She Holds the World After Being Reborn
Chapter 267 - 266: No Other Choice but to Use a Substitute for the Real Thing

Chapter 267: Chapter 266: No Other Choice but to Use a Substitute for the Real Thing

"Slap—!" As soon as the Palace Maid finished speaking, Laifu, who stood by Zhang Lanyi’s side, stepped forward and slapped her across the face.

"What are you to speak to the Empress like that? Have you forgotten who rules the harem?"

The Palace Maid’s cheek bore the mark of the slap, blood on the corner of her lips.

Seething with anger, she turned her gaze toward Yan Wanqing.

Yan Wanqing immediately averted her eyes.

She had always been a partisan of the Empress, the kind who would cheer for Zhang Lanyi no matter what atrocities she committed. This Palace Maid was just an acquaintance; why would she think Yan Wanqing would speak up for her?

Moreover, she was not known for her compassion.

Seeing that Yan Wanqing remained silent, the Palace Maid had no choice but to grit her teeth and swallow her anger.

By now, Laifu had respectfully approached Yan Wanqing, "Commandery Princess, the Empress summons you."

Yan Wanqing nodded, "Thank you for your efforts." Then she walked toward the summons.

She would eventually have to visit the Empress Dowager, but currently, the Empress sought her for a matter which assuredly demanded her attention first.

The door closed behind them.

Zhang Lanyi could no longer maintain her composure; trembling, she grasped Yan Wanqing’s hands and said.

"I’ve wronged you. I have something to tell you."

"What is it?" Yan Wanqing had an ominous feeling in her heart.

Tears rimmed Zhang Lanyi’s reddened eyes: "I failed to protect the child of the Imperial Consort, my sister. Someone stole it."

Upon hearing this, Yan Wanqing felt a sudden chill envelop her.

But she did not blame Zhang Lanyi.

"No matter, I will handle this issue." She clasped Zhang Lanyi’s hands firmly, "The Empress has been alone in the Capital City for too long. Now that I have returned, you can leave all to me with peace of mind."

Upon hearing these words, Zhang Lanyi felt as if her fears and anxieties had finally found an outlet.

She immediately embraced Yan Wanqing, sobbing as if her heart would break.

The nursemaid Laifu turned away, looking elsewhere.

Zhang Lanyi never had to bear so much heartache before.

Every day was filled with fear; sleep was fitful, meals tasteless. The day the child was lost, she had been up all night.

She even had someone bring her a newborn baby so the Imperial Consort wouldn’t worry during her confinement, fearing any distress might harm her health.

Yan Wanqing gently patted the Empress’s back, consoling her, "Leave everything to me to handle."

After crying, Zhang Lanyi calmed down and realized what she had done.

She had never been so embarrassed in her life.

And it was before someone nearly a decade her junior.

She wiped her tears, her youthful complexion bright red.

"Please forget everything that just happened," she implored.

Yan Wanqing replied sincerely, "I can’t forget. I still need to tell my uncle later."

Zhang Lanyi: "...You’re going to be the death of me!" She hadn’t been so wanton even in the presence of Yan Jing.

After leaving the Empress’s sleeping quarters, Yan Wanqing went straight to Sun Lianyi.

At the time, Sun Lianyi was enjoying the fine weather, sitting under the eaves with her child in her arms, basking in the sun.

The baby gurgled happily in the swaddling clothes as she played with him.

The Palace Maids inside noticed her arrival and wanted to report it, but Yan Wanqing stopped them.

Seeing the child in Sun Lianyi’s arms, she sighed softly.

How she wished there was still a chance to undo the situation, for she truly didn’t know how she’d explain the truth to Sun Lianyi.

The person who stole the child was utterly vile; if captured by her, retribution would be severe.

From afar, the mother and child under the corridor seemed to epitomize peaceful, idyllic times.

Yan Wanqing slowly withdrew and instructed the Palace Maids, "Don’t mention that I was here."

Yan Li’an had come back alive, a fact which Sun Lianyi was still unaware of...

First, she didn’t know how to broach the subject, second, her elder brother’s memory had not yet recovered, and third, the timing was not yet ripe.

Everything would have to wait until Sun Lianyi had completed her confinement period.

Having just stepped out of the palace hall, she caught sight of that Palace Maid once again.

One truly had to admire her determination.

"Commandery Princess, this time you can accompany this servant to see Her Majesty the Empress," the Palace Maid stood before Yan Wanqing.

She had followed her all the way.

Parched and utterly exhausted.

But if she didn’t bring Yan Wanqing to her, what awaited her would be even more terrifying than this.

Yan Wanqing looked at the resolve in her eyes and nodded, "Lead the way."

The Empress Dowager’s bedchamber was deep within the inner palace, and they had quite a distance to cover.

On the way, Yan Wanqing hardly spoke at all, instead, it was the Palace Maid who kept trying to strike up conversations, attempting to glean some news from her.

Such trivial tricks were truly beneath her notice.

Combined with the exhaustion of the journey, she had no inclination to deal with such petty harassments and chose to remain silent.

It wasn’t until they arrived at the Empress Dowager’s palace that they saw a group of Palace Maids standing outside.

Although it was past noon by then and facing the sun was still quite hot, especially standing directly under it like this, Yan Wanqing noticed that each of the Palace Maids was red-faced and in agony from the heat.

"What is this for?" she couldn’t help but ask.

Humans aren’t heartless like grass and trees; she couldn’t bear to see those in power taking the lives of subordinates so lightly.

If one has erred, then punishment should be meted out according to the rules, whether through corporal punishment or scolding.

If someone has not made a mistake, to punish them for no reason is utterly excessive.

The head Palace Maid glanced at them, her eyes filled with dread and fear. She didn’t respond; instead, she hurried Yan Wanqing along, "Commandery Princess, the Empress Dowager is inside waiting for you."

"Are there servants inside to attend to me?" Yan Wanqing stood still, "There are only so many Palace Maids, and all of you stand outside bathing in the sun, not doing your duties. Do you expect me to make tea for myself once inside?"

The Palace Maids looked at each other, still daring not to move.

If they didn’t move, neither did Yan Wanqing.

If the Empress Dowager wanted to use this method to humiliate her, she would give her the opportunity to see whose tactics were superior.

Seeing that Yan Wanqing still refused to go in, the Palace Maid had no choice but to run in and report back. Soon after, she emerged with a slap mark on her cheek.

She said to the Palace Maids, "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager commands you all to go inside and serve."

Yan Wanqing saw the redness on her cheek and frowned slightly, but soon resumed her usual expression.

To be a slave or a maid, such was the norm.

It was beyond her control and not her place to manage.

She walked into the grand hall.

Two Palace Maids were fanning the woman sitting high on her throne.

Upon Yan Wanqing’s entrance, the two of them locked eyes.

She was not an easy person to deal with.

That was Yan Wanqing’s first impression.

She stood up straight: "I pay my respects to the Empress Dowager, may Her Majesty live for thousands and thousands of years."

"Princess Anping carries quite the air about her, failing to kneel and bow upon seeing the Empress Dowager," though the Empress Dowager herself remained silent, a snide remark came from a Palace Maid by her side.

With a light chuckle, Yan Wanqing replied, "Do not take offense, Your Majesty. His Majesty the Emperor has granted Anping special permission not to kneel. It’s understandable that Her Majesty, having just come out of deep seclusion, isn’t aware of these matters. And it’s our first time meeting you as well."

The Empress Dowager shot a sidelong glance, "A sharp tongue indeed, no wonder you were able to persuade His Majesty to lead the troops on the Western Expedition. It’s quite the rarity, a woman commanding an army. I had someone call you over for a chat, yet for the likes of a Commandery Princess to make me wait thus."

"If His Majesty refuses to let me leave, Anping is helpless. Perhaps you might speak with His Majesty personally? So that next time, Anping can visit you earlier," Yan Wanqing skillfully deflected responsibility, turning to the Emperor to carry the weight.

Just recently, in the Empress Dowager’s presence, the Emperor had angrily executed thirty eunuchs; now hearing this person again caused her eyes to flash with dark light.

Yet she knew that this Princess Anping before her was not like the other insignificant characters of the past.

In dealing with her, she needed to be completely on guard.

"Someone, serve the Princess her tea."

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