Тhе рalaсе Night Ваnquеt would not begin until еvеning, and it was still dаytime. Тhus, thе Еmрrеss invitеd the ladiеs and young misses to admirе thе plum blоssoms tо раss thе time. It wаs wintеr, аnd strоlling thrоugh the snоw to apрrеciаte the plum blоssoms was indеed an еlеgаnt раstimе.
Нan Yan hеld Dеng Chаn’s hаnd аs theу follоwеd behind the lаdiеs. Thоse who werе alreadу асquaintеd naturally gаthеrеd to сhаt, whilе еvеn thоse whо wеre unfаmiliar еxchаnged а fеw рleаsаnt wоrds аnd soon beсame acquaintеd.
At such banquеts, the friendshiрs amоng thе ladiеs were often purposeful. One family might have a daughter of marriageable age, while another might have a son ready to start a family. After some mutual inquiries into each other’s family backgrounds, a favorable match might be arranged.
Men’s politics unfolded over wine cups and drinking games, while women’s politics played out in the gossip of everyday life. And marriage was the greatest politics for women.
As Han Yan’s thoughts wandered, she caught sight of Madam Zhou and her daughter out of the corner of her eye. She noticed that Zhuang Hanyan was also gathered around a young lady in splendid attire, speaking about something, her face filled with flattery. The young lady’s clothing was extraordinary, and her expression carried an air of arrogance, suggesting she was someone of importance.
Zhuangshan sensed Han Yan’s gaze and turned her head, a provocative smile curling at the corners of her mouth. Han Yan was taken aback for a moment, then shook her head and looked away, thinking to herself that Zhuangshan was truly foolish. What was there to be proud of in currying favor with a young lady from a wealthy and influential family?
However, this art of flattery must have been inherited from her mother. Han Yan gazed thoughtfully at Madam Zhou, who was chatting warmly with a group of ladies.
Indeed, she was a master of social grace, having so quickly dispelled the ladies’ displeasure toward her and even begun to gain their acceptance. For Han Yan, this was not good news. What method could she devise to prevent it?
Seeing Han Yan lost in thought, Deng Chan nudged her. "What are you daydreaming about? Look at these plum blossoms—aren’t they beautiful?"
Han Yan snapped back to attention and followed her gaze. A plum blossom had bloomed on a branch, its fragrance enveloping them. Han Yan took a deep breath, feeling as though her body and mind were intoxicated.
This was the royal garden, spanning dozens of acres, all planted with snow-white plum blossoms. When the wind blew, some petals would drift and fall to the ground, indistinguishable from snow. It was like a fairyland, breathtakingly beautiful.
The ladies were also captivated by the scenery. The Empress had set up small tables and chairs in the garden, with exquisite pastries and fruit tea placed on the tables. Admiring the plum blossoms and chatting here was truly a delightful affair.
Han Yan sat beside Madam Deng with Deng Chan. Madam Deng was a kind-faced woman who treated Han Yan with affection and care. Ji Lan and Shu Hong, along with the other maids, were helping in the plum grove, arranging fresh dried fruits. Zhuangshan sat beside the young lady in splendid attire, her eyes occasionally drifting over, no doubt scheming and spreading gossip.
There was no way to prevent this. From the very beginning, Zhuangshan had come with ill intentions. Moreover, Han Yan had caused her such a significant setback. Given her vengeful nature, she was bound to seek retribution.
After chatting for a while, Zhuangshan suddenly stood up and walked over to her. "Sister Yan, I need to visit the restroom. Will you accompany me?"
Han Yan immediately sensed that Zhuangshan was up to no good and instinctively refused. "Ask a palace maid to accompany you. I don’t know the way either."
But Zhuangshan persisted, looking at her cautiously. "I... I’m still afraid. We are sisters, after all. You wouldn’t dislike me, would you?"Things had been said to this point. Refusing further would imply she didn't consider Zhuangshan as a sister. With all the ladies present watching, what else could she say?
Deng Chan also vaguely sensed something amiss and stood up, saying, "I'll accompany you as well."
Han Yan shook her head. "No need. I'll accompany Sister Yu Shan. We'll be back soon."
This matter had nothing to do with Deng Chan—better not involve her. Han Yan pondered. After all, they were in the palace. Zhuangshan wouldn't dare openly harm her. She would just stay vigilant. Her gaze swept past the lavishly dressed young girl who had been watching them intently. Who exactly was this person?
The palace maid led the way, with Han Yan and Zhuangshan following behind. Zhuangshan wore a constant smile on her face. Though Han Yan remained alert, she couldn't figure out what Zhuangshan intended to do. She could only secretly tighten her grip on a wooden hairpin hidden in her sleeve.
This wooden hairpin had been carved and given to her by Zhuang Hanming on her tenth birthday. Though the craftsmanship was rough, one could still see the care put into it by its maker. Initially, she had been touched and reluctant to use it. Moreover, as an official's daughter, wearing a wooden hairpin in public was rather inappropriate, so she stored it away in a box. After her rebirth, while organizing her belongings, she discovered this hairpin still looked as polished as new. Zhuang Hanming must have used exceptionally fine wood back then.
To make the most of it, she found a small knife and sharpened one end of the hairpin to an extreme point, even adding a barb, treating it as a means of self-defense. Though it wouldn't be of much use in a real crisis, it still brought her some comfort.
Now, with Zhuangshan harboring ill intentions, she had to tread carefully. However... Zhuangshan had no acquaintances in the palace, so she likely wouldn't do anything foolish. To target her, someone in the palace must be backing Zhuangshan. Han Yan thought of the lavishly dressed young girl from earlier, who seemed to hold a high status. Could she be someone from the palace?
What exactly had Zhuangshan said to her to make that person help target Han Yan?
Han Yan felt her thoughts were tangled, so she decided to take things one step at a time.
The palace paths were intricate and complex. The palace maid led Han Yan and Zhuangshan through countless winding trails and corridors. By the time Han Yan felt her legs growing sore, the maid finally stopped. "Miss Zhuang, we're here."
Zhuangshan then pulled Han Yan inside. The imperial restroom, with its red tiles and vermilion walls, was surprisingly grand and imposing. Han Yan had just thought this when she inwardly scolded herself. What was she doing, comparing the palace restroom to the one in her own residence at a time like this?
There were three restrooms in total. Han Yan and Zhuangshan each entered one. From the start, Han Yan remained vigilant, convinced Zhuangshan would try something. Once inside, she kept her eyes fixed on the door, guarding against Zhuangshan suddenly barging in.
But after waiting and waiting, Han Yan saw no sign of movement from Zhuangshan. Feeling puzzled, she pushed the door open and called out, "Sister Yu Shan?"
Only the biting wind answered her.
A chill ran down Han Yan's spine as she suddenly realized something. She hurried to where the palace maid had been, only to find the spot empty and deserted.
Standing there for a long moment, she finally let out a helpless laugh. She had been guarding against Zhuangshan harming her or making a move, but she never expected it to be like this.
Had they simply abandoned her here?Han Yan was entering the palace for the first time, so naturally she was unfamiliar with its layout. Suddenly, it dawned on her that the palace maid had been leading them along small paths the entire time, and they had encountered hardly any eunuchs or maids along the way—this was far too unusual.
Many areas within the palace were actually subject to strict taboos, and some, involving secrets, were outright forbidden zones. Standing there alone, Han Yan couldn’t help but wonder whether this place might be one of those forbidden areas.
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