Song Yuning was anxiously waiting in the palace, with Shen Qianbai sitting upright beside her. As soon as they saw Song Wan, both stood up together.

“Wan’er.”

Song Yuning walked to Song Wan’s side and pressed her down before she could even bow: “Why are you dressed so plainly? Didn’t aunt give you quite a few pieces of jewelry and headdresses last time? Don’t you like any of them?”

“Cai Ji, go to my cosmetics box and fetch that jeweled butterfly and flower hairpin, along with the gilt hundred-flower crown…”

“And the palace gown that was finished yesterday—bring everything over together.”

Song Yuning caressed Song Wan’s cheek, her heart aching terribly. Even in the palace, she had heard those widespread rumors. Thinking that the girl she had raised since childhood was being bullied like this in the marquis residence made Song Yuning’s heart hurt.

“Bai’er, come pay your respects to your elder sister.”

“Aunt.”

Song Wan hurriedly pulled away her hand and hastily curtsied to greet the Third Prince.

“Elder sister mustn’t do this. We’re all family—being so formal only distances our affection.”

Though Shen Qianbai was not yet ten years old, he conducted himself with proper measure and was extremely clever and quick-witted. He supported Song Wan with empty gestures and smiled: “If I accepted elder sister’s bow, I’m afraid mother would strike my palms.”

“You rascal.”

Touching the Third Prince’s cheek, Song Yuning pushed Shen Qianbai to go find somewhere to play.

“Bai’er has a forthright nature and respects aunt greatly. He resembles elder brother quite a bit when he was young.”

“If only he were as worry-free as your elder brother.”

Leading Song Wan to the vanity, Song Yuning removed the hairpin from her head and personally placed the hundred-flower crown that Cai Ji had brought on her. Looking at Song Wan in the bronze mirror, she suddenly reddened her eyes: “Back then, aunt didn’t want you to marry, but you insisted. Do you regret it now?”

“No regrets.”

Song Wan smiled with pursed lips, her eyes carrying the coquettishness and softness that only appeared when seeing Song Yuning.

“The two most useless words in this world are regret. Wan’er never looks at the past, only plans for the future ahead.”

“Moreover, with aunt protecting me, Wan’er is not afraid.”

Hearing this, Song Yuning forced a smile: “If aunt could truly protect you, you wouldn’t still be languishing in the marquis residence now.”

Both deeply understood each other’s difficulties. To avoid causing their loved one sorrow, they could only swallow their own bitterness. Together with Cai Ji, they helped Song Wan change into the palace gown. Song Yuning sighed: “What exactly happened that day when Chief Seal Holder Duan went to the marquis residence? How could he die so suddenly? Moreover, I heard from the palace eunuchs that when he was discovered, it seemed as if something had sucked out his vital energy. In just one night, all his blood and qi were lost, his corpse completely shriveled and withered, vastly different from during the day.”

Song Wan looked up in surprise, as if she hadn’t expected such a strange occurrence. She lowered her eyes without speaking. Seeing this, Lady Yun Fei dismissed everyone around them.

She told Lady Yun Fei everything about Duan Yiting’s actions that day at the marquis residence, as well as how she had soaked the cloak in safflower water. After finishing, Song Wan said with some worry: “I don’t know if it was because of me…”

“Hah.”

Song Yuning laughed coldly: “If such simple methods could harm Chief Seal Holder Duan to that extent, he would have died countless times over these years. Don’t be afraid—it has nothing to do with you.”

“According to what you said, nothing unusual happened that day. It must be that he was somehow struck by someone’s scheme somewhere. That wretched state—who knows whose handiwork it was.”

Gently patting Song Wan’s hand, Song Yuning’s eyes showed worry: “Now everyone in the palace is in danger. You’re far away in the marquis residence—how can aunt set her mind at ease?”

“Wan’er has means of self-preservation. Aunt needn’t worry for Wan’er. But Lady Jiang Fei is increasingly favored, sometimes even surpassing the Empress. Now that the situation has changed, who knows how she’ll deal with you.”

“You needn’t worry about palace affairs. Just take care of yourself.”

After dressing Song Wan up again, the young lady now had vermilion lips, pearly teeth, bright eyes and charming glances—incomparably more radiant than when she first arrived. Only then did Song Yuning feel somewhat better in her heart. She pulled her along out of Changxin Palace.

“That Jiang Man can’t compete with me in the palace, so she wants to reach back into the marquis residence to torment you. Wan’er, watch how aunt helps you vent your anger today.”

Song Wan obediently followed behind her. Hearing this, she didn’t try to dissuade her, allowing Lady Yun Fei to vent. The Imperial Garden was fragrant with powder and rouge. Not only were all the palace consorts present, but even the matriarchs and young ladies from somewhat higher-ranking families in the capital attended in full dress. For a time, it was no exaggeration to say a hundred flowers competed for beauty.

As soon as Song Yuning entered, quite a few people surrounded her to pay respects and bow. Jiang Man sat below the Empress’s position, watching the two coldly.

“Lady Jiang Fei arrived so early?”

“This subject’s wife pays respects to Lady Yun Fei. May Your Ladyship live a thousand years.”

Song Wan stood behind Lady Yun Fei, smiling as she bowed to Lady Jiang Fei.

“Why is Wan’er only coming now? I’ve been waiting for you for quite some time.”

Intimately pulling her to her side, Lady Jiang Fei smiled: “You haven’t entered the palace in so long. For elder sister to see you is harder than having an imperial audience. Fortunately, seeing that you look well now, elder sister can set her mind at ease.”

Having a palace maid bring an embroidered stool to her side, Lady Jiang Fei amiably invited Song Wan to sit.

Song Yuning smiled brightly: “Lady Jiang Fei still dotes on you—so much better than this blood aunt of yours. Even when you entered the palace without paying respects to Lady Jiang Fei, she never resented you.”

“Moreover, knowing your health is delicate, she doesn’t let you worry about the many affairs of the marquis residence. The outside businesses are managed by concubines, and the inner residence has palace female officials managing it on your behalf. Even this blood aunt of yours cannot do this much.”

“Quickly, thank Lady Jiang Fei! You’ve been married into the marquis residence for so long yet haven’t served her tea even once. Truly lacking in propriety.”

Having Cai Ji bring a soft cushion, Song Yuning took it with a half-smile and tossed it before Lady Jiang Fei. Song Wan lifted her skirt and gracefully knelt down. Cai Ji then presented a cup of tea: “Wan’er pays respects to Lady Jiang Fei. May Your Ladyship have abundant blessings…”

Jiang Man’s expression was grim. She looked at the tea Song Wan held before her for a long time without moving. The surrounding people seemed busy with their own affairs, yet all secretly paid attention to this scene.

Seeing Song Wan kneeling before Lady Jiang Fei, several ladies whose husbands held high positions silently concluded in their hearts that Lady Jiang Fei was young and hot-tempered, unable to maintain composure. Having merely suffered setbacks at Song Yuning’s hands a few times, she couldn’t even be bothered to preserve face. Making someone present this younger sister-in-law’s tea that should have been offered six years ago in such a setting—truly foolish to the extreme.

Thinking further about how she, a married-out daughter, interfered in the marquis residence’s inner affairs, they all felt contempt in their hearts. Jiang Man curved her lips in a stiff smile and took a sip.

“Why don’t you help the Lady of Chengyang Marquis up?”

Cai Ji helped Song Wan rise. Song Yuning sighed faintly: “Lady Jiang Fei cherishes the Marquis of Chengyang, so she loves all he holds dear. Not to mention you, even that lowly concubine in the residence who eloped shamelessly—she treats her with exceptional generosity. Not only did she not blame her for losing face for all women under heaven, she even gave her silver to open a shop.”

“If His Majesty knew of this, he would surely be gratified by Lady Jiang Fei’s approachability and sharing joy with the people.”

Jiang Man narrowed her eyes, showing displeasure. For imperial consorts to interfere in commercial affairs was truly improper—she had no defense.

Song Yuning continued to sigh: “I hear that woman is quite proficient in some mystical arts. Not only do Lady Jiang Fei and the marquis especially value her, but the items she makes are also excellent.”

“Making ice in summer is one thing, but the things from Huanyan Studio are truly astonishing. I just hear they’re not easy to obtain. Whether imperial clan or aristocratic families, even those bringing silver to the door may not necessarily be able to purchase anything.”

Jiang Man’s expression gradually darkened: “If Lady Yun Fei likes them, what’s wrong with me sending you a set?”

Song Yuning said: “How could I take Lady Yun Fei’s things for nothing? Moreover, the Empress, Lady De Fei, and Lady Xian Fei are all present. How could I monopolize them over the other ladies?”

Jiang Man clenched her fists and forced a laugh: “What treasure under heaven can the Empress not obtain? Huanyan Studio is merely a small rouge shop, not worth the ladies’ attention. But since Lady Yun Fei mentioned it today, tomorrow I’ll have someone send some to the ladies for their appreciation and enjoyment.”

“Many thanks to Lady Jiang Fei.”

Song Yuning’s eyes and brows contained a smile as she said to Song Wan: “Look, look—Lady Jiang Fei has always been straightforward. I truly love her temperament.”

“The Marquis of Chengyang must have inherited Lady Jiang Fei’s true teachings. After nearly dying at the border and suffering for six years, he could have stood out after returning to the capital, yet he lowered himself to train diligently every day. Now he’s finally seized the opportunity and gone to the Divine Pivot Battalion.”

“Through such twisting paths and turning peaks, he’s never shown any sign of difficulty. To have such a husband—aunt is truly happy for you.”

Someone couldn’t help but laugh. Seeing that the two had quarreled enough, the Empress finally spoke leisurely, inviting everyone to take their seats.