The next morning, Shi Lan had just gotten out of bed when she heard Ms. Wang's voice outside the door. (Latest and fastest updates, free reading)

"Lan Niang, are you awake?"

Shi Lan was tidying up the bed when she heard the noise. She quickly put down the soft mattress she was holding, opened the door, and greeted them.

Ms. Wang nodded slightly and handed her the bundle in her hand. "Change your clothes, I'll take you somewhere."

Shi Lan looked at her in surprise, but Ms. Wang did not explain. She just smiled and turned to leave.

Shi Lan closed the door, placed the bundle on the table, and opened it. Inside, a light pink dress was neatly folded. Sunlight streamed through the window lattice and through the thin fabric, reflecting a lustrous sheen.

Having said those words yesterday, Shi Lan had already prepared herself mentally, and now that she saw this dress, her anxiety subsided somewhat.

I unfolded the clothes and compared them to myself; the size was just right.

Shi Lan raised an eyebrow, changed her clothes, fastened her belt and other items, and walked out of the room.

Ms. Wang stood by a pillar and nodded as she looked at Shi Lan, whose hair was styled in a bun and who had a delicate, pink face.

It's true that clothes make the man. The color was the same, but this outfit looked so much more luxurious, completely unlike her previous coarse cloth outfit.

Ms. Wang sighed inwardly and waved to Shi Lan.

Shi Lan obediently walked up to her, took her hand, and followed her out of the side gate, into a small sedan chair, and swayed all the way to a high wall with a red and gray roof. (Latest and fastest updates, free reading)

Entering through the half-open door, Shi Lan cautiously peeked at the man talking to Ms. Wang. He had a fair complexion, no beard, and a slightly thin build. He lightly swung a whisk in his hand, his face full of smiles, and his voice was gentle and soothing, making people feel very comfortable.

Ms. Wang and he were clearly familiar with each other, and they talked constantly as they walked.

Shi Lan followed Ms. Wang with her head slightly lowered. As the two of them wandered around, they arrived at the entrance of a courtyard with high beams, flying eaves, carved windows, and painted beams.

The man whom Lady Wang called Ping An took two steps back, turned and left. Lady Wang gently knocked on the door, and after a moment, the door was opened. A palace maid with her hair in a bun greeted them and led the two inside.

As soon as she entered, before she could even see the furnishings of the hall, Shi Lan felt a jolt in her heart and instinctively looked to her right.

This sight startled her; there sat a lifelike version of herself, magnified several times over.

The man stared at her with red eyes, glistening tears quickly filling his eyes, his luscious red lips pursed as if he were suppressing something.

Shi Lan stared at her timidly, then thought for a moment, took small steps over, and carefully handed her a handkerchief.

The man picked up the handkerchief with trembling fingers, but wiping his eyes only brought out more tears.

Lady Wang exchanged a glance with a neatly dressed palace maid in the room. The maid, named Caixia, quickly sent the other servants away and went to the lady's side to whisper, "Your Highness, don't be sad. You've frightened the young lady."

The beautiful woman, addressed as "Empress," looked up upon hearing this and saw Shi Lan nervously rubbing her sleeves, her small body tense and extremely wary. She quickly wiped away her tears, suppressed the turmoil in her heart, and forced a smile, saying, "Don't be afraid, Lan Niang. Your aunt was just too happy to see you and lost her composure for a moment."

Shi Lan nodded, but the fear in her eyes had not yet dissipated.

The imperial concubine wanted to say a few more words of coaxing, but her mind was in a mess and she didn't know what to say.

Caixia looked around and said with a smile, "Young lady, Her Majesty knew you were coming, so she specially ordered people to make honey cream and golden thread rolls. Would you like to try some?"

Shi Lan hadn't eaten or drunk anything since she got up in the morning, and she was starving after sitting in the sedan chair for so long. When she heard there was food, her mouth immediately started watering, and after thinking for a moment, she nodded.

Seeing this, Caixia smiled, and the Imperial Concubine felt sorry for her and hurriedly said, "What are you babbling about? Hurry up and go get it."

Caixia responded crisply, then turned to Shilan and asked, "I have some fresh fruit with me. Would you like to come with me and pick some out for us, young lady?"

Shi Lan rolled her eyes and saw the noblewoman staring at her intently. She felt very uncomfortable and quickly nodded and said okay.

Caixia then took her hand and led her to the small kitchen next door.

The beaded curtain rustled as the two passed by, but then there was no other sound in the large room.

After a long while, Lady Wang finally asked, "What does Your Highness think of Miss Lan?"

The Imperial Concubine sighed and said, "The sight of her fills me with sorrow, and her features are so similar to mine. Even without the hairpin and the undergarment as proof, she is undoubtedly that child." She wiped her eyes, concealing a hint of coldness in them, and said, "No wonder I've never been able to feel close to Third Sister all these years. So this is the root of it. Chunni, go and deal with the matter of the wet nurse she mentioned. I don't want any trace of her to remain in this world."

Lady Wang understood the Consort's feelings, but considering the current situation, she still had to say, "That wet nurse is currently in the north, which is the territory of the barbarians. The Emperor has sent people there to negotiate, and it is not advisable for our people to go there now."

Upon hearing this, the noblewoman's face immediately darkened.

Lady Wang immediately said, "How about we wait a few days and then send someone to investigate under the guise of a merchant? If the wet nurse is still alive, I will take care of her."

The Imperial Concubine pondered for a moment and said, "Very well, this matter cannot be rushed. You must not neglect Yue Niang's side either." She raised her eyes slightly and said, "She has been by Mother's side for many years. Now that this child has returned, I am worried that Mother will have other ideas. You should keep a close eye on her. If anything goes wrong, you should report to me immediately."

Ms. Wang responded softly.

The imperial concubine leaned on the table beside her, propping her head up as if she had lost all her strength. Her eyes were fixed on the still slightly swaying beaded curtain, and it was unclear what she was thinking.

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