Chapter 4: The Concubine

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Xie Liwen’s mind conjured the image of Lu Shuyao’s delicate and innocent face, and he immediately realized he had overthought the matter. Shuyao’s absence must be because of the maid standing before him. After all, this maid was Lu Yurong’s person.

Xie Liwen was not only finding an excuse for Lu Shuyao but also for himself.

“It’s better that she didn’t come. I originally wanted to clarify things with her. Hopefully, she won’t interfere between me and the Second Madam in the future,” Xie Liwen said and then turned to leave.

Bing Lian escorted Xie Liwen out of the residence and hurried to see Lu Yurong.

Lu Yurong was half-reclined on the beauty couch, several young maids kneeling on the carpet, carefully painting her nails.

Bing Lian entered, bowed, and told Lu Yurong everything about Xie Liwen’s visit to see the Second Madam.

“The Second Madam only asked the maid to give her jade pendant to your servant, to be delivered to Young Master Xie.”

Lu Yurong opened her eyes and snorted, “She knows her place.”

The marriage between the Lu and Xie families had been arranged three years prior, and Lu Shuyao and Xie Liwen saw each other about four or five times a year.

Lu Yurong was very sensitive about this.

In the previous life, their relationship was so good; suddenly being separated like this—what if lingering feelings remained?

Now that the marriage was hers, she couldn’t allow others to harbor any hopes.

Before Bing Lian finished, she hesitated, then continued, “But Young Master Xie seemed a bit regretful for not seeing the Second Madam.”

Lu Yurong sat up straight and withdrew her slender jade hand.

The young maid painting her nails was caught off guard, accidentally brushing some dye onto her skin.

Lu Yurong’s expression turned cold as she glanced at the trembling, apologetic maid.

Bing Lian quickly explained, “But Young Master Xie said he came to clarify things with the Second Madam, so as not to affect Madam.”

Lu Yurong’s heart eased a little. “He really said that?”

“Absolutely. Don’t worry, Madam. Young Master Xie’s demeanor doesn’t seem like he has lingering feelings; it’s more like he wants closure.”

Lu Yurong thought of his chivalrous reputation in the last life and sighed, “Indeed, he’s a man of passion.”

Thinking of this, a trace of worry crept in.

Could Lu Shuyao and Third Young Master Xie truly sever all ties?

...

More than a month passed swiftly; the day of entering the palace was approaching.

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Lu Shuyao had lived in the Lu residence for sixteen years but had never enjoyed life there as she did in this past month.

Lu’s father valued his daughter’s entry into the palace greatly. Throughout this month, he fulfilled every request she made and even had the lady of the house spend money on new clothes and jewelry for her.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Lu Shuyao requested that her birth mother be brought back.

In the previous life, her birth mother fell seriously ill six months after she married into the Xie family.

After her mother’s passing, the maid nearby wept and told Lu Shuyao that not only could they not find a doctor at the manor, but even food was scarce.

Upon hearing Lu Shuyao’s request, her father agreed immediately without hesitation.

He even added, “I should have brought your concubine mother back long ago.”

Today was the day Lu Shuyao’s mother, Lady Liu, returned from the manor.

Lady Liu had been sent away when Lu Shuyao was nine years old. Though she endured seven years of hardship, her natural beauty remained unchanged.

When Lu Shuyao entered the lady of the house’s courtyard, Lady Liu was bowing in greeting.

Lu Shuyao clearly saw the complex mixture of emotions and jealousy in the lady’s eyes.

“The Second Madam has arrived,” the announcement brought the lady back to composure.

“Mother, Aunt,” Lu Shuyao entered the room and bowed gracefully.

She had learned much over the past month from the nurturing nanny.

The nanny had once reported to the lady that the Second Madam was intelligent and quick to learn.

The lady had thought it mere politeness, but now, seeing Lu Shuyao’s poise, she realized it was true.

In the previous life, Lu Shuyao had learned palace etiquette to attend court banquets, so her movements flowed gracefully, elegant and precise, flawless to any observer.

A sense of frustration welled up in the lady’s heart.

Her eldest daughter had taken years of nurturing to reach such refinement, yet Lu Shuyao achieved it in less than a month.

“Rise. Lady Liu, the Second Miss is here,” the lady said with a carefully measured smile. “It’s been a long time.”

Lady Liu stood up and looked at her daughter, tears filling her almond-shaped eyes. Her trembling lips could not utter a word for a long time.

Lu Shuyao smiled reassuringly at her aunt.

The lady continued, “Lady Liu, Shuyao has filial piety; she specially requested that the master allow you to stay in the Jade Peace Courtyard. Once she enters the palace, you will reside there.”

Lady Liu kowtowed in gratitude.

Lu Shuyao stood aside, watching her mother kneel, feeling a deep sadness.

The lady sat in the highest seat, unmoved like a mountain, smiling lightly. “Enough. You two haven’t seen each other in a long time and must have many intimate things to say. Shuyao, take your aunt back. There is no need to come pay respects these days.”

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Though the lady was displeased inwardly, she could not show it.

Lu Shuyao’s day of entering the palace was drawing near.

This was the new emperor’s first selection of concubines; the number of entrants was not large.

These first-time palace entrants, once chosen, would gain status and rank in the palace over time.

Thinking of this, the lady felt restless.

She still could not understand why Lu Yurong would hand over such a good opportunity to a concubine’s daughter.

If this concubine’s daughter truly made a name for herself in the palace, Lady Liu, that despicable woman, might even surpass her!

Just like now!

The master had specifically instructed her to take good care of Lady Liu.

But when she met Lady Liu, her heart was filled with extreme imbalance.

Seven years had passed, and despite harsh conditions, Lady Liu still maintained her beauty.

If the master saw her, he would surely dote on her again.

But what was done was done; Lady Liu now had a daughter about to enter the palace.

The lady decided it was best not to see it, to avoid further trouble.

“Yes,” Lu Shuyao replied, stepping forward to help Lady Liu up and bowing respectfully to the lady.

On the way back to the Jade Peace Courtyard, Lady Liu could not stop crying, and Lu Shuyao held her hand tightly.

Once inside the courtyard, Lady Liu finally relaxed some of her guard.

“Shuyao,” Lady Liu cried again, “Aunt is sorry.”

“Aunt, don’t say that.”

“Aunt has been useless, unable to stay by your side. These seven years, you surely had a hard time. I am a useless mother, sobbing.”

Lu Shuyao embraced her. “Aunt, when was it easy for you?”

Lady Liu wiped her tears and looked at her daughter. “Shuyao, over these seven years, I have come to understand some truths. Now that I have returned, I do not intend to leave again. When you enter the palace, don’t worry about Aunt. Aunt will be well.”

Lu Shuyao looked into her aunt’s reddened eyes. “Aunt, I will be your support.”