Chapter 87: The New and the Old

Chapter 87: The New and the Old

Fan Xueyao nodded. "The bright colors of my attire need to be balanced with more subdued hues. The parrot-green cloak bestowed by Her Majesty is both appropriate in color and dignified for going out. Please fetch it for me."

Huaping bowed slightly and approached the wardrobe to fetch the cloak. Moments later, she returned, bearing the cloak that had once belonged to Empress Dowager Wei. During Yao's recent visit to the empress dowager's residence, she had noticed the empress dowager wearing light attire on a chilly day, prompting the empress dowager to bestow this cloak upon her. It was nearly pristine, having been donned only a few times.

Since it was Empress Dowager Wei's garment, it was naturally very valuable. A cloak made entirely from fox fur was something that ordinary concubines could only dream of. But for Empress Dowager Wei, it was merely a small trinket to bestow upon favored concubines at will.

However, Fan Xueyao did have a few items made from fox fur. Therefore, even though she had received this cloak, she hadn't worn it many times due to its nature as a cloak and her infrequent outings. The few times she wore it were when she went to the empress dowager's palace to show it off.

Huaping unfurled the cloak, and Yaoniang leaned forward slightly. She playfully winked at her son, who was amusingly shaking a rattle nearby, and offered a cheeky grin. This slightly mischievous smile on her soft and lovely visage did not appear odd; instead, it held an enigmatic charm that could make one's cheeks flush and heart quicken. Alas, the only spectator to this was Chu Xiaoxu, who had not yet seen his first birthday. What a waste!

Chu Xiaoxu's eyes widened as if he had discovered something fascinating. His dark eyes filled with excitement, and he started making "ah-ah" sounds, trying to reach out. The wet nurse hurriedly tried to stop him but couldn't.

Observing his eager sprint akin to a hound in pursuit of a bone, Yao Niang couldn't suppress a light chuckle. She stooped down and lifted Chu Xiaoxu, who had clung to her leg.

Chu Xiaoxu excitedly looked up at her, his chubby hands holding her face, and kept saying, "Mom, Mom, Mom..." as if begging to see that smile again.

Yao Niang couldn't suppress a naive chuckle. "Huh? I'm right here, what's the matter?" Feigning ignorance.

"Mom! Mom!" Chu Xiaoxu cried out in frustration, unable to express himself. He felt like his mother was teasing him, and his chubby cheeks turned red.

After indulging in her playful mood, Fan Xueyao felt a pang of sympathy and adjusted her position to avoid others' gazes. She repeated the earlier gesture for Chu Xiaoxu.

"Ah! Ah!" That's it! Chu Xiaoxu excitedly clapped his little hands, staring intently at Fan Xueyao, his eyes shining brightly.

After some time, Fan Xueyao managed to calm him down, wrapped him in the crimson cloak, and held him steadily as they left for the mountain.

In the West Mansion, there was a pavilion called Liuchun Pavilion. Zhaorong Changsun had arranged for a floor stove, set up comfortable seating, and invited several female musicians to perform. The kitchen prepared some fruits. When Fan Xueyao arrived, the pavilion was adorned with luxurious screens and fine seats, and several people were already present. She glanced around and noticed that they were either familiar to her or close to Zhaorong Changsun.

Initially, the weather had been clear, but now snow began to fall softly. Fan Xueyao's parrot-green cloak stood out brilliantly amidst the snow. Attended by two groups of maids and wet nurses, all dressed in light shades of red and green with pink and purple flowers in their hair, she approached gracefully, exuding an aura of nobility.

With each step, the hood of her cloak revealed a fair and delicate face. Her clear and bright eyes scanned the pavilion, making her look like a fairy from a painting, ethereally beautiful and captivating.

She carried a plump bundle wrapped in a crimson cloak. Several women realized what it was and their eyes lit up as they rose to greet her.

As Fan Xueyao entered the pavilion, she was greeted by a fragrant scent of musk and other subtle aromas. She noticed a newly bloomed winter plum branch in a vase near the door, its dense pale pink blossoms emitting a sweet fragrance.

She took off her cloak, and several women bowed in greeting. Yang Xiuyi glanced at the cloak in the maid's hands. She had seen the empress dowager wear it before and had complimented how the parrot-green color made her skin appear brighter. Now, it belonged to Zhaoyi.

Fan Xueyao returned the greetings and sat down. Immediately, the women gathered around to see Chu Xiaoxu in her arms. She observed them with a cool gaze. They were dressed in splendid court attire, their hair styled high with gold and jade ornaments, and their faces perfumed with fragrances.

Zhaorong Changsun lifted the cloak to reveal Chu Xiaoxu's cherubic face. The three golden rings on her fingers made him look even more adorable. She smiled and said, "The little prince is getting more handsome every day." She was the most extravagantly dressed, adorned with pearls and jade, her phoenix hairpin tilted slightly, and her necklace shimmering. Wearing a light yellow embroidered peony jacket and a silver-red skirt, she looked even more opulent than usual.

Shen Jieyu smiled modestly and nodded. "Indeed, he looks just like Zhaoyi. His nose resembles the emperor's, straight and prominent. He'll grow up to be a handsome young man, stealing many ladies' hearts." As she spoke, she removed a gold ring with a carnelian gem and placed it in Chu Xiaoxu's hands.

Shen Jieyu wasn't particularly beautiful, although she looked decently dressed. Her features had minor imperfections—slightly high cheekbones, a longer upper lip, and less-than-pale skin. She knew these flaws and dressed meticulously, never smiling widely because her high cheekbones would make her look older and unappealing. Thus, her smiles were always restrained.

It was evident that she valued her appearance greatly. Her makeup was impeccable, her attire elegant, and she wore a pair of intricately crafted tortoiseshell bracelets with gold and gems. She also had a musky fragrance that lingered around her.

Fan Xueyao politely declined. "How can I accept such a precious gift? He's still so young; we shouldn't spoil him."

Shen Jieyu insisted, smiling. "It's just a token of greeting. I find him so charming; please take it. In the future, he'll remember me as his aunt."

Fan Xueyao reluctantly accepted it and instructed Huaping to store it carefully.

Shen Jieyu offered her gift, and the others followed suit, removing rings and hairpins, all made of gold or silver, some even encrusted with gems.

Fan Xueyao joked, "This little one is truly a lucky star. He's already received so many gifts; he'll be well-fed just from these alone."

Chu Xiaoxu curiously looked around, his innocent demeanor delighting everyone. If not for his royal status, they would have loved to hold and cuddle him.

How unfortunate that such a lovely child wasn't born to them. They lamented their rare opportunities to serve the emperor and wondered when they might bear their own children, even a princess would suffice for comfort.

Fan Xueyao lowered her eyes. It had been almost a year since she gave birth to Xu'er, yet no other concubine had become pregnant. Perhaps it was fate.

Chu Nan was healthy and occasionally visited other concubines. There were only about ten concubines in the imperial villa, and even with rotating visits, none had conceived. It seemed to be destiny.

Was this good or bad for her? Fan Xueyao couldn't tell. But whatever it was, it was the reality.

A palace maid approached with a tray of walnut and pine nut tea. Fan Xueyao took a sip and put it down.

"Is it uncomfortable to hold the little prince like that?" Yang Xiuyi glanced at the wet nurse holding Chu Xiaoxu and smiled at Zhaorong Changsun. "Are you so short-staffed that you don't even have a chair for someone to sit on?"

Zhaorong Changsun immediately ordered the maids to bring more chairs for the four wet nurses to sit and enjoy refreshments. The wet nurses thanked her and sat down cautiously.

After exchanging pleasantries, Zhaorong Changsun said, "It's been harder to see Zhaoyi since winter began. Today, when Lanxiang said you'd come, I almost thought I heard wrong."

Fan Xueyao looked at her. Though it sounded like a casual remark, it conveyed Zhaorong Changsun's resentment over her frequent refusals to attend gatherings.

"I often feel lethargic in winter and summer. The cold winds outside make it unbearable to go out," Fan Xueyao explained gently.

Zhaorong Changsun smiled, but her displeasure was evident. Just as she was about to say something, Yang Xiuyi interjected, "I also dislike the cold. During autumn and winter, I wish I were a furry animal, naturally dressed in warm fur." She glanced at Zhaorong Changsun.

Zhaorong Changsun understood and stopped criticizing, joining in the conversation.

Time flew as they chatted, and soon a palace maid asked about serving the meal. Zhaorong Changsun said, "Bring it in."

Fan Xueyao saw it was time for the meal and quietly instructed the wet nurse to take Chu Xiaoxu to a separate room to feed him. Being in a new place, Chu Xiaoxu behaved exceptionally well, playing with his little tiger toy.

Fan Xueyao frequently checked on him, ensuring his comfort. Whenever their eyes met, she smiled warmly, providing reassurance.

Soon, the food arrived. Each person had a table with four dishes and a plate of fruit-filled salted golden cakes. The dishes were exquisite wild game and fresh meat. The wine was also brought in.

Fan Xueyao tasted a piece of deer tendon stew and found it overly seasoned, typical of palace cuisine.

She didn't like her dishes with too many seasonings, finding them too heavy. At first, they tasted good, but she quickly grew tired of them.

Her main dish was noodle soup with ham and fresh bamboo shoots, which was very flavorful. However, just looking at it annoyed her. Why? Because eating noodle soup required delicacy, and one couldn't help but make slurping sounds. She believed that some sound when eating noodle soup was natural.

Eating carefully to avoid any noise took away the enjoyment. After taking a sip of the broth, she would wipe her mouth with a handkerchief, then cautiously eat a few more noodles. Before she could finish two bites, the soup would cool and the noodles would become mushy. What was the point of eating noodle soup then?

When she was in her own place, she didn't care and ate casually. Even if there were some sounds, it wasn't a big deal. The palace maids wouldn't dare say anything, and Chu Nan found her casual manner endearing and natural, not pretentious. It was also a sign of trust and reliance on him. He, too, relaxed and didn't put on airs anymore.

Honestly, she felt that if one wanted to be elegant, they shouldn't eat noodle soup; if one ate noodle soup, they shouldn't worry about being elegant.

Fan Xueyao looked around, seeing all the concubines sitting upright, lowering their heads, covering their mouths, and wiping their lips with handkerchiefs after each bite. Their graceful movements were quite pleasing to the eye. Accompanied by the singing and playing of female performers, it seemed less like dining and more like a performance.

The hall was silent, and the serving palace maids held their breaths. If not for the melodious voices of the performers, one might hear the rustling of snow falling outside in the Liuchun Pavilion.

Fan Xueyao sighed quietly.

What was the point of eating like this, comparing who had the most elegant demeanor?

She wasn't keen on touching the noodle soup, having eaten tea pastries earlier and feeling not too hungry. She turned her chopsticks to the Eight Immortals Platter. This platter consisted of eight parts of roasted goose: head, neck, breast, wings, feet, legs, gizzards, and liver.

She picked up a piece of goose liver, marveling at its rich aroma and thick, smooth texture, melting in her mouth.

The women only nibbled at a few dishes, mostly sipping wine and enjoying the music. After two cups, the performers were playing zithers and lutes, singing "Jingjing Ronghe" at its climax. Fang, the wet nurse in a brown jacket, carried in Chu Xiaoxu. The boy's cheeks were flushed, his dark eyes hazy, looking sleepy. He had suddenly cried earlier, so Fang had taken him to feed him.

Seeing him, Fan Xueyao felt a pang of heartache. She called him over, touched his warm cheeks, and he giggled, revealing three or four shiny white front teeth. She smiled and tapped his little nose, checking his warm neck.

Relieved, she adjusted his fur coat and instructed Fang, "The little prince should take a nap now. Take him home and watch him closely. It's cold outside, don't let him catch a chill."

Fang bowed and agreed, wrapping Chu Xiaoxu in a cloak and putting on a hood, then left with other wet nurses.

Shen Jieyu had been watching, and when everyone left, she smiled, "It's rare to bring the little prince out, why send him back so soon?"

Fan Xueyao smiled faintly, "He sleeps a lot. Usually, he naps in the morning. This is his first time out, and he was excited earlier. After feeding, he started blinking his eyes. He's delicate and needs rest. So I asked the wet nurse to take him back."

"The little prince isn't yet a year old, he needs extra care," Shen Jieyu nodded, maintaining a composed demeanor. But as a young bride, her appearance made this seem somewhat out of place.

Fan Xueyao smiled shyly, "I'm a new mother, so I tend to be cautious, which may seem silly to you sisters."

"It's nothing, being cautious is good. Children are fragile, and mothers can never be too careful," Yang Xiuyi smiled, adding, as she raised the eldest princess.

Everyone nodded in agreement, even if they thought she was overreacting, they wouldn't show it or say it aloud.

Fan Xueyao smiled without speaking.

After the meal, everyone rinsed their mouths and washed their hands, then set up tiles to play.

Yang Xiuyi, Zhang Chongyuan, and Yu Jieyu kept feeding Fan Xueyao tiles. They had served Chu Nan since he was a prince. Over time, Chu Nan treated Yang Xiuyi and Zhang Chongyuan better for the sake of their daughters, but nothing else.

Perhaps knowing their situation, they seemed content.

Younger concubines like Changsun Zhaorong and Shen Jieyu were less satisfied, and the game had a competitive edge. They would block Fan Xueyao even if it wasn't in their interest.

Fan Xueyao won a couple of rounds and lost a couple, feeling tired and thinking of her son, wanting to rest.

"Having coaxed you here, you're leaving already?"

Changsun Zhaorong couldn't persuade her to stay and repeatedly invited her next time.

"The emperor needs constant service... if I have free time, playing would be nice."

Fan Xueyao gave an ambiguous response, frustrating Changsun Zhaorong. How could she be so ungrateful? Using force wasn't an option, fearing Fan Xueyao wouldn't yield, leaving her in a difficult position.

She knew that recently, even the empress had been outmaneuvered by Fan Xueyao.