Chapter 3: Paying Respects.

After finishing the topic about the child, Consort Xuan smoothly shifted the conversation to the New Year’s arrangements.

In five days, it would be time for the grand New Year’s banquet.

Xu Changzai no longer had the mood to sulk. Her face was filled with anticipation and yearning as she gazed at Consort Xuan.

Completely opposite to her was Wan Anran.

It wasn’t until she arrived at the Qing Palace that she learned not everyone was allowed to attend the inner court banquets. People like herself and Xu Changzai, aside from the family feast at Qianqing Palace on New Year’s Eve, had no qualifications to participate in any other banquets—unless granted permission by the Grand Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, the Empress, or the hosting consort or concubine.

Wan Anran had no ties to any of these four high-ranking figures.

Consort Xuan, please take pity on my lack of interest and simply forget about me.

Consort Xuan glanced at Wan Daying. “Wan Daying.”

“This humble concubine is here.”

“Your health has only just recovered. You shouldn’t attend this year’s palace banquet. Stay in the palace and focus on recuperating,” Consort Xuan said gently, all the while observing her closely.

Xu Changzai raised her hand to cover her mouth with a handkerchief.

A glint of schadenfreude flashed in her eyes as she used the handkerchief to hide the upward curve of her lips.

Xianfu Palace had never been favored.

Xu Changzai’s thoughts had long been restless. She only wanted to use the banquet as an opportunity to catch the Emperor’s attention… or perhaps find herself a better path.

Wan Daying was truly pitiful.

Even if her health had recovered and her green nameplate was hung back up, what use was it? Staying in this neglected Xianfu Palace, she would only waste away with time!

Consort Xuan was well aware of Xu Changzai’s thoughts.

It was precisely because of this that she never had much regard for her. Her indifferent gaze swept past Xu Changzai and landed on Wan Anran’s face—only to freeze in place.

Hmm? Hm? Hmm???

There was unmistakably… joy on Wan Anran’s face?

Consort Xuan’s eyes widened slightly.

Looking at her more carefully, she couldn’t find even a trace of displeasure on Wan Daying’s face. On the contrary, she was even forcing the corners of her mouth down, trying to suppress her joy.

Consort Xuan was a little confused.

Wan Daying had been transferred from Chengqian Palace, and she had people inquire about her before. The information she received said—Wan Daying was competitive and had a strong sense of ambition.

Consort Xuan didn’t like that.

She had already made up her mind that if Wan Daying dared show even a hint of dissatisfaction, she would properly polish her temperament. If that didn’t work, she would simply send her elsewhere. Yet, things had turned out completely contrary to her expectations!

Wan Anran was practically ready to raise both hands and feet in agreement.

Not having to attend the banquet meant that aside from the family feast at Qianqing Palace on New Year’s Eve, she could stay put in Xianfu Palace. Thinking about the roundabout implications of what Consort Xuan had just said, Wan Anran secretly felt even more relieved.

Indeed, staying curled up in Xianfu Palace was still the most comfortable!

With a clear conscience, Wan Anran sat upright in her chair, holding a cup of salty milk tea as she sipped with great enjoyment. From time to time, she would pick up a piece of mung bean roll and pop it into her mouth.

As expected of the snacks from Consort Xuan’s residence.

The soft, sweet mung bean paste blended perfectly with the date paste. The tender, sugary texture was simply irresistible to Wan Anran.

One piece, two pieces, three pieces…

Seeing that more than half the plate had already been emptied, Haitao anxiously pinched her mistress’s back.

Wan Anran shivered in surprise.

Only then did she barely manage to rein in her rampant appetite, struggling to stop her hand. Yet, her peripheral vision lingered on the mung bean rolls with great reluctance, her eyes filled with the word “desire.”

This scene did not escape Consort Xuan’s notice.

After sending off Noble Lady Nara and Wan Daying, she glanced at the plate, which was more than half empty, leaving only three mung bean rolls behind, and couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.

“Later, have the small kitchen send another plate of mung bean rolls to the east wing—no, have them send over a few more snacks as well.” Consort Xuan’s face carried a smile as she cheerfully instructed the palace maids.

It was time for Wan Daying to get some nourishment.

Nanny Xia responded respectfully, and in her heart, she couldn’t help but sigh. It seemed Wan Daying had caught the mistress’s attention, so her own attitude towards her would need to improve in the future.

Palace maid Tana pouted.

She muttered in a small voice, “What’s so good about lacking ambition? If you ask me, someone like Xu Changzai, who strives to rise, is much more useful!”

Nanny Xia twisted her ear. “How foolish can you be!”

If there were another person with Xu Changzai’s temperament, the mistress would be driven mad! And if Wan Daying had that kind of personality, she would have been kicked out of Xianfu Palace in no time. Just having recovered from an illness and then being driven out—what good outcome could she possibly have? Even if someone else took her in, it would only mean endless neglect.

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Back in her own quarters, Xu Changzai was in quite a good mood.

She glanced out the window toward the opposite side, no longer bothering to hide the sneer on her face. “Truly a useless fool! Still dreaming of regaining favor? She’ll probably remain a mere Daying for the rest of her life.”

And to think she used to see her as a rival!

Xu Changzai thought of Wan Daying’s rather striking appearance, and waves of joy and smugness surged in her heart.

Of course, that wasn’t the main point.

Thinking about the upcoming palace banquet, Xu Changzai’s heart burned with excitement. She quickly ordered the palace maids to bring out all kinds of face powders and skincare products, determined to pamper her face well and strive to stand out!

On the other side, Wan Anran, who had returned to the east wing, was also facing her own test. As soon as she entered the room, Haitao couldn’t stop nagging, “My lady, it’s one thing not to speak much in the main hall, but why did you have to keep eating non-stop! If you left a bad impression in Consort Xuan’s heart, our days will only become harder.”

“It’s not as serious as you’re making it out to be.”

“Of course it’s serious! With just one word from Consort Xuan, my lady wouldn’t even be allowed to step outside the palace gates! Just recently, the palace servants were gossiping about how Consort Yi of Yikun Palace placed Changzai Zhang and Daying Qing under house arrest in the back courtyard. They used to receive a day of favor now and then, but now it’s all completely gone.”

Haitao’s expression was grave.

As she spoke, she carefully untied Wan Anran’s side locks, smoothing them with fragrant hair oil and braiding them into a thick plait.

Wan Anran had no worries in the world.

Holding up a mirror, she looked left and right. “This little mistress feels that staying in the palace is quite nice.”

How exactly was it nice?

Haitao furrowed her brows deeply. In the past, the little mistress had at least some lofty ambitions, but now it seemed those ambitions had completely vanished. Her current attitude of lying flat like a salted fish was truly worrisome. Haitao earnestly advised, “Little mistress, if you can’t step outside the palace gates, how will you ever meet His Majesty? Without meeting His Majesty, how can you talk about gaining favor? About rising in rank? About bearing children?”

It wasn’t that Haitao was nagging—she was simply anxious.

Xianfu Palace was practically the least favored residence in the entire palace. Not to mention that, despite being His Majesty’s cousin, Wan Anran was ranked last among the eight consorts. Look at the stark contrast between her and Consort Xuan, who was also a cousin, or Nara Guiren, who despite having a child, was only given the title of Noble Lady and ridiculed as being favored purely by luck.

If the little mistress didn’t strive to advance, wouldn’t she soon be forgotten? Carrying this deep worry in her heart, Haitao tried her best to persuade her.

Compete for favor? Aim for promotion?

Kangxi was an emperor who valued seniority above all. Simply put, either you gave birth to many children, or you had to endure patiently, climbing step by step. Few were ever promoted directly. In the end, it all came back to having children.

Pregnant? Giving birth?

In an era with no cesarean sections, no hospitals, giving birth was no less than stepping through the gates of hell. Pregnancy wasn’t just a brush with death—it was like dancing back and forth on the very threshold of the underworld, where a single misstep could cost a life.

Wan Anran didn’t want to have children.

She only wanted to live safely and peacefully until the age of ninety-seven.

So if she wasn’t going to bear children, why should she bother competing for favor?

Everything circled back to the starting point. Wan Anran touched her rumbling stomach, then gave a slight push to Haitao, who was still nagging, “Alright, alright, I hear you, I hear you. Haitao, stop going on and on, go fetch breakfast already!”

Haitao, of course, could see right through her little mistress’s perfunctory attitude.

Yet, as a mere servant, there was nothing she could do about it. Dejected and listless, Haitao trudged out, turning back every few steps, hoping the little mistress would give her some other reaction.

Wan Anran pretended not to notice Haitao’s glances.

Haitao had far more ambition than she did. If this were the modern world, she might have achieved something remarkable. Unfortunately, in this time and place, all that passion could only be poured into a salted fish who had no intention of turning over.

Perhaps, after enough time had passed, Haitao would come to terms with it.

Wan Anran absentmindedly sipped her tea. Meanwhile, on the other side, as Haitao pulled open the door, she was startled by the scene outside.

Standing just outside the East Wing room were several people.

At the forefront was Nanny Xia, the head stewardess of Xianfu Palace. Normally, she always carried a stern expression, looking exceptionally serious. But today, she wore a gentle, warm smile, appearing extraordinarily kind and amiable.

So amiable that Haitao felt her breath catch in her throat, not daring to speak. Anxiously wringing her handkerchief, she forced a smile and stammered, “N-Nanny Xia.”

Nanny Xia nodded slightly at Haitao.

Stepping aside to let Haitao pass, she then led a group of palace maids into the room. “This servant pays respects to Little Mistress Wan.”

Wan Anran secretly exchanged a glance with Haitao.

Who knew how long this Nanny Xia had been listening outside—such was the occasional worry of a small-time mistress. But thinking it over, since she hadn’t done anything bad, Wan Anran quickly calmed herself. “Nanny Xia, please rise.”

Nanny Xia respectfully conveyed Consort Xuan’s instructions.

As soon as Wan Anran heard the words “mung bean rolls,” her eyes lit up. Not to mention there were all sorts of other snacks and desserts as well. Her cheeks flushed with excitement, and she couldn’t help but give a little cheer. She even wished she could run straight to the main hall and kiss Consort Xuan a few times!

Once Nanny Xia withdrew, Wan Anran looked smugly at Haitao, her face full of pride. “See? Consort Xuan is still happy to let me eat like this!”

Haitao: …………

Looking at the table full of food and pastries, she really had nothing to say in return!

Especially when it came to Xu Changzai in the room across.

Staring at the smiling Nanny Xia, she tore her handkerchief apart with a sharp rip. Her delicate, beautiful face twisted into a grimace of anger as she glared furiously outside.

A palace maid beside her cautiously reminded, “Little mistress…”

Before she could finish, a stinging slap landed on her face, burning hot. “How many times have I told you, call me ‘Mistress’!”

“M-Mistress…”

“Get out, get out, get out! Clumsy thing! Go outside and stand in punishment for this mistress!”

Bitterness welled up in the palace maid’s mouth.

Lowering her head and composing her expression, she softly responded and withdrew. Once outside, she couldn’t help but let out a sob.

Another palace maid nearby felt a pang of sympathy.

The two of them held hands where they stood, listening to the sounds of laughter and joy coming from the East Wing room, feeling as though their bodies were growing colder and colder.

The snow was falling harder and harder.