Yun Wan hadn't forgotten to find suitable servants for the Cen family, but since she was deep within the palace, she entrusted others with the task.

At the same time, she had palace attendants prepare some food and medicinal herbs that could be sent out of the palace, dispatching messengers to Apricot Blossom Lane to leave supplies for Lin Xiu to get through the winter.

Early one morning, the sound of horse hooves echoed through Apricot Blossom Lane, and the main gate of the Cen family’s small courtyard was knocked upon with a loud bang.

Lin ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‍Xiu, still asleep, hadn’t yet woken up. She had been so happy after seeing Yun Wan the day before that she couldn’t sleep all night, and even the knocking on the door failed to rouse her.

Cen Yuanzhou heard the knocking, casually threw on a thin outer robe, and went out to open the gate.

As soon as the door swung open, a gust of damp air mixed with dust hit him in the face, and he blinked in surprise. “Who are you?”

“My surname is Wei, given name Tong. I am here on orders to deliver people and goods to Master Cen,” Wei Tong said, bowing respectfully. Then he beckoned behind him, and two large bundles, each over half a person’s height, appeared. Alongside them were two slaves purchased from the local slave traders.

One was an old woman, the other a slightly younger girl with a birthmark on her face.

Seeing the burly man before him, with a thick beard and a voice as loud as a bell, Cen Yuanzhou’s expression faltered.

Wait—you're Wei Tong, but who was the person yesterday?

.........

The joy of seeing her loved ones had lasted, and after making sure Lin Xiu and her child were fully settled, Yun Wan finally allowed herself to set aside this lingering concern and focus on the palace affairs at hand.

For someone like Yun Wan, who was essentially a novice with no experience managing internal affairs, handling the various palace matters was far more complicated than running a shop. The main challenge lay in dealing with all sorts of cunning and shrewd people.

Noticing the fatigue etched between her brows, Yue Ya went to the tea room and brewed a pot of soothing tea to help her master recover. “Mistress, please take a break. There’s no need to rush right now.”

The rising steam blurred Yun Wan’s features, and after sipping the warm tea, her body felt much warmer. She glanced out the window and sighed, “The sky outside is so dark already.”

Though it was midday, the sky was gloomy, with no sunlight breaking through. Even the wind was louder than usual, carrying a biting chill.

Yun Wan instinctively wrapped her thick cloak tighter around her shoulders.

Following her gaze, Yue Ya said, “A few days ago, I heard from the palace elders that it might snow soon.”

Snow in the capital always came early. Once it started, it would fall heavily like feathers, not stopping for at least two or three days.

When that time came, the crimson palace walls would be covered in pristine white snow—a scene with its own unique charm.

But Yun Wan’s thoughts weren’t on the scenery. She looked up at the darkened sky, worry flashing in her eyes. Turning her head, she asked, “It’s getting colder by the day. Have the palace servants been issued their winter clothes and quilts yet?”

“Um...” Yue Ya hesitated, shaking her head. “Not yet.”

“A couple of days ago, I went to the Directorate of Clothing. Director Sun said that in previous years, the winter clothes for palace servants weren’t distributed this early. They usually wait another half month.”

Judging roughly by the timing of snowfall in the capital, it would be around this period, but there was usually a difference of about ten days. Compared to past years, it hadn’t been this cold so early.

“Wait another half month?” Yun Wan’s delicate brows knitted tightly.

Her complexion turned slightly cold. “What if it snows heavily in the next few days? How will those without thick winter clothes and quilts survive?”

During the renovation of Qiyun Palace, underfloor heating had been installed. Once it snowed, the heating could be turned on, so Yun Wan wouldn’t neglect those in her own palace.

But what about the other palaces?

Were they expected to endure the cold on their own? That would be nothing short of deliberate cruelty.

Yue Ya sighed, “I’ve brought it up before, but the people at the Directorate of Attire keep passing the buck, saying the procurement is already underway. They’re just following the usual schedule from previous years.”

Passing the responsibility around was a trick as old as the palace itself, a tactic well-known among the seasoned veterans. Yue Ya had no choice but to keep pressing.

Yun Wan said, “In past years, winter came late, so the deliveries came late. But this year, winter has arrived early—shouldn’t they be flexible? What if someone freezes to death, or falls ill from the cold? Who will be held accountable then?”

Yue Ya was helpless. She couldn’t tell if those people just didn’t want to take responsibility for making exceptions, or if they were deliberately trying to cause trouble for their mistress.

After all, it all boiled down to her mistress’s insufficient standing. Some took advantage of their seniority or connections to look down on Qiyun Palace.

Yun Wan had clearly realized this too.

During the days she’d managed palace affairs, she had indeed encountered many unscrupulous characters—not openly disrespectful or disobedient, but courteous on the surface while acting differently behind one’s back.

None of it was major, just petty annoyances, deliberately meant to irritate.

Yun Wan lowered her brows, her voice cold as she ordered, “Send for Director Sun and the procurement eunuch.”

Yue Ya nodded and sent someone to fetch them.

Soon, the messenger returned, wearing a troubled expression. “Your Highness, the procurement eunuch is not in the palace today. As for Director Sun…”

“She said she’s currently rushing to finish a winter garment set for the Noble Consort and can’t spare the time today. She’ll come tomorrow to apologize in person.”

The atmosphere in the hall stiffened.

Yun Wan’s face darkened, her eyes shadowed with a cold light.

Fuling’s expression was fiery with anger. “How dare she! Our lady merely asked her a few questions, and she’s already making excuses!”

“If you ask me, these insolent servants deserve a good thrashing. A few lashes and they’d learn to behave!”

A sharp voice rang from the doorway, followed by the appearance of Concubine Hui.

“Greetings, Concubine Hui,” Yue Ya and the others bowed.

Yun Wan rose, puzzled. “Why are you here?”

Concubine Hui shrugged off her cloak and snorted coldly. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

Yun Wan said, “You know that’s not what I meant.”

“If you hadn’t invited me, I’d have thought you didn’t want me meddling in palace affairs to outshine you and embarrass you before His Majesty,” Concubine Hui said, her face sour.

Yun Wan blinked and quickly changed the subject. “Have you taken care of those matters I assigned to you earlier?”

Concubine Hui lifted her chin, a smug smile playing on her lips. “Do you even know who I am? After all, I’m the legitimate daughter of the Zhou family!”

Yun Wan: ...So am I.

Reading her expression, Concubine Hui sneered, “An orphan is just a weed; you’re nothing but a poor little thing.”

Yun Wan: “That rhymes.”

“...”

Rolling her eyes in exasperation, Concubine Hui said, “Enough nonsense. My advice is to gather all those disobedient servants—regardless of rank—and have them beaten in front of the Six Palaces before the heavy snow falls.”

She sat down and poured herself a cup of tea, drinking it in one gulp.

After a moment of silence, Yun Wan hesitated, “Isn’t that too harsh and crude?”

Concubine Hui sneered, “That’s exactly what’s needed. They have to fear you before they’ll respect you. If you seem weak and easy to talk to, they’ll only get bolder and trample all over you.”

In the palace, kindness rarely brings good returns. Those who are soft-hearted rarely last long.

Yun Wan understood the implication behind her words, but—

“This approach might only be a temporary fix. If rumors start flying, I’ll end up being labeled a spoiled, arrogant consort who recklessly beats the palace maids.”

Concubine Hui stroked her chin thoughtfully and leaned in to ask, “Then what do you think should be done?”

Yun Wan replied, “What if I have something on them?”

Concubine Hui was momentarily stunned. “You do?”

Yun Wan smiled without saying a word.