Chapter 347: Women in the Palace Don’t Live Long

"Grandmother, Xiang’er and I are going to play in the courtyard."

Madam Zhan stood up.

"There’s no need for you to follow, Madam Zhan. Let the children play by themselves."

Madam Zhan wanted to follow, but the Empress spoke up to stop her.

"Qian Ning, don’t wander off too far," Madam Zhan called out as a reminder.

"I know."

Madam Zhan still looked worriedly toward the doorway.

"You truly dote on this child, Madam Zhan," the Empress said with a smile, though she was quite puzzled.

’Why is she so devoted to someone else’s child?’

She glanced at Noble Princess Consort Zhan to see her reaction. Seeing none, she couldn’t help but scoff inwardly. ’Madam Zhan has never been this devoted, not even to her own children.’

’Isn’t she jealous?’

"We just get along well," Madam Zhan said lightly.

The Empress said nothing more.

Princess Chu Yue of East Shu entered the hall, crossing paths with Ye Qianning and her companion. They exchanged only a brief, passing glance.

Ye Qianning turned to stare at her retreating figure. ’Her aura is dark, and her Inner Strength is even greater than Luo Wen’s. How can a proper princess give off such an aura?’

"So pretty," Nanxiang said, her gaze following Ye Qianning’s. She couldn’t help but comment.

"She is quite beautiful." After all, she was known as one of the greatest beauties in East Shu.

"I was talking about the red jadeite she’s wearing around her neck."

"..."

Ye Qianning clearly felt Chu Yue’s retreating figure tremble slightly. Her mood instantly brightened. She turned to Nanxiang and couldn’t resist pinching her little cheek. "You’re so adorable."

"Huh?" Nanxiang didn’t understand why she was so happy.

"Come on, let’s go for a walk," Ye Qianning said. ’Nanxiang is the very definition of a sweet girl.’

’She’s the epitome of all things soft and lovely.’

"Okay! Follow me. Not far from Kunning Palace, there’s a rockery. There are little turtles in the water there. Last time, I even wrote on a turtle’s shell. I wonder if it’s still there," Nanxiang said, her steps light and cheerful.

In the blink of an eye, the two left Kunning Palace. The rockery Nanxiang mentioned was right on the path to West Splendor Garden.

The Imperial Palace was huge. The two times Ye Qianning had been here before were both at night. Seeing it in the daylight, she was struck by the luxurious palaces, vast flower gardens, and countless pavilions and towers.

In the distance stood two tall pavilions, shaped like towers, rising tier upon tier.

’Those must be the Library Pavilion and the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower that Ximi mentioned.’ According to Ximi, the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower was filled with countless treasures, all shiny silver things, and very beautiful.

The Library Pavilion, on the other hand, was just full of "tattered old books" and nothing good.

’Tattered old books?’

’The Library Pavilion of the Beili Imperial Palace must house some of the world’s rarest books. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be so heavily guarded.’

"Pangtuan, what are you thinking about?" Nanxiang had been chattering on and on, only to turn around and realize Ye Qianning didn’t seem to have heard a word.

Ye Qianning pulled her gaze back. "I was wondering who came up with the name ’Veiled Feather Wings’ for the rockery you mentioned."

"Hehe, I thought you weren’t listening," Nanxiang said with a laugh. "It was Lady Chong. She was so nice."

"She must have been very talented, then."

She was getting a little curious about what kind of rockery would inspire a name like Veiled Feather Wings.

"Mhm, Lady Chong knew all about poetry and songs. She even taught me how to write before. She was the one who gave me the little turtle to raise." As Nanxiang spoke, her eyes grew a little dim. "But Lady Chong is gone now."

"Life is unpredictable. You have my sympathies."

"Mhm... The good always die young."

Ye Qianning sighed softly.

’Good people can live long lives, just not in the Imperial Palace.’

’Even if you don’t fight or scheme, disaster can strike from out of nowhere. A random accusation is all it takes to be done for. Sometimes, it’s the long-term fear, worry, and suppression that manifests as illness.’

’That’s why so many of the imperial consorts are in poor health and don’t live long.’