“Miss, it’s all done — take a look in the mirror and see if you’re satisfied.” Bai Yu’s cheerful voice rang out nearby.

Over these past few months, the Miss had always dressed simply and plainly; to be dressed this carefully was truly a first. To pay a visit to Her Ladyship the Jieyu inside the palace, one could not be careless or casual.

Bai Yu was clever and deft with her hands, and had put considerable thought into her work.

Ling Jingshu gave a distracted hum and looked at her own reflection in the mirror.

Willow-leaf brows gently curved, eyes like autumn waters. A thin layer of powder had been applied to her face, making her features appear all the more radiant and striking.

Her long hair was half pinned up, while the remaining dark locks fell softly to her chest. The pearl earrings on her ears gleamed with a smooth, rounded luster, complementing the pearl hairpin in a beautiful interplay.

Her garment was a pale rouge color, and her moon-white long skirt flowed lightly and gracefully; the sash matched the color of her dress, accentuating her waist — so slender it seemed barely a handspan — and her figure was willowy and lovely, her bearing graceful and charming.

The girl in the mirror was both familiar and strange.

It was as though she were still her former self from a past life — the one who did not yet know how treacherous the human heart could be — who had always loved to linger before the dressing mirror each day, adorning herself with all her beauty. What a pity that by now, things and people alike had long since changed…

Bai Yu smiled and praised: “Miss looks truly beautiful today.”

Ling Jingshu’s expression held little joy; she only smiled faintly.

Bai Yu then placed a small and exquisite sachet on Ling Jingshu — the sachet was also inlaid with pearls, hanging at her waist and swaying gracefully, adding a great deal of charm.

“The Sixth Miss is being quite generous this time.” Bai Yu said with a soft laugh: “Yesterday she specifically sent over new clothing and accessories.”

Ling Jingshu thought of Ling Jingyan’s expression — clearly pained yet affecting generosity — and could not help but laugh in spite of herself: “After we return, this dress and these accessories must be given back to her. Otherwise, who knows how long she’ll ache over them.”

The two of them — mistress and maid — exchanged a smile.

A familiar, bright voice rang out from the doorway: “Well then! I go out of my way to lend you a dress and accessories, and here you are talking about me behind my back. This time I’ve caught you red-handed — let’s see how you explain yourself.”

Ling Jingyan bustled in with swift, lively steps, her mouth chattering nonstop.

Ling Jingshu heaved an exaggerated sigh of resignation: “Since you’ve caught me, I have nothing to say for myself. Do with me as you see fit — I’m entirely at your disposal.”

“What a slippery tongue!”

Ling Jingyan tried to keep a straight face — but couldn’t hold it, and burst into laughter. Then she looked Ling Jingshu over more carefully and couldn’t help exclaiming in admiration: “A’Shu, all dressed up like this — you really are beautiful.”

But of course.

Bai Yu unconsciously straightened her back, her heart brimming with pride.

A trace of sourness crept into Ling Jingyan’s tone: “You dress so simply on ordinary days — from now on, when you go out, you ought to make yourself up properly.”

Ling Jingshu gave another exaggerated sigh: “The reason I dress so casually on ordinary outings isn’t precisely because of you.”

Ling Jingyan nodded first, then thought about it — something felt off. She turned and glared: “I never asked you to give way to me.”

Ling Jingshu laughed out loud, and the wistful feelings that had lingered in her heart quickly dissipated like smoke.

“Miss, the palace carriage has arrived.” The little maidservant Chun Cao came rushing in with her report, her small face flushed — she had apparently run too fast: “Madam is with the Young Lady Xin Yun, and asks you to come over right away!”

Ling Jingshu smiled and gave a hum of acknowledgment: “I understand — I’ll be right there.”

Sun Shi and Jiang Shi were accompanying Xin Yun in pleasant conversation.

When Ling Jingshu walked in, everyone present felt a sudden brightness before their eyes. Sun Shi was thoroughly pleased inwardly, and smilingly gave her instructions: “A’Shu, today you are entering the palace to pay your respects to Her Ladyship. Be careful in everything you say and do. Under no circumstances should you be rash or impetuous and cause offense to Her Ladyship the Jieyu.”

Ling Jingshu acknowledged each point in turn, and soon departed together with Xin Yun.

Sun Shi led her daughter-in-law and daughter to personally see them off to the carriage. Only after the carriage had vanished from sight did she let out a long breath, pressing her palms together and murmuring softly: “Heaven protect her — may A’Shu’s visit to the palace today go smoothly and without any mishap.”

Jiang Shi gently steadied Sun Shi’s arm and said with a smile: “A’Shu is thoughtful and quick-witted. She will certainly handle things well — how could anything go wrong? Mother-in-law, please set your mind at ease.”

Sun Shi smiled and nodded, yet that faint, uneasy premonition in her heart refused to be dispelled.

……

Inside the carriage, Ling Jingshu and Xin Yun sat facing each other. Bai Yu sat at Ling Jingshu’s side, while two young palace maids sat beside Xin Yun.

The spacious carriage was completely silent.

Xin Yun kept her composure and said nothing, though the corner of her eye kept a steady watch on Ling Jingshu’s every move.

Ling Jingshu was equally composed — sitting perfectly upright, without so much as a single strand of hair out of place.

Setting everything else aside, this alone — this calm and collected bearing — was enough to make one regard her differently.

Xin Yun quietly took note of this, and finally broke the silence: “This is Miss Ling’s first time entering the palace, and she is unfamiliar with things inside. When we enter presently, if there is anything you do not understand, simply ask me.”

Ling Jingshu smiled slightly: “Thank you for the reminder, Miss Xin Yun — there are indeed a few things I wished to ask. How is Princess An’ya’s health now?”

Xin Yun gave a soft sigh: “Princess An’ya has been delicate since childhood; it is not unusual for her to take to bed for two or three months at the slightest indisposition. This time she fell into the water and received a fright, and on top of that caught a chill — since returning to the palace she has not been able to rise. Imperial Physician Wei prescribed a restorative formula for her, and has been administering acupuncture every day; it was only two days ago that she was barely able to get out of bed.”

Thinking of that frail, innocent, and lovable Princess An’ya, Ling Jingshu could not help but sigh along with her.

Truly, nothing in this world is perfect. Heaven had given her a position of the utmost nobility, yet had also given her such a frail body.

“What does Her Ladyship the Jieyu enjoy doing in her leisure time?” Ling Jingshu did not feel it appropriate to ask directly whether Wei Jieyu had a gentle temperament, and so asked the easiest question to answer instead.

Xin Yun replied with a smile: “Her Ladyship has little interest in the lute, chess, calligraphy, and painting; she generally passes her time doing needlework.”

That Wei Jieyu came from humble origins was common knowledge. She had never learned such arts as the lute, chess, calligraphy, and painting in her youth, and to learn them after entering the palace was far beyond her compared to those consorts of better breeding. It was perfectly natural that she would have no fondness for such things.

“Her Ladyship pays her morning respects to the Empress each day, and then returns to Lingbo Palace — she rarely visits the chambers of other consorts.”

Xin Yun was quite thoughtful, and without waiting for Ling Jingshu to ask, continued to elaborate: “Her Ladyship’s gentle and amiable temperament is well known throughout the palace. When palace maids and attendants make mistakes, the most that happens is a light punishment — a beating is extremely rare. Those of us who serve in Lingbo Palace consider it a blessing earned from a past life.”

It was evident that these words of Xin Yun’s came from the heart, and were no mere flattery.

It seemed this Wei Jieyu would not be difficult to get along with.

Ling Jingshu felt somewhat relieved, and grew even more curious about this Wei Jieyu.

The carriage finally came to a stop.

Xin Yun said with a smile: “We have arrived at the palace gate. Miss Ling, please follow me out of the carriage and into the palace.”