My father-in-law is Kangxi

Chapter 1872 Saying farewell to the old and welcoming the new
He Yuzhu delivered the New Year's Eve celebration tray from the Qianqing Palace to the West Wing.

Shushu and Mrs. Bo looked at each other.

Giving her just one copy would be quite decent, but it's not very practical.

The New Year's Eve plate has two layers in total, all of which are nine-piece plates. One layer is filled with various candied fruits, and the other layer is filled with various soft snacks. It is different from the usual hard-wheat cakes, dried fruits, and fresh fruits.

When He Yuzhu left and only the mother and daughter were left, Madam Bo said, "It's not a standard New Year's Eve plate. It must have been specially ordered. It's really quite decent."

Shushu didn't say anything and picked up a dried apricot and ate it.

It tastes sour and sweet, and makes your mouth water.

Well, if I get other things as rewards from the Qianqing Palace, they will only be registered and stored in the warehouse, and will be kept separately at that time.

Shushu looked around the plate, picked a candied cherry, and put it to Madam Bo's mouth, saying, "Try this. I heard it's a recipe passed down from the previous dynasty..."

The imperial kitchen doesn't prepare much every year, and Shushu has only eaten it twice in Concubine Yi's palace.

After eating it, Madam Bo said, "It's really good. It's pickled with white honey and honey tips..."

Honey tip is royal jelly, which is still a tribute today and cannot be easily bought outside.

Candied fruit with honey tips should not be eaten by children, but it is good for women and the elderly.

Shushu thought about his own pastry shop, which also had candied fruits, but none of them were as exquisite and high-quality as these.

Unfortunately, the imperial kitchen can use its own recipes, but it is difficult for me to decipher the imperial kitchen's recipes...

*
Dutongfu, the principal wife.

Niguzhu sat behind the table on the kang, leaning in Zhang's arms, looking at the several New Year's Eve plates on the table.

Some were sent by the Beile Mansion, some were sent by the Duke’s Mansion, and some were sent by Prince Kang’s Mansion, the General’s Mansion, and the Zhang Family.

Niguzhu pointed at one of them and said to Zhang: "The one at home..."

This New Year's Eve plate is a fresh fruit plate, which includes oranges, apples, hawthorns, persimmons, tomatoes and cantaloupe.

Tomatoes and melons are both produced in Shushu's greenhouse. They are not available outside. Niguzhu has seen them at home and made a note of them.

Zhang looked at it and found it rare. She said, "It's good to look at. It's fresher than ordinary fruits."

The tomatoes were small, about the size of eggs, so Jueluo shared them with everyone.

Although it doesn’t taste as sweet as apple, it has its own unique flavor and is refreshing.

The melon was as big as an adult's fist, so Jueluo handed it to the maid and asked her to cut it and arrange it on a plate.

Qi Xi looked at the eldest granddaughter beside Zhang and said, "Come here, big princess, Guo Luomafa has some good stuff here."

Niguzhu had just finished eating a tomato and was no longer greedy, so he stood up and ran to Qi Xi.

"What is Guo Luo Ma Fa?"

Niguzhu said this, looking at Qi Xi's hand with anticipation.

Qi Xi came from behind with a bright red brocade box.

Although he didn't know what was inside, Niguzhu smiled when he saw the brocade box.

Qi Xi opened the brocade box, and inside was a string of eighteen coral and jasper beads.

The red is pure red and the jasper is watermelon rind green, which looks very gorgeous.

"nice……"

Niguzhu's eyes lit up immediately.

Qi Xi took out the bracelet and put it in Niguzhu's hand.

Niguzhu took it with both hands and put it on his wrists like an adult.

But she was so small, and the bracelet was too big, so she just raised her arm and put it in her arm.

Jueluo was standing nearby and remembered that there was also a string of coral court beads that went with the bracelet.

This set is a treasure that Qi Xi had just bought, and the court beads were left for Shushu.

"Giggle cluck..."

Niguzhu did not hide his joy and laughed happily while holding the eighteen seeds.

Xiaoliu came up to her and said, "Big Princess, do you like coral? Later, Uncle Six will buy some for you..."

Niguzhu immediately shook his head and counted on his fingers, saying, "Ene said that you are not allowed to take things from your fifth, sixth, and seventh uncles. The uncles are young..."

Xiaoliu couldn't help but pick up Niguzhu and said, "Your seventh uncle is still young, but your sixth uncle is not young anymore..."

Niguzhu let him hold her and asked, "Then...how old is your sixth uncle?"

The other uncles are of a certain age, and the ones who accompany Niguzhu the most today are the uncles who are not yet adults.

Xiao Liu puffed out his chest and said, "It will be twelve tomorrow, which means it will be cold. Otherwise, Uncle Liu can take you to go horse racing!"

He was talking about twelve, which is the age in lunar calendar after the new year.

The weight of the Niguzhu was there, and it was a bit difficult for Xiaoliu to hold it, so he had to use more force with his arms.

Xiaowu was nearby and quickly took it.

The brothers are two years apart in age, but compared to the still childish Xiaoliu, Xiaowu already looks like a teenager.

Niguzhu also felt much more comfortable. He turned around and said to Xiaoliu, "Uncle Liu, don't hug me in the future. I'm heavy..."

As she said this, she still didn't forget her youngest uncle, and said to Xiao Qi: "Uncle, don't hold me, just hold my hand and walk with me, I'm a big kid now."

Xiao Qi looked at her niece who was a size bigger than herself and said honestly, "I can't hold her!"

Niguzhu immediately said righteously: "Then you can carry the little prince later. My father has given birth to a younger brother, and we can both carry him..."

Xiao Qi nodded and said, "Then let's go and hug them!"

Niguzhu shook his head and said, "You can't hold him now. The little brother needs to sleep. You can only hold him when he is older..."

The uncle and nephew are one year apart in age, and the room is full of noise as they talk to each other in childish ways.

After seeing it, Zhang still found it novel.

I have long known that Manchu customs are different from Han customs. From daily life to the New Year, they are completely different.

There are many Manchu customs and rules, and various particularities, but family members are less alienated from each other.

She had been a little reserved before, and Qi Xi and his wife knew that the Han people attached greater importance to the separation of men and women, so they tried their best to take care of Zhang.

With Niguzhu around for the past two days, Zhang has become much more relaxed. At least she has the nerve to mention it to Jueluo on her own initiative, and they can eat at the same table with everyone else without having to sit at a separate table.

She was a new bride who seldom saw anyone and usually kept a distance from them. Her brothers-in-law either kept a respectful distance from her or were polite and distant to her.

In the past two days, because of Niguzhu, the uncles and sisters-in-law have been spending more time together, and they have become less polite and more intimate...

*
In the Qianqing Palace, Kangxi was staying up all night with his concubines.

Such a grand reunion of the concubines in the six palaces only happens once a year.

On weekdays, concubines live in different palaces, and the ones you see on a daily basis are the main concubines and concubines of their own palace.

Only concubines of noble rank and above were qualified to pay respects in Ningshou Palace.

For example, many of the concubines, the grand concubines, and the concubines were only known by their surnames.

Only on New Year's Eve could everyone see all the concubines.

The main concubine has her own seat, and the seating arrangement is the same as when she pays respects in Ningshou Palace.

The chief of the east was Concubine Hui, and the chief of the west was Concubine Yi.

The Defei was the second in the east, and the second in the west was the Xianfu Palace Concubine.

The last concubine was Concubine Tong.

Opposite her were Concubine Shoudi and Concubine He.

Then came Concubine Liang and Concubine Min, and the first noble lady was Concubine Wang.

Kangxi looked at him, his eyes passing over Concubine Tong.

Earlier, he did have the intention of promoting Concubine Tong. In addition to promoting the Tong family, his main purpose was to check and balance the four concubines.

But now he has changed his mind.

Being able to tolerate Concubine Tong still being a concubine and living in Yongshou Palace was already his greatest mercy.

Looking at Concubine Tong in this way, he couldn't help but think of his uncle who was "old but not dead", and felt annoyed.

He only tolerated it because he saw Concubine Tong only once a year, otherwise he would have moved Concubine Tong out of the palace long ago.

Although he is an emperor, he is also a human being and has his own preferences.

He looked at the New Year plate in front of him, which contained oranges and Buddha's hands.

This is the annual tribute from the Governor of Guangdong and the Governor of Shandong.

Kangxi turned around and whispered to Liang Jiugong, "Go and prepare two plates of Zhongcui Palace."

Liang Jiugong responded in a low voice and went down to the imperial kitchen and the fruit room.

When the eunuch heard that the reward was given to Zhongcui Palace, he wondered, "This is the second time. Last time, they gave half a bucket of oranges, the same as Yikun Palace. Chengqian Palace only gave two plates..."

Oranges were the annual tribute from the Governor of Guangdong. They were sent to the capital over thousands of miles, and there were only ten barrels in total.

At that time, three barrels were sent to Ningshou Palace, two barrels were sent to Yuqing Palace, and only five barrels were received by the Qianqing Palace Fruit Storehouse.

Also rewarded a round.

This second round is only available in Zhongcui Palace.

Has this person fallen out of favor or not?
In the early years, before Zhongcui Palace was conferred the title of a palace, it did not have such dignity.

Liang Jiugong glared at the eunuch and said, "What are you talking about? You've been an official for so many years, and you still don't know the rules!"

The eunuch in charge immediately became obedient.

Liang Jiugong had served Kangxi for more than 40 years and knew that his master still had a deep affection for him.

Especially after Concubine Xi passed away, the emperor personally looked at the pulse records of the three concubines and Concubine Rong.

As for the concubines who came later, such as Concubine He and Concubine Wang, they were ultimately not as good as the old-time mistresses.

That was a bond that had grown over thirty years of companionship, no different from that of an ordinary couple. It was not at all comparable to that of these young, bored concubines.

Besides, there are the princes.

This is another inseparable entanglement.

The days of Zhongcui Palace being closed should be coming to an end soon.

Throughout the year, Empress Zhongcui Palace was rewarded according to the rules for concubines, not much different from Concubine Hui and Concubine Yi.

As for the two oranges...

Liang Jiugong guessed somewhat disrespectfully that the emperor might have forgotten the last time he rewarded him.

Otherwise, there would be no special instructions for today's New Year's Eve dish. I don't need anything else, just two plates of orange.

After tonight, the Emperor will be fifty.

Liang Jiugong is a few years older than the emperor, and he can clearly feel the changes in his body.

In his early years, when he was on duty beside the emperor, it was common for him to stand for four or five hours without feeling tired.

Now, after the same four or five hours, he felt it was getting hard to endure...