Right after stepping out of the Imperial Study, a palace maid approached and curtsied. "This servant pays her respects to the Princess. Her Majesty the Empress invites you to her palace."
Ning Shu thought for a moment, then decided to go. If she didn't, the Empress, known for her pettiness, would likely hold a grudge—especially after Ning Shu had left the palace for the Princess Residence.
Upon arriving at the Empress's palace, Ning Shu was greeted with a warm smile. She couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for the Empress. Managing the inner palace's many intrigues while trying to remain magnanimous and tolerant was no small feat. Sometimes it seemed like she had to juggle multiple roles—acting as both an expert on family planning and an arbiter of personal matters.
The Empress's face now bore a weariness that even cosmetics couldn't conceal, revealing the stress of her responsibilities in the Inner Palace.
Ning Shu thought the Empress was simply asking for trouble. She was the Empress and could afford to remain aloof and distant. Why bother getting involved in the consorts' struggles? It seemed more like a control-freak mentality, insisting on managing every detail. No wonder she looked so worn out.
The Empress sincerely urged Ning Shu to return to the palace, but Ning Shu only half-heartedly brushed off the topic. When the Empress realized she couldn't sway her, her expression shifted slightly.
As Ning Shu left, she encountered a throng of consorts. It was obvious they were curious about her return to the palace, eager to know when she would be back, especially given her recent special attention from Li Wen.
Exhausted from dealing with everyone, Ning Shu adopted an arrogant expression—one that clearly conveyed that "rubbish like you don't have the right to speak with this princess"—all the way back to the Princess Residence.
Not long after, she learned that Li Wen had issued a decree dismissing Duan Xinghui from his post as a standard class, rank 1 general. Now, he was just an ordinary citizen with no official position.
Yuan Dong was the one to bring this news. She kept a close eye on the general's residence, and upon hearing about Duan Xinghui's removal, she hurried to tell Ning Shu, clearly hoping Ning Shu would intercede with the Emperor for leniency.
However, Ning Shu was quite pleased by the news. Seeing Yuan Dong's anxiousness, she couldn't help but sneer internally as she asked, "Why do you pay so much attention to the general's residence?"
Yuan Dong's gaze flickered. "Princess, this servant was only doing it for you. General Duan is your future husband, after all!"
Ning Shu's expression turned stern. "Yuan Dong, mind your status. When did Duan Xinghui become this princess's husband? It is unacceptable for you to ruin my reputation like this."
Yuan Dong immediately dropped to her knees, her face pale. "This servant has overstepped. Please forgive me, Princess. I won't speak of it again."
Meanwhile, Er Ya had returned to the Duan Residence with Duan Xinghui. The residence was grand and luxuriously decorated, leaving Er Ya in awe—she felt two eyes weren't enough to take it all in.
Madame Duan, Duan Xinghui's mother, had barely recovered from the joy of her son's return when her heart nearly stopped at the news that he planned to marry Er Ya.
Madame Duan felt her composure shatter at the sight of Er Ya—dressed in simple cotton garments, with dark skin and no apparent etiquette. After raising her son alone with such care, she had envisioned a future where he would become the Emperor's brother-in-law. Now, that perfect dream seemed to be crumbling because of a village girl.
Though Madame Duan felt an overwhelming urge to bury Er Ya alive, she managed to maintain a warm smile.
Seeing the smile on his mother's face, Duan Xinghui's usual sternness softened. "Mom, Er Ya is a very nice lady. She's simple and adorable and will definitely show you great filial piety."
Madame Duan's face twitched, struggling to keep her smile intact. Simple and adorable? Looking at dark-skinned Er Ya, who seemed even older than Duan Xinghui, her internal turmoil grew.
Was her son blind?