Chapter 88: Ability Has Its Limits
Xie An’an’s face stiffened instantly. She looked as though she was struggling to hold back everything she wanted to say at that moment.
"I believe..." Her voice carried the slightest tremor. "Sister-in-law has misunderstood my words."
Wang Gege nodded lightly, "Then this Sister-in-law apologizes if An’an found my words a little harsh." She smiled apologetically, "I didn’t mean anything by them either."
She scrunched her nose playfully before turning her gaze toward the scenery beyond the carriage window, "I hope An’an won’t misunderstand."
Xie An’an’s fingers slowly tightened around the handkerchief resting on her lap.
She knew... Wang Gege had merely repeated her own intentions back to her.
Yet she could not refute a single word. If she continued the conversation, she would only appear petty.
Taking a slow breath, Xie An’an forced a smile onto her face, "Of course... This younger sister naturally understands."
The carriage gradually fell silent once more.
Wang Gege quietly admired the bustling streets outside, seemingly ignoring the tension she had just left behind.
The remainder of the journey passed in silence.
Neither Wang Gege nor Xie An’an spoke another word.
Only the rhythmic sound of the carriage wheels echoed along the stone-paved streets as they made their way toward the imperial palace.
Before long, the carriage gradually slowed.
"We have arrived."
The coachman’s voice came from outside.
Qing’er immediately lifted the carriage curtain before stepping down first.
"Youth Madam." She carefully extended a hand.
Wang Gege accepted it and slowly descended from the carriage.
The moment both feet touched the ground, she instinctively lifted her head.
Her eyes slowly widened.
Towering vermilion palace walls stretched endlessly before her, while rows of imperial guards stood motionless along the entrance, their polished armor gleaming beneath the morning sun.
Beyond the grand palace gates, magnificent halls rose one after another, their golden roofs shimmering brilliantly against the clear blue sky.
Noble ladies dressed in exquisite silk robes arrived one after another in luxurious carriages, each accompanied by their maids as they gracefully made their way toward the palace entrance.
Wang Gege could not help but quietly draw in a breath.
’So this... is the imperial palace.’
Even after reading countless historical novels and watching period dramas... Standing before the real thing was an entirely different feeling.
"Young Madam." Mo Yan stepped forward before respectfully cupping his fist, "The Princess Consort’s attendants will verify your invitation before allowing entry."
Wang Gege nodded, "I understand."
Just then, Xie An’an stepped down from the carriage as well.
She adjusted her sleeves before calmly speaking. "Let’s not keep the Princess Consort waiting."
Without waiting for Wang Gege’s response, she gracefully walked toward the palace gates.
Wang Gege blinked once before smiling helplessly, "She’s still upset."
Qing’er lowered her voice, "Young Madam... This servant believes Miss An’an has been that way ever since the blossom tree incident."
Wang Gege let out a soft sigh before gently shaking her head.
"No..." The corners of her lips curved more, "I think she’s always been like that."
She paused briefly before adding, "The blossom tree was merely an excuse for her to dislike me more openly."
Qing’er blinked in surprise. "Young Madam noticed?"
Wang Gege chuckled softly. "I’m not that dense."
She glanced at Xie An’an’s retreating figure, "She has never really liked me. She’s simply too well-mannered to show it outright."
Qing’er lowered her head, "This servant understands."
The two of them soon caught up with Xie An’an, who was already waiting before the palace gates.
Several palace maids stood in neat rows, each respectfully receiving invitation cards from the arriving noble ladies.
Behind them, imperial guards remained stationed on either side of the entrance, their expressions solemn as they observed every guest entering the palace.
One by one, the ladies presented their invitations before being politely ushered inside.
When it was Xie An’an’s turn, she gracefully handed over the beautifully embroidered invitation.
The palace maid examined it carefully before bowing, "Miss Xie... Please enter."
Xie An’an inclined her head slightly before stepping past the gates.
Only then did Wang Gege walk forward. She accepted the invitation from Qing’er before presenting it with both hands.
The palace maid received it respectfully. Her eyes briefly scanned the invitation before pausing.
"Young Madam of the Xie Residence?" Her gaze slowly traveled from Wang Gege’s head to toe.
"Yes..." Wang Gege answered.
Feeling the palace maid’s lingering gaze, she shifted slightly, "Is there something wrong?"
The palace maid seemed to snap out of her thoughts.
"My apologies, Young Madam." She lowered her head respectfully, "This servant merely wished to confirm your identity."
Wang Gege blinked, "My identity?"
"Yes." The palace maid carefully returned the invitation with both hands.
"Before today’s banquet, Her Highness personally instructed us to pay close attention should the Young Madam of the Xie Residence arrive."
Wang Gege’s brows slowly knitted together, "The Princess Consort?"
"Yes, Young Madam." The palace maid nodded.
"May this servant ask why?" Qing’er asked on behalf.
The palace maid offered an apologetic smile, "This servant does not know. Her Highness merely instructed us that once Young Madam arrived..."
She stepped aside and made a respectful gesture toward the palace grounds, "You were to be escorted directly to the Flower Pavilion."
Wang Gege slowly nodded. "I understand."
Even so, a strange feeling quietly settled in her chest. She could not explain why.
Everything appeared perfectly normal. Yet the palace maid’s unusual reaction and the Princess Consort’s special instruction, it all made her feel slightly uneasy.
She silently called out in her mind, ’Mini.’
’Host?
’Tell me honestly...’
Wang Gege’s eyes swept across the bustling palace grounds filled with noble ladies, smiling palace maids, and rows of blooming flowers.
’Do you sense any misfortune?’ She paused, ’Because... I have a feeling something is about to happen.’
A few moments of silence passed before the familiar voice finally sounded in her mind.
’Host...’ Mini’s voice carried an unusual hint of hesitation.
’Well?’
’Mini cannot determine.’
Wang Gege could almost picture Mini lowering its tiny head as it spoke.
Wang Gege frowned, ’You can’t?’
’Mini’s sensing ability is currently unclear.’
’Unclear?’ Wang Gege’s brows knitted together.
’There are too many overlapping fortunes within the palace. Mini cannot distinguish whether the uneasiness belongs to Host... or to someone else.’
Wang Gege slowly drew in a breath, ’So... you’re saying your ability has its limits?’
’Correct.’
Wang Gege slowly exhaled, allowing the tension in her chest to leave with her breath.
She smiled faintly, "Let’s go, Qing’er."
She took the first step toward the Flower Pavilion, "Today... This Young Madam Xie will rely on herself once again." She chuckled softly, "Just like I always have."
Qing’er, who had been following a step behind, blinked in confusion.
She tilted her head slightly.
’Young Madam’s words, somehow sounded as though she had been relying on no one for a very, very long time.’