On the flower stand next to the large kang (heated brick bed) by the window, several pink hibiscus flowers, arranged in a crackled vase, bloomed shyly under their lotus leaves. In a small stone jar, several red carp were playing in the water, swaying their tails.

Granny Tian didn't know what the old lady meant by that, so she didn't dare to reply. She could only hold the cool jade handle of the round fan and gently fan herself.

Upon hearing that Madam Zhao had brought Miss Jiu over, the old lady closed her eyes, exhaled a few breaths of stale air, and when she opened her eyes again, her expression had returned to normal.

Zhao thought it was a good thing that Shen Mingzhuang could enter the palace. The Lu family's affairs were at a critical juncture. If someone could put in a good word for them in front of the emperor, there might be a turning point. Even if Shen Mingzhuang couldn't say anything, it was still a good thing.

Looking across the entire capital city, which family could send three daughters into the palace in one go? The palace is where nobles reside. Ordinary people, without the opportunity, would never see which way the gate of the Taiji Hall faces in their entire lives!

Besides, even if the Emperor doesn't spare the Lu family, this action will at least put the Shen family at ease.

If the Shen family's affairs were to truly implicate them, the Emperor would not have allowed the Shen family's daughter to enter the palace, let alone the prestigious position of Fengmo Female Official, who was required to serve the Emperor at all times. Even concubines could not always be present before the Emperor, but Fengmo Female Officials could.

In short, the Shen family now had someone even closer to the Emperor than Shen Bochun, which Zhao Shi considered a tremendous stroke of good luck.

Just as she was about to ask the old lady for some good luck, the old lady coldly said that she had something to say to Jiu Niang alone, as if she wanted to send her away!

Seeing this, Zhao dared not say anything more. She felt a strange feeling in her heart. Why did her mother-in-law have such an expression when this was such a good thing?

Shen Mingzhuang still felt as if he were floating on clouds, as if it were not real.

How could it be so fast! How could it be so fast? What happened? Why did Jiang Wang suddenly appoint her as a female official in charge of ink and bring her to the palace ahead of schedule?

Shen Mingzhuang felt a headache coming on just thinking about it. The female officials in charge of ink were not just for serving the Empress Dowager and could not leave the palace at will. In principle, female officials in charge of ink could only be selected from the senior palace maids in the palace, while the daughters of ministers often had many connections with the outside world and were not suitable candidates.

What was Jiang Wang thinking? Had he really given up all hope? Did he think that since he wasn't exactly a wise and benevolent ruler, he might as well just do whatever he wanted?

Everyone in the room was sent away, including Granny Tian.

The old lady's cloudy eyes revealed shrewdness as she subtly took in Shen Mingzhuang's expression.

She suddenly thought, how wonderful it would be if she were really a daughter of the Shen family. If her family could produce a favored concubine, the next three generations of the Shen family would not have to worry about their livelihood. Unfortunately... unfortunately, she was not the real Shen Jiu Niang.

"grandmother."

Shen Mingzhuang sat down on the round stool in front of the kang (heated brick bed) by the window, just as the old lady had asked. Seeing that the old lady remained silent for a long time, Shen Mingzhuang smiled and called her name softly.

The old lady then came to her senses, picked up the lukewarm tea from the side, took a sip, and seemed to be thinking about how to start the conversation.

After a short while, the old lady slowly spoke: "Mingzhuang, you should already know about the matter of going to the palace to serve ink."

Shen Mingzhuang responded softly but did not reply.

"Now that your third and seventh sisters are in the palace, you are also going to enter the palace. However, this time it is different from serving the Empress Dowager. Do you understand what it means to be a female official in charge of ink?"

Shen Mingzhuang shook his head, looking bewildered and helpless.

The old lady explained in detail the importance and limitations of the female official in charge of ink, and seeing that she had listened, she changed her tone and said, "No matter what, the Shen family will always be your support. You must be careful in the palace, but if you are wronged, you don't have to endure it. Your eldest uncle often walks around the Imperial Study, and you can see him from time to time. If you have any grievances, just tell your third uncle."

Shen Mingzhuang was taken aback. She thought the old lady was going to tell her her true identity and that she should be careful in her words and deeds after entering the palace and remember the kindness of the Shen family. However, she did not expect that the old lady would say these words to her in the tone of a grandmother.

She didn't believe a word of these words. If the Shen family truly valued her, how could they have allowed the Lin family to torment her at will? Were the Shen family deaf and blind all those years in Jiangzhou? It's just that things change and interests remain constant!

As a female official serving the emperor, Fengmo has a high chance of gaining his favor! In addition, the old lady knows Jiang Wang's feelings for her better than anyone else. She naturally knows that once she enters the palace, she may not be grandmother and granddaughter when they meet again. It is uncertain who will greet whom then.

Thinking of the Shen family's astute judgment, Shen Mingzhuang nodded solemnly.

Although she disliked the Shen family's actions, her current situation was uncertain, and she might need the Shen family's help in the future, so she couldn't afford to offend them for the time being.

"Grandmother, don't worry, I'll take care of everything. It's just that..." she said, her delicate face slightly raised as she looked at the old lady with affection. Her long eyelashes fluttered, and her eyes reddened. "It's just that I won't be able to stay by your side to fulfill my filial duties as often as I can in the future. I'm reluctant to part with you."

He then knelt on the old woman's lap, looking very sad.

Her emotions affected Mrs. Shen.

Although the person in front of her wasn't her biological granddaughter, the time they'd spent together was genuine. Shen Mingzhuang would come to her yard to keep her company every day after learning the rules. Even raising a cat or dog creates feelings, let alone a living, breathing person.

She gently patted Shen Mingzhuang's head and said softly, "Silly child, what nonsense are you talking about? There are many days ahead, and it's not like Grandmother can't come to the palace to see you. Just focus on serving the Emperor!"

After saying this, the old lady urged Shen Mingzhuang to pack his things. "The Emperor said that you have to go to the palace tomorrow. Take whatever you need. The palace is nice, but the rules are strict. If you miss anything, it's not as convenient as outside."

Shen Mingzhuang nodded, then reluctantly got up to say goodbye.

As soon as everyone left, the old lady suddenly called to Granny Tian, ​​"Send the pomegranate-patterned jewelry box inlaid with mother-of-pearl from my small storeroom to Miss Jiu."

Granny Tian was so shocked that she forgot to react for a moment.

That box was full of the old lady's treasures, the dowry jewelry that the old lady brought from the Duke's mansion. She hadn't even given two pieces to her own granddaughter. To send a whole box of it to the Ninth Miss directly was a bit too much... This made her think a bold guess.

Could it be that the Ninth Miss might be favored by the Emperor? Otherwise, why did the Third and Seventh Misses, who were serving the Empress Dowager, not get the opportunity, while the Ninth Miss, who was serving the Emperor, did?

The thought startled Granny Tian. If it were true, then the Ninth Miss would truly be the best among the Shen family's daughters, no wonder the old lady valued her so much.