Chapter 259: Chapter 258: Resentful WomanSang Ruoshui’s emotions were complex as she clenched the handkerchief in her hand beyond recognition.


    "Lady—"


    Xiangxiu hurried over and, upon seeing Sang Ruoshui at the entrance of the palace, quickly bowed in greeting.


    "That’s enough. You may dispense with the formalities."


    Sang Ruoshui, annoyed, raised her hand and asked about important matters, "Has the Emperor returned?"


    Xiangxiu nodded, "He has returned. This servant heard from others that the Emperor has come back."


    Upon hearing this, Sang Ruoshui immediately wanted to go there.


    But after taking a few steps and thinking of her own makeup, she turned back to the palace, "Quick, someone come and prepare my makeup."


    Xiangxiu supported Sang Ruoshui back to the palace, where the other palace maids helped her redo her makeup.


    While being made up, Sang Ruoshui couldn’t help but ask, "Tell me, did Sang Yan come back with the Emperor? How are their feelings for each other? After experiencing such an event, does the Emperor really... still let her be the Empress?"


    Xiangxiu did not answer her question at all.


    Seeing her silence, Sang Ruoshui felt she had her answer.


    The Emperor had never cared that Sang Yan was a widow, or a widow with a husband-killing fate; now that she had encountered disaster, he would only feel more pity for her, how could he easily cast her aside?


    "I was foolish."


    Her eyes turned red, and she bit her lip, feeling very jealous and bitter inside.


    Seeing this, Xiangxiu spoke softly to comfort her, "Lady, please don’t be too upset. The Empress is your sister, as long as you do your duty, she will never treat you unfairly no matter what."


    According to what she thought, having an Empress sister, if she couldn’t gain the Emperor’s favor, then why not ask to leave the palace and live a merry life outside, why bother staying in the palace as a loveless resentful woman?


    "What does ’doing your duty’ mean?"


    Sang Ruoshui, who hated hearing such words of the weak, snapped, "Tell me, what is my duty?"


    Seeing her anger, Xiangxiu knew she had misspoken and immediately knelt down, "Lady, please calm your anger. Lady, forgive me."


    The other palace attendants also knelt down around her.


    Seeing this, Sang Ruoshui became even angrier.


    She knocked over the incense burner on the table in one swipe.


    The incense burner, made of jade, shattered to pieces on the ground, scattering ashes everywhere.


    "Why does she have to come back?"


    "She just can’t stand to see me live a good life."


    "She has a husband-killing fate, with no man to turn to, so she seeks out the Emperor, thinking the Emperor’s aura can change her destiny!"


    ...


    Sang Ruoshui screamed hysterically, clutching the edge of the table with both hands.


    Her previously beautiful face contorted with rage.


    Frightened out of her wits, Xiangxiu exclaimed, "Lady, please be careful with your words!"


    Sang Ruoshui let out a sarcastic laugh, "What’s there to be careful about now? When she returns to the palace, will the Emperor ever visit my Yuesang Palace again?"


    It didn’t matter what she said.


    It seemed even if she died in the palace, no one would care.


    She was truly fed up with these days.


    "Enough. Enough."


    Sang Ruoshui let out a sigh of frustration and walked to the dressing mirror. Gazing at the disheveled figure reflected in it, she pondered for a moment and then made up her mind, "Get up. Help me change my clothes. The plainer, the better."


    *


    After journeying down the main streets of the Capital City for about an hour,


    the procession finally stopped at the palace gates.


    Under the night skies,


    bright torches illuminated the vermilion palace walls, casting numerous shadows of the concubines.


    "Greetings to the Emperor, long live, long live, long live the Emperor—"


    The concubines lined up in two long queues according to their ranks.


    The woman at the front of the queue was dressed in plain palace attire, with makeup so light it was almost pale, even revealing a hint of haggard whiteness.


    Tonight all the concubines were dressed in bright, exquisite attire, creating a lively scene.


    Her plain appearance immediately made her stand out.


    She was indeed a clever one.


    Sang Yan sat inside the carriage, peering out through the curtain to observe the goings-on outside.


    Especially that plainly dressed woman, she couldn’t help but take a longer look.


    Then she saw the woman approach the carriage.


    Stopping three steps from the carriage,


    She recognized the person: disastrous! It was Sang Ruoshui!


    "Emperor, sister, you have finally returned. Ruoshui has missed you so much."


    Sang Ruoshui halted in front of the carriage, her voice softening, feigning tears.


    Sang Yan didn’t think Sang Ruoshui was truly worried about her, but given the circumstance, with someone coming all the way to the carriage, it seemed necessary to disembark and exchange a few words?


    Just as she was preparing to get out of the carriage—


    He Ying grabbed her hand and shook his head, "Let’s go back to the palace first. Aren’t you tired? There’s no need to bother with these people."


    Unwilling to see her strain herself, he intervened and then spoke out, "We have returned to the palace. Any matters can be discussed tomorrow. Everyone return to their respective palaces, no need to stand around here."


    He commanded from inside the carriage, the curtain remaining undrawn.


    Thus, the concubines who had been waiting for a long time did not even catch a glimpse of the Emperor and dispersed, each returning to their palaces with faces full of disappointment.


    The carriage continued on its way.


    Until it arrived at Qingning Palace.


    The carriage stopped.


    He Ying disembarked first.


    All those present knelt down, "Greetings to the Emperor—"


    He didn’t pay them any heed, helping Sang Yan descend from the carriage.


    "Emperor, sister—" S~ea??h the Novёl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Sang Ruoshui also got off the carriage.


    This carriage belonged to the Sang Mansion.


    Meaning, she had gotten off her parents’ carriage.


    "Sister, sister—"


    Descending from the carriage, she lifted her skirt and hurried over, hastily offering He Ying a respectful bow, without summoning anyone, she persistently called out for Sang Yan.


    As if she could only see her.


    As if she only cared about her.


    As if the affection between the sisters was deep.


    Sang Yan was pursued with such vigorous calling that she had to respond, "Ruoshui, it’s been a long time."


    As soon as her words fell, she was engulfed in Sang Ruoshui’s bear hug.


    Embracing her, Sang Ruoshui’s tone was mournful as she uttered touching words, "Sister, you’ve suffered through the rough journey. Ruoshui has been fasting and praying to the Buddha every day, asking for his blessing for your safe return, and finally, you are back."


    She spoke beautifully, but a glance at Sang Yan made her green with envy: Wasn’t she supposedly abducted? Why, after being adrift for so long, did she still look so radiant?


    Looking again at the man by her side; was it the Emperor’s love that nourished her?


    Sang Yan was pondering Sang Ruoshui’s earlier words: Fasting and praying to the Buddha?


    She sized her up and noticed that indeed, Sang Ruoshui was clutching a string of small, finely crafted ebony Buddha Beads in her hand, and the usual jade and agate necklaces that hung around her neck were missing, replaced instead with similarly religious beads.


    Could it be that Sang Ruoshui had changed her ways during this time apart?


    Sang Yan was about to speak when a breeze wafted by, and a strong scent of perfume invaded her nostrils.


    Naturally, the fragrance came from Sang Ruoshui.


    Shouldn’t someone immersed in fasting and prayer carry the scent of incense instead?


    This woman’s fa?ade certainly wasn’t well crafted!


    However, having just returned, Sang Yan couldn’t be bothered to expose her; ultimately, she could not cause Sang Yan any real harm, so she let it be to see what Sang Ruoshui would do next.


    With that in mind, Sang Yan responded with a beaming smile, "Thank you. You’re very kind."


    Seeing her reaction, Sang Ruoshui secretly rejoiced: This woman remained as foolish as ever, easily deceived by her few words.


    Before her satisfaction could last, He Ying’s voice sounded by her ear.


    "Ah Yan, go in and rest. You must be worn out from the carriage ride. Have dinner and then sleep here tonight."


    He was making arrangements unconcerned, not sparing Sang Ruoshui even a glance.


    His eyes were solely on Sang Yan.


    "Sleep here?"


    Sang Ruoshui, too shocked to contain herself, blurted out, "Didn’t she previously reside in the side hall of Qingning Palace? Emperor, there has never been a precedent for a concubine to live in the main hall of Qingning Palace."