Happy reading~

Chapter 77: Labeled Disloyal

The next day, Ning Shu got up early in the morning. Miao Qing was currently helping comb her hair. Ning Shu looked in the mirror at Miao Qing and saw that Miao Qing seemed a little absent-minded and her eyes were swollen and red. Her eyes contained irrepressible panic and there was a hint of dark circles under her eyes.

From the looks of it, she didn't sleep well last night. Ning Shu stoked her hair and said, "Help me put on the phoenix hairpin."

"Princess, is it the golden white marble victorious plum blossom nine-tailed pheasant coiled dragon and four phoenix hairpin?"

>I have reason to believe that the author stuck about 3 names together…

Ning Shu simply said 'en.' It was such a long name, how could she possibly remember it? Miao Qing immediately took out the phoenix hairpin from the jewelry box and inserted it into Ning Shu's hair.

After sorting everything out, Ning Shu walked out of Orchid Garden Palace. She saw that there were about a dozen imperial guards carrying chests. These all contained items belonging to the original host. Everything in the palace had been packed up. There were too many things.

Miao Qing's beautiful face was about to contort. How was she supposed to see His Majesty again after they left the palace?

Ning Shu turned back and glanced at her. She said mildly, "Miao Qing, you should just stay in Orchid Garden Palace and look after the palace." The meaning was, have her look after the house.

Miao Qing's face first filled with joy before it turned depressed again. Although she could now stay in the palace, it didn't meant that she would be able to see the Emperor. Would the Emperor still visit the Orchid Garden Palace when the princess was no longer there?

Ning Shu didn't bother to pay attention to Miao Qing's complicated emotions and left Orchid Garden Palace with Yuan Dong. Yuan Dong turned back to look at Miao Qing who was leaning against the door and was struck by a feeling of desolace from the sight.

Ning Shu first went to say goodbye to Li Wen. The moment she got to the palace doors, she saw that Li Wen was already waiting. Next to Li Wen was the Empress, wearing the bright yellow gold silver luan and phoenix embroidered court dress. Behind them was a huge crowd of orioles and swallows. They were all here to see the princess off.

Ning Shu hastily walked over. It was rather scary to have an Emperor waiting on her, and even more so when it was Li Wen. When she got close, she curtsied towards Li Wen, "This sister-subject pays her respects to Imperial Older Brother."

Li Wen said 'en,' then sized Ning Shu up. Following that, he glanced at the people behind her before asking, "You've already packed everything?"

"From the looks of it, you've managed to let it go?" Li Wen's voice was indifferent. "You are our sister. You can be sad, but you can't overdo it."

Ning Shu replied 'en.' She suddenly understood. Li Wen was the Emperor. How could he allow his sister to be so hung up and heartbroken over a common subject? It damaged the imperial family's prestige. The original host had probably already lost Li Wen's favor and patience when she was grieving over Duan Xinghui, and she had even taken it so far that she harmed her own health.

The original host's actions after Duan Xinghui came back probably caused Li Wen to be thoroughly disgusted with her.

In this way, they drifted apart as the original host disappointed Li Wen more and more. Ning Shu was shocked by this sudden realization. She met Li Wen's gaze for a moment, then lowered her head and said, "This sister-subject is the princess of the Great Yong dynasty. Duan Xinghui is nothing but a subject. This sister-subject has thought it through. Since the person has already pa.s.sed away, this sister-subject should let it go and not disappoint Imperial Older Brother."

Li Wen nodded. Noticing that there was only one maid with her, he asked, "Why is there only one person attending to you?"

In reality, Li Wen, this Emperor, treated the original host quite well. As long as the original host didn't cross Li Wen's bottom line, he was willing to give her face. For example, there was this scene right now. He had brought all the women from his Inner Palace to see her off. This was a sufficient show of honor.

Thinking to here, Ning Shu started having a favorable impression of Li Wen. Love was not the only thing in life, yet some people, for the sake of love, would give up everything and throw themselves towards it like a moth towards flame.

Ning Shu finally gave Li Wen a genuine smile as she said, "One girl wasn't willing to leave the palace so this sister-subject decided to just let her stay in the palace."

Li Wen was stunned for a moment to see Ning Shu's smile. Then his eyes darkened a little as he said, "Such a disloyal servant, getting rid of her is a good choice."

Happy reading~

Chapter 78: Biggest Boss

Ning Shu wondered if Miao Qing would still be able to become Li Wen's consort after being labeled as disloyal. She felt a great deal of schadenfreude. Miao Qing was a complete white-eyed wolf that bit the hand that fed her. After she became Li Wen's consort, she added plenty of trouble to the original host's plate.

"Jiahui ah, you must come back to the palace to visit Sister-in-law." The Empress reached out and took Ning Shu's hands as she spoke. At the same time, she sized her up.

Today, Jiahui was wearing gold threaded tree peony brocade garments. Her hair was combed up into a very complicated and graceful hairstyle and completed with hair ornaments. On her feet, she was wearing embroidered shoes with inlaid pearls. Her outfit enhanced her imposing manner and also complimented her complexion, making her look like a consort from the Ninth Heaven. Even her imposing aura, the aura of the Empress, lost in comparison.

Ning Shu had dressed this way on purpose in order to let people know that she wasn't slipping out of the palace. That way, when Duan Xinghui came back, people wouldn't start saying that she had gone to the Princess Residence to recover from heartache.

The Empress's hands tightened over Ning Shu's as a trace of envy flashed through her eyes. Originally, she thought that Duan Xinghui's death would make Jiahui suffer terribly. It was unexpected that she actually recovered this quickly.

The Empress made use of Jiahui, but at the same time, she was like the other women in the Inner Palace. Inwardly, she was jealous that Jiahui received special treatment from Li Wen. For example, right now, there were so many people here to see her off. What princess received such respectful treatment? Li Wen didn't even treat his own daughters this way.

Ning Shu pulled her hands out of the Empress's grasp and exchanged a few more words with her before curtsying towards Li Wen. "This sister-subject is leaving now. Imperial Older Brother must take care of yourself and be well."

Li Wen said 'en' in reply before saying, "You should go."

Ning Shu, helped by Yuan Dong, got onto the eight treasures carriage with an ornamented hood that was decorated with green jade and pearls. Little gold bells hung from the four corners of the carriage, making a clear-sounding tinkle whenever wind blew past. Two large robust horses were standing side-by-side and snorting as they stamped the ground.

Ning Shu sat down on the couch inside the carriage and inwardly sighed in relief. She has finally left the Imperial Palace. Then she closed her eyes to nap.

When Yuan Dong saw her master like this, she didn't dare to speak and tactfully stood to the side, bowing slightly. She could sense that Master had treated Miao Qing and her much more distantly ever since she had woken up. The princess's eyes now seemed capable of seeing through everything. Yuan Dong felt as if the princess now knew all of her most deeply hidden secrets.

The carriage became very quiet. Next to one's ears was the melodious sound of the golden bells tinkling, mixed with the rhythmic sound of horse hooves. The carriage swayed lightly; it was extremely comfortable.

Ning Shu really ended up falling asleep in this gentle swaying. After an unknown period of time pa.s.sed, Yuan Dong pushed Ning Shu gently. Ning Shu opened her eyes and Yuan Dong said in explanation, "Princess, we've arrived at the Princess Residence."

Ning Shu said 'en,' then got off the carriage. She looked at the large vermilion doors, then upwards at the sign hung above it with the words 'Princess Residence' written in flamboyant cursive calligraphy.

These words were written by Li Wen when the Princess Residence had first finished construction. The sight of these words gave off a stern imposing aura like golden spears and steel horses; the imposing aura seemed strong enough to engulf the world. It was completely different from Li Wen's usual cold and reserved aura.

Just from these words, one could tell that Li Wen did everything with careful thought. He would probably become a famous emperor remembered for his talents and strength. Ning Shu had a sudden realization. Since Li Wen was an Emperor who cared about his country, then to curry favor with him, she shouldn't focus her attentions on him but set about her goal from the country's citizens.

She was seriously so pitiful ah. She originally thought that this task would be simple, but now it turns out, it wasn't freaking simple at all ah! Li Wen turned out to be the biggest boss that she had to deal with strategically.