Yi Ning should be. In her previous life, she was born into a minor official family, married into a marquis's mansion, and then married a concubine's son. She'd heard of it a hundred times in the Imperial City, but never seen it once. As the carriage gradually entered Chengtian Gate, she saw many other carriages entering the Forbidden City with them. Officials in blue gauze robes were traveling to and from the six departments' duty rooms on either side. The morning sun shone on the scene, and it was bustling with activity.

When they reached the Meridian Gate, Yi Ning lowered the curtain as instructed, and Old Lady Wei smiled and patted her head.

The carriage traveled for an unknown amount of time before Yi Ning dozed off again and finally came to a leisurely stop. The curtains were drawn back, and a eunuch holding a whisk stood outside. He said with a smile, "Is this the old lady from the Duke's family? May you be well, old lady. Please follow me."

Old Madam Wei displayed the grace of a first-rank imperial edict, nodded with a smile, and asked Mama Song to help her get off the carriage.

Yi Ning also dismounted from the carriage and found herself in a wide, smooth alley, flanked by towering red walls and carved lotus lanterns on stone pedestals. The eunuch led them inside, and beyond the alley was an open expanse, where a magnificent palace stood on a platform.

The yellow glazed tile double-eaved hip roof and vermilion pillars were incredibly imposing. Yining and Old Madam Wei stood outside the doorway while the eunuch went in to report and then led them into the main hall.

The interior was even more magnificent and extravagant. The floor was paved with golden bricks and covered with a carpet depicting five bats offering longevity. A plaque reading "Yun Zhi Jue Zhong" hung in the main hall, and dozens of palace maids stood on either side. A beautiful woman in a crimson long-sleeved coat and a dragon, phoenix, pearl, and jade crown sat on a Luohan couch covered with crimson cushions depicting fortune, wealth, and longevity, whispering to a nearby lady. This lady was none other than Madam Xie. Seated to her right was Xie Yun. There were also many other ladies and young ladies present. At first glance, Yining recognized only the third young lady of the Dingbei Marquis's mansion.

Old Mrs. Wei took her forward and knelt down to pay her respects, but Yining looked at the face of the beautiful woman.

Why did she feel... this face was somewhat familiar, as if she had seen it somewhere.

"Old Madam Wei is not feeling well, so it's a pity for you to come to the palace," the Queen said with a smile. "The little girl who followed you is quite smart and pretty, but is she the Duke of Ying's biological daughter?"

"Your Majesty, it's my son's daughter." Old Lady Wei replied, wondering why Yining didn't react, and quickly tugged at her sleeve.

Yining finally reacted and bowed deeply as Mother Song had instructed: "I, Yining, pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. May the Empress Dowager be well and safe."

The Queen looked at her for a long moment, then turned her head to Madam Xie beside her and said, "Why haven't I heard that the Duke of Ying has a daughter before? I only remember that he has a bastard son... Please make him the Crown Prince. But I was mistaken."

Madam Xie replied, "Your Majesty, you're not mistaken. This girl, Yining, was first lost, and it was the Duke who finally found her." She and the Empress were sisters from the same mother; the Empress was her older sister, two years her senior. Therefore, they spoke very affectionately. "The Duke loved her very much, and even had Commander Lu adopt her as his adopted daughter and have her included in the family tree."

The Queen seemed to be interested when she heard this. "Are you Commander Lu's adopted daughter? I know him, and he hates it most when people try to be related to him."

Yi Ning knelt upright, thinking that the Empress hadn't really taken her seriously just now, otherwise she wouldn't have asked her to stand. Although she was the daughter of the Duke of Ying, she was born out of wedlock. Who of those sitting before the Empress could be of lower status? She replied with neither servility nor arrogance, "The Governor-General has adopted me as his daughter, but it was my father who requested it. And out of my father's affection, the Governor-General also allowed me to be included in the family tree."

"That's rare." The Queen examined her carefully. Although she wasn't the daughter of a proper English Duchess, she was truly a beauty. Her slender neck drooped like a swan's, her skin was as white as snow, her eyes were as clear as autumn water, and the small mole on the tip of her eyebrow only added to her beauty. Her smile softened. "Child, why are you still kneeling? Stand up and take a seat."

Only then did Yi Ning sit down next to Old Madam Wei. The Queen had already gone to talk to Xie Yun, a niece she loved dearly. Xie Yun often came to the palace to accompany her, and the Queen, having no children, loved her as if she were her own daughter. She was discussing with Madam Xie: "I wanted to ask for the title of Xiangjun for Yun'er, but Yun'er herself disagreed... This child is like you, very stubborn."

Xie Yun held the Queen's hand and smiled: "Aunt, I don't want a title - from now on, I have to earn my own imperial title!"

The Queen teased her, "Why not marry a man of rank as your principal wife? If he's fourth rank, I'll ask for a fourth rank imperial decree for you. If he's third rank, I'll ask for a third rank imperial decree for you. Yun'er, what do you think of this? It's much faster than earning money on your own."

Xie Yun blushed slightly, and fell silent, not knowing what she was thinking about. The ladies around her laughed kindly, echoing the Empress' words: "Your Majesty, you've hit the nail on the head for Second Miss Xie! Second Miss Xie has someone in her heart, right?"

Yining lowered her head while drinking tea, thinking that Xie Yun liked Luo Shenyuan.

She drank a few more sips of water and decided it was better not to think about it.

Seeing the ladies talking animatedly, Old Lady Wei reached out and gently grasped Yining's hand. Yining then realized that Old Lady Wei's palms were sweaty, and whispered to her, "Yining, what were you thinking about just now? You really scared me."

What was he thinking about? He was wondering where he had seen this queen before.

Yi Ning raised her head slightly, looking at the queen on the throne. She had been married to the current emperor at the age of sixteen and became the Crown Princess, having been raised in the Eastern Palace. She vaguely remembered that she had seen him once before, many years ago, in the Ningyuan Marquis's residence. Back then, she didn't know who he was. She ran so fast that she bumped into Yi Ning, and then hurried away.

This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!