After becoming pregnant, the cold-hearted nobles all went mad.

Few of the people who came to the hot spring palace this time were acquaintances of Shen Lingyi.

She had to pretend she didn't know the ones she was familiar with.

Fuquan led her to a place where, looking up, he saw the words "Lotus Palace." "Second Miss, this is the palace His Majesty arranged for you."

It may seem unremarkable, but it is actually the best palace in the imperial palace complex.

Besides the Empress Dowager, she had the best location.

"Thank you, Father-in-law." Shen Lingyi is quite satisfied with Pei Heng's arrangements so far.

She immediately took Peony and went out for a walk.

Upon reaching the back garden, the latter stopped, looking surprised and uncertain, and said, "Second Miss, why does that person inside look so much like the Eldest Miss? Shouldn't she be at home?"

Looking in the direction of the sound, Shen Lingyi saw Shen Tingjiao walking obediently with someone in the back garden.

The person was dressed in fine clothes, exuding elegance and nobility; it was none other than the Empress Dowager.

Shen Lingyi changed her mind: "Let's go, let's go take a look too."

"Your Majesty, you see, you feel much more comfortable after taking a stroll around."

By the pond, Shen Tingjiao supported the Empress Dowager, behaving with the proper demeanor of a junior.

The Empress Dowager smiled slightly. "You're quite thoughtful. So many people are busy currying favor with the Emperor, but you still remember me."

Shen Ting smiled shyly, her face showing not only embarrassment but also a touch of detached indifference.

"To be honest with Your Majesty, I also like you and prefer quiet. In the end, all those fleeting fame and fortune are just temporary."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager was genuinely surprised.

He carefully examined the woman before him and saw that she was dressed in yellow, like a newly sprouted forsythia, delicate and beautiful. He was suddenly struck by her appearance.

"The Empress Dowager?"

The old nanny understood the Empress Dowager's thoughts, covered her mouth and smiled, explaining, "Your Majesty, you're thinking of an old friend again."

"It's an old friend," the Empress Dowager said, a hint of warmth returning to her eyes. "Come to the palace more often in the future. I need your kind of energy and spirit to keep myself from aging too quickly."

"How could that be, Your Highness..."

As the two were chatting, a clear voice rang out: "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."

The Empress Dowager lazily raised her eyes and saw a bright and beautiful woman whose features bore a resemblance to Shen Tingjiao. Intrigued, she asked, "Are you the second young lady of the Shen family?"

"Yes."

After being called up, Shen Lingyi naturally went to the Empress Dowager's side. The nanny knew that the Empress Dowager liked to associate with young girls like this, so she tactfully made way for her.

Shen Tingjiao pursed her lips tightly, her smile freezing on her face.

Linlang, who was behind, was even more anxious. "Ugh, how annoying!"

Why is this second young lady everywhere I go?!

Peony gave her a disdainful look and subtly pushed her aside.

"I have heard of you." The Empress Dowager's words were full of hidden meaning, and it was hard to tell whether they were good or bad.

Shen Lingyi pouted and, in front of the nanny's astonished expression, boldly tugged at the Empress Dowager's sleeve, "Then you must have heard something bad. Your Majesty, please say whatever you want. I'm used to being gossiped about."

"You audacious woman! How dare you lay around and pull on the Empress Dowager!"

"Rongxin, don't be like this." The Empress Dowager stopped the nanny who was about to get angry, and looked at Shen Lingyi with interest.

"So, according to you, all those rumors are false?"

Shen Lingyi loosened her grip on the handkerchief and was surprised to find her palms covered in cold sweat.

She didn't remember much of what was in the storybook, but the Empress Dowager's temperament was indeed just as described: unconventional and indifferent to everything.

He only loses his senses when it comes to matters concerning the Wan clan.

That was because the late emperor favored Consort Wan, and didn't even respect her as the empress. As the mother of the nation, she had to rely on others for many years and lived in constant fear. Only after Pei Heng ascended the throne was she able to wash away the shame.

It would be strange if the Empress Dowager didn't hate Lady Wan.

Shen Tingjiao looked at her in a peach-pink dress, covering her mouth in surprise, "Oh, little sister, why did you change your clothes? Don't you like red the most?"

The Empress Dowager's expression softened as she scrutinized Shen Lingyi's face.

Shen Lingyi immediately realized what she wanted to do.

In the original storyline, the Empress Dowager disliked Shen Lingyi because Shen Tingjiao had persuaded her to wear a red dress on the day at the hot spring palace.

Thinking of this, Shen Lingyi glanced at Shen Tingjiao with a half-smile, "I was wondering why I couldn't find my sister anywhere. It turns out that you came here to keep the Empress Dowager company and enjoy some peace and quiet. Before you came, Mother told us that you and I should look after each other. I suppose you don't need to."

Shen Tingjiao suddenly looked at the Empress Dowager, feeling a chill run down her spine.

"Alright." The Empress Dowager reached out to Rongxin, the nanny, and rubbed her temples, indicating that she was tired and would be leaving first.

With the Empress Dowager gone, the two of them, left alone, had even less to talk about.

Shen Lingyi approached step by step.

"Sister, you have such a kind heart. Everyone knows that Consort Wan loves red clothes the most, while the Empress Dowager hates red clothes to the bone. Yet, before leaving, you specifically asked someone to tell me to wear it."

"Little sister, you've misunderstood... I just saw that you usually like it, so I asked you to wear it." Shen Tingjiao retreated in a panic, her face even paler than the snow in the garden.

Shen Lingyi snorted coldly and turned to leave.

It's true that she likes red clothes.

But it depends on the situation! Shen Tingjiao is clearly up to no good.

"Miss, the eldest young lady wants to curry favor with the Empress Dowager, should we..." Peony hesitated and caught up.

Shen Lingyi turned her head and asked, "Did you bring what I asked you to bring?"

"I brought it!"

Peony took out a golden-winged phoenix hairpin, as if holding a precious jewel.

It was the phoenix hairpin that Shen Lingyi won at the Xie family banquet.

"That's good. When I go to the Empress Dowager's palace to pay my respects, put it on me."

"But what's the use of that?"

"You'll find out when the time comes." Shen Lingyi's lips curled slightly, but she didn't explain.

into the night.

There was a slight disturbance outside, as it was said that the Empress Dowager had seen the golden seal that was once exclusive to the Wan family on a palace maid, and that palace maid had been taken to the Shenxing Division for interrogation.

Shen Lingyi ignored the mess and took off her clothes, stepping into the pool where the warm water soaked her snow-white skin.

Water droplets slid down her collarbone and fell into the snow-capped peaks, their delicate red hue captivating the heart.

Suddenly, she spoke to the empty space in front of her: "Have you stared enough after all this time?"

"Thump!"

A person fell straight into the pool, splashing water everywhere.

A splash of crimson stained the rippling water, and a faint smell of blood spread, but the person did not surface for a long time.

not good!

Just as Shen Lingyi was about to call for help, her ankle was grabbed.

When the water reached her head, she panicked and struggled desperately, instantly disrupting the pool's tranquility.

"Wei Chengrui, let go." She gritted her teeth, choking on some water, her expression growing increasingly hostile.

With a "splash," Wei Chengrui burst out of the water, covered her mouth, and pressed close to her.

"Don't shout, and I'll let you go."