A maid promptly served a cooling sweet beverage in a pottery jar, pouring it into an oval lacquered cup on the small table.

Lady Yu, in high spirits, continued, “Your Majesty, see how quickly the children have grown up. My daughter, Xiner, recently found a match as well—Second Young Master Liu from the family of Vice Governor Liu of the Western Court. This Young Master Liu is quite renowned for his talents, and the family has a good reputation. All three brothers in that family marry without taking concubines. With Xiner marrying into such a household, I can be at ease.”

As she spoke, Lady Yu glanced at Zanying intentionally or otherwise.

Since Zanying entered the hall, Lady Yu had been observing her with a critical eye.

This young lady’s gaze was pure, her complexion as fair as snow, and not even her heavy bangs could conceal her delicate beauty.

In just a few short months, her figure had grown even more refined; the slender ribbon around her waist seemed as though it could snap her slim waist in half.

Lady Yu had never seen a girl so tender and delicate.

Thinking about her own clumsy daughter who couldn’t compare in any way, her heart felt imbalanced.

Zan Ying noticed Lady Yu’s gaze and immediately understood.

Lady Yu was married to Marquis of Jiangxia, and her daughter, Cui Xin, had once been Zanying’s study companion and lived in the palace for a while.

However, Zanying soon noticed that Cui Xin often liked to hang around Li Jinghuan, acting differently in public and private, and found it off-putting.

At the time, Zan Ying was young and wore all her thoughts on her face.

The Empress, noticing the tension, arranged for Cui Xin to leave the palace.

Zanying had been deeply grateful then, believing the Empress cared for her enough to set aside even her own niece.

From that point on, she became even more devoted and respectful to the Empress.

Little did she know that Empress Yu had simply realized that the Crown Prince had no interest in Cui Xin.

Instead of wasting her efforts, she capitalized on the opportunity to earn Zanying’s loyalty.

In her past life, Zanying had laughed at Cui Xin’s foolishness, not realizing she was the one being played.

Lady Yu’s words were nothing more than a veiled remark that her daughter could now marry into a respectable family that didn’t take concubines, allowing her to have a husband all to herself.

Meanwhile, even if Zan Ying became Crown Princess, she would have to share her husband with others.

Lady Yu’s attempt to feign innocence and subtly belittle Zanying was as predictable as it was acidic.

“A’Ying, what are you thinking about so intently?” Empress Yu finally spoke, her deep, penetrating gaze landing on Zanying as though she could see through to her very soul.

Her tone, however, was soft. “Did you not sleep well last night, or perhaps the summer heat is getting to you, making you feel so sluggish?”

She knew full well that the Crown Prince had just visited the Jade Candle Hall with other young ladies, but she made no mention of it, glossing over the event as if Zanying’s supposed frailty was the issue.

Zanying’s gaze shifted to the Empress, studying the practiced smile on her face.

It was a familiar expression, one that Zanying had grown to fear as a child.

Whenever Empress Yu wore that inscrutable smile—her lips curving while her eyes remained a cold, emotionless abyss—young Zanying would be filled with a deep sense of unease.

She would then try desperately to guess whether her mother was pleased or displeased.

The uncertainty would gnaw at her until she resorted to flattering the Empress with charming words, anything to make her smile reach her eyes.

Only when that happened could little Zanying finally relax.

As she grew older, from what books to read, to which people to meet, to even the smallest decisions like how to dress or style her hair—everything was dictated by the Empress.

Whenever Zanying showed the slightest reluctance, Empress Yu would adopt that same faintly smiling expression and gently ask, “Does A’Ying truly dislike her mother’s arrangements?”

Zanying never knew if she truly disliked them.

At those moments, the latent fear from her childhood would resurface, like a dark cloud ready to engulf her, and she would nod in submission, fearing to disappoint her mother.

Everyone said that the Empress treated her like her own daughter, raising her with love and care.

Looking back, yes, the Empress had indeed trained her well.

Trained her so well that even after she was severely burned in her past life, knowing full well that she could no longer tolerate the heavy supplements, the flow of ginseng and bird’s nest still arrived daily at Luo Zhi Hall without interruption.

Trained her so well that even in her final moments, when Zanying’s only wish was to leave the palace and escape her gilded cage, the Empress refused to relent, using the excuse of concern for her health.

The Empress had done all the detestable things while reaping the praise for being a good, virtuous woman.

Such was the mask she wore.

Once upon a time, Zanying had sincerely respected and honored her, regarding her as a true mother.

A small, cold flame flickered in Zanying’s eyes, her gaze dark as the last embers of a dying fire.

She spoke slowly, “The weather has indeed been stifling. I wasn’t lost in thought earlier, only noticing the gilding on the edge of the screen inlaid with jade seems to have faded.”

The Empress was known for her frugality, and most of the fine things in Xianyang Palace had been gifts from Zanying herself.

Empress Yu paused ever so slightly upon hearing this.

As expected, Lady Yu’s attention shifted immediately to the screen.

Carelessly, she praised again, “Ah, A’Ying is truly attentive to such details. No wonder Her Majesty is so fond of you.”

Then, her tone took a sharp turn, “Since the screen has aged, Your Majesty, why not grant it to me? The Liu family will be coming to the capital next month, and for such a family gathering, it’s only proper that we present ourselves with some dignity.”

Empress Yu furrowed her carefully groomed brows, clearly irritated by her half-sister’s greed.

Though annoyed by Lady Yu’s pettiness, she had no choice but to tolerate it, as her sister was the only remaining kin of the Yu family in the capital.

With a sigh, she replied, “If you fancy it, I’ll have someone send it to you. But really, is it necessary to ask for something so trivial?”

They didn’t bother concealing this exchange from Zanying, knowing full well that the screen would be given away, only for Zanying to offer something even better soon after.

It had always been this way.

Zanying kept her long lashes lowered, appearing docile while hiding the turbulence in her heart.

She wasn’t the least bit surprised by Lady Yu’s greed.

It was a secret she had only discovered in her past life after moving to Luo Zhi Hall, overhearing palace servants gossip idly about it.

When Empress Wei was alive, the Yu family in Jiangdong was just a second-tier noble clan.

After Empress Wei’s death and Lady Yu’s rise in status, the Yu family of Yingchuan also gained prominence.

However, the cause of Empress Wei’s illness had always been shrouded in secrecy within the palace.

Just when everyone had gradually forgotten, Empress Wei’s younger brother suddenly launched an attack against the Yu family, accusing the Empress’s elder brother, Marquis Yu An, and second brother, Governor Yu, of seizing mountains and lakes and committing atrocities.

It was said that the Wei gentleman was fiercely vengeful.

The Yu family’s four brothers were all implicated, and he even stormed the Xianyang Palace at night, spear in hand, threatening the Empress herself, causing a near upheaval in the Jin court.

The Emperor, perhaps unable or unwilling to suppress the situation, eventually ordered that nearly a hundred men from the main branch of the Yu family be arrested, exiled, or worse, many perished en route to the distant Lingnan region.

Afterward, the Wei gentleman finished his business and left the capital to join the military, following General Zuo Songzhi in the northern campaign against the Xiongnu.

In just a few short years, he commanded 80,000 Northern Palace troops, stationed at Jingkou, and was granted the title of Grand Marshal, one of the Three Excellencies.

In contrast, the Yu family gradually declined in Jiankang, and though still considered imperial in-laws, their numbers dwindled over time.

These shocking old tales of aristocratic grudges and clan feuds were never mentioned to Zan Ying during her years in the palace.

The one who had sworn sisterhood with her mother was Empress Wei.

The one who arranged her betrothal in childhood was Empress Wei.

Since Empress Wei had no children of her own, Zan Ying was placed under the care of her successor, Empress Yu, after her death.

Unfortunately, Zan Ying could not recall anything before the age of five.

Her earliest memory, like an iron spike driven deep into her mind, was the promise that she would become the Crown Princess, betrothed to Li Jinghuan.

But what did she have to do with the sons of the Yu family?

And what did the wealth of the Tang family have to do with the Yu family or the entire Li dynasty?

It was such a simple truth, but Zan Ying only understood it after being deceived for a lifetime.

The incense burner on the lacquered table emitted clouds of smoke, white and cold, unable to quell the anger in her heart.

Zan Ying no longer wanted to see the faces of the Yu sisters and, after a short while, feigned exhaustion and took her leave.

She now understood what she needed to, but she was still confined within the palace, holding great wealth, surrounded by the Empress’s spies.

She could not act rashly lest she repeat the isolation and helplessness of her previous life.

She would wait until her coming-of-age ceremony.

In her previous life, the Crown Prince had secretly met Fu Zhuangxue behind the rockery, and she had foolishly covered for him.

This time, she would not be so naive.

She would let all the guests witness the Crown Prince’s disgrace.

When the truth was laid bare, and public opinion turned, she would be able to withdraw completely.

Thankfully, it would not be much longer now.

As Zanying left, Lady Yu watched her figure recede and squinted.

“Your Majesty,” Lady Yu leaned forward and whispered, “I’ve been watching that young girl closely. Today, she seemed somewhat out of line, her demeanor quite cold. Perhaps with her coming-of-age approaching, she believes her status has changed and is putting on airs?”

Empress Yu recalled Zan Ying’s earlier demeanor.

Though a bit listless, it was nothing new during the oppressive summer heat.

She leaned back against the cushion and asked Lu Yao without much expression:

“Has she met with anyone recently, heard any rumors, or read anything inappropriate?”

Lu Pozi quickly replied, “Your Majesty, rest assured, the young lady has not met any outside visitors. All the books she reads are checked, and lately, she has been studying the ‘Xiaojing’ and the ‘Lessons for Women.’”

“That’s all there is.”

Empress Yu smiled contentedly at Lady Yu. “Zhe Nu, you still have such an impatient temperament.”

The bright red nails, painted with phoenix flower juice, matched her dignified and noble face.

She laughed softly, “Do you know why I never keep dogs?”