Half a month later.
The emperor set off for Changchun Garden. Wan Anran carried four large carts of luggage, mainly consisting of Yin Tao's daily necessities and toys.
Wan Anran entered Changchun Garden and was immediately captivated by its unique and beautiful scenery. Changchun Garden was picturesque, tranquil, and peaceful, a world apart from the solemn and imposing Forbidden City, and possessing a greater sense of imperial grandeur than the gardens of Jiangnan.
Anyway, it's really beautiful and gorgeous.
Of course, such vulgar praise drew a disdainful look from Emperor Kangxi. He held Consort Qi's hand as they strolled through the garden, his words carrying a hint of dissatisfaction, clearly indicating his intention to renovate and expand the garden as he lived there.
Even so, Wan Anran still thoroughly enjoyed the stroll, finding it far more interesting than the Forbidden City or the Western Garden.
For example, many small animals roam freely in Changchun Garden. It is common to encounter a pheasant flapping its wings, a wild rabbit, a wild duck, or a white goose while walking along the quiet paths. Sometimes you may also encounter sika deer, elk, white cranes, and peacocks.
After encountering them several times, Wan Anran simply had her palace servants carry small snacks that the animals could eat with them, feeding each one she encountered, which made her quite nostalgic for the scene of going to the zoo in her previous life.
It's just lacking a bit of fluffiness?
Wan Anran stroked her chin, the image of an alpaca gradually appearing in her mind. She looked around with some regret, and Kangxi asked in surprise, "Does Consort Qi wish to raise something?"
ah……
Wan Anran: "Sheep..."
Her voice stopped abruptly halfway through her speech.
Speaking of alpacas, I think they're still in South or North America, right? I wonder if the Spanish sent them elsewhere when they conquered the Inca? In any case, we certainly won't see them here anymore.
Kangxi blinked: "Sheep? Sheep?"
He rarely offered advice: "Sheep have a strong body odor and are not suitable for raising in Changchun Garden. If you like, I will have someone bring over a few lambs for you to play with. Young sheep are quite cute."
Wan Anran shook her head, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Seeing that Kangxi was about to ask another question, she quickly coughed and said, "Speaking of sheep, I'm getting a craving for mutton..."
This is not a joke at all.
Kangxi's expression froze for a moment, then he laughed helplessly: "Really—alright, how about we have roasted lamb chops today?"
Wan Anran immediately smiled.
Emperor Kangxi led Consort Qi forward, gazing thoughtfully at the animals frolicking in the grass. He suddenly remembered a wish Consort Qi had held in the past. Looking at Consort Qi's beautiful profile, Kangxi secretly planned to prepare a surprise for her.
The Emperor decreed that the Imperial Kitchen should prepare immediately.
Around noon, a carefully prepared roasted lamb chop was delivered to Ruosu Courtyard, where Wan Anran was staying. The lamb chop was placed on a hot plate, crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside, and was also served with various grilled vegetable skewers, which not only cut through the richness but also added flavor.
It was also served with a bowl of mutton offal soup.
The fresh and rich flavor goes without saying; Wan Anran was completely satisfied after eating the whole lamb feast.
After lunch.
In the afternoon, Wan Anran was free. She washed up and changed her clothes, then put on a set of casual clothes and headed towards the courtyard where the Empress was staying, pondering where to go for the day as she walked.
On the other hand, Emperor Kangxi also ate mutton for lunch.
Unlike Consort Qi, he only ate two small pieces of mutton and considered it a taste. After drinking a cup of tea to cleanse his palate and changing into a long robe, Kangxi summoned his ministers to continue discussing various matters, and then led them towards Wuyi Studio.
As Shang approached the door, he could hear the princes reciting their lessons aloud. Following behind, Suo'etu smiled and said, "The Crown Prince and all the princes are studying diligently, which is a blessing for the Qing Dynasty."
Emperor Kangxi nodded in a good mood.
Upon hearing the announcement, the reading inside abruptly ceased. As Kangxi stepped into Wuyizhai, Crown Prince Yinreng, along with the other princes and their tutors, stepped forward to pay their respects.
Emperor Kangxi waved his hand, signaling the Crown Prince and the other princes to take turns reciting the text. All of them read fluently and clearly, and when asked about its meaning, they explained it in great detail. The surrounding ministers, not wanting to offend the Emperor, praised them highly.
Emperor Kangxi wore a proud expression.
Looking at the handsome and dashing Crown Prince Yinreng, he was extremely satisfied. He himself ascended the throne at the age of seven and began to rule in his own right at fourteen, and Yinreng was now thirteen years old; it was time for him to practice in the court. Thinking of this, Kangxi stroked his beard and praised, "The Crown Prince is intelligent and has made progress in his studies. After the sacrificial ceremony at Jingling, he will follow me to learn about government affairs."
Crown Prince Yinreng's eyes lit up.
He had long since lost his patience for reading, and upon hearing this, he was overjoyed. Only at Suo'etu's prompting did he suppress his delight and respectfully kneel down to acknowledge the order.
As for the eldest prince, Yinzhi, his expression was not so good.
He was clearly two years older than the Crown Prince, yet he was still studying in the study. Now, his father was saying that the Crown Prince was intelligent and accomplished, which was tantamount to saying that he was stupid. His face turned pale, then red, then purple, and he felt extremely aggrieved.
The other princes all looked on with envy.
Only Yinzhen frowned slightly, a hint of worry showing in his eyes. He secretly glanced at his proud father, never expecting that even though the time was different, he would still hear the thing he least wanted to hear.
Everyone in Wuyizhai had different ideas, but Kangxi felt that his arrangement was quite good. He instructed the Crown Prince and the other princes to continue their studies. Kangxi and his court officials listened in for a while longer before leaving.
As Emperor Kangxi departed, a commotion arose in Wuyizhai, but it quickly subsided again.
None of this affected the imperial concubines.
Wan Anran, the Empress, and Consort Xuan strolled along the lakeside. Willows lined the shore, and the lake was covered with lush green lotus leaves. If the lotus flowers were in full bloom in the summer, it would surely be a magnificent sight.
Wan Anran bent down and picked up a flat stone.
With a "heh," she tossed the stone, skipping it across the water and startling several leisurely wild ducks. The ducks flapped their wings and flew quite a distance before landing back on the lake, quacking loudly at the three of them, as if displeased that Wan Anran had disturbed their peaceful slumber.
Wan Anran laughed so hard she bent over.
Before she could speak, she caught a glimpse of a large fish leaping out of the water, its smooth scales gleaming brightly in the sunlight. With a flick of its tail, it crashed back into the water, splashing up a large spray.
Wan Anran exclaimed, "Wow! What a huge fish!"
The Empress smiled and nodded: "Changchun Garden was formerly Qinghua Garden. Its water system has not been altered, and few people fish there. Over the years, the fish there must be extremely plump and delicious..."
The two exchanged a glance and simultaneously formed a plan.
Wan Anran licked her lips: "How about... we go fishing?"
"Fishing is also a good option."
Consort Xuan was also in high spirits: "The weather is nice today and it happens to be the fifteenth. After we catch some fish, we can enjoy the moon and fish soup on the shore. What do you think?"
Wan Anran smacked her lips: "Grilled fish is not bad either."
The Empress covered her mouth and chuckled: "If we want to admire the moon, we need His Majesty's permission."
Emperor Kangxi was naturally delighted to agree.
Incidentally, he mentioned that he rarely had free time, so he invited the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager to participate. Since that was the case, the Empress instructed all the concubines and princesses to participate as well.
The Emperor also gave an extra gift.
Whoever catches the most and biggest fish wins first place. Wan Anran asked curiously, "Is there a reward?"
Kangxi nodded: "Of course."
Wan Anran immediately perked up, and seeing her energetic demeanor, Kangxi became curious again: "Consort Qi, what did you want again?"
Wan Anran wrinkled her nose, but finally remained unusually honest: "Could you please return my scooter?"
Kangxi: …………
His lips twitched, and he said earnestly, "I confiscated your scooter for your own good. What if you fall or bump into someone?"
Wan Anran: "Have you used it?"
Kangxi's eyes darted around, "..."
Wan Anran: "Did you fall?"
Emperor Kangxi, enraged and embarrassed, replied with a dark face, "We'll talk after you win."
Wan Anran gave a soft hum.
Fishing skills are indeed important, but luck is even more crucial! She may not be as skilled as the emperor, but with luck, she might not necessarily lose!
The lake in Changchun Garden is calm.
Before starting to fish, the group took a small boat and cruised around the lake. Sitting quietly in the boat, surrounded by birdsong, Wan Anran rested her cheek on her hand, lost in thought for a long while before reluctantly returning to the boat.
Let's take a stroll when the lotus flowers are in full bloom, shall we? Back on shore, all the fishing gear was ready. Wan Anran, fishing rod in hand, was poised to set off, but little did she know that a major challenge awaited everyone before they even began fishing.
The Empress and Consort Xuan screamed in surprise.
Wan Anran leaned over to take a look: "What's wrong?"
The Empress grabbed Wan Anran's arm.
She was terrified, her face turning pale: "Insects, insects!"
His other arm was held by Consort Xuan.
She turned pale: "A bug! A bug that can even wriggle!"
Screams erupted all around.
Wan Anran looked down and saw the earthworm in the box wriggling wildly, enthusiastically greeting everyone in front of her: hai!
One earthworm is fine, two are acceptable too.
But seeing the box full of earthworms, Wan Anran got goosebumps all over her body.
The three people's pupils dilated in shock, and they stood frozen in place.
The palace servants were naturally happy to help, but there was also the sarcastic Kangxi: "Tsk tsk, they don't even dare to put bait on the hook, and they still want to fish? It seems that the outcome of this game is already decided."
Wan Anran was furious.
She scoffed, "Who says you can't fish if you don't dare to use earthworms?"
Wan Anran turned her head and muttered a series of instructions.
The palace servants were taken aback for a moment, but quickly brought over what Wan Anran had requested.
Kangxi glanced at it and immediately shook his head: "Rice...where can you fish with that?"
Wan Anran glanced at the Emperor.
She crumpled the dough into a ball, hung it on the fishing hook, and cast the line with great confidence: "Your Majesty, just watch!"
Emperor Kangxi fell into deep thought.
The Empress and Consort Xuan fell into deep thought.
The other concubines were also plunged into deep confusion.
The eldest princess, who was the first to come to her senses, said sullenly, "If rice is enough... why, why bother catching earthworms at all!"
The eldest princess pouted her little mouth very high.
In an attempt to appear brave and fearless in front of her sisters, she tremblingly picked up an earthworm and hooked it onto a fishhook amidst the shocked and admiring gazes of everyone present.
And now...
Look at the three buckets next to Qi's mother!
Lively crucian carp were jumping around in the bucket.
The splashing water dripped onto Kangxi's cheeks. He looked at his empty bucket and then at Consort Qi's full bucket, feeling as if his face had been slapped hard.
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