Madam Yan snorted, turned, and left for the palace. She first paid her respects to the Noble Consort, who was her niece, and then together they paid their respects to the Empress Dowager.
She embellished her story, claiming that Lan Yan, leveraging the Eunuch Director's name, was arbitrarily bullying people outside.
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's eyes showed displeasure. She instructed Eunuch Du beside her, "Go summon Madam Jun to see me. Say it is my decree."
"Yes, Empress Dowager," Eunuch Du smiled smugly and, bending his back, went out. He thought, If I can't deal with Jun Yelan, can't I deal with a country girl!
He went to the Jun residence and deliberately chose a time when Jun Yelan was not present. He called out at the entrance, "I am from the Empress Dowager's side. Summon Madam Jun to the palace."
However, no one responded from within. The veins on his forehead throbbed. He shouted, "Is this how your Jun residence disrespects people from the palace! I will report this to the Empress Dowager."
At this moment, the gate opened, and Lan Yan emerged. She looked coldly at Eunuch Du and smiled, "So it's Eunuch Du. I thought it was some dog barking early in the morning."
She still held a grudge against Eunuch Du for how he had treated Jun Yelan last time.
This was the first time Eunuch Du had seen Lan Yan. Her sharp tongue was just like Jun Yelan's. "Madam Jun, what do you mean by that? I represent the Empress Dowager."
"Are you sure?" Lan Yan smiled. "The Empress Dowager only asked you to deliver a message, not to be a bully here. This is the Eunuch Director's residence. Should Eunuch Du not show some respect!"
Did they really think she was a paper tiger? She was a real tiger.
Upon being spoken to like this, Eunuch Du's eyes blazed with anger, but he could not retaliate. If he did, he would fall right into Lan Yan's trap. He could only say, "Madam Jun, you should prepare quickly and not delay your arrival at the palace. You cannot afford to offend the esteemed ladies in the palace."
"Naturally, if Eunuch Du spoke less, I would not be late," Lan Yan said with a triumphant smile. She watched Eunuch Du's darkening expression, then turned and entered the residence to change clothes and go to the palace.
Eunuch Du remained at the entrance, gritting his teeth and saying, "Just wait until we get to the palace, and you'll have a taste of your own medicine."
Lan Yan changed into an elegant blue dress, wearing only a simple hairpin, a gift from Jun Yelan last time. After finishing, she got into the carriage waiting at the entrance, ignoring Eunuch Du the entire way.
Eunuch Du became even more enraged, having to suppress his anger alone and anticipating Lan Yan's fate once she entered the palace. A woman from the countryside, how could she understand the rules? She was bound to offend many people.
However, Lan Yan had been an Empress in her previous life and understood the rules of the palace better than anyone. After alighting from the carriage, she did not look around but followed Eunuch Du towards the palace halls.
Eunuch Du became increasingly puzzled. Lan Yan had a certain demeanor as if she had been to the palace before, but he dismissed it as his imagination.
Within the palace halls, the Empress Dowager was already seated on the main throne, elegant and luxurious, with slight wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. In her youth, she had been relegated to the cold palace and lived a hard life with her son.
She was sincerely grateful to Jun Yelan for supporting her son, which was why she was willing to see Lan Yan.
Seated beside her were the consorts from various palaces, including the Noble Consort, who had been sent by the Yan family and harbored malicious intent towards Lan Yan.
As Lan Yan walked in, she saw so many beautiful women and offered her respects first, saying, "Your humble subject greets the Empress Dowager and all the consorts."
The Empress Dowager raised her hand, took a sip of tea, and scrutinized Lan Yan from head to toe. This girl did not possess the provincial air of a country girl; instead, her looks were dignified, and her demeanor was graceful. She was a woman of etiquette.
She said, "Grant her a seat."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager." Lan Yan sat down, feeling as though everyone was staring at her, but she remained composed. She wanted to see what these people intended.
Seeing Lan Yan neither servile nor overbearing, the Empress Dowager felt a slight increase in her good impression. "I have long heard of Madam Jun. What do you all think of her now that you see her?"
The Noble Consort responded first, "Empress Dowager, your concubine truly does not understand why she is allowed to sit with us!" Her face was filled with disdain, and she covered her nose with her handkerchief as if Lan Yan carried some unclean scent.
The other consorts also felt discontented inwardly but did not show it on their faces.
The Empress Dowager frowned. These consorts were becoming too presumptuous. She looked at Lan Yan and saw that Lan Yan showed no sign of anger, realizing she was a clever woman.
In truth, Lan Yan had a mental notepad, where she had already noted down everyone, intending to settle scores with them later.
Seeing that the Empress Dowager remained silent, the Noble Consort prepared to target Lan Yan again, but was interrupted by the Empress Dowager.
"My head is aching again. You all may leave," the Empress Dowager said, pressing her head and waving her hand impatiently. These people lacked discernment and were irritating her by staying.
Lan Yan could see that the Empress Dowager was still the one in charge here. She smiled and said, "Empress Dowager, your humble subject knows some methods to alleviate headaches. Does the Empress Dowager wish to try?"
The Empress Dowager was surprised. This headache was an old ailment from her youth, present for many years. If there truly was a method, she would certainly reward it. "In that case, Madam Jun, please come forward."
Thus, under the bewildered and jealous gazes of everyone, Lan Yan came behind the Empress Dowager and gently massaged her temples. She had learned this specifically from her previous world, where she also had a mother.
The Empress Dowager immediately felt some relief and closed her eyes comfortably. She had once had a daughter, who was harmed and killed by people in the palace. If she were still alive, she would be about Lan Yan's age.
Now, being treated by Lan Yan like this, many emotions welled up within her.
The Noble Consort bit her lip, staring at Lan Yan fiercely. Madam Yan had completely lied to her. How could this village girl from the countryside know such things, and even manage to charm the Empress Dowager.
The other consorts were also observing the situation. Seeing the Empress Dowager's expression improve, they realized that Lan Yan had gained the Empress Dowager's favor and immediately began to form their own plans.
Lan Yan took in their expressions, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Empress Dowager, in the future, if you have someone massage you regularly and soak your feet at night, it will alleviate the headaches." After speaking, she stood respectfully to the side.
The Empress Dowager nodded and ordered a jewelry box to be brought. She placed a bracelet on Lan Yan's wrist. "This bracelet is my token of gratitude."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager," Lan Yan smiled, having successfully appeased the Empress Dowager and resolved the crisis in the palace.
Seeing this, the Noble Consort was so furious that she could not sit still.
The Empress Dowager dismissed the Noble Consort and the others, keeping Lan Yan behind to talk for a while. Only when she felt tired did she let Lan Yan leave.
As Lan Yan departed, she passed by Eunuch Du and deliberately showed off the bracelet on her wrist. "Eunuch Du, did you see it clearly! Now that I've shown you, I'm leaving."
Upon seeing the bracelet, Eunuch Du almost couldn't draw another breath. He had served the Empress Dowager for a long time, and that bracelet was one the Empress Dowager cherished dearly, yet it was given to this country girl.
Lan Yan looked at his reaction with satisfaction, her expression smug as she walked towards the palace gates, ignoring the furious man behind her.
She did not return to her residence immediately but stayed at the palace gates, propping her chin with one hand and gazing inside. It wasn't until Jun Yelan, a graceful gentleman, walked out, beckoning her, "Director, I've come to take you home."