This was the first time Wan Anran had ever seen a cat in the palace.
Unlike the delicate cats popular in later generations, these two large cats were well-fed and glossy, walking with an imposing and majestic air that was a sight to behold.
"I'm the one who feeds you and cleans you up!" the little eunuch muttered, covering his face. He was furious at the sight of the two cats, who were so cute and cuddly in Wan Changzai's arms but acted so arrogantly in front of him.
Wan Anran also forgot about the important matter.
She casually wiped the dust off the chair and happily petted the two cats.
The cat is soft and warm, and the feel of it is absolutely superb.
Wan Anran was increasingly delighted as she touched them, her eyes shining as she looked at Noble Lady Nara: "Sister Nara, can we keep them?"
“These two cats were specially raised by Jingyang Palace to catch mice. If you really like them, shall we go to the cat and dog room and pick one out? A golden cat would be excellent. I heard that there are also Persian cats with heterochromia, with pure white fur and a smooth feel…” Noble Lady Nara said with a smile.
The two cats bared their teeth at her.
Seeing this display of human-like intelligence, Consort Nara quickly took another step back. She explained gently, "It's not that these two are bad, it's just that Jingyang Palace is used for catching mice, so their temperaments are naturally more ferocious, unlike the cats and dogs we usually play with. If we take these two back, it would be troublesome if they scratched someone in Xianfu Palace."
Being adopted by the young masters is certainly a great thing for the two cats, and the eunuch has developed some affection for them over the days he has been feeding them. However, thinking about what Consort Nara said, if the young masters were to be harmed, these two cats would probably end up being beaten to death or drowned.
The little eunuch trembled with fright.
He rubbed his hands together and quickly explained, "Consort Wan, all the cats and dogs in the palace are registered. It's not like you can just take them away whenever you want, Your Highness. And those that catch mice and those that are kept as pets are not the same thing..."
His voice grew softer and softer.
Finally, the eunuch gritted his teeth and said, "If Your Highness wants to keep a cat, you should listen to Consort Nara and go to the cat and dog room to get one!"
"I came to see you since I couldn't take you back to the palace." Wan Anran didn't seem to mind.
"After all, raising cats is mainly about fate. Since I saw you two and you are close to me, it means we are destined to be together, right?" Wan Anran said with a smile to the two cats, gently scratching their chins.
As if they knew what she was talking about, the two big cats made sweet meowing sounds. One rubbed against Wan Anran's arms, while the other circled around her.
As long as you don't take it back, it's fine.
Nara Guiren's heart, which had been hanging in mid-air, instantly settled down. With a smile on her face, she walked into the bookshelf and quickly picked out a few books to hand to Wan Changzai: "These storybooks look quite amusing. You can take a look at them."
Wan Anran obediently agreed.
Logically, after retrieving the books, Wan Anran should have returned to Xianfu Palace, but seeing the two cats in Jingyang Palace, she decided to stay in Xianfu Palace for a while.
Lady Nara chuckled to herself.
She nodded: "Okay."
Today the sun shines brightly and a gentle breeze blows.
The lingering chill from the previous two days had vanished without a trace. Instead of the lifeless and gloomy Jingyang Palace, Wan Anran and Consort Nara decided to sit and read in the back garden of Jingyang Palace.
The two cats were inseparable.
They ran and jumped around Wan Anran's feet, leading the group to the backyard like guides.
A gentle spring breeze wafted by, carrying a sweet, refreshing fragrance. Wan Anran subconsciously looked up and exclaimed in surprise.
The budget is tight.
Apart from the front hall of Jingyang Palace, which served as a library, which had been renovated, the rear hall and courtyard remained unrepaired. The dilapidated bluestone courtyard was overgrown with weeds, with a rather magnificent apricot tree nestled among them.
Now is the perfect time for apricot blossoms to bloom.
Compared to the meticulously maintained and elegant apricot blossoms in the Imperial Garden, this apricot tree appears rugged and domineering, possessing a unique charm. Without human control, it freely stretches its branches, its snow-white apricot blossoms adorning the branches in clusters. A gentle breeze carries the petals down from the sky, scattering them gracefully onto Wan Anran's hair and shoulders.
The two cats absolutely adored the fluttering petals, leaping and bounding about with boundless joy.
Consort Nara usually only read books and never stepped into the backyard of Jingyang Palace. This scene before her was also the first time she had ever seen it.
“It truly is a different world altogether.” Noble Lady Nara twirled an apricot blossom between her fingers, her eyes and brows smiling gently.
Her smile captivated Yangcheng and bewitched Xiachai.
Wan Anran couldn't help but think of this: "Don't even mention men appreciating beauty, she's also willing to appreciate beautiful women!"
After pausing to admire the beautiful scenery for a moment, the two walked hand in hand to the tree. Sitting on a stone bench, Nara Guiren and Wan Anran were bathed in the sweet fragrance of apricot blossoms, their faces showing complete relaxation and contentment… Wait, wait, wait!
"Let's start reading."
“…Okay, okay.” What else could Wan Anran do but nod in agreement? She flipped through the book and quickly became engrossed in it.
Lady Nara chose mostly storybooks.
There were works that later generations also found quite famous, such as "In Search of the Supernatural" and "Journey to the West," as well as some that he had never heard of before. The content consisted of short stories about rural life, which Wan Anran read with great interest, occasionally asking a question or two.
The question-and-answer session was conducted in a harmonious atmosphere.
After reading for a full hour, Wan Anran reluctantly closed the book, deciding to continue reading the rest later. She gazed at the apricot tree, lost in thought, and after a moment's contemplation, asked a question: "Sister, can apricot blossoms be used to make wine?"
Noble Lady Nara was still admiring the beautiful scenery before her.
Upon hearing Wan Changzai's words, Consort Nara couldn't help but roll her eyes at her.
Is this the time to talk about food?
Looking at the apricot blossoms covering the branches, Lady Nara nodded emphatically: "Of course."
Hai Tao's lips started twitching.
Then they saw the young mistress and Consort Nara walk up excitedly and circle around the apricot tree.
How much wine can be made from such a tree?
If the apricot tree had a mind of its own, it would probably be trembling with fear instead of its earlier arrogance.
Of course, Lady Nara didn't intend to take everything.
She pulled Wan Anran, who was rubbing her hands together in anticipation, back to her words: "We can only pick a portion. Firstly, we won't be able to finish all the wine we make. Secondly, do you still want to eat apricots in the summer, and dried apricots in the fall?"
Wan Anran nodded.
She patted her chest and said, "Don't worry, Sister Nara, I know what I'm doing."
After speaking, Wan Anran instructed a young eunuch to bring a ladder, and excitedly prepared to pluck the flower petals. Just watching this made the palace servants break out in a cold sweat. Haitao and Zisu quickly grabbed their mistress: "Mistress! Mistress! We'll help you, we'll help you!"
Wan Anran reluctantly stepped back.
She and Consort Nara stood by the tree, gesturing and pointing. They didn't completely strip the tree bare, but they did manage to make the apricot tree's lush "hairline" recede a little. After picking two whole baskets of apricot blossoms, and taking along the books they couldn't forget, the group left Jingyang Palace with smiles on their faces.
Back at Xianfu Palace.
As soon as they stepped through the gate, Granny Xia hurriedly came forward to greet them: "My ladies, where have you been? The Emperor has arrived with the Ninth Prince."
Wan Anran and Lady Nara were suddenly taken aback.
The two women then looked at each other, a hint of guilt rising in their hearts: they seemed to have completely forgotten about Wan Fu.
The two looked at each other.
They thanked Granny Xia and hurried towards the main hall.
Emperor Kangxi sat imposingly inside the hall.
Wan Fu, looking furious, sat at the lower end of the table, nestled in Consort Xuan's arms, looking aggrieved. Consort Xu, rarely allowed to appear in public, raised her pretty face slightly, gazing at the Emperor with tender eyes—but unfortunately, her affections were unrequited, and Kangxi completely ignored her.
When Nara Guiren and Wan Changzai came in, he casually placed the teacup on the table and said, "Where have you two been? It's a good thing Wan Fu rushed back to study, but you two slipped away to play first."
That's absolutely outrageous.
Emperor Kangxi, with a dark face, immediately launched into a tirade of reprimands.
"That's right! Still studying, but sneaking out to play behind my back!" Wan Fu rarely had the Emperor's support, so he put his hands on his hips and kept grumbling.
Noble Lady Nara was no longer as unrestrained as before.
She bowed deeply, her voice respectful: "This concubine knows her mistake."
The atmosphere inside the hall froze instantly.
Wan Anran finally understood that even though Consort Nara possessed a beautiful face and figure, and had a child named Wan Fu, her rank was still only that of a Noble Lady.
The reason is probably what's right in front of me.
Wan Anran stepped forward and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, Sister Nara took me to Jingyang Palace."
"Jingyang Palace?" Kangxi was somewhat surprised.
“Yes, Sister Nara selected some books for me, and we also found an apricot tree and picked some apricot blossoms.” Wan Anran smiled slightly. “Sister Nara plans to brew apricot blossom wine, hehe.”
Last time, His Majesty drank plum blossom wine.
Kangxi had obviously thought of this as well, and he coughed dramatically, thus brushing the matter aside. He changed the subject: "I came to Xianfu Palace to tell you that Wanfu will begin his education with the Crown Prince from now on."
Lady Nara suddenly looked up.
Her almond-shaped eyes widened, and the shock in her eyes was hard to hide. After a long while, Nara Gui managed to suppress her excitement and happily curtsied.
After giving his instructions, Emperor Kangxi left in a hurry.
Wan Anran grasped Nara Noble Lady's hand: "Sister Nara, this is wonderful news!"
Noble Lady Nara felt a lump in her throat.
She nodded, her eyes glistening with tears: "It's...good news!"
Wan Fu stood with his hands on his hips.
He raised his little head slightly and patted his chest vigorously: "Mother, Consort Xuan, Consort Wan, don't worry! I will definitely try my best to keep up with the Crown Prince's pace and will never disgrace our Xianfu Palace!"
"Wan Fu, you actually called me Mother Consort?" Wan Anran stared at Wan Fu in surprise upon hearing this. This kid had always been calling Wan Changzai this and Wan Changzai that, so Wan Anran was too lazy to argue with him.
Wan Fu turned his head away, pretending not to know.
Wan Anran pinched his chubby cheeks: "Say it again?"
Wan Fu looked up at the sky and the earth, but never looked at Wan Changzai.
Laughter filled the main hall of Xianfu Palace. Then everyone busied themselves with drying flowers, preparing glutinous rice, and starting their winemaking business.
Lady Nara is skilled in all kinds of things.
She skillfully directed the palace servants to clean the apricot blossoms, while she and Wan Anran washed the glutinous rice together. The glutinous rice, which had been washed three to five times, had to be left to sit for three hours until it became so soft that it could be crushed with a single rub.
Wan Fu watched with great interest.
The next day, they also attracted Prince Bao Cheng, and then brought back someone whom Wan Changzai had met for the first time.
The seven-year-old eldest princess.
Despite being called the eldest princess, everyone knows she is the eldest daughter of Prince Gong, Changning. Half a month ago, the Emperor issued an edict to raise her in the palace, and she is currently being raised by the Empress.
All told, it's only been ten days.
The eldest princess was very reserved. Suddenly being moved from one place to another, even the older women couldn't suppress their anxiety, let alone a seven-year-old like her. The eldest princess was flustered, and the only thing she remembered was her wet nurse's words about getting along well with the crown prince.
only……
The eldest princess looked at the crown prince, who was busy talking to the ninth prince, and then at the busy palace servants. She stood there helplessly, not knowing what to do.
Wan Anran has a soft heart.
The concubine who bore Prince Gong children was naturally not ugly, and the eldest princess was quite adorable. Her delicate, round face was fair, and her long, curled eyelashes made her look like a fine porcelain doll. Wan Anran stepped forward and said, "Eldest Princess, would you like to pick flowers together?"
The eldest princess was slightly taken aback.
She looked up at Wan Anran and responded softly.
Wan Anran held the eldest princess's hand.
Her small, soft palms were covered in sweat and trembled slightly. Wan Anran's heart softened a little, and she led her into the crowd.
The bamboo basket was piled high with apricot blossoms, like a small mountain.
Leaves that are yellowed or damaged are picked out one by one. Finding a caterpillar is an absolute disaster.
Surprisingly, the eldest princess was not afraid of insects.
She held the plump caterpillar and carried it all the way to the tree, a sight that truly made a group of adults feel ashamed.
"Isn't the eldest princess afraid of insects?"
“Empress…” The eldest princess’s voice stopped abruptly. After a pause, she lowered her eyes and whispered, “The wife of Prince Gong said that when the caterpillars grow bigger, they will turn into beautiful butterflies, so I am not afraid of them.”
But this caterpillar will only grow into a moth...
Wan Anran was silent for a moment, then thought about it and decided not to shatter the eldest princess's dream. Wouldn't it be better to let the eldest princess continue to have her childhood dream? She nodded in agreement: "That's right, just like the ugly duckling will turn into a swan."
"The Ugly Duckling? The Swan?"
"Once upon a time, there was an ugly duckling. It had grayish-brown down and a black beak, while its brothers and sisters had golden down and orange beaks..." Everyone knew the story of the ugly duckling, and Wan Anran told it vividly. Soon, the eldest princess, Crown Prince Bao Cheng, Wan Fu, and even Consort Nara and the palace servants all pricked up their ears to listen to the story Wan Anran was telling.
The eldest princess's eyes sparkled.
Prince Bao Cheng, however, disagreed: "Because the ugly duckling was originally a swan, that's why—boohoo!"
Wan Anran reached out and covered the prince's mouth.
She negotiated with the Crown Prince with her eyes: Please leave some room for the eldest princess and the ninth prince to have illusions!
Crown Prince Bao Cheng was still not happy.
He spoke with conviction, but his voice was very low: "I am telling them the inside story."
Wan Anran didn't want to pay any attention to the Crown Prince.
To her relief, only the Crown Prince seemed like a child; at least the First Princess and the Ninth Prince both looked longingly at it, and even Wan Fu clamored that he wanted to raise a flock of ducklings in Xianfu Palace. He argued confidently, "Who knows, maybe a swan will grow out of there?"
Don't talk nonsense.
Consort Nara grabbed Wan Fu by the ear, but before she could even move him, Wan Fu began to beg for mercy: "I won't raise him anymore, I won't raise him anymore, waaaah!"
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