Chapter 2: Good Fortune

The Grand Empress Dowager believes in Buddhism.

The Empress Dowager also believes in Buddhism, and naturally, Consort Xuan, who also comes from the Borjigit clan, believes in it as well. In the warm chamber of the main hall of Xianfu Palace, a small Buddhist altar was set up. Inside the altar sat a blue-and-white porcelain three-legged incense burner with ocean wave patterns. Smoke curled from the burner, filling the entire chamber with the scent of sandalwood incense.

An elderly palace nanny pushed open the door and entered.

Consort Xuan knelt on the lotus cushion before the altar, eyes half-closed, fingers twisting a string of golden prayer beads, quietly chanting prayers.

The nanny stood aside respectfully, hands raised and head bowed.

After a long while, when Consort Xuan finished reciting the sutras and rose to place new incense sticks into the burner, the nanny took a step forward and cautiously spoke about Wan Daying’s return from leave to pay respects.

A faint smile curved at the corner of Consort Xuan’s lips.

In a pleasant mood, she bowed slightly toward the Buddha. The senior palace maid Tana beside her smiled and flattered, “It is all thanks to Her Highness’s great kindness and virtue that Wan Daying was spared. If I may speak, I believe Wan Daying will surely follow Her Highness’s lead in the future.”

Consort Xuan cast a sidelong glance at Tana.

She shook her head. “I do this for my own conscience, not for others.”

Tana hesitated to speak but then admitted her fault honestly. “It is just this humble maid’s wild imagination.”

Consort Xuan’s expression then darkened slightly.

She nodded in satisfaction and instructed that Wan Daying be given some medicinal herbs and nourishing food to recuperate well. She said it would be fine even if the formal respects were delayed a few days.

However, Wan Anran could not wait that long.

The next morning, she changed into a bright, fresh set of clothes and arrived early at the main hall. The young eunuch Zhao Duoxi waiting at the door bowed and hurried forward with a brisk step, “Young Mistress Wan, please come inside.”

Wan Anran walked straight into the side chamber of the main hall.

Inside sat a palace consort wearing an ornate embroidered gown patterned with winding branches, her complexion fresh and delicate. Haitao stepped forward to remind her, “Young Mistress, this is Xu Changzai.”

Wan Anran stepped forward and gave Xu Changzai a deep crouching bow.

As for Xu Changzai, she didn’t even lift her eyelids. She waved her hand casually, signaling Wan Anran to rise, then ignored her entirely.

Putting warmth on a cold shoulder?

Wan Anran had no interest in forcing it. After all, it was just a matter of maintaining appearances among colleagues.

She lowered her eyes and sipped the tea.

This was not green tea, but salty milk tea served by Consort Xuan here. The faint saltiness blended perfectly with the richness of the milk. Wan Anran sipped and liked it quite a bit, then sipped again.

Hmm…

Though salty milk tea was good, she strangely found herself missing sweet milk tea? Thinking about how she didn’t yet have the privilege to enjoy sugar, Wan Anran silently wiped away a tear.

At that moment, the main door creaked open again.

This time, a refined, beautiful, and dignified lady entered. Xu Changzai immediately dropped her earlier coldness. She stood up with a bright smile and greeted, “This humble one pays respects to Sister Nara.”

Haitao reminded her, “This is Noble Lady Nara.”

Wan Anran nodded and gave Xu Changzai a peculiar glance. She then followed behind to give Noble Lady Nara a crouching bow.

At the same time, Wan Anran had a thought: Could this newcomer be someone who really enjoys flattery? The company’s most troublesome leader was known to be irritable and spiteful when not being flattered.

Wan Anran felt uneasy inside.

She looked up just in time to meet Noble Lady Nara’s gaze.

Understood!

This person is exactly like me!

The thought arose simultaneously in both their minds.

Wan Anran and Noble Lady Nara smiled at each other. Nara Noble Lady interrupted Xu Changzai’s words: “Sister Wan, how is your health?”

Wan Anran smiled and replied, “Thank you for your concern, Sister Nara. My illness has already healed.”

The problem was, since it was their first meeting, they quickly found themselves at a loss for words.

They looked at each other.

Just as Xu Changzai was about to speak, both of them simultaneously asked, “Sister Nara / Sister Wan, have you / have you had breakfast yet?”

As soon as the question was spoken,

both of them froze for three seconds, then simultaneously said, “Sister / Sister has already eaten.”

After speaking, silence returned.

They exchanged a glance and one of them couldn’t hold back a laugh.

This parrot-like dialogue made the two feel closer.

Noble Lady Nara hurriedly urged Wan Daying to sit down, first pressing a warming stove into her hand, then calling for a servant to bring her a hot cup of salty milk tea. The enthusiasm made Wan Anran a bit flustered and left Xu Changzai burning with jealousy.

Wan Anran had no time to pay attention to Xu Changzai.

Just as she was about to rise to hold Noble Lady Nara back, a sigh sounded beside her.

Wan Anran turned in surprise and saw it came from a baby. The baby was round and chubby with big eyes like black grapes, shining wetly. He noticed Wan Anran’s gaze and puckered his adorable little face, “Wan Daying, Mother is just a bit too worried and nagging, please forgive and understand her more.”

His voice was infantile but formal.

Even though he was a three-heads-tall baby, he spoke seriously.

Wan Anran, who had been single her entire life, had never seen such an adorable little one. She gasped sharply, then immediately hugged the cute baby tightly, giving him a triple combo of kisses, pats, and squeezes.

The little darling was utterly dumbfounded.

His small face flushed bright red as he stammered, “Wan Daying, how can you be so shameless—don’t you know that men and women should keep their distance?”

Wan Anran paid no mind.

She kissed his rosy little cheek and shamelessly said, “The distinction between men and women only matters after seven years old. You? Just wait a few more years!”

The little darling’s eyes grew wide.

He had never seen such a shameless person in the palace before! His eyes reddened as he pouted and plaintively reached out to Lady Nara Guiren, saying, “Madam! Wan Daying is bullying me!”

Wan Anran: … Huh?

So, in front of Madam, he was teasing the child? Wan Anran quickly set the little prince down and, pretending nothing had happened, picked up her tea and took a sip.

Wan Anran feigned calm and lowered her eyes to praise the tea, “Hmm… this salty milk tea truly has a unique flavor. The taste is savory and smooth, with a full milk aroma. Paired with the crispy, tasty fried rice, it’s simply exquisite.”

Lady Nara Guiren couldn’t help but smile wryly.

As for the little prince, he was so furious he was jumping up and down, grumbling that Wan Anran showed not a bit of adult composure.

So what if she didn’t act like an adult?

Wan Anran even secretly made a silly face at him!

The little prince’s eyes went even wider.

Though angry, he grew quite curious about Wan Anran. Children’s anger flares up fast but fades quickly, and before long Lady Nara Guiren was surprised to see Wan Daying and the little prince Wan Fu leaning heads together, whispering to each other.

Xu Changzai’s heart was complicated.

There is an old saying: Those who hold a child often will have good fortune. Xu Changzai had long admired Ninth Prince, but Lady Nara Guiren was cold to her and Ninth Prince ignored her completely.

But now!

Xu Changzai stared at Wan Daying, a fire flickering in her eyes!

Soon after, Consort Xuan arrived and saw this rather surprising scene. Raising her brow with slight surprise, she asked, “What’s going on here?”

Lady Nara Guiren couldn’t quite explain.

Wan Daying had been ill since coming to Xianfu Palace, and Lady Nara Guiren, who was raising the little prince, had never visited her. She had only heard from others that Wan Daying was proud and aloof, but now looking at her, there was no trace of that—she looked more like a young girl who hadn’t yet left her boudoir!

Consort Xuan was not in a hurry.

She watched with great interest for a while, finding the interactions between the grown woman and little boy very amusing. She enjoyed the scene thoroughly.

But the senior palace maid Tana’s brow grew tighter and tighter until finally she clenched her fist, lightly coughing by her mouth.

Wan Anran and Wan Fu raised their heads simultaneously.

Their movements were identical, their expressions the same, as if carved from the same mold. After a brief stunned moment, Wan Anran suddenly realized the situation and quickly straightened her expression, kneeling on the floor, “Consort Xuan, may you have great fortune and safety.”

Wan Fu knelt on one knee, swiftly flicking his sleeves.

Though small, his posture was impeccably proper, “Your humble servant pays respects to Consort Xuan.”

Consort Xuan smiled in reply.

She motioned for Wan Anran to sit, then beckoned Wan Fu over. As the only little prince in Xianfu Palace, Wan Fu was dearly cherished by everyone. Consort Xuan examined him for a moment, then smiled approvingly, “He’s growing stronger and stronger. Our Wan Fu will surely become a brave warrior!”

Wan Fu puffed up his chest like a proud little rooster. He pounded his chest and declared, “When I grow up, I will follow Father the Khan to the hunting grounds to shoot deer and tigers. Then I will make mats for Consort Xuan and scarves and gloves for Madam!”

Wan Anran waited expectantly for more, but no more came.

She pretended to be heartbroken, clutching her chest and sighing with sorrow.

Wan Fu glanced at her, covered his mouth to hide a laugh, and said, “As for Wan Daying… hmm… I’ll shoot a silly deer for you!”

Are you saying I’m silly?

Wan Anran was so annoyed she almost fell over, glaring at Consort Xuan and Lady Nara Guiren.

But the two of them sided with Wan Fu.

Especially Consort Xuan, who wore a stern expression: “How old are you, still asking a three-year-old child for gifts? And you dare to disdain the deer our Wan Fu shoots? When spring comes, I’ll take you to the southern gardens to hunt. If you don’t bring back a deer, you’re not allowed to eat!”

Wan Anran: ………

Hunting deer? In my past life, I never even rode a horse, and this life’s Wan Daying did ride before, but it’s been four or five years since the selection process began that she’s been off horseback.

If I go hunting, it might be the deer who knocks me over.

Wan Anran hurriedly changed the subject, “How could I disdain it? I was just thinking one deer wouldn’t be enough to eat! Braised, steamed, with radish and tofu soup, or made into sausage, or minced with honey and sugar for jerky, sprinkled with pepper, cumin, and chili for kebabs… one deer just isn’t enough, at least three are needed.”

Hearing this, Consort Xuan was somewhat tempted.

But deer meat’s flavor was average; unless one happened to catch a deer during hunting for a quick meal, it wasn’t something to eat often.

Wan Fu was equally excited.

His eyes sparkled as he put his hands on his hips and loudly vowed, “Consort Xuan, rest assured! I’ll shoot at least two more!”

The three inside the hall laughed together.

The only one left out was Xu Changzai, who clenched her fingers tightly. She gripped the hem of her skirt and lowered her head to hide the resentment in her eyes.