All the concubines in the six palaces of the East and West were invited.
Consort Tong declined the invitation from Xianfu Palace. After all, the Twelfth Prince's condition was getting worse, and to put it bluntly, the imperial physicians could only hope that the Twelfth Prince would die young... even if it meant waiting until after the Lantern Festival.
The other concubines readily accepted the invitation.
Everyone shared similar thoughts with Consort Yi. They were unsure whether they could go and offer their congratulations—after all, no matter how affectionately they addressed the younger concubines in their own palace, they would probably be furious if the younger concubines were to rise to the same status as them.
Perhaps Consort Xuan is the same way?
The concubines gloated and pondered, even imagining how disappointed Consort Xuan would be upon hearing the news of her promotion to Noble Lady Wan. It was a pity that they couldn't be mere bystanders watching the drama unfold.
Surprisingly, instead of news of Consort Xuan's disappointment, they received news that Xianfu Palace was hosting a small banquet and had even invited Consort Yi to attend!
When the invitations arrived, the concubines were stunned. How could they not go and see? They simply couldn't believe that Consort Xuan and Consort Qi could still be getting along so harmoniously!
...It really is possible.
As Consort An, née Li, stepped into the backyard of Xianfu Palace, her heart sank. She glanced at Consort Xuan and Consort Qi, who were all smiles, and Noble Lady Nara, who was teasing the Eleventh Prince with the Ninth Prince. A wave of gloom washed over her.
It's about birth, it's about being favored.
Consort An, née Li, could claim to be the most outstanding among them, yet she hadn't conceived a single child in all the years she'd been in the palace. On the other hand, Consort Xuan, who relied solely on her birth and received no favor whatsoever, had a healthy Ninth Prince under her wing... and also the Eleventh Prince.
Consort An stared at the cradle for a long time, then couldn't help but click her tongue. If it were her, how could she let Consort Wan climb on her head and jump around like that? Lady Li glanced at Consort Qi, who was chatting and laughing while clinging to Consort Xuan's arm, and a hint of malice flashed in her eyes.
Consort Rong, who arrived a step late, nudged Consort An: "Sister An, why are you standing here without moving?"
Consort An glanced at her, feeling even more annoyed.
Consort Rong was even more detestable; she had given birth to so many children but couldn't raise them all, yet she was currently the only one in the palace with both a son and a daughter! Feeling resentful, she stepped inside: "Sister Xuan, Sister Qi."
Consort An smiled warmly.
Consort Xuan nodded slightly, and Wan Anran smiled just right: "Sister An."
"Sister Qi is in high spirits because of this happy occasion. Look at her appearance, she even surpasses the beauty of several of us." Consort An said with a smile.
Wan Anran looked around.
She thought of herself, Consort Xuan, Consort Yi, and Consort An. She shook her head earnestly, then smiled and praised Consort Xuan: "Sister Xuan's eyes are clear and bright, without a single red vein, and she looks incredibly energetic."
Looking at Consort Yi, Wan Anran was even more envious: "Sister Yi has a rosy complexion, it's just a matter of magpies chirping around her. She looks more energetic than I do."
Finally, she stroked her cheek and sighed, "It's all that brat Mao Tao's fault that I've been so tired lately, and my energy has been really low!"
As for Consort An...
She already said her complexion wasn't as good as hers, so what was there for her to say? Wan Anran calmly brushed past her.
Consort Yi and Consort Xuan suppressed their laughter.
However, their slightly upturned eyes revealed quite a bit of what was going on. They also pretended not to see Consort An's slightly pale face: "Sister Qi is exaggerating too much! If you ask us, you are one of the best in the palace to have such good energy right after giving birth."
"That's right, that's right! Sister Qi's skin is fair and rosy, truly incredibly delicate!" Consort Yi smiled broadly, then became even more shocked and excited: "Wait? Sister Qi doesn't seem to be wearing any powder up close? How do you maintain your skin?"
The three were busy praising each other and asking for advice, and had long forgotten about Consort An, Lady Li.
Consort An's face turned black with anger.
Upon discovering that she was being represented, Consort Jing, Wang Jia, frowned and coldly glanced at Consort An: "Tsk! If you ask me, Consort An's complexion has indeed been rather poor lately. She should go back to the palace and recuperate properly."
"you--!"
"What do you mean, 'you'? I think Sister An is perhaps too hot-tempered; she should really try to cultivate her temper!" Consort Jing wasn't afraid of her at all.
Consort An, née Lee, came from a good family.
Her own background was not bad either, and the two had completely fallen out when dealing with palace affairs last time. Consort Jing had no intention of giving Li any face at all. After saying this, she turned around and walked towards Wan Anran and the others.
The goal, of course, is for Wan Anran.
Consort Jing smiled broadly and said warmly, "Sister Qi, today is your big day, I must have a good drink with you! I heard that even the Emperor praised the fruit wine in Xianfu Palace. I wonder if we'll get to taste it today? And can you teach me how to make it delicious?"
"The fruit wine was made by Nara... Sister," Wan Anran explained with a smile. However, it was clear that Consort Jing had little interest in Noble Lady Nara, but was just using this topic to keep talking to Wan Anran.
This is also the attitude of most people.
Noble Lady Nara remained calm, pulling Wan Fu along and teasing Little Peach, showing no intention of getting closer.
Consort An's eyes turned red with anger.
But then she remembered what the imperial physician had said when he took her pulse, and she suppressed her emotions, walking away with a livid face.
Next to arrive were Consort Hui, Consort Duan, and Consort Xi, followed by the Emperor, the Empress, the Crown Prince, and the Grand Princess.
The arrival of the Emperor and Empress was quite a surprise.
It was just a small celebration banquet, so why did it attract even the Emperor? The concubines exchanged glances, their eyes filled with a hint of ambiguity. Upon closer reflection, wasn't that true? Consort Qi possessed this magic, always managing to draw the Emperor, Empress, Crown Prince, and Grand Princess to Xianfu Palace, subtly elevating the favor bestowed upon her.
Consort Hui and Consort Rong were not in a good mood.
The Fifth Prince Baoqing and the Tenth Prince Ankang have both returned to the palace, but they have hardly seen the Emperor, let alone spent time with him in private. Furthermore, Consort Rong has a Third Princess under her wing—the most honored princess, yet she is not as favored as the eldest princess, who is her adopted daughter.
The two of them were putting on a forced smile.
The four walked in, and the Crown Prince and the Eldest Princess's target was, of course, their adorable eleventh brother. They rushed to the cradle immediately, their voices urgent: "Mother Consort, Mother Consort—"
The Empress muttered, "We should call Qi 'Mother Consort' now."
The two little ones quickly changed their words: "Mother Qi, Mother Qi!"
"Yes, yes, what's wrong?"
"Have you finished making the clothes you promised for your younger brother?" The prince asked, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Wan Anran covered her mouth and chuckled.
She nodded: "Of course it's ready. Shall we go inside and change?"
Yinzhen: ...
An ominous premonition rose from the bottom of his heart. He immediately waved his little arms and legs and protested, "No, not at all!"
Wan Anran cupped her face and exclaimed, "Look! Even Mao Tao is starting to look forward to it!"
Yinzhen: …………
Looking forward to a ￥#@*&
As an infant, he had no possibility of refusing.
With a look of utter despair on his face, Yinzhen was picked up by Wan Anran and carried inside, surrounded by Consort Nara and his brothers and sisters. What awaited him was the thing he had hated most for months—changing clothes.
In later generations, girls were fascinated by one thing besides food and cosmetics: adorable dolls.
Dressing up cute dolls in various little clothes is the most enjoyable moment, and Yinzhen is now the doll. With the help of the great master of the Imperial Household Department's sewing room, Wan Anran's only task is to come up with various ideas, then do the simple ones herself and Haitao, and have the sewing room make the difficult ones.
There are so many people playing with dolls.
For example, the Crown Prince and the Eldest Princess, who were busy during the New Year, did not have time to visit their eleventh brother. They were determined to have a good time playing with their younger brother today!
Emperor Kangxi watched them with a smile.
Coming to his senses, his gaze shifted to the ancestral buns in front of him. Kangxi raised an eyebrow: "You're quite intrigued, making ancestral buns? Looks like you made them yourself?"
Consort Xuan smiled and said, "Sister Qi likes to do everything herself, and she makes perfectly good steamed buns into strange shapes. Most importantly..."
Consort An and the others also stepped forward.
The bizarre appearance made everyone speechless. How dare they invite them to use such an ugly thing?
Consort Yi noticed the questions on everyone's faces.
She prepared to reveal the inside story: "Actually—"
As soon as she spoke, Consort An noticed a problem she hadn't seen before. She frowned slightly, her eyes showing a hint of disdain: "Why does Sister Yi smell like scallions?"
A vein bulged on Consort Yi's forehead.
Her cold gaze swept over Consort Xuan, and she forced a smile as she changed the subject: "Don't be fooled by how these buns look; they actually taste better than the last. I couldn't resist eating several just now."
Consort Yi praised him generously, her charming face full of earnestness and joy. Emperor Kangxi smiled and nodded: "Then shall I give it a try?"
Emperor Kangxi took one.
The other concubines also took one. Consort Yi was very enthusiastic and generous, personally serving one to the Emperor, Empress, and many other concubines. Consort An smiled insincerely and said that Consort Yi should eat it herself.
Who knows if Consort Yi will spit?
Consort An glanced at Consort Yi with disdain, then chose one for herself—the one that looked pretty and was a little further away from where Consort Yi was sitting.
Consort Yi's lips curled up slightly.
She was holding ordinary minced meat in her hands. If Consort An hadn't been so suspicious, she would have been able to eat ordinary minced meat and taste its delicious flavor.
But how could Consort An not have suspicions?
If she didn't have suspicions, she wouldn't be Consort An.
Consort Yi used an open strategy.
Her smile was gentle and graceful, and her soft features sent a shiver down the spines of the surrounding concubines. Kangxi looked at the strangely behaving Consort Yi with suspicion, a question suddenly arising in his mind.
Is this Xianfu Palace?
Is this not Yikun Palace? Why does Consort Yi look like the mistress of the palace?
One of the main characters, Consort Qi, ran away.
Consort Xuan stood to one side with a smile, letting Consort Yi step forward. Empress Niohuru frowned, staring at the pastry in her hand. Could there be something wrong with it?
The empress turned her head and chuckled.
The biggest taboo in the palace is putting things in the food, especially when the Emperor is present! Even if Consort Qi and Consort Yi don't understand, at least Consort Xuan is there... right?
Empress Niohuru was beginning to have some doubts.
She blinked, but decided to put the bun in her mouth anyway. The bun skin was very chewy, and she tasted the seafood flavor—bouncy shrimp meat, savory shellfish, and soft pork filling. The Queen's eyes lit up: "Delicious!"
Emperor Kangxi ate a filling of minced pork and bamboo shoots.
The crisp texture of the winter bamboo shoots, combined with the savory aroma of the pork, created a rich flavor that danced on the tongue. Kangxi nodded: "It looks a bit ugly, but the taste is indeed excellent."
The emperor and empress's comments relieved the concubines.
The concubines all put the steamed buns into their mouths, and every now and then someone would exclaim in surprise, "Oh dear? I'm eating mutton?!"
The mutton filling uses goat meat and chopped scallions, which removes the gamey smell while adding a sweet flavor. The chewy texture of the meat is truly exceptional.
Then others tried the seafood, cabbage and pork, and vermicelli flavors... a variety of flavors that surprised and delighted them.
Consort Hui and Consort Rong, who had previously had some reservations, tried this and that, their faces showing a hint of surprise.
The only one who didn't react was Consort An.
Consort Rong patted her: "Sister An, what's wrong?"
Consort An bent over, letting out a groan of nausea. The other concubines' expressions instantly turned solemn, a single thought flashing through their minds—could it be…that Consort An is pregnant!?
Consort Rong's pupils dilated in shock.
Why did she come here? While despising herself, she also had to reach out to protect Consort An, fearing she might fall. After taking only two steps forward, Consort Rong felt a lingering scent around her nose.
She blinked.
Consort Rong muttered, "Where is this garlic smell coming from?"
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