Qin Shuying followed closely behind Madam Xu, maintaining proper decorum by keeping her gaze level and her posture reserved. However, her senses were on high alert—her eyes observing every detail, her ears catching every sound. She silently memorized the route they took and carefully noted her surroundings, never letting her guard down.

  For a royal consort’s birthday, the pace wouldn’t hold an extravagant celebration. However, for Consort Lian, today’s meals would be more sumptuous than usual, and the emperor might bestow some gifts. If the emperor stayed the night, that would be the ultimate favor.

  The towering walls of the Imperial City exuded authority, while the inner pace sprawled in a maze of paths. It would be easy to get lost without caution.

  Along the way, they encountered several pace maids and eunuchs. Some exchanged greetings with Eunuch Xi, while most remained unfamiliar and passed by without interaction.

  Spring had arrived, with flowers blooming and grass sprouting, bringing vitality to the pace grounds. The scenery was breathtaking, but Qin Yunyun had no mood to appreciate it. Instead, she occasionally cast subtle gnces at Qin Shuying.

  She had expected Qin Shuying to appear flustered and overwhelmed. However, to her surprise, Qin Shuying carried herself with composure, refraining from darting her eyes around or asking questions. She exuded an air of calm that unnerved Qin Yunyun.

  Suddenly, Qin Shuying looked in her direction. Startled, Qin Yunyun quickly averted her gaze.

  Qin Shuying raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly before opening her hands for Qin Yunyun to see. Her palms were damp with sweat.

  Qin Yunyun scoffed inwardly. So, she is nervous after all. That calmness was all an act. Feeling reassured, she rexed slightly.

  After walking for nearly half an hour, they finally arrived outside the Shuangyun Pace, where Consort Lian resided.

  In the imperial harem, aside from the empress, there were four consorts of equal rank. Currently, only three were present—Consort De, Consort Shu, and Consort Xian—leaving the position of Consort Ning vacant. The empress resided in the central pace, while the other consorts each occupied a separate pace.

  Below the consorts were three concubines of lower rank, each housed in a different pace as well.

  Two young women dressed in green pace maid uniforms awaited them outside Shuangyun Pace. These were Handan and Fuqiu, Consort Lian’s trusted attendants.

  When they saw Madam Xu, they stepped forward to greet her, bowing respectfully. “Madam, the Empress has instructed that you and the young dies need only bow outside Kunning Pace. Please follow us.”

  The empress rarely received noblewomen in private, but protocol required all visiting noblewomen to bow to her. As such, it was customary for people like Madam Xu to perform the ceremonial bow outside the empress’s pace.

  Madam Xu replied politely, “Thank you, esteemed attendants, for your guidance.”

  After bowing at Kunning Pace, they returned to Shuangyun Pace.

  Qin Shuying could feel two ambiguous gazes lingering on her. Looking up, she met the eyes of Handan and Fuqiu. Internally, she scoffed but returned a perfectly measured smile.

  Inside the hall, a young and beautiful consort sat gracefully on an ornate chair. She slowly rose, revealing a woman of unparalleled elegance and charm. Her hair was styled in an intricate bun, her skin as smooth as jade, her features exquisitely delicate. She carried herself with a natural allure that marked her as a true beauty.

  This was Consort Lian.

  “Your humble subject greets Your Highness!” Madam Xu performed a formal bow.

  Consort Lian quickly stepped forward to support Madam Xu. “Mother, there is no need for such formalities here. There are no outsiders present.”

  Her voice was melodious and sweet, like the song of an oriole, captivating anyone who heard it.

  “Grandmother!”

  A youthful male voice suddenly echoed through the hall. Just as Qin Shuying was about to bow to Consort Lian, she turned toward the source of the voice.

  A boy of about fourteen or fifteen approached. He was tall and well-built, with strikingly handsome features and an air of nobility. His steps were steady and confident as he walked toward them.

  This was the Sixth Prince.

  As expected, Madam Xu immediately greeted him with a respectful, “Your Highness!”

  As expected, Madam Xu said, "Your Highness!"

  Qin Yunyun began to bow, and Qin Shuying followed her lead. Together, they said, "Greetings to Consort Lian and Sixth Prince!"

  The Sixth Prince accepted their greetings with composure.

  Consort Lian looked Qin Shuying over without saying the customary phrases like "You may rise" or "At ease."

  Qin Shuying noticed Qin Yunyun straightening up and followed suit, standing upright as well.

  Handan quickly stepped forward and said, "Seventh Miss, the Consort hasn’t granted you leave to rise. You must not get up. That’s the rule in the pace."

  Qin Shuying's eyes filled with confusion as she gnced at Qin Yunyun, then at Handan, her expression seemingly questioning why Qin Yunyun was allowed to rise but she was not.

  Madam Xu, visibly displeased, said, "Seventh girl, this is the pace, not home. Everything here must adhere to strict rules."

  Qin Shuying widened her eyes further, her innocent and puzzled look suggesting she didn’t understand what Madam Xu meant.

  Madam Xu felt a wave of frustration. Was Qin Shuying genuinely ignorant, or was she feigning innocence?

  Consort Lian’s expression remained unreadable as she studied Qin Shuying for a moment. Seeing that Qin Shuying neither acknowledged her mistake nor attempted to rectify it, she finally waved her delicate hand, her smile radiant. "Third Aunt passed away early, so it’s understandable that Seventh Sister doesn’t know the proper etiquette. Seventh Sister, come here and let me have a good look at you."

  Not knowing proper etiquette? With those words, her own cousin had just publicly branded her as cking in manners.

  Qin Shuying lowered her gaze, her heart coldly mocking the remark, but her face betrayed nothing. She walked forward with the proper decorum, her expression shy, perfectly portraying a young girl’s nervousness and awe during her first visit to the pace.

  Consort Lian’s smile widened as she observed her. The daughters of the Qin family were all beautiful and poised, and Qin Shuying was no exception. In fact, compared to her cousins, Qin Shuying had an inexplicable allure, likely inherited from her mother.

  In terms of beauty, Qin Shuying was not inferior to the stunningly gorgeous Consort Lian.

  "Seventh Sister, you truly are my Third Uncle’s fine daughter! While you’re here, treat it as your own home. Don’t feel constrained. Mother, let’s all sit and chat!"

  Pace attendants quickly brought embroidered stools and pced them beside Consort Lian. The Sixth Prince and Madam Xu sat to her left and right, while Qin Yunyun stood respectfully behind Madam Xu. Qin Shuying mirrored her, standing quietly behind Madam Xu.

  How clever of her!

  Consort Lian turned to the Sixth Prince, Zhou Qin, and said, "Qin’er, this is your Seventh Aunt, my Third Uncle’s daughter. It’s her first time in the pace. You’ve been to the Qin residence often; have you met her before?"

  "I have."

  Zhou Qin narrowed his eyes slightly and gave a faint nod.

  Born into royalty, his noble bearing was unmistakable. Now holding an official position, his demeanor was steady and decisive, exuding the aura of someone in power. His fwless features, tall stature, and inherent superiority made him impossible to ignore.

  Qin Shuying quickly took in Zhou Qin’s appearance, noting the cold arrogance and disdain in his eyes.

  Since Consort Lian was the driving force behind Qin Yaoyao's death, Zhou Qin was far from innocent.

  Thus, she and Zhou Qin were natural enemies.

  After offering him a polite smile, Qin Shuying lowered her head and focused on listening to the conversation between Consort Lian and Madam Xu.

  Zhou Qin paid no mind to Qin Shuying's smile. He had encountered her at the Qin residence once or twice before. She had often appeared frail and cking vitality, and their interactions had been limited to polite formalities without any deeper connection.

  As it was Consort Lian's birthday, Madam Xu naturally spoke at length, mostly advising her to take care of her health and other pleasantries.

  Zhou Qin rarely spoke, spending most of the time silently listening.

  Standing behind Madam Xu, both Qin Yunyun and Qin Shuying listened attentively as well.