What was even more strange was that Lin Mengya could not tell what the incense was made of. It was so strong that it overpowered the smell of medicine.
When Lin Mengya entered the bedroom, Concubine De was lying in bed, and the bed curtains were still drawn. Lin Mengya supposed Concubine De was either feeling extremely unwell from the illness or that she did not wish to see her unfilial daughter-in-law.
“Your daughter-in-law is here to pay respects to you. I heard from a few days ago that Mother was feeling well and I had wanted to visit you. I was worried that I may disturb your rest, please forgive me, Mother.”
It was dark in the house of the Art Courtyard. The double-headed, beast-shaped bronze pot containing the incense was emitting an intensifying scent of the incense.
Strangely, Lin Mengya did not feel that the smell was pungent. On the other, it had a calming effect on her. It ought to be a strong calming incense.
Stranger still was the fact that she was unable to identify this calming incense. Her radar did not go off, which indicated that its components were safe.
“Young people like you have a lot to deal with. It’s all right that you didn’t visit. I’ve been feeling well recently and I’d have to trouble you to inform Yu’er that I won’t be able to attend the evening banquet in the palace two days from now.”
Contrary to her usual forceful voice, she sounded weary and lethargic. Lin Mengya was puzzled. Had Concubine De really fallen ill?
“Yes, Mother. Your health is of the utmost importance. Rest assured that I’ll handle all other matters properly, Mother. I heard that you’ve caught a serious cold, but I’m concerned that such strong incense could do harm to your body.”
Lin Mengya got up, bowed to Concubine De, and was about to leave.
At this moment, she glimpsed Concubine De’s face through the slightly lifted bed curtains and thought that something was amiss. When she was about to take a closer look, a pair of hands put down the curtains.
“Thank you for your reminder, Princess. The maidservants will see to it. Concubine De had especially prepared this cornelian bangle for you. It’s a token of her appreciation.”
The familiar voice of Yun Ruo was heard.
Lin Mengya had a feeling that behind Yun Ruo’s pretty face was a hidden secret unknown to people, despite her meek smiles and humble attitude.
Lin Mengya could sense that Yun Ruo was not as simple as she seemed.
“Thank you for your bestowment of the gift. I shall take my leave now.”
After instructing Baiji to keep the box containing the cornelian bangle, Lin Mengya walked slowly out of the Art Courtyard.
Strangely, she was sure she saw— Had her vision been blurred?
“Concubine De seemed odd today. I heard that she had to use rose water to clean her face every day, but she looked like an old lady in her 70s or even 80s today.”
Baiji was standing behind Lin Mengya when they were by Concubine De’s bed and would have seen what Lin Mengya saw.
“You saw it too?”
Lin Mengya turned to ask Baiji just when she thought that there was something wrong with her eyesight and she had been mistaken. Baiji, who thought that she too had been mistaken, nodded immediately. They were surprised to find that they both saw the same thing.
“I suppose she is looking haggard because she has been ill lately.”
Lin Mengya did not think much of it, thinking that given Concubine De’s age, it was normal to have wrinkles on her face.
Little did they expect that as they were walking through the gates of the Art Courtyard, a pair of vicious eyes had started watching them closely!
All the servants within the Art Courtyard had been dismissed, leaving only Yun Ruo and the old maid, Jingyue. For some unknown reason, terror was written all over old maid Jingyue’s face. She had hung her head and appeared extremely terrified of Yun Ruo and Concubine De, who was behind the curtain.
“Useless! You can’t even protect Her Highness’s face. What else can you do?”
Yun Ruo did not sound like her usual gentle self but spoke with a cold tone of voice.
Instantly, Jingyue fell to her knees and whimpered, but did not dare to speak.
“Enough, she is not really responsible for what happened. Oh yes, how long did you say this face can last?”
The “Concubine De” who was lying in bed, seemingly at her last gasp, had sat up in bed at this moment, looking like she was full of energy. Her face, which looked like it had been underwater and was all wrinkled up, looked like a dead person’s face.
“Concubine De” began to use her hand to feel over her face. Soon, she peeled off a thin layer of what seemed like skin from her face.
With a smile and a look of approval in her eyes, Yun Ruo gazed at “Concubine De”, whose features had changed entirely.
“You’ve proved yourself to be the oldest maid who has been serving Concubine De for the longest time. Old maid Jingyue, your handiwork is seamless. Rest assured that the ‘skin mask’ will arrive soon. You’ll become Concubine De in no time once again.”
There were two people having the same face; one was kneeling on the floor trembling with fear, while the other was clad in magnificent clothes, looking so elegant. However, one would be able to tell the minute differences between them if he were to scrutinize them.
Nevertheless, the expression on the Jingyue, who was kneeling down, was somewhat unnatural, while the face of the Jingyue in Concubine De’s clothes, though pale, was free from any form of disguise.
“Concubine De” squatted down and gave the “Jingyue” who was on her knees a complacent look, then reached out her flawless hand to lift “Jingyue’s” chin.
“Jingyue, you have been like my sister over the years. Surprisingly, we’re now in two different worlds. I know you’ve been looking for opportunities to tell Yu’er that I’m not his mother. What a loyal servant. Unfortunately, the life of that slut is now in my hands. If you dare to leak any information, that slut will die.”
Jingyue, rather, it should be Jinyue, who was putting on a skin mask that made her look like Jingyue, had tears welling up in her eyes and looked devastated.
“Jingyue, we’ve always been by the mistress’s side since young. Although we were servants to the mistress, we were closer than sisters. Mistress had been so kind to you. Why did you betray her?”
There was struggle in Jinyue’s voice as she tried to persuade Jingyue.
“Sisters? Haha, if we were truly like sisters, why did she snatch away my rightful status? Concubine De? This is such a joke! Are you even aware that the emperor and I were in love with each other? It was me whom the emperor loved, not her!”
While Jingyue’s seemed to have gone mad, Jinyue’s face was covered with tears, not knowing how the three of them, including Concubine De, who depended on each other for survival, could end up in this state.
“Right now, I’m merely retrieving what rightfully belonged to me. Yu’er should be mine too. I should be the honorable Concubine De. You can be the maidservant. Rest assured that I’ll treat you well.”
From the look in Jingyue’s eyes, she had obviously lost her mind.
Yun Ruo seemed to be aware of the details for a long time. She did not look the least surprised by what had happened.
“I’ve raised Yu’er since he was young. I know him better than anyone else would have known him. He has always respected you. However, if he finds out that you’re trying to do harm to his mother, he won’t let you off!”
However, Jinyue’s earnest persuasion had provoked Jingyue so much so that she almost wanted to slap Jinyue across the face. Nevertheless, she ended up stroking her face after seeing Jinyue’s face, which was a reflection of her own face.
“My face should never be destroyed. Jinyue, be a good maidservant. Otherwise, I’ll make sure you know what formidable things I can do!”
Jingyue squeezed Jinyue’s arm hard as the smile on her face turned manic.
No one would have expected that the 20-odd-year-old secret in the palace would evolve into such a great storm!
When Lin Mengya returned to her courtyard, she could not help feeling that something had gone very wrong.
Concubine De had turned into a different person since she came back from the palace. Moreover, she had sensed traces of chronic toxin in Concubine De’s body before, which had completely disappeared since she had returned from the palace.
No matter how aged a person was, such circumstances had never happened to a normal person.
Lin Mengya had been suspicious that someone had disguised herself as Concubine De. However, this Concubine De’s mannerisms were exactly the same as before.
What on earth did she miss? What else did she not know?
“Master, the gifts prepared by the palace for all the elders and relatives are ready. Would you like to have a look at them personally?”
Baishao handed the list of gifts to Lin Mengya. After scanning the list, Lin Mengya realized that the rewards were considerable. Nevertheless, these were their rightful portion. In comparison, the queen and the crown prince would not apportion more to Long Tianyu. Lin Mengya thought they had been really petty, not being aware that the more stingy they were, the more criticism the crown prince would receive as a result.
“Go ahead and take stock. I don’t think I need to take a look at them myself. All of you are to follow me to the banquet at the palace two days from now. In the new year, I may enter the palace. At that time, all of you, except Baisu, will go to Sanjue Hall first to stay away from trouble for the time being.”
Baizhi was just carrying a cup of milk tea to serve to Lin Mengya when she heard what Lin Mengya said. Apart from Baisu, the other three maidservants turned to look at Lin Mengya in surprise.
“Enter the palace? Master, if you are going into the palace, please take all three of us along with you.” “Many of the people in the palace are eyeing you menacingly. Without us around you, who would take care of you?”
Baiji all the more could not stop shaking her head. She did not want to leave Lin Mengya.
The departure of Qinghu and Xiaoyu had made things even clearer for Lin Mengya.
Everyone had his or her own path in life, and for Lin Mengya, she had chosen a path with thorns and thistles. Even if she was able to come out of the palace in one piece eventually and be separated from Long Tianyu, she would still be the thorn in the queen’s flesh.
As long as the Lins were still holding on to their position and power, there were bound to be people who would find ways and means to deal with her and the Lin family.
These three maidservants were far too delicate and weak. While they were kept safe in their mansion, Lin Mengya knew that they were capable of defending and protecting themselves if faced with a series of evil ploys and attacks.
At this thought, Lin Mengya’s only choice was to harden her heart.
“Look at all of you! We are not going to be parted forever. Once I enter the palace, there would be no one in the prince’s mansion to protect you. What if you were bullied? It would be better for you to go manage Sanjue Hall. That way, I won’t have to be worried and burdened. Moreover, wouldn’t this be a way out for you? Rest assured, I’m like a cat with nine lives. It won’t be easy for those people to plot against me. Besides, I have Baisu by my side protecting me. I’ll be fine.”
Despite Lin Mengya trying to comfort and reassure her three maidservants, their eyes were still filled with tears. They were finally resigned to Lin Mengya’s decision only after she continued reassuring them and promised them that she would come back from the palace safe and sound.
