Chapter 169 You Come and I Go (1)

The originally noisy front hall suddenly became quiet, and everyone's eyes fell on the purple figure behind Luo Xueyan.

The girl's cloak had been removed, revealing a purple gauze dress with intricate patterns that framed her slender figure. She lifted her chin slightly, her gaze fixed squarely ahead, as if none of the other noble ladies here met her eye. Her skin was so fair, almost translucent, that it only accentuated her delicate features. However, her sparkling black pupils were her most captivating feature. They were round, their gaze clear. At first glance, they seemed as pure as a newborn animal, yet their composure seemed to have seen decades. This interweaving of experience and innocence gave her a paradoxical beauty.

She followed Luo Xueyan's footsteps into the hall. Unlike Luo Xueyan's somewhat neat movements, the young woman folded her hands neatly in front of her chest, but it did not feel awkward, as if she had done the movement thousands of times and knew it by heart. Even if she did it casually, it was accurate to the millimeter. Her long skirt fluttered lightly with her steps, like an unfolding flower, but the flower bloomed in a restrained and unobtrusive manner, just like her whole person. Her movements were very natural, and each step she took was very beautiful, pleasing to the eye and at the same time with a faint sense of majesty. The women present were all from noble families and had naturally experienced the strict teaching of palace rules and etiquette by the governesses. They thought they were doing very well here, but they could not help but be surprised when they saw this girl, because if it were them, they would never be able to take such beautiful steps.

Sometimes, the form can be imitated, but the spirit cannot. The purple-clad girl had a calm expression and a composed demeanor, as if this road were her own backyard. She walked with a calm demeanor, without panic, caution, impulsiveness, or timidity, and unexpectedly felt as if she were looking down upon all living things.

It seemed as if she was the owner of this palace.

When this thought flashed through their minds, the women couldn't help but be horrified, because if this girl was anyone else, it would be fine, but she had to be that idiot Chen Miao!

At the examination grounds, everyone had witnessed the transformation in Shen Miao. Since then, she and Shen Qing had both claimed illness and remained at the residence, not even visiting Guangwen Hall. Although she had defeated Cai Lin at the examination grounds, that display was merely ferocity and boldness. Etiquette and grace are not acquired overnight. Shen Miao had suffered so many years of setbacks at the Return to Court banquet, and turning things around was no easy task. But who could have known that upon seeing her today, she was a completely different person. Not only was her attire and demeanor impeccable, but everyone had a vague feeling that Shen Miao outshone all the other daughters of officials in the room!

Shen Miao followed behind Luo Xueyan, facing the various gazes of the crowd, and no one noticed the stiffness at the corners of her mouth.

After more than ten years, she finally returned here again. This was the cage where she fought and struggled against fate in her previous life. She wanted to see if this place could still trap her in this life!

Every brick and tile here was deeply etched in her mind, and she could find her way there even with her eyes closed. As for the tedious palace rules and etiquette, repeated day after day, they were practically ingrained into her bones. In this hall, closing her eyes, she could almost see Wanyu smiling and asking for cakes, Fu Ming shaking his head as he recited national policies. Love and hate weighed heavily, bitterness and sweetness mingled. Stepping into this place again, she was overwhelmed with mixed emotions, but the flames of revenge burned fiercely within her heart!

Little Li stared blankly at the purple-clad girl walking behind the dashing woman, his heart filled with shock. He'd just heard from the maids in the garden that the faithful daughter was a vulgar fool, but now, seeing her in person, he realized she was anything but. This girl exuded an air of nobility, as if even a glance at her would be enough to overwhelm her majesty. How could she be a fool?