Chapter 141: Meeting the Empress Dowager for the First Time

The carriage halted before a large vermilion gate. Lian Yue glanced up at the three golden characters on a blue background inscribed above the lintel: "Palace of Benevolent Peace." She immediately knew they had arrived. Once the carriage came to a stop, Lian Yue followed Lian Yu as they stepped down. Fortunately, they had been traveling by carriage all along; had they walked this distance, their legs would surely be aching by now.

Eunuch Chang wore a broad smile. "The Empress Dowager has instructed that there is no need to announce the arrival of the princess and the young ladies. You may enter directly."

"Mother’s kindness is most appreciated," Lian Yu said, casting a glance at Xiang Ju. Xiang Ju understood and slipped a heavy pouch from her sleeve, handing it over discreetly. Chang Xin’s expression remained unreadable, but his words were polite. "The princess is always so considerate."

"Chang Xin’s kindness is deeply remembered by Lian Yu. Today, we are truly grateful to all the eunuchs. This small token is merely to offer you some refreshing tea," Lian Yu replied graciously.

"I will convey your thanks to them," Chang Xin bowed slightly, flicking his feather duster gently toward the gate. "Princess and young ladies, please enter. The Empress Dowager is probably already beginning to fuss."

Lian Yu no longer hesitated. She took Lian Yue’s hand and stepped over the threshold, moving inside.

Lian Yue now had to admit that although the Yue family and the royal family were two of the seven great powers of the Nizhang Empire, the Yue family was ultimately just a noble household. Their mansion occupied half of Lingyang City, but compared to the grandeur of the imperial palace, it seemed rather modest.

Moreover, the Yue mansion was the ancestral home, and from the outside, it was not ostentatious, hardly comparable to the majesty of the palace. The Taihe Hall they had glimpsed from afar had already left a profound impression on Lian Yue. Now, the Palace of Benevolent Peace evoked a different feeling. If buildings were likened to people, Taihe Hall was like a lofty noble, whose every gesture exuded an irresistible aura, while the Palace of Benevolent Peace resembled a wise elder steeped in the world’s experience—solemn yet approachable.

Lian Yue believed the original architect of the palace must have been a genius, possessing such extraordinary talent to imbue lifeless structures with personality. She couldn’t help but speculate that the first Empress Dowager to reside here must have been someone remarkable.

Lost in thought, they soon arrived at the main hall’s entrance. The sounds of laughter, quarrels, and insults drifted to Lian Yue’s ears, causing a slight headache. She had always despised gatherings where numerous flirtatious courtiers schemed and flattered each other.

Their arrival evidently drew the attention of those inside.

"You’ve finally come, Sister Yu. Mother was just commenting on you," a voice sang out like a young songbird.

Lian Yue turned toward the voice and saw a woman who appeared no older than eighteen. She wore a pale blue court gown embroidered at the hem with delicate cherry blossoms. Her glossy black hair was styled into an exquisite cloud bun, adorned with a jade hairpin from which dangled fine silver tassels and pearl beads. Her naturally fair face bore subtle makeup; her arched brows and sparkling eyes complemented by a red lip and a plum blossom forehead ornament, enhancing her fragile beauty. Though seated, the fullness of her chest and slender waist marked her as a true beauty.

Lian Yue guessed she must be a favored consort. She shifted her gaze away from the woman and toward the main seat inside. There, a pair of narrow phoenix eyes were also studying her. Could this be the Empress Dowager?

She appeared to be about thirty years old, dressed in a bright scarlet palace robe made of fine satin, the hem adorned with tiny glazed beads that softly rustled as she moved. Large golden-red peonies were embroidered across the robe, outlined delicately in silver thread, exuding grandeur and elegance while subtly revealing a slender figure. Her skin was as white and flawless as freshly fallen snow.

If not for her position on the main seat, Lian Yue might have mistaken her for a consort of the reigning emperor. From her appearance alone, no one would associate her with the Empress Dowager, who was said to be well past fifty.

As Lian Yue observed her, the Empress Dowager Han Lianyan was likewise scrutinizing the four newcomers. Her gaze did not linger on Lian Yu but immediately fixed on Lian Yue.

One had to admit that Lian Yue’s presence was striking, a feeling born of her extensive experience with people. Today was the birthday banquet for the Retired Emperor, and Lian Yue had chosen to wear a cherry-red silk gauze skirt embroidered with soft silver butterflies. Her long, ink-black hair was styled into a gourd bun by the skilled hands of Zizhu, decorated with a golden filigree butterfly floral hairpin dripping with pearls and rubies. As she moved, it was as if butterflies were truly blooming atop her head. Plum blossom earrings framed her delicately fair face, lending her a dazzling brilliance. Were she to grow two years older, she would undoubtedly become a beauty capable of bringing ruin to a nation.

Her gaze then shifted to the lively young lady in a pale yellow silk gown embroidered with auspicious blossoms, her hair styled into playful twin buns with a few simple silk flowers pinned in place. Her cheeks were slightly rounded, making her irresistibly cute.

Had Yaoyao known the Empress Dowager had labeled her “adorable,” she would likely have argued the point fiercely.

The Empress Dowager’s eyes then flicked to the figure beside her, dressed in a simple sky-blue gauze skirt embroidered with a few orchids. Her hair was tied in a simple lily bun, adorned with a single white magnolia hairpin. Her almond-shaped eyes showed no trace of fear; her plain face exuded a gentle elegance.

Then, glancing toward her niece dressed in red and green, the Empress Dowager felt her own rank had somewhat diminished. She had once thought the niece merely benefited from proximity to power, but now it seemed that winning the favor of the young master of the Yue family was indeed well deserved.

Though she had already deduced their identities, Han Lianyan smiled warmly at Lian Yu. "Yu’er, why don’t you introduce them to Mother quickly?"

Still holding Lian Yue’s hand, Lian Yu stopped before the Empress Dowager, smiling politely. "This is Yu’er’s younger sister, Yue Lian Yue. Mother may simply call her Yue’er."

Han Lianyan nodded approvingly. "Yue’er—that is indeed a fitting name."

Though Lian Yue disliked having strangers call her Yue’er so soon, she complied obediently out of respect for her eldest sister, bowing gracefully. "Yue’er greets the Empress Dowager."

Han Lianyan reached out and took the hand that Lian Yu had just released. "Good child. Speaking of which, since you married into the palace, you haven’t seen Sister Qian for many years. How is she now?"

Lian Yue knew well that "Sister Qian" referred to her grandmother, the only one in the Yue family with the surname Qian. The Empress Dowager’s tone suggested familiarity with her grandmother, though it felt odd that her eldest sister called the Empress Dowager “Mother” while she referred to her grandmother as “Sister.” She allowed herself to be held and replied, "When I left home, Grandmother’s health was somewhat improved."

Han Lianyan sighed. "Sister Qian remains as stubborn as ever." She then turned her gaze to Yaoyao. Without waiting for an introduction from Lian Yu, she asked kindly, "This must be the young lady from the Hidden Sect, correct?"

Yaoyao stopped scanning the room and smiled brightly. "Yes, my name is Meng Yaoyao. Are you really the Empress Dowager? You don’t look like one."

"Yaoyao," Lian Yu quickly interrupted, sensing that her playful companion was about to say something outrageous. Yaoyao stuck out her tongue mischievously.

Han Lianyan was well aware of the deceptive nature of her youthful appearance, which was a source of pride. She was amused by Yaoyao’s frankness and asked, "Why do you say that?"

Yaoyao glanced cautiously at Lian Yu, prompting Han Lianyan’s spirits to lighten. "Yu’er, let her speak. I have a broad enough heart to handle it," she said with the tone of a benevolent elder addressing a junior. This softened Lian Yue’s initial reservations.

"Mother is teasing Yu’er again," Lian Yu sighed, looking at Yaoyao. "Mother has already spoken. If you don’t say it, she might think I haven’t treated you well."

"Yu’er has been very kind to me," Yaoyao said seriously, turning to the Empress Dowager. "But in my understanding, an Empress Dowager should be..." She sheepishly stuck out her tongue.