Contrary to the Empress's expectations, Wan Anran wished she could live in the West Garden forever. The West Garden was wonderful—beautiful scenery, delicious food, and beautiful women; she could sleep until noon without any problems. Why bother returning to the barren and overly rule-bound palace?
Today I'll play with pandas and deer with the Empress Dowager; tomorrow I'll discuss child-raising experiences with Consort Guo; and the day after tomorrow I'll drink and chat with the Emperor.
Have a bowl of sweet fermented rice wine, eat a piece of glutinous rice cake bursting with filling, make some delicate lotus flower pastries, and when you have nothing to do, lie on the small boat, listen to the sound of the oars, watch the birds flying all over the sky, and stretch out comfortably and feel that life is peaceful and serene.
If I had a choice...
Let me stay in Xiyuan for another month... no! Two months... um... or three months... whatever, I wish I could stay here forever!
This was Wan Anran's idea.
Unfortunately, this was just her thought. For example, the newly promoted concubine Wei Yinglu still longed to return to the Forbidden City. When paying her respects, she jokingly said that she would kowtow to the Empress after returning to the Forbidden City.
The anxiety in her words made Wan Anran somewhat suspicious.
Turning back, she asked Granny Zhao, "Why does Consort Wei seem so eager to return to the palace?"
"Reporting to my master."
Without hesitation, Granny Zhao immediately gave the answer: "Consort Wei is a palace maid from the West Garden."
"I remember she was pushed up there by Consort Xi?"
"Indeed, it was Consort Xi who took a liking to her in the West Garden," Zhao Mama replied with a smile. "Consort Wei comes from the Imperial Household Department of the Upper Three Banners."
Wan Anran suddenly realized what was going on.
Although they were not criminals, the bondservants of the Xin Zhe Ku (a branch of the Imperial Household Department) had little contact with the ordinary bondservants of the Imperial Household Department, and their relationship was quite distant.
Therefore, even though Consort Wei was selected as a palace maid along with her predecessor and Lady Wuya, she was not kept in the palace to serve, but instead worked as an ordinary cleaning maid in the West Garden.
She was only selected by Consort Xi this year and brought before the Emperor. Of course, calling her a "consort" is just a euphemism; in reality, she is still a palace maid.
Only after passing the Empress's approval can one be considered a formal member of the harem. Otherwise, one will either be left in the West Garden or sent to the Qianqing Palace's inner quarters, and it's unknown when one will be able to enter the harem and have a legitimate title.
For example, there are currently three to five palace women living in the side halls behind the Qianqing Palace, and sometimes even some who are not. If they are lucky, they can get a title in the inner palace; if they are unlucky, they live there in an awkward position. If they get sick, they are moved out and never seen again.
Wei is beautiful.
From the moment she entered the palace, many old women with investment ideas spoke to her, and the topic of the girls in the side halls of the Qianqing Palace was often mentioned.
Of course, some people are advising, while others are encouraging.
At least Wei felt that she hadn't made a mistake in her first step, and now the most important thing was to occupy a small place in the Emperor's heart so that they could return to the palace together smoothly—and it would be best if she could gain his favor.
Wei agreed to wave his hoe.
Consort Yi, whose husband had been poached, was also unhappy.
Consort Qi is a lazy bum, and there's Consort Xi who's even lazier than her. This period was supposed to be a great opportunity for me, but now they insist on inserting a mere Consort Wei. How dare a mere Consort Wei challenge me?
Consort Yi also swung the hoe forcefully.
One after another, Consort Wei and Consort Yi took turns on stage, like a double act, constantly circling around the emperor.
Wan Anran calmly watched the drama unfold.
She even had the audacity to offer a slice to Consort Xi: "Try some? This year's watermelons taste really good."
The sweetness of watermelons today cannot compare to that of watermelons in later generations.
Compared to last year's watermelons, which needed a sprinkle of salt to taste their sweetness, this year's watermelons are crisp and sweet. Wan Anran held a slice and ate it with rare joy.
Consort Xi was stunned for a moment.
She took the watermelon with pursed lips, but didn't take a bite for a long time. After a while, she asked softly, "Was it I who pushed Consort Wei to the Emperor?"
"Yeah, I know." Wan Anran looked at her questioningly, then tilted her head. "That doesn't stop us from watching the performance together, does it?"
"A performance?" Consort Xi was taken aback. She followed Consort Qi's gaze and couldn't help but smile. Consort Xi picked up the watermelon and took a bite, the sweet taste filling her mouth: "Indeed... it's quite beautiful."
Resentment and anger.
It doesn't seem as sweet as this piece of watermelon.
Consort Xi raised her eyes and looked at Consort Yi and Consort Wei.
If you treat their actions as a performance, it actually feels much more relaxed. Consort Xi raised the corners of her mouth, finished the watermelon, and said, "So sweet."
"It's alright, isn't it? Would you like it sweeter?"
"Huh?" Consort Xi was stunned for a moment before realizing that it was Consort Qi's invitation.
Consort Xi instinctively wanted to refuse.
The words lingered on her tongue, but she swallowed them back. Consort Xi smiled and nodded: "Of course I want to."
The pairing of Consort Qi and Consort Xi is a rare sight.
Even back in the courtyard, little Yinzhen tilted his head, full of curiosity. Looking at the robust and adorable Yinzhen, Consort Xi subconsciously smiled and said, "Fifth Prince."
"Greetings, Consort Xi."
"Good, good, good, Fifth Prince." Consort Xi pulled Yinzhen around, looking him up and down with great admiration.
Wan Anran's gaze fell on the watermelon.
She took a kitchen knife, cut the watermelon open, scooped out the red flesh, added milk and honey, and finally put it together with crushed ice.
"If only I could make a manual shaved ice machine," Wan Anran thought, while calling for Consort Xi to try it. At the same time, she instructed Haitao to bring paper and pen and drew up a design in a very professional manner.
Hmm... As for how to make it...
Huh? Isn't this the Imperial Household Department's business? Wan Anran thought to herself, the Imperial Household Department is all-powerful. They're like some kind of blue life form with a pouch on its belly, always able to come up with all sorts of ingenious ways to accomplish their whimsical ideas.
Imperial Household Department: …………
At first, they didn't care—shaved ice has existed since the Song Dynasty, so making it shouldn't be too difficult, right? But after seeing the design drawings and requirements sent by Consort Qi, everyone frowned in pain.
First, she tried to figure it out herself, then sought help from the Ministry of Works. It took her more than half a month to barely achieve her goal. When the palace servants from the Imperial Household Department delivered the ice shaver to the West Garden, they were still trembling with fear, lest Consort Qi say that it wouldn't work, that it was no good, and that they would have to make it all over again.
Wan Anran had someone bring some ice.
Ice cubes are placed into the ice shaver from above, and then the handle is gently turned. The ice cubes in the compartments are instantly transformed into crystal clear, snowflake-like powder by the swishing of the blades, and finally fall into a small bowl through the strainer.
If the emperor were to see this, he would surely praise its elegance.
Hai Tao and the others covered their lips, unable to help but gasp in amazement, but Wan Anran didn't seem to care. After confirming the ice shaver's effectiveness, she was delighted and quickly sent someone to reward the palace servants of the Imperial Household Department.
To ensure the Imperial Household Department's effectiveness, generous rewards are essential. Even with his father's current high position and power, if his subordinates don't obey, he'll be overthrown sooner or later.
Haitao also understood the reasons behind this.
She generously stuffed several large purses into the man's hand, and then gave him a smaller one as well. The palace servant from the Imperial Household Department immediately beamed with joy, happily thanked her, and left—if they were all large purses, there wouldn't be much left for the steward after he received them, but with the small purses, the servant could keep them himself without any problem.
After the palace servants from the Imperial Household Department left, they brought out fruit. In addition to watermelons and grapes, there were also peaches picked from the peach orchard earlier. They were large, plump, and juicy, and looked very delicious.
Wan Anran instructed people to first wash the peaches with salt and water, then peel them, slice the flesh, and store them in an ice chest.
The peach skin itself can be boiled to a light pink color, and this pink color alone made the palace maids gasp – who wouldn't love such a light and tender pink?
Hai Tao stared at Fen Shui without blinking: "Master, what should we do next?"
Wan Anran wiped her hands: "Let's put the pink peach juice into the ice chest and freeze it into ice cubes! The rest can be processed later."
The grapes and watermelons were also prepared in the same way. After everything was ready, Wan Anran took everyone and planned to send them to the Empress Dowager for a look.
As for the other side...
Occasional romantic encounters are enjoyable, but two weeks of exhausting travel is a real headache.
Kangxi was tired of hearing the sweet words of Consort Yi and Consort Wei. He even felt dizzy and irritable just hearing their words and wanted to find a quiet place to rest.
The first choice for this place is naturally Consort Qi.
Kangxi had already decided: order two small dishes... Hmm, or maybe some grilled skewers! Pair them with a little wine until you're slightly tipsy, chat casually, or play a game of Go. Just thinking about it makes you feel relaxed and comfortable.
He hurriedly stepped into Consort Qi's courtyard, only to find it eerily quiet, with only two small lamps lit.
The perilla leaves that remained in the courtyard came forward to greet them.
She could not hide her surprise and embarrassment, and after a moment she managed to compose herself: "This servant greets Your Majesty."
Where is Consort Qi?
"Your Majesty, the master went to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager, and judging by the time, he should have arrived at Xiangluan Pavilion by now."
Xiangluan Pavilion is located north of Yingtai and is where the Empress Dowager resides. Upon hearing this, Kangxi was taken aback and led his men back. Before they even stepped into Xiangluan Pavilion, they heard a gasp of surprise.
He lifted the curtain and entered, only to see a group of people huddled together, chattering incessantly around the table.
Aside from the Empress Dowager and Consort Qi, Consort Xi was also present. Kangxi glanced at Consort Xi with some surprise, then quickly turned his gaze back to the center: "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty. What is Your Majesty doing?"
Only then did everyone notice the emperor's arrival.
After the chaotic greetings subsided, the Empress Dowager cheerfully called Kangxi over: "Your Majesty, come and see, look how beautiful this shaved ice is!"
From pink to white.
The gradient peach snowflake shaved ice, with its delicate pink color, is irresistible to everyone.
Emperor Kangxi did not understand.
He frowned slightly as he looked at the pink shaved ice, and reluctantly replied, "It's... alright, I guess?"
Wan Anran sighed.
The Empress Dowager and Consort Xi shook their heads in unison. The three of them ignored Kangxi and huddled together to continue chattering: "Come on, next up are grapes!"
"And what color is the watermelon?"
"Next time we can try other fruits!"
"Oh right, and mangoes too."
"Mangoes? Those things were sent by the Governor-General of Fujian; they were very sour and not tasty."
The three of them were talking intimately.
As for Emperor Kangxi, even though it was a hot summer day, he inexplicably felt an autumn breeze blowing around his feet.
Suddenly, a small hand patted Kangxi's leg.
Kangxi looked down and saw that it was Yinzhen, who was not yet two years old, who had come to comfort him. Yinzhen did not understand the charm of peach smoothie either, and comforted Kangxi with a sense of sympathy: "Father, don't worry, your son doesn't understand either."
Kangxi was not comforted.
He even felt as if a sharp sword had pierced straight into his chest.
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