Tang Miaoling was well aware of how strangely she was behaving. But how could she afford not to be amiable when facing the very person who had sent her to her doom?
Once, she had believed that with her unparalleled beauty and noble lineage, she was destined to rise effortlessly through the ranks of the imperial harem.
Yet, contrary to her expectations, she hadn't even survived a month.
No one could have foreseen that the Emperor would bestow his undivided favor upon Ning Wanyin, an obscure and unremarkable woman.
If it had merely been a matter of favoritism, Tang Miaoling could have endured it—at worst, she would have cursed Ning Wanyin for being shameless, for possessing a few seductive tricks to entice men. But the truly terrifying thing was Ning Wanyin's ruthless nature.
In just one month after entering the palace, she had already eliminated three people.
It was as if she was on a strict schedule—even for executions.
And Tang Miaoling had been the third.
All because she had foolishly tried to seize favor from Ning Wanyin's hands. Enraged by her failure, she sought to frame Ning Wanyin and even went so far as to threaten her with the lives of her parents, forcing her to assist in the struggle for imperial favor.
In the end…
She had delivered herself straight into the Cold Palace.
Ning Wanyin had come, under the guise of a benevolent cousin, to bid her a final farewell.
She had not heeded her pleas, nor had she subjected her to prolonged suffering—she had granted her a swift and painless death.
Peaceful. That was perhaps the only silver lining.
Yet, when she opened her eyes once more—
Tang Miaoling found herself returned to the eve of her entrance into the palace.
And the woman who had killed her in her past life was now residing just next door.
Oh heavens, this was far too horrifying!
She knew with absolute certainty that she was no match for Ning Wanyin—nor for any of the other women in the imperial harem.
After all, being reborn didn't mean she had been given a new brain.
If Ning Wanyin could kill her once, she could kill her again.
Palace intrigues were terrifying. Her cousin was ruthless. She wanted to go home.
If she were given another chance, she would never have come to the capital to participate in the selection, let alone offend Ning Wanyin!
Fortunately, none of the reckless mistakes she had made in her past life had yet come to pass. As of now, the gravest offense she had committed against Ning Wanyin was… snatching a fan.
Perhaps there was still time to mend the fences and save her own life?
With a warm and obsequious smile, Tang Miaoling turned to Ning Wanyin. "Cousin, when I arrived in the capital, I brought a whole chest of jewelry. Your birthday is approaching, and as your elder sister, I have yet to prepare a proper gift. Please accept this chest of jewelry as a small token of my regard."
She turned to her maid, Cui Ping, and instructed, "Bring my treasure chest."
Cui Ping was utterly dumbfounded.
That chest contained exquisite jewelry, meticulously crafted for Tang Miaoling's bid for imperial favor—each piece a treasure of immense value, all of which she cherished dearly. Normally, she wouldn't part with even a single piece, yet now, she was offering the entire collection to Ning Wanyin?
Had her mistress lost her mind?
Ever since waking up this morning, she had been crying and laughing intermittently—had she been possessed?
Ning Wanyin, however, remained utterly composed in the face of Tang Miaoling's sudden generosity. With a calm and indifferent expression, she politely declined, "You are too kind, Cousin. These are your personal belongings—how could I possibly accept them?"
"No, no, I seem to have lost my fondness for jewelry lately… Just take them," Tang Miaoling insisted, eagerly pressing the gift upon her.
Even Madam Cheng was stunned by the scene before her. Hurriedly, she stepped in to refuse on Ning Wanyin's behalf. Such valuable items—they dared not accept them.
Tang Miaoling, growing increasingly anxious, persisted until she finally forced the chest into Madam Cheng's hands.
Only then did she feel a slight sense of relief.
She had returned the fan and offered reparations—surely Ning Wanyin would no longer hold a grudge and seek her life?
As they conversed, lost in their own thoughts, a steward suddenly arrived at the door.
"Summons from the palace!"
"Quick, prepare the incense table to receive the decree!" Madam Cheng exclaimed, a mixture of excitement and trepidation.
A sea of people knelt in unison as the eunuch announced:
"By the decree of His Majesty, Tang Miaoling, daughter of the Marquis of Changping, is hereby conferred the title of Sixth-Rank Beauty and shall enter the palace on the first day of the third month. Thus is the Emperor's will."
"By the decree of His Majesty, Ning Wanyin, daughter of the Earl of Shou'an, is hereby conferred the title of Seventh-Rank Noble Lady and shall enter the palace on the first day of the third month. Thus is the Emperor's will."
Ning Wanyin and Tang Miaoling accepted the decree with due reverence.
Overjoyed, Madam Cheng promptly rewarded the eunuch with a heavy pouch of silver.
Heaven had finally granted her daughter's wish.
Ning Wanyin, too, exhaled softly in relief. The first step had gone smoothly—now, she would need to tread carefully with every step forward.
After dismissing the eunuch, Madam Cheng turned to Ning Wanyin with a beaming smile, ready to offer her congratulations. But before she could speak—
Tang Miaoling had already rushed forward, fawningly exclaiming, "Congratulations, dear cousin! I knew someone as lovely as you would surely be chosen. You are destined to rise to great heights!"
Ning Wanyin's gaze fell upon her, her dark, unfathomable eyes betraying no emotion.
She, too, had been selected, yet her rank was higher than Ning Wanyin's. By all logic, given her nature, she should be looking down on her rather than deliberately currying favor.
Something was amiss.
Feigning composure, Ning Wanyin returned the courtesy. "The same to you, Cousin."
Tang Miaoling, meeting her gaze, felt a sudden pang of guilt. The atmosphere grew tense and uneasy.
Even Madam Cheng found Tang Miaoling's behavior today rather peculiar. Still, she chose not to comment on it. Instead, she laughed and said, "This is a joyous occasion! You sisters should celebrate together. We must hold a banquet in your honor!"
"An excellent idea!" Tang Miaoling chimed in eagerly.
She had resolved to mend her relationship with both Ning Wanyin and her mother before entering the palace. She should also write to her father—perhaps he could find a way to support her uncle.
For the sake of survival, Tang Miaoling's mind had never been sharper.
—
Back in Xihe Courtyard, the servants all came forward to offer their congratulations.
Ning Wanyin rewarded them accordingly before retreating to her chamber. Seated by the window on a lacquered bamboo chair inlaid with gold and painted with butterfly motifs, she pondered in silence.
"Lianrui," she finally instructed, "send someone to investigate—who are the other women selected for the palace this time?"
If she was to enter the imperial harem, knowing her competition was of utmost importance.
"Yes, Miss." Lianrui bowed and left.
Moments later, another maid approached, holding a tray. "Miss, what shall we do with the round fan and the jewelry chest?"
Ning Wanyin had not allowed the items inside her room—they remained outside in the courtyard.
"Summon Doctor Ge to examine them." Her voice was calm, her instructions precise. "If the fan is untainted, I will keep it in my personal chest and take it with me to the palace. As for the jewelry, store it in the estate's treasury."
The fan was a gift from her mother—something she valued deeply.
But the jewelry…
She never kept gifts from outsiders.