Before Madam Liu could figure out how to get rid of Meng Wenyao, a young maid ran in with urgency.
"Madam, an elderly lady from the palace has arrived."
"What?" Madam Liu's face twisted in disbelief. The palace? What is going on now? She hurried out with Nanny Shi to greet the visitor.
The palace matron stood arrogantly in the courtyard, nose practically pointed at the sky. When Madam Liu approached, the woman offered her a perfunctory nod—more mockery than courtesy.
Madam Liu nearly fainted from rage. She forced a smile and asked, "Might I ask your honored name, and what brings you to our residence?"
"No need for questions," the matron cut her off coldly. "Just take me to the eldest young miss."
Awkward silence stretched. Madam Liu tried several times to probe for more information but was stonewalled at every turn. Eventually, she had no choice but to lead the woman to Meng Wenyao.
The moment the matron laid eyes on Meng Wenyao, her entire demeanor shifted. Her frosty expression melted into a warm, respectful smile.
"This humble servant is Li momo," she said graciously. "I greet Miss Meng. By command of the Empress Dowager, I've been sent to instruct you in court etiquette."
Madam Liu, standing off to the side, almost staggered from shock. I'm the matriarch of this household! How dare she ignore me like I'm some housemaid!
Just as she opened her mouth to object, Meng Wenyao spoke first.
"You're too kind, Momo Li. Someone bring tea for Momo. From now on, I'll be counting on your guidance."
Then she turned to Madam Liu with a calm but commanding smile. "Mother, please see to Momo Li's accommodations—food, lodging, everything. Make sure she's well taken care of."
Momo Li accepted the tea with a wide grin. "Thank you, Young Miss. This old servant will do her utmost to teach you properly."
Madam Liu was practically shaking from anger. She dares order me around like a servant? And this Momo Li only thanked Meng Wenyao like she, the madam of the house, wasn't even present!
Forcing her breathing to steady, Madam Liu pasted on a false smile. "Momo Li, your honored feet grace our humble home. If there's anything we fail to provide, please don't hesitate to let Wenyao know, and I'll handle it personally."
But Momo Li didn't even glance at her, let alone respond. The silence was deafening. Madam Liu gripped her handkerchief until her fingers ached.
Just as she was about to speak again, Meng Wenyao gently cut in. "Then I'll have to trouble you, Mother."
She lowered her head to sip her tea.
Madam Liu stood there dumbstruck. She'd been here for ages, and no one had even offered her a cup. Fuming, she stormed off.
Fine. I'll make sure you end up as a concubine. Let's see how long you act like the high-and-mighty young lady then.
—
After chatting with Momo Li for a while, Meng Wenyao personally oversaw the setup of her guest quarters. Only then did she feel at ease.
The Empress Dowager sent a court instructor... this is clearly a sign I'm being considered for the palace. I don't know how long the training will last, but before that—
She turned to her own trusted servant. "Momo Hua, do you know who Madam Liu used to drug me?"
Momo Hua frowned. "I've been out these past few days for family matters. During that time, your closest attendants were Ruxin and Ruyi. Maybe ask them?"
Meng Wenyao sneered. "And what if it was one of them?"
Momo Hua slapped her thigh. "Heavens, I've been too preoccupied! Of course—it had to be someone close to you. Who else could get the opportunity?"
In her previous life, Ruxin followed her loyally even when she was sent to the Wei household as a concubine. But Ruyi? She'd married the son of Nanny Shi, Madam Liu's lackey.
Clearly, she's been scheming behind my back for a long time. Think you can climb to comfort on my broken bones? Dream on.
"What do you plan to do if you find the culprit?" Momo Hua asked cautiously.
"If I just sell her off, it'd be too easy."
Last time, Ruyi was the key to her downfall. Without Ruyi's betrayal, she would've never been sent away so easily. Selling her into exile would be a gift—this time, she wanted blood.
—
Meanwhile, in the main courtyard, Meng Wenxian had already heard about the palace matron's arrival. She rushed to Madam Liu and flung herself into her mother's arms with practiced affection.
"Mother! Why is the palace matron only here for Sister? Am I not your biological daughter too?"
Madam Liu stroked her daughter's head, heart filled with bitterness. "If it were up to me, I'd send the matron your way. But she's under direct orders from the Empress Dowager—she's here specifically to instruct your elder sister."
"What?!" Meng Wenxian jumped up so abruptly she nearly knocked her mother over.
"Is the Empress Dowager planning to send her into the palace?" she demanded.
Madam Liu straightened her hairpin and sighed. "When the Empress Dowager gifts a woman to the Emperor, it's usually without fanfare—straight to the imperial bed. But now, she's sending a proper instructor? This sounds more like an official betrothal."
"Betrothal?!" Meng Wenxian's voice cracked. "So she's not becoming a concubine after all? But the Noble Consort's nephew already has his eyes on her! He's been pressing you to send her to him!"
That was exactly Madam Liu's dilemma. The Noble Consort, Lady Wei, basically ran the harem and even held massive influence in court. Crossing her meant career suicide—at best.
That's why she had deliberately arranged for Wei Quan, the Noble Consort's nephew, to catch a glimpse of Meng Wenyao. Then she planned to push Meng Wenyao into the Wei household as a concubine.
Once General Meng returned from the front lines, she could cry about how she had to obey the Noble Consort for the family's sake. Problem solved. No one could blame her.
But now, with the Empress Dowager personally stepping in… If she still sent Meng Wenyao to the Wei family, she'd offend the Empress Dowager. If she didn't, she'd offend the Noble Consort.
Stuck between a dragon and a tiger.
"I don't care about the Empress Dowager!" Meng Wenxian clung to her mother's arm, eyes shining with envy. "I want to learn from that matron too!"
"…Fine. I'll take you over tomorrow," Madam Liu muttered, her temples pounding.
—
The next day, Meng Wenyao began her etiquette training. Fortunately, noble daughters were raised in these traditions, and Meng Wenyao picked things up easily.
"Your posture and bearing are excellent, Miss Meng. Now, let's move on to brewing tea."
The compliment filled Meng Wenyao with satisfaction. Gaining Momo Li's approval was equivalent to gaining the Empress Dowager's favor—and that was her best weapon in a palace filled with snakes like the Noble Consort.
Just then, Ruxin entered the room with a tea set and leaned in. "Miss, Madam Liu and Second Miss have come."
A sweet, girlish voice echoed behind her.
"Greetings, Sister. Greetings, Momo."
The moment she heard that voice, Meng Wenyao felt like a venomous snake had slithered up her spine.
In her past life, this younger sister married the Prince of An as his legitimate wife. With the Meng family's military support, he seized the position of Crown Prince—only to later view them as a threat.
This sister had even colluded with Madam Liu to send a false report that Meng Wenyao had died miserably, luring their father and brother back to the capital without imperial permission—straight into a trap.
Meng Wenyao turned, her smile poised and flawless. "Greetings, Mother. Second Sister, is something the matter?"
Her tone was cordial, but her gaze flashed with ice.