Chapter 6: 006 Fake Visit

Yilan Palace.

Liu Qian'er reclined on a chair by the window, her eyes closed as she listened quietly to the sound of the rain.

A gentle breeze blew, tilting the curtain of rain like countless fine threads rushing toward the plants and walls.

As the rain fell, crystal-clear droplets condensed upon the leaves of various flowers and grasses.

The rain drifted down like ten thousand silver threads from the heavens, and a row of water droplets fell from the eaves like a beautiful bead curtain.

Liu Qian'er slowly opened her eyes. A misty drizzle was falling outside the window; the tiny, rhythmic droplets seemed to accompany a small dance piece, and she couldn't help but be enticed by the world outside.

"Niangniang, the Madam has come to see you," Hanyu's soft call interrupted Liu Qian'er's enjoyment.

Liu Qian'er rose slowly, casually throwing a pale pink cloak over her shoulders. A large bow made of gold-threaded soft smoke gauze was tied at her waist. Her hair hung low, adorned with a jade-studded phoenix hairpin, making her figure appear slender, enchanting, and soul-stirringly beautiful.

"What Madam?" Liu Qian'er picked up the tea on the table and took a light sip.

"Your mother, the Prime Minister's wife!" Hanyu gave a bitter smile. "Has Niangniang forgotten the Madam already?"

"Was she ever good to me?" Liu Qian'er set the tea down expressionlessly. Ever since she learned about Liu Qian'er's past, she had felt a deep aversion toward the people of the Prime Minister's Estate.

"The Madam, she..." Hanyu paused before continuing, "The Madam was the cruelest to Niangniang. She often beat Niangniang until her skin was torn and her flesh was bruised."

"Heh, I truly am pitiful. Let her in!" Liu Qian'er turned her back with a smiling face.

"Qian'er, Mother has come to see you!" A sharp voice reached Liu Qian'er's ears.

Liu Qian'er slowly turned around, staring intently at the woman before her. As expected of the Prime Minister's wife, despite being a mother of four, there wasn't a single wrinkle at the corners of her eyes.

Seeing Liu Qian'er turn around, she was startled. Just as the Prime Minister and Fan Rou had said, she had undergone a complete transformation. "Qian'er!" the Prime Minister's wife called out tentatively.

"Mother, this is the Imperial Palace. How can you call me by my name so directly?" Liu Qian'er sat back in her chair, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly.

The Prime Minister's wife was caught in an awkward position, neither able to stand nor sit comfortably. She said somewhat angrily, "Qian'er, how can you speak to your mother like that?"

"Mother, I will say it once more: this is the Imperial Palace, and it will not tolerate your insolence!" Liu Qian'er struck the nearby table forcefully. The teacup rattled, and the tea overflowed from the cup, spilling onto the table.

The Prime Minister's wife's body trembled slightly. She had never seen Liu Qian'er with such great fury; looking at her, it didn't seem like she was joking, but truly enraged.

"Qian'er, I'm sorry. Mother was too emotional." The Prime Minister's wife hurried to Liu Qian'er's side to apologize.

"Do you have business here? If not, I wish to rest!" Liu Qian'er did not give the Prime Minister's wife a single glance as she issued the order to leave.

The Prime Minister's wife gave an embarrassed smile. She took the pastries out of the basket she was carrying, placed them on the table, and offered one to Liu Qian'er. "I brought some of your favorite pastries. Come, have a taste."

Liu Qian'er closed her eyes. She did not take the pastry, but instead gave a slight smile. "Mother, I don't think I need to eat them. There are plenty in the palace. Take them back and feed them to your precious daughter!"

"Qian'er, you don't know how much this hurts Mother's heart." The Prime Minister's wife put on a pitiful expression. "Mother truly cares about you."

"Stop pretending. Since you see that I've become beautiful and powerful, you've suddenly decided to pay me attention?" Liu Qian'er gave a cold laugh. "You should just go home! I am living very well now. I wear gold and silver, and I don't have to suffer your bullying at home anymore."

"Qian'er!" The Prime Minister's wife grabbed Liu Qian'er's hand with a look of grievance.

Seeing that the situation was turning sour, Hanyu hurried forward to pull the Prime Minister's wife away, saying softly, "Madam, please head back for now. In a few days, Niangniang will return to the Prime Minister's Estate to visit you."

In the end, the Prime Minister's wife left the Imperial Palace reluctantly. She never imagined that in just over a month, Liu Qian'er would have changed completely, truly undergoing a metamorphosis!

"Niangniang, treating the Madam like that will make her sad," Hanyu said as she took a thin cotton quilt and covered Liu Qian'er.

"Hanyu, I didn't do anything to her. I just wanted her to know that I will no longer allow anyone to bully me." Liu Qian'er sighed softly. "Hanyu, don't worry."

"Niangniang, you are so kind!" Hanyu knelt down and rested her head on Liu Qian'er's lap. "Niangniang, Hanyu wants to serve you for a lifetime."

"I don't want you to serve me for a lifetime. In the future, I'll find a good family to marry you off to!" Liu Qian'er pried Hanyu's head up and pinched her nose. How could she have the heart to let such a good girl be a maid for her entire life?

"I don't want to! I won't marry!" Hanyu protested, pouting.

"You will marry, you will marry!"

"I won't, I won't!"

"Alright, alright! We'll talk about whether you marry or not later."