"No need," Lu Qingyan said indifferently. She realized that the maid's heart wasn't with her, her mistress. Someone like that shouldn't be kept by her side. But since she was sent by the Great Jin, she couldn't replace her even if she wanted to. "Pearl is a familiar face in the capital of Jin; she won't forget her way home. Let's go back first; she might be back soon."
Agate followed behind Lu Qingyan, acting as if she would obey her master's every word. There was no question of her pleading for Pearl or worrying about her.
At this moment, Lu Qingyan was most grateful that she had the palace exit token on her person, rather than the pearl in her hand.
Hmph, let's just leave that person outside the palace gates and see if she still behaves herself.
The journey went smoothly, but Lu Qingyan's mood instantly soured when she encountered Ling Xue'er.
"Consort Xue." Lu Qingyan bowed slightly as a form of greeting.
Ling Xue'er, adjusting her elaborate hair ornaments, said, "I wondered who was blocking the way. It turns out to be Princess Lu. Why isn't Princess Lu at her own Zixi Terrace? What are you doing here in the middle of the night?"
Princess Lu? What kind of title is that? Lu Qingyan raised an eyebrow, unable to understand what she was implying with those words.
She, a princess of this country, has been going out for a stroll every few days since she moved into this palace, and no one has ever said much to her. Why is it that today, Ling Xue'er, is here to lecture her?
“Oh, I just came back from outside. Today is the Lantern Festival, and it was so lively outside that I stayed a little longer before returning. Although it’s a bit late, it’s not curfew yet. I wonder what brings Consort Xue here…” Lu Qingyan looked Ling Xue’er up and down a few times.
This outfit is truly dazzling. Even a noble concubine is still just a concubine and cannot wear bright red. Today, Ling Xue'er is wearing a light red butterfly-patterned palace dress, and her hair is adorned with glittering gold ornaments.
Under the dim light, these exquisitely crafted hair accessories reflected a unique radiance.
Fortunately, she didn't have anything strange on her face. Although the makeup was a bit ugly, it didn't completely cover up her beauty. She still looked like a normal person. Otherwise, coming out late at night would have scared people to death.
Lu Qingyan praised meaningfully, "Consort Xue's outfit is quite unique!"
Ling Xue'er didn't understand the meaning behind her words. Instead, she proudly boasted, "Of course, this is something I thought about for a long time. The Emperor praised me when he saw me like this today."
Emperor Jin... actually has a taste for this.
Lu Qingyan felt that a new world had opened up for her.
Ling Xue'er said smugly, "From today onwards, I will always dress like this. I simply do not believe that anyone in this harem can outshine me. Even that Yu family member will have to step aside in front of me."
Lu Qingyan secretly sneered: No matter which side they're on, they have the Phoenix Seal in their hands. Do you have it?
Finding that Lu Qingyan had steered the conversation astray, Ling Xue'er glared at Lu Qingyan and scolded her, "Princess Lu, since you're staying here, you have to abide by the rules. I don't care what you want to do on weekdays, just stay in your own palace. If you don't have to come out, then don't."
Lu Qingyan blinked and listened as she continued.
Ling Xue'er said proudly, "Nowadays, the masters living in this palace are either the Emperor or the concubines. Princess Lu is able to live here because the Emperor is kind and wants to give you a respectable marriage."
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