Chapter 32: The Empress

Laughter rang out in the courtyard of Xianfu Palace.

At the same time, Xinghua finally finished her selection, taking out the glutinous rice that had been soaked and steamed to a perfect consistency—cooked but not mushy, translucent but not clear. Now, the real work for the day began.

First, she poured cooled boiled water into the cooked glutinous rice to lower its temperature. While it was cooling, Wan Anran called out to everyone to wash their hands thoroughly.

The palace attendants of Xianfu Palace were already used to this routine. Only the nanny behind the Eldest Princess frowned and muttered, “The Eldest Princess is of noble blood—how can she be doing these things…?”

She didn’t finish her sentence before shutting her mouth tightly.

After all, even the Crown Prince had picked up a fragrant soap to wash his hands, and he casually commented on a current palace trend: “Ever since Father issued the decree, even the eunuchs wash their hands thoroughly. Honestly, I didn’t know their hands were so pale—I used to think they were all pitch-black!”

By the end of his rant, Crown Prince Baocheng’s face had darkened.

Just thinking about all the dirty hands that had once served him—who knew how much filth had entered his body! He shook his head vigorously, trying to fling those unpleasant thoughts away.

The Eldest Princess’s nanny dared not speak any further.

She truly meant well for her young mistress, fearing she might be slighted after entering the palace. But now that even the Crown Prince made no objections—and from his words, it was clear the Emperor himself did the same—she nearly bowed deeply in apology, plastering a smile on her face as she urged the Eldest Princess to wash her hands.

Only by winning the Crown Prince’s favor could one earn the Emperor’s affection!

The Eldest Princess understood her nanny’s intentions, but at just seven years old, she still had a tender and shy heart. She lowered her head and expression, carefully washing her hands with utmost seriousness, then silently returned to Wan Anran’s side.

She felt much more at ease here with Wan Changzai.

Wan Anran glanced at her and, catching her off guard, gently seized her small hands and plunged them into the basin. The soft, sticky texture of the glutinous rice clung to her hands—such a curious sensation she had never felt before! Eyes wide, the Eldest Princess looked to Wan Changzai in slight confusion: “What do I… do next?”

“Now, break it up with your hands.”

“…Okay.” The Eldest Princess gave a squeeze. The soft, sticky texture lit up her face with delight. She rubbed and kneaded the rice with her little hands, playing happily.

Wan Anran began working, too.

A moment later, she nudged the Eldest Princess with her elbow. “Look! This is a heart.”

Wan Fu laughed out loud.

He buried his head in the rice. “That’s just a simple heart—look at my crab!”

An oval-shaped body with two big claws—it looked just like a real crab. The Eldest Princess burst into giggles as well. After a bit of molding, she held up a long strip with both hands. “A caterpillar!”

Crown Prince Baocheng wouldn’t be outdone either.

He fussed around for a while. “Look, a kitty!”

In the children’s eyes, the soft glutinous rice had become a pile of toys.

The once shy and quiet Eldest Princess soon shaped a five-pointed star, then a moon, then a cloud.

After playing for the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the three only stopped when Noble Lady Nara called out. They then added crushed yeast into the loosened rice, followed by thinly sliced apricot blossoms, mixed everything thoroughly, and packed it all into oil- and water-free jars.

At this point, Wan Anran asked in puzzlement, “Once it ferments and produces wine, isn’t it just sweet fermented rice?”

Noble Lady Nara ordered the jars to be stored properly.

Then she nodded at Wan Anran. “Exactly. To make it into rice wine, it needs to sit for another ten days or so. We’ll keep a few jars for ourselves, and the rest—let’s open and eat them tomorrow!”

“Wow! Crown Prince, Eldest Princess, and Wan Fu—you’ll have a treat tomorrow!”

“This is wine? Can we eat it?” the Crown Prince asked in surprise.

“The Crown Prince and Eldest Princess can both eat it. Add eggs and glutinous rice balls, and it’s super delicious!” Wan Anran cupped her cheeks in joy as she explained. It was one of her favorite treats as a child—soft rice balls, fragrant egg, and sweet fermented rice. Just thinking about it made her mouth water.

The Crown Prince finally showed a child’s curiosity.

He, the Eldest Princess, and Wan Fu crowded around Wan Anran, begging her to explain more. Delighted, Wan Anran began recalling other methods: “You can also use milk—add some almonds and goji berries and boil it together. It’s really tasty! Or add some glutinous rice flour to make rice cakes—they’re delicious too…”

Everyone was stunned by the variety.

Even Noble Lady Nara, who had planned to cook sweet rice balls tomorrow, admitted defeat and shook her head repeatedly. “You! You’re such a foodie!”

By dusk, the Crown Prince and Eldest Princess reluctantly said their goodbyes. Back inside her room, Wan Anran felt a bit tired. With her mood relaxed, her eyelids grew heavy. She yawned widely. “Boil some hot water—I want to soak my feet.”

She removed her socks and dipped her feet into the warm water.

The moment they touched the heat, Wan Anran sighed in contentment. She rubbed her feet and finally felt alive again.

Ju Bai knelt down to help scrub her feet.

Wan Anran quickly stopped her—dressing and makeup were fine, but she could wash her own feet. Seeing Ju Bai still wanted to say something, she quickly changed the subject. “By the way, any news in the palace lately?”

“The biggest news is, of course, about the Eldest Princess,” Ju Bai followed her lead. “Honestly, the Eldest Princess is quite pitiful.”

Zisu pinched Ju Bai.

She glared sharply. “Watch what you say. The Eldest Princess is not someone you can pity!”

The Eldest Princess was royalty!

Ju Bai bowed her head and replied meekly.

“Go on, Ju Bai,” Wan Anran asked curiously, thinking of the timid little princess.

“Yes.” Realizing her mistress wasn’t angry, Ju Bai continued, “I heard the Eldest Princess wasn’t born to the Prince Gong’s official consort, but to a concubine.”

A “concubine” sounded nice.

In reality, she had never been officially titled, not recorded in the clan register, and held no formal rank or attire. In the prince’s manor, her status was only slightly above that of a Lady. More importantly, a side consort might enter the palace, but a concubine didn’t even have that right.

“Could it be…” Wan Anran’s sleepiness vanished. She lowered her voice. “Could the Eldest Princess’s mother not get along with the official consort?”

“Exactly as you guessed.” Ju Bai nodded. “I heard this concubine had a tense relationship with the official consort and gave birth around the same time. Worse still, she had three daughters—one died early, and the other passed just before the Eldest Princess was sent to the palace.”

Two daughters lost, and the last one sent to the palace? As a concubine, she couldn’t even enter the palace—she was likely under the official consort’s thumb. Just hearing this made Wan Anran, Haitao, and Zisu draw in sharp breaths.

This was psychological warfare at its finest.

Judging from the Eldest Princess’s earlier comments, she didn’t seem to dislike the Prince Gong Consort. But comparing that to Ju Bai’s information, something felt off.

Even Wan Anran started having her suspicions.

Did this Prince Gong Consort really not know that a caterpillar’s transformation didn’t always result in a butterfly—but sometimes a moth? With gossip swirling in her mind, Wan Anran treated the Eldest Princess even more warmly the next day, adding a touch of pity.

The Eldest Princess was a little overwhelmed by the attention, her wide doe-like eyes shining as she carefully sipped sweet fermented rice with glutinous balls.

Colorful little rice balls floated in the white porcelain bowl—red goji berries, green peas, sweet glutinous rice, strands of egg in fragrant wine soup.

After drinking, she felt warm all over.

The sweet aroma attracted others too. Even Emperor Kangxi shamelessly asked for a bowl. Under Wan Changzai’s disapproving glare, he remained unbothered. “I came at the Crown Prince’s invitation to taste the filial piety of the Crown Prince, Ninth Prince, and Eldest Princess.”

Crown Prince Baocheng was dumbfounded.

Behind Kangxi, he shook his head repeatedly in frustration.

Don’t look at me!

This has nothing to do with me!

Kangxi’s shamelessness knew no bounds.

Rarely did he get to enjoy such sweetness—it was truly a unique delight. Smacking his lips and wiping his mouth, he left in a hurry.

But not without leaving a final word—

Once the apricot blossom brew was done, it must be delivered to Qianqing Palace.

Wow—he wasn’t just eating from the bowl, he had his eyes on the pot too.

Crown Prince Baocheng sulked so hard his lips could hold an oil bottle—after all, how long would it take before he could taste the apricot brew? He felt like all his effort had been for nothing QAQ

Everyone chattered indignantly about the Emperor’s cunning.

What’s the best way to bond in a company? Complain about your horrible boss! As they gathered to secretly badmouth the Emperor, smiles bloomed more brightly on everyone’s faces.

The Eldest Princess left Xianfu Palace reluctantly.

The palace’s restrictions, tension, and anxiety had all melted away in Xianfu Palace, leaving only ease and comfort. She walked to the gates, looking back every few steps. Her nanny tugged at her sleeve nervously. “Your Highness, you can’t behave this way!”

The nanny glanced around anxiously.

Her heart was filled with dread: if someone reported this to the Empress, she might think the Eldest Princess was dissatisfied with her!

“Oh, right!” Wan Anran jogged over, with Haitao following behind carrying a food box, a faint blush on her face. “Wait, this is for the Empress.”

Wan Anran bent slightly.

She reached out and rubbed the Eldest Princess’s head. “I’m sure the Empress will like it.”

The Eldest Princess nodded softly.

As they neared Kunning Palace, her heartbeat quickened. With excitement, she ran into the residence, her bouncing footsteps bringing a bit of joy to the still and quiet halls.

She made her way to the Empress’s resting quarters.

Granny Zhou instinctively reached out to stop her, lowering her voice. “Your Highness, Her Majesty is resting.”

“…Then I’ll come back later,” the Eldest Princess said, her bright eyes dimming. She responded with unease, reluctant to turn away but preparing to leave. The Empress was always busy with palace affairs, and apart from paying respects morning and evening or having breakfast together, they’d hardly seen each other these past few days.

Maybe… maybe Her Majesty just didn’t like her?

Just like her birth mother, who would cuddle her and praise her, calling her “good girl,” yet turn around and tell Yongshou not to play with her.

A flicker of disappointment flashed through the Eldest Princess’s eyes.

Madam Zhou felt a sharp pang of guilt strike her heart, pressing her hand to her chest in sudden anxiety.

It was just that Her Majesty had truly been overwhelmed lately…

Just as she hesitated, the Empress’s voice came from within the hall: “Is that the Eldest Princess? Madam Zhou, let her in.”

Madam Zhou let out a long breath of relief.

She quickly put on a smiling face and opened the doors. “Eldest Princess, go on in!”

The Eldest Princess’s eyes sparkled.

With her round little face tightened in concentration, she held her breath and stepped solemnly into the main hall. “Daughter greets Royal Mother.”

“Why all this formality? Come here quickly.” The Empress smiled and called to her. She waved the girl over to her side and looked her over with fondness. “You’ve been playing at Xianfu Palace the last two days, haven’t you? Did Attendant Wan give you lots of snacks and treats?”

“How did Royal Mother know?” the Eldest Princess asked in surprise.

“Of course I knew,” the Empress said, playfully tapping the bridge of the princess’s nose, her eyes filled with warmth. “You smell all sweet and fragrant—like you’ve been soaking in syrup!”

As she spoke, she gently pinched the girl’s cheeks.

The Eldest Princess giggled, dimples appearing deeply on her cheeks—she looked utterly adorable. Gathering her courage, she signaled for her nursemaid to bring up a food box. “Today, Attendant Wan gave me some sweet fermented rice dumplings! I brought a portion back for Royal Mother to try!”

She summoned all her bravery.

Sweat dotted the tip of her nose as she raised her voice slightly: “From the fermented rice to the glutinous dumplings… I made them all myself.”

The Empress blinked in surprise, momentarily stunned.

Perhaps her silence lasted too long—expectation faded from the Eldest Princess’s eyes, and she slowly lowered her head, saying nothing. After a pause, she forced out a dry sentence: “Does Royal Mother not like sweet food? I’m sorry…”

“What’s there to be sorry about?” the Empress quickly interrupted. With clear delight, she pulled the Eldest Princess into her lap and signaled Madam Zhou to open the food box.

A sweet aroma immediately wafted out.

The fermented rice dumplings were still slightly warm. The Empress picked up a spoon, scooped a bit, and slowly tasted it. Though it was only slightly warm, it flowed into her chest like a burning stream—warm and sweet.

“Is it good?” the Eldest Princess asked nervously.

“…Very good. It’s the best dessert Royal Mother has ever tasted,” the Empress replied, her voice growing gentler.

The Eldest Princess’s face bloomed with a radiant smile.

Her cheeks flushed red as she joyfully recounted stories from Xianfu Palace. The Empress listened softly, conversing with warmth until the little girl’s head began to nod with sleep. Only then did the nursemaid carry her back.

As soon as the group left, the Empress began coughing uncontrollably.

Madam Zhou rushed forward in alarm.

“Your Majesty, I’ll go fetch the Imperial Physician immediately!”

“It’s just a cough. No need for a physician,” the Empress waved her hand dismissively. “There’s still so much palace business to handle, and the Emperor’s Longevity Festival is coming…”

They had to display the court’s grandeur while still being frugal under limited resources—her head ached just thinking about it. Where would she find the time to see a doctor over a minor illness?

“Your Majesty, that woman in Chengqian Palace gets sick one, two, even three or four times every year and still summons the physician each time! Even Attendant Wan knows health is most important—how can you not?” Madam Zhou scolded with a stern face. The Eldest Princess’s mention of Attendant Wan today reminded her of a conversation from last year.

Her heart gave a jolt.

Her mistress had shown signs of discomfort as early as last year, which gradually turned into a cough after the new year. Now it had lingered for over half a month. Diagnosed as a cold caused by exposure, she had been drinking two prescriptions a day, yet continued to toil endlessly with palace duties. Each time Madam Zhou tried to advise her to rest, she would only say, “I’ll rest after I’ve finished with these palace matters.”

But palace matters never ended—they only increased day by day.

If her health were ruined over them… then what?

The more Madam Zhou thought about it, the more alarmed she became. For the first time ever, she disobeyed a direct order. She urged the Empress back to the couch to rest—and sent for the Imperial Physician without waiting for permission.

That’s when the truth came out.

The very next day, Wan Anran received word from the front palace: “Her Majesty the Empress has fallen ill!”

Just yesterday she had still attended the usual morning and evening greetings—how could she be sick today?

Wan Anran’s heart gave a heavy thud.

The Niohuru Empress, conferred less than a year ago, died of illness…—the thought resurfaced from the depths of her memory. Her eyelashes trembled, breath caught in her throat. A terrifying idea began to take root: Could it be that fate in the book cannot be changed?

Jubai had gone out to investigate.

When she returned, her face was pale. “My lady, both the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager have rushed to Kunning Palace! And it’s said… it’s said that palace authority has already been temporarily handed over to Noble Consort Tong. The Grand Empress Dowager even issued a decree for Consorts An, Jing, Duan, and Rong to help manage the palace!”

If the Empress’s illness was just a ripple on the surface, then the transfer of palace authority was a crashing wave! Not just Wan Anran—even the entire inner palace was now shrouded in an ominous gloom.