A short while later, Lian Nan turned around.
Behind her followed a line of maids, each carrying a painted sandalwood tray, on which were placed various porcelain bowls and plates, displaying delicate and exquisite pastries.
The first dessert, named Poria Cocos Cream, stirred a subtle excitement in Wan Anran. Looking at the bowl of flower petals scattered in it, resembling a milky dessert, the Empress glanced at Consort Qi with a hint of confusion, completely bewildered by her excitement.
This dessert is really nothing special; it's just something that appears in *Dream of the Red Chamber*. Seeing the Empress's confusion, Wan Anran suppressed her excitement, picked up the Poria Cocos Cream, and took a small sip. It was sweet, with almost no detectable ginseng, but the taste…
Just ordinary.
The Empress thought it wasn't even as good as double-skin milk pudding. Their indifferent expressions made the maids a little uneasy. The second course was pastries: lotus root starch and osmanthus sugar cake, soft, sweet, and delicate in texture; lotus seed and hibiscus pastry, crisp and layered with a sweet aftertaste; and sweet and sour hawthorn cake, tangy and appetizing with a sweet finish. Unfortunately, the reviews were still just average.
The third dish is fried food.
The unassuming round balls are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The rich, sweet fish flavor, the fresh sweetness of shiitake mushrooms and bamboo shoots, and the salty umami of salted egg yolk blend perfectly. One bite and you'll find the broth is rich and delicious, making it much tastier than the previous two dishes.
Wan Anran asked curiously, "What's this dish called?"
The maid breathed a sigh of relief and replied with a smile, "Reporting to Consort Qi, this is a snack made by the Second Madam. It doesn't have a name; it's usually just called hot cake."
Hot cake?
The Empress found the name unusually simple, but Wan Anran's eyes widened in surprise. Who was unfamiliar with hot cake? In *Dream of the Red Chamber*, the maid Fangguan used it to tease sparrows… But this hot cake, this hot cake, wasn't millet cake at all, but rather a hot cake made with fish, meat, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots?
This shows how wealthy the Cao family will be in the future.
Wan Anran clicked her tongue in amazement, but unfortunately, since nothing had happened yet, she couldn't say anything. She simply waved her hand to indicate that the next dish was to be served.
They said they were just trying something new, but the three of them had actually eaten quite a bit, and were even a little half full. Wan Anran drank another cup of tea, then frowned slightly as she looked at the setting sun outside: "Why haven't Yinzhen and the others returned yet?"
The Empress sent someone to inquire.
The young eunuch who went to the front courtyard to inquire returned quickly, his expression somewhat strange: "Your Majesty the Empress, all the princes have been summoned by the Emperor."
Judging from his pale face, something must have happened.
Neither the Empress nor Wan Anran had any appetite for their meal. They waited for half an hour before the Emperor finally arrived. Wan Anran looked back but didn't see Yinzhen anywhere. Kangxi glanced at her and said, "Yinzhen is fine, don't worry."
Although his tone was cold, it didn't sound like he was angry.
As long as nothing had happened to Yinzhen, Wan Anran breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time, she was also curious: "Your Majesty, what happened?"
The Empress glared at Consort Qi, and was about to stop her when she heard Kangxi's reply: "It was just that the group ran into a few pedantic scholars on their way out."
The Empress and Wan Anran's brows twitched.
The former understood that he had probably said something unpleasant, while the latter was nervous and couldn't help but think of three words that would be famous for generations to come: literary inquisition.
Kangxi clearly didn't want to say more about these things.
He abruptly changed the subject and ordered the food to be served. Dinner was an extravagant feast. Dishes like the salted duck and braised lion's head meatballs that Wan Anran had been eagerly anticipating seemed to pale in comparison, serving as mere accompaniments.
Look at all that chicken marrow and bamboo shoots, rouge goose breast, braised pork and cabbage, three delicacies deer tendon, pickled goose feet and duck tongues... At least Wan Anran felt that the Cao family's flattery had backfired. What did Kangxi, who was worried about the country and strived to ascend Mount Tai for the Fengshan ceremony in the future, hate the most right now?
For example, those who hold you back.
For example, trying to make yourself lazy or a useless idiot.
Another example is those who are extravagant, wasteful, self-righteous, unambitious, or even want to take the wrong path.
Wan Anran: …………
She suddenly understood why Cao Quan was disliked by Emperor Kangxi. If Cao Yin was originally 80 points in Emperor Kangxi's heart, and Cao Quan, with the halo of Old Madam Sun, was 60 points, then Cao Yin was now 100 points, while Cao Quan... well, she would probably have to thank Old Madam Sun if she dropped to 30 or 40 points.
Just as Wan Anran had predicted, Kangxi's expression was not good. These were delicacies from land and sea; if Kangxi wanted to eat them, there was nowhere in the palace that couldn't be prepared? At this moment, however, he was thinking of the simple meals that Consort Qi had prepared in Chuxiu Palace, and the joy of everyone leisurely cooking for themselves.
Emperor Kangxi's expression darkened slightly.
Just wanting to give the wet nurse some face, he didn't actually cause a scene on the spot.
Cao Xi received a tip from Liang Jiugong the next day.
He was so angry that his chest felt tight, and he wanted nothing more than to drag Cao Quan over and beat him up. But his wife stopped him, crying and saying that hitting Cao Quan would be the death of him.
Cao Xi was trembling with anger. He was speechless, pointing at his wife and young son. In the end, he turned and left. He had only taken two steps when he felt a surge of anger in his chest and quickly covered his mouth with a handkerchief.
The attendant's face turned pale.
He repeatedly called for a doctor, but was stopped by his own master. Cao Xi stared expressionlessly at the handkerchief, the deep red bloodstains etched into his eyes. His brows furrowed with barely concealed resentment: He had wanted Cao Quan to gain favor with the Emperor, wasn't it all because of his wife's favoritism? Seeing that the Emperor favored Cao Yin, destined to make this child his successor…
Cao Xi stomped his foot heavily.
What should we do about this? He thought and thought, then clutched the handkerchief in his hand and turned to walk towards Cao Yin's courtyard.
Cao Yin had nowhere to vent his frustration.
He became increasingly cautious, fearing that Cao Quan might anger the emperor and drag the Cao family into an abyss of no return.
All of this was observed by Kangxi. Thinking of what the Empress had mentioned, Kangxi still reached out and patted Cao Yin on the shoulder: "I will not blame you for Cao Quan's matter. Ziqing, just do your job well."
Cao Yin was moved to tears and became even more attentive to his work.
Meanwhile, Wan Anran secretly asked Yinzhen what had happened.
"They're just a few pedantic scholars, Mother, you don't need to take them to heart." Yinzhen was slightly puzzled, not understanding why his mother would care about a few scholars.
"Your father seems unhappy, and your mother is also worried."
"Father has already made plans, Mother, don't worry." Yinzhen smiled and said, "Preparations have already been made, Mother, just wait for good news."
Wan Anran breathed a slight sigh of relief.
If it were a literary inquisition... it probably wouldn't be so easy, right?
A few days later, some news did indeed come out.
Unlike Wan Anran, who was so leisurely that he seemed to have nothing to do, Kangxi and his princes were extremely busy, practically rising early and returning late. First, they mobilized a large army to pay homage at the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, and then they held a grand military review outside Jiangning City.
Unfortunately, Wan Anran did not live to see this scene.
She and Consort Yi smiled as they watched Yinzhen and Yinqi sing in unison, vividly describing the scene: "The most impressive one was Father Khan. Surrounded by a huge crowd of people, Father Khan wielded a longbow and shot an arrow, covering a much, much greater distance than the most skilled archers, and hitting the target nine out of ten times! After Father Khan finished shooting, all the people cheered together—"
Wan Anran secretly regretted it.
Just by imagining it, one can know that it must be an incredibly magnificent sight, but unfortunately, I will never have the chance to see it.
The military parade was clearly a great success.
A grand celebration banquet was held in the front courtyard, while the Empress also invited many wives and noblewomen to participate in the feast in the back courtyard. The banquet hall was full of guests, and everyone was toasting and laughing, creating a joyous and wealthy atmosphere.
Unfortunately, something bad happened the very next day.
Just as Wan Anran, the Empress, Consort Yi, and Lady Cao Quan, who was accompanying them, were playing mahjong, Lian Nan rushed in and hurriedly reported, "Your Majesty, something has happened outside."
The Empress's expression changed slightly.
Lady Cao Quan also stood up anxiously. The Emperor was staying at the Cao family's villa. If something happened to him, the entire Cao family would probably be doomed.
Lian Nan took a breath.
She said with a serious expression, "I heard that His Majesty was furious and had a maid beaten to death in the front courtyard."
Wan Anran and Consort Yi exclaimed in surprise.
Lady Cao Quan's face turned ashen. She was instantly flustered and hurriedly walked towards the front courtyard after curtsying and taking her leave.
Her unusual behavior was noticed by everyone.
After Madam Cao Quan had walked away, Wan Anran clicked his tongue and said, "Is this matter related to Madam Cao Quan?"
Consort Yi also gave a cold laugh.
She casually remarked, "You're not thinking of sending someone to the Emperor's bed, are you?"
Wan Anran thought for a moment, then shook her head: "I don't think so."
Consort Yi: "Why?"
Wan Anran explained earnestly, "If something had truly been sent, the Emperor wouldn't be so angry. It couldn't be—"
Consort Yi shuddered: "An assassin?"
The Empress chuckled, "What nonsense are you all thinking! If it were really an assassin, there would probably have been guards among those who came in just now, and they would have taken Lady Cao Quan away immediately."
Wan Anran stuck out her tongue.
Consort Yi's cheeks flushed slightly: "This...is it also?"
Although they were one player short for the mahjong game and couldn't continue, the news from the front kept the three of them on their toes. Consort Yi didn't take her leave, but stayed to chat and have some snacks while waiting for the palace servant who had inquired to return and report.
Unfortunately, no news came by evening.
Seeing Yinzhen return, Wan Anran could only regretfully get up, take Yinzhen's little hand, and walk back.
I didn't find out what happened until the next day.
It turns out that the emperor got drunk after the banquet the day before, and the palace maid who was beaten to death was also one of his attendants, who happened to be used by the emperor.
Wan Anran: ...Perverted Emperor Kangxi, ptooey!
Consort Yi frowned, slightly puzzled: "If that's the case, why did His Majesty fly into a rage?"
Wan Anran also came to her senses.
As she pondered, she said, "Indeed, the fault lies with the Emperor... cough cough, with the maidservants who were so close to the Emperor. But they weren't guilty of anything that warranted their deaths, were they? In the back courtyard of the Qianqing Palace, there are also several palace maids without official titles." Those who are lucky might get a title and enter the harem, while those who are unlucky might stay there for the rest of their lives.
The Empress pressed her temples.
She hesitated, then said, "If it were just this, the Emperor wouldn't be so angry."
Wan Anran and Consort Yi became increasingly puzzled.
The Empress stammered, unable to speak, but Lian Nan couldn't help but say, "Your Highness Consort Qi, I heard that the palace maid bears a striking resemblance to you."
Wan Anran: …………?
She never expected that she would be caught up in the gossip herself. Wan Anran pointed at herself, her face full of disbelief: "This Empress!?"
The empress no longer tried to hide it.
She nodded with a dark expression, about to speak, when Wan Anran interrupted her with a surprised voice. Wan Anran cupped her cheeks, looking completely bewildered: "What...what use is it to resemble me?"
Wan Anran is quite self-aware.
Although she was indeed very beautiful, truly a beauty, if Kangxi really only cared about looks, he wouldn't be attracted to her type, would he? If we're talking about who he was most attracted to... Wan Anran's eyes swept over Consort Yi's face.
She preferred Consort Yi's food.
As for my favor... well, maybe 50% is due to my skills? Of the remaining 50%, maybe 30% is due to kindred spirits? And at most, 20% is due to my looks.
He actually chose himself?
Tsk... Wan Anran shook her head: "You chose the wrong person!"
Empress: …………?
Consort Yi: …………?
The two looked at Qi Fei with confusion, not quite understanding her thought process.
The Empress's anger vanished.
She poked Qi Fei's forehead in an annoyed tone: "What nonsense are you talking about?"
Consort Yi nodded emphatically.
At this point, we can't help but complain about Consort Qi.
Emperor Kangxi, who was in the front courtyard, was also furious.
Liang Jiugong's gaze was cold. It was normal for him to present a maidservant, but the fact that she was drunk and resembled Consort Qi made people suspicious of the official's motives.
Moreover... Liang Jiugong's eyes showed regret.
If it were before... perhaps the Emperor wouldn't have cared much, but he chose the time when the Emperor's favor towards Consort Qi is at its highest recently.
As expected, when the announcement came from the doorway, the Emperor roared, "Get in here now!"
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