Palace Fighting Naive Concubines’ Ascent to Power
Chapter 258: Are You All Ready?

Chapter 258: Chapter 258: Are You All Ready?

Beauty Lian truly was a schemer with profound tactics; she knew that even if she made a move now, it wouldn’t significantly harm a Noble Consort. Thus, did she intend to set the stage first and then seize the opportunity to deal with her, eliminating her altogether?

Indeed, if she had such an opportunity, she would do the same, regardless of innocence. If it were her, she would certainly pin crimes on everyone and catch them all in one swoop.

Her cousin had done many things for her and the Xue family over the years; withdrawing cleanly and completely would be difficult.

Moreover, the Guo family was her mother’s maternal home, her mother’s reliance, and also her support. Her cousin relied on her power, while she used her cousin’s wealth, both proving useful when needed.

If the Guo family encountered trouble, her mother would not stand by idly; she would assuredly find a way to enter the palace and seek her help, and then it would be up to her to help or not.

Therefore, she would never let the situation reach that point.

In any case, now that Beauty Lian had come close, she and Lian could no longer coexist peacefully; it was simply a fight to the death now, she couldn’t tolerate Beauty Lian at all!

Her cousin truly was, how could his actions back then be so sloppy, leaving troubles for today, and even letting people into the palace, which is now a thousand times, ten thousand times harder to deal with than before.

If only her cousin had dealt with people cleanly back then, Beauty Lian wouldn’t have entered the palace, His Majesty wouldn’t have shown favoritism, and her position would have been as stable as before.

What a pity, what a pity.

At this point, it was inappropriate to startle the snake and let the other party realize that they knew; she would make her move after His Majesty’s current fancy had passed.

Having made up her mind, the Noble Consort put down the Silver Comb and said to someone behind her, "Cai Qin, send a message to my cousin tomorrow, tell him to clean up all those involved in that matter properly. As for the matters in the palace, leave it to me."

"Yes," Cai Qin replied as usual, undisturbed, but in a place no one could see, a flicker of struggle passed through her downcast eyes.

"Time to rest."

"Yes." Cai Qin quickly called a few palace maids from outside and began to attend to the Noble Consort’s bedtime routine.

The Noble Consort allowed herself to be served, but her mind was pondering; she needed to find a way to test Beauty Lian, especially since an opportunity was just around the corner with the Mid-Autumn feast approaching...

The morning at Canglan Court was exceptionally serene, yet today was different.

Early in the morning, Lian Hua gathered everyone in the open space in front of the Side Hall, directing a group of people round and round.

Nanny Qi was sitting at the entrance of the Side Hall, basking in the sun, leisurely watching her command back and forth like a foreman, creating a lively and cheerful scene.

Seeing that Pang Ya behind her was also itching to join in, Nanny Qi waved her hand: "Pang Ya, you go too."

Pang Ya was initially delighted, then hesitated—without her, who would keep Nanny company?

Nanny Qi glanced at her and said, "With so many people here, are you still worried about me, an old woman, being bored? Go on."

Only then did Pang Ya walk over joyfully, squeezing in with Xiao Qing, competing to lift tables.

Ever since arm wrestling last time, where she was defeated by Xiao Qing, she had been dissatisfied. Seeing heavy work, she would rush to do it to prove that she, Pang Ya—no, Yuan Yuan—was once also the strongest warrior of Yixiang Palace, and had her glorious moments too.

Master Lian always had a special kind of magic about her, as if those she nicknamed would gradually have everyone else start using that nickname, forgetting their real names. In the end, even those given the nicknames unwittingly followed her lead.

This was exactly the case with Pang Ya, who, had she not called herself Yuan Yuan, nobody would remember that was her name—so much so that even Nanny Qi often called her Pang Ya more frequently.

After much preparation, everything was finally in place. Lian Hua stood at the forefront, holding a gong mallet and looking at the people before her, cleared her throat and said, "Is everyone ready?"

The spirited crowd responded in unison, "All ready!"

Lian Hua nodded in satisfaction then turned back to Nanny Qi and said with a smile, "Nanny, would you do the honors of striking the gong to start?"

Smiling, Nanny Qi stood up, "Then, this old servant will respectfully comply."

Taking the gong mallet, she walked to the gong stand, faced the eager crowd, and with a "clang," struck the gong.

Following that, Lian Hua announced, "The Canglan Court Mooncake Making Competition officially begins!"

"Good!" everyone shouted loudly and began kneading away.

The mooncake was initially called Palace Cakes and Moon Ball. A long time ago, it was only popular within the palace but later spread to the folks, gradually becoming a Mid-Autumn Festival tradition to offer mooncakes symbolizing reunion. Thus, it became named ’mooncake’, and during the festival, it was customary to gift mooncakes to friends and family.

In past years, Lian Hua and Xiao Qing would also make some themselves, but not as many since there were not many people to give them to and times were tight; it was just the two of them eating what they made.

Back then, she was insignificant and lowly, and even the Ceremonial Eunuch would forget to invite her to the Mid-Autumn palace feast, so she didn’t need to attend. Thus, in the evenings, she and Xiao Qing would set up a table in the courtyard, offering the best of the mooncakes and fruits they made, and make wishes for the coming year.

This year was different; it wasn’t just the two of them anymore. She had His Majesty, Nanny Qi, Sister Zhaoyi, and Xiao Jizi and Xiao Linzi—things simply couldn’t be as quiet as before.

She wanted some liveliness, to give a bit of comfort to those around her, so they could also have a good time in the palace.

That’s why she arranged this competition, firstly, to cheer everyone up, and secondly, to make more mooncakes to distribute to everyone.

In the competition, each team of two people shared a table, where dough already proofed, prepared fillings, molds, and other items were placed; these molds were prepared beforehand, featuring designs like the moon’s jade rabbit, Chang’e flying to the moon, and characters symbolizing blessings and longevity. Each table had different patterns.

Each team began to busy themselves with making mooncakes, racing against time. One covered the filling with dough, while the other pressed down with the mold. Working in tandem, they quickly completed one!

Lian Hua observed everyone with a confident satisfaction, feeling utterly content; she truly was clever and sharp-witted to have come up with such a great idea.

A few days ago, while idle, she thought of Mid-Autumn Festival approaching and the need to make mooncakes, then suddenly came up with this idea.

After mentioning it to Nanny Qi, Nanny said that behind closed doors in Canglan Court, she could do whatever she wanted.

Lian Hua was overjoyed, rightfully thinking that Nanny was truly the kindest to her, allowing her to do whatever she wished, unlike His Majesty, hmph.

So, she excitedly picked some people; it was definite that Xiao Qing, Xiao Jizi, and Xiao Linzi from Canglan Court would participate.

As for Nanny Qi, Pang Ya needed to look after her and couldn’t come. There were three new people she hadn’t met, a good opportunity to get to know them, making a total of six people altogether.

Just six people, of course, was not enough; too few people made no sense for a competition.