【Honestly, I’m curious too about how they’re going to make the plot work from here.】
【I don’t get it, but it’s still nice that Huanhuan can live with Sister Mei.】
【Maybe I should leave it alone and try logging in again.】
【Don’t bother trying, girl. It’s no use. My bullet comments appear instantly, so the app hasn’t crashed—the plot has changed.】
【I’m done. My mealtime show is gone.】
Hearing the chorus of wails, Yixiu raised an eyebrow with a smile.
So the plot the monsters talked about could change. Then she had nothing to worry about.
Yixiu idly stirred her teacup and took a sip.
“Jianqiu, have the attendants serving the Mistresses all been settled?”
Jianqiu nodded. “Everything has been taken care of as Your Highness instructed.”
Yixiu swirled the clear tea left at the bottom of her cup and said softly, “Have them keep well hidden. Don’t let anyone easily discover anything amiss and ruin this palace’s plans.”
Jianqiu acknowledged the order and turned to leave the hall.
Yixiu watched her retreating figure, then leisurely set down her teacup and turned her gaze to the sky beyond the hall.
It was already autumn. The sky was high and clear, and even clouds were a rare sight.
But who knew that autumn’s brief days would pass in the blink of an eye, while the heavy snows of deep winter were already gathering strength?
Times changed and the world moved on; it was best to make preparations early…
Three days later, the entire palace gathered for an audience.
The new Mistresses arrived at Jingren Palace to pay respects for the first time, standing in two rows on either side of the hall.
Yixiu entered with Jianqiu’s support, her face bright with a gentle smile. But when she saw the two empty seats at the head of the hall, her smile faded a little.
Consort Duan was in poor health, so it was only natural that she didn’t come to pay respects.
As for Consort Hua, there was no point even mentioning her.
Yixiu’s lips twitched slightly as she sat down facing the imperial consorts.
Without needing anyone to introduce them, Yixiu turned her gaze to Zhen Huan, who was dressed especially plainly.
She had heard the monsters mention Zhen Huan many times, but seeing her for herself was something else entirely. Zhen Huan truly did look so much like her elder sister—and so much like the person she hated most.
Especially her eyes, identical to her sister’s. Through those familiar brows and eyes, Yixiu seemed to see once more the Elder Legitimate Sister who had towered over her all those years ago.
The Elder Legitimate Sister who had taken everything Yixiu had worked so hard for, without even breaking a sweat.
At the memory of the past, the smile on Yixiu’s face faded further, and her eyes darkened.
Who would have thought? Her Elder Legitimate Sister had been dead for so many years, yet someone who looked so much like her would appear before her, wearing that detestable face.
She really was an inescapable ghost.
Yixiu tightened her grip on her teacup as she stared at the humble Zhen Huan below. Suddenly, a smile tugged at her lips.
Perhaps it was a good thing she looked like that woman. From now on, that face would have to kneel before Yixiu every day, bowing and scraping.
Yixiu smiled as she looked over Zhen Huan’s face, as if directing her derision at the Elder Legitimate Sister of the past.
Consort Hua arrived late. Seeing Yixiu’s smile and the new imperial consorts who had come to pay their respects, she felt sour all over.
She curtsied slightly. “This consort is late.”
Without waiting for Yixiu to reply, Consort Hua straightened and took the seat of honor.
Yixiu was long used to it. She glanced at Consort Hua with unruffled calm, then gestured to the eunuch beside her to remind the Mistresses to pay their respects.
Zhen Huan lowered her eyes and, in accordance with proper etiquette, knelt and kowtowed in greeting.
Seated above, Yixiu watched the woman who looked just like her sister kneel obediently before her, her smile gradually deepening.
After the three kneels and three bows, the Mistresses called in unison, “May the Empress enjoy good fortune and peace.”
Yixiu ignored the others and smiled at Zhen Huan.
Zhen Huan returned the Empress’s salute.
Yixiu adjusted her handkerchief, smiling without a word.
After paying their respects to the Empress, the Mistresses turned to pay their respects to Consort Hua.
Accustomed to acting arrogant and overbearing, Consort Hua immediately began making things difficult for them. Ignoring them as they knelt, she started talking about something else.
“Your Highness hasn’t looked well lately. Have the servants been neglecting their duties? The servants in my palace are fairly well trained. I’ll send a couple over to Jingren Palace one of these days.”
Yixiu enjoyed the show, lifting a cup of tea and taking a small sip.
“You misunderstand, Younger Sister. His Majesty has been worried about state affairs lately. I worry over what worries him, and have been unable to eat or sleep well, which is why I look a little pale. You, on the other hand, are still radiant, no less beautiful than before.”