"No matter how hard you try, it's useless, because His Highness already has someone in his heart."
Hearing this, Xue Lan chuckled softly, a hint of sadness flashing in her eyes. "So what? His Highness likes whom he likes, and I like whom I like."
"Xue Lan, since you know His Highness won't like you, why do you still let him hurt your heart?"
"Xue Feng, do you know? Ever since I saw the Crown Prince at the age of five, I knew that this life, I would only want to like His Highness."
Xue Lan continued with a hint of self-mockery, "So, I worked hard, learned everything a woman should learn, and I've always waited silently behind His Highness, hoping that one day, he would see my efforts."
"What if His Highness gets a Crown Princess in the future?"
Xue Lan faltered and lowered her gaze. "As long as His Highness doesn't drive me away, I will always be by his side."
Sincerity can move mountains.
One day, she would move His Highness.
Xue Feng shook his head. Xue Lan looked up and asked, "Did His Highness know Miss Feng a long time ago?"
Xue Feng was taken aback and said, "How is that possible? I'm going to get some soup."
Xue Feng left.
Xue Lan watched Xue Feng's retreating figure, lost in thought.
Fengluan Palace
"Your Majesty the Empress, Miss Xue Lan requests an audience!"
The Empress raised an eyebrow and said, "Let her in!"
"Imperial Aunt, is that Sister?" The young girl sitting beside the Empress's eyes lit up.
The Empress smiled and patted the girl's hand. "You are the legitimate daughter, she is merely a concubine's daughter."
The girl tilted her head. "But Imperial Aunt sent a concubine's daughter to Crown Prince cousin's side."
The Empress chuckled and tapped the girl's forehead with her finger. "Isn't it all for your future? If you become the Crown Princess, you'll need someone by your side, won't you? She is the best choice. We can grant her the title of 'Liangdi' then. Can she surpass you?"
The girl giggled and, wrapping her arm around the Empress's, said intimately, "I knew Imperial Aunt treated me the best."
"You, only your words are the sweetest."
Xue Lan walked in and saw the girl beside the Empress. She was slightly taken aback, not expecting to see her sister here. No, the girl was the legitimate daughter, and she was born to someone who wasn't even a concubine, someone not fit for the stage.
"Sister is here." Sun Yuezhu walked down, smiling with unusual intimacy.
Xue Lan took a step back as Sun Yuezhu tried to take her hand. She bowed and said, "Greetings, Miss Sun."
Sun Yuezhu never expected this concubine's daughter to make such a move. "Sister, even if you are now someone in the Eastern Palace, you can't be so distant with me, can you?"
"Miss Sun, I am now the chief lady-in-waiting by His Highness the Crown Prince's side."
Upon hearing this, Sun Yuezhu looked wronged. "I know Sister still resents my childish ignorance when we were young, but I have already apologized to you."
"Yue Zhu, you are the legitimate daughter, why would you apologize?" the Empress interjected.
"Your Majesty is right. Miss Sun, as the legitimate daughter, does not need to apologize to someone like me. I ask Miss Sun to choose her words carefully."
Sun Yuezhu looked at the concubine's daughter, who used to be humble before her, now able to confront her without subservience. It was truly remarkable.
"Imperial Aunt." Sun Yuezhu turned and linked her arm with the Empress's, her tone a little aggrieved.
The Empress patted Sun Yuezhu's hand and her gaze towards Xue Lan turned a few degrees colder. "Do you have something to report to me?"
Xue Lan nodded. "This servant has learned that this Miss Feng should be from the Desolate Marsh."
The Empress was startled, her eyes darkening. "Not from Xue Country?"
Xue Lan shook her head. "This servant is currently sending people to the Desolate Marsh to investigate."
"You have done well. If you need more people, tell me, and I will send some to you." the Empress said.
"This servant will take her leave!" Xue Lan attempted to withdraw.
Sun Yuezhu stepped forward and said, "Sister, Yue Zhu will see you out."
In front of the Empress, Xue Lan did not refuse Sun Yuezhu's offer.
Outside Fengluan Palace, Xue Lan looked at Sun Yuezhu with a cold expression. "Miss Sun, if you have something to say, say it directly."
"Crown Prince cousin really brought someone back?" Sun Yuezhu still found it hard to believe. After all, Crown Prince cousin had always been someone who wouldn't even look at women, and he didn't even have concubines by his side. The fact that a young lady appeared now, she really found it hard to believe.
"If Miss Sun doesn't believe it, she can personally go to the Eastern Palace. She is there now, living in the Crown Prince's sleeping quarters."
Sun Yuezhu trembled all over. "Then I must visit her when I have time."
Xue Lan chuckled twice and left.
Eastern Palace
"Miss..."
Xue Zining's eyes lit up when she saw Xue Yan appear. "Xue Yan..."
"This servant was so worried about you." Xue Yan walked quickly and knelt on the ground with a thud.
Xue Song watched this scene and left with a smile.
Xue Zining looked towards the doorway, deep in thought. She lowered her head to see Xue Yan pulling at her sleeve, crying sadly. She pulled her up and said, "They're gone, why are you still crying?"
Xue Yan, who had been crying heartbrokenly moments ago, had now regained her composure. She raised her eyes, still glistening with two tears, and asked with a smile, "Are they gone?"
Xue Zining nodded, then her expression turned solemn. "Didn't I ask you to return to the Desolate Marsh first?"
Hearing this, Xue Yan said in a low voice, "You may not know, but this servant was already close to Binzhou. However, this servant discovered someone was inquiring about you. So, this servant made some arrangements with the Hua family. This servant was worried about you and came back to Xue Country to find you."
Hearing that Xue Yan had gone to the Hua family, she asked, "How is Yun Jin?"
"The Prime Minister is in good spirits. And this servant conveys his message: you must be careful. Prioritize your safety and well-being in all matters. Otherwise, the Prime Minister's life is of no consequence."
Xue Zining's gaze paused. She looked at Xue Yan and said, "Tell me the truth, is he well?"
Xue Yan was slightly taken aback. "The Prime Minister is very well."
Xue Zining sighed. "Xue Yan, don't lie to me."
Xue Yan lowered her eyes and after a long time said, "The interval between the Prime Minister spitting blood is getting shorter. He may not be able to last until the end of this month."
"Okay, I understand," Xue Zining said, her expression grave.
She had to speed up her progress and enter the Divine Palace.
When Yun Zhu informed her that Miss Sun wanted to see her, Xue Zining knew it was time to learn about matters outside the Eastern Palace.
This way, she would have a chance to go to the Divine Palace.
After all, in her opinion, the Crown Prince of Xue Country likely had no intention of bringing her into the Divine Palace. It would be better to go herself.
Hua Yun Jin could not wait any longer.
Sun Yuezhu was entering the Eastern Palace for the first time. It was said that even when the Empress came, this Miss Feng did not let the Empress in.
Thinking of this, Sun Yuezhu felt an unspeakable sense of satisfaction.
Entering the room, her eyes fell upon the young girl sitting there, dressed in a blue long dress.
The girl's appearance was like most of the ones she had seen, delicate and beautiful. However, her eyes were clear and bright, making this face exceptionally beautiful.
She would surely achieve great things in the future.
"Are you Feng Ning?"