The carriage comes to a gentle stop before the grand palace gates, the wooden wheels scraping softly against the granite stones. A footstool is carefully lowered, and the silk curtain is drawn aside from within.
Xiao Yun immediately extends her hand, helping her mistress step down gracefully. As they walk, the palace servants who pass by bow respectfully. Lian Evelyn only offers a faint smile as she continues forward beside her maid.
"Woah… so luxurious," Xiao Yun whispers in awe.
"This is only a small part," Evelyn replies calmly. "The Grand Hall I visited yesterday is even more magnificent."
Xiao Yun instantly makes a pair of puppy eyes. "Aaaa, Miss… next time you come to the palace again, bring me with you, okay?"
Lian Evelyn chuckles at the dramatic expression. "Of course , but only if you promise to sneak out with me." She smirks.
"Ishh, Miss! Why do you always test the General's patience, hmm? I don't want to go. I don't want to get involved with you," Xiao Yun protests, pouting as she looks away.
"Oh really? You don't want to?" Evelyn lifts her chin proudly. "Then no more extra salary for you."
Xiao Yun's pout deepens. "Ishhh, Miss, youuuu…"
Lian Evelyn makes a teasing face before suddenly running off. In the end, the two of them end up chasing each other through the palace grounds like a pair of mischievous cats.
A few meters away, several young noblewomen enjoy the beauty and fragrance of the garden, their laughter mingling softly with the lingering scent of blossoms in the air.
However, their moment is interrupted by the screams of Lian Evelyn and Xiou Yun.
"Such a shame. Who is she? Entering the palace but still behaving like that," one of them says, rolling her eyes.
"You don't know? She is General Lian Zaeil's daughter. Yesterday I see her dance in the Grand Hall. And you know what? Everyone praises her, and even the Emperor gives her a gift. She must be coming today to collect it," another whispers, leaving the group momentarily speechless.
"So what? She just has some talent," a third replies dismissively.
"Talent or not, she still needs to behave properly in the palace," another mocks. Then a sharp laugh suddenly cuts through the group. A noblewoman dressed in pale silk narrows her eyes, and her mind slips back to the night before.
In the Grand Hall, under the golden chandeliers, Lian Evelyn dances beneath the lantern lights while the music fills the hall. The Prince watches. His attention is clearly on her, and he even leans toward the Emperor to say something in a tone that sounds impressed.
Everyone sees it.
Including her.
The applause was loud, but her chest feels heavy. Lian Evelyn catches the Prince's attention easily, and that fact makes her heart burn with jealousy.
She walks toward Lian Evelyn, followed by the other noblewomen.
"Well, well, look who's here," she says mockingly. "Isn't this Miss Lian Evelyn? Who is so talented and pretty that she caught everyone's attention last night?"
Lian Evelyn frowns slightly, looking genuinely confused.
"Hm? Miss? Who are you? Do we know each other?" she asks calmly.
The girl's expression darkens.
"Don't play dumb. How dare you seduce the Second Prince last night?"
Lian Evelyn blinking, she looks even more confused.
"Me? Seduce the Second Prince? Miss, I don't even know who the Second Prince is."
Xiou Yun quickly leans closer and whispers, "Miss, last night you said to me that you dance in the Grand Hall. Maybe she means you caught the Second Prince's attention."
Lian Evelyn pauses for a moment, processing Xiou Yun's words, before looking back at the girl.
Seeing Lian Evelyn hesitate, the noblewomen grow angrier, their irritation clearly boiling over.
"Enough pretending," the girl snaps. "Listen carefully. The Second Prince is mine. Don't you dare dream about him."
Lian Evelyn suddenly laughs, followed by Xiou Yun.
"Let's go, Xiou Yun," she says lightly. "There's no point in talking to them anymore. If we stay longer, their madness might be contagious."
Still laughing, she takes Xiou Yun's hand and turns to leave.
Suddenly, the girl in the pale silk dress rushes forward from behind and pulls Lian Evelyn's hair.
Xiou Yun screams and Lian Evelyn fights back.
From that moment on, From that moment on, the situation completely lost control as they began striking and shoving one another.
Not far away, Empress Roselinda walks along the corridor, accompanied by a few maids, but her steps suddenly stop as she witnesses the scene of arguing.
"What a disgrace, arguing inside the Palace. Your Highness, allow me to them a lesson," says Wang Mama, Empress Roselinda's personal maid.
However, Empress Roselinda quickly pulls back Wang Mama's hand.
"What is the matter Your Highness? We need to stop them," says Wang Mama again.
Empress Roselinda remains silent, her gaze fixed on Lian Evelyn for a moment before she finally speaks.
"Look closer to her," Empress Roselinda says as she points at Lian Evelyn. "The jade pedant on her wrist… it is the same as Princess Dyyana's."
Wang Mama's eyes widened as she focused on the jade pendant resting against Lian Evelyn's wrist. Her breath hitched."Your Highness, this girl… she might be related to the Princess," whispers Wang Mama.
Upon hearing that, Empress Roselinda's expression changes, and without hesitation, she moves swiftly toward Lian Evelyn.
"ENOUGH!"
Empress Roselinda's voice rings through the garden, freezing everyone in their place.
"What is happening here?" she demands coldly. "How dare you argue inside the palace?"
All the noblewomen immediately lower their heads, not daring to speak. However, Lian Evelyn steps forward at once.
"Your Highness, I sincerely apologize for my behavior," she says, bowing slightly. "But she is the one who started it. She pulls my hair and speaks harshly to me. I have no choice but to defend myself."
She points at the girl dressed in pale silk.
Empress Roselinda turns her sharp gaze toward the girl.
"Is that true?"
The girl slowly lifts her head. Her body trembles as she meets the Empress's icy stare.
"Your Highness… she tried to seduce the Second Prince last night in the Grand Hall. I only want to remind her of her place."
Empress Roselinda raises an eyebrow.
"Seduce the Second Prince? What do you mean?" Empress Roselinda turn back to Lian Evelyn. "Explain yourself".
Lian Evelyn quickly speaks up.
"Please forgive me, Your Highness. Last night, I just danced to lighten up the party, but It is not my fault if the Second Prince finds it attractive."
Empress Roselinda stares at Lian Evelyn for a moment, then her expression softens slightly.
"Oh… I remember now. You are the one who performed last night, aren't you?"
"You are the daughter of General Lian Zael, correct?"
Lian Evelyn nods.
The Empress turns back to the girl in pale silk, her voice turning cold once more.
"Her dance was performed at the Emperor's request. I see no impropriety in it. Why would you accuse her of seducing the Second Prince?"
The girl immediately falls to her knees.
"Your Highness, please forgive me! I don't mean to… I just…"
Because of fear, she can't finish her sentence.
"JUST WHAT?" Empress Roselinda's voice thunders.
"How dare you spread rumors involving the Second Prince and assault someone within the palace!"
The girl bursts into tears, repeatedly begging for forgiveness.
Empress Roselinda then sweeps her gaze across the other noblewomen.
"You are all involved as well, were you not?"
They quickly shake their heads.
"Don't lie," the Empress snaps. "I see all of you harassing Miss Evelyn."
The noblewomen lower their heads, trembling in fear.
Empress Roselinda sighs.
"You all come from noble families, yet behave in such a manner."she says as she looks at every girl one by one.
"Fine, as a punishment, kneel here for three hours and clean this garden afterward"
Hearing the Empress's words, all the noblewomen have no choice unless to nod obediently.
Meanwhile, behind Empress Roselinda, Lian Evelyn and Xiou Yun giggle secretly. Clearly satisfied with the punishment they get.
Empress Roselinda turns back to Lian Evelyn.
"You come here to collect your gift, did you ?" the Empress asks gently.
Lian Evelyn nods.
Empress Roselinda chuckles a bit as seeing Lian Evelyn's innocent look.
"I want to talk about something with you. Can you follow me to my chamber?" she asks again.
Lian Evelyn feels a little scared as the Empress asks her to go to the Empress's chamber. Her mind thinks about whether the Empress will also punish her personally.
Seeing Lian Evelyn hesitate and remain silent, Empress Roselinda quickly holds Lian Evelyn's hand, because from Lian Evelyn's face, she knows that Lian Evelyn might be scared.
"Don't worry. I just want to talk about women's things with you. There is nothing to be afraid of . Let's go," the Empress says as she walks, holding Lian Evelyn's hand.
And so, Lian Evelyn and Xiou Yun also could only follow the Empress toward her chambers.