"I'm not afraid." Sayuri's tone was firm. "Sister Huan isn't afraid, and neither am I. Sister, I don't want to be bullied anymore... Why?"
"Just because we were born girls? So anyone can come and step on us, but why?"
Sayuri's words were a bit confusing, but Lin Chunhuan could understand them.
Her eyes were dim. She had tasted the benefits of power and seen the high and mighty Regent lower his noble head. There was something more in her heart that she had never had before.
So she understood, she understood what Sayuri was saying.
"Have you thought it through? That's the imperial palace. Everyone there is extremely noble, and everyone has the power to trample us underfoot. Despite this, you still want to go?"
Hearing this, Sayuri's face turned pale for a moment.
Even in this Hongxiu Tower, she had seen many dignitaries who used their power to oppress others.
If it weren't for Mother Zhuang's clever mediation, which allowed those people to suppress each other, it would have been a fantasy to maintain the innocence of every sister in the building over the years.
Sayuri has always felt that Mother Zhuang is the most powerful person in the world. If it were her turn, she would definitely not be able to protect her sisters.
But today... she saw the powerlessness of Zhuang's mother.
Under absolute suppression, intelligence and mediation are not worth mentioning!
Sayuri wanted to be Zhuang’s mother before, but today, she clearly realized that this was not enough. Just being Zhuang’s mother was far from enough!
"Sister, I want to live, live with dignity."
"Then let's study."
Lying on the couch, Lin Chunhuan closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I'm not sure how far I can go, but at least I will fight for the opportunity for you to study."
"As for what happens in the future, that depends on your luck."
Sayuri wanted to say something, but Lin Chunhuan waved her hand and said, "Go boil some water for me to bathe in. Those men... are so dirty!"
While bathing, Lin Chunhuan kept her eyes closed. Her mind was empty and she was not thinking about anything. In other words, she didn't even know whether she should be thinking about those thoughts or not.
Just as Sayuri was carefully drying her hair, there was a knock on the door.
When Mrs. Zhuang opened the door and their eyes met, Lin Chunhuan felt a lump in his throat and waved his hand to let Sayuri leave the room.
"Good girl, I'm sorry for your hardship..."
The moment the door was closed, Zhuang's mother's words made Lin Chunhuan's emotions, which had been tense all day, collapse in an instant, and tears fell from her eyes like water.
In response, Zhuang's mother did not persuade or comfort her, but just walked forward and gently hugged the girl whom she regarded as a treasure in her arms.
How could the emperor appear in Hongxiu Tower without any warning? Considering everything that happened today, Mother Zhuang guessed about 70% of the answer.
When Lin Chunhuan's crying stopped, Mother Zhuang bent down and wiped away the tears on her face bit by bit. "Ah Huan, tell me, did you know that Qinghe was going to attack Hongxiu Tower a long time ago?"
“Mom, you…”
Seeing the confusion in Lin Chunhuan's eyes, Mother Zhuang gave a wry smile, "The Prince Regent has no grudges against our Hongxiu Tower, and he even holds Yanming and A Liu in high regard. How could he seal this place off for no reason?"
"Among them, there must be someone instigating and begging. Apart from Qinghe, there can't be anyone else."
Lin Chunhuan pursed her lips and nodded gently, "Just a few days ago, on the day Qinghe left, I heard their conversation."
Mother Zhuang was silent for a moment.
When she spoke again, her eyes were filled with deep sorrow. "Ah Huan, Mommy won't ask how you found the emperor, nor will she ask what your plans are for the future."
"Just say this once, thank you, Mom. It's you who saved us all."
"The road ahead is dangerous. I'm afraid I can't help you. Take this." Mother Zhuang said as she took out a half-worn brocade bag from her arms.
The color of the embroidery thread is no longer bright, and the material is not very good, it looks gray.
But when she took it out, Mother Zhuang had a strange look on her face, one that seemed to be nostalgic, yet also resisting, and finally turned into a sigh, "Take it. You'll be alone and helpless after entering the palace. If you encounter any unsolvable difficulties,
"Take this thing and find a eunuch named Zhang Jingshun. He will help you."
Lin Chunhuan was stunned. She only knew that Mama Zhuang came from a prominent family and should have been a noble lady. But she didn't know why, she ended up opening a brothel and becoming a prostitute.
When asked about the past, Mother Zhuang just smiled. She never mentioned it to anyone, let alone said that she actually knew anyone in the palace.
Even if it's just a eunuch.
Seeing that Mrs. Zhuang was reluctant to talk about it, Lin Chunhuan tactfully asked nothing and carefully put the sachet away. "Mom, what are your plans for the future?"
"Our Hongxiu Tower can't be a brothel anymore. If this continues, not to mention the Regent, even the Emperor will probably be dissatisfied with the fact that his concubine came from a brothel. You must do something!"
Mrs. Zhuang was not surprised to hear this. "Don't worry, I've already thought of all this."
"Just take care of yourself, and leave the outside to me."
That night, the two chatted a lot. Late at night, Lin Chunhuan hugged Zhuang's mother's arms tightly and slept more soundly than ever before.
Seeing that she fell asleep, Zhuang's mother did not leave.
They all knew that this would probably be the last peaceful sleep they would have for a long time to come.
August 15th is the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Early in the morning, the palace's ceremonial procession had already stopped outside the Hongxiu Tower. The emperor came to greet them in person, and the people on both sides of the street stretched their necks, wishing they could rush to the front.
Witness this unprecedented spectacle with your own eyes.
Someone arrived at the palace early and brought a palace dress. Lin Chunhuan walked out of the gate. The dark blue palace dress was embroidered with a phoenix flying in the sky with silver thread. It was simple but not simplistic, steady but not dull.
Under the luxurious fabric, the skin that is already as crystal clear as snow looks even whiter. When the sunlight shines on it, the delicate eyebrows and eyes are so beautiful that it makes people breathless.
With just a glance, the emperor saw the helplessness and innocence in her eyes, and she also saw the strong possessiveness that could not be concealed between his brows.
"Announce the decree."
The imperial edict was complicated, and Lin Chunhuan only listened to a few important sentences. She was named Zhenfei and was granted the residence of Changchun Palace.
Zhen is not among the four concubines, but is higher than the noble concubine. It is really an extremely delicate position.
Lin Chunhuan pursed her lips and raised a very faint smile. What surprised her was that she didn't see the Regent today. Instead, she was looking at Qinghe from afar in the crowd.
Qinghe's eyes seemed to be filled with poison, and this kind of eyes made her feel familiar.
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