Yinzhen was furious.
But after leaving the main hall, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly, and he was very happy.
Who is my mother? Does it matter?
Yinzhen took light, heavy steps forward, and the faint smile on his face drew the attention of the palace servants in Chuxiu Palace.
Fifth Prince, you seem to be in a really good mood today?
Almost every palace maid who saw Yinzhen had this thought pop into their minds.
Wan Anran, inside the main hall, was also humming a little tune.
Thinking that the Empress had not had a good appetite lately, Wan Anran took the opportunity to think about what to eat.
What an appetizing dish...
She needed a balanced diet of meat and vegetables, ensuring health and nutrition, while also stimulating the Empress's appetite. After pondering for a moment, Wan Anran's eyes lit up, and she picked up her pen and began to write carefully on the paper.
Wan Anran stopped after a short while.
She blew on the half-dry ink stains and then led the palace servants toward Kunning Palace. But this time, Wan Anran wasn't looking for the Empress; instead, she turned and entered the small kitchen of Kunning Palace.
The atmosphere among the chefs was tense.
Their discussion was quite heated, and their argument only stopped when they saw Qi Fei.
Chef Zhao, who was most familiar with the situation, was the first to come to his senses.
He quickly stepped forward to pay his respects, and after standing up, he asked expectantly, "Does Master Qi have any thoughts?"
The two cooks behind were startled.
They tried to stop them, but were stopped by Granny Zhou, who arrived a step too late.
Granny Zhou looked at Consort Qi.
In fact, she had always wanted to ask Consort Qi about it, but things were different now than before. Inviting a lowly concubine to prepare meals for the master was an act of favor and pride, while inviting a concubine to prepare meals for the master was a slap in the face and a provocation.
Even though she knew that her master and Consort Qi had a good relationship and that she wouldn't consider this a slap in the face or a provocation, Granny Zhou was still unwilling to bring it up.
Firstly, it would sound rather unpleasant if word got out, and secondly, no one knew what Consort Qi was thinking. However, seeing Consort Qi personally enter the small kitchen, Granny Zhou felt extremely ashamed and hurriedly stepped forward to serve her: "This servant greets Consort Qi."
"Please rise, Granny Zhou."
Wan Anran replied with a smile, "I noticed that Your Majesty does not look well. Is it because you haven't had a good appetite lately?"
Granny Zhou awkwardly agreed.
Wan Anran raised her eyebrows: "Why didn't you tell me?"
"It's all because this servant is foolish."
"Alright, alright, it must be that Her Majesty the Empress doesn't want to say, right?" Wan Anran said with a smile.
She waved the order form in her hand.
Wan Anran said confidently, "Today, I guarantee that Her Majesty the Empress will have a great appetite."
Granny Zhou smiled and agreed.
She then glanced at the palace servants in the small kitchen: "All matters shall be handled according to Consort Qi's orders, understand?"
Chef Zhao and the others smiled and agreed.
Wan Anran didn't lift a finger this time, leaving everything to the cooks.
Granny Zhou thought for a moment.
She then went to the eldest princess and explained the whole story. The eldest princess was both amused and exasperated, and quickly ordered the palace servants to invite the fifth prince, the sixth prince, and the fourth princess, thus creating a lively gathering.
As for the Empress, she knew nothing about it.
She was still taking a nap, and when she woke up, the weariness in her eyes was still evident. The Empress picked up the honey water and took a sip, then felt her stomach churning violently.
She pressed her temples.
Lian Nan stepped forward and gently massaged her mistress. Her technique was superb; in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the Empress's brows and eyes relaxed, and she seemed much more at ease.
Zhou Mama stepped forward at the right moment: "Your Majesty, would you like to have a meal?" Before the Empress could refuse, she added with a smile: "Consort Qi specially came to prepare it."
The Empress's almond-shaped eyes widened.
She was startled by the news, then her face darkened, and she glared at Granny Zhou: "Did you invite Consort Qi over?"
Granny Zhou shook her head repeatedly: "This servant would never dare."
The Empress carefully observed Granny Zhou, confirming that there was no other emotion besides fear in her eyes, before reluctantly putting her mind at ease. However, at the same time, a hint of annoyance rose in the Empress's heart: "Why didn't Consort Qi inform me when she came?"
"Her Majesty is taking a nap..."
"You lot!" The Empress could easily see through Zhou Mama and the others' intentions; they were hoping Consort Qi would come to help. She took a deep breath and quickly called for someone to help her wash and change, then hurried out to speak with Consort Qi.
Wan Anran is talking to the eldest princess.
The eldest princess asked in detail about things to pay attention to during pregnancy, and Wan Anran didn't hide anything, telling most of what she knew—anyway, she had already decided that she would just shift all the blame to her father later, hehe!
Wanliuha Tuoerbi, who was busy all day, sneezed. He rallied himself and loudly instructed his subordinates: "This matter must be completed today. Everyone, keep up the good work!"
Turning around, Wanliuha Tuoerbi reached out and touched the top of his head. Just now, he felt as if a pot had fallen from the sky and covered him completely.
The eldest princess is a model student.
She listened attentively, and later even took out paper and pen to take detailed notes. This knowledge could not only be applied to her mother, but also to herself and her sisters in the future, so studying it diligently was very necessary.
The fourth princess is still young.
After listening for a couple of sentences, she couldn't resist and turned to run to her fifth and sixth brothers, where the three of them played together.
The hall was filled with a harmonious and lively atmosphere.
The Empress stepped into the hall, and Wan Anran quickly led everyone in paying their respects. Before she could even curtsy, the Empress rushed forward, took her hand, and helped her up: "Consort Qi, you!"
"I didn't lift a finger; the cooks did it all."
"It doesn't matter if you don't lay a hand on them, but don't do this again in the future."
"Her Majesty the Empress does not like the food I made..."
"That's not it, it's just that your current identity is no longer suitable."
“In my heart, it is only natural to cook delicious food for those close to me.” Wan Anran interrupted the Empress, her face serious: “There is no such thing as right or wrong. I will always be the same person I was six years ago.”
The Empress hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back, yet still wanting to speak.
She quickly smiled faintly and said softly, "I understand."
Yinzhen couldn't help but show a deadpan expression.
His eyes were filled with admiration as he looked at his mother. He suddenly realized that his mother was perhaps some kind of weapon against enemies, specifically designed to deal with people like him who had heavy minds.
Look at the Empress Dowager, little flowers are practically floating behind her.
The Empress led Consort Qi to her seat, followed by the eldest princess, Yinzhen, Yinqi, and the fourth princess.
The table was soon filled with delicious food.
From appetizing cold dishes and pickles to refreshing and appetizing golden broth beef, delicious and heartwarming stone pot chicken soup with tofu, crisp and refreshing enoki mushroom and black fungus stir-fried eggs, and crispy and savory salted egg yolk chicken wings... the dazzling array of choices makes it hard to know where to begin.
The Queen decided to try a bite of the golden broth beef first.
The enoki mushrooms soaked up the sour and spicy sauce, and the pickled cabbage was just the right amount of sour, appetizing without being unpalatable. The initial taste was slightly spicy, with layers of flavor that made the Queen's face flush slightly and beads of sweat appear on her forehead.
The sour and spicy soup swept into my stomach.
Normally, even the most delicious food wouldn't excite it, but now it's swaggering around and calling out. Taking a bite of the freshly cooked rice, the soft, sticky grains combined with the rich sauce make me feel like I could eat a whole bowl of this dish alone!
No, no, no! There are other dishes too.
Next up is the stone pot chicken soup and tofu casserole, bursting with the aroma of soybeans. The rich and delicious broth, the smooth and tender soft tofu, and the refreshing shrimp and green peas go hand in hand, dancing on the tip of your tongue.
There are other flavors as well.
The Empress tasted it carefully for a moment, then looked surprised: "There's salted egg yolk in this too?"
Wan Anran nodded with a smile.
She casually placed a piece of salted egg yolk chicken wing on each of the four men, saying, "Try it."
This is the first time I've ever seen chicken wings with salted egg yolk.
Yinqi took a big bite, and the salty aroma of the salted egg yolk, the crispy crust, and the tender, juicy chicken created a harmonious blend of flavors that burst together on his lips and teeth.
The eldest princess and the fourth princess stared at him.
Seeing their sixth brother's eyes light up as he chewed like a hamster, everyone knew how delicious the dish was. They couldn't wait and put it all in their mouths, then simultaneously began scrambling for the remaining chicken wings.
Knowing full well that meals should be quiet, who could bear to stop the four children from laughing and playing? The Empress and Consort Qi exchanged a glance and continued their meal with smiles.
Every dish is delicious.
The group of people at the table ate with great satisfaction, but compared to the enthusiasm of the other three, Yinzhen appeared quite calm and composed.
Hmm, the taste is indeed quite good.
Let's make one in Chuxiu Palace tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, and the day after that.
Yinqi immediately realized why his fifth brother was calm.
Still wanting more, his eyes darted around, and he tugged at Yinzhen's arm with his little hand: "Fifth Brother, let's have dinner at Chuxiu Palace tomorrow~"
"Sixth Brother is so cunning!"
"I want to go too—can I go, Consort Qi?" The eldest princess shifted her focus and looked at Consort Qi expectantly.
Wan Anran burst out laughing.
She nodded: "Of course, no problem. Your mother welcomes you whenever you come!"
The Queen enjoyed her meal in a good mood.
Just as she was about to have a third bowl of food, Consort Qi stopped her. Wan Anran instructed, "Eat in moderation, not too little and not too much. Two bowls are enough. I will write down the menu for each day and send it to you. Your Majesty, you must eat properly, understand?"
Before the Empress could speak, the eldest princess patted her chest and said, "Don't worry, Mother Consort Qi, I will definitely urge Your Majesty to do so!"
Granny Zhou smiled and agreed.
The Empress, however, looked helpless and shook her head: "I have no need for you to interfere."
The eldest princess sighed leisurely.
Her head-shaking gesture amused everyone, and the hall erupted in laughter once again.
After finishing her meal, the Empress remembered something.
While the four children were running off to play, she took Qi Fei's hand and said, "Speaking of which... when you have time, you can visit Xianfu Palace."
Wan Anran was slightly surprised.
She thought back carefully but couldn't find any changes in Consort Xuan recently. Wan Anran looked puzzled: "Sister Xuan, she...?"
The Empress's eyes held a complex expression.
She sighed softly, "Ever since Consort Shun moved out of Xianfu Palace after the New Year, Yinzhuo has never gone to Xianfu Palace to pay his respects."
Wan Anran frowned genuinely this time.
She was shocked and incredulous: "How? How could this be? How could this happen?"
Wan Anran genuinely didn't believe it.
But seeing the Empress's calm appearance, she felt a sense of disorientation.
How could it have turned out like this?
In her eyes, Yinzhuo was still the same child who had acted cute and playful six years ago. Wan Anran still remembered how Yinzhuo insisted on hunting to give to the three of them, how he argued with her, how he was shy and afraid to step forward... and the scene where she and Yinzhuo begged Consort Xuan for help when Consort Nara was disciplining them to study and write.
All of this seems so vivid in my mind.
To this day, the days spent in Xianfu Palace remain the softest part of Wan Anran's heart. The kind-hearted Consort Xuan (Xuan Pin) and the gentle Consort Shun (Nara Guiren) helped her overcome her fear and become accustomed to life in the Qing Palace.
But now...
Those wonderful days shattered at that moment with the Queen's words.
Wan Anran's face turned much paler.
Seeing this, the Empress held Wan Anran's hand tightly and comforted her in a deep voice: "In this journey of life, to meet someone and have a connection is already a blessing from God. How many people in a lifetime can walk together and remain unchanged?"
Wan Anran came to her senses after a moment of stunned silence.
She responded softly with a "yes," her eyes showing a hint of realization as she looked at the Empress.
No wonder the Empress was distracted.
Perhaps she had thought this way before... Wan Anran returned to Chuxiu Palace with a belly full of worries, and after thinking it over for a long time, she finally made her decision.
We should go to Yongshou Palace and ask Consort Shun first.
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