Shěn Mùxuě shook her head.
【Such a great opportunity, and you didn't seize it properly?】
"This is called advancing by retreating."
If she were to make a big fuss, Shěn Chuānhán might not believe her and would become angry with her.
Men, whether old or young, like it when things go their way.
【Why are you so sure?】
"Because I'm smart, of course."
【……】
【I hope you don't get slapped in the face.】
Shěn Chuānhán was amused and angered, "You said I wouldn't get to the bottom of things, so I'll give you a chance. Why don't you explain?"
"Imperial Father is wise and beyond compare. Even if I don't say anything, Imperial Father would never wrong a good person."
【You're really good at flattery!】
"I will have people investigate this matter thoroughly and clear your name," Shěn Chuānhán finally relented.
He recalled the news from Eunuch Zhao and thought of the suffering this girl had endured over the years. It was likely that she had become accustomed to the hardships outside and thus became good at disguise.
As a form of compensation, Shěn Chuānhán bestowed a large number of gifts upon Shěn Mùxuě.
Now, she was incredibly popular in the palace.
Even the most favored Consort Yu didn't have her Wanqing Palace as lively. With gifts arriving every few days, Eunuch Zhao's legs must have been worn out from the frequent trips.
"Princess, this servant noticed that among the gifts was some high-quality heavenly silkworm silk in red satin. Coincidentally, your dress was torn, so this servant took the liberty of making you a small jacket."
Chūnchán helped Shěn Mùxuě change into her new clothes. Shěn Mùxuě admired the little figure in the mirror. She was already fair-skinned, and now the red jacket made her skin look like snow, her lips and cheeks naturally rosy, and her grape-like eyes seemed to hold unspoken words.
Although the baby fat had not yet faded from her face, it was already foreseeable that she would grow into a great beauty.
【As expected, it's the clothes that make the man.】
"This is called natural beauty that cannot be hidden."
Chūnchán's hands moved swiftly, and in a short while, she tied two cute little buns on her head.
Shěn Mùxuě stared at the two cute buns. They attracted many admiring glances along the way, but she couldn't feel happy.
【Master, don't you love to be the center of attention? Why aren't you happy?】
Shěn Mùxuě's face drooped almost to the ground, "I'm not a lucky charm hanging on a wall."
【This is the finishing touch.】
"Get lost!"
Luò Qìnyún saw Shěn Mùxuě from afar and waved at her. "I heard about what happened to you from my father. Were you injured by the assassins? You weren't here yesterday, and I thought something had happened to you."
Shěn Mùxuě's heart immediately warmed.
She was new to this place, and besides Chūnchán, Luò Qìnyún was the one who cared about her the most.
Just as Shěn Mùxuě was about to say she was fine, she suddenly caught sight of Shěn Chényǎ being surrounded by a throng of people. Her eyes immediately turned cold.
"I was bitten by a certain dog that bites indiscriminately!"
Shěn Chényǎ was clearly startled when she saw Shěn Mùxuě. Then, her brow furrowed. "Why are you still here?"
"This Heavenly Gift Palace isn't run by your family. If you can come, why can't I?"
【This Heavenly Gift Palace is indeed her family's.】
"...!".
Shěn Chényǎ was also amused. She let out a scoff and said dismissively, "This Heavenly Gift Palace is an important imperial location. As a Princess, I can naturally come and go as I please!"
"But it's good that you're here. Now that you're here, let everyone see your true colors!"
Shěn Chényǎ clapped her hands, immediately attracting everyone's attention. She pointed at Shěn Mùxuě, "Listen up, everyone. This Shěn Mùxuě is a shameless thief."
Shěn Mùxuě's back molars were grinding. She hadn't settled the score with her for yesterday's events, and now she was coming to court death!
"Bang—!"
Shěn Mùxuě's fist landed squarely on Shěn Chényǎ's face.
If I don't hit her until her parents can't recognize her, I'm not Shěn Mùxuě!
【Master, didn't you say that such a simple and crude method would lower your status?】
"That depends on the person. This one isn't human!"
The crowd was also stunned by what they saw. It wasn't until Shěn Chényǎ's scream rang out that they panicked and moved to separate them.
"You bitch, I'll kill you!" Shěn Chényǎ was truly enraged.
Shěn Mùxuě flinched, broke free from the crowd's grasp, stepped forward, grabbed Shěn Chényǎ by the collar, and roared, "Shut up!"
Just as Shěn Chényǎ was about to speak, Shěn Mùxuě slapped her across the face.
"You little bi-…!"
"Slap—!"
Shěn Mùxuě slapped her face again. "If you dare to say another word, I'll slap you again!"
Shěn Chényǎ's cheeks were swollen like a pig's head. She opened her lips, but then saw Shěn Mùxuě's angry eyes. Shěn Chényǎ finally choked back her words.
"Listen to me, everyone. This is the consequence of gossiping!"
The crowd, intimidated by Shěn Mùxuě's glare, shrank back and quickly lowered their heads.
Shěn Chényǎ, filled with rage, returned to her palace and began whipping everything in sight, knocking porcelain vases and teapots off the table.
Crash, shattering all over the floor.
"Damn Shěn Mùxuě, I'll make you pay!"
Cuì Hé stepped forward and said, "Princess, in this servant's opinion, this person is a future scourge."
"Regarding the birthmark on her body you mentioned, did anyone else see it?"
Cuì Hé shook her head. "Judging by the girl's appearance, she probably doesn't know yet. Why don't we take this opportunity…!"
Cuì Hé made a throat-slitting gesture.
Shěn Chényǎ's eyes gleamed coldly, and she clenched her whip, making a creaking sound.
"Achoo—!"
Shěn Mùxuě sneezed heavily, rubbing her sore nose. She quickly tightened her clothes and muttered softly, "Who is thinking of me behind my back?"
【The possibility of someone thinking of you is not high, but there is someone cursing you.】
Shěn Mùxuě rolled her eyes.
She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice the person in front of her and bumped right into them.
"Ow~!"
Shěn Mùxuě landed squarely on her backside. As she rubbed her sore bottom and was about to curse, she suddenly heard a gasp from the other side.
"Empress Dowager, are you alright?"
"Who is so bold as to dare to disrespect the Empress Dowager!"
Empress Dowager?
Shěn Mùxuě's eyes suddenly widened. Well, isn't life full of unexpected encounters.
"Grandmother!"
Shěn Mùxuě's shout startled the System, which staggered. 【Is there an earthquake?】
"Grandmother, are you alright?"
Shěn Mùxuě stepped forward, hugged the Empress Dowager's leg, and looked at her with teary, wide eyes.
"You must be Xuě'er? I didn't get a chance to thank you properly last time."
The Empress Dowager had a good impression of Shěn Mùxuě. If it weren't for this girl, she might have been in grave danger last time.
"Grandmother, this is what I should have done."
Shěn Mùxuě's constant address of "Grandmother" warmed the Empress Dowager's heart. She had been in the Imperial Palace for many years, dealing with constant intrigue. This suddenly appearing lively and mischievous girl was quite novel to her.
【Master, do you perhaps have some unsavory scheme up your sleeve?】
The System did not believe that Shěn Mùxuě would be so kind for no reason.
"Your Master has always been upright and honest."
【Aren't you afraid of hurting your back saying that?】
The Empress Dowager took Shěn Mùxuě back to Cí Níng Palace.
As soon as Shěn Mùxuě entered Cí Níng Palace, she saw the dazzling array of treasures inside, and her eyes widened.
My goodness.
How much money is this worth?