But Wei Yao still tried to maintain her composure, unwilling to admit that the woman before her was the Heavenly Maiden. If she did, she would be forced to show her respect.
After all, the emperor had said that within the palace, anyone who met the Heavenly Maiden must treat her with respect.
Yet now, she stubbornly refused to show reverence to this mysterious Heavenly Maiden. Why should she?
“This lady truly has quite a temper. I’ve heard of you in the palace—Wei Fei is said to be His Majesty’s favorite, a truly beautiful woman. But seeing you now… indeed, you are quite lovely.”
Yun Shang only smiled slightly, unbothered by Wei Yao’s tantrums. She felt a pang of pity for the flower in Wei Yao’s hand—so fresh, yet its petals had been plucked and scattered carelessly.
“Who exactly are you? How dare you act so arrogantly before me!”
Wei Yao’s eyes narrowed. She was trying to figure out her next move, and the calm, unflustered demeanor of the girl before her confirmed her suspicions.
This person really was the Heavenly Maiden. Seeing her so beautiful, Wei Yao felt all the more uncomfortable. Her suspicion was correct—the emperor had been bewitched by the maiden’s beauty, valuing her above all else. And what did that make Wei Yao? Cast aside, as though she were nothing.
“I live in the Heavenly Mechanism Palace.”
Yun Shang remained composed. In just a few words, she had made it clear: she resided in the Heavenly Mechanism Palace, where only the Heavenly Maiden and Imperial Mentor dwelled. Wei Yao should have understood immediately.
“So this is the Heavenly Maiden I’ve only heard of in stories! I’ve heard she possesses numerous abilities that bring happiness to His Majesty, which is why he spared no effort in constructing this grand, resplendent Heavenly Mechanism Palace. Such fortune is beyond anything I could ever wish for!”
Wei Yao spoke as if only now realizing the truth, her tone laced with sarcasm. Her hostility toward Yun Shang seemed to overflow from her very being.
Intuition told her that the Heavenly Maiden and Imperial Mentor were trouble—ever since their appearance, she had been neglected. It was as if fate itself had set them as rivals.
“I’ve also heard that before entering the palace, you were the daughter of a duke’s household, cherished by your family. No wonder you were raised so proud and spoiled. Entering the palace and gaining the emperor’s favor, your life must have been smooth sailing all along.”
Yun Shang gently touched the scattered flower petals, carefully observing Wei Yao.
If one looked closely, there was a slight resemblance between Wei Yao and Ah Du. After all, they shared the same father, siblings bound by blood.
“Thank you for your kind words, Heavenly Maiden. May your blessing come to fruition.”
Wei Yao smiled and lowered her eyes, accepting the words. If this truly was the Heavenly Maiden, she might as well treat it as a blessing for herself.
“If the Heavenly Maiden has no further business, I shall not disturb your appreciation of the flowers. But I must remind you: snatching things from others is not a proper action.”
Wei Yao’s voice dripped with sarcasm. She turned and left without waiting for Yun Shang’s response, clearly disregarding the emperor’s command.
Everyone said one must show respect to the Heavenly Maiden—but why? Was she a consort with rank? Wei Yao herself was a legitimate consort—why should she bow to a mysterious, unknown woman?
“Host, that woman is outrageous! Aren’t you angry?” the system fumed.
Yun Shang had seen Wei Yao’s hostility the moment she spoke, and now her disrespect was outright. Truly intolerable.
“Of course I’m angry. But why, then, does Ah Du have such a sister? Even siblings can have such different temperaments,” Yun Shang murmured as she watched Wei Yao’s retreating figure.
It was clear how greatly environment shaped a person. Wei Yao had grown up pampered in a duke’s household, then became a favored consort in the palace—she exuded pride and fearlessness.
Ah Du, however, remembered the child he first saw: timid, wary, shaped by hardship. Had he grown up in the same environment, with the same training, could he not have become a refined noble as well?
“Where did you go, sister? I was reading those medical books just now. I waited a long time, but you never returned.”
Back in the Heavenly Mechanism Palace, Ah Du hurried to take Yun Shang’s hand. He was used to such closeness; even a short absence made him restless, unable to focus on anything.
“I went for a walk in the Imperial Garden. The palace is huge, and the flowers are beautiful.” Yun Shang smiled faintly, glancing at Ah Du’s handsome features.
Seeing Ah Du grow so capable, so talented, filled her with a subtle pride. After all, she had nurtured him herself.
“Sister, why do you want to stay here? What use is the title of Heavenly Maiden and Imperial Mentor for us? Even gaining the emperor’s trust—what does that really accomplish?”
Ah Du sat beside her, finally voicing the question he had held in for so long. It had been nearly half a month in the palace, spending every day in the Heavenly Mechanism Palace reading books, rarely going out.
“You’ll understand soon enough.”
Yun Shang’s face was gentle, full of affection. According to the original timeline, after Ah Du had been experimented on by the old man, he would have left the mountain to find his real father.
After countless obstacles, he would discover that his father was the Duke of An, his sister Wei Yao a favored consort, and his brother a friend of the Third Prince. How could he have sought revenge then?
Even if he stormed the duke’s mansion in anger, no matter his skill or poisons, what could he do against the palace guards?
For the Duke of An, each child served a purpose. A suddenly appearing abandoned child would naturally be eliminated.
“Alright. I’ll follow your lead, sister. Whatever you say is right.” Ah Du crouched down, rubbing his hand against Yun Shang’s leg like a well-behaved puppy.
If she didn’t want him asking questions, he would ask no more. If she chose to stay in the palace, he would stay. Whatever she wished to do, he would obey, forever by her side.
In the palace, the emperor often visited the Heavenly Mechanism Palace. Having witnessed Yun Shang’s true abilities, he respected her genuinely, believing that this pair of siblings were extraordinary beings with an important role to play.