Chapter 502: Entering The Palace Together
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Su Ying genuinely didn’t know what an important place she held in Lin Zhuyu’s heart.
After sending Lin Zhuyu off, Su Ying went to the Imperial Garden. The Imperial Guards who were in charge of guarding the Imperial Garden reported that a flying eagle had suddenly landed on the cage. As the eagle was too big and looked too ferocious, they didn’t dare to touch it rashly.
When Su Ying arrived at the Imperial Garden, she saw the eagle that was half the height of a human staring keenly at the two wolf cubs in their den.
The wolf cubs were not scared either. Although half of their bodies were curled up inside their den, their fur were standing on ends. Their whole entire bodies were in a state of high alert as if they were ready to receive the eagle’s attack at any time.
“Come down.”
Su Ying gave a sharp holler and the eagle spread its wings and flapped twice. The potted plants on the ground were toppled over by the resulting strong wind currents.
The eagle landed firmly in front of Su Ying. Su Ying spread its wings out to
retrieve the message.
It was a message from Mo Tu. He said that he had almost finished dealing with the internal affairs of the Red Demon Sect in the Jin State and was now coming to the Chu State to look for her. At the same time, he would take the chance to consolidate the forces of the Red Demon Sect in the Chu State.
Previously, when the Red Demon Sect in the Chu State got involved in the political struggles of the Imperial Court, some members already harbored thoughts of disloyalty. Mo Tu wanted to come over and purge these members.
Mo Tu knew more about the Red Demon Sect than Su Ying did. His arrival would allow her to get an understanding of the Red Demon Sect in all aspects.
After Su Ying prepared her reply, she immediately released the eagle.
After returning to the Conjugal Phoenix Palace, Su Ying said to the palace maid, “Pass down my decree. Summon the Eldest Young Miss of Marquis Bo An’s Residence for a meeting with me tomorrow.”
“Yes, your servant will pass the message now.”
Inside Marquis Bo An’s Residence.
When Zhou Xiangrong followed the maidservant into the hall, she saw Madam An who was wearing a long dress with symmetrical lapels and a golden hairpin on her head, sitting arrogantly on a black wooden chair. Beside her was Zhou Nichang, who was wearing the most popular dress design with a body-fitting bodice embroidered with hundreds of flowers.
When Zhou Nichang saw Zhou Xiangrong enter the hall, she rolled her eyes in disdain.
Zhou Xiangrong walked into the hall and curtsied to Madam An. “May I know
why Mistress summoned me?”
Madam An’s sharp gaze swept across Zhou Xiangrong’s body. She couldn’t understand why this girl could still stand in front of her safe and sound when the person she sent clearly reported that he had already killed her. Moreover, she looked as if she had changed into a different person. If it wasn’t for the fact that her face was exactly the same as before, Madam An would have suspected that a different person had swapped places with her.
She had already sent people to inquire about the matter and she also knew that Zhou Xiangrong had secretly gone to Lin City and Luo City. Although she did not want to believe it, the girl seemed to have shown her face in front of the Empress. Otherwise, why would the Empress issue a decree to summon her to the palace tomorrow?
Madam An forced a smile. “I heard that you are going to enter the palace tomorrow, so I picked out a few dresses for you. You can wear whichever one you like tomorrow.”
Madam An waved her hand, and two maidservants came in with the dresses.
Zhou Xiangrong did not even look at the dresses. “Thank you for your kindness, Mistress. I still have dresses to wear.”
■’Those dresses of yours are from last year. These are the most fashionable ones this year. I think the peach-colored one is particularly suitable for you. Quickly change into it for a look.”
Zhou Xiangrong still stood there without moving.
Her reaction exhausted Madam An’s patience completely, and the smile on
Madam An’s face gradually faded.
Zhou Nichang gave a scornful snort and said, “Zhou Xiangrong, you’d better know what’s good for you. Mother prepared new clothes for you because she was worried you wouldn’t look presentable. You don’t even appreciate it.”
Zhou Xiangrong laughed nonchalantly. “I can tell Father if I don’t have any clothes and ask him to buy them for me. There’s no need to trouble yourself, Mistress. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave first.”
“Stop right there!”
Madam An was downright incensed by Zhou Xiangrong’s complete disregard for her. “Zhou Xiangrong, if I tell the people from the palace that I’m suddenly seriously ill and want you to stay in the residence to nurse me, do you think the Empress will still insist on getting you to enter the palace?” Zhou Xiangrong’s expression changed slightly, and she immediately retorted angrily, “What exactly do you want?”
Madam An saw that Zhou Xiangrong was afraid and gave a smug smile. “When you were in Luo City, your younger sister was always worried about your condition. When you treated the patients, she also wrote to you and gave you some advice. In terms of credit, your younger sister should have a share too.
Am I right?”
Zhou Xiangrong was so angry that she bit her cheeks. “She didn’t do anything at all. Why should she share the credit with me?”
Madam An said with a sneer, “Because you’re the daughter of the Zhou family, so if you’ve achieved glory, you should share it with your younger sister. If you’re unwilling, don’t even think about entering the palace!” “If you were not the daughter of the Zhou family, would the Empress have cast a look at you? Zhou Xiangrong, you better have a clear understanding of your identity. Don’t be so ungrateful when people extend courtesy to you!” Zhou Nichang said disdainfully.
Zhou Xiangrong trembled all over, but she could only grit her teeth and endure it in order to enter the palace. “Alright. I’ll bring her to the palace tomorrow.” When she saw that Zhou Xiangrong had consented, Madam An and her daughter smiled with satisfaction. “That’s more like it. Choose a dress then. Don’t be too shabby and bring disgrace to our Marquis Bo An’s Residence.”
Zhou Xiangrong took the dress and left the main hall with Xin Yue.
“Mistress is really too much. That was clearly your credit, Eldest Young Miss. Why should Second Young Miss take advantage of it? Eldest Young Miss, you must explain it to the Empress tomorrow. The Empress is reasonable and will definitely be able to tell.”
Zhou Xiangrong slowly sat down on a chair. The anger on her face was completely gone.
“I was afraid that she wouldn’t want to go.”
The change in Zhou Xiangrong’s emotions was so drastic that Xin Yue was stunned. “Eldest Young Miss, you want Second Young Miss to go with you?” Zhou Xiangrong said with a scornful laugh, “If she doesn’t go, how will the world know that I’ve suffered in Marquis Bo An’s Residence?
Humans liked to sympathize with the weak. She wanted those self-righteous people in high places of authority to sympathize with her so that she could achieve her goal.
Before Zhou Xiangrong entered the palace, she changed into the dress that Madam An had given her. This dress was indeed the most fashionable style at the moment, and the materials used were also good. However, when she stepped out of the door and met Zhou Nichang, the difference in their dressing was obvious.
Zhou Nichang was wearing a rainbow-hued long dress. As she stood under the sunlight, her entire body was covered in a resplendent halo, exhibiting the delicate and soft nebulous beauty of a woman.
Zhou Nichang glanced at Zhou Xiangrong. When she saw that Zhou Xiangrong was completely inferior to her, a smug smile appeared on her face.
A bitch like her wanted to compete with her? She could wait until her next life! Marquis Bo An placed great importance on the two of them entering the palace and had given instructions for the horse carriage to wait outside the entrance early on.
-After you two enter the palace, you must pay attention to the rules. You mustn’t bring disgrace to our Marquis Bo An’s Residence, understand?
Zhou Nichang replied obediently, “Don’t worry, Father. Chang’er will not disappoint you.”
Marquis Bo An nodded in satisfaction and let the two sisters board the horse carriage.
With Marquis Bo An’s position, he was not qualified to attend the morning court session, so he could only send the two girls to the palace gates. After repeatedly reminding them, he watched them enter the palace.
“Marquis Bo An, please stop here.” The Imperial Guards stopped Marquis Bo An at the palace gates.
Zhou Xiangrong looked at the majestic palace in front of her, her eyes shining with determination..