Chapter 11 — Conditions.

Kunning Palace.

Consort Xuan, as usual, sat at the very back, maintaining her low-profile persona as always. If the palace consorts filling the palace were dishes on a menu, then Her Majesty the Empress was the indispensable bowl of rice for every meal; Consort Tong was the essential vegetable; the other consorts were the occasional delicacies the host might order now and then; as for herself, she was probably the side pickles eaten alongside the meal—optional and dispensable.

Therefore, Consort Xuan was well aware of her role during the morning and evening court sessions. Usually, she only needed to sit there, zoning out for more than half an hour, then, after the other consorts had withdrawn, accompany the Empress for about half an hour of casual chatting before it was time to return to the Palace of Salty Fortune. This routine had never changed since the enthronement of Empress Niuhulu.

But today was different.

Today, Consort Xuan was no longer the barely noticeable side dish in others’ eyes, but rather the occasional appetizer the host wanted to open her appetite with after getting tired of heavy meat dishes. The gazes of the other consorts, especially Consort Yi, stabbed directly into Consort Xuan like sharp knives.

Consort Yi was extremely annoyed.

Just yesterday, she had the “green hat” (i.e., was cuckolded), had served the emperor in Qianqing Palace, and had even prepared fine wine and delicious food to await the emperor’s arrival at night.

Yet the Empress stole the emperor away.

Seeing Empress Niuhulu looking radiant and glorious, Consort Yi felt bitter in her heart but did not dare confront the Empress directly; all she could do was hold back her frustration amid the mocking eyes of others.

Besides the Empress, who else could she blame?

Of course, the Palace of Salty Fortune! Consort Yi shifted her gaze, and naturally, her anger directed itself at Consort Xuan. Even though the little eunuch had come to report that the emperor had already reached the gate of Yikun Palace, he deliberately took a detour into the Palace of Salty Fortune.

Heh heh, was it to hold a banquet for Madam Wan’s promotion to Changzai (First Class Attendant)?

Why wasn’t there one when Consort Xuan was promoted to Consort or when Madam Nara was promoted to Noble Lady? Why just yesterday? To Consort Yi, either it was deliberate or intentional!

The angrier she got, the more her eyes seemed about to shoot fire.

The other consorts, who rarely saw Consort Yi defeated, were all in high spirits, nearly waving flags and shouting: “Fight! Fight!”

Consort Yi gave a forced smile that didn’t reach her eyes: “I heard that Madam Wan was promoted to Changzai and even held a promotion banquet? Sister Xuan attended as well? If it were me, I definitely couldn’t do that!”

The implication was that Consort Xuan didn’t know her place.

Seeing Consort Yi launch the first wave of attacks directed at herself, a trace of anger appeared in Consort Xuan’s brows and eyes.

She could scold Madam Nara and Madam Wan all she wanted, but as for you, Consort Yi… heh heh! What right do you have to meddle in affairs of the Palace of Salty Fortune? Consort Xuan’s eyes darkened slightly, but a smile played on her lips: “Since Consort Yi called me ‘sister,’ then today sister must also say a word to you—among all the palace consorts in the palace, we are all sisters, there’s no room for jealousy.”

Consort Yi’s expression instantly changed: “You—!”

Back when Madam Zhang and Madam Qing were still around, after Consort Yi was promoted to head consort, these two had been banished to the back corridors and not even allowed to go near the main gate, let alone see the emperor.

Consort Xuan hadn’t said anything before, but once she said it, it was like a knife stabbing deep into Consort Yi’s heart. She was furious and about to speak when the Empress interrupted: “The time is almost up. Prepare yourselves and go to Cining Palace to pay respects.”

Consort Xuan stood up obediently.

She didn’t even glance at Consort Yi out of the corner of her eye. Her calm and composed demeanor caused the other consorts to look sideways. Consort Xuan looked like a rabbit, but was the kind that would bite when cornered.

Consort Yi stood frozen in place.

Her face turned pale and flushed intermittently. It wasn’t just Consort Xuan she resented, but also Madam Wan, who had embarrassed her.

Wan Anran sneezed.

One sneeze, one shiver, one shaking hand—and ink dripped from the brush tip, spreading rapidly on the rice paper.

Only two characters left to finish this sheet!

Wan Anran grimaced in pain. She sneakily glanced at Madam Nara, who was watching Wan Fu reading, trying with shifty eyes to modify her writing and sneak by.

Madam Nara clenched her fist with a cough: “Ahem.”

Wan Anran’s movements froze. Tears welled up at the corner of her eyes as she reluctantly crumpled this sheet of calligraphy and tossed it aside with a soft plop.

Fellow sufferers in misfortune, Ninth Prince Wan Fu secretly glanced at Madam Wan but showed no sympathy. He even hoped she would cause a bit more trouble to distract their mother and give him some relief.

Unfortunately, Wan Anran didn’t give him that chance.

After observing Madam Wan for a while and confirming she had started honestly copying the characters, Madam Nara’s attention shifted back to Wan Fu.

Wan Fu’s round face crumpled into a frown.

He stared intently at the Three Character Classic, the large characters seeming to come alive, lined up hand-in-hand inside his head, tap dancing and singing:
“I don’t recognize you, you don’t recognize me, and I don’t want to be friends with you…”

Wan Fu’s vivid description caught Wan Anran’s attention.

After recounting the characters’ reaction, he said heartbrokenly, “Mother, it’s not that your son doesn’t want to learn, but how can he learn like this? All the characters in the Three Character Classic are good friends, and I have no way to join them.”

Wan Anran couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Madam Nara’s expression darkened and became very unpleasant.

Wan Anran thought she must have been mistaken; otherwise, how could she have seen Madam Nara’s gentle face crack? She shook her head and lowered it to continue writing, but barely finished two characters before being startled by Madam Nara’s angry roar.

“The Three Character Classic told you it doesn’t want to be friends with you, so you won’t be friends with them? Won’t you rush in and hug them, telling them: I’m not here to break you apart, but to join you?!”

Madam Nara’s voice was resolute.

Wan Anran’s pupils trembled. Her hand flicked, and the wolf hair brush snapped down onto the desk.

Before Madam Nara’s fierce gaze could reach her, Wan Anran hurriedly rolled up the sheet of rice paper and threw it aside, ignoring the pitiful cries of Ninth Prince Wan Fu. She quickly put on a serious expression and began copying the large characters diligently.

The hard work on the first sheet of calligraphy finally bore fruit.

It seemed her body still retained some instinct. The second sheet was easier to write than the first, and the third sheet even easier than the second. Wan Anran concentrated and wrote three large sheets in a row before waving her aching wrist.

She had no idea how much time had passed.

Wan Anran looked up at the self-striking clock hanging on the wall. This time, two sheets took only half an hour, which was quite time-consuming but still much shorter than the previous hour.

At this speed, finishing ten sheets a day would be very easy!

Wan Anran placed the wolf hair brush on the brush holder and blew to dry the ink marks on the rice paper. Feeling satisfied, she glanced left and right proudly. Just as she was about to take the paper to Madam Nara to show off and seek praise, the study room door creaked open.

Consort Xuan entered.

Madam Nara immediately stood and, together with Wan Anran and Wan Fu, politely greeted her.

Consort Xuan’s expression was indifferent.

The palace attendants following behind looked straight ahead, removing her cloak and replenishing the charcoal brazier before lowering their heads and leaving the study.

Madam Nara and Wan Anran both felt somewhat uneasy.

They exchanged a glance, then first pushed the sulky Wan Fu forward to act cute, before Madam Nara stepped forward to speak. Gone was her earlier ferocious attitude; now she was gentle and soft-spoken: “Consort Xuan, is there something on your mind?”

Consort Xuan’s expression was inscrutable.

After a while, she spoke slowly: “Her Majesty the Empress issued an order for the three of us and Wan Fu to have a meal later at Kunning Palace.”

Not only was Wan Anran surprised, even Madam Nara was shocked. Dining at Kunning Palace yesterday could still be explained as an occasional event, but two days in a row? This was unprecedented!

Madam Nara only needed a moment to figure out the culprit and instantly shifted her gaze to Madam Wan.

Consort Xuan was even quicker than Madam Nara.

Their exchanged looks left Wan Anran somewhat confused. She blinked, feeling as innocent as a plain little white flower.

But no matter how well she pretended to be obedient, it was useless!

Consort Xuan took two steps forward and poked Wan Anran’s forehead hard enough to leave a red mark before calming down: “Wasn’t this all because of your mischief!”

Wan Anran covered her forehead and spoke in a fragile voice, “Lady Xuan, I’ve been honestly practicing calligraphy all morning, and I haven’t done anything else! If you don’t believe me, you can ask Sister Nala.”

Lady Xuan let out a light chuckle. “Don’t interrupt.”

She gave Wan Changzai a sidelong glance, especially noting the excitement she couldn’t hide in her eyes, and was left speechless. “You look worried on the surface, but deep down, you’re happy, aren’t you? Just thinking about freeloading food and drink.”

Wan Anran gave an embarrassed laugh.

She muttered softly, “The food in the Kunning Palace is delicious!”

Lady Xuan rolled her eyes at her.

Ignoring Wan Changzai, Lady Xuan then turned to Noble Lady Nala. “The Empress’s health and appetite are poor. The Emperor wants us to accompany Her Majesty for meals.”

Noble Lady Nala suddenly understood.

Perhaps because the Empress saw how well Wan Changzai ate yesterday and had a good appetite, her smile returned, though it quickly stiffened at the corner of her mouth. “What about Wan Fu…?”

Lady Xuan gave detailed instructions. “The Empress said the Emperor also mentioned the Ninth Prince. We need to keep an eye on him learning to read and write. You must teach him properly. Maybe later, the Empress will test and teach Wan Fu.”

Noble Lady Nala solemnly agreed.

Wan Fu clutched his chest, his entire body nearly turning pale as a statue. He seemed to imagine what would happen if he failed the Empress’s examination… He trembled.

As for Wan Anran, she almost burst out laughing at Wan Fu’s misery.

At that moment, Lady Xuan’s sharp gaze cut toward her. “Wan Changzai, don’t be happy too soon! The Empress ordered you to send the calligraphy you finished to Kunning Palace and continue copying it there this afternoon.”

Wan Anran: ………

Go to Kunning Palace… to copy? She was stunned, but Noble Lady Nala’s shock was even greater. Her face darkened. “Just… just this calligraphy? Take it to Kunning Palace?”

Lady Xuan stepped up to the desk.

She flipped through the three finished large characters. Like Noble Lady Nala, worry was written all over her face. Lady Xuan turned to Wan Anran with unusually serious voice: “Wan Changzai, the reputation of Xianfu Palace rests on you.”

Wan Anran instantly felt as if a heavy mountain was pressing down on her.

This reputation… maybe we just shouldn’t want it?

Before she could send this thought out, Lady Xuan spoke first. “Wan Changzai, if you can pass the Empress’s assessment, I will make sure your stipend is raised to that of a Noble Lady! Any extra expenses, I will cover.”

Wan Anran’s pupils shrank.

Lady Xuan softened her voice. “Not only that, from now on, you can freely use Xianfu Palace’s small kitchen.”

Wan Anran’s pupils trembled.

Lady Xuan lowered her voice and spoke softly, “Just imagine, Wan Changzai, what it would be like to have free access to the small kitchen? You can order the cooks to make whatever you want at any time. Three meals and snacks a day? No, no! You could have five meals a day if you want…”

Wan Anran cupped her face, daydreaming.

Being able to eat whatever she wants? She swallowed nervously and tentatively asked, “Then… can I plant some things in the courtyard?”

Lady Xuan paused for a moment.

Then she nodded emphatically. “Of course, no problem!”

Wan Anran clenched her fists. “I want to do it!”

Lady Xuan gripped her fist with satisfaction. “Can you do it? The reputation of Xianfu Palace depends on you!”

Wan Anran nodded firmly.

A fighting spirit burned in her eyes, her energy surging like a tide. “I will definitely do it! Lady Xuan, please rest assured!”

“Wan Changzai!”

“Lady Xuan!”

Hand in hand, heart to heart.

Wan Anran and Lady Xuan stared at each other for a long time, flames blazing fiercely in their eyes.

Lady Xuan’s flame was the expectation for Wan Changzai’s transformation, and Wan Anran’s flame… could only be described as her craving for delicious food!

Thinking about having full access to the kitchen and being able to eat whatever she wanted, Wan Anran felt completely revitalized. Turning her gaze back to the desk, this time without needing reminders from Lady Xuan or Noble Lady Nala, she eagerly resumed practicing calligraphy, only stopping when a palace maid reminded her it was late afternoon.

It was time to go to Kunning Palace.