Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 497 Extra Story 4: Waiting to Rebuild the Old Mountains and Rivers, Facing the Heavenly Gate (3)
Her words were simple yet sincere.
The eldest daughter of the Zhang Family had been in the palace for over a decade and had seen all kinds of demons and monsters.
Therefore, Wen Lan’s genuine intent moved her.
Though young, she was literate.
Her nature was also resilient.
If well cultivated, she would surely become a handy person in the future.
Thinking of this, the eldest daughter of the Zhang Family spoke.
"In that case, stay. Zhong Xia, go tell Mother to add her name to the registry, and she shall enter the palace with me."
Before Zhong Xia could reply, the eldest daughter of the Zhang Family continued to instruct.
"Use the name Wen Lan, Lamei is too common after all."
"Yes."
For the first time, Wen Lan felt like a drowning person clinging to a life-saving straw.
She burst into tears with a smile in front of the eldest daughter of the Zhang family.
Seeing her tender face, the eldest daughter of the Zhang Family handed her a handkerchief.
And said.
"If you’re going to follow me, remember one thing: crying solves nothing, understand?"
Wen Lan nodded and then wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes with the handkerchief.
She also wiped away the weakness of her past self.
It was not until more than half a month later that the Fourth Miss and the Third Lady learned that Wen Lan was added to the registry.
Initially, they thought the little maid must have been so distraught that she had jumped into a well.
They were quite worried for a few days.
Upon learning that she had reached for this high branch of the eldest daughter, they were furious.
But they were helpless.
"Soon, she will become the Crown Princess Consort; you won’t gain anything by clashing with her."
When she heard the words ’Crown Princess Consort,’ great jealousy erupted in the Fourth Miss’s eyes.
"Why can she be sent to the palace and receive the Empress’s personal upbringing?"
"Why can she leap to become the Crown Princess Consort?"
"Why is it that whenever the legitimate daughter of the Zhang family is mentioned, everyone remembers the eldest daughter in the mansion, but not me, the Fourth Miss?"
"Now, they won’t even let the maid by my side go. Are they trying to be Bodhisattva to the masses, making everyone grateful to them?"
This string of curses made the Third Lady cover her mouth.
Fearfully, she said.
"Do you want to die? Our third branch has no prospect. Look at how the father and son of the main branch are influential in court; the Crown Prince will undoubtedly choose her to secure his position."
"There’s no need to wallow in self-pity. When she enters the Crown Prince Mansion, we’ll rise with the tide. By then, your marriage proposal will surely be with a legitimate son from a Marquis Mansion, and your days will be comfortable, won’t they?"
The Third Lady had ambitions, but she also knew her limits.
The Fourth Miss, pampered since birth, was more arrogant and reckless.
The Fourth Miss clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her skin.
She didn’t feel any pain.
She couldn’t swallow this anger.
But facing the eldest daughter head-on, she was somewhat afraid.
So she could only hide in the shadows, trying to find fault with them.
Unfortunately, ever since Wen Lan entered the courtyard of the eldest daughter, she had been recuperating and learning decorum.
She hadn’t left the premises once.
It wasn’t until the imperial decree fell, when she followed the eldest daughter of the Zhang Family as a second-class maid,
that the Fourth Miss finally saw her.
She appeared as if she had been reborn.
Her posture was straight, and her demeanor was relaxed.
Most importantly, the pitiful appearance had become much more resilient.
From this moment, she was no longer the timid Lamei.
But Wen Lan, the second-class maid entering the Eastern Palace with the eldest daughter of the Zhang Family.
Seeing this, the Fourth Miss couldn’t help but want to rush out.
To drag the maid out and give her a dressing down.
But she was held firmly by the Third Lady beside her.
And was softly reminded.
"Small intolerances spoil great plans."
With the main gate now open, all the elders and young ones of the Zhang Family were present.
Sending off the Crown Princess Consort who would soon elevate their entire clan.
If she recklessly rushed out at this moment and disrupted everything,
it would only be herself who wouldn’t have good days ahead.
Just thinking of Grandfather’s stern face,
made her shiver unwittingly.
Once she turned back, she realized the eldest daughter and her group had already boarded the Crown Princess Consort’s sedan chair coming from the palace, and entered the palace.
No matter the resentment, it was to no avail.
What is the Imperial City like?
It has towering walls and immaculate grounds.
There are orderly palace attendants, and there are resplendent yet exceptionally desolate Eastern Palaces.
After Wen Lan followed the eldest daughter of the Zhang Family into the palace, she became a second-class palace maid with some face next to her.
Attending closely were still the four maids who grew up with the Crown Princess Consort.
She mainly managed things like the Crown Princess Consort’s clothing and belongings.
The days in the palace were not as comfortable as she had imagined.
Because, despite being the Crown Princess Consort, she rarely saw the Crown Prince accompanying her daily.
But they were not as difficult as she feared.
After all, the Crown Princess Consort’s filial piety to the Empress and benevolence to the palace attendants was well spoken of in the palace.
Thus, people like us naturally basked in favorable light.
Everywhere we went, people held us in high regard.
Yet Wen Lan did not become overbearing with this advantage.
Instead, she grew more cautious and careful.
In the third year after entering the palace.
The news spread that the Crown Princess Consort was pregnant.
The entire Eastern Palace rejoiced, even the Crown Prince breathed a sigh of relief.
Thus, she got the opportunity to serve in the main hall with the Crown Princess Consort.
Though it was only for two hours a day on rotation.
But she never made a mistake.
Whether she handed over a green plum when the Crown Princess Consort felt uneasy.
Or the cup of warm water beside her hand when waking in the middle of the night.
Invisibly, they advanced the trust of the Crown Princess Consort in her step by step.
Thus, when Meng Dong accidentally became the Crown Prince’s favored concubine, Wen Lan took her place.
Becoming the fourth hand under the Crown Princess Consort in the Eastern Palace.
From this moment on.
Even though she was only thirteen years old.
The newly entered little eunuchs and palace maids would still respectfully address her as
Aunt Wen.
This was called for over forty years.
The next February, the Crown Princess Consort gave birth to a legitimate daughter.
The Empress conferred the name of the princess, Hui Xian.
Implying a virtue of grace and chastity.
After receiving the decree, the Crown Princess Consort did not have an overly fluctuating demeanor.
Wen Lan simply served by her side.
Occasionally seeing her wearing a faint smile.
She lovingly gazed at Princess Hui Xian in the rocking cradle.
It was at this moment that Wen Lan understood.
What mother wouldn’t love her own child?
Even if she was not the fruit of true love.
On the day of the princess’s first birthday.
The Empress personally came to the Eastern Palace to celebrate.
The Crown Prince and Crown Princess Consort received the blessings, appearing respectful and courteous to each other in public.
Yet while serving the Crown Princess Consort, Wen Lan heard the Empress sigh.
"I know that by having you enter the palace, I violated your longing for freedom, but the Crown Prince is pure-hearted and gentle, and we have little assurance in entrusting Da Wei’s country to him. You, however, are different, for you are endowed with a keen intelligence since childhood."
