Consort Tong, Consort An, Consort Dai, and Consort Miao, who was nearing her due date, were four pregnant women in the palace. In addition, the Empress Dowager also requested to stay, and the Empress, who was worried about them, finally decided to stay and take care of them as well.
Dai Jia Changzai resided in Changchun Palace.
She was pregnant, and Consort Duan, the head of Changchun Palace, was reluctant to leave. Who would have thought that just two years ago she was a favored concubine who could rival Consort An and Consort Jing, but now Consort Duan's fortunes had completely declined, and she was almost completely out of favor.
With her own pregnancy hopeless, Consort Dai had become the apple of Consort Duan's eye. Consort Duan was so worried about Consort Dai's unstable pregnancy that she had no time to go out for a stroll.
The same applies to Consort Jing.
While feeling both jealous and envious of Consort An's pregnancy, Consort Jing also had other thoughts. Now that Consort An had her own child, could she raise the one in Consort Miao's womb? Thinking this, Consort Jing no longer wanted to go, knowing that Consort Miao's due date was only two months away!
Then Consort Hui, Consort Rong, and Consort Xuan also decided not to go. Their reasons weren't anything else, but rather that the Empress was looking for someone to assist her.
Consort Hui and Consort Rong had tasted the sweetness of palace power, while Consort Xuan was willing to help. In any case, the three of them felt that their favor with the emperor was waning, so this time they all chose to stay.
This means that only Consort Qi and Consort Yi are left to take the main seats at the West Garden... Oh, and Consort Xi, who doesn't have a very high presence in the palace.
Wan Anran's lips twitched.
She sighed, rubbing her forehead: "In the end, it's with Consort Yi?" Suddenly, she had an urge to just not go!
Consort Yi is clearly Kangxi's favorite type now.
Even if she was dissatisfied before, only half a year after giving birth to the Sixth Prince, Yinqi, Consort Yi had already won back most of the Emperor's heart. Here, I must say: Kangxi, what a scumbag! Pah!
If Wan Anran weren't the only one deeply in love with the emperor, she would have been furious at this scene.
Only Wan Anran could adopt a detached, gossipy attitude, or occasionally use the tactic of tempting with food or children when Consort Yi became arrogant.
Anyway, the departure day is fast approaching. Going to Xiyuan with fewer people has its advantages, such as peace and quiet and a faster pace.
Wan Anran helped the Empress Dowager down from the carriage, and they walked into the palace talking as they went. This year, her treatment was much better than last year, firstly because the Empress and others did not come, and secondly because Wan Anran's position had been moved forward.
For example, at the previous New Year's banquet, the Empress had already moved her position to the head of all the concubines. And now, when they came to the West Garden, Kangxi entrusted all matters to Consort Qi, and only then to Consort Yi.
Wan Anran was both annoyed and smug.
The annoyance stemmed from the sheer number and tediousness of the tasks, making them a real headache. As for the smugness... well, it mainly came from the way Consort Yi looked at her with a mixture of jealousy and envy, yet she had to force a smile and speak to her. Wan Anran felt that power was simply too tempting!
No wonder so many people are so engrossed in it.
Ahem! I can't do that! Wan Anran reflected on her actions for a moment, then cheerfully went to speak with the Empress Dowager.
This time, she decided to recommend the panda to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager had already heard rumors of Consort Qi's great enthusiasm for bamboo bears, and was quite excited when she heard that Consort Qi wanted to take her to see them.
The eunuchs of Zhaoxiang Garden never expected that an opportunity like last year would come again, especially since the Empress Dowager was among those who came this time!
The palace servants were incredibly excited and enthusiastic. The Empress Dowager, seeing so many novel performances for the first time, was quite delighted and surprised.
This amused the Empress Dowager, and the gifts from Zhaoxiang Garden flowed in like water. Even Emperor Kangxi accompanied the Empress Dowager to see it several times afterward.
And of course, there are pandas... bamboo bears.
The round, chubby dumpling was full of energy, jumping up and down, climbing over mountains and ridges. Sometimes it would climb to the top of a tree to look into the distance, sometimes it would have a life-or-death battle with a seesaw on the ground, and sometimes it would perform a series of forward rolls and side rolls.
The adorable and charming appearance of the bamboo bear delighted the Empress Dowager, who exclaimed that she wanted to keep one in the Cining Palace. The Empress Dowager acted on her impulse immediately, even asking the eunuch in charge of raising the bamboo bear how to care for one.
Wan Anran, who had once come up with this idea, looked shocked. She tugged at the Empress Dowager: "Empress Dowager, do you really want to raise bamboo bears?"
The Empress Dowager nodded: "They should be raised!"
Wan Anran's lips twitched: "But this... is still a bear! What if it suddenly attacks and hurts someone..."
The Empress Dowager did not care.
She poked Consort Qi's forehead: "What are you thinking? If you want to send her to the palace to be raised, the palace servants will naturally handle these matters properly."
Wan Anran was taken aback.
Then the Empress Dowager inquired in detail about matters related to raising bamboo bears. Unfortunately, firstly, the Cining Palace was a bit small, and the brick and stone floor was not suitable for raising bamboo bears. Secondly...
The eunuch in charge of feeding the animals respectfully reported, "Reporting to the Empress Dowager and Consort Qi, the bamboo bear only gives birth once every two to three years, so it will be at least next year or the year after!"
The Empress Dowager looked regretful upon hearing this.
Emperor Kangxi, upon learning of this, remained calm: "That's simple. Your Majesty has already devised a plan to renovate and repair the Renshou Hall, Huiluan Palace, and other halls left over from the previous dynasty, adding gardens and pavilions, intending them to serve as a resting place for the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager. Your Majesty will then allocate a special area within the hall for the bamboo bears to play in. I presume that once the construction is completed, red pandas should also be born in Zhaoxiang Garden."
"Wouldn't this be too expensive?"
"This is my filial piety, Your Majesty, please rest assured," Kangxi replied with a smile.
The Empress Dowager beamed with joy, while Wan Anran could not hide her excitement.
Does this mean that in a year or two, she might be able to pet pandas in the palace? Wan Anran was overjoyed. She returned to the courtyard, picked up Yinzhen, and kissed him on the left and right: "We'll be able to pet pandas in the palace soon!"
Yinzhen's eyes widened in disbelief.
Wan Anran didn't mind at all, happily making some snacks to properly express her gratitude to the Empress Dowager. Without the Empress Dowager, would she be able to raise pandas? She'd probably have to wait decades!
The snacks were prepared quickly.
The first item is peach shortbread. As the name suggests, peach shortbread has a crisp and fluffy texture and a sweet taste. It is loved by both the elderly and children.
After making peach shortbread, Wan Anran made walnut cookies. Walnut cookies were a name Wan Anran came up with on the spur of the moment. In her previous life, they were called walnut scones. The soft texture paired with each crunchy walnut, the aroma bursts in your mouth with every bite. They are incredibly delicious.
There's also the Imperial Concubine Cake.
One bite reveals a flaky, crumbly outer layer, filled with sweet and fragrant date paste and walnuts, creating an irresistible, intensely sweet flavor.
As the exquisite pastries were baked, a sweet aroma filled the courtyard. Emperor Kangxi, who was sipping tea and playing chess with Consort Yi, subconsciously looked up into the distance, his eyelids fluttering.
His stomach couldn't help but rumble.
Consort Yi cursed Consort Qi in her heart, but put on an expectant smile: "Your Majesty, I will now order the meal."
“…Ah, um.” Kangxi responded, but a hint of regret rose in his heart the next moment.
Wan Anran had no idea what Kangxi was thinking.
She tidied up the pastries she had prepared, then had someone carry Yinzhen, and the group walked gracefully toward the courtyard where the Empress Dowager was staying. On days when neither the Grand Empress Dowager nor the Empress was accompanying her, she should spend more time with the Empress Dowager.
To Wan Anran's surprise, there was another person by the Empress Dowager's side.
Consort Guo of Yikun Palace.
She wore a light green palace dress, rose, and gave a graceful curtsy. Her appearance bore a striking resemblance to Consort Yi, and before she spoke, her gentle eyes and smiling eyes said, "This concubine greets Your Highness Qi."
"Please rise, Consort Guo," Wan Anran said with a smile, her gaze falling on the Fourth Princess, who had a small braid and a toothless smile.
The fourth princess greeted softly, "Hello, Your Majesty! Hello, Brother!"
Wan Anran smiled and agreed, then instructed Granny Zhao to carry Yinzhen to the bed. The two little ones often met before; for example, they were already whispering and chattering together, as for what they were saying…
Wan Anran could only say that...
Perhaps this was a secret language between babies, one that adults couldn't understand? Ignoring the two children, she cheerfully held up the box of snacks and proudly pushed it forward: "Empress Dowager, would you like to try some?"
The Empress Dowager was delighted.
She enthusiastically picked up a piece of peach shortbread and put it in her mouth. The aroma of sesame blended with the sweet taste of the shortbread itself, and the Empress Dowager's eyes lit up: "It looks hard but it's actually crispy. If my mother were here, she would definitely like it too."
The fourth princess couldn't care less about playing anymore.
She tossed aside her toy and wobbled toward the snack box, shouting, "Eat! Eat!"
"The Fourth Princess is too young to eat this," Consort Guo quickly stopped her. The little Fourth Princess pouted, tears welling up in her eyes, and looked at Wan Anran innocently and pitifully: "Your Majesty, please have some snacks."
"Little glutton, shall Your Majesty make it for you now?" Wan Anran teased the Fourth Princess with a smile.
The fourth princess immediately broke into a smile.
Wan Anran smiled and ordered someone to bring the items. The people around the Empress Dowager were already used to Consort Qi's unpredictable ideas, and soon they brought up everything Consort Qi wanted.
Consort Guo watched from afar but dared not approach.
Wan Anran smiled and waved to her: "Consort Guo, come over here. It's perfect timing that you can cook with the Fourth Princess."
Together? With the Fourth Princess?
Upon hearing this, Consort Guo's initial hesitation vanished, and she hurriedly stepped forward, fearing she might miss this opportunity.
Wan Anran made small steamed cakes.
The molds were readily available, allowing for the creation of flowers, leaves, and of course, all the patterns that children love, such as kittens, puppies, and ducks. Wan Anran chose the cat paw shape. The steamed cake was made quickly, in the time it takes to drink two cups of tea, and even Guo Guiren, who was making it for the first time, succeeded very well.
Consort Guo was overjoyed.
She noticed that the fourth princess was enjoying the steamed cake she had made, and she couldn't help but secretly turn to the side and wipe her eyes.
Wan Anran felt a pang of sorrow.
I wonder if this change will affect Consort Guo and the Fourth Princess's future? Having grown up by the Empress Dowager's side her whole life, will the Fourth Princess be happier than in history...?
Wan Anran was stunned.
Consort Guo noticed Consort Qi's gaze and quickly wiped away her tears: "I'm just happy, just happy..."
Wan Anran comforted her, "The Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager are both kind-hearted and will certainly not mistreat the Fourth Princess. If Sister Guo likes it, she can come and visit more often and spend more time with the Fourth Princess."
Consort Guo nodded with a smile.
He only sat for a short while before hurriedly taking his leave.
As soon as she left, the Empress Dowager shook her head: "Consort Guo is cautious and careful. She has been doing better in the last six months. In the first six months, she only came to visit once a month."
Wan Anran sighed.
When these sisters entered the palace, the younger sister took the main position, making it difficult for Consort Guo, the older sister.
Moreover, the one who was adopted by the Empress Dowager in history was the current Sixth Prince, Yinqi. After losing the little prince, Consort Yi poured all her love into the little princess, and her relationship with Consort Guo naturally grew deeper day by day.
And now...
How much time would Consort Yi, who was raising the young prince in the palace, have to remember the little princess who was being raised by the Empress Dowager? How much time would she pay attention to the changes in her sister? It was only natural that their relationship gradually faded.
Wan Anran sighed for a moment, then quickly cheered up and changed the subject.
Meanwhile, the harem was in complete chaos.
The Empress covered her forehead, feeling her temples throbbing. She threw the wolf-hair brush on the table and said, "If I had known, I would have been better off coming to the West Courtyard! Why am I stuck here, getting all dizzy and confused by these people!"
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