Chapter 552 - 452: You Know Wangxin? This Is Getting Interesting
Chapter 552: Chapter 452: You Know Wangxin? This Is Getting Interesting
Walking through Ningxue Hall.
Ning Wei looked left and right.
Ningxue Hall was much larger than Ning Wei had imagined.
Beneath her feet was a path paved with crushed stones.
The small, grayish-white pebbles were packed down tightly, making only a light rustling sound as she walked over them.
The path was lined with all sorts of flowers and plants, some tall, some short. A few were blooming with delicate, pale-colored blossoms.
Several rockeries were scattered around the courtyard, their surfaces covered in moss, showing their age.
A small cat darted out from behind a rockery, stopping and starting as it chased a white butterfly.
When the butterfly flew a little higher, the cat stood on its hind legs to reach for it. Failing to catch it, the cat didn’t seem anxious and simply changed direction to continue its pursuit.
Farther in, she could see a small pond.
The water wasn’t very deep, allowing her to see the stones at the bottom where several red-and-white fish swam leisurely.
An orange cat was crouched by the pond, its front paws together and the tip of its tail tapping lightly on the ground as it stared down into the water.
Ning Wei had always been curious about the inner palaces of Secular Dynasties.
She had read many novels and heard that in the inner palace, women would do anything to compete for favor. Some would even harm their own children to frame other Consorts, all for the sake of winning the Emperor’s affection.
Therefore, Ning Wei believed the inner palace must be a very oppressive place, and that the residence of every Imperial Consort should be quite desolate.
But Ning Wei discovered that this inner palace was not what she had imagined.
The Palace Maids of Ningxue Hall were chatting and laughing, looking very relaxed. The entire palace was filled with a lively atmosphere, almost like a flock of cheerful songbirds.
But whenever they passed Chunyan, they would suppress their smiles, curtsy, and call out a greeting, "Sister Chunyan."
Ning Wei realized that this Palace Maid named Chunyan, who had led her to Ningxue Hall, must hold a rather high status.
She also probably managed Ningxue Hall on behalf of Consort Xue and must be quite strict.
Otherwise, the other Palace Maids wouldn’t be so afraid of her.
"This is our Ningxue Hall," Chunyan said, full of pride. "I heard that His Majesty personally approved the design of this courtyard. It even imitates parts of the Yan Mansion’s layout, all to ensure Her Ladyship is comfortable."
"His Majesty is truly good to Her Ladyship," Ning Wei said, playing along, though she genuinely thought so as well.
"Yes, yes, His Majesty is exceptionally good to our lady."
Chunyan nodded eagerly, but her lips quickly formed a pout.
"His Majesty and our lady were originally a perfect match, but who would have thought that the Eldest Princess of the Qin Kingdom would appear out of nowhere?"
As she spoke, Chunyan huffed a few times in frustration.
"If it weren’t for that Eldest Princess from the Qin Kingdom, our lady would have been the Empress long ago."
"But it’s fine! As long as our lady gives birth to a Prince before Consort Mu of Hanjiu Hall does, she will still become the Empress!"
"Mhm, I think so too..."
Listening to Chunyan, Ning Wei couldn’t help but feel a thrill of excitement, as if she and Consort Xue would share in the same glory.
’This is more like it.’
’This is the competition for favor she had read about in books.’
’The fight for the Empress’s throne—this is how it should be!’
"Enough of that. Let’s hurry. The courtyard where Her Ladyship often reads is just ahead," Chunyan urged.
"Mhm."
Ning Wei followed Chunyan, quickening her pace.
Soon, Ning Wei arrived at a courtyard within Ningxue Hall.
The courtyard was filled with all kinds of blooming flowers.
And in the center of the courtyard, a woman was holding a book, gently turning its pages.
When Ning Wei laid her eyes on this Imperial Consort of the Zhou Kingdom, she couldn’t look away.
The woman sat there like a figure in a *gongbi* painting of a court lady, freshly finished by the artist’s brush.
Her moon-white Palace Attire seemed to shimmer in the sunlight, revealing the faint outline of plum blossoms embroidered with silver thread.
Where the collar of her dress crossed, a sliver of her neck was exposed. It was as smooth as jade, yet with a faint, healthy blush, as if the slightest touch would leave a red mark.
The fabric of her skirt fanned out over the stone bench in layers like piled clouds. A sash of the same color hung from her waist, adorned with a green Jade Pendant that remained perfectly still.
Lady Xue kept her head slightly lowered as she read, revealing her profile.
Her willow-like eyebrows resembled distant mountains, dark without needing to be painted. Her lowered eyelashes were like two resting butterfly wings that would occasionally flutter, as if she had just read something interesting.
Looking down, her nose was elegant and straight, and her lips were a natural, light cherry color, delicate and moist without any rouge.
One hand held the book, while the other rested lightly on her lap, fingertips slightly upturned as if still holding the lingering motion of turning a page.
In Ning Wei’s opinion, Master Wangxin and Sister Yunwei were already beautiful enough.
But this Consort Xue before her was as if she had been created from the very ideal in Ning Wei’s heart.
"Your Ladyship, this is young Ning Wei. She is the woman Lord Yan sent to the palace to serve you," Chunyan said, walking up to Bai Ruxue and curtsying.
Ning Wei quickly curtsied as well. "This servant pays her respects to Lady Xue."
"There’s no need for such ceremony. You may rise."
Bai Ruxue set down her book and raised her eyes to look at them.
As she looked up and straightened her posture, the front of her Palace Attire appeared even more full, the snow-white silk stretching into a generous curve that hid the book on her lap and the pair of arched shoes embroidered with twin lotuses on her feet.
"Thank you, Your Ladyship."
Ning Wei stood up, and as she lifted her head, she stole another glance at the beautiful consort.
She found it hard to imagine that such a Fairy was merely a Consort in a small kingdom!
’The Sovereign of Zhou is far too lucky!’
"You were sent by the Yan Mansion?" Bai Ruxue asked with a smile.
"Yes, Your Ladyship."
Ning Wei explained nervously.
"This servant was previously looking for work in the Capital City. Because I knew Master Wangxin, he wrote a letter of introduction to Lord Yan, which is how this servant was able to enter the palace to serve Your Ladyship."
"Oh? Is that so? That’s quite good, then."
Bai Ruxue nodded and gave a gentle smile.
"I have also heard of Master Wangxin. Since you know him, and he recommended you to the palace, it shows that you are of good character."
"From today on, just work hard in the palace. There aren’t many rules here, so there is no need to be overly reserved."
"Yes, Your Ladyship!" Ning Wei replied with her head lowered.
"Alright, Chunyan, you may take Ning Wei away. From now on, you will be responsible for her training," Bai Ruxue instructed Chunyan.
"Yes, Your Ladyship."
Chunyan curtsied and led Ning Wei away.
Watching Ning Wei’s slender figure recede into the distance, the corners of Bai Ruxue’s lips curled up slightly.
’A Nascent Soul Realm Cultivator, and one who knows that Wangxin from the Western Regions?’
’This is getting interesting.’
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