Chapter 72 [VIP]

Chapter Summary: Entering the Palace.

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager." Ayu entered, speaking somewhat flusteredly. At that moment, Yu Jing was having breakfast. The freshly made crab roe and shrimp wontons from the small kitchen were very delicious. With one bite, you could taste the tender shrimp and the crunchy crab roe bursting in your mouth.

Yu Jing looked up at A Yu: "What's the matter that you're in such a panic?"

Ayu glanced at the person next to her, then whispered to Yu Jing, "News just came from the previous dynasty: His Majesty has decreed that Miss Xie has been granted the title of Beauty and will enter the palace on a chosen day."

Upon hearing Ayu mention Miss Xie, Yu Jing hesitated for a moment before replying, "Miss Xie... Xie Ying!"

Yu Jing looked at A Yu incredulously and asked.

“Exactly.” Ayu nodded.

Yu Jing immediately lost her appetite, put down her chopsticks, and quietly asked, "Did they say when you're going to the palace?"

"I heard it will be in three days."

"Oh," Yu Jing responded, suddenly recalling what Qi Jin had told her a few days ago when she went to talk to him about Xie Xuan. It turned out that Qi Jin had already planned this back then, but she couldn't understand what the Xie family's connection was to bringing Xie Ying into the harem. Usually, it was officials from outside the court who sent their daughters into the palace to probe the emperor's intentions or to strengthen their family's power. Qi Jin had just conferred the title of Marquis of Wu'an upon Xie Jin a few days ago, and now he was taking Xie Ying into the harem; it was truly perplexing.

Yu Jingzheng was completely baffled when he heard a noise at the door: "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty the Empress has arrived."

"Let her in," Yu Jing said, tidying up the things on the table.

Zhang Qingcen entered, wearing a light green blouse with birds and peonies, her hair adorned with a simple hairpin, while the pearl earrings were quite eye-catching.

After bowing and paying respects, Ayu brought people over to serve tea, and Yu Jing skimmed off the foam and took a sip.

"How has Your Majesty been resting these days? I have specially prepared a pickled radish and old duck soup for Your Majesty to try." It was noon, and lunchtime was just around the corner, so Zhang Qingcen must have arrived at the perfect time.

"Your Majesty has gone to so much trouble," Yu Jing said, and A Yu stepped forward and brought the soup to Yu Jing.

“These are all my duties,” Zhang Qingcen replied, then changed the subject, “In a few days, some new sisters will be added to the palace. I’ve heard that they are proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, needlework, and cooking. At that time, I’m afraid the Empress Dowager will look down on my skills.”

With just that one sentence, Yu Jing immediately understood Zhang Qingcen's intention. Even as Empress, Zhang Qingcen would be afraid of a newcomer entering the palace. Qi Jin couldn't be her protector; at least, there was the Empress Dowager.

“How could that be? The Empress’s skills are not something everyone can match.” Upon hearing Yu Jing’s words, Zhang Qingcen replied with a smile, “Thank you for the compliment, Mother.”

After receiving the imperial decree, Xie Ying locked himself in his room. The entire Xie household was shrouded in gloom.

“The decree has been received, and we can’t bear to part with Sui Sui…” Li Wei said, her voice slightly choked. “What is His Majesty thinking? Isn’t our Sui Sui already past the age for the imperial concubine selection? And there was no warning at all, and suddenly the decree was issued!”

"The Emperor's will is unpredictable," Xie Jin said slowly, then sighed softly, "If I had known this would happen, I would have done it sooner..."

"Enough, what's the point of saying all this now?"

The imperial palace is a den of iniquity. Although Xie Ying is intelligent, there are many more intelligent people than her, and how many of them can survive unscathed? Xie Xuan also knew that this matter was already a foregone conclusion.

He stood up and slowly walked towards Xie Ying's room. He stood in front of the door for a while before hesitatingly raising his hand to knock.

"Sister."

After a long while, the door opened. Xie Ying's eyes were red, clearly she had just been crying. Xie Xuan's words caught in his throat the moment he saw Xie Ying. Seeing Xie Ying like this, he could do nothing but offer words of comfort.

"Xuan'er, I'm fine," Xie Ying said, even managing a smile, though it seemed somewhat forced. Seeing this, Xie Xuan clenched his fists at his sides. "Sister, you...you should rest well."

After saying this, Xie Xuan turned and left, walking faster and faster until he was jogging. Xie Yi, fearing something might happen, also quickly followed behind Xie Xuan. Xie Xuan felt a surge of anger and frustration, and turned to go to the backyard.

"Young Master." Xie Yi followed Xie Xuan to the backyard, where Xie Xuan picked up the long sword from the rack, drew it, turned around and slung it over his shoulder, and said sternly to Xie Yi, "Don't follow me!"

Xie Yi was startled; it was the first time he had ever seen Xie Xuan lose his temper like this. He stammered in response and walked out of Xie Xuan's sight, but he was still worried about Xie Xuan, so he secretly observed him from the entrance of the corridor.

Xie Xuan brandished his longsword with great force, the sword's wind extremely sharp, as if venting his anger. Xie Yi watched from the corner, somewhat helpless. The decree had been issued; even if the Empress Dowager intervened, nothing could be changed.

"The imperial decree was issued so hastily, and the date was chosen so soon, that Mother didn't have time to prepare properly." As Li Wei spoke, her eyes welled up with tears. She had clearly prepared herself not to cry in front of Xie Ying, but she just couldn't hold back the tears. Li Wei frowned, turned away to secretly wipe her tears, and then said to Xie Ying seriously, "Fortunately, Mother had prepared in advance, so there's still time in the next few days."

“Entering the palace won’t be as comfortable as staying at home. You’ll have to learn about social etiquette and be more tactful.” Li Wei went on and on, and Xie Ying listened to her words and responded softly, but couldn’t manage a smile.

It drizzled on the day she entered the palace. The entire household saw Xie Ying off before dawn, at 5:15 AM. Because she was entering the palace, she couldn't even wear a wedding dress; she could only wear the palace attire of a young lady-in-waiting.

Li Wei looked at Xie Ying, who was dressed very simply, and reached out to stroke Xie Ying's face, saying with some guilt, "Originally, she should have been wearing a wedding dress and being sent off in a lively ceremony, but now..."

"Why say such things on such a joyous occasion?" Xie Jin said, helping Xie Ying into the sedan chair. Li Wei couldn't bear to watch and turned to Xie Xuan.

When Xie Jin saw Xie Ying off to the sedan chair, Xie Ying clearly heard a sentence.

"Sui Sui, it's your father who has wronged you."

Xie Ying's heart trembled violently. She did not utter a sound, but as the sedan chair was lifted, a tear fell from her eye.

Xie Xuan stood in front of the mansion, watching Xie Ying's sedan chair disappear into the dark, misty rain.

On the night Xie Ying entered the palace, Qi Jin stayed at Xie Ying's Wan Ying Pavilion.

"Your Majesty, it's getting late. There are newlyweds coming to pay their respects today," Ayu called softly from the doorway.

Yu Jing got up, called A Yu in, and after washing up and having breakfast, she called them in again.

"Your Majesty, I greet you," the group said, bowing to Yu Jing.

It had rained all night, and the originally sweltering weather was now cool. Perhaps because of Xie Xuan, Yu Jing glanced at the crowd standing below and immediately spotted Xie Ying. She didn't know Xie Ying well, but her impression of her was that of an extremely spirited woman. Probably because she came from a military family, her appearance and temperament were quite striking among the group of well-bred ladies.

Everyone else appeared meticulously dressed, but she stood out with her simple, understated elegance. Her smoky black silver fish-patterned dress, adorned with plain silver ornaments and hairpins, set her apart from the women around her adorned with gold and silver, exuding an indescribable, exotic, and aloof charm. Despite her young age, she seemed utterly lifeless.

"Please sit down. Now that we're in the palace, we're all family," Yu Jing said politely.

"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager." Everyone sat down and exchanged pleasantries with Yu Jing.

"Before I entered the palace, I had heard that the Empress Dowager was a woman of unparalleled beauty. Seeing her today, I can confirm that seeing is believing."

"Yes, I wonder how the Empress Dowager maintains her youthful appearance!"

Yu Jing listened to their words and responded faintly, while secretly glancing at Xie Ying. She sat quietly in her seat, stroking the teacup in her hand, seemingly oblivious to everything around her.

After the group had finished talking, Yu Jing casually made up an excuse to send them away.

"Then we shall take our leave." Just as the group was about to leave, Yu Jing looked at Xie Ying and said, "Beauty Xie."

Xie Ying looked at Yu Jing.

"I have something I want to tell you."

After they left, one of them turned back and glanced at the palace.

"Is the Empress Dowager acquainted with Consort Xie?"

"Who knows what tricks she used this time? Last night she got His Majesty to stay at her place, and today she's dressed so simply and sat there without saying a word, yet she's already won the Empress Dowager's favor again."

...

Xie Ying looked puzzled, but still gave a slight curtsy and stood still: "What does Your Majesty wish to say to me?"

"The plum juice and lotus root sandwiches in my little kitchen are quite good. Please keep them for your meal."

Xie Ying's eyes were full of surprise. After a moment of silence, she replied, "Okay."

The meal was quickly prepared, and Yu Jing and Xie Ying sat down. Yu Jing noticed that Xie Ying was somewhat uneasy, so she said, "You may all leave."

"yes."

They acknowledged and withdrew. After they left, Yu Jing said to Xie Ying, "When I first came here, I wasn't used to it either, but after staying here for a while, I've discovered that there are things in this palace that I like and look forward to. As long as I think about those things, the days aren't so hard to bear."

What Yu Jing told Xie Ying was the truth; that was how she felt when she first possessed Sheng Hua's body.

Xie Ying stared at Yu Jing in astonishment, speechless for a long time. Yu Jing's words had seen right through her thoughts.

"Try it quickly, the lotus root sandwich won't taste good if it gets cold."

"Okay." Xie Ying nodded and picked up her chopsticks.

As Xie Ying ate, she suddenly remembered something: "Is it because of Xie Xuan that Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is showing me so much care?"

Yu Jing felt slightly embarrassed upon hearing this.

Xie Ying also noticed and realized her rudeness: "It was I who was rude."

"It's nothing." When Yu Jing heard Xie Ying mention Xie Xuan, she couldn't help but ask about Xie Xuan's recent situation, especially after what happened that night.

"How has Xie Xuan been lately?" Yu Jing asked. Xie Ying thought she was just asking casually, and naturally replied, "He's doing well, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

"That's good."