You're the one who wants to marry a mistress, and I'm marrying someone else, yet you still

After the flower festival ended, the Empress kept Xie Wanru in the palace for a short stay, as if only by having Xie Wanru by her side could she make up for the neglect she had shown Xie Wanru in the past.

In her opinion, if she had stopped Xie Wanru in time, Xie Wanru would not have married into the Shen family. Xie's mother died because of her, but she was unable to take care of her young daughter, and she felt extremely guilty.

Lou Yao came to pay her respects early in the morning, and it was then that Xie Wanru noticed this woman.

Xiao Yan's imperial concubine?

Xie Wanru couldn't help but let out a cold laugh, which Lou Yao noticed, but she didn't panic.

Their relationship was never going to be harmonious.

"You're here so early, you must have gotten up before dawn. Sigh, you must be tired! Just wait patiently."

Xie Wanru swaggered past her.

The Empress was still getting ready, and those who came to pay their respects were not allowed to enter. But Xie Wanru was the Empress's precious darling, and she did not need to wait outside.

What's wrong with her?

Lou Yao didn't quite understand. She and Xie Wanru hadn't had any serious business dealings yet, and if anyone was going to give Xie Wanru a hard time, it should be her first.

The maids around her dared not speak ill of Xie Wanru. After all, the masters and mistresses were equals and could say whatever they wanted. In their eyes, Xie Wanru was the Princess of Yongchang, personally bestowed by the Emperor.

After Xie Wanru entered the hall, she bowed outside the screen but did not rush in.

"Come in. You've been behaving yourself today. You used to always rush in so clumsily."

The Empress's voice came from inside.

Xie Wanru smiled faintly, gently lifted the screen, and stepped into the inner room.

The room was filled with the fragrance of incense. The Empress was facing a bronze mirror, and a palace maid was carefully inserting the last gold hairpin into her hair. Her dignified and gentle face was reflected in the mirror, but a trace of fatigue could not be hidden in her eyes.

"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress. Did you sleep well last night?"

As Xie Wanru spoke, she naturally walked to the Empress's side, took the jade comb from the maid, and gently combed the Empress's long hair, her movements full of intimacy and respect.

The Empress smiled slightly, a hint of relief flashing in her eyes: "I've gotten used to being in this deep palace, but you, my little girl, are you not used to it? I want to keep you by my side, but I'm afraid you're not happy here."

In front of Xie Wanru, the Empress didn't even refer to herself as "this palace".

Xie Wanru paused slightly, then resumed her composure. "Your Majesty is too kind. It is already a great blessing for Wanru to be able to accompany Your Majesty. I only wish that Aunt Rou is healthy and that everything goes smoothly for her."

Just then, a report came from outside the door that His Highness the Crown Prince, accompanied by his concubine, was requesting an audience, and that the Third Imperial Concubine had also come to pay her respects.

The Empress nodded slightly, signaling for the Crown Prince and the others to come in.

The door opened slightly, and Xiao Long, dressed in fine clothes, walked in with steady steps. When his gaze fell on Xie Wanru, his eyes softened.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty. Wanwan is also here. Has she had breakfast?"

Xiao Long finished bowing and said.

"His Highness the Crown Prince does seem to care about Princess Yongchang."

Lou Yao walked behind, and only after she finished speaking did she bow to the Empress.

"Asking whether siblings have eaten breakfast is a sign of care. So, Sister Lou, have you had breakfast? What would you like to eat for lunch? What time would you like to have dinner?"

Crown Prince's concubine Wu Xuanyi was not buying Lou Yao's act and immediately retorted, though she did so with a smile on her face.

The Crown Prince and the Empress both lowered their heads and smiled.

Xie Wanru almost burst out laughing. In her previous life, she had lived in the Shen family for a long time and had little contact with this concubine. Now it seems that she is indeed a good concubine and will be able to become a qualified Crown Prince's principal wife in the future.

If Wu Xuanyi were the eldest legitimate daughter, she could have become Xiao Long's principal wife after marrying into the family. Unfortunately, she was not only not the eldest legitimate daughter, but was also born to a woman who was later elevated to the position of principal wife. If the Crown Prince had not wanted to marry her, her mother would probably still be a concubine.

"That was not what I meant……"

Lou Yao felt somewhat embarrassed by the retort. None of the people in the room were familiar to her, and she was married to Xiao Yan.

"Alright, Xuanyi, look, you've made Yaoyao blush."

The Empress spoke up to ease the tension, and everyone paid their respects and chatted for a while before Xiao Long went off to attend to his business.

Wu Xuanyi was originally going to leave, but after the flower festival, she had some reservations about Lou Yao and deliberately stayed.

"Mother, this is the Hibiscus Cream that the Third Prince asked me to prepare for you. It is said to be very effective."

Lou Yao had it brought out.

The Empress glanced at the small box and smiled gently, "Yan'er is so thoughtful. You two are both good children."

As the mother of the nation, the Empress handled these matters perfectly. She knew that she was not Xiao Yan's biological mother, so people wouldn't be too close to her, but she also wouldn't openly distance herself from them, so everyone could maintain appearances.

Xie Wanru and Wu Xuanyi drank tea, clearly not wanting to be polite with Lou Yao. The Empress was somewhat surprised by their unified attitude.

Making a fool of herself wasn't a good idea, so Lou Yao made an excuse and left.

After she left, Xie Wanru and Wu Xuanyi both breathed a sigh of relief.

"Mother, at yesterday's flower festival, when you and Wanwan were admiring the flowers together, Lou Yao whispered in my ear, asking me why I didn't talk to you. I'm not very familiar with her, but I always felt that there was something behind her words, so I didn't pay much attention to her, just like today."

Wu Xuanyi took a sip of tea, her brows furrowing slightly, and continued, "Although I don't often deal with gossipy people, I have some understanding of the implications. This Lou Yao probably has ulterior motives and is deliberately sowing discord."

The Empress's gaze was deep as she gently set down her teacup. "Everyone in the palace has their own agenda. It's good that you two are aware of this. Wanwan, you've lived outside the palace for a long time and may not know much about what's happening inside, but what I, Xuanyi, said is right. You need to be more careful."

Xie Wanru nodded. Having lived a second life, how could she not see this? She looked at Wu Xuanyi and said, "Thank you for reminding me, Sister Wu. Wanru will be careful."

"There's no need for such formalities between us." Wu Xuanyi waved her hand with a smile, her eyes full of sincerity. She had an aura of admiration for the Xie family, which extended to Xie Wanru as well.

The Empress was very pleased to see the two getting along so well. She gently patted Xie Wanru's hand and said softly, "Wanwan, I'm so happy that you two get along so well."

Xie Wanru smiled slightly, feeling a warm glow in her heart. She knew that in this turbulent palace, it was truly rare to have the Empress's protection and a clear-headed friend like Wu Xuanyi.

"Mother, Wanwan, you two can chat slowly, I'm sleepy, hehe." Wu Xuanyi stood up and bowed, her words revealing a touch of cuteness.

The Empress smiled and nodded in agreement, watching Wu Xuanyi leave.

She was very satisfied with Wu Xuanyi, so Wu Xuanyi was quite relaxed around her when no one else was around.