Chapter 18: Noble Lady Uya

The next day, New Year’s Eve.

The entire palace was filled with joy. Whether it was the imperial consorts or the palace maids and eunuchs, everyone’s faces were adorned with cheerful smiles. The consorts were busy dressing up, striving to catch the Emperor’s eye at the upcoming banquet. As for the palace maids and eunuchs, their joy stemmed from the kind and gentle behavior of their mistresses and supervising matrons.

From the start to the end of the New Year celebrations, there were certain taboos in the palace. One could not scold or punish palace staff, and words such as “death” or “kill” were strictly forbidden. Everyone wore a smile, looking as benevolent as living Buddhas.

Wan Anran was quite happy too.

The reason for her happiness was—starting from New Year’s Eve until the sixth day of the first lunar month, the use of scissors and needlework was forbidden in the palace, to avoid any ill omens involving bloodshed in the coming year. This also meant that Wan Anran’s insole-making business had to be put on hold, and she could finally enjoy a bit of relaxation.

Thinking about last night, when Haitao, Zisu, and Jubai had taken turns nagging her to the point that she lost half her appetite, Wan Anran’s face lit up with a lighthearted and joyful smile. She cheered as she began announcing her breakfast order: “Let’s keep it light today. Tell the kitchen to make a bowl of hot noodle soup—with thick slices of soy-braised meat and a boiled egg. Add some leafy greens and fried tofu…”

Haitao had to interrupt her mistress’s musings. “Little Mistress, have you forgotten? Today’s lunch is vegetarian stuffed pastries!”

Wan Anran’s face froze instantly.

She really had forgotten. In the palace, there was a family banquet at the Qianqing Palace in the evening, while during the day, the Emperor hosted the civil and military officials at the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The Empress, on the other hand, had to serve the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager while also receiving the Madams and noblewomen.

As for the remaining imperial consorts, they were to watch traditional operas in the palace while eating vegetarian stuffed pastries and desserts, waiting for the evening banquet to begin—rumor had it that some consorts, in order to keep their figures and avoid losing face in front of the Emperor, wouldn’t eat anything all day!

Wan Anran’s response to this: This concubine simply cannot do that!

Listlessly, she nodded. “Then bring one—no! Three bowls of vegetarian stuffed pastries. One steamed, one with chili oil, and one with sour soup!”

Haitao hesitated, wanting to speak.

In the end, she said nothing—seeing how her little mistress ate so much every day without gaining any weight, Haitao thought it best to just let her eat.

As the saying goes: A good appetite is a blessing!

After lunch, Wan Anran resumed her daily copying practice. What had originally been an obligatory task now had become something she was beginning to enjoy over the past few days.

Just as she was immersed in her writing, Haitao entered the room.

“Little Mistress, it’s time.”

Before going to the family banquet at the Qianqing Palace, the consorts were to first pay respects to the Empress at the Kunning Palace. Then, together with the Empress, they would visit the Cining Palace to greet the two Dowagers. After that, they would accompany the Dowagers to the Qianqing Palace.

This also meant one thing—

Aside from the Empress, Consort Xuan, and Noble Lady Nara, Wan Anran would finally get to meet the other imperial consorts.

At the thought of this, Wan Anran felt a little excited!

With the help of Haitao, Zisu, and Jubai, she changed into a dark stone blue ceremonial robe embroidered with eight circular floral medallions. On her feet were phoenix-headed high platform shoes embroidered with arabesque patterns and tassels—these shoes were much more stable than traditional flowerpot-bottom shoes, resembling modern platform heels.

Even so, Wan Anran walked gracefully and elegantly, her swaying figure adding to her charm. But of course, this wasn’t the end of it. The most crucial part was her hairstyle and makeup. Just her hair and the various ornaments took half an hour to complete, and only then did Haitao and Zisu solemnly stop their movements.

As for Jubai, her role was limited to watching and learning.

Next came the makeup, which was mainly light and elegant: fine willow-like brows, slightly upturned eyes that made her look delicate and pitiful, and of course, the unique flower petal lips… Alright, this was where Wan Anran drew the line.

She stopped Haitao’s hand and chose to apply the lip color herself. While she wasn’t exactly a makeup expert, she did know how to do the popular gradient lip style. She carefully applied it herself—lighter on the outside and darker on the inside—making her lips look delicate and refined without the artificiality of petal lips. Her technique was so impressive that the three maids couldn’t take their eyes off her.

Wan Anran felt quite pleased with herself.

After pressing her lips together to make the color look more natural, she proudly lifted her chin. “How’s that? Not bad, right?”

Haitao nodded repeatedly and praised without reservation, “Little Mistress, you’re amazing! With makeup like this, you’ll surely attract the Emperor’s attention.”

…Saying something like that just made her want to wipe it off.

Wan Anran almost said something but ended up turning to Zisu and Jubai with hopeful eyes. Zisu couldn’t hide her smile and quickly echoed, “Little Mistress is so clever and skillful. I’m truly ashamed in comparison!”

Before Wan Anran could smile, Jubai added with a grin, “If Little Mistress can do such beautiful makeup, surely those insoles are no problem either.”

Wan Anran: …

That’s completely different! Those two things are not the same at all!

But Haitao and Zisu both nodded in agreement.

They looked at their mistress with hopeful eyes, as if already envisioning her success.

Wan Anran firmly rejected their expectations.

She coughed and composed her expression. “Let’s go. It’s about time.”

The three maids immediately straightened their expressions. In unison, they responded and followed protocol—Zisu and Jubai escorted Wan Anran to the door of the eastern wing, watching as she hurried off toward the front hall with Haitao.

Xu Changzai had already arrived early.

Her face bore a gentle smile… but the softer her smile and the more attentive her demeanor, the more Wan Anran felt her hairs stand on end. It made her deeply uncomfortable.

Fortunately, Noble Lady Nara arrived soon after.

Wan Anran quickly moved a couple of steps closer to Noble Lady Nara. The two of them whispered quietly about their makeup, and Wan Anran even helped adjust her lip color.

As for Consort Xuan, she remained indifferent.

Seeing that Noble Lady Nara and Wan Changzai were ready, she nodded slightly. “Let’s go.”

The Kunning Palace was even livelier than the previous visits.

Inside, many imperial consorts were already present, either sitting or standing. Consort Xuan was guided to the front to sit and rest. As for Noble Lady Nara and Wan Anran, there were no seats for them. Haitao and the other maids were not allowed inside either; they were led to a tea room to wait, while those serving in the side hall were attendants from the Kunning Palace.

Noble Lady Nara was not one for conversation.

She didn’t go mingle with the other noble ladies chatting in small groups. Instead, she stood quietly behind Consort Xuan with Wan Anran, hands neatly placed, heads slightly bowed, listening attentively to the conversations of a few high-ranking consorts.

Wan Anran looked obedient.

She stood straight and proper, though her curious eyes wandered here and there.

The woman sitting in the lead seat was most likely Noble Consort Tong.

Unfortunately, she was too far away to get a clear view—only a side profile could be seen, not her full appearance. Perhaps because there were too many gazes falling upon Imperial Consort Tong, she didn’t notice Wan Anran’s observation at all. However, one of the blue-robed consorts standing beside Imperial Consort Tong lifted her gaze.

She had ruby lips and a jade-like face, her eyes gentle and warm, with dimples that exuded charm when she smiled softly at Wan Anran. She possessed a beauty capable of putting the finest flowers to shame. Ordinarily, Wan Anran liked being close to beautiful women, yet at the exact moment this woman smiled at her, Wan Anran’s heart suddenly skipped a beat. An overwhelming sense of resentment surged up from deep within.

She and this woman had neither grudge nor enmity—why would she feel this way?

Could this resentment be from the original host? Wan Anran’s gaze became slightly unfocused, to the point that even Noble Lady Nara noticed something was off. She slightly lifted her head and cast a wary glance at the woman, then gently pinched the back of Wan Anran’s hand. “Changzai Wan? Changzai Wan?”

“…Sister Nara.”

“Why did you suddenly drift off?” Noble Lady Nara’s face held faint worry as she pulled Wan Anran a few steps to the side and lowered her voice. “What’s the matter with Guiren Wuya?”

She had long harbored suspicions.

Changzai Wan was innocent and lively, with a warm and sincere disposition. She was an easy person to get along with. It was hard to believe that back in Chengqian Palace, people had described her as arrogant, ambitious, and fiercely competitive.

As for Guiren Wuya, her reputation was the complete opposite.

Even though she had lived in the same palace as Changzai Wan and the latter’s reputation wasn’t favorable, Guiren Wuya received nothing but praise. They said she was respectful and courteous toward the Imperial Consort, kind and gentle toward palace servants, and considerate and generous in all she did.

Noble Lady Nara hadn’t thought much of it before.

But after spending more time with Changzai Wan, looking back, she began to notice the inconsistencies—there had to be some hidden truth behind all this. Her expression turned serious as she lifted her gaze and happened to notice Guiren Wuya walking toward them. Instinctively, Noble Lady Nara stepped in front of Wan Changzai, shielding her.

“Guiren Wuya.”

Guiren Wuya nodded. “Sister Nara.”

She clearly didn’t wish to speak much with Noble Lady Nara. Instead, she raised her eyes to look at Changzai Wan. “Sister Wan, it’s been a while. I heard you’ve recovered from your illness—I’ve been meaning to visit you, but unfortunately…”

Guiren Wuya furrowed her brows slightly, her expression filled with regret.

Wan Anran blurted out, “Guiren Wuya was very worried about me?”

Guiren Wuya nodded. “Of course. Before we became consorts, we lived in the same room. Even after we entered the palace, we lived across the hall from one another—far closer than we are with others.”

So you’re implying we should be close?

Noble Lady Nara’s expression darkened. She had just opened her mouth to speak when Wan Changzai beat her to it. With a puzzled expression, Wan Anran asked in a crisp voice, “But I was sick for so long, and I never saw you come visit me. Not even one of your palace maids came by.”

“That’s because…” Guiren Wuya looked troubled, hesitant to speak. From the corner of her eye, she glanced toward Imperial Consort Tong.

Wan Anran suddenly understood.

She nodded heavily. “It must be that your palace maids were disobedient, right? After all, without Imperial Consort Tong’s permission, you couldn’t leave Chengqian Palace freely. I’m sure you instructed your maids to check on me, but they must’ve neglected their duty and embezzled your money instead!”

Wan Anran was righteously indignant.

She clenched her fists, her voice burning with fury. “This matter cannot be brushed aside. I shall go inform the Imperial Consort immediately and ask her to stand up for you.”

Wan Anran’s voice drew the attention of many consorts nearby.

When they saw that the ones involved were Guiren Wuya, Noble Lady Nara, and Changzai Wan, several consorts exchanged knowing looks, clearly intrigued and eavesdropping with great interest.

Guiren Wuya was visibly startled.

She instinctively reached out to stop Wan Anran, forcing a stiff smile. “I’ll scold my maids later. This really isn’t worth troubling the Imperial Consort over…”

Wan Anran looked utterly shocked.

She clutched her chest, her face full of heartbreak. “How could this be a small matter? This is clearly a grave offense against the sincere friendship between sisters! On a small scale, it’s harming our personal bond; on a larger scale, it disrupts the harmony of the inner palace! Not only must we inform the Imperial Consort, I say we ought to report it to Her Majesty the Empress herself and have those meddling maids severely punished!”

Good heavens!

That righteous voice, that fearless demeanor—it stunned the surrounding consorts one after another. Noble Lady Nara, for one, couldn’t hold back and let out a soft giggle.