Palace Fighting: Naive Concubines' Ascent to Power-Chapter 481 Before Entering the Palace

These past days, the more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt in his heart. Although His Majesty is wise and valiant, that pertains to governing the realm. Day-to-day living is another matter, and he isn’t like the average son-in-law who is attuned to every chill or warmth.

Furthermore, there are so many consorts in the Harem. His Majesty did say he would treat Niece Xiao Hua well, but with so many to bestow favor upon, it’s inevitable there will be moments of neglect. What then of his Niece Xiao Hua?

At first, he thought that Xiao Hua had been granted favor by His Majesty, that their ancestors were graced with rising smoke, surely there could be no better son-in-law in the world.

But as he calmed down later, the more he thought about it, the worse he felt, the more worried he became, how could he have been so mindlessly...

If Brother Changhe were still alive, he’d probably wish for Xiao Hua to marry an ordinary man, wouldn’t he?

Back then, Brother Changhe would often say to him, if Xiao Hua’s future husband ever mistreated her, they could divorce him and return her to her parents’ home to remarry.

But now, inside these deep palace walls, even if Niece Xiao Hua is suffering or aggrieved, he has nowhere to turn for justice!

With this thought, he grew despondent, realizing he indeed couldn’t do much, even if he staked his life on it.

He let out a long sigh, "Over these years, I have wronged her..."

He became disheartened, and the two taels of flesh he had just gained seemed to deflate.

Lin Yuejuan turned back and looked at him, her heart softening as her tone became gentler, "Old man, don’t overthink it. I’ll understand everything when I see them tomorrow. Isn’t she a Consort now, clad in silks and satins, living a life far better than ours?"

"Besides, didn’t you see her that day?" Lin Yuejuan pointed towards the sky and continued in a hushed voice, "Who in this world could match such a son-in-law who deigned to come to us, managing everything so meticulously and carefully? He’s so considerate towards us, let alone your niece. What more could you want?"

Were you really willing to give up your life for your niece?

She kept these words to herself, not voicing them. If she did, it would certainly provoke an argument with the old man.

Lian Bingcheng first agreed that what she was saying made sense, but his eyes widened in irritation at her last comments, "What niece? She’s my daughter, our daughter. I’ve told you so many times."

He had silently vowed back then that if Brother Changhe were no longer with them, he would cherish Xiao Hua as his own daughter. Yet life is unpredictable, and there were too many inevitable hardships back then, alas...

"Alright, alright, she’s our daughter, happy now?" Lin Yuejuan, not wanting to stress over it, simply agreed.

The old man was stubborn; after sending her into the palace, despite objections, he had altered the family records, adding her name, making Lian Hua their daughter in name.

Lian Bingcheng’s expression softened, still concerned, he added, "Once inside the palace, be careful not to speak out of turn to anyone. We are Xiao Hua’s parents after all; we mustn’t cause trouble for her."

Who knows what kind of ghosts and demons lurk within these palace walls? One can never be too cautious.

He even doubted his own brother.

"I understand. I was merely trying to comfort you just now. You old man, you really are..." She couldn’t even bring herself to engage with his antics. Even the Son of Heaven was aware of the situation, and it had been brought into the light, yet he remained so cautious.

People who didn’t know any better might think their family wanted to climb the social ladder, seeing someone else’s fortune and then wanting to become their parents.

Heaven only knows the risks they took back then, not to mention the assassination attempts they faced when providing shelter, but even the act of forging their family records to enter the palace, if discovered, could land them all in prison.

If there had been any slip-up back then, they wouldn’t have met a peaceful end, let alone wait safely until now.

She had always been aware of her husband’s worries these past years. After Brother Changhe’s family met with disaster, her husband felt both guilty and remorseful. Ever since their niece entered the palace, the guilt only compounded, leaving him unable to eat or sleep well, wasting away to nothing but bones.

To Brother Changhe’s family, her husband had shown the utmost kindness and their whole family had done their best, with a clear conscience. But he was still troubled and could not find peace, torturing himself with self-reproach, which pained her to see.

If you were to ask her whether she looked forward to seeing Lian Hua, she would say she was, but her feelings were ultimately complex. She was indeed happy, but mixed with other emotions. freeweɓnøvel.com

Owing to Brother Changhe’s family’s affairs, when her husband had traveled south to investigate, he had almost lost his life. It was dishonest to say she harbored no resentment.

But indeed, Brother Changhe’s family met with a tragic fate, six lives reduced to a single orphaned girl, only ten years old. She had traveled a long distance, scared out of her wits—alas, how pitiable she was. Later, seeing her husband’s daily distress, she finally softened and agreed to alter the family records.

In the end, it was a good thing, knowing that the person was safe was a relief. She had never desired riches or status, just wishing for her husband’s peace of mind—then it was indeed a good thing.

Yet she couldn’t help but feel that the whole situation was unreal. Her husband, though a Scholar, truly was just an ordinary citizen. How could they suddenly be involved with The Royal Family?

From the time her family was seized until now, she couldn’t fathom what was happening. And now, they said Lian Hua had become a consort in the palace, favored by His Majesty, and she was even deigning to visit them. This was too strange for words.

But the fact remained that the people surrounding and guarding them were real, and coupled with her husband constantly murmuring in her ear, she came to believe it. She just didn’t feel it was real, confusing and inextricable. Rather than overthinking it like her husband, she chose not to brood on it.

Lian Bingcheng was pondering on his own. His wife did make some valid points, but without seeing the person, he would never be at ease—he had to see her to be reassured.

However, after being consoled, he indeed felt much better.

But once he calmed down, he suddenly remembered hearing that the palace had many rules. Every word and action, the way to perform courtesies, all had strict etiquettes. His wife had never been far from home, let alone in the palace—how could she know any rules? If they made a fool of themselves, it would be embarrassing—not just for his wife but it would also reflect poorly on niece Xiao Hua.

That won’t do!

This thought unsettled him, and he became anxious once more, pacing back and forth until he reached the usual wall where he called people over just like any other day.

The Shadow Guard, thinking it was a usual request, was taken aback upon hearing that they were to teach palace etiquette.

This was difficult...

It was troublesome because they were all men, how could they teach a woman to perform courtesies?

Without another option, he sought counsel from his brothers. At last, they found a brother accustomed to dressing as a woman and well-versed in etiquette. With this, their problem was solved, yet it caused them all to break a sweat.

Normally, those entering the palace would be taught the rules by experienced nannies assigned by the palace. However, Qiankun Residence was an exception; it was not possible to bring ordinary people there. When entering the palace, they were sent directly by Hu Miaomiao and also escorted out by her, skipping that step. It hadn’t occurred to Lian Bingcheng to be so meticulous, but this incident had covered the oversight perfectly.