According to the custom of the Zhao state, Duan Yang stayed at the post station for three days.
On the morning of the fourth day, Shi Lan followed Princess Duanyang into the Zhao Kingdom's palace.
The Zhao Kingdom's palace differed from the Jiang Kingdom's in its extravagance. Surrounded by towering walls, the palace was grand and simple, with black and red wood contrasting against the dark gray stone tiles, which shone with a natural luster in the sunlight.
Shi Lan followed the palace maids to the courtyard furthest from Yiling Palace, where Duan Yang lived. Stepping into the room, which contained only a couch, a small table, and a curtain, Shi Lan couldn't help but sigh at the unavoidable changes.
Things unfolded as before. Although Duan Yang's attitude towards her had changed along the way, she still moved into the attic where the original owner had lived when she finally checked in.
Does this mean that even if some things change, the final result will still be the same as before?
Shi Lan was not afraid. The previous few months of study had given her a full understanding of what true techniques of suppression and defeating were.
The effigies found in the original owner's room were just a trick by Yuan Yun. It's laughable that Prince Zhao, a military man, was so arrogant and self-righteous, thinking he had caught the effigies red-handed.
That night, before it was completely dark, red lanterns were already hanging high in the Yiling Palace.
The next morning, the news that Duan Yang had been named one of the four Noble Ladies, second only to the Empress, spread throughout the Zhao Palace. As a concubine, Shi Lan naturally came to Yi Ling Palace to offer her congratulations in accordance with etiquette.
As soon as they arrived at the palace gate, they heard Qi Rui's voice from inside, "The King is so kind to the noble lady. This red coral is so big, it is truly a rare treasure."
Upon hearing Qi Rui's words, which sounded both envious and jealous, Duan Yang replied with a hint of smugness, "Whether it is a rare object or not, I do not know. However, His Majesty did say that this object is only worthy of its dazzling beauty when displayed here."
Duan Yang's words brought silence to the room, followed by a series of flattering and obsequious compliments. Shi Lan smiled slightly and went inside. What came into view was a coral tree about a foot tall, its red color as fiery as fire.
Shi Lan glanced at the coral tree, then focused her gaze on Duan Yang, who now possessed a captivating and alluring beauty.
The fiery red coral, with its lush vines, reflected the Duan Yang, who wore a high bun and a gorgeous headdress, making her truly incomparably beautiful.
Shi Lan narrowed her eyes, and when Duan Yang looked up at her, she lowered her eyes slightly, stepped forward, curtsied, and said with just the right amount of joy on her face, "Congratulations, esteemed guest."
On the high couch, Duan Yang sat with an air of nobility, his smiling lips pursed, and his phoenix eyes, slanted into his temples, coldly looked at the extremely submissive Shi Lan.
Shi Lan bowed respectfully, like a puppet on strings, rigidly maintaining the same posture without moving, with only the white jade sash around her waist swaying gently.
After a few breaths, Duan Yang seemed to think that this show of force was enough, so he raised his hand and said softly, "Get up quickly. Someone, prepare a bed."
"Thank you for your kindness," Shi Lan straightened her aching, slender back and sat down at the end of the table with a gentle smile.
Soft laughter and whispers echoed through the hall once more. Shi Lan sat quietly in the corner with her head slightly lowered, seemingly unaware of Duan Yang's deliberate neglect.
As evening fell, a servant brought news that King Zhao was to visit Yiling Palace.
Shi Lan moved her knees, which felt stiff as if they weren't her own, and slowly stood up. "I'm not feeling well, may I take my leave?"
Almost as soon as Shi Lan finished speaking, the hall fell silent, and everyone's eyes fell on her.
Shi Lan's expression remained unchanged. The curve of her neck, bent as she bowed, was graceful, like that of a swan with a self-pitying neck.
Duan Yang's brows twitched, and her phoenix eyes quickly swept over the surprised, astonished, and sneerful gazes of the people around her. Suddenly, she recalled the words Shi Lan had once said to her in Jiang Kingdom. In an instant, she felt a pang of regret, thinking that she shouldn't have listened to others and made things difficult for Shi Lan, thus needlessly losing this loyal helper.
"Since you're not feeling well, go back and rest. If you need anything, just let me know, I won't leave you without anything," Duan Yang said with a smile, his previous indifferent attitude completely changed.
"Yes, thank you for your kindness," Shi Lan curtsied and walked out gracefully with her long sleeves flowing.
Spring has passed and autumn is approaching in the blink of an eye. During this time, Shi Lan has not visited Yiling Palace again. The Dragon Boat Festival is in full swing, and flowers are blooming everywhere. It is the time of year when everything is in full bloom.
Shi Lan only occasionally strolled through the garden; the rest of the time she stayed obediently in her small courtyard and didn't go anywhere.
As for what favors Duan Yang received, she wasn't interested. In the original owner's memories, she already knew what was going to happen next.
By the summer solstice, Duan Yang had already gained the right to act as the agent of palace affairs. In the autumn, the State of Wei saw that King Zhao was favoring the State of Jiang because of his beauty, so they specially sent several beautiful concubines to Duan Yang. Duan Yang and the concubines were equally beautiful. Three days after the Minor Snow, Yuan Yun, as a palace maid of the State of Wei, seduced King Zhao, and from then on Duan Yang completely lost favor.
The petals were about to fall, and the autumn frost was just beginning to appear. By this time, the beautiful concubine of Wei had been in the palace for some time.
Shi Lan sat in the courtyard watching the yellow-green leaf slowly fall to her feet, thinking to herself that it was time to come find her on the Dragon Boat Festival.
A palace maid's voice called from outside the door, carried by the cool breeze: "Shi Lan, Consort Jiang summons you for an audience."
Shi Lan raised her head and looked at the palace maid who was looking at her with her head held high and her eyes slanted at her. She smiled slightly, got up and followed the palace maid who was frowning and looking very disgusted, and came to Yiling Palace.
Passing through the rows of palace maids on both sides, Duan Yang, with her hair piled high and dressed in a bright red robe, sat upright in front.
Shi Lan stepped forward and bowed. Duan Yang looked down at the respectful and gentle Shi Lan, a genuine hint of regret on his face.
It's just unknown whether he regrets not favoring Shi Lan, who was wholeheartedly devoted to him, or regrets trusting Qi Rui, who secretly climbed into the emperor's bed.
"Get up. I've been suffering from a severe headache lately. Ah Lan, please massage it for me," Duan Yang's voice was tired, but still carried an unconscious arrogance.
Shi Lan responded softly, got up and went behind Duan Yang to gently massage her.
Half an hour later, Duan Yang relaxed his tense shoulders and back, his usually arrogant and disdainful phoenix eyes slightly closed, clearly enjoying Shi Lan's massage.
Inside the hall, incense smoke curled gently from the burner, carrying a calming and soothing fragrance. Duan Yang sighed, the worries that had arisen from the arrival of the King of Zhao at Yingxia Palace finally dissipating somewhat.
Outside the hall, a commotion suddenly arose. Duan Yang frowned, raised his eyes impatiently, and shouted, "Who is making a scene outside?"
As silence fell outside, a palace maid entered and reported, "Your Highness, it is Consort Qi who has come to pay her respects."
Duan Yang snorted coldly and remained silent.
Shi Lan lowered her eyes and quietly looked at the hem of her clothes, her hands moving without stopping.
After another quarter of an hour, Duan Yang gestured for Shi Lan to stop, sat up straight, and said, "Let her in."
After a series of tinkling sounds, Qi Rui entered the hall.
Looking at Qi Rui, whose hair was styled in a beautiful updo, and who was slowly bowing down, Shi Lan shook her head inwardly.
In the palace, the first rank was the Queen, followed by Noble Ladies, Beauties, and Treasure Maidens, with the lowest rank being Lady-in-Waiting. Qi Rui was a noblewoman from the Jiang Kingdom, but after being favored by the emperor, she was only granted the title of Lady-in-Waiting, suggesting that she was not favored.
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