Shi Lan and Pan Jinxuan settled into a side hall of Fengzao Palace, spending most of their days practicing music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. (Latest and fastest updates)
Pan Jinxuan had always lived like this since she was a child. After the initial awkwardness of unfamiliar environments, she became calm and elegant, spending her days at her desk either reading, painting, or leisurely setting up chess scores.
Shi Lan pretended to be a refined young lady for two days, but on the third day she couldn't bear it anymore. The Imperial Concubine couldn't bear to see her sitting at the table as if she were suffering, so she asked Cai Xia to play games with her.
But Shi Lan wasn't a real child, and after playing for a while, she lost interest.
As noon approached, snowflakes began to fall again. Shi Lan leaned against the window for a while, then suddenly turned around and jumped off the kang (a heated brick bed).
Caixia quickly pulled her along, asking, "Fourth Miss, where are you going?"
Shi Lan grinned at her and said, "Sister Caixia, let's go have a snowball fight."
Caixia grinned, unable to believe that after so many years in the palace, she would have to relive the fun of her childhood.
The palace maids draped a cloak over Shi Lan and then gave her hand guards.
Shi Lan shook her chubby white paws, pushed aside the handguard, and excitedly ran out with Cai Xia in her arms.
Pan Jinxuan was writing at her desk when she heard the noise at the door. She glanced at it briefly before lowering her head to continue writing neatly. The Imperial Concubine looked at her and saw that although she was small, she had a very steady temperament. She nodded to herself, thinking that such a good girl should naturally be matched with a good family.
The Imperial Concubine quickly filtered through the list of women she had met at the palace banquet. After much deliberation, she managed to select three or five families. She planned to discuss it with Lady Han when she came over, and if she was satisfied, she would make a decision as soon as possible. Right now, peace negotiations were underway in the north, and if things were delayed, it might be too late.
Outside the window, Shi Lan was having a blast, and the Imperial Concubine, hearing her cheerful laughter, was also aroused. She ordered someone to put on a cloak and went outside.
The outside world was filled with white. Shi Lan, wrapped in a colorful silver fur cloak, scurried around on the snow with cheerful steps. When Cai Xia threw a snowball at her, she nimbly hid behind a jagged rock like a little mouse.
The snowball hit the rock and flew everywhere. Shi Lan poked her head out and bared her teeth at Cai Xia, mocking her for missing. Then, while Cai Xia bent down to pick up the snow, she suddenly threw a snowball. Taking advantage of the moment when Cai Xia dodged, she quickly ran to another spot and carefully hid, like a fluffy puppy waiting for an opportunity to ambush but also being cautious.
Seeing her like this, the Imperial Concubine couldn't help but laugh. Yu Xia, who was serving her, said, "I have seen many young ladies from noble families, but none of them are as lively and clever as Fourth Miss."
The imperial concubine smiled but remained silent, thinking to herself that if it weren't for such cleverness, this child would probably have been killed by those brutal barbarians before even leaving the north.
The laughter in the courtyard continued when a palace maid hurriedly came from the distant covered walkway to announce that Consort Zhang had arrived.
Consort Pan raised her beautiful eyebrows and asked in confusion, "In this kind of weather, why isn't she staying indoors? What is she doing here?"
Yu Xia helped the Imperial Concubine back to the main hall, saying, "These past few days, the Empress has been staying with Consort Wu. I'm afraid Consort Wan is getting restless."
The imperial concubine scoffed, "She's nothing but a clown; why should she worry about her?"
Yuxia smiled and replied, "That's right."
As they spoke, the two entered the room. Inside, Zhang Wanyi, whose eyes were red, quickly stood up and bowed to Consort Pan, who was walking slowly towards them.
The imperial concubine waved her hand casually and said, "Alright, get up."
Yuxia went over and helped Zhang Wanyi up.
Zhang Wanyi wiped her eyes and got up with Yuxia's help.
After she sat down, the Imperial Concubine noticed that her eyes were as red as a rabbit's and hurriedly asked, "What's wrong?"
Zhang Wanyi glanced to the side without saying a word.
Only then did the imperial concubine notice the girl following behind her like a little tail.
"This is……"
Zhang Wanyi wiped her eyes and said, "This is my older brother's daughter, the second in line." As she spoke, she pushed the little girl and said, "Second sister, quickly pay your respects to the Imperial Concubine."
The girl stepped forward, lowered her eyelids, and gave a respectful yet graceful bow.
The imperial concubine raised an eyebrow as she watched her fluid and graceful movements.
With a polite smile, Zhang Wanyi said slowly, "I heard that Your Highness's young lady is staying here temporarily, so I brought her over, thinking it would be more lively if everyone stayed together."
Upon hearing this, the Imperial Concubine nodded in agreement.
Pan Jinxuan is too quiet, and Shi Lan is not a quiet person either. It would be too lonely for them to play alone. This young lady looks to be about the same age as Shi Lan. Maybe the two of them can get along well.
Thinking that someone would be with Shi Lan, the Consort's eyes narrowed with a smile. She casually took off the tourmaline beaded string in her hand, gestured for Yu Xia to bring her over, and put it on her, saying, "My fourth aunt is behind us, go and play with her."
Zhang Erniang bowed and thanked her, then turned to look at Zhang Wanyi.
Zhang Wanyi had brought her here with the intention of getting closer to her, and upon hearing this, she quickly said, "Go ahead."
Zhang Erniang then bowed to the two of them and followed Yuxia away.
The doors to the main hall immediately closed, and Consort Pan then put on a stern face and said, "What's going on? Who in this palace would dare to make you angry?"
Upon hearing her question, Zhang Wanyi's tears, which she had already held back, welled up again.
“Besides Consort Wu, who else could it be?” she said, wiping away her tears. “I am favored by Your Majesty and have been in charge of the Imperial Bedchamber and the Imperial Clothing Bureau. For the past two years, I have been working diligently and have never slacked off. When the Emperor said in the autumn that he wanted to save on palace expenses, I slightly reduced the expenses of each palace in order to comply with the Emperor’s wishes. I have also mentioned this to Your Majesty.”
After she finished speaking, she looked at the Imperial Concubine.
The imperial concubine nodded.
Indeed, she knew about this matter. Currently, peace talks are underway in the north, and the barbarians are making exorbitant demands. In order to avoid war, the emperor is racking his brains every day to raise money. Therefore, when Zhang Wanyi mentioned cutting expenses, the Imperial Concubine nodded in agreement.
Seeing the Imperial Concubine nod, Zhang Wanyi felt more confident, her voice grew louder, and tears streamed down her face. "As soon as the winter clothes were distributed this year, Consort Wu was dissatisfied, but she kept it to herself. These past two days, when the Emperor was staying with her, she took the opportunity to slander me, saying that I was deliberately targeting her. Just now, the Emperor sent Eunuch Zheng to question me." She wiped away her tears and said in a sobbing voice, "Your Majesty, I am truly wronged! The Emperor only received two sets of winter clothes this year, and I only made one set myself. Even so, I am accused of being stingy. I feel so aggrieved."
As she spoke, she leaned against the soft pillows and began to cry hesitantly.
Consort Pan sighed. She had been depressed because of Shi Lan's matter. When Shi Lan arrived, she was busy with this matter and didn't pay attention to the current emperor. She thought she would let the current emperor have his fun for a couple of days and then deal with it later. She didn't expect that Consort Wu was all talk and no action. She had only been smug for a few days and then started causing trouble.
Consort Pan gently comforted Zhang Wanyi, after all, Zhang Wanyi had been helping her, and she couldn't let her be treated so unfairly.
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