Yu Tang Hall.
Granny Qu was elaborating on the events of the previous night: “The young mistress had already reached the outer perimeter of Xuanzheng Hall when she witnessed the scene and immediately fainted from fright. This old servant couldn’t rouse her no matter how hard I tried.”
“In the palace, beating or killing palace maids and eunuchs is commonplace, yet she proved utterly useless.”
Granny Qu conveniently omitted the part where her own legs had turned to jelly from fear.
Consort Rong stroked her teacup, her cool gaze causing Granny Qu’s voice to gradually fade away.
Just then, a palace attendant entered to announce: “Your Highness, Miss Nan has arrived.”
“Let her in.”
Nan Shu had few memories of this Consort Rong in her mind. She lowered her eyes as she entered the hall and knelt: “This humble subject pays respects to Xiuyi Niangniang. Please forgive my offense, Your Highness, for I have failed in the task entrusted to me.”
Consort Rong’s gaze lingered on her. Though the young woman was plainly dressed, she couldn’t conceal her exquisite beauty. Her face appeared as if meticulously carved by the gods – even the most vibrant spring scenery in the capital couldn’t compare to her stunning appearance.
As she bowed, her graceful posture appeared delicate and pitiable, truly a captivating beauty.
Consort Rong, whose own features were dignified and gentle, smiled as she approached and helped Nan Shu to her feet: “Cousin, please rise.”
Surprised by Consort Rong’s kindness, Nan Shu breathed a sigh of relief: “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Consort Rong took her hand and sat with her on the soft couch: “You needn’t blame yourself too much. His Majesty has always been temperamental. I never expected you to definitely serve the Imperial Carriage. If I hadn’t remained childless all these years, my family wouldn’t have sent you into the palace. You were acting on my behalf – I should be thanking you, not blaming you.”
Consort Rong’s father, General Rong, Pillar of the State, was a meritorious official who supported His Majesty’s ascension to the throne. The General’s household enjoyed supreme honor, their rewards having reached the pinnacle.
Among noble families, the closest relationship is through marriage, and the same holds true for the imperial family.
Back then, several major contributors to the throne all wanted to send their daughters into the palace. To them, this signified both close sovereign-subject relations and a form of restraint.
Unfortunately, His Majesty never visited the rear palace. Even when he permitted their entry into the palace, it was only after that calamity three years ago, to appease the court officials.
After three years in the palace, she remained a virgin.
Unaware of Consort Rong’s thoughts, Nan Shu hurriedly responded: “I am eternally grateful for General Rong’s care and Your Highness’s kindness. I don’t deserve your thanks.”
Consort Rong patted her hand: “Since the matter didn’t succeed, let it be. This time, I only managed to summon you into the palace using the Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration as pretext for having you help prepare birthday gifts. After the Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration concludes in one month, I’ll send you out of the palace.”
Unexpectedly, beyond the darkness came another village – didn’t this mean she only needed to safely pass one month in the palace before she could leave!
Suppressing her excitement, Nan Shu rose to express gratitude: “Thank you, Your Highness.”
After conversing with Consort Rong a while longer, Nan Shu returned to the palace of gathered elegance.
Sitting by the window, she gazed at the nearby Water Caltrop Mirror.
The mirror reflected the blue bed curtains and her familiar countenance. For a moment, Nan Shu felt as if she had returned to that separate courtyard.
After staring for a long time, dizziness overcame her. When she refocused her gaze, those familiar eyes in the mirror stared back at her, though the worry between the brows had lessened, replaced by a glimmer of hope for the future.
In her previous life, living under someone else’s roof had accustomed her to enduring everything in silence. From the northwest to Jingcheng, she had never been able to make her own choices, yet she had never coveted any official position – all she sought was a place to settle down.
She had done nothing wrong – she was merely guilty of possessing a treasure that attracted trouble.
Now she was no longer Shen Lan Shu; she had a new identity and should embrace a new life.
Nan Shu had never imagined staying in the palace because of her daughter Sui An. Yan Pingxiao was compensating his guilt toward the dead through Sui An, but if the deceased were to return to life, that guilt would vanish entirely, even turning into annoyance.
All she needed was to know her Sui Sui was safe. There was nothing in this imperial palace worth her attachment. She wanted to leave the palace and choose her own life.
The next day, Nan Shu woke very early. She got out of bed without disturbing the palace maids outside.
After washing up, Nan Shu noticed a plate of osmanthus cakes on the table.
In her previous life, she had been allergic to osmanthus, but she didn’t know if this body would have the same reaction.
Nan Shu picked up a piece of the pastry and put it in her mouth.
Although she only had to stay in the palace for a month, she was still in the inner court. To avoid running into him, she needed an excuse to cover her face.
Nan Shu waited for nearly a quarter of an hour but saw no reaction on her face. She sighed deeply, then simply picked up some rouge and manually created the appearance of a rash.
Thus, when Qing Zhu came to wake her, she found Nan Shu’s face covered in red spots.
“Miss, what happened to you?” Qing Zhu was frantic. “This servant will report to Xiuyi Niangniang and summon the imperial physician!”
“No need!” Nan Shu stopped her. “It’s just a rash from eating something I shouldn’t have. It’s nothing serious and will clear up in a few days.”
“My presence here has already disturbed Her Ladyship. There’s no need to trouble her further with such a minor matter.”
After Nan Shu repeatedly assured her she was fine, Qing Zhu gave up the idea of calling the physician but still went to Granny Qu to fetch some ointment for her.
After freshening up, Granny Qu arrived and instructed Nan Shu to move to Yu Tang Hall:
“Her Ladyship said the Storage Palace is rather too far. Yesterday, she had the west wing tidied up. From now on, you will reside there, Miss Cousin.”
Nan Shu had no choice but to agree. Fortunately, she didn’t have much luggage. After having Qing Zhu pack up, she moved to Yu Tang Hall.
When Consort Rong saw her wearing a veil, she frowned subtly.
“Granny Qu mentioned you ate something unsuitable. Shall we call the imperial physician to examine you?”
Nan Shu quickly shook her head. “I’ve already applied medicine, Your Ladyship. It’s nothing serious. There’s no need to trouble the physician.”
Consort Rong didn’t press further and instead said, “The Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet is approaching. I have a statue of Guanyin here. Since the master is currently in the palace, would you be willing to take it to Fahua Hall daily for him to chant sutras and bless it?”
Nan Shu had no reason to refuse. She accepted the task, and Granny Qu led her to her new room.
Granny Qu added a reminder:
“You’ll stay here, Miss Cousin. Remember to deliver the item to Fahua Hall before sunset. If you’re late, the abbot won’t be available.”
“I understand. Thank you, Granny.”
Nan Shu gazed at the Guanyin statue. The compassionate bodhisattva seemed to look back at her.
As she looked, Nan Shu felt her heart grow calm. She had heard that the Imperial City was heavy with yin energy, which was why those in the palace, whether they believed in Buddhism or not, enshrined Buddha statues. Nan Shu’s heart became especially devout.
She hadn’t believed in gods or Buddhas before, but now she had no choice. If not for divine mercy, how could she have been reborn into this life?
She only prayed that Buddha would protect her and allow her to leave the palace safely, without any mishaps.
It was nearly evening by the time she and Qing Zhu finished tidying the room. Worried about missing the deadline, Nan Shu hurried to Fahua Hall with the Guanyin statue.
The rear courtyard of Yu Tang Hall bordered a bamboo grove, and passing through this grove led to Fahua Hall.
The bluestone path was somewhat slippery, and Nan Shu walked cautiously. Suddenly, a white shadow darted past her feet.
“Ah!” Nan Shu exclaimed, quickly steadying herself against a nearby tree trunk to avoid falling.
When she looked closely, she realized it was a small cat.
The little white cat stood on the bluestone path, tilting its head to look at her.
Its fluffy white fur had a small patch of yellow on its back, and Nan Shu immediately recognized it as Mian Mian, the cat she had adopted while living in the Separate Courtyard.
“Mian Mian…”
The kitten seemed to recognize her too, suddenly flopping onto the ground and rolling over to show its belly while meowing at her.
“Meow~” Mian Mian happily swished its tail, rolling on the ground to expose its white belly.
Nan Shu’s heart melted.
After five years, her Mian Mian was still alive.
She glanced around and, seeing no one nearby, dared to crouch down and gently poke Mian Mian’s belly, whispering, “Where did you come from?”
Mian Mian wrapped its pink paw pads around her wrist, licking the back of her hand and making Nan Shu giggle from the ticklish sensation.
But she didn’t dare stay with it for long.
“Hurry back now, I have to go too.”
After petting Mian Mian for a while, Nan Shu’s eyes reddened. Reluctantly, she hugged and kissed the kitten.
Seeing her about to leave, Mian Mian paused for a moment before meowing more loudly, as if protesting why Nan Shu was ignoring it.
When Nan Shu didn’t turn back, the kitten got up and trotted over, rubbing its back against her calf.
The little creature meowed even louder, seemingly confused about why she wouldn’t pay attention to it or hold it.
Nan Shu had no choice but to crouch down again, stroking its fluffy fur while whispering, “Mian Mian is such a good kitty. I’m relieved to see he’s been taking good care of you. You must behave from now on and not run around.”
“Where are you, Your Highness?”
A voice seemed to call from the distance. Startled, Nan Shu hurriedly hugged Mian Mian one last time before quickly getting up and leaving.
Mian Mian meowed repeatedly, wanting to chase after her, but instead encountered Yuanbao who had come looking for it.
Yuanbao ran over, panting: “Oh dear, Your Highness, where have you been playing? The princess has been worried sick.”
He bent down to pick up the kitten from the ground, but just as he was about to touch it, Mian Mian’s fur bristled. It hissed, revealing its small sharp teeth.
Yuanbao felt like crying – even after five years of serving this cat, it remained completely unaffectionate toward him!