Chapter 52: Adorable

Chapter 52: Adorable

Before Qin Zhuyuan could even be seen, she smiled first, her face beaming as she bowed to Fan Xueyao.

It had been a while since they last met, and she had lost quite a bit of weight. Her face, once round like a full moon, now resembled an oval shape, revealing her cheekbones. Her makeup was meticulous, but the areas below her ears and on her neck, where no powder was applied, looked slightly sallow.

She appeared to be dressed in bright colors, but upon closer inspection, it was clear that her attire was not as splendid as it seemed.

For instance, the embroidery on her brocade jacket was not particularly exquisite. The palace belt around her waist lacked any adornments, and the hairpin she wore was only gilded, likely made of silver or copper. It seemed she had been having a hard time lately.

Fan Xueyao accepted her bow and returned the courtesy, inviting her to sit and speak. She herself sat on the throne, with the attendants diligently serving her, arranging cushions and a lap cover, and bringing a small hand warmer for warmth.

"Such heavy snow outside, why did Qin Baolin come?" Fan Xueyao asked with a smile, instructing Su'e to fetch almond tea for Qin Zhuyuan and honey jujube tea for herself.

Qin Zhuyuan felt awkward watching them bustling about. When Fan Xueyao spoke, she nervously smiled and said, "I haven't visited Jie Yu in some time. Last time, I spoke out of turn and feared I might have offended you. I hesitated for a long time before daring to visit again. Now that the year is coming to an end, even if you haven't forgiven me, I thought you wouldn't blame me given the good day. So, I gathered my courage to come."

Fan Xueyao merely smiled and said there was no offense taken, without elaborating further.

Seeing this, Qin Zhuyuan felt even more awkward. Fortunately, Su'e soon arrived with the tea. Qin Zhuyuan was served almond tea and fruits, while Fan Xueyao had only honey jujube tea.

"Have a bowl. It's so cold outside, and you must have been chilled by the wind on your way here. You need something warm. Otherwise, you might fall ill, and I would feel guilty about it."

Fan Xueyao's kind demeanor quickly put Qin Zhuyuan at ease. Feeling the chill from her journey, she sipped the hot almond tea, which had a faint milky scent and was overly sweet.

The sweetness was overwhelming, even for someone who enjoyed sweet flavors. Qin Zhuyuan felt her throat becoming uncomfortable, but since only almond tea was served, she ate a fruit to counteract the stickiness.

This almond tea did not suit Fan Xueyao's taste. She had never had almond tea since entering the palace, and if she did, it would be much less sweet. The kitchen staff had been serving her for a long time and knew her preferences well. Hearing Qin Zhuyuan's thoughts, Fan Xueyao realized the kitchen intentionally made it this way to trouble her, and it was Su'e's idea.

However, this was a gesture of loyalty from her attendants, and it didn't matter much. Fan Xueyao pretended not to notice. Qin Zhuyuan hadn't shown any discomfort, so who would know she was aware?

Feeling rested after being disturbed by a sudden visitor, Fan Xueyao playfully suggested, "Are you feeling warmer now? How about another bowl?"

Her face showed genuine concern, as if she was impressed by Qin Zhuyuan's enjoyment.

Qin Zhuyuan hesitated. The almond tea was too sweet, and she was already warm after one bowl. She didn't want another, but refusing might seem ungrateful. If it caused Fan Xueyao to be displeased, it would be too costly.

After some deliberation, she decided eating was the right choice. With a forced smile, she said, "Thank you, Jie Yu. I was just thinking one bowl wasn't enough."

Fan Xueyao had only meant to tease Qin Zhuyuan, but when she agreed, she heard her thoughts and let Su'e bring another bowl. Qin Zhuyuan drank the second bowl in two gulps, enduring the overwhelming sweetness.

After exchanging pleasantries, Qin Zhuyuan instructed the attendants to present her gifts: a pair of gold-encrusted jeweled butterfly hairpins and a pearl necklace strung with colorful silk threads. Both items were placed in a carved sandalwood box, with the hairpins and necklace resting on red silk.

Fan Xueyao, well-versed in valuing such items, immediately gauged their worth and heard Qin Zhuyuan's thoughts clearly.

Closing the box, she gently pushed it back and smiled politely, "We are neither close nor do I owe you anything. A small token for the holiday would suffice. Your gift is too grand, putting me in an awkward position. Please take it back."

Qin Zhuyuan became anxious and straightened up, saying, "I spoke out of turn before and offended you. This gift includes both friendship and an apology. Please don't refuse it!"

Fan Xueyao smiled but insisted on returning the gift, "I'm not petty. Even if we had a disagreement, it would have passed quickly. Besides, I never took it seriously. Such trivial matters are long forgotten. In the palace, rules are strict. I appreciate your gesture, but please take the gift back."

Realizing the gift couldn't be given, Qin Zhuyuan stood up, took out the hairpins, and said, "These hairpins are too extravagant; I'll take them back. But please accept the pearl necklace. It's just a few pearls and colored silk threads, not valuable. It's appropriate and auspicious, symbolizing my apology. Please accept it!"

Unable to refuse further and tired of the argument, Fan Xueyao accepted the gift and instructed Huaping to store it away. This item would likely never see the light of day again. Given reluctantly and not precious, it was more of an annoyance than anything else.

Relieved, Qin Zhuyuan thought that accepting the gift meant achieving her goal. She could now visit without anxiety. Today had been nerve-wracking, with her heart in turmoil.

After Qin Zhuyuan left, Huaping asked, "Madam, what should we do with the pearl necklace?"

Fan Xueyao, changing clothes, replied indifferently, "Store it for now. Remember to remind me to return a gift to Qin Baolin in a few days."

Though she disliked Qin Zhuyuan, the gift's symbolism was good. She didn't want to risk bad luck by discarding it. Having experienced soul transmigration, she understood the importance of superstitions. Unable to discard or destroy it, she decided to keep it, as it didn't take up much space.

Huaping understood her mistress's attitude towards Qin Baolin and couldn't help but sneer. Who did they think they were, treating Jie Yu with such disrespect and then trying to curry favor?

Fortunately, Jie Yu remained composed and handled everything gracefully, impressing Huaping deeply.

How did Jie Yu manage to be so wise despite being younger than her? Even the seasoned ladies-in-waiting couldn't match her. Perhaps the Fan family excelled in education?

But Jie Yu's mother, Fan Li, seemed ordinary.

Huaping couldn't fathom it, attributing it to Jie Yu's innate intelligence and a clever mind.

On Winter Solstice, Chu Nan was required to lead officials to the southern suburbs for a ritual sacrifice. The palace maids were excited about the event, but Fan Xueyao was indifferent.

Only the Empress could accompany Chu Nan in the ritual. Since Fan Xueyao couldn't participate, it held no significance for her. After the ritual, a celebration banquet would be held. To avoid chaos due to insufficient manpower, Empress Xu had instructed the kitchens to prepare ingredients in advance, prohibiting visits to the supply department on Winter Solstice.

Two days before Winter Solstice, Chu Nan visited the Spreading Fragrance Hall, having stayed overnight twice before. Empress Xu advised him to be cautious, so he waited two days.

He came specifically to keep Fan Xueyao company, fearing she might feel uneasy about the ritual.

Accompanied by many people, he brought in three large flower pots, each the size of a water barrel.

Chu Nan led Fan Xueyao out, pointing proudly, "Look at these hanging golden bells. They're newly cultivated, and the buds have just started to bloom. I thought you'd enjoy them."

Fan Xueyao saw three flower pots. Chu Nan described one as a yellow plum, with flowers shaped like golden bells, hanging down, with white centers and a strong fragrance.

Another pot contained a firethorn, lush with leaves and bright red berries almost covering the leaves.

The other pot contained emerald bamboo, which didn't sound particularly special. But in the depths of winter, when all plants withered and died, leaving the world dreary and dark, the bamboo leaves remained lush and vibrant. Just looking at them was enough to bring joy.

Chu Nan personally arranged the courtyard scenery, "Place these two pots here, the bamboo over there. From your window, you can see a partially hidden view, quite charming."

The young and strong eunuch moved the three new potted landscapes along with the existing ones in the courtyard, eventually creating a picturesque scene that complemented each other beautifully, with an elegant arrangement.

Chu Nan admired the potted landscapes, now even more beautiful together. He thought of Yao'niang, carrying his child by the window, watching the scenery he had set up. It made him feel incredibly content.

He smiled at Fan Xueyao, "The firethorn has abundant flowers and fruits. Look at its bright red berries, so lovely and they don't fall off after frost. Have you seen the firethorn flowers? In summer, you'll see the branches covered with snow-white blossoms, like snow on the boughs. They are truly beautiful."

Fan Xueyao nestled beside him, her charming peach blossom eyes slightly squinting.

By May, her child would be born. What kind of adorable child would it be?

Her lips curved upward, and in that moment, her gentle demeanor vanished. Only a hint of unrestrained boldness quietly emerged.

The court was busy, and so were the palaces of the concubines. With all the excitement outside, the concubines also became lively, visiting each other and gossiping with their close friends.

Everything in the palace was good except for one thing: there were too few entertainments.

When the weather was warm, they could play shuttlecock or cuju, but now, in the freezing cold, they could only sit around the incense burner, sipping hot tea and chatting idly.

Fan Xueyao's days were much more pleasant. On the morning of Winter Solstice, she led a group of palace maids in making wontons inside the house. Nearly ten small porcelain bowls filled with various fillings were prepared: pork and scallion, vegetable and meat, spinach and chicken, mushroom and fresh meat, even freshwater fish and meat. The most abundant filling was the vegetable and meat, which Fan Xueyao loved.

None of the young maids knew how to make wontons, but Fan Xueyao did. However, she deliberately didn't teach them, just watching them struggle and giggling at their misshapen creations.

The maids grew frustrated and turned to the kitchen maids for help, tugging at their sleeves and begging to learn.

The kitchen maids, experienced and skilled, patiently taught the maids how to make wontons. Making wontons wasn't difficult, and soon they learned. Some nimble-handed ones even matched the skill of the kitchen maids.

With three pounds of filling and three pounds of wonton wrappers, they made over eight hundred wontons, filling several bamboo trays.

Making the wontons was just for fun, and once done, they stopped. The kitchen maids collected the finished wontons and leftover wrappers to continue their work.

In addition to the wontons, Fan Xueyao requested dishes such as mutton steamed buns, roasted mutton, and fish ball fritters. These were elaborate dishes that required careful preparation.

While the kitchen was preparing lunch, Fan Xueyao engaged in embroidery with the maids, chatting and sewing.