Don’t Waste a Good Mealtime (Qing Dynasty)

[A small, weak, but big-eating bunny × a restrained yet secretly passionate big bad wolf]

Modern-day nutritionist Qian Wanning transmigrated one day and became a maid serving Nian Shilan.

It was the end of the Kangxi era, and an imperial edict calling for a selection of consorts was imminent. The eldest daughter of the Nian family was expected to enter the palace.

Her elder brother, Nian Gengyao, had always doted on his sister and didn't want her to be held hostage in the deep palace.

So he set his sights on Qian Wanning, whose features were refined and dignified, and forced her to take his sister's place in the selection.

Qian Wanning tried to play dumb and get rejected, but fate had other plans.

The selection officials took a liking to her, and she made it through one round after another, reaching the final selection.

Emperor Kangxi personally betrothed her to Aisin Gioro Yinzhen, the Prince Yong, whose power was on the rise.

Once inside Prince Yong's residence, Qian Wanning kept a low profile.

She knew her position was awkward: she was a substitute bride, and the future sister of a disgraced minister.

She also knew the principal consort, Ula-Nara, came from a distinguished family, conducted herself with dignity, and had Yinzhen's deep respect. So Qian Wanning never dreamed of status or favor.

All she wanted was to slip into the little kitchen in her spare time, cook some familiar food to satisfy her cravings, and get through her days in the palace in peace.

Life was peaceful and pleasant until one day, Ula-Nara happened to pass by the side courtyard and caught the comforting aroma of soup. After tasting a mouthful, she couldn't stop thinking about it, and learned of Qian Wanning's talent.

Seeing how gentle and humble Qian Wanning was, and how deft her hands were, the Princess Consort personally escorted her to Yinzhen's study, smiling as she teased, “Such wonderful cooking should be shared with the prince, too.”

Qian Wanning was utterly bewildered. ??? This isn't how the story is supposed to go! In palace dramas, isn't the Princess Consort supposed to suppress the newcomer and scheme against her? Why is she volunteering to offer her up?

Yinzhen had paid little attention to this side consort, assuming she was just a pawn sent by the Nian family.

But the moment he tasted the pastries Qian Wanning had made herself, she piqued his interest.

He had seen plenty of women who were sycophantic and calculating. Qian Wanning alone seemed to care only about food, with a nature as pure as a blank sheet. Even her occasional retaliation in kind struck him as lively and adorable.

From then on, Qian Wanning's life in the prince's residence turned around completely: Yinzhen picked her nameplate every day; Ula-Nara treated her like a sister; and the household servants no longer dared slight her.

Qian Wanning remained as big an eater as ever, and the little kitchen became her personal domain. Yinzhen became her most devoted “taste tester.”

From the side courtyard of Prince Yong's residence to the Forbidden City's inner palace, from Prince Yong's side consort to Emperor Yongzheng's Noble Consort Dunsu, ten years passed, and her favor never diminished.

Even when her brother, Nian Gengyao, later grew too powerful and was condemned to death, Yinzhen continued to protect her, never involving her in his downfall.

When she fell seriously ill, he even elevated her to Imperial Noble Consort and suspended court for five days to care for her.

Bonus Scene:

One day during the daily morning and evening palace greetings,

Qian Wanning sat firmly in the Noble Consort's seat, holding power over the Six Palaces.

The newly promoted consorts gazed at the woman most favored by Emperor Yongzheng and earnestly asked her to share the secret to keeping his favor.

Holding a osmanthus cake, Qian Wanning took a big bite and said with a muffled laugh, “There's no secret. I suppose I just know how to eat, and it happens to suit His Majesty's taste.”

[Reading Guide]

1. The heroine is sweet, adorable, and loves to eat. She sees through things and avoids worldly struggles. She doesn't seek out palace intrigue, but comes with a built-in buff.

2. Based on the historical life of Imperial Noble Consort Dunsu (Nian): betrothed by Emperor Kangxi, bearing children while Yongzheng was still a prince, Nian Gengyao's rise and fall, her elevation to Imperial Noble Consort while alive, and her burial beside Yongzheng after death. The key historical events will not be rewritten.

3. No catfights between women. The Princess Consort is her best friend, the male lead spoils his wife without limits, and troublemaking side characters all end up helping the leads. The heroine wins by eating well. The story's motto: “Long are the years in the deep palace; all I need is good food and you by my side.”

Theme: Promote Chinese culinary culture and the virtues of the sages.