Chapter 22: Tea and Refreshments Office

The sudden bestowal of a reward stirred everyone’s thoughts.

After the eunuch finished reading the decree and departed, the palace servants once again stepped forward to offer congratulations. Wan Anran thought long and hard but couldn’t make sense of it. Eventually, she simply decided to toss the matter out of her mind and waved her hand. “Let’s continue! If we don’t eat these grilled meats now, they’ll get cold!”

The palace servants cheered joyfully.

Laughter once again rang through Xianfu Palace — the eunuch who had already walked out the door glanced back in surprise, clicking his tongue in wonder.

Silent corridors, hushed palaces.

Most of the consorts still stuck indoors today were those out of favor, and at this moment, they were all weighed down with frustration. Who had the mood to host a little banquet? And yet, the least eye-catching, least favored Xianfu Palace was bustling and lively as ever.

The decree-reading eunuch left in a flurry, full of emotion.

The little banquet in Xianfu Palace didn’t end until Consort Xuan and her entourage returned. Wan Anran had originally thought Consort Xuan would surely pull her aside for a few words of advice. Surprisingly, Consort Xuan didn’t summon her at all.

Strange?

In the five days before the New Year, morning and evening greetings weren’t required. Wan Anran got to enjoy a rare lazy morning, sleeping until the sun was high in the sky. If it hadn’t been for Ninth Prince Wan Fu chattering incessantly outside, she felt she could’ve easily slept another hour or two.

Wan Anran’s face scrunched up in annoyance.

She yanked the quilt over her head and curled up, determined to pretend she hadn’t heard anything and go back to sleep: zzzzZZZ~

Unfortunately, fate had other plans for Wan Anran.

Haitao lifted the covers and gently shook her. “My Lady! My Lady! You must get up!”

“…Ugh. Tell Wan Fu I’m sleepy…”

“My Lady! Ninth Prince says His Highness the Crown Prince is coming soon!” Haitao’s voice was full of urgency and anxiety, tinged with confusion.

“…zzzzZZZ?!” Wan Anran, who had been snoring, suddenly sat up. Her eyes were wide with confusion, and she muttered, “T-The Crown Prince?”

That couldn’t be right.

Wan Anran lay back down and shut her eyes again — how could the Crown Prince possibly come to Xianfu Palace? This must be a dream.

Back to sleep.

She tugged the quilt back into place.

Haitao was at a loss between laughing and crying.

She urgently pushed Wan Changzai harder, her voice hurried. “My Lady! My Lady! I’m serious! Ninth Prince said it himself!”

Wan Anran’s sleepiness instantly vanished.

His Highness the Crown Prince is coming to Xianfu Palace? At the family banquet in Qianqing Palace, she had only caught a distant glimpse of him, heard him speak clearly and eloquently with New Year greetings — she didn’t even know what he looked like, truthfully.

Why would the Crown Prince come here?

Why would Ninth Prince tell her about it? Wan Anran had a million questions swirling in her head, and only one person could answer them — Wan Fu.

Wan Anran had no choice but to pull herself together.

With the help of three servants, she quickly washed up, tied her long hair into a simple bun, and let the rest flow freely down her back before rushing out.

Wan Fu was sitting on a high-backed chair.

He swung his short legs back and forth, his face glowing with excitement.

When he heard movement, Wan Fu looked up. The words he had been about to speak circled on the tip of his tongue, then were swallowed back. His once-enthusiastic expression turned into speechless disdain as he looked Wan Anran up and down, shaking his head repeatedly.

Even Wan Fu knew better.

A palace consort ought to at least tie up her hair in a double bun, wear some dangling flower hairpins, and powder her face a bit. But Wan Changzai, she slept until well past noon, and now, on New Year’s Day no less, came out wearing an old faded consort’s robe with a bare face.

Others might praise her for being frugal and simple, but the small Wan Fu saw through it all immediately. He crossed his arms and lectured her like a little old man. “Wan Changzai, you’re way too lazy!”

Wan Anran scoffed.

She responded confidently, “What do you know, you little runt? Ever heard of ‘a beauty like lotus emerging from clear water, natural and unadorned’? I’m so young I don’t even need makeup to look good!”

She even looked quite proud about it.

Wan Fu sighed like a wizened elder. He rested his chin in his hands, watching Wan Changzai sit across from him as three palace maids bustled in to serve breakfast.

After eating so many greasy things yesterday, Wan Anran wanted something light this morning.

The kitchen had sent black rice and codonopsis root congee — codonopsis replenishes energy, nourishes the blood and body fluids, while black rice supports kidney and liver health, darkens hair, and improves vision. It was ideal for someone like Wan Anran, who had recently recovered from illness and remained weak. There were also some light and refreshing pickled side dishes, like soy cucumbers, eggplants, and radishes, all meticulously prepared by the imperial kitchen — flavorful and great with congee.

Wan Anran ate with relish.

Noticing Wan Fu staring at her, she gestured toward the food. “Ninth Prince, would you like some too?”

Wan Fu shook his head.

He looked at her in puzzlement. “Aren’t you curious why the Crown Prince is coming?”

Wan Anran nodded. “I am.”

Wan Fu looked even more confused. “Then why aren’t you asking about it? Anyone else would’ve already asked! But you act like you don’t even care.”

Wan Anran spooned up a bit of the black rice congee — slow-cooked for over half an hour, the texture was smooth and delicate. She closed her eyes in enjoyment, swallowed, then finally answered, “Yes, His Highness’s visit is a big deal. But you need to be well-fed to have the energy to prepare.”

“And besides…”

She paused, then grinned at Wan Fu. “Could you keep it a secret?”

Of course not!

Wan Fu had been so excited he couldn’t sleep last night, going on and on to his mother for ages. He had thought Wan Changzai would react like him — instead, she remained calm and collected, completely unexpected.

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Wan Fu propped his chin on his hand.

He snorted. “In that case, this Prince won’t tell you anymore!”

Oh! The little guy was getting haughty now.

Wan Anran set down her bowl and chopsticks. She clasped her hands together and faced Wan Fu. “Tell me, please, tell me!”

Wan Fu crossed his arms, looking supremely smug. Just a moment ago she was acting indifferent, but now look at her — all just for show. After Wan Anran begged a while, Wan Fu finally relented. “Crown Prince Brother said he wouldn’t have time until the morning ceremony was over, so he’ll probably come this afternoon?”

“He’s coming today!?”

“That’s right.” Wan Fu nodded, his face full of reverence for Crown Prince Baocheng. “He’s amazing. Wan Changzai, do you know? Crown Prince Brother was still studying yesterday!”

“Yesterday?” Wan Anran cried out. “But yesterday was New Year’s Eve!”

Wan Fu nodded vigorously. “Exactly!”

Thinking that he’d have to live like that one day, Wan Fu shivered. “If it were me, I’d probably collapse like a willow leaf in the wind — gone with one gust.”

Wan Anran eyed Wan Fu’s round little body.

You? A willow leaf? If anything, you’d be more like a tree stump.

Wan Fu immediately caught her strange expression.

His face fell and he glared fiercely at her. “Are you thinking something bad?”

Wan Anran coughed.

She quickly changed the subject. “That said, why would the Crown Prince suddenly say he’s coming to Xianfu Palace? And it looks like he’s coming to me?”

At this, Wan Fu lit up with pride.

He waved his arms and excitedly explained, “Yesterday, Crown Prince Brother held my hand, and even Father praised me for being obedient and clever. Hehe! Wan Changzai, do you want to know why?”

“Of course I want to know!”

“Ahem, ahem!” Wan Fu cleared his throat dramatically and gave Wan Changzai a meaningful look — if that’s the case, shouldn’t you show some appreciation?

Wan Anran immediately understood.

She clutched her face in mock alarm. “Is Ninth Prince catching a chill? Haitao! Go get some ginger tea! Make it extra strong!”

Wan Fu’s face turned black.

At that moment, Wan Anran reached out and pinched his chubby cheek. “Of course not! Juhua, go to the kitchen and fetch some milk, honey, sugar, and black tea. I want to make something nice for our dear Ninth Prince — if he likes it, maybe we can recommend it to the Crown Prince too.”

The current palace trend favored Lu’an melon slices and Tianchi tea. Black tea was rare. Juhua replied softly, “My Lady, I’m afraid the kitchen doesn’t have black tea. We’ll need to get it from the Tea and Refreshments Office.”

Wan Anran nodded. “Take a purse with you.”

The Imperial Kitchen was divided into the Meal Room and the Tea Room. Normally, they only dealt with the Meal Room. If you wanted tea from the Tea and Refreshments Office and didn’t offer a ‘warming purse’ (bribe), they’d dismiss you with a few careless words.

Even though she was prepared, Juhua was still turned away.

The eunuch steward at the Tea and Refreshments Office wore an expression of icy disdain. He weighed the purse in his hand, waved it off, and snapped, “The tea here is reserved for noble consorts and high ministers. A mere Changzai dares to request tea? Where are the palace rules? Leave now! If you don’t, I’ll report you for trespassing in the tea storage!”

This was the Tea and Refreshments Office, not the storage!

Clearly the steward was talking nonsense, but Juhua had no choice but to swallow her anger. “Sir, the tea is for serving Ninth Prince and His Highness the Crown Prince…”

Nonsense.

A lowly Changzai could be associated with the Crown Prince?

The steward rolled his eyes.

He tossed the purse behind him without looking and walked back into the tea room.

Juhua stood outside, utterly embarrassed.

Worse still, mocking laughter drifted from within. “What stray cat or dog dares to use the Crown Prince as a tiger skin? As if she has the status!”

Many eunuchs passed by.

Hearing the steward’s ridicule, their glances toward Juhua turned mocking and scornful.

Crown Prince Baocheng was the son of the late Empress.

He was named Crown Prince at just one year old, and though only four now, he had already begun his studies. Gifted and far ahead of his peers, he was personally raised by the Emperor.

A Changzai claiming ties with him?

Her face must be thick enough to be used as a floor mat. The eunuchs shook their heads, treating the whole thing as a joke.

Unable to obtain black tea from the Tea and Refreshments Office, Juhua’s forehead broke into a cold sweat. And with the steward having spoken, the other eunuchs, even if tempted by her purse, could only sigh and refuse.

Juhua walked back, brow furrowed with worry.

As she crossed the long corridor and reached the path outside Qianqing Palace, a stern voice suddenly called out behind her: “…You, are you from Xianfu Palace?”