Chapter 6: Frustration

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When Lu Yuerong entered, she overheard her third younger brother praising Xie Liwen. Lu San admired men skilled in martial arts; although Xie Liwen was average in academics, his martial prowess was notable. Lu San begged Xie Liwen to spar with him a few rounds, hoping he might teach him some moves.

“Big sister is here!” Lu San’s sharp eyes caught sight of Lu Yuerong’s skirt.

“Third brother, greetings to Mr. Xie,” Lu Yuerong quickened her steps and stopped by the door, offering a graceful bow.

Having been ill for many days, her figure had become noticeably slender, and an inexplicable delicate charm now graced her features.

Somewhat resembling Lu Shuyao, Xie Liwen thought to himself.

“Madam,” Xie Liwen smiled warmly and gently lifted Lu Yuerong’s hand. “How have you been lately?”

“Thanks to your kindness, I’m much better now.”

She smiled, and the resemblance to Lu Shuyao faded.

Though she had come to visit the madam, her thoughts inexplicably drifted to the second madam.

Looking at Lu Yuerong’s face, Xie Liwen felt a strange sense of loss.

Today, with Lu Shuyao entering the palace, all ties between them were severed.

After chatting for a while, someone arrived at the estate with news.

This messenger had been specially arranged by their father; whenever there was news about the selection, someone would come to inform the Lu family.

Soon, the news spread throughout the entire household, even reaching the reception hall.

Bing Lian privately conveyed the message to Lu Yuerong.

Lu Shuyao had been selected.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yuerong glanced at Xie Liwen, her thoughts racing, then said plainly, “Wonderful, our second sister has been chosen.”

Xie Liwen suddenly paused.

He had been speaking with Lu San but fell silent for a moment.

Lu Yuerong’s grip tightened as she watched Xie Liwen intently, not wanting to miss any subtle expression on his face.

Lu San quickly tried to lighten the mood, “Second sister chosen? Such joyous news!”

But Lu Yuerong suddenly said, “Third brother, you should leave now. I have something to discuss with Mr. Xie alone.”

Lu San looked around, sensing the strange atmosphere in the room.

Not daring to delay, he quickly left.

Only the newly betrothed man and woman remained in the hall; Xie Liwen sat in the seat of honor as Lu Yuerong stood.

She pressed her lips, then asked quietly, “Sir, do you still think of the second madam?”

Xie Liwen gave a bitter smile. “Madam, how could I dare to long for someone favored by His Majesty? It’s just that when things change but the place remains the same, one can’t help but feel some melancholy.”

He stood and took a step forward, holding Lu Yuerong’s hand. “Rest assured, from now on, you are the only one in my heart.”

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After comforting Lu Yuerong for a while, Xie Liwen waited until Lu San came back in, then took his leave from the Lu estate.

Once in the carriage, a servant asked, “Young master, shall we return to the residence or go to Wangchen Pavilion?”

“To Wangchen Pavilion,” Xie Liwen adjusted his sleeves. “Did you bring the gift prepared for my true mother?”

“Rest assured, sir! Everyone knows the madam is the apple of your eye; no one would dare neglect her!” The servant hurriedly presented a wooden box containing the items.

“Enough talk! No need to take it out now, let’s go quickly!”

Meanwhile, inside the Lu estate, Lu Yuerong was speaking with the matriarch.

The matriarch said, “I heard that five beauties entered the palace in total, but only one was personally chosen by His Majesty.”

Lu Yuerong was momentarily stunned.

In her previous life, the same five beauties entered the palace, but all were selected by the Empress Dowager; His Majesty barely spoke during the selection.

“Who was chosen by the emperor?” Lu Yuerong asked, a puzzled look on her face.

“Lu Shuyao.”

Uttering these three words, the matriarch cautiously observed her daughter’s expression and whispered with some resentment, “My son, you are even more outstanding than her. If this opportunity had been yours, you would have been the one favored by His Majesty.”

Lu Yuerong smiled honestly. “Mother, I’m not envious. Having Mr. Xie visit me today already makes me very content.”

Upon hearing the news about Lu Shuyao, Xie Liwen’s reaction had somewhat disappointed her.

Yet, rationally, she understood his stance.

If he truly remained unmoved by the news about Lu Shuyao, wouldn’t that match the devoted persona he portrayed in her previous life?

Now that Lu Shuyao had entered the palace, Lu Yuerong guessed he wouldn’t dare to harbor any desires.

She would completely erase Lu Shuyao’s traces from Xie’s life.

From now on, the only woman who would share honor and wealth with Xie Liwen would be Lu Yuerong herself.

……

On the first night in the Palace of Selection, Lu Shuyao slept soundly.

Though the room was small, it was well appointed.

The bed was soft, draped with pale blue embroidered curtains. Beside it stood a carved dressing table, holding only a bronze mirror and a makeup box.

A folding screen separated the sleeping area from a simple set of table and chairs and a shelf displaying antiques.

Early in the morning, Pei Lan had already prepared hot water for her.

Lu Shuyao put on cloth shoes, stepped around the screen, and washed up.

Pei Lan wished to dress her up nicely, but Lu Shuyao declined, “A simple look will do.”

She did not want to attract too much attention.

Pei Lan was easy to please, following her wishes without hesitation. Soon, she had styled Lu Shuyao’s hair into a single bun, adorned with a jade hairpin.

Before being favored by the emperor, all the maids in the selection palace had to study etiquette under the tutor madams.

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At the main hall of the Palace of Selection, the young women sized one another up.

Only five were present.

The most notable among them was Shen Rushuang, the Empress Dowager’s niece.

Rumor had it she was the strongest contender for the position of Empress.

And indeed, it seemed true.

Though Shen Rushuang had arrived last, the tutor madam scolded all the others but spared her.

After practicing etiquette for half an hour, the tutor madam granted them a short break.

“Are you the young woman personally chosen by His Highness yesterday?” a voice interrupted.

A flowing, gradient embroidered skirt stopped before Lu Shuyao’s eyes.

She looked up at the newcomer.

Shen Rushuang’s gaze was unfriendly, as if Lu Shuyao were some repulsive creature.

“The illegitimate daughter of a lowly woman—how dare she?” Shen Rushuang sneered.

Lu Shuyao lowered her thin eyelids.

She had heard such words many times in her previous life, but that did not mean she would tolerate them again.

“Whether I’m worthy or not, Miss Shen, I doubt it’s for you to decide,” Lu Shuyao replied coolly.

Last life, Shen Rushuang was not Empress; this life, she would not be either.

Few consorts were ever sent to the cold palace.

Aside from Lu Yuerong, the most infamous was Shen Rushuang herself!

“You—!” Shen Rushuang, of noble status and usually surrounded by sycophants, could not bear this insult and stormed off in a rage.

Zhang Xinwei, seated beside Lu Shuyao, looked on with evident glee, eyes sparkling with appraisal. “I never expected you to have such a temper. I thought you'd be crying and running to complain!”

Lu Shuyao sighed silently.

She did not wish for this outcome.

But Shen Rushuang’s hostility was clear; no reaction would ever diminish her malice.

So Lu Shuyao chose the most direct approach.

For her, having a second chance at life meant she could see her aunt and secure her well-being—that was already a gain.

She no longer wished to endure what was undeserved.

One should never live a life of humiliation.