Chapter 7: First Class Attendant.

Kangxi was having lunch with the Crown Prince at Cining Palace.

The Crown Prince, Baocheng, was four years old this year. The tiny child had a serious little face as he swayed his head while reciting texts. His appearance was as endearing as could be. Not only did Kangxi enjoy watching him, but the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager also had faint smiles on their faces, hugging the little Baocheng affectionately and calling him their precious darling.

After lunch, Baocheng began to yawn.

The Grand Empress Dowager’s eyes flashed slightly. She signaled Su Ma La to carry the Crown Prince away for his nap. Knowing that the imperial grandmother had something to say to him, Kangxi did not stop her. He quietly picked up his tea cup and took a sip.

The Grand Empress Dowager put on a stern face. “Emperor… I know you value the Crown Prince, but the Empress… are you just going to leave her aside like this? Do you know that the Empress’s health has worsened lately? She even caught a cold a few days ago. Did you visit her? Did you even ask the imperial physicians about her condition!?”

He didn’t know.

Kangxi’s hand holding the teacup tightened slightly.

The Grand Empress Dowager immediately saw through him.

Her brows furrowed slightly as she sighed. “Emperor, I know you still remember the Heshieri clan and place more importance on Baocheng. That’s why you’re unwilling to get close to the Niohuru clan. But while you favor the Tongjia clan on one hand and distance yourself from the Niohuru clan on the other, do you know that there are now two kinds of voices in the harem?”

Kangxi frowned. “My cousin is not that kind of person.”

The Grand Empress Dowager chuckled coldly. “She may not be, but that doesn’t mean the palace maids won’t watch for cues from your behavior. Not to mention, I’ve never heard of a concubine moving other consorts’ positions without the Empress’s permission.”

Wan Anran thought she was just an insignificant palace woman, yet she didn’t know that even the Grand Empress Dowager remembered her name.

Naturally, Kangxi also remembered the incident.

When the Grand Empress Dowager brought it up, he had nothing to say.

The Grand Empress Dowager also knew that speaking up for the Niohuru clan too much might backfire. So she didn’t mention Second Class Attendant Wan again but shifted the topic back to the Empress. “How long has it been since you last visited the Empress? Ever since the Niohuru woman was officially titled Empress, how often have you stayed with her? How many times have you gone to Chengqian Palace?”

“This has nothing to do with the Tongjia clan…”

“I’m not blaming her,” the Grand Empress Dowager interrupted. “But the balance of the harem depends on you. I was never particularly fond of the Niohuru woman either, but at least she was respectful to the late Empress Renxiao, behaved properly, and handled matters with prudence. Compared to Noble Consort Tong, she’s far superior in every way.”

The Grand Empress Dowager earnestly advised, “I know you wish to elevate Baocheng’s status, but think about how difficult it has been for the Empress without your support.”

Kangxi remained silent.

Regardless of Kangxi’s reaction, the Grand Empress Dowager decisively concluded, “Today, Baocheng will stay here with me. You should go to Kunning Palace and see the Empress properly.”

When Kangxi arrived at Kunning Palace, he still harbored some doubts.

Was Empress Niohuru pretending, or… But as this thought surfaced, his gaze was immediately drawn to the Empress, who had noticeably grown thinner. His eyes couldn’t hide his shock as he instinctively stepped forward. “Em… press?”

Among the imperial consorts, Empress Niohuru’s appearance could only be considered average.

She was always dignified, composed, yet retained a hint of girlish liveliness. When Heshieri was still alive, the Niohuru woman often acted coquettishly, like a playful, mischievous child who had never grown up.

This was the impression of Empress Niohuru in Kangxi’s mind. But the woman before him now could perhaps be described as gentle, virtuous, elegant, and graceful—yet there was not a trace of that former youthful liveliness.

Empress Niohuru was also surprised by the Emperor’s sudden appearance.

Her lips curved into a perfect smile as she rose and curtsied deeply. “Your Majesty, this concubine greets you.”

Immediately after, Empress Niohuru stepped forward to welcome the Emperor into the hall, personally helping him remove his cloak and serving him hot tea. Her movements were smooth and practiced, without the slightest hint of fluster, as if this wasn’t the first time the Emperor had entered her chambers in two months, but rather a daily occurrence.

Ironically, it was Kangxi who found himself at a loss.

Before seeing Empress Niohuru, he could ignore all anomalies. But once he saw her in person, he could no longer pretend nothing was wrong. Fortunately, Kangxi was a rational man. He quickly pushed down his chaotic thoughts and gestured to the seat opposite with a smile. “Empress, please sit. State affairs have kept me busy lately, and it’s been a long time since we’ve spoken.”

Empress Niohuru smiled.

In a soft voice, she said, “The affairs of the court are pressing. As for matters of the harem, this concubine will manage them properly for Your Majesty. You may rest assured.”

The more she spoke like this, the more guilty Kangxi felt. Especially when he saw her frail figure, he couldn’t help but ask, “Empress, what happened to your health…?”

“…This concubine is fine.”

“Granny Zhou.” Kangxi didn’t believe it. He turned his gaze to Granny Zhou, hoping to get an honest answer from the Empress’s old nursemaid.

Granny Zhou was not afraid of the Empress.

Even when Empress Niohuru signaled her with her eyes, she still held her head high and, with great vigor, recounted how the Empress had ignored advice and worked tirelessly without rest.

The more Granny Zhou said, the lower the Empress’s head drooped. In the end, apart from her head full of fine hair, not a trace of her expression could be seen.

Kangxi found himself both angry and amused.

Especially when he heard that the Empress had caught a cold yet continued managing palace affairs without pause—he was speechless. Instinctively, he wanted to suggest having others share some of her responsibilities, but as the words reached his lips, he feared upsetting her, so he patiently softened his tone and advised, “Look at how thin you’ve become. How can you not take care of your health? Bring me the records of your recent meals. I want to see them myself.”

Granny Zhou eagerly presented the list.

Compared to the previous days of pecking at food like a chick, today’s lunch records made Kangxi pause in surprise. Reading through the noticeably longer list of dishes, he couldn’t hide the question in his brows. “Today’s lunch…”

Madam Zhou beamed with joy at the thought.

As long as it made Her Majesty the Empress happy, then it was a good deed! She did not hesitate to praise as she explained to His Majesty the Emperor, “It’s all thanks to the Ninth Prince, Consort Xuan, Noble Lady Nara, and Second Class Attendant Wan. Her Majesty finally had a rare proper lunch.”

Kangxi was slightly taken aback.

Madam Zhou chattered on at length. Looking at the Empress’ frail appearance and recalling the words of the Grand Empress Dowager, Kangxi’s gaze darkened. With an air of casualness, he said, “Since that’s the case, pass down my decree to promote Second Class Attendant Wan of Xianfu Palace to First Class Attendant.”

When the eunuch arrived at Xianfu Palace to announce the decree, Wan Anran and Haitao were still busy. This time, she was cutting fur material to make two pairs of insoles. The soles of flowerpot shoes didn’t feel any better than high heels—perhaps even harder to balance. More importantly, they were cold at the bottom. Comfortable in summer, but absolute torture in winter.

Wan Anran carefully cut the shape.

She held her breath, concentrating, just a little more to finish. But the joyful voice of Madam Xia suddenly broke the silence of the east wing room.

Startled, Wan Anran’s hand slipped… QAQ

She watched helplessly as the precious rabbit fur she had managed to get from Haitao was sliced clean in half. Silently, Wan Anran stuffed it behind the soft couch. “Madam Xia, what happened?”

Madam Xia’s face was all smiles.

She respectfully announced with joy, “My Lady! Great news! Someone has arrived from the imperial court with a decree! His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress have issued an oral edict to promote you to First Class Attendant! Please, My Lady, follow me to the front to express your gratitude!”

Wan Anran and Haitao froze in place.

Both master and servant stared wide-eyed at Madam Xia in disbelief. After a long moment, they exclaimed in shock, “Huh!???”

She hadn’t even seen the Emperor’s face yet!

Wan Anran was dumbfounded. Then, she quickly noticed that the Empress’ name had been mentioned. In a daze, it was as if a brand new door slowly opened before Wan Anran’s eyes. Was rising in rank limited to just “serving” Kangxi? Couldn’t she… find a powerful backer instead?

It actually sounded pretty good.

But in the next instant, Wan Anran smiled wryly. Whether it was the Emperor or the Niohuru Empress, how many people were vying for their favor and flattery? How could it ever be her turn? This thought had just surfaced in Wan Anran’s mind when it quickly dissipated. Wasn’t it nice to just quietly and leisurely be herself?

After regaining her composure, Wan Anran no longer felt the excitement from earlier.

She smiled as she looked at Haitao, whose face was flushed red and eyes were sparkling brightly. “Let’s go! We’ll go receive the decree.”

Madam Xia watched the calm and composed Wan First Class Attendant, feeling secretly satisfied. If Wan First Class Attendant had lost control just because of this promotion, she would have had to report it to Lady Xuan, who would then need to properly restrain her in the future.

After receiving the decree in the front courtyard, Wan Anran returned to the east wing room with two palace maids, followed by a group of eunuchs carrying rewards.

The moment she stepped into the east wing room, Wan Anran shivered slightly. She stopped in her tracks with a doubtful look and turned her head to glance back.

Outside the west wing stood two palace maids.

Everything looked the same as before—calm, quiet, ordinary.

Was it just her imagination?

Wan Anran pondered as she walked inside. Immediately, she was greeted by Haitao’s overwhelming joy. Haitao knelt on the floor and kowtowed to Wan Anran. “Congratulations, My Lady! Best wishes to My Lady!”

Wan Anran smiled and helped her up.

Then she turned her gaze to the two newly arrived palace maids.

The older one was named Zisu, a second-rank maid who had served a deceased imperial concubine; the younger one was named Jubai, a new palace maid who had just entered the palace this autumn. Including Haitao, there were now three of them—just enough to meet the required number. When the two of them noticed Wan Anran’s gaze, they curtsied nervously. “Greetings to Lady Wan. Wishing Lady Wan good fortune and peace.”

Wan Anran allowed them to rise.

Although there were new arrivals, Wan Anran had no intention of letting them serve her immediately. First, she was used to Haitao’s service; second, she was uncertain about the temperament of the new maids. Therefore, she instructed the two to assist Haitao for the time being, planning to observe them for a while before making any decisions.

Compared to Wan Anran’s cautiousness, Haitao was quite delighted.

When serving her lady alone, there were always things she couldn’t manage to take care of. Now that she had new sisters, she was twice as enthusiastic. Beaming with joy, she approached them, pulling the two into the side room to organize the rewards while explaining everything about the east wing room in detail, trying her best to help the new palace maids integrate quickly.

Compared to the timid and curious Jubai, Zisu appeared much more cautious and meticulous. After the passing of her former mistress, serving by Wan First Class Attendant’s side was already the best opportunity she could get. Zisu listened carefully to Haitao’s introduction, memorized every detail, and promptly started helping to arrange the rewarded items.

Five pieces of high-quality fox fur, twenty pieces of top-grade rabbit fur, ten bolts of fashionable palace satin and silk fabrics, as well as exquisitely crafted makeup boxes and ornaments, were among the rewards.

Wan Anran remained indifferent to these.

What pleased her most was the improvement in her treatment. Along with the rewards came increased salary and daily rations. Her pork quota was raised from one jin eight liang to five jin. Additionally, there were eggplants, cucumbers, and other vegetables, as well as a significant increase in condiments and spices.

Seeing materials that even Second Class Attendants weren’t entitled to, Wan Anran’s eyes lit up. She clenched her right fist and lightly knocked it into her left palm, smiling as she said, “For tonight’s dinner, let’s have a barbecue feast! Oh, right, I’ll go ask Lady Xuan, Sister Nara, and First Class Attendant Xu if they’d like to join us!”

Haitao cheerfully agreed.

Zisu, however, was startled. As a First Class Attendant, inviting a Consort and a Noble Lady to dine together? She hurriedly whispered a reminder, “My Lady, if it’s a celebration, perhaps it would be better to just…” have a small meal in the room?

But before Zisu could finish speaking, a clear voice sounded from outside. “Count me in! I want to join too!”

It was the Ninth Prince, Wan Fu.

He darted into the room like a rabbit, hopping around Wan Anran. His drooling, eager appearance made it clear he had been craving barbecue for quite some time.