Wan Anran sat up straight.
She asked curiously, "How does this have anything to do with me?"
"Your Highness," Ju Bai said without any pretense, having already attracted Wan Anran's attention, "I heard that Consort Dai has prepared seven or eight meat dishes!"
“…Huh?” Wan Anran was even more puzzled.
"Because Your Majesty's culinary creations frequently attract the Emperor's attention, Consort Dai Jia also wants to learn from you!" Ju Bai said indignantly.
Wan Anran had heard these words several times before.
However, she hadn't paid much attention to it before, but now that it sounded like this... Wan Anran looked at her strangely: "Could it be that Consort Dai is imitating me?"
What is there for me to learn?
Should I learn to be lazy and greedy? Wan Anran, who was very self-aware, looked completely bewildered.
"Yes, Your Majesty. You know, many concubines in the palace say that Your Majesty is very lucky!"
Ju Bai gloated, covering her mouth and chuckling: "It's the same with Consort Dai. I heard that she put in a lot of effort to prepare a table full of delicious dishes, but not only did she fail to please the Emperor, she was also scolded by him."
Wan Anran was still somewhat puzzled.
She frowned slightly, finding it rather strange. Compared to what Uya had done, Consort Dai was practically innocent. Demoted for this? It didn't seem to fit the Emperor's character at all.
Wan Anran shook her head: "His Majesty has always been fair in his rewards and punishments, and he certainly will not arbitrarily take his anger out on others."
"Perhaps it was Consort Dai who angered the Emperor?"
"...When I was competing with the Emperor for food, I didn't see the Emperor demote." Wan Anran couldn't figure it out.
Emperor Kangxi, who was standing at the door, snorted.
He stepped inside: "Does Consort Qi know so much? Then why does she always fight with me so happily for food?"
The group was startled.
Compared to the fear and panic of Ju Bai and the others, Wan Anran gracefully curtsied and said, "This concubine greets Your Majesty."
Emperor Kangxi took his seat with an air of nonchalance.
Wan Anran asked with a grin, "Why has the Emperor come?"
Isn't this a bit early?
Emperor Kangxi glanced at Consort Qi with a half-smile, then swept his gaze over Liang Jiugong.
Liang Jiugong smiled and said, "Master Qi, His Majesty has sent you some fine things."
As soon as he finished speaking, a group of eunuchs walked in from outside.
They carried in several large bamboo baskets in pairs, attracting a lot of attention.
Wan Anran looked up curiously.
At first glance, her eyes lit up. What's the point of being reserved? Can it feed you? Wan Anran cheered and rushed forward to give Kangxi a big kiss!
Emperor Kangxi was stunned.
The jaws of the palace servants present nearly dropped to the ground—was this something they could bear to see? Everyone, including Liang Jiugong, suddenly lowered their heads, so forcefully that two of them cracked their necks, wincing in pain.
Emperor Kangxi had never seen anyone like Consort Qi.
A blush crept onto his cheeks, and he sternly scolded, "Nonsense!"
Wow—Emperor Kangxi could blush too?
Wan Anran wasn't afraid at all, and even chuckled as she watched the blush on Kangxi's cheeks until she sensed Kangxi's smile fade and annoyance flash in his eyes.
Wan Anran lowered her head and composed herself.
Her hands twisted the handkerchief, and she said in a sweet, coquettish voice, "Your Majesty is so kind to me! I have no way to repay you—"
"It can only make me lose face?" Kangxi replied casually.
Wan Anran's coquettish words stuck in her throat.
She hesitated to say the rest, and could only look at Kangxi with a mournful expression.
Emperor Kangxi gave a disgusted look: "No, no! Stop acting all cutesy. Even I get a fright looking at you like that!"
The affected expression from before vanished completely.
Wan Anran chuckled awkwardly, "Your Majesty, what I meant was to cook more delicious food for you."
Kangxi chuckled coldly.
That's it? Make yourself some more delicious food? I'm afraid I'll gain even more weight by the New Year! Kangxi, who didn't want to gain any more weight and wanted to lose weight, showed a disgusted face and waved his hand sternly: "I think Consort Qi, you should be careful not to get fat."
Wan Anran: ...
On a sudden impulse, she asked, "Your Majesty, have you gained weight?"
Emperor Kangxi's face was as black as the bottom of a pot.
He ignored Consort Qi's smirking and stormed off from Chuxiu Palace.
Looks like I guessed right?
Could Dai Jia have stepped on a landmine? That would be... that we really have to speak up for her and say she's innocent!
Dai Jia Changzai's jokes circulated in the palace for a long time, not only making her so ashamed that she hid in her palace and never went out, but also making ordinary palace concubines give up the idea of using food to attract the emperor.
If she lost her rank like Consort Dai, wouldn't it be too late to cry? As Consort Dai faded into obscurity, a new favorite quickly emerged in the palace: Consort Miao.
This one is truly astonishing.
Many concubines in the palace couldn't help but mention the remarkable figure of Consort Tong. You might think Consort Tong lacked judgment, but all three women she chose had names and surnames.
For example, Consort Qi.
After leaving Chengqian Palace, she had a smooth journey of giving birth to princes. Although she was not favored, her position was as secure as a rock.
For example, Uya agreed.
This one is much worse off, but she also gave birth to an unhealthy son. If he had been healthy, who knows what would have happened!
Finally, there is the present-day Miao Changzai.
She was not particularly noticeable in Chengqian Palace, but she shone brightly under Consort An's command. Now, with Consort Yi pregnant and Consort Dai being disliked, she has transformed into one of the most favored concubines in the palace.
But you might say Consort Tong has good judgment, but look at Chengqian Palace, only the unfortunate Consort Wuya was left behind. Consort Qi and Consort Miao only shone after they ran away, which makes one feel...
The concubines were all talking about it.
Consort Tong's face nearly split open. It was one thing that Consort Qi hadn't anticipated this, but what about Consort Miao? It wasn't that she hadn't praised her, but Consort Miao, beautiful as she was, foolish as she was, and her ambition was written all over her face without her realizing it.
Why does Consort An praise such a person so highly? The more Consort Tong thought about it, the more suspicious she became, and she secretly sent someone to inquire about it carefully.
Dingxiang, a palace maid who once served Consort Miao in Chengqian Palace, soon revealed something: Consort An gave Consort Miao a prescription that supposedly would help her conceive quickly, and even provided the prescription.
It's impossible not to be tempted.
Consort Tong was worried about having to use the medicine herself. She sent people to observe Consort Miao's condition while also sending the prescription back to the Tong family for a secret investigation.
Imperial concubines needed permission from the Imperial Hospital to use any medicine.
Originally, this matter should have been told to the Emperor, but Consort Tong hesitated and ultimately chose to keep it a secret.
The Forbidden City is like a vast ocean, seemingly calm on the surface, but beneath it, towering waves are surging.
Wan Anran was completely unaware.
As the weather grew hotter, her spirits gradually deteriorated, and she spent her days lying around listlessly, unwilling to move.
Even Haitao couldn't help but mutter, "Your Highness, look, the young prince is practicing so diligently... You should set a good example for him!"
you do not say?
Having reached eight months of age and nearing nine, Yinzhen is diligently practicing crawling. Even though the weather is extremely hot, thick carpets are laid on the floor of Chuxiu Palace to make it easier for the Fourth Prince to crawl around.
Following the direction Hai Tao pointed, they saw Yinzhen moving step by step on the carpet.
Could it be that he could have been born with an aura of dominance?
Wan Anran rubbed her chin while staring at Yinzhen. Not only did he have a stern and serious expression, but he also exuded an aura that made him unapproachable to ordinary people.
This is quite a sight...
Wan Anran chuckled to herself, then maliciously pushed Yinzhen upside down like a turtle, before masturbating him with pleasure.
Chubby little feet.
Chubby little hands.
Soft, fluffy cheeks.
After giving it a kiss on the left and a kiss on the right, and a kiss from head to toe, a steaming hot little bun is freshly baked. Usually, the little bun that comes out of the oven at this time will also make an angry yelping sound, occasionally accompanied by muttering things like, "Your Majesty is bad, Mother is bad."
What should you do when a baby rebels?
Of course, you should push him down and then give him a thorough massage from head to toe!
Yinzhen lay expressionless on the carpet.
His eyes were lifeless as he let his mother rub against and touch him. Even though the outcome of his resistance was so tragic, Yinzhen would not give up. A fierce flame blazed in his eyes, and with a burst of strength, he rolled to the side like a ball, then ran away again, swinging his short legs.
Bipeds crawl too slowly.
Soon, Yinzhen was arrested again, but seeing his dirty appearance, Wan Anran decided to take him into the bathroom and give him a good wash.
It's not too late to enjoy them after they've turned into fragrant little buns!
While bathing Yinzhen, Wan Anran chatted with the palace servants.
The top news in the palace has shifted away from Consort Miao. The selection of consorts after eight years has made the imperial family and court officials eager to participate, while also raising the guards of the concubines.
Guarjia clan, Niohuru clan, Irgen Gioro clan... Even before the selection process began, the names of many beautiful girls were already frequently mentioned by the imperial concubines.
Should we be wary of them, or should we try to win them over?
Those who won't enter the palace, and those who want to? The concubines discussed this passionately, and the morning and evening greetings hadn't been quiet for the past two days. Now, the time has finally been set.
Hai Tao smiled and said, "Her Majesty the Empress has decreed that the young ladies-in-waiting should enter the palace for an inspection after the Ghost Festival."
If I do the math, there are only a few days left.
Wan Anran nodded, a hint of anticipation creeping into her expression. Hai Tao, however, still wore a worried look: "I wonder if anyone else will be admitted to Chuxiu Palace."
This is...
Wan Anran thought about it and felt a headache coming on, but in the vast palace, only Chuxiu Palace was occupied by her alone. She shook her head: "There's nothing we can do about these things, so let's just let nature take its course."
Yinzhen didn't notice this passage.
He tilted his head in confusion, vaguely recalling that there was no record of a talent selection in the eighteenth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign.
Why is that...?
Yinzhen blinked, feeling as if he had forgotten something. But what could it be? He yawned widely, smacked his lips, and fell asleep while still taking a bath.
Wan Anran raised her finger and shushed him.
Hai Tao and the others kept their mouths shut, and everyone quickened their pace, quickly finishing the bath. Wan Anran carried Yinzhen into the inner hall and placed him on the bed.
Yinzhen smacked his lips.
Wan Anran nestled to the side, propping her cheek up with her hand, oblivious to the heat. She took off her shoes, pulled Yinzhen into her arms, lifted a corner of the blanket, and let out a big yawn: "Hoo...ha."
Why don't I take a nap too?
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