Chapter 22 Huanbi's Life Story

"My lady, let me dress you up first for today's palace banquet."

Liu Zhu was waiting beside Zhen Huan with a comb in her hand. The eager look on her face made Zhen Huan laugh.

"Don't worry, Liu Zhu. Today's outfit isn't too flashy. Keep it simple and elegant."

Now in everyone's eyes, she should have just recovered from a serious illness. If she stands out too much, she will become a topic of gossip among those who have ulterior motives.

Besides, she has important things to do tonight, so simple and elegant attire will bring better results.

"Yes, yes, everything is up to you, my lady. I'll go find some suitable clothes."

Zhen Huan smiled as she watched Liu Zhu happily leave.

She is as lively as she was in the mansion. It would be nice if she could keep this kind of personality in this cruel palace.

"My lady, you are so nice to Liu Zhu, I am jealous."

Huanbi stood aside and teased deliberately. They had grown up together since childhood, and after so many years of friendship, they would no longer compete over such trivial matters.

Zhen Huan looked around and pulled Huanbi to sit down.

"Huanbi, you and Liuzhu are both equally important in my heart. To me, you are both my sisters, and you are even more so."

Zhen Huan looked at Huanbi meaningfully, and her eyes showed more heartache for her.

I still remember that the night before entering the palace, Zhen's father came to Zhen Huan's room and told her to take good care of Huanbi in the palace.

It was at that time that she realized that the girl who grew up with her was actually her biological sister. It was just that poor girl could not recognize her father since she was a child because of her mother's special identity, and could only grow up as a maid by her side.

"Huanbi, my father told me to take good care of you. Even without my father's instructions, I would have protected you. You have suffered so much over the years."

Zhen Huan gently touched Huanbi's head. Over the years, no matter what danger she encountered, this silly girl would always rush in front of her together with Liuzhu. Unexpectedly, she turned out to be her own sister.

"You, you know?"

Huanbi was in tears and looked at Zhen Huan in disbelief. She had never thought that there would be a day when her identity would be recognized.

"Don't worry. When there's a chance in the future, I'll have my father enroll you in the Zhen family tree. I'll also bring your mother home, and I'll explain everything to her."

If they hadn't been together for so many years, perhaps Zhen Huan would not have accepted Huanbi so easily, but this deep sisterhood cannot be easily abandoned now.

My father also has his own helplessness. What's more, it has only been my mother who has been with him all these years, and there has never been any other woman. It is futile to worry about the New Year.

"My dear, thank you. I am already very satisfied with your words. To be honest, when I first learned about my identity, I was really jealous of you. I even felt so jealous for a while. It was your sincerity towards me that made me realize that you are such a good person."

Huanbi sincerely confessed her inner feelings to Zhen Huan and felt ashamed of her past dark thoughts.

"From now on, when no one is around, you can call me elder sister. I'll find a suitable opportunity and ask my father to officially recognize you as his adopted daughter."

In fact, she had already started thinking about these things after Zhen's father told Zeng Huan about Huanbi's true identity.

The reason why she hadn't told Huanbi was because she felt that everything was not done yet. Telling her in advance would make her expectations even greater, and if something unexpected happened, it would make her feel disappointed.

But she just saw Huanbi's envious expression when she saw Liuzhu interacting with her, and she felt that it was time to let her know.

"Eldest sister."

Huanbi walked to Zhen Huan, squatted down, leaned on her legs, and cried softly.

For so many years, she always felt like a piece of duckweed floating in the water, unable to find her belonging. Unexpectedly, she now has a family, and they have kept her in their hearts for so many years.

She felt that her heart was finally complete at this moment.

"Okay, stop crying. Today is New Year's Eve. We should be happy."

Zhen Huan gently wiped away the tears on Huanbi's face, touched her nose, and her doting tone made Huanbi cry uncontrollably.

"Hey, what's wrong? Why are you crying? Who bullied you?"

After Liu Zhu found the right clothes, she came over and happened to see Huanbi wiping her tears, so she hurried forward.

She rolled up her sleeves as if she was about to rush out and argue with someone.

"Okay, I'm fine. I just felt a little sad all of a sudden. Who would dare to bully me when you're here?"

Huanbi was so amused by Liuzhu's appearance that she burst into laughter and felt warm in her heart.

Looking at the bright smiles on their faces, Zhen Huan felt that these cold days didn't seem so difficult.

"Are the flowers for the palace banquet ready?"

In Yiku Palace, Nian Shilan was also sitting in front of the dressing table preparing for tonight's palace banquet.

Today, she changed her simple and elegant look of recent times and wore a bright red long dress that stunned everyone. It seemed that she had returned to the arrogant and proud Concubine Hua.

"Everything has been arranged, please rest assured, Your Majesty."

Songzhi knew their plans for tonight, so she was extra cautious about everything.

She knew very well that this time she was not only creating an opportunity for Wan Changzai to gain favor, but also planning for her master.

"Please help me deliver this letter. Remember, you must instruct the person who delivers it to my brother personally."

Since her rebirth, Nian Shilan has sent family letters to Nian Gengyao every now and then, just to remind him to restrain his edge and never do anything to provoke the imperial power.

At first, Nian Gengyao did not take Nian Shilan's letter seriously, thinking that his sister was too worried. But Nian Shilan kept writing to remind him.

Although Nian Gengyao still didn't know what his sister was worried about, he couldn't bear to let Nian Shilan worry about the family and listened to her advice.

"My sister really has the best temper in the entire Nian family."

Nian Gengyao sighed softly when he received another letter from Nian Shilan.

Not only did Nian Shilan write to her brother repeatedly to ask him to tone down his edge, she also asked Songzhi from time to time to restrain the people around her and not to be arrogant in their words and deeds.

This time, she must protect the Nian family and this hard-earned life.

"Your Majesty, you don't have to worry anymore. General Nian will definitely understand your good intentions."

With Nian Shilan's advice, Songzhi also realized the dangers that could come from the Nian family's excessive dominance. Now, without Concubine Hua's instructions, she would take the initiative to pay attention to everything around her.

"Oh, right, go and make sure no unrelated palace servants are allowed to appear in Yimei Garden tonight."

She remembered that in her previous life, it seemed that on this night, the emperor met a palace maid in Yime Garden, and was eventually given the title of "Lady Miaoyin".

In this life, she would never let Yu Ying'er take advantage of her, and nothing could go wrong tonight.