Yaohua Hall.
Wen Lier was currently playing chess against herself.
Ever since His Highness had gifted her the chess manual last time, she felt she had improved considerably.
Just as she was considering whether to visit the West Hall to play a few rounds with Sister Lin, a maid from Fuyao Hall came to deliver a message.
It was an invitation from the Crown Princess for the three Bong Yis to attend a flower appreciation banquet at Fuyao Hall.
Flower appreciation?
Wen Lier found it somewhat strange.
Since they had entered the Eastern Palace, aside from their morning greetings at Fuyao Hall, they hardly ever saw the Crown Princess at other times.
The Crown Princess had never summoned them outside of those morning sessions either.
Hearing that all three Bong Yis were invited, Mama Qin finally breathed a sigh of relief.
That large Golden Turtle His Highness had gifted last time—
Initially, she had been delighted for her mistress, but upon later reflection, she grew apprehensive.
Given the symbolism of the Golden Turtle here, it might displease the Crown Princess.
But since it had already been accepted, they could only deal with challenges as they came.
Mama Qin urged Qing Zhu and Qing Mei, “You two, hurry and help our mistress with her attire. Don’t delay and risk displeasing the Crown Princess.”
Wen Lier wasn’t particularly keen on going, but how could she dare refuse an invitation from the Crown Princess?
Pleading illness now would seem too deliberate.
Well then, she would go.
She changed into a jade-green Ruqun, simply tied her hair back, and inserted just one emerald jade hairpin, wearing no makeup.
Mama Qin advised from the side, “Mistress, perhaps change into that peach-red brocade dress? And apply some light makeup?”
The Crown Princess was inviting them to appreciate flowers, yet her mistress was stubbornly dressing herself like a green leaf.
Wen Lier thought this was just fine.
She shook her head and said, “Mama, this will do. Changing now will make us late.”
Mama Qin had no choice but to let her be.
When Wen Lier arrived at the entrance of Yaohua Hall, she saw Lin Fujia slowly emerging with several servants in tow.
Lin Fujia was wearing a light pink sprinkled-flower dress today, her hair adorned with several small pearl flowers, giving her a gentle and lovely appearance.
Seeing Wen Lier dressed so simply, she was momentarily taken aback, then quickly found words to compliment, “Sister Wen looks refreshingly elegant today, like a green-clad fairy from the forest.”
Wen Lier chuckled at this.
She laughed and said, “Sister Lin’s attire is truly beautiful today, just like a flower fairy. Let’s go. The Crown Princess has invited us; we should hurry so as not to be late.”
“Alright.”
Qiu Momo, having been embarrassed after her last trip to the East Hall to boast about her mistress being summoned by the Crown Prince to serve him, had been keeping a low profile in the West Hall lately.
Now, seeing Mama Qin, she quickly approached, addressing her repeatedly as “old sister.”
“Old sister, look at our Lin Fengyi—she still hasn’t served His Highness yet. Could you share some advice? When our Fengyi successfully serves His Highness, we will surely reward you handsomely.”
It turned out that in Qiu Momo’s mind, Wen Lier’s ability to catch the Crown Prince’s eye and receive three rewards was all due to Mama Qin’s clever strategies.
After all, with Wen Lier’s plain face all day and somewhat simple demeanor, she didn’t seem like the type to attract His Highness’s favor.
Mama Qin sneered inwardly; this “old sister” was truly naive.
If she really had any tricks, why would she share them with Lin Fengyi?
Wouldn’t it be far better to use them to secure her own mistress’s favor than to rely on some promised reward?
Seeing her reluctance to speak, Qiu Momo grew increasingly anxious.
If Lin Fengyi never managed to rise in status, when would she, the head stewardess of the West Hall of Yaohua Hall, ever get her chance to advance?
“Sister, I truly beg you, please give me some advice.”
As she spoke, she even attempted to bow to Mama Qin, but Mama Qin swiftly stepped aside.
“Why beg me? It would be more effective to pray to the Bodhisattva. I truly have no ideas—you must think of something yourselves.”
With that, Mama Qin strode ahead.
Qiu Momo, having humbled herself to such an extent only to be met with Mama Qin’s dismissiveness, felt her heart nearly burst with rage.
However, since Wen Fengyi was currently more favored than Lin Fengyi, she forcibly held her tongue and said nothing more.
Mama Qin paid her no further mind.
Wen Lier and Lin Fujia, walking ahead, were completely unaware of the conversation between the two stewardesses behind them.
Lin Fujia said, “Sister Wen, His Highness treats you so well. That Golden Turtle is truly magnificent.”
After learning that the Crown Prince had gifted Wen Lier the Golden Turtle, Lin Fujia had gone to admire it at the first opportunity.
Even now, she was still envious…
Wen Lier nodded in agreement, “It is indeed quite magnificent.”
Lin Fujia recalled her own recent audience with His Highness, which had ended so disappointingly.
Her heart filled with mixed emotions, and she fell silent for the rest of the walk.
Wen Lier was not particularly talkative either. Seeing Lin Fujia quiet down, she assumed she wasn’t in the mood to speak and remained silent as well.
The two continued walking toward Fuyao Hall.
As they neared their destination, unexpectedly, a snow-white, long-haired Pekingese suddenly darted out.
Lin Fujia, who was afraid of dogs, let out a frightened scream and stumbled back two steps, nearly stepping on Zixiu and Zixin behind her.
The dog, startled by her cry, bristled all over and began barking incessantly at Wen Lier and her companions.
Just then, a radiant young woman came running over, holding up her skirts.
As she ran, she called out, “Xue Bao’er, come back!”
Behind her trailed a large entourage of palace attendants.
The woman was exquisitely beautiful, with features like a painting—cherry-red lips, skin like frozen jade, and she wore a magnificent palace gown that swept the ground.
Her skirt was embroidered with intricate gold-thread floral patterns, primarily deep red in color, adorned with golden cloud motifs.
Over it, she wore a gossamer-thin shawl, embroidered with cloud patterns that fluttered lightly with her movements, like wisps of rosy clouds.
Wen Lier and Lin Fujia quickly stepped aside and bowed, “Greetings, Princess Tai’an.”
This woman was Yang Guifei’s biological daughter, Yan Shiyan.
Second in line, her title was ‘Tai’an’.
Yan Shiyan ignored them and strode forward to scoop up the frantically barking Pekingese, her heart aching with concern.
After soothing it for a moment, she glared at Wen Lier and Lin Fujia when Xue Bao’er continued to bark.
Recognizing them as consorts from the Eastern Palace, Yan Shiyan’s face instantly turned cold.
On the night of the meteor shower, a fire had broken out in a side hall of the Eastern Palace. The Crown Prince had watched the meteor shower, inviting calamity.
He should have been stripped of his heir apparent status, yet he emerged unscathed, while her mother had lost several capable aides in the aftermath.
Now that she had the chance, she would make the Eastern Palace pay!
Yan Shiyan demanded sharply, “Who stepped on my Xue Bao’er?”
Mama Qin, seeing her mistress standing alone at the front, hurried forward to reply.
“Your Highness, no one stepped on Xue Bao’er. It must have been frightened by our large group.”
Yan Shiyan flared up: “What are you? Did this princess ask you?”
Mama Qin showed no sign of shame or anger on her face. Princess Tai’an, relying on her mother’s favor, had always thrown her weight around in the palace—how would she ever regard servants like them as human?