Understanding the implications, Han Yan deliberately pouted in dissatisfaction, “It looks no different from a few years ago.”

Mother Chen laughed, “Young Miss is just impatient with her growth. Don’t worry, I’m certain that our Fourth Miss will become as beautiful as Madam in the future, hundreds of times more beautiful than Miss Yu-Shan!”

Though these were merely comforting words, they greatly pleased Han Yan. Thinking of Madam Zhou and her daughter, she said, “Let’s go check on Concubine Zhou. They must be in quite a flurry right now.”

Ji Lan giggled and took a gray squirrel fur cape from the side to drape over Han Yan’s shoulders. “Mm-hmm.”

When Han Yan arrived at Gong Tong Garden, just as she reached the outside of the room, she heard the voices of Madam Zhou and Zhuang Yu Shan: “This one won’t do, it’s too modest. Bring me that ruby-inlaid pearl hairpin.”

The little maid outside was about to announce their arrival, but Han Yan waved her away. She entered the room with Ji Lan and Shu Hong, sweetly calling out, “Concubine Zhou!”

Madam Zhou, who was personally helping Zhuang Yu Shan dress, was startled by Han Yan’s voice. When she turned around, she saw Han Yan’s appearance was more radiant than usual. Zhuang Yu Shan also saw Han Yan in the mirror, and a flash of jealousy crossed her beautiful face, but after examining Han Yan’s clothes, she immediately felt somewhat smug again.

Madam Zhou smiled, “Fourth Young Miss, you’ve come quite early today.”

Han Yan remained silent, just smiling while staring at Madam Zhou, who wore a gold-threaded Western brocade jacket and was adorned head to toe with pearls and enamel. Though she was indeed beautiful, Han Yan found the golden glare almost blinding. A trace of mockery appeared in her smile – Madam Zhou had decorated herself like a puppet with gold and silver jewelry, and there would likely be an interesting show to watch later.

She smiled sweetly and innocently, “Concubine Zhou, your outfit looks beautiful, but won’t it be too luxurious for the palace banquet?”

Madam Zhou was extremely satisfied with her outfit, and upon hearing Han Yan’s words, she immediately felt displeased. Looking at Han Yan’s modest attire, she became convinced that Han Yan spoke out of jealousy. Feeling competitive, she responded softly, “It’s a palace evening banquet, after all. Wearing something too ordinary would bring shame to the Zhuang family.”

Han Yan inwardly scoffed at these words. The face of the Zhuang family? How could a mere concubine represent the family’s dignity? What a joke – she thought herself the mistress of the house.

As Ji Lan was about to speak, Han Yan gently tugged at her sleeve and smiled, “Concubine looks beautiful in anything.”

She had already given her warning; if Madam Zhou made a fool of herself, Han Yan would be more than happy to watch. If Master Zhuang Shi Yang investigated later, it wouldn’t have been her fault.

“Fourth Young Miss, how do you find my outfit?” came an alluring, coquettish voice. Han Yan looked up, her pupils suddenly contracting.

In Han Yan’s memories, she had no impression of Zhuang Yu Shan’s beauty. The most vivid memory was from her wedding night, when Zhuang Yu Shan, dressed in wedding attire, had usurped her place and personally fed her a cup of poison.

That was her nightmare, unforgettable for life.

Thinking back now, whenever Zhuang Yu Shan had appeared before her in the past, she had always dressed plainly and simply. Her features were naturally gorgeous, but such modest attire couldn’t bring out her beauty, so Han Yan had never paid much attention.

But this time, as Han Yan looked at the elaborately dressed young woman standing before her, her eyes grew deep and turbulent, though eventually settling into a clear, spring-like calm.

“Sister Yu Shan, you’re truly beautiful,” she said softly, concealing a trace of hatred in her brow.

Zhuang Yu Shan smiled slightly, “Fourth Young Miss is too kind.” Though her words were humble, they revealed a hint of pride.

Unlike Madam Zhou’s rich attire or Han Yan’s cute outfit, Zhuang Yu Shan, though only a year older than Han Yan, was much more developed. With a willow waist and long legs, a jade-like chest, and snow-white skin, she wore an ankle-length pink gauze lily dress with deep red layered camellia embroidery on the chest. The flower petals were intricately layered, making her appear even more radiant. Her black hair was styled in a flowing cloud bun, adorned with an agate tassel hairpin, and delicate pearl eight-treasure earrings swayed gently by her small ears, making her skin appear translucent.

Her face was like a silver basin, eyes like water chestnuts, her fairy-like clothes dancing – as beautiful as spring flowers, as enchanting as the autumn moon. Compared to an immortal, she had an extra touch of allure; compared to a dancer, she had an additional measure of dignity. She was truly a natural beauty, and though still young, her every movement carried grace and charm.

Even Han Yan couldn’t deny her beauty, secretly praising her.

Perhaps it was the admiration in Han Yan’s eyes that greatly pleased Zhuang Yu Shan, making her attitude even warmer than usual. “I see Fourth Young Miss is also looking quite pretty today.”

Han Yan tilted her head and said, “How could I compare to even half of Sister Yu Shan’s beauty?”

This pleased Zhuang Yu Shan even more, and Madam Zhou, looking at her daughter, grew increasingly satisfied.

Though today’s palace banquet was an evening event, the ladies needed to enter the palace early, as the Empress would be accompanying the madams in the palace gardens for plum blossom viewing in the afternoon, adding to the entertainment.

After finishing their preparations, they were ready to enter the palace.

Madam Zhou retrieved a glittering cyan cape from a chest, causing Han Yan to pause, feeling somewhat familiar with it. Seeing her staring, Madam Zhou smiled, “This is called peacock-gold silk, woven with peacock feathers from overseas. The Master gave it to me, but I’m too old to wear such bright colors, so I let Yu Er wear it.” She draped the cape over Zhuang Yu-Shan.

Han Yan narrowed her eyes, remembering something from many years ago.

When Han Yan was eight, one of Master Zhuang Shi Yang’s colleagues sent gifts while asking for a favor, mostly curiosities brought back by maritime merchants, including a peacock-gold silk cape. The cape was extremely warm and beautiful, and her mother had wanted it. Unexpectedly, Master Zhuang had given it to another senior official as a gift. Her mother had been disappointed for quite a while, though she understood the cape was very valuable.

Now seeing this extremely valuable cape on Zhuang Yu Shan, regardless of its origin, the fact that Master Zhuang had given it to Madam Zhou showed her current favor. Han Yan felt a moment of confusion.

Noticing Han Yan’s strange expression, Zhuang Yu Shan felt proud and subtly boasted, “Mother, what’s there to explain? It’s just a peacock-gold silk cape. Father said that as long as Yu Er likes something, he will give Yu Er anything.”

Han Yan enviously said, “Father is so good to Sister Yu-Shan!”

Madam Zhou feigned modesty, “The Master is also very good to Fourth Young Miss.” She glanced at Han Yan’s gray squirrel fur cape, the deeper meaning clear without words.

Han Yan swayed back and forth with her hands behind her back, “Of course! After all, I am Father’s legitimate daughter!”

She emphasized the words “legitimate” heavily, and sure enough, saw the mother and daughter’s expressions change. Their status was a sore point for them, and Han Yan deliberately twisted the knife in their wound, seeing who was truly more formidable.