Madam Zhou forced a smile, “Let’s hurry to the palace.”

The Zhuang family’s carriage was already waiting outside. Originally there was only one carriage, but Han Yan waved her hand and instructed the servant beside her, “Go fetch another carriage.”

As Madam Zhou was about to board, she paused at these words, “Why does Fourth Young Miss need another carriage?” She then ordered the servant to stop the one seeking another carriage.

Han Yan feigned innocence, “I need to ride in a carriage!”

“Can’t Fourth Young Miss ride with us?” Zhuang Yu Shan asked.

Han Yan pouted, “Three people in one carriage is too cramped. I’m not used to it.”

Madam Zhou frowned, “Fourth Young Miss, this isn’t proper.”

Han Yan glanced at her, “When attending banquets before, it was just Mother and me, so naturally it wasn’t crowded. But now with Concubine and Sister Yu Shan, Yan Er simply cannot bear it.”

Was it three people she couldn’t bear, or was it their mother-daughter pair? Han Yan’s words carried deep meaning, and the servants all lowered their heads, secretly calculating that the Young Miss and this newly arrived Concubine seemed to be at odds.

Hearing this, Madam Zhou nearly burst with anger.

Seeing the tense situation, Han Yan said pitifully, “As a legitimate Young Miss, now I need to consider others’ feelings just to get a carriage. What would people say if this got out?” Her eyes turned cold, “My name has already been added to the invitation. If something goes wrong at the palace banquet and angers the Emperor, who will take responsibility?!”

Her words carried weight, making the servants shudder as they hurried off to find another carriage. While Madam Zhou was fuming, Han Yan smiled gently and said considerately, “Concubine should quickly board with Sister Yu-Shan. The wind is strong outside, and Sister Yu Shan is dressed thinly. If she falls ill and needs to rest in bed for days, without Late Concubine’s care, who knows if she’ll recover as quickly?”

Zhuang Yu Shan stiffened, and Madam Zhou glared fiercely at Han Yan before gritting her teeth and pulling Zhuang Yu Shan into the carriage.

Once seated, Zhuang Yu Shan observed her mother’s hostile expression and said, “Mother, it’s good she doesn’t want to ride with us. I don’t want to see that little wretch anyway!”

“Silence!” Madam Zhou snapped harshly, startling Zhuang Yu Shan, who immediately shrank into the corner of the carriage, not daring to speak further.

Soon, another carriage arrived. Han Yan happily jumped in, calling out loudly, “Ji Lan, Shu Hong, hurry up!”

Her clear voice rang distinctly in the mansion’s courtyard, causing the servants to show surprised expressions. Fourth Young Miss would rather share a carriage with two maids than ride with Late Concubine and her daughter.

Having achieved her desired effect with her deliberately loud call, Han Yan nodded with satisfaction.

Such humiliation! In the other carriage, Madam Zhou’s eyes had turned red with anger.

The servants had found a nice carriage, both spacious and warm, lined with soft wild marten fur. Han Yan held a small hand warmer while nibbling on snacks beside her.

Ji Lan said with a grin, “Concubine Zhou must be furious.”

Shu Hong expressed some concern, “Young Miss, please be careful about openly opposing them.”

Han Yan waved dismissively, “I want them to be angry, angry enough to forget proper etiquette. The ladies at the palace banquet have sharp eyes.”

In her previous life, Han Yan hadn’t attended this palace banquet at all, as she was still immersed in grief over losing her mother and had no interest in social affairs. Moreover, when Madam Zhou visited her, she kept emphasizing how harsh the ladies at the palace banquet were, how many rules there were, and how easy it was to offend someone and bring trouble to the Zhuang family. Although she had attended banquets with her mother before, she had never been to one in the palace, so she grew fearful and ultimately claimed illness, staying home to rest. Han Yan lowered her eyes, remembering how after every banquet, Zhuang Yu Shan would complain about how boring it was, how difficult the other young ladies were to get along with, and how much she had suffered. Over time, banquets became something Han Yan avoided like the plague. Due to her foolishness, she gradually removed herself from the sight of the capital’s noble ladies, allowing Madam Zhou and her daughter to defame her, finally reaping the bitter consequences!

Fortunately, heaven showed mercy and gave her another chance. In this life, she would gradually destroy Madam Zhou’s plans and look down on them from above. What they owed her and her mother, she didn’t mind collecting bit by bit!

In the other carriage, Madam Zhou viciously twisted her handkerchief, “That wretch!”

She had planned everything perfectly – sitting in the same carriage with Han Yan, the long journey would have been enough to extract information about the palace banquet from her.

Coming from a humble background as a concubine’s daughter herself, she had met Zhuang Shi Yang by chance and had Zhuang Yu Shan, never expecting her daughter would follow her old path, bearing the title of a concubine’s daughter for life. From that moment, she had determined to help Zhuang Yu Shan escape this identity and become a proper legitimate daughter of the Zhuang family.

However, upon entering the mansion, things didn’t develop as she had imagined. That wretch’s daughter wasn’t easily fooled and openly challenged her. This time, she had finally grasped the opportunity to enter the palace and had almost settled on her plan to enter the circle of noble ladies to pave the way for Zhuang Yu Shan’s future.

But she had rarely had such opportunities to attend banquets before and wasn’t familiar with the details. She didn’t know these capital noble ladies, so she had hoped to get useful information from Han Yan to help her socialize and avoid mistakes. If she asked, Han Yan wouldn’t be able to refuse without being disrespectful and violating feminine virtue. In front of the servants, Han Yan surely wouldn’t do anything to lose face.

Unexpectedly! She had so easily avoided this by refusing to share a carriage! Moreover, she had taken two maids with her – what position did that put her in?

The more Madam Zhou thought about it, the more unwilling she became, a flash of viciousness crossing her eyes. Catching a glimpse of Zhuang Yu Shan sitting beside her, she paused slightly.

Yu Shan was growing more beautiful by the day. With her appearance, any man would find it hard not to cherish her. At the palace banquet, young masters from various families would be present. If one or two excellent ones took a fancy to Yu-Shan…

No, Yu-Shan was still a concubine’s daughter. Even if she caught someone’s eye, given those noble young masters’ status, Yu Shan could only become a concubine.

She must help Yu Shan shed this identity. A mysterious light flashed in Madam Zhou’s eyes as her voice suddenly softened, “Yu Er, Mother wants to tell you…”

After traveling for over two hours, the carriages finally stopped. Han Yan, supported by Ji Lan and Shu Hong, alighted from the carriage and immediately beheld the imposing palace walls before her.

The royal architecture was magnificent, and while it appeared noble and precious from the outside, Han Yan felt a hint of bewilderment. Such an exquisite and luxurious place was truly like a birdcage. Square and confined, it imprisoned people for their entire lives.