The concubines leaving Kunning Palace scattered like birds, chirping and chattering as they made their way back to their respective palaces. The thought of playing in the West Garden in a couple of days brought smiles to everyone's faces.
Wan Anran and Consort Xuan walked hand in hand.
This was something that couldn't be done in the past. For example, Wan Anran really wanted to talk to Consort Nara, but in front of everyone, she could only exchange glances with Consort Nara and then whisper to Consort Xuan.
Consort Xuan patted her hand: "It's fine to go back to Xianfu Palace."
Stepping into Xianfu Palace, Wan Anran felt even more melancholy. In the short time she'd been away, the entire palace had become so unfamiliar; even the attitudes of the maids and servants had become strangely indifferent…
Consort Xuan found Wan Anran's appearance amusing.
She pulled her down to sit, smiling as she instructed, "Hurry up and get the green bean rolls?"
Wan Anran smiled and said, "The mung bean rolls at Xianfu Palace are absolutely amazing."
Consort Xuan smiled and nodded.
She reached out and poked Wan Anran's forehead: "Isn't that right? After our Consort Qi spoke of it, the fame of the mung bean rolls has spread throughout the palace."
Drink tea and eat snacks.
The three of them, now relaxed, started talking about their trip to the West Garden. A hint of nostalgia flashed in Consort Xuan's eyes: "Speaking of which, I said I would take you hunting roe deer back then, but it never happened. This time, we can finally go hunting roe deer together."
The mention of hunting made Wan Anran's heart skip a beat.
Her face scrunched up: "Come to think of it, it's been quite a few years since I last rode a horse."
In fact, I've never ridden one in my entire life.
Thinking about this, Wan Anran felt a little guilty. If she really had to ride a horse, would she still be able to? She swallowed hard, her heart pounding with anxiety.
When the topic of riding and archery came up, Consort Xuan immediately perked up.
She beamed, "I'll teach you when the time comes. Back in the day, I was one of the top horsemen and archers in Khorchin, and I even won first place several times! It's just a pity—"
The smile on Consort Xuan's face gradually faded.
Thinking that she had also been in the palace for several years, she forced a smile and said, "I might have to start learning from scratch, just like you."
This stirred up Consort Xuan's homesickness.
Wan Anran immediately became a little uneasy and quickly changed the subject: "Speaking of which, Wan Fu once said he wanted to catch roe deer. Tsk tsk, it seems I was one step ahead of him."
She was making faces as she spoke.
Consort Xuan and Noble Lady Nara were amused and burst into laughter. Before they could speak, a familiar voice rang out from outside. Wan Fu complained as he walked in, "I heard birds chirping incessantly before I even entered the palace. I was wondering who it was when I realized it was Consort Qi."
This is because they find Wan Anran too talkative.
Noble Lady Nara glared at Wan Fu: "What are you saying? Why aren't you paying your respects to Consort Xuan and Consort Qi?"
Wan Fu obediently greeted her, but his eyes were still glaring at Wan Anran.
You glare at me, and I glare back at you.
Not only did she glare at Wan Fu, but Wan Anran also made a face at him: "Just you wait, when the time comes, I, Qi Mufei, will definitely shoot three roe deer. One will be used to make radish soup, one will be used to make roe deer sausage, and the other will be chopped into minced meat and made into jerky with honey and sugar."
Wan Anran shook her fingers.
She snorted, "Wan Fu, do you want some?"
Wan Fu let out a long sigh.
He shook his head with a stern face, looking utterly old-fashioned: "Mother Qi is a woman with children, why are you still arguing with children?"
This means you still have to eat.
After all, everyone in the palace knew that Consort Qi was a good eater. Given such a great opportunity, wouldn't it be foolish of anyone to miss it? Wan Fu, who didn't consider himself a fool, shamelessly pondered this.
Wan Anran couldn't help but laugh out loud.
She reached out and pinched Wan Fu's soft cheek: "Just say if you want some?"
Wan Anran had initially thought Wan Fu would be a man of principle, but to her surprise, he didn't hesitate at all, putting his hands together and saying, "Please, Mother Qi, don't forget my share!"
A total little glutton.
Not only that, Wan Fu added, "Including Wukuma Mama and Huangma Mama, the Empress Mother, the Khan Father, the Crown Prince, and the eldest sister... are three roe deer enough?"
Good heavens!
Before he had even caught the three roe deer, he had already set his sights on them all. The three of them burst into laughter, and the whole room was filled with joyful chatter.
Two days later, apart from Consort Tong, who was ordered by the Emperor to rest in the palace, all the concubines, young and old, boarded carriages to go on a spring outing to the West Garden. As the principal concubine, Wan Anran was also granted a separate carriage.
The imperial concubines' carriages were spacious and comfortable.
The carriage was lined with thick blankets, which were comfortable to walk on and also reduced vibrations.
More importantly, the carriage was extremely luxurious.
On the fixed small table were pastries and fruit tea. Under the table and chairs were several drawers that could be pulled out. One held various cups and bowls, another held soaps and various incense, another held a few books, and another held blankets and coats... Only a small part of the items were on the carriage, and the rest were on the carriages that followed.
No matter what it is, the Imperial Household Department will not only prepare everything the imperial concubines need, but will also make detailed adjustments according to their requirements.
For example, Wan Anran was with her young son, Xiao Maotao, so her carriage even had a small cradle for the Eleventh Prince to use. As for the various items and personnel used by the princes, they were placed in another carriage.
It's just a trip to Xiyuan.
Wan Anran looked around at the things in the carriage and couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to go on a southern tour or to Mongolia. Just as she was lost in thought, the carriage slowly moved and then drove forward.
Wan Anran had originally thought the carriage would be bumpy and undulating, and she might get carsick. She even brought the leftover mentholatum from last year. However, she did not expect that the carriage would be so comfortable and that it would travel so slowly. It took almost an hour to get from the Forbidden City to the West Garden.
At this stop-and-go pace, it would take a lot of skill to get carsick... Well. After getting off the carriage and looking at the several pale-faced, frail palace concubines, Wan Anran suddenly wondered if she was just too 'strong'?
Wan Anran glanced at the haggard-looking women, and a feeling of pity welled up in her heart. Kangxi's harem was quite large, with women of all shapes and sizes, each with their own unique charm. It was just a pity that most of the concubines did not live to see Kangxi and could only wait slowly in the palace until their time came to pass.
The more I think about it, the more I realize how true it is.
Wan Anran then had Hai Tao bring forward her homemade cooling balm for the concubines who were suffering from motion sickness to use.
Hai Tao responded.
But before she could even get there, Consort Yi burst out laughing. She wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and took Wan Anran's arm, saying, "My dear sister, you mustn't let the palace maid do this."
Wan Anran looked puzzled.
Consort Yi glanced at the palace concubines with three parts mockery, three parts disdain, and four parts indifference, and slowly said in a drawn-out tone, "Does my sister think they are really carsick? At this slow, tortoise-like pace, how can they conceive a royal heir? They might as well go back to the Forbidden City and lie down."
Does the statement imply that these people are all faking it?
Wan Anran was stunned. This time, upon closer inspection, she saw that many of the concubines looked embarrassed and stood up straight as if nothing had happened. Of course, there were also quite a few who were biting their lips and could only stand up with the help of palace maids.
Consort Yi clicked her tongue.
She shook her head: "Sister Qi, be careful that your good intentions don't make you resented or harassed!"
Wan Anran seemed to be deep in thought.
As for Consort Yi, she turned her gaze and, with a flick of her handkerchief, curtsied to the Empress, then sighed, cupping her face in her hands: "Your Majesty, I am a kind-hearted woman and cannot bear to see these women serving His Majesty while they are ill. What if they accidentally infect His Majesty with their illness? I have a request, Your Majesty, please allow these women to go back and rest!"
He was just looking sickly.
As soon as Consort Yi finished speaking, these young concubines straightened their backs one by one, acting as if nothing had happened. Their thick skin left Wan Anran in awe.
Wan Anran was both amused and exasperated.
So this is also a performance technique. As long as you can get the emperor's attention, even a lowly concubine or a noblewoman can try anything.
The Empress had a faint smile on her face.
She was in a good mood and was happy to comply with Consort Yi's wishes, so she had Granny Zhou give her a good scolding.
Granny Zhou already disliked these pretentious young concubines, and after receiving the Empress's decree, she went forward with even greater force, subtly scolding the young concubines until they were on the verge of tears.
There are advantages too.
Until the assignment of residences, everyone was well-behaved and restrained, and no one caused any more trouble.
Wan Anran had already arranged to meet Consort Xuan, and the two chatted and laughed. But before they could leave, Consort Miao hurriedly stepped forward and curtsied to Wan Anran, saying, "This humble servant greets Consort Qi and Consort Xuan."
Consort Xuan frowned.
The ranks of concubines also have a ranking. For example, Concubine An is first, Concubine Xuan is last, and Concubine Qi, being the last to be conferred the title, should be ranked after Concubine Xuan.
Miao Chang's change in the order of events clearly indicated that her target was Consort Qi. Wan Anran's expression turned slightly solemn. She wasn't familiar with Miao Chang, only remembering that she had at least helped her when they first met Wuya Shi. Therefore, Wan Anran reluctantly responded, "What brings you here, Miao Chang?"
The result was a lightning strike when the screen opened.
Miao Changzai said directly, "Sister, you are all alone, perhaps you are a little lonely."
Wan Anran: ...? ? ?
She looked completely bewildered, not feeling lonely at all. Putting everything else aside, there were Hai Tao, Zi Su, Ju Bai, and others in her room; she wasn't alone. Moreover, Xuan Pin and the others were laughing and talking with her. Was Miao Changzai really talking about her?
Before Wan Anran could speak, Miao Chang bowed deeply and said, "This humble servant has a request, and I hope Consort Qi will grant it."
Wan Anran's heart skipped a beat.
Her expression remained unchanged, but she understood Consort Miao's plan. The arrangements in the West Garden were similar to those in the Forbidden City; unless the concubines in the same palace made a separate request, they would live with the principal concubine.
But now Consort Tong is no longer here.
Miao Changzai in Chengqian Palace was now all alone. Did she need to ask for anything now? Wan Anran was instantly startled. Her mouth opened and closed, but she quickly interrupted Miao Changzai before she could speak, saying, "Wait, wait, wait! I am very popular. We're not making an appointment, absolutely not!"
After saying that, Wan Anran pulled Consort Xuan away.
She's not crazy, is she? She's taking Miao Chang to live with her! Wan Anran strode forward with her long legs, leaving Miao Chang far behind in one breath.
When she finally stopped, panting, Consort Xuan clutched her stomach and burst into laughter: "Anyone who didn't know better would think you were being chased by wolves!"
Wan Anran looked grave.
She was still shaken: "You're right! If you ask me, Miao Changzai is more terrifying than a wolf!" Not to mention, Little Peach came with her!
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