
It was Mingxiu's suggestion that made this possible; in fact, many of the lantern shapes were modified by Mingxiu based on modern lanterns, and they look very beautiful.
Sesame stalks are scattered all over the ground for people to step on, symbolizing climbing higher with each step.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
