Маdаm Zhou forсеd а smilе. "Wе should hurry and lеаve the еstate tо еntеr thе раlacе."
The Zhuang family's cаrriаge wаs alrеаdу wаiting outsidе. Оriginаllу, thеre wаs only onе сarriаge, but Han Yаn waved hеr hand and instruсtеd thе sеrvаnt bеsidе her, "Go find аnоther саrriаge."
Мadаm Zhоu was abоut tо boаrd the carriаge when she hеаrd this аnd frozе. "Why does Fоurth Мiss nеed tо find аnоthеr саrriagе?" Shе then оrderеd the servаnt to stор thе onе sеаrсhing for the cаrriage.
Han Yan lоoked puzzlеd. "I need tо ride in а сarriаge!"
"Can't Fourth Miss just ride with us in the same carriage?" Zhuangshan followed up.
Han Yan pouted. "Three people in one carriage is too crowded. I'm not used to it."
Madam Zhou frowned. "Fourth Miss, this is improper."
Han Yan glanced at her. "When attending banquets in the past, it was just me and Mother, so it never felt crowded. But now, with the addition of the concubine and Sister Yu Shan, Yan'er truly cannot bear it."
Was it the three people she couldn't bear, or was it the mother and daughter? Han Yan's words carried a deeper meaning. The servants around them lowered their heads, silently calculating in their hearts. It seemed the young lady of the estate and this newly arrived concubine were at odds like fire and water.
Upon hearing this, Madam Zhou nearly exploded with rage.
Seeing the situation turn tense, Han Yan said with a grievance, "As a legitimate daughter of the family, I now have to seek permission just to find a carriage. What would people think if word got out?" Her eyes turned cold. "My name has already been added to the invitation. If anything goes wrong at the palace banquet! If His Majesty becomes enraged and something happens, who among you will take responsibility?!"
Her words were grave, and the servants shuddered, quickly scurrying off to find a carriage. Madam Zhou stomped her feet in anger. Han Yan smiled gently and said considerately, "Concubine, hurry and board the carriage with Sister Yu Shan. The wind outside is strong, and Sister Yu Shan is dressed lightly. If she catches a cold and has to rest in bed for a few days, without Concubine Wan's care, who knows if she'll recover as quickly."
Zhuangshan stiffened. Madam Zhou glared fiercely at Han Yan, gritted her teeth, and pulled Zhuangshan into the carriage.
After sitting down, Zhuangshan stared at her mother's unpleasant expression and said, "Mother, it's a good thing she doesn't want to ride with us. I don't want to see that little wretch either!"
"Shut up!" Madam Zhou snapped viciously, startling Zhuangshan so much that she shrank into the opposite corner of the carriage, not daring to speak.
Soon, another carriage was found. Han Yan happily hopped into it and called out loudly, "Ji Lan, Shu Hong, hurry up and get in!"
Her voice was clear and bright, especially audible at the entrance of the Zhuang estate. The servants couldn't help but show expressions of surprise. Fourth Miss would rather ride with two maids than share a carriage with Concubine Wan and her daughter?
Han Yan had deliberately called out so loudly. Seeing that she had achieved the desired effect, she nodded in satisfaction.
Such humiliation! Over in the other carriage, Madam Zhou's eyes were already red with fury.
The carriage the servants found was quite good—spacious and warm, lined with soft wild mink fur. Han Yan held a small hand warmer and nibbled on snacks from the side.
Ji Lan chuckled. "Concubine Zhou must be furious."
Shu Hong expressed some concern. "Openly opposing them like this, Miss should be careful."
Han Yan waved it off indifferently. "I want them to be angry. The angrier, the better—so angry they forget all propriety. The ladies and madams at the palace banquet have sharp eyes."In her previous life, Han Yan had not attended this palace banquet at all, for she was still immersed in the grief of losing her mother and had no heart for social engagements. Moreover, when Madam Zhou visited her, she chatted about everyday matters, repeatedly emphasizing how harsh the noblewomen at the palace banquet were and how many rules there were. A single misstep could offend others and bring disaster upon the Zhuang residence. Although she had attended banquets with her mother before, this was her first time at a palace event, and so she grew fearful and eventually pleaded illness, resting only at home. Han Yan lowered her gaze. Looking back now, it seemed that after every banquet, Zhuangshan would return complaining about how dull the event was, how difficult the young ladies were to get along with, and how much she had suffered. Over time, banquets became something akin to a ferocious beast in Han Yan’s mind, something to be avoided at all costs. Due to her foolishness, she had gradually pushed herself out of the sight of the noblewomen in the capital, allowing Madam Zhou and her daughter to slander her, ultimately reaping what she had sown.
Fortunately, Heaven took pity and gave her another chance. In this life, she would dismantle Madam Zhou’s plans bit by bit and stand tall, looking down upon them. What was owed to her and her mother—she did not mind reclaiming it step by step!
In another carriage, Madam Zhou clenched her handkerchief tightly in hatred: "That wretch!"
She had planned everything perfectly—to sit in the same carriage as Han Yan. With such a long journey, it would have been more than enough time to extract information about the palace banquet from Han Yan.
Her own background was not high; she was originally a concubine-born daughter. Later, by chance, she met Zhuang Shiyang and had Yu Shan. Unexpectedly, Yu Shan was destined to follow her old path, bearing the title of a concubine-born daughter for life. Thus, from that moment on, she resolved to ensure that Yu Shan would shed this identity and become the legitimate daughter of the Zhuang family in an honorable manner.
Unexpectedly, upon entering the residence, things did not unfold as she had imagined. The daughter left behind by that wretch was not easy to deceive and openly challenged her. This time, having finally seized the opportunity to enter the palace, she was almost determined to enter the circles of noblewomen to pave the way for Yu Shan’s future.
However, she had rarely had such opportunities to attend banquets before and was not very familiar with the details. Nor did she know the noblewomen of the capital, so she thought of obtaining useful information from Han Yan. With that, she could approach and build connections, ensuring her conduct was flawless. As long as she asked, Han Yan could not refuse to answer—otherwise, it would be disrespectful and a violation of feminine virtue. In front of all the servants, Han Yan naturally would not do anything to disgrace herself.
Who would have thought! Han Yan had simply avoided her by refusing to share the same carriage! Moreover, she had even brought two maids along, leaving Madam Zhou in an awkward position!
The more Madam Zhou thought about it, the more resentful she became, a flicker of ruthlessness flashing in her eyes. By chance, she glanced at Yu Shan sitting beside her and was momentarily taken aback.
Yu Shan was growing more and more beautiful. With such looks, any man would be unable to resist doting on her. At the palace banquet, the young masters of various families would also be present. If one or two of exceptional standing took a liking to Yu Shan...
No, Yu Shan was still a concubine-born daughter. Even if she caught someone’s eye, given the status of those noble young masters, Yu Shan could only become a concubine.
Yu Shan must shed this identity. A meaningful light flashed in Madam Zhou’s eyes as her voice suddenly softened: "Yu’er, let Mother tell you..."The carriage traveled for over an hour before finally coming to a halt. Han Yan was helped down from the carriage by Ji Lan and Shu Hong. At first glance, she saw before her the towering, majestic palace walls.
The royal architecture was grand and imposing, appearing noble and extraordinary even from the outside. Yet, a sense of bewilderment arose in Han Yan’s heart. Such an exquisitely luxurious place truly resembled a birdcage—square and confined, imprisoning a person’s entire life.
OpenNovel