Zhu Hanfei slept in the Imperial Hospital for one night.

The scent of the pillow sachet permeated into her dreams, taking her back to that distant memory.

In the dream, a familiar figure stood beside her, gently took her hand, and taught her the dance steps.

"A Fei, you need to raise your hands higher."

……elder sister!?

It’s my sister’s voice!

She opened her mouth, wanting to express her longing for the other person.

In the dream, she said something extremely harsh in a childish tone.

"I'm so annoyed. I don't want to learn dancing! Dancing is just for people's entertainment!"

"Sister, you have changed too. You never asked me to learn these things before!"

My sister paused, but the smile on her face did not diminish at all.

"…Our Ah Fei is the smartest and can learn anything quickly. Be good, the dance is very simple, dance with sister. If you dance well, sister will give you candy."

"I don't want candy!"

"I want my mother! I don't want to learn dancing, I want to study! I have only learned half of the Book of Songs!"

She shook her head stubbornly, and then she grabbed her sister's skirt and cried.

"Where is mom? Sister, I miss mom so much. I don't want to live here. It's so dark here, so different from home."

Her sister held her hand back, her eyes also moist.

She comforted her spoiled sister with a trembling voice, "It's okay, Ah Fei. It's okay. Everything will be fine."

When I woke up again, my pillowcase was wet with tears.

Zhu Hanfei wiped her face and freed herself from the sadness.

She quickly washed up in a basin beside her, then followed the eunuch waiting outside the house back to Jingyixuan.

Aunt Zhao was waiting for her at the door of Room 13.

Seeing Zhu Hanfei return safely, she nodded slightly and said caringly: "Come in soon, girl. It's windy outside. You are in good health now, don't catch a cold again."

Zhu Hanfei's pace slowed down for a moment.

I guess Zhu Hanxin said something to Madam Zhao in private, which caused Madam Zhao to change her attitude.

Zhu Hanfei then smiled back at her: "Thank you for your concern, Ma'am. I am now fully recovered."

Due to limited space, there are only two chairs in Room 13, which is not enough for meeting guests.

Nanny Zhao took a seat and motioned for Zhu Hanfei to sit down as well.

But they weren't the only ones in the room.

Ruan Yue stood in the corner of the room, looking at the two of them timidly. She no longer had the vigor she had yesterday, and the anxiety on her face was about to overflow.

Madam Zhao asked slowly, "What did the imperial physician say?"

Zhu Hanfei opened her lips slightly, as if she was recalling someone's words.

"The doctor said..."

Ruan Yue's heart was lifted.

She nervously clenched the handkerchief in her hand, fearing that Zhu Hanfei's next words would push her into an abyss of no return.

Ever since Zhu Hanfei left last night, every time Ruan Yue closed her eyes, her mind was filled with the scene of herself being expelled from the palace after the truth was revealed.

She didn't know why she acted so hot-headed at that time.

——There seemed to be an obsession in her heart, urging her to touch the bowl of fried spinach with shrimps.

By the time she reacted, Zhu Hanfei had already swallowed the bowl of soup containing dried shrimps.

While daydreaming, Ruan Yue's arm accidentally hit the corner of the bed.

She uttered a faint sound of pain, tears welling up in her eyes.

Madam Zhao immediately turned around and scolded, "What are you doing? Can't you see I'm talking to Miss Zhu?"

Ruan Yue shuddered with fear.

She whispered, "Yes, I'm sorry."

Zhu Hanfei straightened her slightly messy cuffs.

She spoke up to help Ruan Yue out: "Mammy, my illness is not serious. The imperial physician has examined me and said that I just ate some cold food and have a cold stomach."

Ruan Yue looked at her suddenly, unable to hide the surprise on his face.

Why did Zhu Hanfei say that?

Didn't she know that she had put dried shrimps in her soup on purpose?

...Could it be that Zhu Hanfei is helping her conceal her crime?

Madam Zhao frowned and asked, "Why did you eat cold food? Did someone who didn't have eyes neglect you?"

Zhu Hanfei explained: "Room 13 is remote, so it's unavoidable that the eunuch will spend more time."

"Oh, is it really just because you ate something cold? When the eunuch came to report last night, he said that you looked pale and you looked like you were about to die."

Madam Zhao glanced at Ruan Yue intentionally or unintentionally, and added meaningfully, "I thought someone had ulterior motives and secretly poisoned you."

Ruan Yue's shoulders shrank involuntarily.

"Madam, you are worrying too much. Those who are selected to enter the palace are all young ladies of official families with excellent character. How could they do such a thing? I am afraid that the eunuch did not want to take responsibility and exaggerated the facts."

Zhu Hanfei smiled and continued, "If I was really poisoned, I should still be lying in the Imperial Hospital. How could I be sitting in front of you?"

Nanny Zhao thought so too.

Zhu Hanfei had a rosy complexion and looked energetic, and looked even healthier than the other girl in the room.

"Fortunately you are okay, otherwise I would have a hard time explaining to Commander Zhu."

Aunt Zhao said casually, "Room 13 is indeed too far away. If you want, why not move to Room 3? Although both are rooms in the South Courtyard, the environment is worse than here. It's closer to the main hall, which will be more convenient for you to go in and out on a daily basis."

Yesterday, Nanny Zhao seemed to let the concubines discuss their affairs freely.

Today, she took the initiative to ask to help Zhu Hanfei change rooms.

——This is the advantage of having a background in the palace.

Zhu Hanfei smiled and shook her head, declining politely: "Madam, I am very grateful for your kindness. But if we change rooms now, it will inevitably cause trouble. How can I embarrass you, Madam?"

"No trouble. The guy in room three has been behaving inappropriately. Judging from his personality, I'm afraid he won't be able to pass the initial test. It's useless for him to occupy the room, so you might as well give it to you, young lady." said Madam Zhao.

oh……

Zhu Hanfei immediately understood the hidden meaning in Nanny Zhao's words.

It only took one night for the girl in Room 3 to offend Madam Zhao.

Aunt Zhao: "She is the daughter of the editor of the Imperial Academy. I don't think she would be able to say anything if you switch with her."

The editor of the Hanlin Academy was also of the seventh rank in this dynasty, the same rank as Zhu Hanfei's father.

Zhu Hanfei still shook her head.

"Although Room 13 is remote, it is quiet. Moreover... this servant and Miss Ruan get along quite well, and I really don't want to be separated from her."

Zhu Hanfei's voice was gentle but firm. She then assured, "Please rest assured, Madam. In the days ahead, I will take good care of myself and will not cause you any more worries."

Seeing that she had made up her mind, Nanny Zhao didn't say much.

There was no need for her to rush to please Commander Zhu, she just needed to convey her intention.

People like Miss Qiao from the North Courtyard are the ones that everyone tries to flatter.

…

After seeing off Aunt Zhao, Zhu Hanfei glanced at Ruan Yue who was "standing in the corner" as punishment.

She poured herself a cup of tea and said calmly, "Sit down, why are you standing there?"

Ruan Yue nervously tugged at the corners of her sleeves with both hands, and walked cautiously, step by step, to Zhu Hanfei's front.

Zhu Hanfei blew the hot steam off the tea and said, "Why don't you look at me? Are you afraid that I will eat you?"

Ruan Yue closed her eyes tightly and quickly uttered a sentence.

"I'm sorry. And thank you."

She apologized because she knew that Zhu Hanfei was allergic to dried shrimps, but still put them in her soup.

Thankfully, Zhu Hanfei did not expose her and continued to live with her.

Zhu Hanfei nodded without commenting.

Her fingers lightly opened the teacup and took a sip.

Seeing that she didn't say anything, Ruan Yue thought that she had not forgiven him.

She stamped her feet anxiously, and after thinking it over, she took out a thin booklet from under her pillow.

Ruan Yue handed over the booklet with both hands, and said pleadingly, "Sister Zhu, this is a little gift from me as an apology. I hope you can accept it."

Zhu Hanfei took it with interest and opened the first page.

The words on the paper attracted her full attention.

Zhu Hanfei swallowed the tea in her mouth and asked quickly: "...Where did this come from?"

Ruan Yue said secretly: "Mrs. Ji's servant secretly sold it to me."

She stretched out three slender fingers and said, "Don't underestimate these five pages. I spent thirty taels on them."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Hanfei raised her eyebrows.