Chapter 21

The next day.

The lantern banquet at the palace was scheduled for the evening. Since many women from the capital would be going to the palace, and they would first need to visit the master of Weiyang Palace, Shen Wei feared there might be traffic on the way and decided to leave during the Shen hour. She was dressed in the formal attire of a first-rank marquis’s wife and was just about to get into the carriage when she heard a voice from behind: “Big sister-in-law, you haven’t gone out for a long time. There are many people coming and going in the palace today, so please be careful.”

“Besides, you’re bringing a concubine’s daughter. We wouldn’t want to cause any trouble or offend anyone.”

Shen Wei didn’t initially want to respond to Wang Shi, but when she noticed Lu Mi Zhi’s pale face, her previously smooth brows furrowed. She gently patted Lu Mi Zhi’s hand, then turned around and cast a cold glance at Wang Shi.

Her expression remained neutral, but standing on the footstool, her gaze looked down at Wang Shi from above, with a slightly condescending air. Her voice was equally cold: “Thank you for your concern, second sister-in-law, but the women invited by the Empress today are all from prominent families in the city. I highly doubt anyone would dare to act disrespectfully in front of them.”

“I’m in a hurry to enter the palace now, so I won’t bother with trivial matters.” With that, Shen Wei ignored Wang Shi, nodded her head, and led Lu Mi Zhi into the carriage.

Wang Shi watched as Shen Wei climbed into the carriage, and after the curtain fell, she gripped her arm a little tighter. If they weren’t still outside, she would have lashed out by now. Wasn’t Shen Wei’s comment, both subtle and direct, implying that she was “disrespectful”?

That bitch…

She had become even more sharp-tongued than before!

She watched the carriage turn past the screen and move farther away, gritting her teeth and muttering, “I don’t believe she can stand it.”

Today, the banquet was for the noblewomen of Bianliang. In any gathering of women, there would inevitably be gossip and rumors. Shen Wei was known for her prideful nature, and while they might not say anything openly in front of the palace’s master, she was certain there would be plenty of whispers behind her back.

She didn’t believe Shen Wei could truly ignore those words.

It would be best if this woman acted recklessly, letting the palace’s masters see her as morally corrupt… By then, even if the old lady still favored her, what would that matter?

Wang Shi sighed in satisfaction, then, seeing the carriage turn onto the main road, she coldly ordered, “Go.”

…

Inside the carriage.

Shen Wei noticed Lu Mi Zhi’s still-pale face and asked Mo Qi to bring over some pastries she had prepared earlier. In a soft voice, she said, “Once we enter the palace, stay close to me. Don’t worry, the masters of the palace are kind-hearted. They won’t do anything to harm you.”

Only when Lu Mi Zhi heard this did she lift her head. Holding onto Shen Wei’s sleeve, she looked up at her with a soft expression before quietly saying, “I don’t like second aunt or fourth sister. Fourth sister always pulls my hair and takes my things… But Aunt won’t let me speak of it, and she tells me to get along with fourth sister.”

This was the first time she had mentioned these things. As she spoke, her head sank lower and lower, and her voice grew fainter.

Shen Wei didn’t immediately reply. Instead, she gently placed her hand on Lu Mi Zhi’s head. After Lu Mi Zhi finished speaking, she softly responded, “You don’t have to like them, and there’s no need to pretend that you do. Mi Zhi, no one can force you to accept something you don’t like in this world.”

Lu Mi Zhi was stunned by these words.

She looked up at Shen Wei and after a long pause, asked softly, “Really?”

Shen Wei smiled and nodded at her. Mo Qi, who had been standing to the side, also smiled and added, “Of course it’s true. You are our eldest daughter. No one can bully you.”

Looking at the smiles on their faces, the pale expression on Lu Mi Zhi’s face finally faded away. Her little face turned red, and she moved a little closer to Shen Wei.

The atmosphere in the carriage was warm and comforting.

Mo Qi, watching the two of them on the couch, still smiled. Although the Madam’s temperament had changed quite a bit recently, she was much gentler than before… This was a good thing. Their only hope as servants was that their master could be happy.

The carriage continued towards the palace.

Once the carriage stopped, Mo Qi lifted a corner of the curtain, leaned toward Shen Wei, and said, “Madam, we’ve arrived.”

Shen Wei looked out through the curtain and saw the majestic, golden-glowing palace buildings. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her clothes and said, “Let’s go.”

…

As soon as Shen Wei was helped down from the carriage by Mo Qi, an older palace servant came forward to greet her. The servant was dressed neatly and looked graceful. After giving a respectful bow, she said politely, “Greetings, Madam. The Empress has been informed of your arrival and has specially sent me to escort you to Weiyang Palace to rest for a while.”

When the noblewomen entered the palace, they were usually required to pay their respects to the Empress. However, since so many women were visiting, the Empress could not possibly meet with each one individually.

Therefore, the usual custom was for the women to offer a bow at Weiyang Palace and have a palace servant deliver a message to show respect.

Shen Wei had originally intended to follow this custom, but she hadn’t expected that the master of Weiyang Palace would personally send someone to greet her. She glanced at the grand palace in the distance. As the evening approached, the setting sun cast a glow over the sky, and the palace appeared even more magnificent, bathed in golden and crimson light.

She had visited the Imperial Palace in the capital before, but the palace, having endured long years, only revealed traces of its ancient history.

She hadn’t expected that one day she would be able to see such towering and majestic palace halls with her own eyes. Shen Wei took a deep breath, calming her mind, then lowered her eyelids and said to the palace maid, “Since that is the case, I will trouble you to lead the way.”

The palace maid didn’t say anything further and bowed to Shen Wei before leading the way ahead.

Shen Wei, with the memories of her previous life, was not unfamiliar with the inner palace, but it was Lu Mi Zhi’s first time coming to such a place. Seeing the solemn and dignified atmosphere around them, her usually playful little face became more serious. Shen Wei noticed this and gently patted Lu Mi Zhi’s hand, seeing her raise her head to look, and silently said, “Don’t be afraid.”

Lu Mi Zhi recognized the silent words, and her tense expression softened considerably. Still, she held Shen Wei’s hand with a bit more strength, her body drawing closer.

…

The Weiyang Palace was located in the center of the Six Palaces.

Though it didn’t seem far at first, walking there still took quite some time. Shen Wei, holding Lu Mi Zhi’s hand, was led by the palace maid through small pathways and winding corridors. After about two quarters of an hour, they finally arrived. When they reached Weiyang Palace, the palace maid stopped and turned to Shen Wei, saying respectfully, “Madam and Miss, please wait a moment. I will go in first to report.”

Shen Wei didn’t reply but nodded. The palace maid, seeing this, bowed again and then entered the palace.

Shen Wei had expected to wait a while, but after giving Lu Mi Zhi a few more instructions, the curtain was lifted, and the palace maid came back to invite them in.

The brocade curtain had been raised, and the scenery inside was partly visible. Shen Wei noticed that Lu Mi Zhi had stiffened, so she gently patted her hand again and then led her inside. Shen Wei walked steadily, her eyes half-lowered.

When they were still some distance away from the people inside, Shen Wei stopped. She released Lu Mi Zhi’s hand and then performed a deep bow, saying, “Greetings to the Empress.”

Lu Mi Zhi also followed suit and bowed respectfully.

“Please rise…”

Although Shen Wei was kneeling with her head lowered, she could tell from the Empress’s gentle tone that there was still a hint of the majesty of someone who had long held power.

At the Empress’s command, Shen Wei stood up with the help of a palace maid and glanced subtly at the woman seated on the throne. The woman, named Liu Mengxian, appeared to be in her early thirties. She was wearing a bright red imperial gown with a stepped phoenix crown, and her face was gentle with a soft smile, giving off a look of kindness.

But someone who could sit in this position couldn’t possibly be as gentle as she appeared.

Shen Wei lowered her eyes again, respectfully thanked the Empress, and then returned to her seat with Lu Mi Zhi.

Once they were seated, Liu Mengxian glanced at Lu Mi Zhi and then smiled at Shen Wei, saying, “So this is your Seventh Miss? She seems quite endearing.”

Shen Wei responded softly, “She is indeed a thoughtful and affectionate child. These past days, it’s been her company that has kept me from feeling bored…” She then added, “Since you are hosting this banquet today, I brought her along to widen her horizons. After all, if a little girl is always confined to the house, she’ll think that what she sees every day is all there is.”

Hearing this, Liu Mengxian looked at Shen Wei again and smiled, saying, “Children are the most perceptive. It’s because you, as a mother, are so caring that she is so attentive to you.”

After she finished speaking, Liu Mengxian waved her hand at Lu Mi Zhi, “Come here, child.”

Lu Mi Zhi, though still young, was well-mannered. She looked at Shen Wei first and, seeing her nod, approached the Empress. She bowed respectfully before saying, “Your Majesty, the Empress.”

Liu Mengxian’s smile widened at the sight of her, and she gently held Lu Mi Zhi’s hand, examining her carefully. Then she spoke softly, “Not only is she endearing, but she’s also a well-mannered child… It’s a pity there are no princesses in the palace. Otherwise, I would surely ask to have this little one enter the palace.” She then turned to a palace maid and said, “Take the Seventh Miss outside and let her enjoy some pastries.”

This was clearly a signal for a private conversation with Shen Wei.

Although Lu Mi Zhi was young, she wasn’t unaware of the situation. She didn’t speak but bowed again, then lowered her head obediently as the maid led her out.

Once the two of them had left, Liu Mengxian turned her attention back to Shen Wei. She carefully observed her for a moment before sighing and saying, “You’ve suffered.”