When the time came, she would tear open Wen Yunmian’s clothes in front of everyone, letting them all see the scars covering her body!
Once it was known that Wen Yunmian had been beaten, the entire palace would surely be filled with ridicule of Wen Yunmian!
She was so looking forward to it!
However, what she received was only Wen Yunmian’s cold, direct gaze, sharp and piercing, startling her heart.
What was going on? Had she pinched the wrong spot?
Wen Leyan steadied her mind and, taking advantage of Wen Yunmian sitting down, a flash of Yin Poison crossed her thoughts as she directly lifted Wen Yunmian’s sleeve.
The words of mockery she intended to utter died in her throat—where were the scars?
In her previous life, she had been beaten so badly that scars remained. Why were Wen Yunmian’s arms as smooth and flawless as snow?
Impossible!
Wen Leyan’s heart was in turmoil, and several people looked at her strangely.
Attendant Hui asked in surprise, “Sister Le, what are you doing?”
“Why don’t you have scars on your body?” Wen Leyan stared fixedly at Wen Yunmian.
Wen Yunmian remained cold—still an impatient fool.
“Why should I have scars on my body?” Wen Yunmian smiled faintly at her.
Wen Leyan’s lips trembled, “The Emperor last night…”
The Emperor hadn’t gone last night, so why hadn’t the Guifei tormented Wen Yunmian?
She couldn’t believe it.
Da Ying Su, however, blushed shyly and said with a smile, “I understand what Lady Le means. Last night, Sister Yun attended the bedchamber, so naturally, there should be marks on her body.”
“Impossible, the Emperor would never have let her attend the bedchamber.” The words of indignation spilled out before Wen Leyan realized she had spoken out of turn, hurriedly covering her mouth.
But it didn’t matter…
Even if the Guifei hadn’t tormented her, she wouldn’t have the fan. In her previous life, what she hadn’t obtained, Wen Yunmian was sure to meet the same fate.
Just as Wen Leyan was calming her emotions, a sharp voice suddenly broke the thoughts of the few people in the hall, “Imperial decree has arrived!”
Everyone was startled and hurried to the entrance of the hall, where they saw the eunuch from the Emperor’s side walking in.
The eunuch stood against the light and shadow, “By the Emperor’s oral decree: Yun Changzai has served well in the bedchamber, Zhen is greatly pleased. From today onward, she is enfeoffed as Guiren! May Yun Guiren remember the Emperor’s grace, remain gentle and proper in the palace, speak little, and act with caution.”
Guiren?
Everyone was stunned. Wen Leyan’s pupils trembled in shock—how could this be?
A palace maid brought the Ruyi Hehe fan to Yun Yang. Yun Yang breathed a sigh of relief, exchanged a glance with Yun Fei, and hurriedly took the fan.
Wonderful! With the fan, it proved that the Emperor favored her mistress.
Wen Leyan’s eyes widened in disbelief. Not only had she received the Ruyi Hehe fan, but she had also been promoted in rank?
Why?
Why wasn’t she poisoned or bullied?!
Even the usually composed Noble Lady Wei couldn’t help but raise her eyes to look at the eunuch delivering the decree.
The astonishment in her pupils was so intense it was difficult to conceal. It had only been one night of attending the bedchamber, and she hadn’t even paid respects to the Empress yet. How could the Emperor have already promoted her rank? This was truly unheard of.
This woman must indeed not be underestimated.
Wen Yunmian knelt on the ground, kowtowing in gratitude for the Emperor’s grace. She knew this was both a reward for her rank and a warning to guard her tongue. If the matter of the Guifei from last night were leaked by her, the rank he had given could just as easily be taken away.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!”
The eunuch helped Wen Yunmian to her feet, “Yun Guiren is truly blessed. I offer my congratulations.”
“Thank you, Eunuch.”
After seeing the eunuch off, Yun Yang followed him out and slipped a pouch of silver into his hand, “For some hot tea, Eunuch. On such a cold day, we’ve troubled you to make this trip.”
The eunuch smiled knowingly, weighing the silver in his hand. “Noble Lady Yun is too kind.”
Attendant Hui and the others gathered around Wen Yunmian to offer their congratulations, though the expressions on each of their faces were quite telling. This was especially true for Wen Leyan and Madam Hong behind her.
Wen Leyan was in a daze, her face ashen. If not for Madam Hong discreetly reminding her from behind, she might have lost her composure.
Noble Lady Wei walked up to Wen Yunmian. “Noble Lady Yun is truly capable, able to capture His Majesty’s heart so quickly. After just one night attending the bedchamber, you’ve already made the Emperor break precedent with your enfeoffment. I imagine when we go together tomorrow to pay respects to the Empress, you’ll surely impress all the ladies in the palace.”
Wen Yunmian smiled without revealing any cracks.
Once the Emperor had promoted Wen Yunmian’s rank, the Neiwufu staff worked with exceptional efficiency, adding all the items befitting a Noble Lady’s status to the Peony Pavilion.
Seeing that even the ordinary bestowed items were extraordinarily luxurious, Wen Leyan nearly tore her handkerchief to shreds.
Madam Hong’s eyes widened in shock, her jaw nearly dropping. Could the Second Young Lady really be this capable?!
If the Master and Madam were to find out…
Gazing at Wen Yunmian’s stunningly beautiful face, Madam Hong couldn’t help but feel regret on Wen Leyan’s behalf.
If the Third Young Lady had taken the Maomeidan back at the estate, all this favor and these rewards would surely have been hers!
If Madam were to find out, she would definitely be furious.
After everyone finished offering congratulations and left, Wen Leyan walked up to Wen Yunmian, her eyes filled with resentment.
Watching the constant stream of people delivering items in the courtyard, with the six palace maids and eunuchs of the Peony Pavilion busily receiving congratulatory gifts, Wen Leyan was nearly driven mad with jealousy.
“Wen Yunmian, do you really think the Emperor likes you? Don’t be naive! Besides Imperial Consort Shu, the Emperor will never love anyone!”
Wen Yunmian looked at her coldly. “Why would you say such a thing, little sister?”
Wen Leyan snorted. “Don’t you understand why? Last night, the Emperor never favored you, did he? And what you went through—surely you haven’t forgotten? I noticed your eyes were swollen from crying, yet here you are putting on a brave face.”
Wen Yunmian smiled gently, her delicate beauty nearly dazzling Wen Leyan’s eyes under the bright light.
So beautiful… it made a flicker of regret stir within her.
But the anticipation of bearing an Imperial Prince quickly washed away that insignificant regret. She was a woman destined to become Empress Dowager—why bother with useless beauty?
Wen Yunmian smiled as she looked at her. “Who told you the Emperor didn’t favor me last night? Spying on the sovereign’s habits and speculating about his intentions are both grave crimes.”
Wen Leyan grew furious and was about to retort when Madam Hong grabbed her arm, warning in a low voice, “Young Mistress, be careful with your words in the palace! Spying on the Emperor’s words and actions is a serious offense.”
These words snapped Wen Leyan out of her confusion. Seeing it was no longer appropriate to stay, Madam Hong curtsied and said, “Noble Lady Yun, my young mistress is feeling unwell. This servant will take her leave first.”
Supporting Wen Leyan as they left, once they reached the corridor, Wen Leyan abruptly shook off Madam Hong’s hand. “No, how could this be? How is this possible? I refuse to accept it.”
In her previous life, she had been poisoned, declared suddenly ill, and abandoned in the neglected cold palace to fend for herself!
She had suffered in silence!
So why was Wen Yunmian so different?
Madam Hong’s expression darkened. “The Second Young Lady has always been formidable back at the estate. Now, just after entering the palace, she has already won the Emperor’s favor.”
“Miss, after you pay your respects to the Empress tomorrow, it will soon be time for all the new ladies to attend the bedchamber one by one. Whether you can surpass the second young lady depends on whether you can also please the Emperor after serving him. At this moment, you must remain calm.”
Wen Leyan clenched her fists, her eyes swirling with unwillingness. “I will surely win the Emperor’s favor and not disappoint my father and mother. Besides, Wen Yunmian made a splash today, but tomorrow she will suffer for it!”
In the previous life, which of the favored ones in the palace—Imperial Consort Shu or Chun Pin—were easy to deal with? Just wait and see!