In front of the bronze mirror.
Mi Shan casually picked up a cow horn comb and began to comb her hair.
She didn't sleep a wink last night and has figured everything out.
The eldest sister has gone to such lengths.
Next, it will be her turn to enter the palace and marry that old emperor, only to end up tragically being buried alive with him.
If she wants to defy fate, she has no choice but to turn the tables on herself.
Prince Rui.
Suddenly, she thought of the Prince Rui from her past life, who had craved her and died alongside her.
Although that man was lustful, he was the emperor's most favored prince.
Mi Shan's eyes flickered.
Gazing intently at her reflection in the mirror,
Her eyebrows were like dark mountains, her eyes like autumn waves, her nose and red lips—every part of her was beautiful.
She has nothing left but this physical body.
Even Mi Fen was willing to go all out.
What wouldn't she do to survive?
"Second Miss, Master requests your presence in the study."
The voice of the maid Xun'er came from inside.
Mi Shanming understood and gave a soft "hmm".
He lifted the bright red outer robe from the rack, put it on, and gathered his sleeves.
She wore a gold top underneath, with intricate embroidery on the collar and sleeves.
Her outfit was glamorous yet tasteful; even her faint dark circles were concealed by makeup, and her red lips were painted vibrantly.
She was like a single, beautiful flower blooming gracefully in a flower pond.
In my past life,
King Nareah's favorite color was red.
The first time I went to Zhang Jianyue's residence to have tea, she was dressed in red and strolling among the flowers.
From then on, he was haunted by her.
He kept pestering her and secretly sought opportunities to make advances towards her.
Although Mi Shan loathed this person to the extreme, she had no choice but to gamble on him in order to survive!
Upon entering the study, Mi Shanxian greeted everyone one by one.
His gaze swept over Zhang Jianyue's handsome face.
Pretend you didn't see it.
Seeing how radiant she looked, Zhang Jianyue's eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but sigh.
"Why did Father summon me here?"
Mi Shan said quietly.
The elder sister scoffed, "You saw what happened last night with your own eyes, so why bother pretending?"
"You must have already guessed that I would be chosen to enter the palace for the imperial concubine selection. That's why I've even changed into a bright red wedding dress."
"I think you're just itching to marry His Majesty!"
"Shut up! Haven't you caused enough trouble already?" Mi Xiuyan shouted angrily.
Mi Shan's expression was slightly cold.
She knew perfectly well that entering the palace meant certain death, yet she still gloated like this.
Yes, Mi Fen died unjustly in her past life!
But—what about her?
Does Mi Shan deserve to die in her place?
Mi Shan appeared extremely calm, but in reality, she clenched her fist tightly, her nails digging deep into her hands, revealing a hint of resentment and unwillingness in her heart.
She knew that her parents had always been biased.
Asking them to retract their decision is undoubtedly an impossible task, so all that can be done is to remain silent.
"I guessed it. My elder sister has done such a disgraceful thing. Of course, she can't explain it to the Emperor."
"My father wants me to solve this urgent problem,"
"Yes, but my daughter has a request."
"What else do you want? You should be grateful for the opportunity to enter the palace! What more do you want!"
Qiao's face was contorted with rage as she looked at Mi Shan's insatiable greed, feeling utterly disgusted.
This face is just like her vixen mother's!
A picture of seductive charm in a brothel!
She'll just wait and see. A powerless illegitimate daughter like her will probably be killed as soon as she enters the palace!
"you say."
When Mi Xiuyan saw that she agreed, his expression softened slightly.
"After breakfast, I want to go to Pudu Temple to worship Guanyin and pray for her blessing so that my daughter can be selected smoothly and that everything will go well for the Mi family."
Mi Xiuyan rarely saw her so obedient and considerate of the family, so he nodded in agreement.
"Go ahead, take a few extra people with you, just in case anything goes wrong."
"My daughter must be careful."
Mi Shan lowered her long eyelashes; her goal had been achieved.
Without glancing at the people in the study again, he turned and calmly left the room.
Xun'er came forward, her tone revealing excitement:
"Miss, would you like to go to Pudu Temple? Then Xun'er will go and prepare some incense and paper money."
Xun'er heard clearly what they said in the study.
Unexpectedly, the second young lady had such good fortune.
After being openly oppressed in the mansion for so many years, they finally got their chance to turn the tables.
"I really hope you get chosen, Miss, so I can go to the palace with you and live a life of luxury!"
“Silly Xun’er, sometimes what the eyes see is not the truth.”
"Entering the palace may seem like a good thing on the surface, but in reality, there are probably turbulent undercurrents beneath the surface."
"What turbulent waves?"
Xun'er didn't understand.
Mi Shan shook her head and simply told her to go ahead and do her work.
Outside the courtyard, the water and sky blend into one, and a light drizzle has begun to fall from the sky.
Dark clouds obscured the sun, plunging the world into gloom.
"It's raining."
She reached out her hand to catch the cold rain, her eyes unfathomable.
I only hope that the trip to Pudu Temple this afternoon will go smoothly and help her escape this fate of being sent to the palace.
-
The sound of chanting Buddhist hymns filled the air.
The sound of the bell was serene.
The rain fell like fine threads from the sky, making the bamboo leaves green, the wild grass spread on the ground, and the delicate flowers sway gently, as if the whole Pudu Temple was shrouded in a dreamlike atmosphere.
Mi Shan, holding a guqin and wearing a bright red dress, sat in the sedan chair with her eyes closed.
As the road up the mountain bumped along, the golden hairpin on her head swayed gently.
In the previous life,
Prince Rui was known for his loyalty and filial piety.
Without fail, he would visit his birth mother, Consort Shu, at Pudu Nunnery on the fifteenth of every month.
She deliberately chose this time to set off, just to run into him.
They've arrived.
A cool breeze mixed with rain lifted the curtain.
She opened her eyes and saw two tall figures walking slowly towards her from the misty rain.
"Stop the sedan chair."
Mi Shan spoke.
The sedan chair stopped halfway up the mountain, and the sedan chair bearers all went to a small pavilion nearby to take shelter from the rain.
Xun'er looked at her mistress, puzzled.
She gracefully flicked her sleeve, laid the guqin flat on her lap, and began tuning it with her fingers.
As the first string was plucked, clear and melodious sound waves flowed out like a stream, elegant and serene, echoing in the open mountains.
The two men walking towards us were chatting and laughing.
Suddenly, upon hearing the music, everything stopped.
Prince Rui subconsciously glanced at the noble man beside him.
His face was strikingly handsome and cold.
He has the air of an emperor about him.
Her deep, dark eyes seemed to conceal endless scheming.
Holding a folding fan, he waved it slowly and deliberately.
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