The Empress Dowager looked at Jiang Luoxi and took the tea from her hand.
The teacup was only warm, at the perfect temperature.
She was truly a pleasing person.
"Luoxi, you don't need to be busy. Sit aside and chat. Later, many wives and young ladies from the capital will enter the palace, and several princes will also be coming. You have other matters to attend to, so don't overexert yourself now," the Empress Dowager said softly to Jiang Luoxi.
Jiang Luoxi smiled and shook her head. "Brewing tea for Her Majesty, the Empress Dowager, is not tiring for Luoxi."
"Miss Jiang is truly virtuous. I am somewhat ashamed of my inferiority," Geng Yuyue said with a smile.
"Your Majesty the Empress, you flatter me. How can Luoxi compare to Your Majesty the Empress?" Jiang Luoxi stood up and curtsied to Geng Yuyue.
Her movements were impeccable.
She was truly an intelligent woman.
The Empress Dowager was very pleased. After returning to the capital, Jiang Luoxi had become even more well-mannered, and often understood things without needing to be told.
Such a wonderful person, she believed, would surely capture the heart of Prince Ye.
"Has Miss Jiang met Prince Ye before?" Geng Yufei asked.
A blush quickly spread across Jiang Luoxi's pretty face, and she lowered her head to conceal the hint of shyness in her eyes. "I saw him from afar a few years ago, but I didn't get a close look."
Hearing this, Geng Yufei smiled and said, "Miss Jiang will be able to get a good look soon."
Jiang Luoxi lowered her head even further.
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager gave Geng Yufei a look. Geng Yufei immediately understood and stopped talking. The Empress Dowager sipped her tea, looking at Jiang Luoxi with satisfaction.
However, in Jiang Luoxi's lowered eyes, the shyness was long gone.
All that remained was a sense of calm.
She knew that the Empress Dowager wanted to see her like this.
To achieve her goals, she was willing to do anything to please the Empress Dowager.
A palace servant's voice was heard from outside the door, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, several ladies and young ladies have arrived and have already proceeded to the Imperial Garden to be seated."
The Empress Dowager immediately looked at the sky outside, realizing with surprise that it was time. She looked at Geng Yufei and Jiang Luoxi. "Let's go."
"Yes, Mother."
"Yes, Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager."
...
Upon entering the palace, Yun Shu confidently made her way to the Imperial Garden.
Many people had already arrived in the Imperial Garden.
The palace was truly interesting, always holding banquets in the Imperial Garden.
No matter how beautiful the scenery in the Imperial Garden was, it would become tiresome after seeing it too many times.
Surrounded by a profusion of flowers, Yun Shu scanned the crowd, searching for Zhan Xiaoli and Gu Xiaofeng.
They were not in sight, so they must not have arrived yet.
She vaguely saw Zhan Ming.
Zhan Ming had sharp eyes. As her gaze swept over, he immediately looked at her and strode over.
Yun Shu glanced at his heavily bandaged hand and curled her lips into a half-smile.
Since the Empress Dowager had not yet arrived, she was not in a hurry to be seated and found a spot to admire the flowers.
"After a few days, Miss Yun Er seems to have become even more radiant and alluring." Zhan Ming's gaze roamed over Yun Shu with a hint of greed.
His gaze was extremely lingering.
Ever since his hidden ailment was cured by Lu Hao, his vitality had significantly increased.
After experiencing the flavors of many women, he suddenly became curious about what Yun Shu, who had been tasted by Zhan Tianye, would be like.
From a distance, Yun Shu's figure was graceful, and her beauty was exquisite. Compared to her, not only the women around her, but even the colorful, bright flowers seemed to lose their luster.
Yun Shu sneered inwardly, her gaze sharp as she looked up. "After a few days, Regent Prince's complexion seems to have become more haggard. I advise you, if you don't curb your indulgence, I fear the Regent Prince's hidden ailment might return."
"What did you say?!" Zhan Ming's expression turned ferocious.
How hateful!
How audacious!
Yun Shu smiled faintly, lowered her gaze to his hand, and said nonchalantly, "These are sincere words, offered out of good will. Oh, and Regent Prince, you don't have much time to consider. I'm not that patient."
"Did you figure it out, or was it your medical instructor who deduced it?" Zhan Ming asked in a low, furious voice, his brows furrowed tightly.
Their voices were just loud enough for the two of them to hear.
His secret must absolutely not be revealed!
Moreover, he always felt that something was not quite right.
It was Yun Shu herself, who seemed peculiar from his perspective.
Yun Shu smiled without answering, instead reminding Zhan Ming, "Yun Yueyin has arrived."
In the distance, Yun Yueyin walked gracefully amidst the surprised gazes of many.
Many marveled at how Yun Yueyin's face had recovered so well. Previously, rumors had spread everywhere that Yun Yueyin was disfigured, her face covered in scars. Although she wasn't dressed in elaborate attire now, her face was still flawless and fair.
Yun Shu's gaze swept over Yun Yueyin indifferently.
Her gaze stopped on Yun Yueyin's face. Her eyebrows twitched imperceptibly, and a playful smile curved her lips.
Had she sought out the Meng family?
However, this craftsmanship... it couldn't have come from Old Master Meng, could it?
Was it a creation of Meng Jiatong?
Indeed, she saw Meng Jiatong.
Upon seeing Yun Yueyin arrive, Meng Jiatong, wearing the fake face she had made, immediately walked over and approached Yun Yueyin.
For this false face, she had stayed up for two nights, occasionally seeking advice from her grandfather, all to ensure Yun Yueyin's satisfaction.
"Yueyin," Meng Jiatong greeted her first.
Yun Yueyin was currently smiling and exchanging pleasantries with others. When she saw Meng Jiatong blocking her way, she frowned slightly, careful not to let any hint of her true feelings show.
After all, everyone in the capital knew what the Meng family did.
Another point was that Meng Jiatong's skills were not as good as Old Master Meng's. She was not satisfied with this false face. She tugged at the corners of her mouth and nodded slightly coldly, "Miss Meng."
Then, without further ado, she walked past Meng Jiatong.
Wen Shu wanted to remind her, but there were too many people around, and several ladies had already approached asking about her skincare. She could only purse her lips and follow.
Seeing this, Meng Jiatong looked at Yun Yueyin's retreating figure, utterly bewildered.
What was going on? Why was Yun Yueyin's attitude so cold?
She entered the palace wearing the fake face she made, only to be met with such indifference, even displeasure?
Seeing this scene, Yun Shu couldn't help but chuckle. As expected of Yun Yueyin, after using someone, she directly revealed her true colors. Look at Meng Jiatong's shocked expression.
When Yun Yueyin saw Zhan Ming, she immediately went to his side.
In front of others, the two of them were still an envied perfect match.
"Your Highness."
"Why aren't you dressed formally?" Zhan Ming questioned with some displeasure.
Yun Yueyin clenched the handkerchief in her hand and forced a smile, saying, "I'm feeling a bit unwell and didn't have time to dress formally."
Suddenly, someone collapsed to the ground with a thud!
The table also fell with a crash.
Startling everyone.
"What's happening?"
Yun Shu heard the commotion and looked over.
But before she could get a clear look, Zhan Ming's voice reached her ears, "Miss Yun Er, you know medicine, don't you? Go and take a look quickly!"
"What? Miss Yun Er knows medicine?"