Everyone bowed in succession, offering their congratulations.
Wen Yunmian sat in the main seat, her expression grave.
In her previous life, when Wen Yunmian first entered the palace, she was assigned cunning and slippery servants and palace attendants. Due to their words, actions, and conduct, she suffered many losses, earning the resentment of palace consorts both openly and secretly.
Not only her, but even the attendants around the other newcomers were the same, which was why Wen Yunmian had to remain vigilant.
Moreover, this time upon entering the palace, some of the people around her had been replaced to varying degrees.
This made it even more crucial for her not to let her guard down.
Yet these people had been arranged by the palace even before she entered.
Although she didn’t know exactly who was behind it, these people could not be dismissed or driven away. If not properly trained and disciplined, they would surely become a disaster.
The urgent task at hand was to lure out the spy from her previous life and eliminate them.
However, Wen Yunmian suppressed her thoughts without showing any sign, speaking calmly, “You may all withdraw.”
Watching the few people leave, Yun Yang quickly poured tea for Wen Yunmian.
Wen Yunmian took a sip of tea. The room was bright and comfortable, but unfortunately, it was too small.
“Yun Yang, Yun Fei, I have a task for the two of you.”
The two obediently stepped forward. “Whatever the mistress commands.”
Wen Yunmian paused. “You are the people I trust the most, so I hope you can be the ones I rely on in this palace.”
Yun Yang and Yun Fei quickly replied, “Mistress, rest assured, we will be absolutely loyal.”
Wen Yunmian nodded with relief and then revealed her plan to them.
After listening, the two immediately nodded. “We understand!”
Yun Fei left the side chamber first. Remembering the mistress’s earlier instructions, she took advantage of no one watching and pulled Xiao Luzi, who was trimming branches, aside.
“Xiao Luzi, the mistress just noticed how clever and quick-witted you are, finding you more pleasing than Eunuch Ming. I’ll tell you secretly—if you work hard, you might soon become the head eunuch of the Peony Pavilion.”
Xiao Luzi was overjoyed, never expecting the mistress to hold him in such high regard. He wanted to kneel and kowtow in gratitude but was stopped by Yun Fei. “Keep this absolutely confidential. Only by serving the mistress diligently will you have the chance to rise swiftly.”
“Yes, yes! This servant will remember. I will spare no effort in serving the mistress.”
Yun Yang also came out, finding a secluded spot to call the palace maid Shukui over. “The mistress sees how clever and quick-witted you are, even more so than Qiu Kui. If you work hard and perform well in front of the mistress, she will surely put you to good use.”
Shukui was naive and, upon hearing this, flushed with joy. “Yes, I will work hard.”
The same words were repeated to six people in total.
By evening, the palace maids and eunuchs were all working diligently, suppressing their excitement and secretly vowing to be loyal to the mistress, striving to do everything perfectly to seize the opportunity to rise above their station.
After completing their tasks, Yun Yang and Yun Fei returned. Shukui was attending to Wen Yunmian’s washing up, working with great effort and propriety.
Seeing the two enter, Wen Yunmian set down her comb. “Shukui, you may withdraw for now.”
“Yes!”
Once the door closed, Yun Yang took over the comb.
Wen Yunmian asked, “How did it go?”
Yun Yang chuckled softly. “The mistress’s strategy today was truly brilliant. I secretly observed and found that someone from the palace indeed came to inquire about matters in our Peony Pavilion and even secretly gave silver. Fortunately, those people were all eager to compete for favor in front of the mistress, so each kept their mouths tightly shut.”
Wen Yunmian’s slender fingers brushed through the hair before her. In her previous life, she had been schemed against, yet she could never uncover the true betrayer lurking in the shadows.
That person was too adept at concealment, too clever—perhaps the mastermind behind them was exceptionally patient.
Thus, to this day, she remained uncertain whether Shukui or Qiu Kui was the spy.
By the time she ascended to the position of Empress Dowager, both of them had long been dead.
In this life, she would have to probe carefully.
“Yun Yang, keep a close watch on Shukui and Qiu Kui these next two days. See who is most eager to climb the ranks.”
The one who seemed less ambitious might very well be the problem.
“This servant understands.”
Early the next morning, the palace halls bustled with activity, as all the concubines were to pay their respects to the Empress at Feng Yi Gong today.
Wen Yunmian rose early and dressed in a particularly vibrant outfit.
Today, with all the palace concubines gathered for the audience, the Emperor, after his morning court session, would also visit Feng Yi Gong in accordance with ancestral customs.
Having stayed up late reading the previous night, Wen Yunmian appeared weary. When she rose to wash up, Yun Yang and Yun Fei noticed the dark circles under their mistress’s eyes and her exhausted demeanor, and grew anxious at once.
“Mistress, you look so tired. This servant will fetch some powder for you.”
Wen Yunmian shook her head. “No need.”
It was precisely this weariness she wanted—she had no desire to appear radiant.
“Just help me with my hair and makeup.”
…
By the time she arrived outside Feng Yi Gong, the concubines were already waiting. Just as in her previous life, it was truly a scene of a hundred flowers in full bloom.
Standing among the many concubines, she felt as if dazzled by a profusion of blossoms. Wen Yunmian took a deep breath, and an intoxicating fragrance enveloped her from all directions—truly a den of allure.
“Well, if it isn’t our Yun Guiren. On the day you entered the palace, I heard there was a peerless beauty, delicate and enchanting, with flawless skin. Seeing you today, the rumors certainly do not disappoint. From afar, I almost thought a fox spirit had taken human form.”
A soft, insinuating voice sounded beside her ear. A beauty had appeared next to Wen Yunmian, her eyes venomous, her face plainly declaring, “I am the most cunning of all.”
The only one capable of such foolishness and ignorance was Chun Pin, whom the Emperor had despised in her previous life for her lack of wit and competence.
The gazes of the crowd turned toward them, many of them familiar faces from past life-and-death struggles, making her feel as though she had traveled through time.
Wen Yunmian raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly. “This concubine pays respects to Chun Pin.”
Chun Pin lifted her chin coldly. “Up close, your looks are merely average.”
Just then, a languid voice sounded from a distance. “Enough. Yun Guiren is timid by nature. If you tease her like this and frighten her, what then? Wouldn’t His Majesty blame This Consort for bullying the newcomer?”
As soon as everyone saw Imperial Consort Shu approaching, they knelt and bowed in unison.
“Greetings to Imperial Consort Shu!”
Imperial Consort Shu wore a red peony brocade gown embroidered with golden threads and a snow fox fur cloak, appearing both noble and aloof.
When she reached Wen Yunmian, Imperial Consort Shu lazily raised a hand, signaling the nearby concubines to rise.