The Abused Female Protagonist In The Angst Novel Is Actually A White Lotus - Chapter 29.2

The Empress left the rest unsaid, but her meaning was clear: whoever was behind this scheme knew it. The palace intrigue, reminiscent of The Legend of Zhen Huan, unfolded in a relentless stream of gossip. Shen Sijing listened with initial interest, but as the tale wore on, she found herself sighing inwardly.

As she emerged from the Empress’s Inner Palace, Shen Sijing felt dazed. She looked up and saw a dark figure standing in the distance. A shiver ran down her spine, but as she approached, she recognized Ling Qingyi.

“Qingqing!” Shen Sijing exclaimed, rushing over with unbridled joy. She hadn’t realized how desperately she’d missed her friend. She clung to Ling Qingyi’s arm, delighted to see her smiling face.

“What happened?” Shen Sijing asked, though she already knew the answer. She wanted to hear it from Ling Qingyi’s own lips.

Ling Qingyi looked at her with tear-filled eyes, as if overwhelmed by gratitude. “Thank you, Sister Shen,” she gushed. “If it weren’t for you, I never would have been able to enter the palace, speak directly to His Majesty, and spend half a day in his presence. Together with other ministers, we refined the plan, ensuring its complete success. His Majesty was so pleased that he bestowed upon me a Title of Rank.”

Shen Sijing’s heart finally settled as she heard this. Her worries had not been in vain. Ling Qingyi wanted to look inside and ask what had happened that night, why everyone had gathered at the Empress’s Palace. But Shen Sijing covered her mouth, signaling her to remain silent.

Ling Qingyi nodded, her red lips brushing against Shen Sijing’s hand. Both felt a little self-conscious. Shen Sijing then took Ling Qingyi by the arm and led her away. This incident would greatly improve Ling Qingyi’s reputation and standing.

Life at the Ling Residence would also become easier. Just then, a matron from the Empress Dowager’s side emerged from the palace with a verbal decree: Shen Sijing and Ling Qingyi were to spend the night at the Imperial Palace.

As they walked back, Shen Sijing held Ling Qingyi’s hand, tears welling up in her eyes. Sensing something was wrong, Ling Qingyi quickly wiped away her tears.

Shen Sijing explained that she was crying from happiness, then clung affectionately to Ling Qingyi’s arm. The Imperial Palace was full of such incidents tonight, and Shen Sijing just wanted to leave as soon as possible.
The Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching, and the entire nation was preparing to celebrate. Even His Majesty issued an imperial decree inviting all court officials and their families to attend the grand Mid-Autumn Feast.

This was a common tactic for the Emperor to win over his subjects, but this time he went all out. Every official, from high-ranking ministers to low-ranking clerks, was invited to attend the early morning court session. The largest hall in the Imperial Palace would be used to host the banquet.

As the Prime Minister, Shen Zhiyuan and his wife couldn’t refuse the invitation, but they couldn’t bring their daughter either. Shen Sijing had known about this for a long time, leaving her feeling disheartened.

Was she destined to spend her first Mid-Autumn Festival in this world alone?

Ling Qingyi, still a member of the Ling family, remained in her own residence. Madam Ling wouldn’t dare harm her now, so she naturally stayed put.

“Ah…” This was Shen Sijing’s third sigh. Yun Nian stood nearby, unsure whether to serve breakfast. She frowned and bent down worriedly. “Young Miss, the breakfast has been reheated three or four times. Please eat something. Even on the Mid-Autumn Festival, you still have us servants to keep you company.”

Shen Sijing nodded, forcing herself to muster some energy. She instructed Yun Nian to serve breakfast, and a stream of exquisite, steaming dishes flowed into the room. Even in her foul mood, Shen Sijing couldn’t deny her hunger. She picked up her chopsticks and began to eat, much to Yun Nian’s relief.

Yun Nian watched Shen Sijing like a mother watching her child, occasionally helping her to plate. Just as Shen Sijing was enjoying her meal, a flurry of footsteps echoed from outside, followed by a shrill voice:

“Young Miss Shen, I’ve come with an imperial decree from the Empress Dowager! She requests your immediate entry to the palace!”

The words struck both Shen Sijing and Yun Nian like a thunderclap. Shen Sijing hurried outside to find a eunuch in dark red robes standing in the courtyard, beaming broadly. As she approached, his smile widened even more.

“Young Miss Shen! You’ve come! The Empress Dowager misses you greatly! I heard you’ve been feeling better recently? She sent me immediately to request your presence at the palace!”

Shen Sijing was a little dazed. Could this eunuch be none other than Sun Qing, the Empress Dowager’s favored attendant—the very man she hadn’t met when she first entered the palace?

Not only was he favored, but he was also the most resourceful man in the palace. In the original story, he was the only clear-headed person around when Ling Qingyi was devastated by Xiao Jing’s betrayal. When she was being manipulated and framed, nearly facing execution, Sun Qing took the initiative to investigate the matter and saved her life.

Shen Sijing had always held him in high regard. Though his ingratiating smile still made her uncomfortable, his past importance couldn’t be denied. She couldn’t help but smile. “Eunuch Sun, please convey my gratitude to the Empress Dowager for her concern. However, I overslept this morning and haven’t finished my breakfast yet. Why don’t you return to the palace to report back now? I’ll enter the palace immediately after I’ve eaten and tidied up.”

With that, Shen Sijing gave Yun Nian a meaningful look. Understanding immediately, Yun Nian pulled a silver ingot from her money pouch and placed it in Sun Qing’s hand. Sun Qing’s face lit up with a smile. “Then please take your time with your meal, Young Miss. This humble servant will return to the palace to report back now.”

With that, Sun Qing chuckled, tucked the silver back into his sleeve, and turned to leave without lingering.

Shen Sijing stood in the courtyard, watching his retreating figure, and let out a long sigh of relief. Thank goodness he didn’t insist on waiting here, she thought. The Empress Dowager wouldn’t blame a woman for being a little lazy in the morning.

Now that Shen Sijing had been summoned to the palace, she still needed to finish dressing, if only symbolically. Yun Nian helped her sit down, and the copper mirror revealed a strikingly beautiful face. Shen Sijing couldn’t resist reaching out to touch her own cheek.

In truth, this was her original appearance. But in her previous life, the modern environment had left her skin rougher. Here in the past, she rarely even broke a sweat, and her skin had been pampered to a smooth, eggshell-like radiance.

“Young Miss, you’re simply stunning…” Yun Nian almost lost herself in admiration as she picked up the hairpin and secured it in Shen Sijing’s coiled hair. The pin, crafted with exquisite kingfisher feather inlay and a uniquely ingenious design, complemented Shen Sijing’s hairstyle perfectly, adding a touch of unparalleled elegance.

After examining her reflection in the bronze mirror, Shen Sijing nodded in satisfaction. Yun Nian then lightly applied cosmetics to her face. The delicate features required little enhancement, so Yun Nian made a few subtle adjustments before setting down the makeup tools.

Next, Yun Nian brought out a pleated outer cloak embroidered with a profusion of flowers. The simple yet grand design made it seem as if Shen Sijing were enveloped in a lavish floral bouquet.
With the weather turning chilly, such attire became essential. Yun Nian escorted Shen Sijing to the courtyard, meticulously instructing the maidservants on the preparations needed for the palace visit.

Money to bribe palace servants was a must, along with identity tokens and fragrant sachets. They also needed to select one or two items from the Empress Dowager and Emperor’s annual gifts to wear.

Shen Sijing particularly cherished the Phoenix Tail Dangling Hairpin bestowed by the Empress Dowager. When pinned in her coiled hair, it swayed gracefully with each step, creating a striking effect. The hairpin’s distinctive presence could be spotted from afar, and since the current court placed no special restrictions on such adornments, Shen Sijing immediately decided to wear it.

Yun Nian obediently handed Shen Sijing the hairpin, which she fastened into her coiled hair. The ornament didn’t seem overly elaborate, but it certainly enhanced her appearance. With this final touch, she was ready to go.

Madam Shen had been waiting for her in the courtyard, craning her neck in anticipation. When she saw Shen Sijing emerge with graceful steps, she smiled. “My daughter,” she said, “you are truly peerless in beauty.”

Shen Sijing, a little flustered, hurried over to Madam Shen and tugged at her sleeve. “Mother, Mother… I still don’t know why I’ve been summoned to the palace. Can’t you come with me?”

Shen Sijing had never imagined she’d have to face these fierce tigers alone. Clutching Madam Shen’s hand felt like grasping a lifeline. But… if Madam Shen had a way to accompany her, she surely would have. The Imperial Palace always summoned individuals alone; no one else could accompany them, even if they were related to the royal family by marriage.

Madam Shen stroked Shen Sijing’s hand and shook her head helplessly. “But don’t worry. The Empress Dowager adores you. She wouldn’t trouble you, and if even she wouldn’t dare, how would anyone else dare to say anything?”

Her words were true, and Shen Sijing couldn’t find any reason to argue. Reluctantly, she released Madam Shen’s hand.

The carriage was waiting at the gate. Shen Sijing lifted her skirt and climbed aboard.

Support