An Lingrong is reborn to live for herself.

What Zhen Huan said just resolved one of An Lingrong's doubts.

An Lingrong had always felt that her humble origins made her unworthy of comparison with any of the other concubines in the palace. But in reality, this might be precisely where she was most valuable.

Compared to other concubines, An Jia's family background is far too clean.

Cheng Anbihuai of Songyang County was the only descendant of the An family in seventeen generations to pursue an official career. However, he lacked ambition, was timid and cowardly, and was content to be a county magistrate, seeking only a peaceful life.

An Lingrong's only sisters were all concubines, and An Bihai was not very capable, so she naturally could not marry into a high-ranking family. All things considered, An Lingrong was the most outstanding among the An family's children, but after marrying into the palace, she had no family background to rely on.

In contrast, Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang, who went with An Lingrong today, although they were both children of the Han Banner Army, had much more complicated family backgrounds.

Zhen Huan's father, Zhen Yuandao, was a censor official with strong political views. He was rumored to be highly regarded by the emperor and came from a prestigious family, so he inevitably had many dealings with other censor officials. Shen Meizhuang's father, Shen Zishan, was the assistant commander of Jizhou. Although not a capital official, he commanded troops and was not to be underestimated.

In comparison, An Lingrong, who has the least background, is actually the easiest to trust.

However, An Lingrong pondered deeply but couldn't understand why the harem needed someone like her, with no connections whatsoever. This thought sent a chill down her spine; the harmony of the harem was merely a facade, the real issue being the entanglement of interests. Having lived a lifetime, she knew all too well that while someone like her was trustworthy to use, she could be discarded without hesitation if the time was right.

Zhen Huan noticed An Lingrong's expression changing repeatedly, unaware that An Lingrong had already considered this matter. She gently advised, "The three of us sisters are now of one mind and one heart. Lingrong, you don't need to worry. No matter what, there is still Sister Mei and me. If the three of us work together, we will definitely be able to protect each other."

An Lingrong looked at Zhen Huan's determined eyes and recalled Zhen Huan's appearance when they first met in the Imperial Garden, and felt a warmth in her heart.

But if one day a storm really breaks out, what can the three of them do?

But seeing Zhen Huan's unwavering determination and Shen Meizhuang's gentle and respectful nature, An Lingrong couldn't bear to reveal all her worries. She simply adjusted her expression and smiled faintly, "I am fortunate to have met two confidantes in the palace. Now that I have two elder sisters by my side, I feel much more at ease."

Shen Meizhuang and Zhen Huan felt somewhat relieved to see An Lingrong smiling again.

The three chatted and laughed for a while, and then, with Liu Zhu's reminder, began to discuss the dishes for lunch. After several rounds of laughter and conversation, An Lingrong temporarily forgot her worries.

-

The next morning, An Lingrong got ready and went to Shou Kang Palace with Shuangxue.

After the emperor ascended the throne, the empress dowager ordered that he move to the Shou Kang Palace, which is located on the west side of the Forbidden City. This matter caused a great stir in the court. Many people said that the emperor and the empress dowager were not on good terms, which led the empress dowager to refuse to live in the main hall of the Cining Palace and instead choose the remote and quiet Shou Kang Palace.

In her past life, An Lingrong had indeed heard about the rift between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. However, she had never had the opportunity to step into Shou Kang Palace, nor did she know just how remote and desolate it was.

Today, with the help of a young eunuch who was carrying an imperial decree, I realized that Shou Kang Palace was indeed remote.

An Lingrong and Shuangxue followed the young eunuch who led the way into Cining Palace, and after passing through the alley, they arrived at the main gate of Shou Kang Palace on the west side of Cining Palace.

At the entrance of Shou Kang Palace, a maid dressed in a gray-brown palace robe was already waiting. Because of the hazy sky, her features were not clearly visible. When she got closer, An Lingrong recognized her as Zhu Xi, whom she had met before in Jing Ren Palace.

An Lingrong hurriedly stepped forward and gave a proper curtsy, saying, "Aunt Zhuxi, thank you for waiting so long."

As she spoke, she turned around and placed a palm-sized dark red brocade box that Shuangxue had prepared into Zhuxi's palm, and said with a smile, "Lingrong has no special skills, but she loves to think about some face creams commonly used by women. Knowing that it is not appropriate for Aunt to wear bright colors when walking by the Empress Dowager's side, I specially made some face creams to soften the skin and improve complexion. I hope Aunt will not find them offensive."

Zhu Xi didn't refuse and accepted it readily, squinting her eyes and smiling, "You're too kind, Consort An. The Empress Dowager will surely adore a lady as thoughtful as Consort An. Please come with me, Your Highness."

With that, he turned and led the way, bringing An Lingrong into the Shou Kang Palace.

The young eunuch who led the way to Suiyu Pavilion to deliver the imperial decree was very clever. Seeing that his task was completed, he did not linger and quietly withdrew after bowing once.

An Lingrong couldn't help but sigh inwardly. This young eunuch looked quite young, but he was surprisingly efficient and reliable. She figured it must be because of the Empress Dowager's daily training. She couldn't help but wonder what kind of person the Empress Dowager really was.

While she was pondering, An Lingrong had already followed Zhu Xi into the East Warm Pavilion.

This is where the Empress Dowager used to worship Buddha. The furnishings are simple and elegant. Upon closer inspection, it can be seen that all the furnishings are made of sandalwood. Although simple, they are quite exquisite.

Three sticks of incense rose from the Buddhist shrine, their smoke curling upwards, suggesting that the Empress Dowager had already offered incense that morning.

Zhu Xi led An Lingrong into the room and said softly, "The Empress Dowager took her medicine this morning and is resting. Please wait here for a moment, Your Highness. I still need to go fetch someone else." With that, she got up, curtsied, and left.

No sooner had Zhu Xi left than a palace maid lifted the curtain and entered, bringing a cup of hot tea. The maid, too, said little, simply gave a slight curtsy, and then rose to leave.

Only An Lingrong and Shuangxue remained in the East Warm Pavilion. Neither of them had ever been to the Empress Dowager's Shou Kang Palace, nor had they ever had the honor of being seen by the Empress Dowager in person, so both mistress and servant were somewhat uneasy. Shuangxue was twisting a handkerchief in her hands, her knuckles already turning white.

An Lingrong saw this and understood. She unconsciously took Shuangxue's hand and smiled slightly. However, An Lingrong herself was unsure whether the smile was very good or not, but fortunately, the two of them could always support each other.

After waiting for about half a cup of tea's time, someone lifted the curtain and came in; it was Zhu Xi who entered.

Zhu Xi lifted the curtain and entered, and the little palace maid behind her hurriedly held the velvet curtain up with her hand so as not to block the person behind her from entering.

An Lingrong noticed that the scene seemed different and got up without realizing it.

Following behind Zhu Xi was a girl of about fourteen or fifteen years old, with a delicate and beautiful face, and dressed in very luxurious attire. Judging from her attire, she was probably a noblewoman from a wealthy family, and An Lingrong secretly guessed that she might be a princess who happened to be here to pay her respects today.

The girl had a pair of beautiful peach blossom eyes. When she entered the room and saw An Lingrong, she was not afraid of being alone. She just looked at An Lingrong with a smile, neither rushing to get closer nor being aloof and distant. This was the demeanor of a well-bred young lady.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Xi smiled and said, "It seems that Consort An and Miss Yilan get along very well." Then she said to An Lingrong, "This is the second young lady of the Fucha family, Fucha Yilan. It just so happens that she is also visiting Shou Kang Palace today." Then she turned to Fucha Yilan and said, "This is Consort An from the palace. She is also very gentle and kind. Miss, you can feel at home in Shou Kang Palace. There is no need to be reserved."

As she spoke, Zhu Xi gave a slight bow to the two of them, "Young Mistress An, Miss Yi Lan, please rest here for now. If you need anything, just tell the servants. I will go back to serve the Empress Dowager first, and I will come back to deliver the message after the Empress Dowager has rested."

An Lingrong and Fucha Yilan quickly bowed and watched Zhu Xi leave the warm pavilion.

Zhu Xi left with a group of palace servants, leaving only An Lingrong and her servant Fucha Yilan in the warm pavilion.

Before An Lingrong could speak, Fucha Yilan smiled sweetly and stared intently at An Lingrong with her beautiful eyes, saying, "Sister An, do you think I look alike with you?"