The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

In the time before the year’s end, Anning made quite a bit of money by producing small medicine pills to eliminate odors for the eunuchs.

During this period, Bai En also took the opportunity to sell off some rare treasures he had accumulated inside the palace, giving them all to Anning and Xiao Yuan.

Near the time of New Year’s, several village chiefs from Bai En’s manors came to deliver annual gifts and rent; in previous years, Bai En had his adopted son manage these tasks, but this year Bai En had already informed those village chiefs to send them directly to Anning.

Thus, before the year ended, Anning was truly quite busy.

She had to see these village chiefs, check the annual gifts, and also give them some rewards. By the time these tasks were finished, the end of the year was already near.

Of course, before New Year’s, Anning also had to send gifts inside the palace.

She knew that Noble Princess Consort Chu was favored and had accumulated quite a few good things over the years, but there was nothing she truly lacked. So, Anning crafted a complete set of jewelry for her to give to Noble Princess Consort Chu personally.

Noble Princess Consort Chu was naturally very pleased to receive a set of jewelry personally designed by her daughter. At the New Year’s Eve Banquet, she proudly wore the set and received praise from Emperor Jianyuan, making many concubines in the harem envious.

By rights, on New Year’s Eve, Emperor Jianyuan should have stayed in the Empress’s palace.

But this year, Emperor Jianyuan chose to stay with Noble Princess Consort Chu on New Year’s Eve instead.

That night, Emperor Jianyuan gently stroked Noble Princess Consort Chu’s back and said, ”Chuchu, give me a child.”

Noble Princess Consort Chu nestled in Emperor Jianyuan’s embrace and wept: ”Your Majesty, for the sake of our promise, your Chuchu has taken many medicines over the years, which have ruined my health. I can no longer bear children.”

These words made Emperor Jianyuan feel like crying.

He became worried.

Emperor Jianyuan feared that after his death, his successor would mistreat Noble Princess Consort Chu, causing her grievances.

He had been contemplating this matter for a long time.

Now, he’s come to a realization, thinking to let Noble Princess Consort Chu have a prince, whom he could still guide with his energy, and in the future, pass the throne to Noble Princess Consort Chu’s son so that he could be reassured.

But hearing this statement today troubled Emperor Jianyuan immensely.

Noble Princess Consort Chu can no longer bear children; what will he do?

After the New Year, Anning and Xiao Yuan began to close their doors to guests.

Xiao Yuan picked up his books and studied intensely, while Anning managed home affairs and also prepared examination supplies for Xiao Yuan.

By February, during the spring chill, it’s also the time of the Imperial Examination.

This year’s spring arrived a bit late; though February usually brings some warmth, this year it remained bone-chilling cold.

Anning began making preparations for Xiao Yuan early on.

For the Imperial Examination, one cannot wear padded or cotton clothing, only single-layer clothing.

In January, Bai En delivered lots of thick, warm materials to Anning, some even wool products bought from the grasslands, for Anning to make clothes for Xiao Yuan.

Additonally, Bai En somehow sourced a thick wool blanket for Xiao Yuan to bring along, and also exam boxes, along with writing brushes and ink, as well as oil lamps and other necessities.

Meanwhile, Anning mainly prepared food items.

She prepared some self-heating pots.

Inside, she packed dried vegetables, as well as cakes and mixed seasoned dough pancakes with braised meat, braised eggs, and other items.

On the day of the Imperial Examination, Bai En was serving Emperor Jianyuan in Qianyuan Palace, but he was a bit absent-minded.

Emperor Jianyuan looked at Bai En after reviewing some memorials: ”Why, are you worried about your son-in-law?”

Bai En smiled: ”In response, Your Majesty, indeed, I am anxious about the boy. With such cold weather today, I wonder if he might catch a cold. Your Majesty, you do not know, my son-in-law truly loves my daughter; the couple is deeply affectionate, and if anything happens to the son-in-law, I fear my daughter may not live either.”

Emperor Jianyuan found it amusing yet irritating: ”You are such an ominous fellow. If you are worried, go and have a look; do not block my sight.”

Bai En fell to his knees: ”The Imperial Examination is an important matter for the nation; how can a servant eunuch like me interfere? I shall continue serving Your Majesty, lest it harms my son-in-law’s reputation.”

Seeing Bai En in such a state, Emperor Jianyuan sighed: ”Fine, fine. If you don’t want to go, then don’t. Also, don’t accompany me today; just go and rest.”

Bai En left with endless gratitude.

As soon as he exited Qianyuan Palace, Little Shunzi followed him.

”Godfather, brother-in-law has entered the exam hall. The guards inspecting him did not trouble him. When the exam numbers were assigned previously, I specifically found someone to get him a good exam room.”

Bai En then smiled: ”Good, keep an eye on him and make sure your brother-in-law is not disadvantaged. Do this well, and I’ll think of a way to get your sister out.”

Xiao Yuan entered the exam room, checked the environment first, and then began organizing his desk and sleeping area. Once everything was arranged, he washed his hands and waited for the exam questions.

As Xiao Yuan sat down, he surveyed the surroundings again. The exam hall in the Capital was built of bricks and stones, and only the bed inside the room and the desk for answering questions were wooden, the rest was made of blue bricks, which added an extra sense of security.

And Xiao Yuan noticed that these exam rooms were recently renovated, looking particularly new, probably finished no more than half a month ago.

He understood in his heart that this was likely Bai En’s arrangement as well.

Just this matter alone showed how much Bai En cared about him.

Previously, his fellow classmates had mentioned that most exam rooms in the exam halls were made of wood, which posed safety risks. If the weather was dry and a careless candidate tipped over an oil lamp, burning a section, the resulting deaths wouldn’t be just one or two.

Xiao Yuan knew these things, and naturally, Bai En did too.

He meticulously arranged everything to ensure Xiao Yuan’s safety, hoping to have him enter the exam hall peacefully and leave safely.

Xiao Yuan had just scanned the surroundings when the exam questions were distributed.

He had no time to think further and focused on reading the questions.

Five Origin Guard Mansion

Xin Lan comfortably leaned back on the couch, eating fresh tangerines that Mr. Wei didn’t know where he got, and several other fruits were arranged on the tall table in front of her.

Xin Lan watched as maids and old women came and went, all reporting the mansion’s situation, some coming to collect name tags. She put the tangerine down: ”Starting today, we must revise the rules in our mansion. From now on, I will set the menu, and every day the kitchen will buy ingredients according to the menu. Other than the Old Madam’s meals, the other masters will have their meals prepared and delivered to each room uniformly. If anyone wants something fresh, they must go buy it themselves or pay separately to have the kitchen prepare it. This way, it avoids wasting grains.”

All the maids and old women acknowledged the instructions.

Xin Lan smiled slightly.

She was very pleased in her heart.

She took control of the household immediately upon entering, and it didn’t take long for her to manage the entire Wei Residence. She changed personnel in key places or had them defect to her, giving her great satisfaction.

Now that she had taken hold of household affairs, she changed the dining rules.

She did it deliberately.

She remembered when Anning married into the Wei family, her dowry was rather skimpy. Mrs. Miao was not her real mother, nor did she have a concubine to plan for her, so naturally, Mrs. Miao withheld many dowry items when sending Anning out; her dowry was filled with impractical things, and there was not even much silver at the bottom of the trunk.

In truth, Anning was quite destitute.

And Xin Lan’s alteration of the rules was intentionally aimed at making Anning not eat well.

She remembered Anning’s preferences and aversions and specifically chose dishes Anning disliked or abhorred when setting the menu. If Anning couldn’t eat them, she’d have to find ways to buy, or pay the kitchen to cook special dishes.

Moreover, Xin Lan would court kitchen staff to charge extra, and Anning’s little silver would soon have to be spent thoroughly.

Additionally, Xin Lan had other plans to deliberately trouble Anning; before long, Anning would have to sell her dowry, and besides, her health would deteriorate step by step.

Thinking of these things, Xin Lan wanted to laugh.

She increasingly felt that marrying Mr. Wei was indeed a very good decision.