The deep palace is lonely.
Noble Lady Nara was gentle and reserved, and never liked to argue. She was not favored by the Emperor, and her pregnancy with Wan Fu was purely by luck. The concubines who were able to conceive did not think much of Noble Lady Nara, while those who were not were either jealous or cold towards her. Apart from Consort Xuan, with whom she could barely speak, Noble Lady Nara had no one in the palace who could speak to her.
Once she had the idea of teaching Wan Changzai, she was determined to do it all at once. She immediately prepared a stack of lesson plans and decided to start teaching Wan Changzai from the beginning.
Looking at the pile of materials and books that Lady Nara had pulled out, the lesson plans she had to stay up all night to write, and then at her expectant gaze and the faint dark circles under her eyes... Wan Anran's words of refusal circled on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed them back down.
What else can we do?
Just spoil them, okay? QAQ
Wan Anran could only console herself—she was going to live to be a hundred years old in the Qing Palace, and there were still many days ahead of her, so she should learn and see more.
As the saying goes, one is never too old to learn.
Doesn't it seem more acceptable now that you think about it this way? After calming down, Wan Anran obediently held her textbooks and immersed herself in her studies... what a load of rubbish!
It's easier said than done.
Wan Anran was like Sun Wukong encountering Tang Sanzang, the monk Nara. With his master's nagging, his head felt like a cow's, and all he could see in his eyes when he looked at his textbook was circles.
Wan Fu felt his hair stand on end just looking at him.
He tiptoed out stealthily, but unfortunately, Wan Anran caught him red-handed. She grabbed Wan Fu, trying to get him to play (or rather, cause trouble) with her in the school.
Wan Fu: Pain Mask.jpg
Is the purpose of life to learn? Of course not! He's just a three-year-old child, why is he torturing himself like this?
Although Wan Fu was small, he spoke a great deal.
Wan Anran was speechless at his incessant chatter. She pressed Wan Fu's head down and said, "Think about it, doesn't your Crown Prince brother have a heavier workload than you?"
"That's my elder brother, the Crown Prince!"
"Then let me ask you, do we Wan Fu understand what the Emperor is saying?"
Wan Fu shook his head.
He looked at him with disdain: "Wan Changzai, you're so stupid! How could I possibly understand what Father Khan is saying?"
You little fool, how dare you look down on me?
Wan Anran sighed deeply and reached out to tap Wan Fu's head: "Wan Fu, is your head filled with water or paste?"
Wan Fu was still not happy.
Consort Nara chimed in, "Your mother thinks Consort Wan is right! Wan Fu, do you think the Emperor would play with you? Like playing hide-and-seek?"
Wan Fu thought for a moment, then couldn't help but feel a chill.
His head was shaking like a rattle drum, and just thinking about it was enough to make Wan Fu unbearable. His round little face scrunched up like a steamed bun: "Mother, what are you saying? Father would never do such a thing."
Even the Crown Prince never played with the Khan.
Wan Fu once thought that since his elder brother, the Crown Prince, lived with his father, the Khan, his father would surely play and laugh with him. However, his elder brother shook his head and told him that as the emperor, his father had to leave early and return late every day, and apart from studying and eating, it was difficult for him to spend time with his father.
Wan Fu kept talking and talking.
Even my brother, the Crown Prince, is having such a hard time, yet he's still playing along with me? He should just grab me and give me a good scolding.
"Wan Fu also knows that His Highness the Crown Prince is learning from the Emperor, and one day he will become as wise and resourceful as the Emperor, skilled in both literature and martial arts. At that time, will His Highness the Crown Prince still be willing to play with the ignorant and incompetent Wan Fu?" Wan Anran interjected.
Wan Fu's voice abruptly stopped.
He had never thought about these things before, and when he suddenly heard Wan Anran mention Wan Fu's head, he was a little stunned. He looked at Noble Lady Nara, then at Consort Wan, and stood there for a long time.
"My brother, the Crown Prince, would never do that!" Wan Fu shouted angrily, his face flushed.
Not only that, after saying those words, he turned around and rushed out of the study—Wan Anran was startled by his appearance and tried to pull him back, but was stopped by the noble lady Nara.
"Sister Nara!"
"Don't worry, sister." Noble Lady Nara was much calmer than Wan Anran. She reassured Wan Anran and then instructed the palace servants to follow Wan Fu: "He's been too temperamental lately, he needs to be stimulated!"
Wan Anran remained calm and composed despite the palace servants' attempts to curry favor with her.
Unlike Wan Fu, whose relationship with Crown Prince Bao Cheng improved, the palace servants became increasingly obsequious and subservient. Seeing how the palace servants fawned over the Crown Prince, Wan Fu's lively and adorable personality, along with his mischievous tendencies, gradually increased.
"Wan Fu is still young."
"...Where are there children in the palace?" Noble Lady Nara shook her head and then took out a book to explain in detail.
Wan Anran tried to change the subject but failed.
She secretly let out a sigh of relief, her brow furrowed as she continued to stare at the book, while Wan Fu, who had run wildly, ran all the way to the Qianqing Palace.
The Qianqing Palace was heavily guarded.
The sound of the Ninth Prince's footsteps immediately attracted the attention of many guards. When they saw the three-headed little bun appear in the corner, the group exchanged surprised and uncertain glances.
Only two children were allowed to appear in the palace.
The Crown Prince is studying in the Qianqing Palace, and the other person is the Ninth Prince standing before us.
Knowing his identity doesn't mean we can let him in.
The head guard swiftly seized the Ninth Prince, half-squatting down and speaking gently, "This servant, Nalan Xingde, greets the Ninth Prince. Does the Ninth Prince have something he wishes to see His Majesty?"
Wan Fu shook his head.
His eyes were filled with tears as he looked up at Nalan Xingde. Although he seemed a little unfamiliar, he was at least more approachable than the burly guards around him. Wan Fu's chubby little hands gripped Nalan Xingde's collar tightly: "I want to see my Crown Prince brother."
His voice choked with emotion.
With its red eyes, it looks just like a frightened little white rabbit.
Could it be that he's been bullied and wants to complain to His Highness the Crown Prince? Nalan Xingde wondered to himself. The problem was that it was currently the Crown Prince's time to study and write; if he were disturbed, the Emperor might be angered.
Nalan Xingde helped the chubby Ninth Prince up.
He looked slightly embarrassed: "Ninth Prince, His Highness the Crown Prince is currently reading and writing; it's not time for him to play yet. Should we go see the Emperor first?"
If you feel wronged, it's best to tell the Emperor directly.
Surprisingly, the Ninth Prince shook his head and stubbornly asked him, "I just want to sneak a peek at my brother, the Crown Prince."
Reading...writing.
Wan Fu couldn't help but recall the words of Wan Changzai and his mother. He pursed his lips, his eyes becoming even more pitiful: "I... I won't make a fuss. I just want to see how my brother, the Crown Prince, studies."
It's not okay if you don't make noise...
Nalan Xingde knew he should refuse, but the words of refusal lingered on his tongue before he swallowed them back down. He gestured for the guards to go to the East Warm Pavilion to report to the Emperor, while he himself carried the Ninth Prince toward the West Warm Pavilion.
Nalan Xingde walked slowly.
Along the way, he tried to get information out of the Ninth Prince, but despite his young age, the Ninth Prince's mouth was as tight as a clam's and he just couldn't open it.
Finally, the two arrived at the entrance of the West Warm Pavilion.
Upon seeing their destination, Wan Fu immediately broke free from Nalan Xingde's embrace. He jogged forward and told the palace guards what he was doing.
The palace servants had strange expressions.
Without a second thought, they immediately shook their heads. To steal a glance at the Crown Prince? To put it bluntly, wouldn't that be spying on His Highness the Crown Prince's every move? Even if the Ninth Prince meant no harm, they would still be severely punished by the Emperor.
Wan Fu is truly dejected now.
Emperor Kangxi, having been informed by his guards, saw this scene from afar. A thought stirred within him, and he gestured for the palace servants in the courtyard to remain silent. He then stepped forward and took Wan Fu's small hand, saying, "I will take you to see this."
Wan Fu was startled.
His eyes widened, and he opened his mouth to shout, but Kangxi silenced him completely. Wan Fu let out two soft moans, and only then did Kangxi release his grip.
"...Oh my god! Father." Wan Fu's eyes sparkled as he spoke in a very low voice, afraid of being discovered by Prince Bao Cheng inside.
Kangxi led Wan Fu inside.
The two, one big and one small, tiptoed across the threshold and peered through the curtain into the inner study. Wan Fu's gaze fell directly on her elder brother, the Crown Prince.
Bao Cheng was sitting upright in his seat.
He stood with his back straight, his right hand slightly raised, spread out paper, dipped it in ink, and carefully wrote large characters stroke by stroke, so focused that he didn't notice the arrival of Kangxi and Wan Fu at all.
Wan Fu remained silent.
Kangxi looked slightly puzzled, especially when he felt the little hand in his palm tighten. After leaving the West Warm Pavilion with Wanfu and returning to the East Warm Pavilion, Kangxi finally asked his question: "Wanfu, why did you come to see the Crown Prince?"
The little one looked very worried.
Emperor Kangxi had four sons who were still alive. Even though he was somewhat indifferent to Wan Fu, he would still inquire about him when the opportunity arose.
At the same time, he also harbored some conspiracy theories.
Could it be that someone in the harem whispered some rumors in Wan Fu's ear, making him resent the difference between him and the Crown Prince? Wan Fu is Bao Cheng's only brother with whom he now plays, and most importantly, Kangxi understands how much Bao Cheng cares about Wan Fu.
This made Emperor Kangxi quite nervous.
He stared intently at Wan Fu, watching his little face scrunch up as he stood there thinking for a long, long time. Wan Fu's uneasy expression caught Kangxi's eye, making his heart sink, and a hint of malice flashed in his eyes.
This harem needs to be managed properly...
At that moment, Wan Fu, dejected, sighed, "Father... Your son will study hard when he gets back, and he will try his best to keep up with the Crown Prince."
...rectification?
The anger on Kangxi's face vanished instantly, replaced by a look of bewilderment: "...Huh?"
What does this mean?
But Wan Fu seemed to have regained his spirits, and he strode towards the door with his short legs. He had only taken two or three steps when Kangxi, who had come to his senses, caught him red-handed: "Tell me, why did you suddenly decide to study hard?"
Bao Cheng had previously wanted to get Wan Fu to study.
But Wan Fu was faster than a rabbit, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye.
But now they've suddenly become so motivated?
There must be something fishy going on! Kangxi's gaze was intense, while Wan Fu, with his short legs, was fierce and loud: "Your subject will prove to Mother and Consort Wan that your subject will not be abandoned by your Crown Prince brother!"
The number of question marks on Kangxi's forehead grew larger and larger.
Far away in Xianfu Palace, Consort Nara was reviewing the assignments submitted by Consort Wan. She frowned slightly, keenly noticing some problems.
Wan Changzai wasn't illiterate, but subconsciously he would simplify the characters or use simpler homophones to replace complex ones: for example, using "干" instead of "干", or "后" instead of "后"...
Lady Nara seemed to be deep in thought.
Wan Anran scratched her head and cheeks, looking rather uneasy. Noble Lady Nara noticed this when she looked up, her eyes crinkling with laughter, and gently comforted her, "Sister's idea is very unique. Who knows, people might use it this way somewhere else."
Wan Anran's eyes lit up.
Lady Nara changed the subject: "Of course, you can't use it casually in the palace. If you dare to use the 'hou' in 'Empress' or 'hou' in 'front and back', someone might accuse you of usurpation and disrespect."
Wan Anran was dejected.
Noble Lady Nara reached out and patted her head, smiling as she said, "Of course, I have a good idea."
It's less that Wan Changzai doesn't recognize the characters, and more that he's not used to them. Nara Guiren astutely noticed that Wan Changzai always recognizes them together, but can't write them separately or has forgotten how to pronounce them. The solution is simple: read more books, especially starting with simple storybooks and gradually familiarizing yourself with them, and then copy and memorize them.
After deciding on a plan, Lady Nara smiled and said, "Let's go, I'll take you to a nice place."
Is Jingyang Palace the place you're referring to?
The place was deserted; apart from our group, there was no one else in sight in the long corridor.
Wan Anran had a lot of questions on her mind.
Upon seeing Consort Nara approaching from afar, a young eunuch who had been sitting at the door jumped up with joy: "Consort Nara, you've arrived!"
This is clearly not the first time Lady Nara has come here.
She smiled and nodded to the young eunuch, signaling the palace servant to slip her a purse before going inside.
The eunuchs here really don't get any money or kickbacks.
He was overjoyed to receive the small purse, bowing and nodding as he followed beside her. Seeing that Consort Wan was a stranger, the young eunuch became even more eloquent, describing Jingyang Palace in detail.
Jingyang Palace was the most remote of the six palaces in the east and west. In the previous dynasty, it was a cold palace, which sounded very unlucky. As a result, the concubines avoided it like the plague and preferred to live together rather than move here.
Emperor Kangxi did not insist.
Of course, the well-maintained Jingyang Palace could not be wasted, so Emperor Kangxi ordered it to be repaired and renovated into a library.
"Then why isn't anyone coming?"
Wan Anran asked curiously, "Since it's the Emperor's library, there's bound to be a chance of encountering the Emperor, right?"
In the dead of winter, some concubines would stay in the Imperial Garden, or even dance in the snow, hoping to catch the emperor's eye. So why is Jingyang Palace so empty, with not a soul in sight?
The little eunuch shook his head.
He gave a wry smile: "If the Emperor had ever come here even once, this library wouldn't be in such a desolate state."
Could it be...?
"Wan Changzai guessed correctly. Since the Jingyang Palace was renovated, the Emperor hasn't come even once!" The little eunuch sighed. He used to think he had gotten a good job, and that he might catch the Emperor's eye and rise rapidly in rank, but he never expected that he would end up spending his time in this quiet and empty room.
The little eunuch shuddered at the thought.
He quickly observed Wan Changzai's expression, fearing that his master, who had finally come all this way, would be disappointed.
This isn't the first or second time this has happened.
Surprisingly, Wan Chang looked delighted, his gaze fixed on the distance: "This is... a cat?"
The young eunuch followed Wan Changzai's gaze.
Two large, bored cats lay sprawled on the bookshelf, completely at ease, as if Jingyang Palace were their territory.
"This is specifically designed to catch mice."
The young eunuch offered an explanation, then, seeing Consort Wan eager to pet the cats, quickly stepped forward to stop her: "These cats are very fierce, Your Highness, please be careful... um?"
Wan Anran reached out and stroked the cat's chin.
The cat was purring softly, humming contentedly, and even stretched out its soft paws to urge the cat on, instead of showing its sharp claws.
Touching like that isn't enough.
Wan Anran hugged the cat again and stroked it thoroughly from its ears to the base of its tail.
Let alone resist.
Another cat anxiously approached, raising its long tail and meowing sweetly. While Wan Anran and Nara were talking, it stretched out its paw and tried to push its kind away.
The young eunuch fell into deep thought.
He imitated Wan Changzai's actions and tried to scoop up a cat and rub it.
Before they even touched the cats, the two cats turned on them. They bared their sharp teeth and hissed at the eunuch. The cat that hadn't been petted by Wan Changzai kicked its hind legs and rushed forward to give the eunuch a good beating.
The young eunuch died.
Nara, who also wanted to pet the cat, swallowed hard and silently took a step back.
We can't afford to mess with them.
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