Reborn Divine Doctor: The Abandoned Girl's Legend
Chapter 158 - 28: Ennobled as the Commandery Princess

Chapter 158: Chapter 28: Ennobled as the Commandery Princess

Everyone knows that the Empress Dowager detests those with crude behavior and ignorance of proper etiquette, with Nangong Qinglin serving as a prime example.

By comparison, Ye Lingyue would likely fare even worse, being nothing but a wild child who had only recently acknowledged her lineage.

To speak of talent performance was perhaps too ambitious; she was probably not well-versed even in basic court manners.

Tonight’s talent show performance—there was no need to say—it was obvious that Zhuge Rou and Noble Princess Consort Luo were behind it.

Zhuge Rou and her daughter initially planned to use the other ladies and misses to sideline the mother and daughter of the Lan Family, only to be disrupted by the thoughtless Nangong Qinglin.

However, as long as Ye Lingyue couldn’t present a decent talent performance in front of the Empress Dowager, Noble Princess Consort Luo would still find ways to trouble her, given the close relationship between Lady Lan and the Empress.

"Ling Yue..." Lady Lan’s palms were sweating with nervousness.

"Mother, don’t worry. Just watch me," Ye Lingyue said calmly as she stood up, moved gracefully following the posture Lady Lan had advised earlier, and stepped out.

Earlier, due to being marginalized, the mother and daughter from the Lan Residence could only sit at the very end, where the lighting was dimmest.

At this moment, Ye Lingyue moved forward, stepping into the presence of the Empress Dowager.

Clad in plain white brocade, her dress reflected a radiant light under the bright glow of the palace lanterns as she walked.

Upon closer inspection, cloud patterns were delicately embroidered on her dress’s hem.

With each step she took, those cloud patterns swayed and seemed to come to life, moving as if animated.

"Is this... Beiqing’s Cloud Brocade?" Both the Empress Dowager and Noble Princess Consort Luo were startled.

This Second Miss Lan from the Lan Residence was wearing the exclusive Beiqing Cloud Brocade of the Beiqing Royal Family, a rarely seen fabric even within the Xia Palace, possessed only by the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and Noble Princess Consort Luo.

Unexpectedly, this commoner miss from the Lan Residence had such fine brocade.

"Commoner Ye Lingyue meets the Empress Dowager, Noble Princess Consort, and all the honored ladies and misses," said Lan Lingyue, curtsying perfectly, her voice clear and confident.

As she raised her head, the unadorned face, with New Moon Eyes and willow-leaf brows—unlike other misses’ heavy makeup—resembled the clear and bright moon in the sky, pure and unadorned yet refreshingly lovely. It caught the Empress Dowager’s eye, bringing a hint of admiration to her gaze.

This Second Miss Lan was indeed different from what she had heard before.

"So you are Ling Yue? As beautiful as your name suggests, truly like the moon in the clear sky. Come closer for us to have a good look," the Empress Dowager said smilingly, her eyes scrutinizing Lan Lingyue carefully.

"Lan Yingwu has raised two daughters, each more outstanding than the other. Lady Lan is truly fortunate."

The Empress Dowager’s words were gracious, easing Lady Lan’s heart somewhat, though it was still suspended in midair, with the talent performance yet to come.

"Second Miss Lan indeed looks very distinguished, but we are yet to know, what do you plan to perform? Is it music, chess, calligraphy, painting, or perhaps weaponry and Fist Technique?" Noble Princess Consort Luo, noticing the Empress Dowager’s fondness for Lan Lingyue, quickly inquired by her side.

"Ling Yue may come from a humble rural background, unlike the other young ladies from prestigious residences who are well-versed in the four arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. As for fist and sword techniques, I’ve heard that Empress Dowager had a high martial arts cultivation when she was young, and common flower fist and embroidered legs would hardly catch her esteemed eye," Lan Ling Yue said.

Empress Dowager smiled upon hearing this and her gaze upon Lan Ling Yue turned even more benevolent. It was rare for this young girl to have such an insight at a glance.

Indeed, those words were not unfounded. Empress Dowager was once a military general’s daughter herself and never took a particular liking to music, chess, calligraphy, or painting.

As for the swordsmanship and fist techniques shown by the young ladies just now, not one caught her eye. In the whole of Daxia, among the younger generation, the only ones whose martial arts cultivation could impress the Empress Dowager were the little genius from the Hong Residence and Lan Cai’er— it was a pity that neither of them were present tonight.

"However, I have learned some physical therapy techniques from common folks, which are especially beneficial for treating rheumatism. If Empress Dowager doesn’t mind, Ling Yue would be honored to provide her with a massage," Lan Ling Yue’s words deeply moved both Empress Dowager and the female official behind her.

When Empress Dowager was carrying Emperor Xia, due to some negligence during her confinement, she caught some dampness. During humid seasons, she would suffer aching pains, usually treated by acupuncture and soaking in hot springs.

Only Emperor Xia and Empress Dowager’s personal old palace maid knew of this. Unexpectedly, Ye Ling Yue managed to discern it all with just a glance.

"What kind of talent is physical therapy? Aren’t you afraid to make a fool of yourself? Besides, with so many Imperial Physicians in the Imperial Palace, there’s no need for your services," Hong Yuying mocked from the sidelines.

"My child, your filial piety is truly commendable. Come forward and give I, your Empress Dowager, a massage," the words of Empress Dowager made the Hong mother and daughter and Princess Consort Luo startled.

Ye Ling Yue stepped forward and gently massaged the temples of the Empress Dowager, then tapped along her tendons and bones.

At first, Empress Dowager didn’t feel much but gradually, a warm flow followed Lan Ling Yue’s fingers, infiltrating her body.

The soreness and back pain caused by sitting for a long time also miraculously disappeared.

Empress Dowager’s face revealed a comfortable expression. She closed her eyes, allowing Ye Ling Yue to continue her treatment.

The old palace maid by the side marveled at Second Miss Lan’s skilled massaging technique.

After a short period equivalent to the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Empress Dowager opened her eyes.

"Excellent skill, among so many Imperial Physicians in Xia Palace, none possess your level of expertise," she said, and then removed a bone ring from her finger and slipped it onto Lan Ling Yue’s hand.

"Lady Lan, I am quite fond of your second daughter. I hereby confer upon her the title of Princess Yue. In the future, when she’s free, she should come to the palace and keep me company," Empress Dowager declared.

Lady Lan, who had previously been anxious, now beamed with joy and hurriedly moved forward to offer her thanks for the grace of the Empress Dowager.

Ye Ling Yue also knelt down gracefully to express her gratitude for the honor bestowed by the Empress Dowager.

This turn of events had caught the Hong mother and daughter, as well as the Noble Princess Consort Luo, who had all been waiting for Ye Ling Yue to embarrass herself, completely by surprise. What was happening? Just through a mere massage, not only did Lan Family’s rural girl gain the Empress Dowager’s praise but was even awarded the title of a Commandery Princess out of nowhere.

"Congratulations, Princess Yue. Lady Lan," Noble Consort Luo, although shocked to the core, still displayed a hypocritically gracious smile and congratulated the mother and daughter.

Zhuge Rou and Hong Yuying were so angry they gritted their teeth. Upon seeing this, the other ministers’ wives and young ladies immediately changed their earlier ostracizing attitude towards the Lan mother and daughter, crowding around them eagerly to ingratiate themselves.

After this palace banquet, Ye Ling Yue transformed into a princess of Daxia overnight, and suddenly the Lan Residence had produced two princesses, becoming the hot topic of conversation in the city.

After the palace feast concluded, the Lan mother and daughter rode their carriage to the palace gates. Coincidentally, the Hong mother and daughter’s carriage drove up alongside that of the Lan Family’s, arriving at the same time.