Chapter 38: Hypocritical Face

  The south gate of the palace was originally farther away, and only official wives and young ladies could walk through the north gate. Common women or commoner's daughters who were summoned had to walk through the south gate, while princes and officials had to walk through the west gate. Only the emperor, along with his consorts, could walk through the east gate. After driving for a short while, they finally arrived at the palace entrance, where the small eunuch who had been sent by Empress Dowager Cixi was already waiting to greet the four madams and Shui Lian Yue as they got off the carriage, which then waited at the south gate.

  Entering from the south gate does not mean entering the palace. One needs to walk through a long stone road, pass through a gate and a hall before it can be considered as entering the palace.

  Walking on the long stone road paved with cobblestones, Shui Lian Yue quietly observed her surroundings. The layout here is similar to that of the Forbidden City in Beijing, with high and thick palace walls, red base and yellow tiles, and many palace gates, each leading to a different place. Just looking at this long stone road, the patrolling guards came and went, wave after wave. If one were to enter the palace, wouldn't there be even more guards?

  After passing through the Chengqun Gate, I arrived at the Qianlin Hall and simply registered. I continued to follow behind the little eunuch and entered the palace. As expected, there were more guards than on the Changshi Road. Occasionally, we passed by a few palace maids and eunuchs, but they walked in an orderly manner, not daring to lift their heads or look around.

  Shui Lian Yue couldn't help but sigh in admiration, the imperial palace is indeed the imperial palace, even the slaves are so disciplined and dare not overstep their bounds. Looking at the servants of the Shui family, which one doesn't act like a master, being arrogant and domineering? Alas, it seems that the sooner I leave this place, the better.

  They arrived at Yunzhao Hall, and a small eunuch bowed to them, saying: "Wait for a moment while I announce your arrival."

  The fourth wife nodded slightly, she had stayed in the palace before, so naturally knew the rules of the palace, and didn't say much. Before long, the little eunuch came out, accompanied by a palace maid with a delicate face.

  "Madam, young lady, Yun Fei Niang Niang has summoned you, please follow me," the palace maid said with a slight bow and a curtsy, very polite, her voice as pleasant as that of an oriole.

  Yin Dehong also being a maid identity, can't enter the Zhaotang Hall, had to wait outside, Shui Lianyue supported the fourth lady and followed the palace girl walking in.

  It was the late emperor who conferred her as a consort, this Yun Consort had been in the palace for eighteen years, but her appearance and skin were well-preserved, with skin like frozen cream, cheeks like peach blossoms, a pair of bright phoenix eyes shining like stars, red lips moist, wearing magnificent clothes that wrapped around her body, beautiful and moving, yet without losing elegance and refinement. If one didn't know her age, she might be mistaken for an eighteen or twenty-year-old woman.

  This was Shui Ling Yue's first impression after seeing Yun Fei.

  After the courtesy, Yunfei dismissed the palace maid, pulled up the fourth lady's hand, and gave her a seat. The two seemed like close sisters who had not seen each other for many years, chattering away. Because her mother had already instructed Shui Lianyue in the carriage, now she had to stand quietly with her head slightly lowered.

  After a long while, Yun Fei seemed to have finally noticed Shui Lian Yue's existence. She affectionately pulled Shui Lian Yue in front of her and smiled slightly: "So this is Moonchild, lift up your head and let me take a look".

  Her voice was warm and gentle, like a spring breeze that made people feel extremely comfortable. Shui Ling Yue slowly raised her head, their eyes met, and Yun Fei was slightly stunned before exclaiming: "The daughter-in-law I chose must not be wrong, Ying Rong, you didn't disappoint me either, you're perfectly matched with Yu Er."

  Shui Lian Yue was also shocked, and after looking into those bright eyes, based on her professional intuition, she discovered that there must be too many secrets hidden inside, and Yun Fei would not be as simple as she appeared on the surface. At the same time, when Yun Fei was sizing up Shui Lian Yue from head to toe, a flash of disdain in her eyes also caught her attention.

  Shui Lian Yue suddenly understood, Yun Fei was pretending.

  She just didn't understand, in any case, she was only a concubine-born daughter, without money, power or status. Moreover, the Empress Dowager didn't like her, so why would she want to marry her off to her own son? In addition, with all the rumors circulating in the capital these past few days, she had already been scolded by everyone until she was covered in shame, yet the Empress Dowager didn't even ask about it or mention it.

  There must be a lot going on inside her, but she didn't show it. In Yunfei's eyes, she was just a bit shy.

  Then, Shui Lian Yue was also granted a seat by Yun Fei, who ordered the palace maid to bring some refreshments and tea. With a slightly apologetic shake of her head, she said: "Look at me, I was so excited that I even forgot to order tea."

  Watching the palace maids put down their trays and exit, Shui Lian Yue felt even more disgusted with Yun Fei. Who doesn't know the etiquette of serving tea to guests? Even if she didn't say anything, didn't the eunuchs and palace maids in her own palace understand this? Her mother had stayed in the palace before, so she should have known these things too. Yun Fei was clearly not taking them seriously, yet still pretended to be overjoyed by their arrival, making Shui Lian Yue feel extremely nauseous and wanting to leave as soon as possible.

  P.S: There will be another chapter this afternoon.