Chapter 8: The Drunkard.

Wan Fu said he wanted to participate, and Noble Lady Nara immediately agreed.

As for Consort Xuan, she had originally intended to politely decline. But with Wan Anran and Wan Fu nagging in her ears like chanting monks, it wasn’t even half a cup of tea’s time before she had no choice but to surrender.

How could she not?

If she didn’t give in, she feared she’d start hearing hallucinations!

With both Consort Xuan and Noble Lady Nara agreeing to attend, would Wan Anran’s measly share be enough? As Consort Xuan instructed the palace servants to go to the Imperial Kitchen, she gave Wan Anran a suspicious glance. “You little girl, you’re not eyeing my food, are you?”

Wan Anran’s heart skipped a beat for a second.

Immediately after, she shamelessly said, “This concubine thanks Consort Xuan for her generosity.”

Noble Lady Nara couldn’t stop her shoulders from shaking with laughter.

As for Wan Fu, he was just short of rolling his eyes to the heavens. He pulled down his lower eyelid and stuck out his tongue at Wan Anran, “Thick-skinned!”

Consort Xuan was speechless for quite a while.

Where did this shameless behavior even come from? In any case, it was Wan Changzai’s promotion banquet. Consort Xuan was too lazy to argue with her. “Fine, fine, let’s just consider this me celebrating for you.”

Don’t be fooled by Consort Xuan’s lack of imperial favor.

As a member of the Borjigit clan, the Empress Dowager’s cousin, and the Emperor’s maternal cousin, Consort Xuan’s treatment in the harem was first-class. With her orders, it wasn’t even the time for a cup of tea before the Imperial Kitchen sent over piles of ingredients and utensils, along with several eunuchs to assist.

Before them was a snowy scene, with a plum blossom tree in full bloom.

Enjoying the beautiful view and later indulging in a barbecue, the sight, aroma, and taste would all be perfectly matched.

Wan Anran was quite satisfied as she admired the surroundings. With the scenery set, only the food was missing. After thinking for a moment, she turned and stopped a little eunuch who was about to light the fire, “Wait, there’s no need to ignite it just yet.”

Preparations were still needed.

Wan Anran instructed the palace servants to wash all the vegetables thoroughly. Then, she had pumpkins, cucumbers, zucchinis, and other vegetables sliced, sandwiching between them meat chunks marinated with pepper and cumin, and finally skewered them with long bamboo sticks.

One by one, the colorful skewers looked extremely appetizing.

Once that batch was ready, Wan Anran then directed the palace servants to make a few slashes on the chicken wings, soak them in marinade for the time it takes to drink two cups of tea, sprinkle them with white sesame seeds—just these preparations alone were enough to capture everyone’s attention even before grilling.

There were also beef and lamb slices, thick-cut pork belly, small yellow croakers and large prawns, lettuce, enoki mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms… and even skewered mini steamed buns, all prepared by the Imperial Kitchen.

Unable to resist, Wan Fu bounced out of the room.

He was wrapped in a black cloak trimmed with white fox fur at the edges, holding a hand warmer in his arms. His whole body revealed only a round, chubby little face, curiously glancing around.

Wan Fu watched for quite a while.

He couldn’t help tilting his little head, speaking in an old-fashioned tone, “If Wan Changzai, you plan to win over Consort Xuan’s heart with these, you’re doomed! Consort Xuan’s from Mongolia, she eats more lamb skewers than the rice you’ve ever had.”

Wan Changzai’s mouth twitched.

Taking advantage of no one looking, she secretly knocked Wan Fu on the forehead. “Stop spouting nonsense!”

Wan Fu protested, “I’m not spouting nonsense!”

After a pause, he mumbled awkwardly, “At most… at most, I’m just exaggerating a little bit!”

That’s not just a little bit!

Wan Anran ignored Wan Fu and pondered carefully: Consort Xuan was from Mongolia, accustomed to all kinds of grilled lamb flavors. Trying to win her over with just these skewers? Even if Wan Fu hadn’t said it, Wan Anran herself knew that was simply impossible.

That’s why she had other plans.

She raised a finger and waved it at Wan Fu, “Don’t worry, this isn’t all there is!”

The real treasure was yet to come!

Besides peanut sauce, sesame sauce, and various seasoning sauces made with evodia and Sichuan peppercorns, Wan Anran had also prepared a secret weapon.

That was mayonnaise.

The method for making mayonnaise was quite simple. Under the astonished gazes of Wan Fu and the palace servants, Wan Anran cracked an egg into a bowl, separated out the yolk, and added a few drops of vinegar—by this point, everyone was already bewildered, completely clueless about what Wan Changzai intended to do.

Wan Anran then took out a simple stirring stick, instructing the palace servants to make it beforehand, and vigorously stirred the bowl in circular motions. From time to time, she would order the servants to add a little rapeseed oil—the palace usually cooked with animal fats, and finding rapeseed oil had taken quite some effort.

As Wan Fu and the palace servants watched in utter confusion, the egg yolk in the bowl gradually began to change. Its color grew lighter, its volume expanded, and it took on a soft, fluffy texture that looked nothing like its original form.

It was practically like watching magic.

When the mixture reached a thick consistency, the mayonnaise was done.

Wan Fu cheered excitedly, pointing at the mayonnaise, “Is this delicious? What does it taste like?”

Wan Anran chuckled.

She ordered the little eunuchs to light the charcoal fire and then placed some sliced steamed buns on the grill.

Steamed buns naturally had a milky fragrance. Honestly, Wan Fu wasn’t very interested in them. Seeing Wan Anran grilling only steamed buns, he grumbled, “Barbecue is all about meat! What’s the point of grilling steamed buns… I don’t want that.”

Wan Anran paid him no mind.

Once the steamed bun slices were grilled to a golden, crispy perfection, she dipped one in mayonnaise and shoved it into Wan Fu’s hand. “Try it?”

Wan Fu looked reluctant, “…Huh?”

But he was quite curious about the mayonnaise. After thinking it over, Wan Fu gritted his teeth and took a big bite of the steamed bun slice.

A rich aroma instantly filled his mouth.

How to describe it? The mayonnaise wasn’t exactly sweet, nor was it sour or fishy. Yet this peculiar flavor blended perfectly with the fragrant sweetness of the steamed bun, striking his heart like an electric jolt.

Wan Fu’s eyes widened.

He gobbled it up in three quick bites, then excitedly shouted, “Delicious! Super delicious, I tell you!”

Wan Anran grinned smugly, “Isn’t it?

Wan Fu reached out to grab another piece of steamed bun. “I want more!”

Wan Anran swiftly struck the back of his hand with her chopsticks. “You have to wait until everyone is here to eat together!”

“Aw, it’s just sneaking one more piece, what’s the big deal?”

“No! Didn’t I already let you sneak one just now?”

“But it’s because I tasted it that I want it even more now!”

“Still no! If you fill up on this, will you have the appetite to eat anything else later?”

Their chattering and bickering filled the courtyard like a lively melody.

Noble Lady Nara couldn’t help but get up and walk to the window. Watching the spirited Wan Fu and Xu Changzai playing together, she shook her head. “It’s surprising that Xu Changzai can get along so well with Wan Fu.”

Consort Xuan also shook her head. “Indeed…”

Who would have expected this kind of thing? The two of them gazed out the window, watching the cheerful pair, their hearts faintly stirring with a sense of anticipation.

Once everything was ready, Wan Anran personally went to invite Consort Xuan and Noble Lady Nara to come out. Soft cushions had already been laid out along the veranda, and screens blocked most of the cold wind, leaving just enough space to enjoy the view.

Wan Anran stood there for a moment, as if she had forgotten something—or perhaps not? Her thoughts were interrupted by Wan Fu, who pointed excitedly towards the courtyard. “Look! It’s snowing again!”

Snowflakes drifted down from the sky, fluttering like little snow velvet flowers.

The four of them sat leisurely on the veranda. Nearby, a brazier crackled with heat, keeping Wan Anran, Consort Xuan, Noble Lady Nara, and Wan Fu all perfectly warm. Sipping wine, nibbling on skewers, enjoying cold dishes like marinated wood ear mushrooms with cucumber, garlic-dressed lettuce, and spiced duck tongues, the three women soon had a rosy flush on their cheeks after a few rounds of drinks.

Wan Anran held her cup, her nose twitching lightly.

Beneath the spicy scent of the wine was a faint, lingering fragrance, elusive yet teasing, like a willow branch gently brushing against her heart. She sipped her drink, smacking her lips as she muttered like a little cat, “This wine… tastes so good.”

The wine had been brought by Noble Lady Nara.

Rarely feeling so pleased with herself, she said softly, “It’s made with peach blossoms… If you like it, when spring comes, we can make some together.”

Wan Anran was, of course, more than happy.

Her gaze even shifted towards the plum blossom tree in the courtyard, her eyes sparkling. “If peach blossoms can make wine, plum blossoms should work too, right?”

She looked very much like she was ready to strip the tree bare if Noble Lady Nara so much as said “yes.” Consort Xuan tapped the back of her hand with her chopsticks. “What nonsense are you talking about? That’s the only plum tree in our Xianfu Palace. Don’t you dare ruin it!”

Wan Anran pouted. “Am I more important, or is it more important?”

Consort Xuan looked at her, feigning shock. “Why are you even comparing yourself to a plum tree? Obviously, the plum tree is far more important than you!”

Wan Anran: ………

Covering her face, she let out pitiful sobs, but Consort Xuan ignored her and instead shot a sharp glance at Wan Fu—who was stealthily reaching for a wine cup with his chubby little hands.

Consort Xuan pushed Wan Fu’s hand away.

She tried to scold him with a stern face, but the wine hiccup that escaped her mouth utterly ruined her dignity. “Hic… ahem! Children are not allowed to drink!”

Noble Lady Nara took the opportunity to pull Wan Fu into her lap.

Pinching her son’s plump cheeks, she said cheerfully, “If you want to drink, you’ll have to wait another ten years!”

Consort Xuan giggled. “Ten years later, we won’t leave until we’re all drunk!”

Noble Lady Nara and Wan Anran grinned widely, echoing her words. The three women looked at each other and burst into silly, carefree laughter, their crisp voices ringing through the entire courtyard.

But suddenly, a deep male voice cut through the cheerful atmosphere.

With a tone of authority, he asked, “What are you three doing?”

Consort Xuan waved her hand dismissively. “Drinking, obviously.”

But as soon as she answered, she froze.

That voice… sounded a little too familiar?

She wracked her foggy mind, and then, as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over her, realization struck her hard. Consort Xuan’s eyes widened, and she abruptly came to her senses.

That voice—it was clearly—

Consort Xuan hurriedly tried to stand, but half-drunk and tipsy, she lost her balance and toppled straight into Noble Lady Nara.

The three women collapsed into a heap.

Ignoring the pain, Consort Xuan frantically grabbed the other two and pulled them up. Together, they curtsied with a formal salute. “Your humble concubines pay respects to Your Majesty.”

Noble Lady Nara: ……

Wan Anran: ………

The two of them grimaced in pain, their expressions frozen as they forced themselves into the bowing posture, finally lowering their heads to greet him. “We greet the Emperor. May Your Majesty enjoy eternal peace and prosperity.”

The strong scent of alcohol filled the air.

Kangxi’s expression was… complicated, to say the least. Originally, he had planned to visit Yipin at the Yikun Palace to offer her some comfort—after all, the green tally had already been given to Yipin for tonight’s service. However, when the Empress Dowager spoke up, coupled with the worsening condition of the Niohuru Empress, as a conscientious emperor, Kangxi had decided to remain in the Kunning Palace for the time being.

Of course, he still intended to visit Yipin for a few words of consolation and rewards. But before even stepping into Yikun Palace, the lively laughter coming from Xianfu Palace had caught his attention.

Never did he expect that upon entering, he would stumble upon… three drunkards.