Quick Transmigration: Reversing the Life of a Cannon Fodder Female Supporting Character

At the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, Lan Wan'er appeared in a light blue open-sleeved ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with floral and bird patterns embroidered with gold thread. She also wore a set of gold-threaded and beaded hair ornaments, which were high-profile and gorgeous, like a cluster of blooming flowers.

Even the Empress praised her, saying, "It's rare to see Consort Lan dressed like this; this outfit suits you quite well."

Lan Wan'er's appearance is strikingly beautiful; with just a little makeup, she becomes dazzlingly beautiful and quite aggressive. Today, her gorgeous outfit makes her face look like a mere backdrop.

"Your Majesty, as you know, I am a lazy person and usually don't like wearing these heavy things. Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, so I'm just doing it for the occasion."

The Empress nodded and praised her again, thinking to herself, "See, this is what a smart person is. She always knows how to act appropriately in the most appropriate situation. Last year, Lan Wan'er didn't dress up so elaborately for the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. This year, since the Emperor is in high spirits, she dressed herself up in a more high-profile way."

The harem is filled with beauties; today you are in high spirits, tomorrow she will be out of favor. When have you ever seen a concubine vying for the emperor's affections? The emperor just happens to like going to Zhaoqing Palace again and again.

Next year, new concubines will be introduced, and everyone in the harem is very nervous, fearing that the newcomers will dilute the emperor's favor. Look at Consort Lan, when has she ever been anxious? She is more stable than I, the empress.

Xuan Chengyan arrived a step too late. He had just sat down when he was caught off guard by Lan Wan'er sitting to his left.

"The Imperial Concubine looks stunning today."

"Oh dear, Your Majesty, please don't praise me like that. The Empress just praised me so much that I'm embarrassed. My face is still burning."

"The Empress is also seeing something new. You are usually too casual, so you should dress up more often."

"Yes." Lan Wan'er replied casually, ending the conversation. What kind of good person wears a two- or three-pound headdress all day long and has a high bun that makes their scalp tingle?

Xuan Chengyan smiled and announced the start of the banquet. A continuous stream of food was served to each table, and music and dance performances began.

Lan Wan'er ate a few bites of food, drank a sip of wine, and enjoyed the music and dance for a while. She was very relaxed, and among everyone present, she was probably the most focused.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, the moon was high in the sky. The music and dance ended, and the emperor praised the moon and the festival. The part that many of the concubines had been preparing for had finally arrived.

Consort Lü requested permission to create a painting depicting a Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.

"My beloved consort's poetry and painting are exceptional; today, I will share them with you all." Xuan Chengyan readily agreed.

Consort Lü's palace servants had already prepared everything. As soon as the Emperor agreed, a table and paper and pens were quickly set up in the chosen location.

Consort He performed a sword dance with a wooden sword. The Emperor praised her a few times, but his eyes were fixed on Lan Wan'er.

Lan Wan'er looked at Consort He in the arena with admiration. Her sword dance was truly beautiful, with graceful postures and even the curve of her sleeves was just right.

Consort Wang's talent was playing a musical instrument. To be fair, her skills were superb. She was granted the title of Consort De as soon as she entered the palace, but the Emperor ignored her for more than half a year. Later, when her brother was selected as the second-highest scholar in the imperial examination, the Emperor finally slept with her twice.

However, he was never really favored.

"Your Highness, may I have some guidance?" After the Emperor and Empress had exchanged a few polite words of praise, Consort Wang turned to Consort Lan.

"I'm not good at music, so I can't give you pointers," Lan Wan'er refused directly.

"Your Highness, there is no need for such modesty. About half a month ago, I was passing by Zhaoqing Palace when I heard you playing the zither. The music was stirring and flowing."

Lan Wan'er raised an eyebrow. Her ears were quite long, but unfortunately, it wasn't her playing the zither.

"Consort De misheard," Lan Wan'er still refused.

"Your Highness, the Imperial Concubine..."

The Emperor, sitting at the head of the table, spoke up: "Alright, if the Noble Consort doesn't like these things, Consort De need not say any more."

Consort De had indeed misheard. It was he who played the zither in Zhaoqing Palace that day. Lan Wan'er wanted to hear it, so she coaxed him with sweet words to play the zither for her.

Consort Wang gave the Emperor a deep look. The Emperor lowered his head and held his wine cup, not seeing her gaze. Lan Wan'er saw it, and her heart stirred.

That deep affection in his eyes didn't seem fake.

Lan Wan'er looked away and gazed at the embroidery on her sleeve. She sighed inwardly. In this era, it was best for women not to fall in love with men, because men who could reciprocate such deep affection without reservation were extremely rare throughout history.

Love is possessive, and Xuan Chengyan's personality makes it impossible for him to accept such possessiveness.

The Empress has already changed the subject: "In a few days, Mother will be returning, and Qiwu Palace has been prepared."

"I trust the Empress to handle things."

After the late emperor passed away, the Empress Dowager went to live in the royal villa to observe mourning for him. The emperor and empress invited her back to the palace several times, and some time ago, she finally agreed.

A panicked commotion came from Consort He's side; Consort He suddenly felt nauseous and wanted to vomit.

Lan Wan'er lowered her eyelids. It seemed that the high-ranking concubine was about to have a child.

Sure enough, when the imperial physician arrived, he announced the good news. Consort He happily stroked her belly. After two years in the palace, she was finally pregnant. She had gone to great lengths to announce the good news at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, and even performed a sword dance.

Consort Wang's smile was forced, and Consort Lü's brushstrokes, which were still in progress, became somewhat disordered, but returned to normal after a few breaths.

The Empress said, "Since Consort Shu is pregnant, it is not advisable for her to go back too late. She should go and rest first."

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I shall take my leave now." Consort Shu, supported by a servant, bowed and took her leave. Before leaving, she glanced at the Emperor.

Lan Wan'er thought to herself: You still don't understand the Emperor. Tonight he will only go to the Empress's Weiyang Palace.

Several more people then performed, and by the time the banquet was nearing its end, the first draft of Consort Xian's painting was complete.

"I am but a humble servant, and I have made a fool of myself with my skills."

"Very good, as expected of a talented woman renowned throughout the capital," the Empress praised.

"To have captured the entire banquet scene so vividly in such a short time, Consort Xian truly lives up to her family's traditions." The Emperor praised sincerely.

"Your Majesty and Your Majesty are too kind. Time was short, and I only had time to sketch out the essence of the subject. I will go back and add more color to make it even better."

"Then I will wait to admire my beloved concubine's paintings."

After the banquet ended, the Emperor and Empress left together, while Lan Wan'er left quickly without any hesitation.

Back to Zhaoqing Palace

"Be careful, everyone. Consort Shu is pregnant. We must not get involved with her. We'll send some gold and jade gifts to celebrate tomorrow."

"Yes," Granny Qiu replied first.

In the three years since the Emperor ascended the throne, excluding the year of mourning, he only gave birth to a little princess safely in the past two years. The birth mother was a low-ranking concubine named Baolin. She was promoted to the rank of Cairen after giving birth to the princess. Other low-ranking concubines also became pregnant, but none of them survived.

Consort Shu's pregnancy is likely to be extremely dangerous.

A few days later, the Emperor personally went to bring the Empress Dowager back to the inner palace, and Lan Wan'er followed behind the Empress to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager.