Chapter 39: A Reminder

In Kunning Palace, even the Noble Ladies, including Noble Lady Wan, were not particularly restrained; they could even chime in with a few words now and then. But once they entered Cining Palace, the Noble Ladies immediately became wallflowers—no, not even decorative flowers.

The only ones who received any attention from the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager were the Empress, and lately, the well-performing Consort Rong. Apart from them, Consort Xuan, due to her Borjigit background, was occasionally allowed to exchange a few words with the Empress Dowager. As for the rest—Noble Consort Tong and the other six consorts—they all stood silently, heads bowed and hands neatly at their sides.

Not until after the greetings did the Grand Empress Dowager allow them to be seated.

By “them,” it referred only to the Empress, Noble Consort Tong, and the eight official consorts. The Noble Ladies were excluded. While they at least had stools to sit on back in Kunning Palace, here in Cining Palace they could only remain standing. Wan Anran kept her head low, doing her best to minimize her presence.

If she had the choice, Wan Anran would rather avoid interacting with the two Empresses Dowager altogether. Though she had no idea how her predecessor in the book had won their favor, just the Grand Empress Dowager’s imposing aura alone was enough to make her wary. Thinking of the stories left behind by Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang in history, Wan Anran decided it was best to go with the flow. If favor came, that was her predecessor’s merit.

It had little to do with her—until a steady voice suddenly reached her ears:

“Where is Noble Lady Wan? Step forward and let Us take a look.”

A cold sweat instantly broke out down Wan Anran’s back.

She stepped forward from the group, head bowed, expression subdued, and offered a deep curtsy. “This concubine is here.”

The Grand Empress Dowager scrutinized her closely.

In just a few short months, she had risen from Second Class Attendant to Noble Lady, and had even won praise from the Emperor, the Empress, and the Crown Prince.

Previously, the Grand Empress Dowager’s impression of Noble Lady Wan could be summed up in three words: pitiful little thing. Now, at least, she had gained a few more impressions. Of course, whether she truly was the honest and dutiful person the Emperor and Empress claimed her to be—the Grand Empress Dowager felt further observation was needed.

Wan Anran was inwardly uneasy.

Time seemed to stretch endlessly until her legs began to go numb. Then, at last, she heard the Empress speak with a call to rise: “She is indeed as I described—an excellent one. Reward her.”

“Excellent.”

Coming from the Grand Empress Dowager, that was high praise—so high that even Noble Consort Tong, after years of cautious service, had never received it. Bitterness filled her heart. She understood this was the Grand Empress Dowager backing the Empress—what the Empress liked was good; what she disliked was bad.

Wan Anran let out a long sigh of relief.

After this episode with Noble Lady Wan, the other Noble Ladies began to hope for their own summons. But after calling on Noble Lady Wan, the Grand Empress Dowager dismissed the rest from her mind, instead turning to discuss matters of the upcoming Longevity Festival with the Empress and the others.

Primarily, it was Consort Rong who spoke.

The Grand Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager, and Empress listened, occasionally adding a few points. Noble Consort Tong, Consort An, Consort Jing, and Consort Duan watched this scene with bitter feelings. They had once been at the center of such events themselves, yet now, not only were they sidelined, they had to wear pleasant expressions throughout. Consort Hui, Consort Yi, and Consort Xi were even more indignant—had it been them, they surely could have planned things better.

The hearts of the Noble Ladies grew increasingly restless.

As they looked at the dazzling Consort Rong, now the clear star of the gathering, ambition lit up in nearly everyone’s eyes.

Empress Niohuru seemed to sense something.

She lifted her gaze and swept her eyes across the room, a faint hint of melancholy appearing between her brows. But when her gaze fell upon Noble Lady Wan, that trace of gloom instantly vanished, replaced by a faint smile.

The Grand Empress Dowager followed the Empress’s gaze.

She paused, then secretly shook her head—Noble Lady Wan’s eyes were glazed over, as if her soul had wandered far, completely oblivious.

When the Grand Empress Dowager finally concluded the discussion and gave the order for everyone to withdraw, Wan Anran felt a sudden surge of energy—her spirit seemed to return at once. But then the Grand Empress Dowager smiled and said, “Consort Xuan, stay behind.”

Should Wan Anran go, or not?

The Grand Empress Dowager swept her eyes toward her and Noble Lady Nara. “You two stay as well.”

Wan Anran’s revived spirit instantly withered.

Noble Lady Nara reached out and gave her a pinch, prompting Wan Anran to quickly straighten her posture and appear energetic again—so much so that she nearly made the Grand Empress Dowager laugh.

Well, the Empress Dowager did laugh out loud.

Once the palace ladies had all withdrawn, she shed her earlier silence and beckoned to Wan Anran. “Come here, Noble Lady Wan. Let Us have a look at you.”

Wan Anran stepped forward.

The Empress Dowager had a far more pleasant temperament than the Grand Empress Dowager. Except for having to suppress her emotions when the late Emperor was still alive, the years before and after had been smooth and pleasant. Toward the curious Noble Lady Wan, she asked bluntly, “We heard from the Crown Prince that you’re quite the cook?”

Wan Anran quickly waved her hands.

She answered honestly, “Most of the time, I just come up with ideas. It’s the imperial kitchen chefs who actually figure out the execution.”

“Being able to come up with ideas is already quite good.”

The Empress Dowager was unconcerned and even slightly eager. “We heard there’s not just salty milk tea, but sweet milk tea as well?”

So that’s what interested her?

Wan Anran was both amused and helpless. She glanced at Consort Xuan, who was still conversing with the Grand Empress Dowager and Empress, and offered, “Shall I go to the kitchen and prepare a portion?”

The Empress Dowager loved this kind of straightforwardness.

She stood up happily and led Wan Anran off to the back courtyard with delight.

As the Grand Empress Dowager continued speaking, she also paid attention to the Empress Dowager and Noble Lady Wan. Watching the two of them walk off in such harmony, for a moment, she was at a loss for words. Consort Xuan couldn’t help laughing: “I always thought Noble Lady Wan might have something to talk about with the Empress Dowager.”

The Grand Empress Dowager shook her head.

The Empress Dowager was already impulsive enough. Add in Noble Lady Wan? The Grand Empress Dowager felt a headache just thinking about it. She changed the topic. “There hasn’t been any news of heirs in the palace this past year. You all must put in more effort.”

The Empress offered an awkward smile.

Consort Xuan pretended not to hear, and Noble Lady Nara, who already had a son and considered her affairs settled, also feigned ignorance. The Grand Empress Dowager was so angry she laughed. “It’s all Our fault. What use is it speaking to the three of you, as dull as tree stumps?”

Consort Xuan even nodded. “What the Grand Empress Dowager says is true. We can only hope the other sisters and ladies will take interest.”

A vein visibly throbbed on the Grand Empress Dowager’s forehead.

Still, one had to admit—these past few months, Consort Xuan’s temperament had become far more lively. Though she used to present herself like some old devotee immersed in Buddhism, which was rather off-putting, this sharp-tongued, witty version was just as irritating in a different way.

Unaware of what had transpired in the front hall, Wan Anran felt completely at ease once she arrived at the imperial kitchen—like a fish in water. She had made milk tea numerous times, so Haitao handled the entire preparation on her own while Wan Anran experimented with other creations. Just as the milk tea was finished, the double-skin milk with sweet red beans was also freshly made. Its texture resembled jelly, and paired with milk and red beans, the layered flavor was exquisite. The Empress Dowager took one bite and her eyes lit up. “This one, I think the Empress Mother will really like.”

She immediately ordered the cooks to make four more portions to be sent to the front hall. Then, turning to Wan Guiren, who was still bustling around, she asked, “So you can make all these different things with just milk?”

Wan Anran nodded.

She instructed a palace maid to wrap a prepared bowl with a towel and place it into the ice chest. “Let this sit for an hour, then slice it, coat it in flour, and deep fry it. The exterior will be crispy and the inside soft—it tastes amazing! And this one, sprinkle with some sweet-scented osmanthus and steam it; the texture is somewhat like double-skin milk but completely different…”

As she explained the many uses of milk, Wan Anran added seriously, “Drinking milk strengthens the body, so the Empress Dowager and the Grand Empress Dowager should really drink it daily.”

Elderly people are especially susceptible to calcium deficiency.

In a world without calcium supplements, drinking milk and bone broth might be the best way to maintain bone health.

The Empress Dowager fell into thought.

With her arms crossed, she pondered carefully. “Now that you mention it, back when I was on the grasslands, all the children in every household grew up drinking milk. They were all strong and healthy. And the Eight Banners Manchus have always had a habit of drinking milk tea—indeed, they did seem physically stronger than the Han.”

In the Qing palace, milk tea was a daily staple.

However, the salty milk tea could be a bit greasy, and the milk itself had a slight odor. Many consorts and princes and princesses weren’t accustomed to it. The Empress Dowager nodded seriously. “You’re right. Everyone should be encouraged to drink two more cups a day.”

Sweet milk tea, double-skin milk, deep-fried milk, steamed milk with osmanthus sugar, creamy mushroom soup, milk and brown sugar sponge cake, milk and red date walnut soup… One by one, the dishes were brought to the front hall. The Grand Empress Dowager, the Empress, Consort Xuan, and Noble Lady Nara watched as each dish arrived—first with curiosity, then with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. It didn’t end until the Grand Empress Dowager finally had someone call it to a stop.

The Empress Dowager was clearly reluctant.

She held Wan Guiren’s hand and sighed. “You must come again to Cining Palace.”

Consort Xuan and Noble Lady Nara might allow her to cook, but they would never cook alongside her. A kindred spirit was hard to find. Wan Anran turned her hand over and grasped the Empress Dowager’s in return. “This concubine will return tomorrow!”

The Grand Empress Dowager: …

Should she just issue an order to stop the lower-ranking consorts from paying their respects altogether? But seeing the rare smile on the Empress Dowager’s face, her heart softened. Oh well, just cooking a few dishes—it’s better than having them stew over nonsense.

Wan Anran returned to Xianfu Palace.

As soon as she stepped into the east wing, the morning’s exhaustion surged over her like a tide, and she collapsed onto the soft couch with a groan.

“Did the mistress tire herself out today?”

“Isn’t that obvious?” Hearing Zisu’s question, Wan Anran began to complain non-stop. Aside from the joy of cooking with the Empress Dowager, everything else had been painful—QAQ.

At least she had a seat while talking in Kunning Palace.

But in Cining Palace, she’d been standing for over an hour! Just imagining having to do this every single day from now on made Wan Anran feel like the soles of her feet were going to swell up. And with the weather getting warmer, it was impossible to even use fluffy insoles to ease the pressure. Wan Anran sighed, “Ever since I was promoted to Guiren, it feels more tiring than when I was just a Changzai.”

Haitao couldn’t help but roll her eyes dramatically.

If her mistress’s words got out, the Changzai and Daying in the palace would have a field day mocking her. Of course, that was just her internal muttering. On the surface, Haitao still gently coaxed her, “Mistress, there are good things too! Think about it—only Guiren and above can attend the Longevity Festival in three days. Just imagine how many concubines are yearning for that honor, and you’re still not pleased!”

Wan Anran sighed again.

Suddenly, her expression froze, a look of confusion overtaking her face. “Haitao?”

“Yes, Mistress?”

“You said Daying and Changzai can’t attend the Longevity Festival banquet?” Wan Anran’s expression was strange. Very strange.

Haitao looked a little baffled.

She nodded. “Mistress, just like other palace banquets, Daying and Changzai don’t need to attend. For example, during New Year’s, aside from the family banquet in Qianqing Palace, you didn’t go to any of the other events either, did you?”

Wan Anran’s face gradually twisted.

In the novel, this year’s Longevity Festival was a major plot point. The Empress had just passed away, and the atmosphere in the palace was filled with grief and melancholy—at that moment, Wuya Changzai suddenly revealed she was pregnant, which immediately earned her favor from the Emperor and the Grand Empress Dowager.

But now…

Not only had the Empress fully recovered, Wuya couldn’t even attend the banquet. Wan Anran’s expression was indescribably odd—how was Wuya Changzai going to play her part now?

Wuya Changzai wasn’t going to play that part anymore!

She had been determined to stand out at the Longevity Festival banquet. Half a month ago, she had already begun preparing her outfit and accessories. The clothes had been designed by Wuya Changzai herself and sent to the Imperial Household Department for tailoring. They had just arrived today, and she was immediately smitten with them: pale blue satin embroidered with blooming peach blossoms—elegant and understated. Amid the heavy makeup and ornate outfits of the palace concubines, she was sure to shine.

Wuya Changzai brimmed with confidence.

At the same time, upon hearing the news, Noble Consort Tong feigned confusion. “What is Wuya Changzai up to? Has she forgotten that Changzai aren’t permitted to attend the Longevity Festival banquet?”

The palace maids suppressed their laughter.

Granny Zhao put on a serious face and replied, “Reporting to the noble consort, perhaps Wuya Mistress forgot she was demoted to Changzai and still thinks she’s a Guiren.”

Noble Consort Tong couldn’t help but chuckle.

She had known all along that Wuya Changzai was having clothes made through the household department. But she deliberately didn’t remind her—she was waiting for the show to begin.

Now that Wuya Changzai had her outfit in hand, Noble Consort Tong lifted her tea cup. She looked down at the floating tea leaves and said softly, “Go and… remind Wuya Changzai, will you?”