As they were conversing, each with their own thoughts, a steward arrived outside the door with an announcement: “Someone is coming from the palace!”
“Quick, set up the incense table to welcome the Emperor’s decree!” Cheng Shi was both surprised and delighted.
The courtyard was crowded with people kneeling on the ground.
The eunuch announced the decree.
“By the Mandate of Heaven and Earth, the Emperor decrees: Tang Miaoling, daughter of the Marquis of Changping, is conferred the rank of Sixth Rank Meiren, to enter the palace on the first day of March. This is decreed.”
“By the Mandate of Heaven and Earth, the Emperor decrees: Ning Wanyin, daughter of the Count of Shou’an, is conferred the rank of Seventh Rank Guiren, to enter the palace on the first day of March. This is decreed.”
Ning Wanyin and Tang Miaoling bowed to receive the decree.
Cheng Shi joyfully ordered someone to stuff a heavy wad of silver into the eunuch’s pocket.
Thank goodness, her daughter had finally gotten what she wished for.
Ning Wanyin breathed a sigh of relief. Her entry into the palace had gone smoothly. She needed to be even more cautious with every step forward.
Cheng Shi dismissed the eunuch and was about to congratulate Ning Wanyin, but before she could say anything, Tang Miaoling was already actively flattering.
“Congratulations, little sister. I knew you were such a beauty, so you’d definitely be chosen. You’ll rise to prominence and have a bright future.”
Ning Wanyin’s gaze fell on her cheek. Her deep black eyes showed no emotion.
They were both selected, and the other party was even one rank higher than herself.
Given her personality, she should have looked down on herself, yet she was going out of her way to show kindness to her?
When something is abnormal, there must be something wrong.
Ning Wanyin returned the greeting neither arrogantly nor humbly, “Congratulations, Cousin.”
Tang Miaoling felt guilty the moment she met her gaze, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.
Cheng Shi also noticed something was a little strange about Tang Miaoling today, but she didn’t say anything.
She smiled and said, “You two sisters have been selected together. This is a great event! We should set up two tables of wine to celebrate you.”
“Very good, very good!” Tang Miaoling quickly responded.
She decided to actively repair her relationship with Ning Wanyin’s mother before entering the palace!
It was time to write a letter to her father and promote her uncle!
In order to survive, Tang Miaoling’s brain worked harder than ever!
…
Back at Xihe Courtyard.
The servants in the courtyard all congratulated her.
Ning Wanyin ordered a reward and sat on the Xiangfei bamboo chair with a gilded butterfly pattern by the window, pondering deeply three times.
Then she ordered.
“Lian Rui, send someone outside to find out who the selected beauties are.”
Since she is about to enter the palace, this is the most important thing to know.
Only by knowing yourself and your enemy can you be confident.
“Yes.” Lian Rui accepted the order, bowed, and retreated.
The second-class maid came forward with the zither in hand and asked, “Miss, how should we place this fan and treasure box?”
Ning Wanyin didn’t let anyone bring the items into the house.
They were still in the courtyard.
“Please ask Doctor Ge to come and examine it.”
Ning Wanyin arranged it expertly, “If the fan is fine, keep it in my box and bring it with me to the palace. As for the box of jewelry, leave it in the treasury.”
The round fan is a gift from her mother.
But that box of jewelry…
She won’t keep anything from outsiders.
Even if it is non-toxic and does not violate regulations, it cannot be guaranteed to be absolutely safe.
No one knows the story behind a seemingly insignificant hairpin. Just in case, she won’t accept anything given by outsiders.
She didn’t know whether Tang Miaoling wanted to harm her or not. But if she did, giving someone something seemingly harmless but actually inviting disaster, what could be a simpler way than this?
You can support your favorite novel by buying me a cup of Ko-fi ( ˘▽˘)っ♨
I will really appreciate it. ♥️♥️♥️
Meow meow On TPH Chapter 26.1