Chapter 58: The Dark Bun

As the Grand Secretary took the imperial edict and headed grandly toward Xianfu Palace, the palace concubines simultaneously received the news. Even though there were other promotions—some Second Class Attendants and First Class Attendants advancing in rank—these announcements were completely overshadowed by the news of Noble Lady Wan’s promotion, causing barely a ripple.

Consort Yi smiled as she accepted the imperial edict for Changzai Guo—now to be called Noble Lady Guo. She also had someone deliver a money pouch as a congratulatory gift. Once the eunuch who had proclaimed the edict left, a trace of melancholy crossed her face.

Was Noble Lady Wan favored? Not exactly—she didn’t seem to be. Whenever she mentioned the Emperor, she even looked somewhat annoyed. But could it be said that she wasn’t favored? That didn’t seem true either. Every few days, the Emperor would visit Xianfu Palace for a short while, chatting or simply sitting… and now there was this promotion.

Of course, Consort Yi didn’t know that the Emperor had already been planning this promotion even before the birth of the Eleventh Prince. From her perspective, perhaps the promotion was mainly for the Eleventh Prince… and the wool yarn, maybe? But if it had something to do with the Eleventh Prince, then what was going on with the Wuyala Second Class Attendant in Chengqian Palace?

Confused, Consort Yi’s thoughts drifted back to Chengqian Palace.

Aside from the Noble Consort attending the New Year banquet, no one from that entire palace had been seen publicly—not even a glimpse of the Twelfth Prince.

Anyone could guess that things probably weren’t going well.

Consort Yi stopped dwelling on such unpleasant matters and instead instructed the matron to deliver the good news to her elder sister who was recuperating. She then ordered gifts to be prepared, pondering whether she should offer her congratulations now or wait until Consort Qi relocated to her new residence.

Meanwhile, Xianfu Palace was enveloped in silence.

The moment the edict of promotion was announced, Wan Anran stood frozen in place, too shocked to react. The palace attendants around her were also dumbstruck, mouths agape in silly smiles.

The first to regain composure was Consort Xuan.

Though she sighed, she had long anticipated this day. Her eyes carried both joy and a hint of disappointment. She stepped forward and teasingly scolded, “Little Sister Qi, why are you still dazed? Hurry and express your gratitude!”

Only then did Wan Anran come to her senses.

She dropped into a deep curtsey and accepted the edict with both hands, emotions swirling chaotically in her heart. This entire year in this world, she had spent in Xianfu Palace. It held all her joy, happiness, disappointments, and fears from the past year. The more she thought about it, the more her nose tingled, her eyes growing slightly red.

Was she really going to move out of this palace?

It felt like a small drum was beating in her chest—thumping erratically and leaving her restless.

Perhaps sensing her unease, Consort Xuan walked over with a smile and embraced her. “You silly girl, think about where you’ll be living!”

“…Chuxiu Palace?”

“Isn’t Chuxiu Palace just behind us?” Consort Xuan chuckled.

Chuxiu Palace was located east of Xianfu Palace and north of Yikun Palace. Just a few steps out of Xianfu Palace, one could already see the side gate of Chuxiu Palace. The location was actually a bit better than Xianfu Palace, and returning for visits would take less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea.

Only then did Wan Anran feel somewhat reassured.

She led her people to take a stroll around Chuxiu Palace. It was still under renovation. When the steward eunuch saw Consort Qi arriving with her entourage, he rubbed his hands together and hurried forward, bowing: “This servant greets Consort Qi!”

Such enthusiasm was something Wan Anran had never seen before. She composed herself and replied calmly, “I’ve just come to take a look. Go on with your work.”

“Yes, Consort!” the steward eunuch replied respectfully.

Not long after, he came running up again with a stack of blueprints: “Consort Qi, please have a look. These are the renovation plans for Chuxiu Palace. If you wish to make any changes, please let me know, and I’ll make sure everything is handled perfectly.”

His enthusiasm was a little overwhelming.

But the suggestion intrigued Wan Anran. After all, she wouldn’t be the only one living in Chuxiu Palace—her little Maotao would be there too. Shouldn’t there be some toys for the child? With that thought, Wan Anran smiled and replied, “Then I’ll thank you…”

“This servant’s surname is Zhuang. Consort Qi can just call me Little Zhuangzi,” he said respectfully.

“Then I’ll trouble you, Eunuch Zhuang.” Although the steward said to call him “Little Zhuangzi,” Wan Anran didn’t do so. In the palace, eunuchs were considered lowly and thus clung to dignity. Rather than using a nickname like “Little Zhuangzi,” calling him by a proper title was more appropriate.

Eunuch Zhuang’s smile grew even more eager.

He handed the blueprints to the palace maid Haitao and stepped back to follow at a respectful distance.

Wan Anran circled around Chuxiu Palace with great interest.

Perhaps a swing could go here. A small children’s slide or sandbox over there? Some toys for running and jumping, and maybe plant some flowers and greenery?

She had originally wanted to plant a few tomato plants this year just to try something new, but never got the chance. She didn’t even get to touch a tomato before the palace servants all looked as if they were about to faint from horror.

As she walked, she muttered her thoughts aloud.

The courtyard of Chuxiu Palace was exactly to her taste. Just thinking about how much it would cost in her past life to own a large piece of land in Beijing that she could remodel however she pleased made her giddy. Wan Anran did the mental math and was certain: there was no way she could ever have afforded it.

Though she had felt a little uneasy at first, walking through Chuxiu Palace helped her fully calm down. Perhaps this really was her opportunity to leave the novice village and grow independently?

As she thought this, Wan Anran pushed open the door and entered.

The renovations of Chuxiu Palace were already mostly complete, and many furnishings had already been placed. Wan Anran strolled through the rooms, her mind filled with ideas, unable to help sharing them with Haitao and the others.

Behind her, Eunuch Zhuang was extremely nervous.

Chuxiu Palace and Jingyang Palace had both started renovations before the New Year. It was clear that Chuxiu Palace was meant for a consort, while Jingyang Palace retained its previous study-like layout—likely intended to provide the Emperor and consorts with a peaceful retreat.

Renovating Chuxiu Palace for a concubine?

Wan Anran, who wasn’t even a favored consort, had never entered Eunuch Zhuang’s calculations. Instead, he recalled a long-standing rumor in the palace—that the Emperor intended to bring another daughter of the Hesheli family into the palace.

The thought stirred something in Eunuch Zhuang.

After discreetly inquiring about the ages of the Hesheli daughters, he had concocted all sorts of plans… and in hindsight, he realized how foolish he’d been.

The more regretful he felt, the more anxious he became.

He cautiously observed Consort Qi, worried she might detect something amiss. Fortunately, up to the very end, she made no unusual remarks—only smiled and said she would look over the blueprints carefully later and send any requested changes his way. Only then did Eunuch Zhuang feel at ease again.

What he didn’t expect, however, was that after Wan Anran returned to Xianfu Palace, she immediately brought up the matter: “The furnishings and arrangements in the residence seem somewhat strange…”

Consort Xuan asked, “How so?”

She held her tea cup, taking a delicate sip, a faint smile playing in her eyes.

Wan Anran paused in thought.

She slowly explained, “All the palace furnishings follow set regulations. When I first arrived at Xianfu Palace, even the ornaments on the curio shelf weren’t complete. The tables, chairs, sideboards, vases—everything was standard issue. From Second Class Attendant to Noble Lady, even the colors didn’t change.”

Consort Xuan nodded in agreement.

She set her teacup down on the side table. “The Six Western Palaces all have standardized furnishings. As Consorts, we’re allowed a few more styles, but the overall layout and decoration don’t vary much.”

“Then why is it that although the Palace of Cultivated Elegance is still under renovation, the planning was already distinct from the beginning?” A sudden flash of inspiration passed through Wan Anran’s mind, and her eyes lit up. “It’s as if it already had an intended mistress!”

“How could that be possible?” Nara Guiren was visibly shocked.

But Xuan Consort only smiled and shook her head. “Why wouldn’t it be possible?”

“Consort Xuan… you knew?” Wan Anran asked.

“Of course,” Xuan Consort replied with a meaningful smile as she looked at Wan Anran. “The rumor that the Hesheri clan wanted to send a young lady into the palace wasn’t just idle gossip—it’s true.”

Both Wan Anran and Nara Guiren were stunned.

Wan Anran truly couldn’t make sense of it. “Why would the Hesheri clan need to send another girl into the palace?” Then she remembered—there was someone in history like that, wasn’t there? Called… Consort Ping? Someone with such a faint presence she was nearly forgotten.

Xuan Consort sighed. “They’re thinking about the Crown Prince—wanting to draw closer ties with him. What other reason could there be?”

Now that the Crown Prince had grown close to the Empress because of the Eldest Princess, it wasn’t good news for the Hesheri clan. If the Crown Prince ended up favoring the Niohuru clan and later took a Niohuru Madam as his wife, wouldn’t that make the Hesheri clan nothing more than a stepping stone?

Their once-contained ambitions began to stir—recently, the Hesheri clan had grown more calculating.

Hearing this, Wan Anran became even more confused. “But if they had everything prepared for the Hesheri girl already, then why—?”

Xuan Consort waved a hand dismissively. “Heh, it was just someone acting on their own initiative. At the very least, His Majesty has shown no sign of wanting to bring in a Hesheri girl at present.”

The inner palace was peaceful and quiet.

After the Empress of the Niohuru clan and the Kangxi Emperor passed through a period of awkwardness, their relationship had improved considerably. With the Crown Prince and the Eldest Princess around, it was a time of harmony between the Emperor and Empress.

Unless something unexpected happened—

Otherwise, the Hesheri clan would find it very, very difficult to send someone into the palace right now.

Wan Anran fell deep into thought.

No wonder that steward Zhuang looked at her like a mouse spotting a cat—he must be feeling guilty, scared she’d come after him for revenge!

What the Hesheri clan didn’t expect was that the Palace of Cultivated Elegance, which they had planned to be the residence of their own girl, had ended up becoming Wan Anran’s.

Wan Anran sighed.

She shoved these messy thoughts out of her mind and clapped her hands together. “Today is my day of great joy—what are we waiting for?”

Of course it was time to celebrate!

The wine was brought out, the meat laid out, the music and dancing started, and the Hall of Tranquil Fortune erupted in cheer. Since it was still within the New Year period, Wan Anran even had someone fetch flour and ingredients, rolling up her sleeves to make all kinds of “descendant pastries”: pork-filled, chicken-filled, shrimp-and-crab, fish, chili, scallion—even garlic and cilantro—truly a horrifying medley of “dark cuisine.”

Xuan Consort watched, shaking her head.

She tried to escape, but Wan Anran grabbed her tightly. “Sister Xuan, today is this concubine’s happy occasion—won’t you give me a little face?”

Xuan Consort: ………

What else could she do, when even Consort Qi said so? She could only watch freedom drift farther away and sigh sorrowfully: “There’s always a hopeless path in life one must walk… just to try it.”

No, wait.

Xuan Consort refused to go down without a fight. She closed her eyes briefly, then smiled and held Consort Qi’s hands. “On a day like this, we should invite the other sisters to join us.”

Like Consort Yi.

She had been wondering when would be a good time to come offer her congratulations, so when she heard of Xuan and Qi’s invitation, she was all smiles and delight, happily bringing a gift over.

The only regret was that Guo Guiren had been feeling unwell recently and couldn’t come to the gathering. Consort Yi chatted cheerfully and then, unable to resist, turned her gaze to the oddly shaped descendant pastries. “These… you made these?” The shapes were so strange. If the Imperial Kitchen dared serve something like this, they’d be sent home to cook for themselves the next day—and get a beating before they left.

“Yes,” Wan Anran confirmed.

“I used to make these with my family before I entered the palace.” Consort Yi got excited as she spoke. She chattered on, “Boiling them tastes great, eating them plain is also good, frying them is delicious, and they’re especially tasty pan-fried to a crisp on the outside and tender inside!”

Xuan Consort smiled absentmindedly.

She picked one up with a spoon, smiling sweetly as she offered it forward. “Sister Yi, would you like to try one?”

Consort Yi was a bit suspicious of her enthusiasm.

Still, she opened her mouth and took a bite. A burst of pungent scallion filled her mouth the moment she bit down, rudely flooding every corner of her palate.

Consort Yi’s face turned the same color as a scallion.

She stared at Xuan Consort with fire in her eyes. Xuan Consort quickly shifted the blame. “It was all Consort Qi who made them!”

Wan Anran tried to shirk responsibility. “I made them, yes—but Sister Xuan knew and still offered it to Sister Yi!”

“It’s your fault.”

“It’s your fault!”

Wan Anran and Xuan Consort stared each other down, neither backing down.

For the sake of appearances, Consort Yi forced herself to swallow.

She dabbed her mouth with a handkerchief and smiled gently. Behind her, it was as if black lilies bloomed—elegant yet terrifying. “This kind of delicacy, naturally, should be shared with all our sisters.”

You both must eat too.

There was a murderous glint in Consort Yi’s eyes as she advanced with a spoon carrying a garlic-flavored pastry, step by step toward Wan Anran and Xuan Consort.

Whoever ate that… would surely die, right?

Wan Anran and Xuan Consort’s eyes widened in horror as they both guiltily backed away.

Consort Yi gave chase.

Wan Anran and Xuan Consort ran.

This couldn’t go on! As Consort Yi drew closer, Wan Anran suddenly had a flash of inspiration. She hooked her arm around Consort Yi’s shoulder, exclaiming with mock joy, “I understand now! Sister Yi, what a wonderful idea!”

Understand what?

Consort Yi looked at Consort Qi, utterly baffled.

Wan Anran called out to the palace maids, “Hurry and go to all the palaces—invite all the sisters to come dine at the Hall of Tranquil Fortune!”

Consort Yi: ……???