Meng Yunwan could almost picture the Empress’s face suddenly darkening.
She clenched her fists, glaring unfavorably at the Crown Prince before her, who was known for his unrestrained and carefree demeanor.
In truth, she could have pretended to be foolish and dull-witted—this would have both repelled the Crown Prince and put an end to the Empress’s concerns. Yet she chose not to do so—she had not entered the palace to be manipulated by others!
Rather than hiding her abilities and playing it safe, it was better to grow so strong that no one would dare to look down on or mistreat her.
In just a few breaths, Meng Yunwan had already devised a plan. She took a few steps forward and spoke softly to Ling Qianche, who wore a mocking smile:
“The sages taught us to speak with caution and revere benevolence. For Your Highness to now comment on a young woman like me—does that not violate the sages’ warnings?”
Ling Qianche’s brows furrowed so tightly they could crush a fly. He said disdainfully, “You, a little girl, spouting morality and virtue—isn’t that pedantic? Besides, what do those sage teachings have to do with me?”
“Very well, then let’s talk about something related to Your Highness—may I ask, have you finished today’s lessons?”
Ling Qianche was taken aback, clearly caught off guard. “Huh?”
He looked utterly bewildered. “What does it matter to you whether I’ve finished my lessons or not?”
Meng Yunwan smiled innocently. “Her Majesty has instructed me to join you in the study in a few days to read together. If Your Highness doesn’t diligently complete your lessons now, you’ll be outperformed by me in the upcoming imperial examination. How could that not concern me?”
Meng Yunwan smiled cheerfully, enjoying the sight of Ling Qianche’s face turning pale and then flushed. She guessed that as a spoiled young noble, he must have been stung by her words.
Ling Qianche was indeed stung!
He was furious!
Even though he had consistently ranked last in Shangshufang for years, Shangshufang was still Shangshufang. Not long ago, the tutor had personally remarked that he had already reached the level of a xiucai. How could he possibly be outperformed by a newcomer like this little girl?
He immediately clamored to make a bet with Meng Yunwan.
“What’s the bet?” Meng Yunwan asked.
“The loser has to crawl on the ground like a dog!” The young man’s tone was arrogant, showing no concern that he might lose.
Meng Yunwan pretended to hesitate, finally relenting as if worn down by his persistence.
Ling Qianche left, thoroughly satisfied.
As soon as he was gone, Qianbi anxiously stepped forward to advise, “Miss, this bet is far too risky. What if…”
“It’s fine. I’m certain I can win against him.”
Meng Yunwan patted Qianbi’s hand and glanced sideways, noticing that the maid who had been peeking from the corridor earlier was now gone.
She smiled with satisfaction.
Less than half an hour after returning to her quarters, rewards began flowing in like a steady stream.
Compared to the perfunctory bracelet gifted earlier at Fengyi Hall, the jewelry sets, hair ornaments, clothing, and accessories this time were clearly bestowed with care.
Meng Yunwan expressed her gratitude with utmost deference. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Fang Momo smiled as she helped her up. “Her Majesty said that Miss Meng understands propriety and reason, and will surely achieve great things in the future.”
After a pause, she couldn’t help adding, “As soon as you left today, His Highness the Crown Prince, for the first time ever, voluntarily went to study. Her Majesty was overjoyed!”
Meng Yunwan replied modestly, “It is Her Majesty’s skillful guidance.”
Fang Momo left, satisfied.
“Filigree inlaid gem gold bracelet, tortoiseshell comb, peacock feather cape, enamel dressing case, ivory palace fan, seven-treasure necklace, amber prayer beads, enamel hand warmer with interlocking lotus patterns, silk gauze, Shu brocade, cloud brocade, shimmering brocade, gold-woven brocade…”
Qianbi carefully tallied the day’s gifts from the Empress, clicking her tongue in awe. “Her Majesty’s generosity is truly remarkable!”
Meng Yunwan also felt somewhat dazed. In her previous life, she had never seen so many fine treasures, even up until her death.
The marquis’s mansion’s wealth and resources were always prioritized for her elder brothers first. She had supported their smooth rise to prominence, yet in the end, she hadn’t even worn a single gold bracelet.
A short while later, Madam Wen returned from the Empress Dowager’s palace.
Her face was dark with anger, and her clothes were crumpled and disheveled. She was supported back by her maidservant.
“Mother, what happened?” Meng Yunwan asked as she poured tea for her.
Madam Wen seemed utterly exhausted, shaking her head without a word. Auntie Chen, who had helped support her, spoke indignantly, “The Empress Dowager punished Madam by making her kneel for three hours!”
“The Empress Dowager accused Madam of bewitching the Emperor’s heart, saying that even after all these years, she still had His Majesty pining for her. She told Madam to abandon any thoughts of competing for favor, declaring that as long as she lived, she would never allow His Majesty to grant Madam any official rank!”
Auntie Changqiu, recalling the humiliation they had endured earlier in the Shoukang Palace, felt a surge of anger. She then turned to Madam Wen, her eyes filled with pity.
As if anyone cared about becoming a consort! It was clearly that old hag’s own failure to discipline her son, yet now she was shifting all the blame onto their Madam!
Madam Wen and her mother-in-law had never gotten along in the past. Who could have imagined that, through a twist of fate, Madam Wen would once again become that old woman’s daughter-in-law!
It was utterly infuriating!
Madam Wen waved her hand wearily. “Enough, why speak of such things in front of the child? Yunwan is still young.”
Meng Yunwan quietly observed her mother.
In the dim lamplight, her simple moon-white gown could not conceal her elegance. When her phoenix eyes lifted, a hint of pride was visible—a face of breathtaking beauty.
Over the years in the marquis’s mansion, her mother and father had not been particularly harmonious.
Nor was she particularly close to her two daughters.
Even when the Emperor permitted her to bring one daughter into the palace, she had seemed extremely reluctant, as if she had no need for any familial companionship.
Having lived two lifetimes, Meng Yunwan still felt she had never truly understood her mother.
At that moment, the eunuch arrived with the imperial decree, summoning Madam Wen to the Zhaoyang Hall to attend the Emperor.
Madam Wen smiled coldly and remained seated, unmoving.
The eunuch appeared somewhat troubled.
Noticing this, Meng Yunwan spoke gently to her mother, “The candlelight is a bit too bright and glaring. Could I trouble you, Mother, to extinguish the lamp beside you?”
As Madam Wen stood up, she was lightly tripped.
Losing her balance, she stumbled and fell. Turning back, she looked at her daughter with shock and suspicion.
Yet Meng Yunwan remained expressionless and addressed the eunuch, “Eunuch, my mother is unwell. She spent some time speaking with the Empress Dowager earlier today and is now so exhausted that she becomes dizzy when walking. It would be unfortunate if her condition disturbed His Majesty during the night…”
Madam Wen’s delicate brows furrowed slightly.
Only after the eunuch had left did she voice her confusion. Meng Yunwan said gravely, “Mother, His Majesty is the Son of Heaven. Even if you detest him to the core, you must not give others an obvious reason to find fault. All under heaven belongs to the Emperor—we cannot afford to offend him!”
Seeing the astonishment in her mother’s eyes, Meng Yunwan sighed silently.
She remembered how, in her previous life, her mother had also faced difficulties when she first entered the palace. Meng Yu Tang had then urged her to confront them head-on, claiming that given the Emperor’s affection for her, she could make a scene without him holding it against her. This, she argued, would show others her mother’s strength and prevent them from looking down on the mother and daughter.
And her mother had foolishly believed it.
She followed every word Meng Yu Tang said.
Thus, they gradually made more enemies, until in the end, when pushed to the brink, not a single person came to their aid.
At this thought, Meng Yunwan’s gaze grew resolute. “Mother, in this vast palace, only we two, mother and daughter, depend on each other. You must believe me.”
“Mother, your daughter will always stand with you.”
Madam Wen’s eyes held a subtle, complex surge of emotion. When had Yun Guan grown into such an intelligent and perceptive young woman?
Could it truly be something innate in her very bones?