After discussing the children, Consort Xuan changed the subject and began talking about New Year's plans.
The New Year's banquet is in five days.
Xu Changzai could no longer hold back her anger; she looked at Xuan Pin with anticipation and longing.
In contrast to her is Wan Anran.
It wasn't until she arrived at the Qing Palace that she realized not everyone could attend banquets in the inner court. For example, she and Consort Xu were not qualified to attend any banquets except for the family banquet in the Qianqing Palace—unless they had permission from the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, the Empress, or a high-ranking concubine of the palace.
Wan Anran has no connection to any of the four powerful figures.
"Consort Xuan, please forget about me since I have no interest in you." Consort Xuan raised her eyes and glanced at Consort Wan: "Consort Wan."
"This concubine is here."
"You've just recovered, so you shouldn't attend this year's palace banquet. Just stay in the palace and rest," Consort Xuan said gently, observing her carefully as she spoke.
Xu Changzai raised her hand and covered her mouth with a handkerchief.
A hint of schadenfreude flickered in her eyes as she covered the corners of her upturned lips with a handkerchief.
Xianfu Palace was never favored.
Consort Xu's mind was already in turmoil; she only wanted to use the banquet to try to attract the emperor's attention... or find a better way out.
Poor Wan Yingda.
Even if she recovers and is given a green plaque, what good will it do? Staying in this neglected Xianfu Palace will only lead to a wasted life!
Consort Xuan knew perfectly well what Consort Xu was thinking.
For this reason, she had never liked Consort Xu. Her gaze swept over Consort Xu indifferently, and the moment it landed on Wan Anran's face, Consort Xuan froze.
Huh? Huh? Huh? ? ?
Wan Anran's face clearly showed... joy?
Consort Xuan widened her eyes slightly.
Upon closer inspection, no dissatisfaction could be found on Wan Daying's face. Instead, she forcefully suppressed her joy by pulling her lips down.
Consort Xuan was somewhat confused.
Consort Wan was moved from Chengqian Palace, and she had inquired about her. The news that came was that Consort Wan was competitive and had a strong desire to improve herself.
Consort Xuan disliked it.
She had already planned that if Wan Ying showed any dissatisfaction, she would definitely teach her a lesson, or find another place for her to move to. However, she never expected that everything would be so different from what she had anticipated!
Wan Anran was practically ready to raise her hands and feet in agreement.
Not having to attend banquets meant that, apart from the family banquet at Qianqing Palace on New Year's Eve, she only needed to stay in Xianfu Palace. Thinking about the intricacies that Consort Xuan had just mentioned, Wan Anran was secretly overjoyed.
It's definitely more comfortable staying in Xianfu Palace!
Wan Anran sat comfortably in the chair, enjoying her salty milk tea with both hands, occasionally picking up a piece of green bean roll and putting it in her mouth.
These are indeed the snacks served by Consort Xuan.
The soft and sweet red bean paste and jujube paste blend together perfectly, and the soft and sweet taste makes Wan Anran unable to stop eating.
One piece, two pieces, three pieces...
Seeing that the plate was already more than half empty, Haitao pinched her mistress's back in a panic.
Wan Anran was startled.
She barely managed to control her strong appetite and struggled to stop, but her eyes still lingered on the green bean roll, her eyes filled with longing.
Consort Xuan witnessed this scene.
After seeing off Consort Nara and Consort Wan, she looked at the plate that was mostly empty, with only three green bean rolls left, and chuckled.
"Have the kitchen send an extra portion of mung bean rolls to the east wing later—or rather, have the kitchen send a few extra snacks." Consort Xuan instructed the palace servants with a smile on her face.
It's time to let Wan take some more supplements.
Granny Xia respectfully agreed, but inwardly she couldn't help but sigh that Consort Wan had caught the master's eye, and that she should treat her better in the future.
The palace maid Tana pouted.
She muttered to herself, "What's so good about not being ambitious? If you ask me, it's only useful if Xu Chang promotes me like this!"
Granny Xia twisted her ear: "You're so stupid!"
If another Consort Xu were to arrive, the master would be driven mad with worry! And if Consort Wan were that kind of person, she would probably be kicked out of Xianfu Palace in a heartbeat. Having just recovered from her illness and then being kicked out of Xianfu Palace, where would Consort Wan find a good place to go? Even if she were taken in, she would probably waste her time there.
---
Xu Changzai was in a good mood when he returned to his room.
She glanced across the street through the window, no longer bothering to hide her disdain: "What a hopeless case! He still wants to regain favor? He'll probably only ever be a concubine for the rest of his life."
I had previously considered her an enemy!
Xu Changzai thought about Wan Ying's rather outstanding appearance, and felt waves of joy and pride in his heart.
Of course, that's not the main point.
Xu Changzai felt a surge of excitement at the upcoming palace banquet. She quickly instructed her maids to bring out various palace powders, determined to take good care of her facial skin and strive to win first place!
Meanwhile, Wan Anran, back in the east wing, was also undergoing a test. As soon as she entered the room, Haitao began to nag incessantly: "My lady, my lady, it would have been fine if you hadn't said anything in the main hall, but why did you have to keep eating like that! If you leave a bad impression on Master Xuan, our lives will be even more difficult."
"It's not as serious as you make it out to be."
"Of course it's serious! With just one word from His Highness, the young lady won't even be allowed to leave the palace! The palace servants were saying that Consort Yi of Yikun Palace has confined Consort Zhang and Consort Qing to the backyard. They used to be able to get a day of favor occasionally, but now they've all been completely cut off."
Hai Tao's expression was serious.
As she spoke, she carefully untangled Wan Anran's sideburns, combed them smooth with hair oil, and then braided them into a long braid.
May you be safe and sound, and have no worries.
She held up the mirror and looked at herself from left to right: "I think staying in the palace is quite nice."
Why is it so good?
Hai Tao frowned deeply—if the young mistress's ambitions were a bit too high before, now that she'd completely abandoned them and adopted a lazy, complacent attitude, it was worrying. She earnestly advised, "Young mistress, if you can't leave the palace, you'll have a hard time meeting the Emperor. If you can't meet the Emperor, how can you talk about favor? How can you talk about promotion? How can you talk about getting pregnant and having children?"
It wasn't that Haitao was nagging, it was that she was anxious.
Xianfu Palace was arguably the least favored palace by the Emperor. Not to mention Consort Xuan, who was the Emperor's cousin but ranked last among the Eight Consorts, a stark contrast to Consort Tong, who was also a cousin, there was also Consort Nara, who had a son but was only granted the title of Noble Lady and was ridiculed for relying entirely on luck.
If the young master doesn't strive for improvement, he might be forgotten in the blink of an eye. With this deep concern, Haitao earnestly and patiently persuaded him.
Competing for favor? Rank and status?
Emperor Kangxi was an emperor who valued seniority highly. In short, one either had to have many children or work one's way up step by step; very few people were promoted directly, and the issue ultimately came down to having children.
Pregnancy? Childbirth?
Having a baby in an era where there are only natural births and no cesarean sections, or even hospitals? Pregnancy is not just a matter of life and death, it's like you're teetering on the edge of death, and a life can be lost in an instant.
Wan Anran doesn't want to have children.
She just wanted to live peacefully until she was ninety-seven.
Why would she compete for favor if she wasn't going to have children?
Everything was back to square one. Wan Anran rubbed her rumbling stomach, then nudged Haitao, who was still nagging, "Okay, okay, I know, I know. Haitao, stop talking and go get breakfast!"
Hai Tao could tell from the young master's perfunctory attitude.
Unfortunately, as a servant, she was helpless against her mistress. Hai Tao was dejected and walked out with her head down, turning back every few steps, hoping that her mistress would give her some kind of response.
Wan Anran pretended not to notice Hai Tao's reaction.
Hai Tao's ambition far surpasses mine. If this were in a future life, she might have achieved great things. Unfortunately, in the present, I can only pour all my passion into being a lazy bum who doesn't want to turn my life around.
Given enough time, Haitao should be able to figure things out by now.
Wan Anran was lost in thought while holding the teacup, while Hai Tao, who had just opened the door, was startled by the imposing scene outside.
Several people were standing outside the door of the east wing.
Leading the group was Granny Xia, the head nanny of Xianfu Palace. She usually had a serious expression and looked very stern, but today she had a kind and gentle smile and looked exceptionally kind and amiable.
The kind smile made Hai Tao gasp for breath, unable to utter a word. Somewhat uneasy, she twisted her handkerchief and smiled, "Xia, Granny Xia."
Granny Xia nodded to Hai Tao.
She stepped aside to let Hai Tao out, then led a group of palace servants into the room: "This servant greets Consort Wan."
Wan Anran and Hai Tao exchanged a glance.
It was unclear how long Xia Mama had been listening outside—a palace maid sometimes had such troubles, but after thinking it over carefully, Wan Anran, who didn't think she had done anything wrong, quickly regained her composure: "Xia Mama, please rise."
Granny Xia respectfully conveyed Consort Xuan's instructions.
Wan Anran's eyes lit up at the mere mention of the mung bean rolls, not to mention the various other snacks and desserts inside. Her cheeks flushed, and she let out a small cheer, wishing she could run to the main hall immediately to kiss Consort Xuan!
After Granny Xia left, Wan Anran looked at Hai Tao with a smug expression: "Look! Master Xuan is happy that I'm eating like this!"
Haitao: …………
Looking at the table full of food and snacks, she really couldn't say a single thing was bad about it!
Not to mention Xu Changzai in the house across the street.
Staring at the smiling Xia Mama, she ripped the handkerchief in her hand to shreds with a tearing sound, her pretty face contorted in anger as she glared outside.
The palace maid beside her whispered a reminder: "Your Highness..."
Before she could finish speaking, a burning pain shot through her face: "How many times have I told you, call me Master!"
"Master, Master..."
"Get out! You clumsy thing, go outside and stand outside as punishment for your master!"
The palace maid's mouth tasted bitter.
She lowered her head, composed herself, and softly agreed. After leaving the room, she couldn't help but sob.
Another palace maid felt a pang of sympathy.
The two stood there, hand in hand, listening to the laughter and chatter coming from the east wing, feeling their bodies grow colder and colder.
The snow was falling heavier and heavier.
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