A gentle breeze caressed the air, and the inner palace exuded a strict atmosphere.

Shen Jin loved tranquility, and the palace was relatively secluded.

From the moment Yu Tingwan stepped into the palace, her brows subtly furrowed.

In the bright sunshine, amidst the intertwining light and shadows, the magnificent palace’s walls were ornately carved, with towering columns that looked no different from those elsewhere, yet it felt too empty.

There were no potted plants, no greenery, resembling an empty shell.

It didn’t give off any vibes of being inhabited, like a frozen cage that trapped both the body and soul, adding an extra layer of coldness, completely devoid of warmth.

Someone beside her spoke.

"What’s wrong with you?"

Yu Tingwan was baffled: "Did I annoy you?"

She saw that the other’s complexion was rosy, her face radiant, skin so tender that it looked like it could ooze water, with eyes filled with springtime charm.

And this was without any makeup!

Shen Zhiyi felt a pang of envy.

"How do you maintain it? What face cream do you use regularly from which shop?"

This was beyond Yu Tingwan’s knowledge.

"I haven’t paid much attention."

Fortunately, Shen Zhiyi didn’t fuss: "What does the box look like? Tell me. I’ll buy some to try out later."

She was particularly interested in the cosmetics that girls used, as long as she got some general information, she’d know her way around.

Yu Tingwan was clueless.

Shen Zhi said with exasperation: "You use it every day, and you don’t know?"

There’s quite a bit.

A bunch of bottles and jars, all brought to her by Wei Zhao from outside. She never really paid much attention.

She would just casually apply some when she remembered, and if she forgot, she wouldn’t bother with it.

She hadn’t applied anything today.

Yu Tingwan softly whispered: "I don’t use them every day. Many are just sitting there collecting dust. I’m not very interested in these things, and it’s quite wasteful, but I also find it a hassle."

It really is a hassle.

There are creams for the face, for the hands, and for the body.

The facial creams are even categorized into those that are applied first and those that go on last.

In the morning, she was eager to eat and didn’t feel like dawdling over such things.

And at night, she had to deal with men.

"Oh my goodness."

Shen Zhiyi frowned tightly, "I initially thought you intentionally weren’t telling me, afraid that once I use them, I’d look better than you."

Yu Tingwan: ??

Where’s that confidence coming from?

"I was also afraid you might be a bit witless, given all the daily household management that must be exhausting you."

Yu Tingwan listened to her finish.

She showed a gentle smile.

"Didn’t see that coming, did you?"

She raised her hand to touch her cheek, not admitting it was the result of good maintenance: "I’m naturally beautiful."

"Turns out you’re just too casual!"

At this point, Shen Zhiyi leaned in closer.

Only then did she realize Yu Tingwan hadn’t even applied lipstick.

Shen Zhiyi then grabbed Yu Tingwan’s hand, unlike her own fingertips adorned with beautifully bright nail polish, the girl’s nails were clean and naturally a light cherry pink.

She’s lucky to have been born like this; otherwise, it’d be hard for others to pull it off.

Yu Tingwan: ???

She was just feeling discontent.

Shen Zhiyi also found the girl’s hand too soft, unable to resist squeezing it repeatedly, not letting go.

Yu Tingwan: ??

She felt it was odd and suddenly withdrew her hand: "Are you sick?"

Shen Zhiyi didn’t see an issue. She considered herself to be exceptionally close friends with Yu Tingwan.

What’s wrong with sisters being affectionate!

But Yu Tingwan’s reaction made her feel uncomfortable.

"What’s wrong with me touching you? It’s not like I’m doing anything to you. What do you have to lose? Hasn’t Wei Zhao touched you before? Oh, only he can touch you, huh?"

That’s a lot of touching.

Yu Tingwan couldn’t stand hearing that word.

She even almost felt like she didn’t recognize that word anymore.

She said softly: "Xiao Huaian keeps you quite busy; I thought you wouldn’t dare venture out for a while."

Shen Zhiyi immediately looked displeased, stubbornly saying, "Why would I hide from him?"

"Oh."

Yu Tingwan wasn’t sure whether she believed it or not, saying kindly: "Does he have a chance?"

"What do you mean?"

Could it be you’re asking on behalf of Xiao Huaian?

"Nothing much, just to mock him next time."

That seemed about right.

The next moment, Yu Tingwan spoke truthfully: "I just received a coral piece from him that’s as tall as half a person, and it’s quite pricey. He wants me to put in a good word for him."

???

"Aren’t you being swayed by what people give?"

Shen Zhiyi felt very disappointed: "You sided with someone else just for something external like that?"

Yu Tingwan softly: "How could that be? Since you met me today, which ear have you heard me say something good?"

It seemed... not really.

If she hadn’t upset someone, Yu Tingwan most likely wouldn’t have even mentioned Xiao Huaian.

Shen Zhiyi considered herself very clever, yet she couldn’t understand Yu Tingwan’s actions.

So unreliable, you...

"How can you bear it?"

Yu Tingwan wore an innocent expression.

Why wouldn’t she?

The gift was brought to her by Xiao Huaian; she didn’t force him to give it.

Yu Tingwan’s eyes were clear, her tone light: "Whether you two end up together, that’s up to you."

"If you have a plan and you’re unwilling, it doesn’t matter who praises him, it’s useless. If you are willing, as long as the Imperial Concubine supports you, even your parents wouldn’t be able to stop you."

Yu Tingwan: "What does this have to do with me?"

"Then why did you take it?"

"Hesitating even for a moment would have been disrespectful to money."

Yu Tingwan spotted someone approaching from afar, and, putting into practice what Ying Fuyan had taught her, whispered, "It could sell for over a thousand taels; we’ll split it half and half."

Recently, with her half-sister’s marriage plans falling apart, Mr. Shen began finding Shen Zhiyi more displeasing and cut off her monthly allowance.

She was someone who was skilled at spending. No money to spend, yet she would buy extravagantly. Although she looked glamorous, life was actually quite tight.

Without hesitation:

"Sure!"

Yu Tingwan: ...

You’ve got thick skin.

Shen Jin returned quietly, followed only by a palace maid sent to report. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

As soon as she saw her, Shen Zhiyi dashed over to her.

"Auntie."

Shen Jin pushed her away.

Shen Zhiyi jumped back.

Shen Jin continued to push her aside.

Still jumping back.

Forget it.

Shen Jin: "Did you cause trouble again or run out of money?"

Her tone was very soft: "Or should I summon your father to give him a good talking to? He’s indeed out of line."

This showed her affection.

Shen Jin patted Shen Zhiyi’s head, feeling she had been wronged, and sighed.

The marriage proposal from the Hu family in Jiangnan was originally suggested to Shen Zhiyi by her, but Mr. Shen turned around and gave it to the child of a concubine.

However, if the Hu family was willing to switch, whether it was because Mr. Shen offered many benefits or because the Hu family ultimately didn’t want a girl with a broken engagement and a not-so-good reputation like Shen Zhiyi,

then the Hu family wasn’t a reputable one.

She was about to say something when her gaze fell on Yu Tingwan, who was standing quietly on the side.

In that moment their eyes met, the girl curved her lips into a smile.

She bowed.

"Imperial Concubine."

Shen Jin nodded.

Shen Zhiyi hurried to introduce: "Aunt, she’s the one I mentioned to you before, someone I met and instantly felt like lifelong friends with, who’s quiet but fierce."

Yu Tingwan: ?

Shen Zhiyi: "She’s even more wicked than me!"

Yu Tingwan: ??

Shen Zhiyi: "I admire her very much!"

Yu Tingwan: ...

That’s crazy.

Shen Jin found her too noisy: "Ah Yi, I have something to discuss with Miss Yu."

Then go ahead.

She didn’t stop them.

Shen Zhiyi was baffled.

Yu Tingwan smiled: "Didn’t you understand? She wants you to step back."