Chapter 10: Soup Dumplings

The current situation was like an arrow on the string, inevitable to be released.

Wan Anran wore an expression as if bravely facing death. She held her breath, centered her qi in her dantian, dipped her wolf-hair brush in ink, and in the next second, she vigorously swung the brush and boldly wrote a large character.

Judging by her posture alone, it would deserve a perfect ten. But when looking at the actual writing…

For the first time, the usually calm Kangxi couldn’t control his expression. He stared in disbelief at the large characters, then raised his eyes to look at Wan Anran.

The emotion in Kangxi’s eyes could be summed up in four words: heartbroken and furious.

Kangxi never imagined that in his harem, there would be someone as ignorant and uneducated as Wan Anran. Just looking at her handwriting made his liver, gallbladder, and lungs ache from anger. His lips trembled as he roared, “You’re not even as good as three-year-old Wan Fu!”

Wan Anran: ………

She secretly glanced at the large characters Wan Fu had written and muttered with some dissatisfaction, “Compared to Wan Fu’s… mine should be… slightly better… right?”

The veins on Kangxi’s forehead began tap dancing.

He stared incredulously at Wan Changzai, never expecting her to be so shameless—comparing a teenager’s handwriting to that of a three-year-old? Where is your shame?

Wan Anran quickly covered her mouth, lowering her head even further.

Her conscience faintly ached. She owed her predecessor a thousand apologies. Though her predecessor wasn’t very talented in literature, she could at least recognize characters. While her calligraphy wasn’t delicate or elegant like ornamental small script, it was at least decent and proper—certainly not the mess of missing horizontal and vertical strokes like hers.

But her predecessor was her predecessor. Wan Anran was Wan Anran.

Firstly, in her past life, Wan Anran had never practiced calligraphy. Secondly, ever since transmigrating, she had been bedridden for a long time. Being able to read and recognize words was already impressive; practicing calligraphy was utterly out of the question. After finally recovering, one thing after another kept happening (like eating), leaving her no time to think about practicing calligraphy.

And now, under the astonished gazes of Kangxi, Consort Xuan, and Noble Lady Nara, Wan Anran’s head drooped to her chest, much like a failing student who usually paid attention in class but scored a zero on an exam, trembling under the sharp gazes of three teachers.

Kangxi’s face was dark as thunder.

Though he disliked the constant scheming among the concubines, he would not tolerate such a lazy, gluttonous, and unmotivated consort in his harem! Behind him, imaginary flames roared as he ordered sternly, “Wan Changzai.”

Wan Anran groaned inwardly.

She could only step forward, kneel deeply, and respond, “This concubine is here.”

Kangxi’s face remained stern. “From today onwards, you will copy ten sheets of large characters every day. By the time of my birthday celebration, I expect to see results.”

After giving orders to Wan Changzai, he turned his gaze to Consort Xuan. “You will supervise her.”

There were still over three months until Kangxi’s birthday.

Consort Xuan felt slightly relieved and cautiously replied, “This concubine obeys.”

Before Wan Anran could breathe a sigh of relief, Kangxi’s sharp eyes slashed toward her again. “If, by my birthday, your writing is still like this… then you need not remain as a Changzai.”

Wan Anran’s expression tightened.

This concerned her rank, her stipends, her food—Wan Anran instantly ignited with fierce determination. She solemnly replied, “This concubine obeys.”

Of course, Wan Fu was not spared either.

Kangxi glanced at Wan Fu, who was trying to minimize his presence in the corner. “Wan Fu is only three years old. Writing too much every day wouldn’t be good for his growth and development.”

Did this mean he didn’t have to practice writing?

Wan Fu’s eyes lit up. The droopy little mushroom suddenly straightened up, his round eyes filled with excitement and joy.

Wan Anran glanced at Wan Fu with a listless look and sighed sorrowfully.

This silly little fellow.

Couldn’t he see that the Emperor’s trap was already set, just waiting for a naive little chick to jump in?

As for Consort Xuan and Noble Lady Nara…

Both of them understood the Emperor’s intentions and had no thought of refusing. After all, an imperial son favored by the Emperor would have a vastly different future compared to one who wasn’t.

Wan Fu looked up at Kangxi.

Kangxi looked back at Wan Fu, then revealed a big bad wolf-like smile. “No need to practice writing, but reciting texts is a different matter. I don’t ask for much—just recite the Three Character Classic and the Thousand Character Essay. Your Crown Prince brother has already started reading the Four Books and Five Classics. Surely, Wan Fu, you’ll have no problem reciting these two, right?”

There’s a problem! A huge problem!

Wan Fu wanted to voice his protest, but perhaps his animal-like sixth sense warned him otherwise. He reluctantly agreed with a pitiful expression.

Kangxi’s tightly pressed lips relaxed slightly.

He reached out and rubbed Wan Fu’s head, then left the study in a dashing manner.

Consort Xuan led everyone to see him off at the entrance.

When they reached the gates of Xianfu Palace, Wan Anran’s expression suddenly froze—she saw Xu Changzai, dressed up exquisitely, approaching…

Oh boy!

So she was the missing piece.

Xu Changzai greeted them with a face full of expectation.

Compared to the three who were tipsy, her clear-headedness and proper demeanor made her the epitome of elegance and virtue. She was confident the Emperor would surely…

Kangxi didn’t even spare her a glance.

With his attendants, he walked straight out of Xianfu Palace without looking back.

The palace gates fell into an awkward silence.

Consort Xuan pretended not to see Xu Changzai standing stiffly, and together with Noble Lady Nara, pulled Wan Anran and Wan Fu aside for separate lessons.

Noble Lady Nara nagged Wan Fu.

Consort Xuan’s target, naturally, was Wan Anran. She picked up the large character Wan Anran had written. After just one glance, she couldn’t help but hold her forehead and sigh, “You… how could you…” write such characters?

Truly, it must have been sheer luck that she wasn’t banished from the palace already.

Consort Xuan’s thoughts quickly turned. Now that the Emperor had set a clear goal, she dared not slack off either. She immediately took charge of supervising Wan Anran’s calligraphy practice.

“Raise your hand higher!”

“Don’t let your movements wobble.”

“Don’t dip too much ink… this time you dipped too little.”

Consort Xuan’s nagging voice echoed in Wan Anran’s mind all the way until bedtime. Trembling, she burrowed into her blankets, on the verge of tears at the thought of continuing to copy large characters the next day. A wisp of her soul seemed to drift away as she mumbled, “If only there were a way for me to instantly write beautiful calligraphy…”

Haitao, attending at her side, gently smoothed the blanket corners for her.

She spoke softly, “Young Madam, please sleep early.” — and quietly thought to herself: best not to dream such impossible dreams.

While Wan Anran fretted over her calligraphy, over at Kunning Palace, Kangxi was sharing the same bed as the Empress, venting about the very same matter: “From what I can see, Wan Changzai is good for nothing except eating! Her calligraphy is even uglier than three-year-old Wan Fu’s. Truly—”

The Niohuru Empress couldn’t help but let out a quiet laugh.

Kangxi sighed in frustration and patted the Empress’s hand. “As for Wan Fu, the Empress must also pay closer attention. The Crown Prince has already begun studying the Four Books and Five Classics, yet Wan Fu still makes mistakes copying the Three Character Classic. Though his nature is innocent and carefree, he must be properly taught.”

Though dissatisfied with Wan Fu’s studies, Kangxi was still quite fond of him. After all, he had so many sons that he couldn’t even count them all on one hand, and he held considerable expectations for each and every one.

But if Wan Fu’s studies surpassed the Crown Prince’s, would the Emperor still speak so generously? If she truly believed the Emperor’s words and kept Wan Fu by her side to personally instruct him… would the Emperor still speak in this manner? A thousand thoughts swirled through the Niohuru Empress’s mind, yet the smile on her face didn’t waver in the slightest. She simply smiled sweetly and agreed.

---

The next day.

Early in the morning, Consort Xuan ordered Wan Fu and Wan Changzai to report to the study—one to recite texts, the other to copy characters. Noble Lady Nara wasn’t spared either; Consort Xuan tasked her with overseeing their supervision and testing.

Ten sheets of large characters every day.

Each sheet required writing about fifty characters. If any ink blotched the paper, it had to be redone. If there were mistakes, of course, it had to be rewritten as well.

Just hearing the requirements was enough to make one’s vision darken.

Wan Anran stared at the blank rice paper with a deadpan expression, already feeling her wrist start to go numb.

She had no idea how many times the first sheet had to be scrapped and redone.

By the time Noble Lady Nara finally announced it passed, a full hour had already gone by. Wan Anran let out a long sigh of relief. Haitao immediately stepped forward with a handkerchief to wipe her sweat, while Zisu and Jubai stood ready with food boxes.

In the palace, only two meals were served daily—morning and evening.

After paying morning respects, the palace routine dictated only two formal meals—breakfast and dinner. If one got hungry between these, there were supplementary snacks, and by evening, light wine and side dishes were also served.

At this moment, the palace maids were delivering breakfast.

Today’s breakfast was steamed soup dumplings, something Wan Anran had requested the day before. Even before lifting the lid, the rich aroma filled the air. Having just finished copying large characters, her stomach was growling with hunger.

Wan Anran gazed longingly at the food.

Noble Lady Nara closed her book, smiling slowly. “Let’s eat first. After we’re done, we’ll continue.”

She and Wan Fu were also feeling a bit hungry.

Their breakfast was much simpler—just a bowl of black rice porridge with flower beans and three small plates of refreshing pickled vegetables. It was more about maintaining health than indulging the palate.

Though Noble Lady Nara liked such a meal, Wan Fu clearly didn’t.

He listlessly took two bites before hearing Wan Anran’s low exclamation, which immediately drew his attention.

The bamboo steamer was just uncovered, releasing a cloud of fragrant steam. Using a soup spoon, a delicate dumpling was lifted—its thin, nearly translucent skin revealing the broth within, which gently rippled with the slightest movement.

Wan Anran took a big bite.

A burst of rich meat juices mixed with crunchy diced water chestnut filled her mouth. The flavor was so delicious she nearly wanted to swallow her own tongue.

Wan Anran was pleasantly surprised. “This is really well made.”

Haitao, standing by, smiled as she explained, “This was personally made by Chef Zhao, as thanks to you for sharing the recipe, my lady.”

Naturally, Chef Zhao’s skills were on a different level.

Overjoyed, Wan Anran quickly opened the other two tiers of the steamer, signaling Zisu to present them to Noble Lady Nara and Wan Fu. “Nara-jiejie, Ninth Prince, you must try this! It’s really super delicious!”

Noble Lady Nara usually maintained a strict health regimen.

The little palace maid serving her was about to decline on her behalf, but unexpectedly, her mistress was a step quicker. In a good mood, Noble Lady Nara agreed, “Alright, alright, let’s give it a try.”

Usually, eating light in her own chambers was fine, but sitting here while Wan Anran enjoyed those fragrant dumplings made her own bland black rice porridge seem all the more tasteless.

Wan Fu, even more so.

He gleefully scooped up a dumpling, stuffing it whole into his mouth. Immediately after, he opened his mouth wide, huffing and puffing, “Hot—ha ha ha—hot!”

Yet even so, he was reluctant to spit it out.

With her appetite thoroughly whetted, Wan Anran devoured two entire tiers of dumplings in one go—that was a total of twelve dumplings!

Noble Lady Nara only had two before feeling a bit too full. She frowned slightly, her gaze lingering on Wan Anran’s slender, delicate figure. Words hovered at the tip of her tongue but she swallowed them down.

For now, ensuring Wan Anran regained her health was the priority. As for her having a slightly larger appetite and eating more than usual… well, that was a matter to address later.

After Wan Anran finished eating, the dishes were cleared, and she washed up and rinsed her mouth. Noble Lady Nara then gestured toward the rice paper on the table. “Let’s continue.”

Wan Anran muttered, “Can’t we rest for a bit after eating?”

Noble Lady Nara sighed wistfully, pulling out a bronze mirror from somewhere and admiring her own delicate reflection. “At this pace, sister fears you won’t be able to sleep even by the dead of night.”

Pausing, she gave Wan Anran a gentle smile. “Wan Changzai should know, right? Staying up late is detrimental to one’s beauty.”

Wan Anran: ………

For some reason, she could almost see countless black lotus flowers blooming behind Noble Lady Nara. Shivering slightly, Wan Anran lowered her head without needing another word, grasped the wolf-hair brush, and resumed her battle with the rice paper.