In the Fanghua Garden of the Xingyuan Marquis Mansion, as the new moon slowly rose, Hong Yingrong walked in the night and came to the boudoirs of her two daughters.

After bidding farewell to her eldest son, she couldn't help but feel sad that her youngest daughter was about to enter the palace. Her heart was filled with reluctance and worry, and she wanted to see her two daughters again before going to bed.

In the inner room, candlelight flickered. Xue Huichun and her sister sat side by side, whispering to each other. Sister Xue Huichun's eyes showed her love for her sister.

"The Concubine Shoukang is a kind and generous person. You have had a good temper since you were young. When you arrive in the palace, as long as you are careful with your words and actions, you will definitely win her favor." Xue Huichun whispered.

Xue Shanqiu heard this and held her sister's hand tightly. "Don't worry, Fourth Sister. I will remember your words. And," she paused, her voice revealing deep anticipation, "when you get married, I will definitely come back to see you off!"

After hearing what her sister said, Xue Huichun's eyes showed a hint of warmth. She gently put her arms around Xue Shanqiu's shoulders, giving her silent comfort.

Hong Yingrong stood quietly at the door, listening to the conversation between the two sisters in the room. Although she knew that Xue Shanqiu's entry into the palace was just a temporary measure to delay the marriage, as a mother, she still felt it was difficult to let go.

This concern and reluctance surged into her heart like a tide, making her sigh softly, then push the door open and walk in.

"Mother!" the two sisters shouted in unison.

Hong Yingrong slowly walked to the bed and sat down, holding her two daughters' hands tightly, as if wanting to pass on her strength and warmth to them.

"You two are both my dearest ones. One of you is going to live in the palace permanently, and the other is about to get married. I really can't bear to let you go." As she spoke, her eyes couldn't help but turn red.

Xue Huichun's heart tightened when she saw her mother like this, but she still pretended to be calm and comforted her: "Mother, don't worry, we will take good care of ourselves. I will be careful in the palace and will not let you worry."

Xue Shanqiu nodded immediately and said firmly, "Yes, mother, don't worry. I will always remember your and my sister's instructions and won't do anything to worry you."

Hong Yingrong gently stroked her little daughter's cheek, her eyes filled with endless love. She whispered, "The palace should be coming to pick you up in the next two days. When the time comes, mother will personally take you there, so you can rest assured."

Xue Shanqiu nodded obediently and responded, "Everything is up to mother's arrangements."

Hong Yingrong smiled and told her two daughters to have a good rest, then she got up and left the room and returned to the Prajna Hall.

On the desk in the inner room, there was a pulse record of the Imperial Hospital's consultation for his daughter-in-law Jiang Shuxiu. This was secretly taken out by Hong Zhengxuan and given to Hong Yingrong.

Hong Zhengxuan also revealed a secret to Hong Yingrong. Since the time of the previous emperor, the palace has relied on the Imperial Medical Office to hide secrets in prescriptions in order to eliminate hostile factions.

This news made Hong Yingrong even more vigilant. Not only was she determined to do her utmost to protect her daughter, she could not tolerate the harm suffered by her daughter-in-law being glossed over so lightly.

A few days later, the palace ceremonial procession arrived at the Xingyuan Marquis Mansion in a grand procession. The magnificent carriages and bright flags sparkled in the sun, demonstrating the royal dignity and majesty.

Hong Yingrong got up early in the morning and dressed up carefully. She wore a dark blue imperial robe and a pearl crown on her head, looking solemn and elegant.

Xue Shanqiu also got ready early, wearing a light pink palace dress and exquisite makeup, but there was a hint of worry between her brows.

In front of the solemn and dignified palace gate, Hong Yingrong and Xue Shanqiu got off the carriage together. The palace gate was so tall that people couldn't help but feel awe.

Arm in arm, the mother and daughter walked through the palace gate and into the inner palace. Along the way, the palace walls were towering, the corridors were winding, and the palace servants saluted respectfully, not daring to slack off even for a moment.

When they arrived at Ci'an Palace, Concubine Shoukang had been waiting for a long time. She was wearing luxurious palace clothes and had a kind smile on her face.

"Your Highness, I am not familiar with life in the palace. I hope you will take good care of me in the future." Hong Yingrong said earnestly.

Concubine Shoukang smiled and nodded: "Don't worry, old lady, Qiu'er is smart and gentle. I will take good care of her."

Under the guidance of Concubine Shoukang, Hong Yingrong and Xue Shanqiu entered Ci'an Palace together.

During the banquet, Concubine Shoukang chatted cordially with the mother and daughter, asking about Shanqiu's daily life and interests.

The mother and daughter responded to Concubine Shoukang's questions without restraint, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

Hong Yingrong walked lightly through the corridors of the palace, her heart filled with relief. Seeing that her daughter's residence was elegant and comfortable, the heavy stone in her heart finally fell.

After the banquet, she respectfully bid farewell to Concubine Shoukang. The loving look the Concubine gave her daughter made her feel extremely reassured.

After leaving the Dowager Concubine's residence, Hong Yingrong set out on the road to Ci'an Palace.

The towering palace where the Queen Mother lived looked even more majestic in the afterglow of the setting sun.

The moment she stepped into the hall, an air of majesty hit her in the face. The hall was magnificent and golden, and the palace maids stood with their heads bowed. The atmosphere was solemn and dignified.

Hong Yingrong lowered her head and walked quickly, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

Chang Bao, the chief eunuch of Ci'an Palace, walked slowly towards her with a respectful look on his face. He saluted her and said, "Madam Hong, the Empress Dowager invites you. Please follow me to the inner hall."

Hong Yingrong was slightly stunned. Although she had visited Ci'an Palace many times, she had never set foot in the inner room. For a moment, doubts surged in her heart.

Chang Bao smiled faintly, "Old Madam, I don't know the details, I'm just following orders. However, since Your Majesty chose to meet in the inner hall, there must be a deeper meaning behind it."

Although Hong Yingrong still had some doubts in her heart, she also knew that it was not appropriate to ask too many questions at this time. She nodded and followed Chang Bao through the corridor and walked towards the inner hall.

The palace lanterns along the way swayed, and the light and shadows were mottled, reflecting the vicissitudes and heaviness of the palace walls.

Arriving at the door of the inner hall, Chang Bao stopped, gently pushed it open, turned to Hong Yingrong and said, "Madam Hong, the Empress Dowager is waiting inside. Please come in."

Hong Yingrong nodded slightly and walked into the inner room. The palace door behind her slowly closed, as if with a sigh, isolating her from the outside world.

The curtains hang low between the pillars, and a quiet and elegant atmosphere comes to you.

Unlike the magnificent main hall, this place is more like a quiet haven.

The screen was exquisite and the embroidery frame was elegant, as if she had stepped into a young girl's boudoir. Through the delicate wooden round window, she discovered that there was a daffodil garden outside the window. She had never noticed such a scenery when she was in Ci'an Hall before.

When Hong Yingrong's eyes were attracted by two desks placed side by side, her heart suddenly trembled.

The scene before her was like a dream, evoking distant memories hidden deep in her heart, as if time intersected at this moment, and the past and present overlapped.

Thirty years ago, Empress Dowager Lu Fengqing lived in the Hong Mansion, her own family's home, and lived in the same courtyard with her.

It was not until Lu Fengqing entered the palace to serve the late emperor and she married into the Xingyuan Marquis Mansion that the time of intimacy between them came to an end.

The layout here was extremely familiar to her. Everything was exactly the same as the boudoir she had lived in with Lu Fengqing in the Hong Mansion...