Zhuang Yu Shan had also alighted with Madam Zhou. Standing before the tall palace walls, she appeared even more delicate and fragile, like a gracefully blooming pink peony.

“Concubine, this is the imperial palace. It’s so beautiful!” Zhuang Yu Shan stared inside, showing an impatient expression. “Let’s hurry in!”

Madam Zhou glared at her, “Yu Er, have you forgotten what I told you?”

Zhuang Yu Shan was startled, quickly composed herself, and smiled, “Yu Er was just a bit excited.”

Watching the interaction between mother and daughter, Han Yan secretly laughed. Zhuang Yu Shan was still young and hadn’t learned to control her emotions. Compared to her mother, she wasn’t much of a threat – Madam Zhou’s methods were far more sophisticated.

She walked over to join them, saying, “Sister Yu Shan is right, let’s hurry inside.”

Seeing her friendly tone, though Madam Zhou was suspicious, she needed to play her part well in this scene and responded warmly, “Alright.”

Yet she only linked arms with Zhuang Yu Shan, as if making a show for someone.

Han Yan remained indifferent, letting Ji Lan and Shu Hong follow as they walked inside with the palace maid leading the way.

The imperial grounds were extraordinary in every way. The stone orchids were exquisitely carved, the gardens delicate and quaint, with imperial yellow glazed tiles and vermillion pillars. It was both luxurious and dignified, grand and magnificent. Snow had just fallen, and unmelted snow on the paths added a hint of bustle to the coldness, creating an icy sensation in people’s hearts.

Though Zhuang Yu Shan and Madam Zhou tried their best to maintain composure, they were inevitably awed and envious, especially Zhuang Yu Shan, whose eyes darted around the gilt window frames – such luxury nearly blinded her. She had previously thought the Zhuang mansion represented the height of wealth and had obsessed over replacing Han Yan to obtain such luxury. But compared to the imperial family, it was merely a drop in the ocean. At this moment, she suddenly became fixated – in the future, she too would live in such a magnificent residence and become someone so noble!

Han Yan noticed the greedy look in Zhuang Yu Shan’s eyes, and her smile took on a mocking quality. What was there to covet about wealth? But human hearts were unfathomable – once greed took root, it was nearly impossible to return to one’s previous state of mind.

She wondered what methods Zhuang Yu-Shan would use to pursue all this.

The palace maid leading them seemed to notice the strange atmosphere between them and remained silent as they turned through several corridors and entered a massive palace garden. Han Yan looked up to see three characters that read “Colored Phoenix Hall.”

“Madam Zhuang has arrived,” the palace maid had barely finished announcing when the bustling hall gradually fell silent. Han Yan looked up, meeting a pair of sharp eyes on the main seat.

Han Yan’s hand tightened as she broke into a warm smile, stepping forward to bow: “This humble daughter Han Yan of the Zhuang family pays respects to the Empress Dowager.”

The person on the seat wore a gold-threaded silk robe and held a cup of fragrant tea. Though past fifty, her eyes remained sharp and clever, while her entire being emanated an irresistible royal aura that unconsciously created a sense of pressure and awe. Han Yan knelt in a half-bow, and the Empress Dowager remained silent for a long while before saying, “Rise, come let me have a look at you.”

Han Yan was surprised – she had no previous interaction with the Empress Dowager, and this current attitude was indeed intriguing. However, there was no option but to comply, so she quickly rose and walked to the Empress Dowager’s side with a sweet smile.

The Empress Dowager’s eyes swept over her face, noting Han Yan’s innocent and lively demeanor. Her gaze shifted as she spoke kindly, “A good child.” She removed the jade bracelet from her wrist and placed it in Han Yan’s hand, adding, “And such a pretty one too.”

Taking the bracelet, Han Yan’s mind raced through hundreds of thoughts. She immediately showed hesitation and tried to decline, “Your Highness, this is too precious. This humble daughter is unworthy.”

The Empress Dowager smiled, “Keep it. I’m rewarding you for being well-behaved.”

Han Yan calculated internally and pretended to accept it nervously.

Seeing this scene, Madam Zhou and Zhuang Yu Shan became unsettled. Who could have imagined the Empress Dowager would suddenly show such favor to Han Yan? Especially Zhuang Yu Shan, who stared fixedly at the jade bracelet in Han Yan’s hand, her heart burning with hatred.

Why should that little wretch receive the Empress Dowager’s favor?

Madam Zhou had already led Zhuang Yu Shan forward to bow: “This humble concubine pays respects to the Empress Dowager.”

Having just witnessed Han Yan receive the jade bracelet, Zhuang Yu Shan was extremely envious and determined to please Empress Dowager, hoping for an even greater reward. She spoke in a coquettish voice, “This humble daughter pays respects to the Empress Dowager.”

Her voice was naturally melodious, and now deliberately softened, it sounded like a gentle breeze caressing one’s ears, creating ripples on a calm lake surface, making people’s hearts flutter.

As she spoke, other ladies in the hall turned to look at her. They had already been surprised by Han Yan receiving the Empress Dowager’s favor, and now this other young lady from the Zhuang family immediately attracted their attention. In an instant, all eyes in the hall fell on Zhuang Yu-Shan.

Han Yan sighed inwardly. Zhuang Yu Shan’s behavior might be endearing to men, making them want to cherish and dote on her, but unfortunately, the audience was entirely female. These noble ladies valued virtuous conduct above all. To their ears, Zhuang Yu Shan’s coquettish manner showed a lack of feminine virtue and propriety.

Sure enough, while Zhuang Yu Shan was still delighting in her moment of attention, the Empress Dowager slowly addressed Madam Zhou: “Are you Master Zhuang’s newly wedded second wife?”

Madam Zhou hadn’t expected this sudden question and bit her lips. She had attended the palace banquet hoping to be recognized as the Zhuang family’s new mistress, but with the Empress Dowager’s direct question, she couldn’t lie – that would be deceiving the throne. Yet admitting her position as a concubine would make this palace banquet meaningless!

Finally, she gritted her teeth: “This humble one is not a second wife, but… a concubine.”

The surrounding ladies immediately understood, and their gazes toward Madam Zhou and her daughter became openly contemptuous. No wonder they seemed so unrefined – they were merely a concubine and her illegitimate daughter. Looking at how the daughter dressed so provocatively, who knew where she learned such fox-like seduction techniques? Indeed, they couldn’t compare to the legitimate daughter, who was refined and conducted herself with proper noble bearing.

Having suffered this setback, Madam Zhou heard the Empress Dowager say flatly, “I see, you may rise.” There was nothing more. Her face burning red, she pulled Zhuang Yu-Shan to sit aside.

Though Zhuang Yu Shan didn’t fully understand what had happened, she sensibly noticed the changed attitudes in the surrounding gazes. Seeing that the Empress Dowager had no intention of rewarding her, she felt frustrated and angry, ultimately directing all her resentment toward Han Yan. Just as she was about to say something to Han Yan, she saw her sitting before a young lady in yellow robes, holding hands and talking with a bright smile.

The “Colored Phoenix Hall” was the Empress Dowager’s residence, routinely used for receiving palace consorts. At this moment, the ladies were chatting, each finding familiar faces for conversation, creating a harmonious atmosphere. The earlier minor disturbance had passed, and everything had returned to normal.