Of course, you can't go empty-handed.
But there wasn't enough time to make any desserts. After making some caramel crisps, Wan Anran hurriedly grabbed them and rushed to Yongshou Palace.
Yongsoo Palace was once the residence of Consort An and Consort Gyeong.
After the renovations were completed before the new year and the new owners moved in, all traces of the two of them completely disappeared.
Wan Anran had never been to Yongshou Palace before.
She stepped into the courtyard and looked around with a hint of curiosity: if the courtyard of Chuxiu Palace could be described as casual and natural, with plants and flowers mostly related to food, then the courtyard of Yongshou Palace was magnificent and exquisite, with plants and flowers mainly for appreciation.
The entire courtyard is lush with flowers and trees. In addition to the seasonal forsythia, apricot blossoms, and peach blossoms, there are also many flowers that are not in season. The fragrance is rich and the flowers are in full bloom, creating a scene of prosperity and peace.
Qi Fei's arrival caused quite a stir.
Unfamiliar palace servants welcomed her into the main hall. After a short while, Wan Anran saw Consort Shun being escorted by palace servants.
Consort Shun's attire is more beautiful than before.
Having already developed a keen eye for fashion in the palace, Wan Anran could tell at a glance that Consort Shun was dressed in the latest styles. Her simple apricot-colored cheongsam with delicate and beautiful embroidery was a new tribute from the Imperial Textile Bureau at the beginning of the year. Her hairpin was also newly made, with bright colors and a unique design.
Consort Shun stepped forward, curtsied, and paid her respects.
After getting up, she pulled Wan Anran aside and began to nag, "Where did a concubine come to my palace? If Sister Qi misses me, just send someone to talk to me, that's all..."
Wan Anran felt a soreness in the tip of her nose.
She grasped Consort Shun's wrist with her other hand, her voice trembling slightly: "Nara, Sister Nara."
Consort Shun's words came to an abrupt end.
She dismissed the palace servants and pulled Consort Qi aside, her face full of worry: "What happened? Why are you like this all of a sudden? Did you suffer some injustice?"
Wan Anran was a little embarrassed.
She turned her head away, feeling a tightness in her chest but unsure how to express it. After a long while, Wan Anran finally looked at Consort Shun: "I heard from Her Majesty the Empress that..."
"Um?"
“Yinzuo… hasn’t paid his respects to Sister Xuan since the New Year,” Wan Anran said softly.
Consort Shun was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing.
She reached out and flicked Wan Anran's forehead: "Her Majesty the Empress sent you to comfort Sister Xuan, right?"
"Um……"
"Then how did you end up here?"
"I just want to...I just want to..."
Wan Anran hung her head dejectedly: "How could Yinzhuo be like that?"
Consort Shun gazed tenderly at Consort Qi.
She still remembered the first time she saw Consort Qi. She was drowsy and slumped between the blankets, her lips were dry and cracked, and her body was as thin as paper. Consort Shun thought she wouldn't be able to hold on, but she didn't expect that such a frail body would gradually perk up, like wild grass that withers in autumn but revives in spring.
Consort Shun gently took Consort Qi's hand.
She sighed softly, "It's true."
Wan Anran was slightly taken aback.
Consort Shun remained silent for a moment, then sighed softly, "Yinzhuo has an extremely good relationship with the Crown Prince."
At first she was happy, but now Consort Shun is also starting to feel uneasy.
Wan Anran could feel Consort Shun gripping her hand slightly tighter. The next second, Consort Shun sighed with a hint of melancholy, "Sister Xuan loves Yinzhuo very much. She used to want Yinzhuo to marry a Borjigit woman in the future."
Wan Anran: "Isn't this a good thing?"
Historically, the Tenth Prince, Yin'e, was born into a noble family. Even after Emperor Yongzheng came to power, he was only imprisoned and stripped of his title because of his marriage to a Mongolian princess. Compared to the deaths of the Eighth and Ninth Princes, he was considered quite lucky.
Of course, Wan Anran couldn't say these things.
She simply gazed at Consort Shun, her clear eyes filled with questions.
Consort Shun sighed softly.
Compared to Qi Fei, who was completely insensitive to politics, she was much more aware of this.
It's a good thing for a prince to marry a Mongolian woman.
Judging from the Emperor's respect for the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager, but his cold treatment of Consort Xuan, it would be irrelevant for the princes to marry Mongolian wives.
Consort Xuan's suggestion is excellent.
However, the premise is that Yinzhuo cannot have such a close relationship with the Crown Prince. If Yinzhuo, who firmly stands by the Crown Prince's side, marries a member of the Borjigit clan in the future, it will inevitably greatly increase the Crown Prince's power. The change in the power structure of the previous dynasty will inevitably affect the Emperor, causing a chain reaction.
Consort Shun thought for a moment.
She gently patted Qi Fei's hand: "It's a good thing, but it's not a good thing either. Anyway, Sister Xuan knows, but she just can't get over this hurdle in her heart."
Wan Anran seemed to understand, but not quite.
Finally, she hesitated for a moment: "You didn't argue with Sister Xuan, right?"
Consort Shun laughed so hard she almost fell over.
She nodded emphatically: "That's natural."
They only show their emotions when they haven't argued.
If they really quarrel, they will act like best friends—of course, she won't tell Qi Fei any of this.
Consort Shun smiled gently.
She embraced the elated Qi Fei, her eyes and brows softening.
I hope Qi Fei can stay like this forever.
Consort Shun's lips curled up into a slight smile as she listened to Wan Anran's ramblings.
After talking about Wan Anran, she also remembered the snacks.
She proudly presented her creation with a smile: "Here, try some caramel crisps."
Consort Shun took one piece.
The first bite is a crunchy nut flavor with a nutty aroma, followed by a rich sweetness from the caramel. The two blend together perfectly, resulting in a simple yet delightfully sweet taste.
Wan Anran also took one.
She took one bite and then another, swallowing the whole piece in no time.
Consort Shun took a bite.
She looked surprised, and after asking about the recipe, she was even more astonished: "It's easy to make, and it tastes great too."
As soon as she finished speaking, Consort Shun had someone bring over a bowl of cold porridge. She personally ladled a bowl and placed it in front of Wan Anran: "Try this, it's my favorite lately."
Why are we eating cold porridge when it's still spring?
Wan Anran looked over curiously, and was immediately attracted by her beautiful appearance.
This is an extremely rare pinkish-purple color.
Its beautiful appearance alone surprised Wan Anran, not to mention its taste. It was delicate and smooth on the palate, with a rich floral fragrance and a subtle sweetness, and a cool and refreshing taste.
After drinking it, Wan Anran felt that even her breath was fragrant, and her breath was as sweet as orchids.
Wan Anran could not hide her surprise.
She wondered, "What's the name of this dish?"
Consort Shun replied with a smile, "This is a dish I found in a book. It's called Snow Clearing Soup. It requires crushing over a hundred fresh hibiscus flowers into a paste, then cooking it with tender tofu until it's as smooth and delicate as porridge. It's quite simple."
Simple? Sounds complicated, doesn't it?
Wan Anran looked surprised and muttered, "Shouldn't hibiscus be an autumn flower? It's only early spring now, where did we find it? Hmm? Speaking of which, Yongshou Palace has quite a few flowers that only bloom in other seasons."
Consort Shun chuckled: "You don't even know this?"
"Why?
“There are also gardens outside the capital that are specially for growing flowers for the palace. It is said that they have heated pits and are prepared all year round.”
"There's such a place?"
"Yes, the flowers in the palace must always be in bloom and never fade, so there must always be a place to keep them."
Consort Shun picked up the Snow Clearing Soup and took a small sip: "This porridge is made with hibiscus. I was thinking of having the Imperial Kitchen try using peach blossoms, apricot blossoms, lotus flowers, and so on. I wonder if it will make any difference."
Wan Anran smiled and said, "Then I'll come and try it again later."
Consort Shun smiled and agreed.
Wan Anran still had to go to Xianfu Palace, so she got up and left after sitting for a short while. Before leaving, Consort Shun had someone bring another serving of Xueji Soup and handed it to Wan Anran with a smile: "Sister Xuan, I won't go then. Consort Qi, please take this with you as a token of my affection."
“I know,” Wan Anran nodded.
Not long after leaving Yongshou Palace, her smile faded, and a hint of dejection appeared in her eyes.
Consort Shun... has changed a lot.
If it were in the past, she would definitely have waited until the flowers were in bloom to invite herself and Consort Xuan to pick hibiscus together and make porridge.
Wan Anran's steps were heavy, but she sighed deeply as she recalled Consort Shun's words.
As long as everyone is well, change is fine.
She then entered Xianfu Palace. Compared to the bustling Chuxiu Palace and the magnificent Yongshou Palace, Xianfu Palace was much quieter. Palace servants tiptoed in and out, and the head maid, Xia, came forward to greet her: "This servant greets Consort Qi."
"Where is Sister Xuan?"
"Her Highness is in the Buddhist hall," Xia Mama replied, while respectfully inviting Consort Qi into the main hall.
A palace maid with keen insight went inside to report.
Just a few breaths later, Wan Anran heard hurried footsteps, and then Consort Xuan swept into the room with a cool breeze: "Qi-mei... Sister, what brings you here?"
"Sister Xuan, I've come to see you."
"What's so interesting about me?" Consort Xuan replied casually. "My life is the same as before. I pick up Buddhist beans, copy Buddhist scriptures, and occasionally go to pay my respects to the Empress. Didn't you see me every day when you were staying in Xianfu Palace?"
Wan Anran: ...
Clearly, Consort Xuan harbored a lot of resentment. She gave a wink, and Hai Tao quickly stepped forward and took out all the pastries: "Here, Sister Xuan, would you like to try some?"
Consort Xuan sat down.
She looked at the pastries on the table, tasted some of each, and asked with slight surprise, "Did you make all of these?"
Wan Anran blinked: "This was made by me, and this was made by Consort Shun."
Consort Xuan glanced at Consort Qi, knowing full well that Consort Qi had come as an intermediary. She waved her hand, "I'm just a little upset right now, don't overthink it."
Consort Xuan paused.
After a moment, she sighed, "At most, I feel a little resentful, don't I?"
Wan Anran understood Consort Xuan's feelings.
Even if Consort Xuan didn't devote herself entirely to Yinzhuo, she still went to great lengths for him, but the results were not as she wished.
Wan Anran hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.
Consort Xuan waved her hand: "Besides, Her Majesty the Empress comforted me, saying that I could adopt another child later. But raising a child is not as simple and easy as it sounds. As long as I remember the happy things I've experienced, that's enough for me."
Time will eventually make you forget those sorrows.
Wan Anran understood what Consort Xuan meant, but the more she understood, the harder it was for her to accept.
A thought flashed through my mind like lightning.
Wan Anran's heart stirred slightly, and she tightly grasped Consort Xuan's hand: "Sister Xuan..."
"Um?"
"If you can get pregnant, surely the Emperor won't let your child leave him?"
"It's not as simple as it sounds."
"Would you like to give it a try?" Wan Anran asked softly.
May the Empress be in good health.
Consort De has long since vanished without a trace.
Yinzhu survived unharmed.
Why couldn't Consort Xuan have a child of her own?
Wan Anran saw that Consort Xuan was interested, so he simply repeated what he had told Hai Tao and the others a few days ago. As for whether to do it or not, it was up to Consort Xuan herself.
Of course, Wan Anran also honestly explained, so as not to give Consort Xuan too much expectation: "These are all probabilities, it's not like it's 100% certain."
Consort Xuan seemed to be deep in thought.
Wan Anran originally thought that Consort Xuan would definitely consider it, and more importantly, the Emperor rarely went to Xianfu Palace, so whether she could get pregnant was still a matter of probability.
But what Wan Anran never expected was—
Just over two months later, Granny Xia personally came to Chuxiu Palace to kowtow to Consort Qi. She was all smiles and brought with her some wonderful news: Consort Xuan was pregnant.
Wan Anran: …………
If you count on your fingers, it's only been two months since the Emperor returned from Mount Wutai. Even if he went to Xianfu Palace a few more times after returning, it's still the same as if he got pregnant as soon as he came back.
Wan Anran's expression was complicated, and she sighed softly: Putting everything else aside, is the Emperor's kidney really alright? Shouldn't he eat some oysters or something to replenish it?
Kangxi: "...Achoo!"
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