An Lingrong is reborn to live for herself.

Ever since she angered Xia Dongchun during the talent show, the two of them have had a feud.

An Lingrong hadn't expected that the children of high-ranking officials could be so brainless.

Xia Dongchun was granted the title of Changzai, a rank higher than An Lingrong's Yingdae. She also lived in the same palace as An Lingrong and would come over to mock her whenever she had the chance, which was really annoying.

However, having already made up her mind and knowing Xia Dongchun's fate, An Lingrong decided on the day she entered the palace that she would definitely not pay any attention to Xia Dongchun in this life.

With the overall situation largely settled, there are plenty of high-caliber players to deal with, so there's no need to waste time on insignificant individuals.

Taking advantage of the few days of leisure after entering the palace, I still need to finish making the purse I promised Zhen Huan.

An Lingrong was embroidering carefully when she heard Baojuan beside her praise, "My lady, your needlework is really amazing. The lotus leaves and flowers you embroidered are so lifelike. I can almost smell the fragrance of the lotus flowers."

An Lingrong put down the embroidery frame in her hand, turned her neck slightly, and her shoulders were a little sore after doing embroidery for a while.

Baojuan walked over very cleverly, gently patted her shoulders, and continued to praise her excellent embroidery skills.

“My mother was an embroiderer in Suzhou. Her skills were unparalleled in Suzhou. It’s a pity that she later developed an eye disease and could not pass on all her embroidery skills to me. Otherwise, my embroidery skills would be even better,” An Lingrong said with a soft laugh.

These words startled Baojuan, who was standing nearby.

The concubines in the imperial harem were very particular about their background. They were eager to let everyone know how illustrious their family history was, and no one would come up and say that they came from a poor family.

Seeing that Baojuan didn't know how to answer, An Lingrong didn't mind. She simply said, "I used to be very bothered by my background, always feeling that everyone else was superior to me. But when I was humiliated, someone told me that heroes come from all walks of life, and I found that very helpful. Ultimately, one's future must be earned by oneself."

After saying that, An Lingrong pulled Baojuan in front of her.

"Baojuan, where do you live, and how did you get into the palace?"

Baojuan lowered her head and slowly replied, "In response to your question, my lady, I am a bondservant of the Bordered Yellow Banner. My grandfather also served Emperor Taizu. However, it is truly shameful to say that my father's generation was born into this family."

My father and his two brothers are the only ones. My father was a gambler who squandered his share of the family fortune. Because of the decline of the family, I was sent to the palace to work when I was eight years old. Because I had no one to rely on, I did a lot of menial work.

It just so happens that our Emperor is holding a palace selection of concubines this year, and he needs to recount the manpower. That's how I got the chance to be assigned to your side.

"I am also grateful that Your Highness does not despise me, which has given me the honor of serving Your Highness."

Although An Lingrong was not well-educated, she was still familiar with the backgrounds of the Eight Banners descendants. She couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "You come from the Upper Three Banners and were originally supposed to participate in the palace selection with me. Even if you couldn't participate in the palace selection, you should have been selected for the Imperial Household Department's selection, and you certainly shouldn't have been assigned to do menial tasks. Alas, it's really hard on you."

Baojuan lowered her head and answered softly, "I am already very happy to be able to serve by your side, Your Highness. With your outstanding beauty, Your Highness, you will surely be favored by the Emperor. Why should I worry about not having a chance to rise in the world?"

Having said that, she knelt down. "What you said today has been truly enlightening. A hero's origins are irrelevant, and there's no need to dwell on the past. Now that I've followed you, I will follow you wholeheartedly for the rest of my life, without any second thoughts, and I will never harbor any improper desires."

These words struck a chord with An Lingrong.

During her time in the Cold Palace, An Lingrong pondered for a long time, but things always went wrong at many crucial moments.

Aside from my own shortsightedness back then and my excessive concern about what others thought of me, some of the subtle ideas that Baojuan had instilled in me were actually things she had given me.

To be honest, An Lingrong herself never paid attention to Baojuan's background back then.

Looking back now, it seems that the fact that a simple question could elicit such a long confession from this girl shows that she is quite shrewd.

I was too negligent in my previous life.

An Lingrong smiled sweetly and helped Baojuan up. "Baojuan, I'm glad you think that way."

Since we've come together again, becoming master and servant, it must be fate. Now we're in the same boat, like grasshoppers on the same string.

My background is certainly inferior to that of the other concubines in the harem, but the harem isn't solely based on family background. Fate and destiny are things no one can truly predict.

However, there is one thing you need to keep in mind.

We are master and servant, our fates are intertwined; one's glory is the other's glory, one's loss is the other's loss. If I rise to prominence, you will naturally enjoy the fruits of my labor. Even if I fail to achieve great things, as long as I die peacefully, your life will not be bad. But if I make a single wrong step and am rejected, those around me will surely not have a good end.”

After saying that, An Lingrong still had a faint smile on her face, but her eyes gradually turned cold.

Baojuan bit her lip, lowered her head even further, and after a moment finally replied, "What Your Highness says is absolutely right. This servant will definitely keep this principle in mind."

An Lingrong smiled and took Baojuan's hand, placing a pair of pearl earrings wrapped in a silk handkerchief in Baojuan's palm.

“My lady, this reward is too precious. How can I accept something so valuable?” Baojuan quickly declined.

"Take this. It's a gift from Sister Wan. I think you have fair skin, and the pearls suit your complexion well. I don't have many personal items, so although I'm giving it to you today because of Sister Wan's kindness, don't worry. As long as you treat me well, I will definitely protect your future."

Baojuan knelt down again to express her gratitude.

Having already experienced a lifetime of desolation, An Lingrong has become much more insightful. Just as Shen Meizhuang once said, the person in her palace must be someone she can truly trust.