The investiture ceremony was not to be held until after the New Year. Before the excitement of the imperial edict had subsided, Wan Anran received congratulatory gifts from various palaces and chambers.
The young concubines took turns coming to congratulate her, and even Consort Xu, who had moved away from Xianfu Palace years ago, shamelessly came to visit. Her fawning words made Wan Anran feel uncomfortable.
These are things she has to adapt to.
While Wan Anran was overjoyed, a sense of unease also arose within her. Even as a concubine, receiving the stipend of a high-ranking consort, she could still slack off behind Consort Xuan and the others. But from this day forward, many things would no longer be things Wan Anran could refuse; they would be responsibilities she had to bear.
Wan Anran patiently entertained everyone. Fortunately, the concubines of the rank of Consort and above were very perceptive and only sent gifts and indicated that they would visit her in the next day or the day after, which finally put Wan Anran at ease.
After dismissing the concubines, Wan Anran began to painstakingly organize the rewards, allowances, and congratulatory gifts. Hai Tao and the others had the same expression. The storerooms of Chuxiu Palace were already overflowing. Despite it being a joyous occasion, everyone had to work like industrious ants, busily tidying up two or three rooms to store the various items.
It took all morning until the afternoon to finish.
Wan Anran looked around at the piles of rewards, and couldn't help but recall the beginning. There was a hint of regret in her voice: "Back then, let alone rewarding the palace servants, there was hardly anything left to display on the antique shelves."
She even took out her jewelry to use as decoration...
Wan Anran's eyebrows curved into a smile, a hint of laughter emanating from her. She had an idea and had someone retrieve the two sets of jewelry. Both sets were in excellent condition, with the gilded parts and inlaid gemstones sparkling brilliantly.
Wan Anran took them out one by one.
She wiped them clean again by hand, then carefully placed them on the display shelf, examining them for a long time: "I think they'll stay here from now on."
Hai Tao happily agreed.
When Emperor Kangxi lifted the curtain and entered, this was the scene that greeted him. He was both amused and exasperated: "What are you doing?"
Upon closer inspection, Kangxi recognized the two sets of jewelry—after all, there was only one poor and clumsy concubine, so who else could have done something like this? Kangxi still felt a pang of bitterness: "I remember this set of jewelry was a gift from the Empress, wasn't it?"
Wan Anran was already used to the Emperor's sudden appearances. She happily tossed her handkerchief and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects."
After getting up, Wan Anran smiled and agreed.
Her eyes crinkled into crescents, and her expression as she gazed at the two pieces of jewelry was exceptionally gentle: "This is the first time Your Majesty has received this gift... no, it's the first gift I've received since I recovered from my illness."
When the original owner of the body first became a concubine, the Empress naturally bestowed many gifts upon her. However, this particular gift was received after she recovered from her illness, and it held a different place in Wan Anran's heart.
Kangxi: "...Hmm."
She later bestowed many gifts upon him, but none of them were remembered by Consort Qi.
Emperor Kangxi was a little depressed.
He hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward with his hands behind his back to observe the situation, trying to find fault with it, such as: "The quality is a bit poor."
At that time, Consort Qi was just a lowly concubine. No matter how beautiful the jewelry given by the Empress was, its quality was still inferior to that of jewelry made later.
Wan Anran knew this.
She gave a soft hum and added, "I like it very much."
"Is that so? Then leave it there." Kangxi smiled, but did not tell Consort Qi to take the jewelry down again.
It was placed there back then because Consort Wan was so poor that she couldn't even fill a display shelf. I asked her to take it down so that she would be inclined to use it.
Now, how could anyone associate Consort Qi with poverty? She wore gold-threaded silk satin that had just been sent to the palace from the Jiangning Imperial Textile Bureau, her hair was adorned with beautiful pearls, and the treasures bestowed upon her were more than enough to fill several storerooms. She was completely different from before.
For Consort Qi, the greater value of these two pieces of jewelry lies in the memories they evoke, so displaying them on the curio shelf would be a good choice.
Kangxi was somewhat melancholy.
Wan Anran didn't notice the emperor's subtle glance. Her gaze swept past Kangxi and looked out the window: "Your Majesty, it's snowing again outside."
"We even stopped for a while on the way here," Kangxi said with a smile.
The snow fell quietly over the Forbidden City.
At first, there was light snow, but then the snowflakes grew larger and larger, falling from the sky like snowflakes. Even the spacious courtyard of Chuxiu Palace was soon filled with snow, and the view from inside the palace was a vast expanse of white.
Wan Anran stood by the window, gazing at the snow scene.
A gust of cold wind made her involuntarily shrink her neck, and then she held her hands together and breathed on them to warm them.
Haitao quickly brought over the heater, and Zisu also picked up the copper stove that was warming on the small stove. This was brown sugar ginger and jujube milk tea that had been brewed earlier, with ginger slices, jujubes, and goji berries, plus rich milk. Wan Anran downed a cup and her cheeks immediately flushed.
Holding the warm hand warmer, she stared blankly outside for a long while before finally coming to her senses: "Your Majesty, shall we use a pot?"
Kangxi put aside his melancholy.
He answered decisively and quickly, "Of course, preferably spicy."
The spiciness warms the body.
Wan Anran smiled and agreed. After thinking for a moment, she decided to try a different flavor today.
Hmm... Is it a tomato broth or a spicy broth? Don't be fooled by the Emperor's desire for spiciness; with his amateurish cooking skills, Wan Anran wouldn't dare use anything too spicy.
Otherwise, I'll get a sore throat tomorrow...
Sigh! It all became my fault.
After pondering for a moment, Wan Anran had an idea.
She sent someone to the kitchen to fetch chicken drumsticks, cut them into pieces, marinated them in the prepared chili oil, then stir-fried them with scallions, fermented bean paste, chili peppers, and other seasonings, and finally simmered them with water and spices until fully cooked.
The aroma was incredibly strong even before the lid was lifted.
Once the pot lid was lifted, the fresh, fragrant, spicy, and numbing aroma quickly spread throughout Chuxiu Palace.
Emperor Kangxi immediately sneezed.
Despite sneezing, he was still the first to step forward. Kangxi picked up a piece of chicken with his chopsticks. The chicken skin was plump and juicy, melting in his mouth, and the chicken meat was very chewy. Even the chicken bones could be chewed up.
Not to mention the spiciness that shot from his throat all the way to his stomach—it was absolutely amazing! Kangxi wasn't satisfied with just one piece; he picked up his chopsticks and was about to grab a second one.
But just as he picked up his chopsticks, Wan Anran tapped Kangxi's wrist. Wan Anran glared at him: "Your Majesty... Yinzhen hasn't arrived yet!"
Kangxi: ...Oh right?
Kangxi felt a little guilty. He propped his elbows on the table and interlaced his fingers under his chin, trying to appear as if he had not stolen any food.
Upon seeing Yinzhen enter the hall, Kangxi pointed to the seat in front of him: "No need for formalities, please sit down quickly. Your mother and I have been waiting for you for a long time."
Despite saying that, Yinzhen still greeted him and performed the proper courtesies as usual. When he stood up and looked up, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly involuntarily.
Khan, oh Khan, oh Khan.
There's still sauce on your lips! Looking at his mother's sly smile, Yinzhen knew that she must have deliberately kept it from his father.
Then he should just pretend he doesn't know, right?
Once everyone had arrived, the three of them officially began their meal. One piece of piping hot, spicy chicken wasn't enough! The rich, flavorful sauce was perfect for mixing with rice or for further cooking vegetables, beef, rice cakes, glass noodles, or anything else.
Liang Jiugong swallowed hard.
Wan Anran, Kangxi, and Yinzhen ate with great relish, their meal lasting more than half an hour. After finishing off a large pot of chicken and side dishes, the three of them were so full that they collapsed in their chairs, burping contentedly.
The snow outside also stopped without us noticing.
The heavy clouds dispersed, and the sun shone brightly on the earth once more.
Wan Anran let out several burps in a row.
She struggled to her feet, rubbing her round belly as she slowly made her way to the window. Looking at the thick snow outside, Wan Anran's eyes lit up: "Your Majesty, let's build a snowman!"
Kangxi did not want to make a move.
He was so full and warm that he didn't want to jump around in the snow at all.
Wan Anran: "Your Majesty will gain weight, you know?"
He used to have eight-pack abs, then he had six-pack abs, and now... Wan Anran stared at Kangxi's bulging belly and chuckled.
I'm afraid there's only one piece left.
Wan Anran's contempt was palpable.
Kangxi has risen to prominence!
He stood up as well, and called out to Yinzhen, "Let's go build a snowman to help us digest."
Of course, some preparations need to be made before setting off.
Wan Anran first put a knitted hat with bear ears on Yinzhen's head, then a matching bear scarf, and of course, a pair of fluffy gloves, a newly made cloak, and a hand warmer on top of that. Only after all the preparations were complete did she send Yinzhen out.
It's the emperor who's in a difficult position.
Watching the Emperor's self-righteous expression as he demanded her share, Wan Anran, sweating profusely, rummaged through the box, her heart filled with worry.
Yinzhen's share had to be prepared in several portions every year.
But what about the Emperor's portion...? Didn't all the best dishes go to the Emperor? Wan Anran flipped through the pages, and finally found a barely acceptable substitute at the very bottom.
The emperor wore an exceptionally long scarf.
The emperor was wearing unusually large gloves.
The size looks...not quite right.
Wan Anran felt guilty for a moment, but pretended not to see the Emperor's rebuking gaze.
Emperor Kangxi glanced at Consort Qi with a half-smile, too lazy to argue with her at this time. He tugged at his uncomfortable scarf and walked enthusiastically into the snow.
Yinzhen pushed the snowball with both hands.
He worked skillfully, and soon the two snowballs were put together, with a carrot for the nose and coal for the eyes. After putting on a scarf and gloves, he was done.
It's not difficult for me at all!
Wan Anran looked worried. She pouted and angrily fiddled with the snowmen, making a series of little snowmen. Even the snow sculpting master Ju Bai had already given up on his unqualified master and turned to teach the Fifth Prince instead.
Kangxi hadn't noticed it before.
When he noticed Qi Fei's actions, his eyelids twitched.
Time and identity may change, but when it comes to snowmen... Qi Fei can still do things beyond human imagination. The little snowmen she makes are so strange and bizarre that just looking at them makes you feel like you've been polluted.
But Wan Anran was quite pleased with herself.
She carried a basket of small snowmen, intending to display them at the doorway—a startled Yinzhen tried to stop her, but Wan Anran looked puzzled: "Your Majesty, Mother has let them before, and everyone loves them. Right?"
Doesn't this look unpopular?
Yinzhen was speechless with frustration. What was most frustrating was that when his father, the Khan, asked the question, he nodded emphatically without the slightest hesitation: "That's right, if it weren't for these little snowmen, I might not have gone to Xianfu Palace back then."
Yinzhen: …………
Wan Anran's mood improved even more. She walked briskly towards the door, ready to personally place a full basket of little snowmen at the entrance.
However, Emperor Kangxi stopped Consort Qi.
He smiled and reached out to take the small basket from Wan Anran's hand: "Give these to me, shall we?"
"……Why?"
"I think it's very cute, put it in the Qianqing Palace," Kangxi said with a smile.
Wan Anran blinked.
She doesn't care...
Liang Jiugong placed a pile of small snowmen on the white jade railing with a blank expression, gazing at the extremely eerie outside while feeling conflicted.
this……
The palace servants passing by the Qianqing Palace were all startled. They stared at the strangely shaped little snowman for a long time, until finally someone couldn't help but ask, "Eunuch Liang? What kind of novel method of warding off evil spirits is this?"
Like... for example, Zhong Kui or Guan Gong?
Liang Jiugong, expressionless, shooed the group away—Get out! If the Emperor hears this, do you even want your heads?
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