After a brief tea break, Ms. Wang, carrying a letter, led Shi Lan away from the imperial palace, a place of birdsong and fragrant flowers yet heavily guarded. (Latest and fastest updates, free reading available.)
Sitting in the sedan chair, Shi Lan blinked her watery eyes and tried to act cute at Lady Wang.
Seeing her like this, Lady Wang smiled slightly and said, "You'll stay with me in the courtyard tonight. As for where we go tomorrow, we'll leave it to the old lady to decide."
Shi Lan nodded.
Lady Wang smiled, finding Shi Lan to be very obedient. Such obedience would be very pleasing to a master as a servant, but as a young lady of a marquis's household, it would be a bit too soft. Thinking of the expression on the face of the Imperial Concubine at that time, she quickly considered the matter before saying, "Once everything is settled, you will come to my place for an hour every day. The Imperial Concubine likes you, so I will teach you some palace etiquette, lest you lose your composure when you enter the palace in the future."
Shi Lan blinked and nodded in agreement.
The adorable little girl, with her pink and soft hair and a topknot adorned with pearl flowers, looked as sweet and sticky as a steaming rice ball.
Looking at Shi Lan like this, Lady Wang pursed her lips, and couldn't help but recall the same rosy-cheeked young lady from the Pan family when she first entered the palace.
The sedan chair swayed and came to a stop. Lady Wang escorted Shi Lan to the path leading to the courtyard, then turned onto another path.
The dark blue robe was quickly obscured by the verdant branches and jagged rocks. Shi Lan stared for a moment at the shadows cast on the rocks by the swaying trees, then pursed her lips. (Latest and fastest updates)
Judging from the behavior of the Imperial Concubine and Lady Wang today, her identity has been confirmed. The key now is the old lady's attitude.
Pan Sanniang had been serving the old lady for nearly ten years, and the affection they shared day and night could not be replaced by a few words from anyone else.
To be honest, she had no intention of vying for this favor. Her original intention in coming to the Pan family was simply to reclaim the original owner's status. It would be best if she had the old lady's affection, but she wouldn't force it if she didn't. In any case, as long as she was a descendant of the Pan family, she wouldn't be shortchanged, even if it was just for appearances.
Looking up at the sun, which was still shining brightly even though it was already setting in the west, Shi Lan smiled slightly.
Forget it, I won't think about it too much. Things will work themselves out. If she can't stay in this mansion, at least she tried her best and didn't let down the original owner or her true self.
Night fell quickly, and Shi Lan waited anxiously for Ms. Wang to return, her arms propped up on her hips. The food box beside her was filled with a delicious aroma that tempted her taste buds.
A commotion arose in the distance. Shi Lan got up, stood by the door, and stood on tiptoe to look outside.
In the bright light, Lady Wang, accompanied by a group of maids, was walking towards them.
Shi Lan hurriedly ran out and opened the courtyard gate.
A moment later, the group approached, and Lady Wang bowed to Shi Lan, saying, "Young lady, I wish you good luck."
This was the first time Shi Lan had ever seen her bow to him since they met, and he was momentarily stunned.
The maids behind her also curtsied and greeted her in unison, "Young lady."
Shi Lan raised one corner of her mouth and smiled meaningfully, then looked at Ms. Wang with a questioning expression.
Lady Wang smiled and ordered her maid to pack Shi Lan's things.
The maids responded and filed in, and soon sounds came from the side room.
Soon everyone else was gone. Shi Lan saw that Lady Wang hadn't moved. Lady Wang hadn't intended to hide anything from her, so she whispered about meeting the old lady. After speaking, she added, "After all, Third Miss grew up under the old lady's care. She's kind-hearted. Although she's annoyed that you're not her own flesh and blood, she also considers it wasn't your fault. After much consideration, the old lady thinks it's best to recognize you as a distant relative. However, your seniority will still be the same as the other ladies in the household. It's just that this will be unfair to you."
Shi Lan lowered her eyes, suppressing her anger, and after a long while said, "So, my own flesh and blood is actually outside the fifth degree of mourning?"
Lady Wang pursed her lips and said, "No, the old lady has a younger sister who got separated during the southern tour. If we consider that, we can avoid suspicion from others."
Shi Lan silently did the math; if that were the case, what kind of family reunion would it be?
The old lady's deliberately distant attitude made her resentful, and she couldn't help but say coldly, "Enough. This complicated relationship is confusing even to me, let alone others. I think it's better to disown this relative. I just want to ask Lady Wang to help me cancel my slave contract. From now on, I will be all alone and will not starve wherever I go."
After saying that, Shi Lan went straight out and headed towards the side gate she had visited before.
Ms. Wang never expected that Shi Lan, who seemed so gentle and cute, would have such a fiery temper. She would just walk away without giving anyone a chance to react.
As a junior, how can I speak so disrespectfully while my parents are still alive?
But then she thought again, she had grown up in the north, how much did she really know about poetry, literature and etiquette? Besides, it was indeed the old lady who was unfair, so she couldn't be blamed for being indignant.
But such words are absolutely unacceptable to say.
Lady Wang hurriedly covered her up, but worried that the maids in the side room would see, so she could only lower her voice and scold her: "Don't be silly, you have a mother and a father, how can you be a lonely widow?"
Shi Lan snorted coldly: "It's a pity that my mother has passed away, my father has remarried, and my grandmother loves someone else. I don't care about anyone anymore, so what does it matter where I go?"
Lady Wang sighed, knowing that the old lady was in the wrong. How could she push her own flesh and blood away and instead dote on a maid who had no connection with her? But she was a servant, and even if she held an official position, she had no say in the matter to the old lady who was a titled lady.
"Don't act rashly," Lady Wang said, also having a headache. She could only advise, "I'll talk to the old lady. You are the legitimate daughter, and there's no reason for you to give up your position to that nobody." She pulled Shi Lan, trying to walk back, but couldn't budge her.
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