Transmigrated as the Stepmother of a Rebellious Heir

Hearing that familiar voice, Shu Wan's heart leapt with joy. She walked into the courtyard and, with a delighted air, greeted Lin Yuan with a bow, "Greetings, Lady."

Lin Yuan had a bellyful of words ready to sarcastically berate Shu Wan, but upon seeing Shu Wan's face and her sincere smile, she found herself suddenly at a loss for words.

Lin Yuan glared at Shu Wan, indeed there was some skill, almost enough to bewitch her; no wonder even the emperor couldn't resist.

"Do you know how beautiful the late Empress was?"

"I do," Shu Wan answered.

"You don't know. She was unparalleled in the whole country and, moreover, she was highly learned. Even the scholars said that had she been a man, she would have been a top scorer."

"Hmm."

Listening to Lin Yuan, Shu Wan found this amusing within her heart. Lin Yuan had always tried to compete with her in every aspect, always striving to determine who was superior. Shu Wan had never heard Lin Yuan speak like this before.

"Hmm, what hmm? So do not think that just because you bear some resemblance to the late Empress, you can take advantage of your face to engage in reckless acts, understand?"

Shu Wan nodded, "Yes."

"Hmph."

Lin Yuan couldn't help but look down at Shu Wan's face again, suspicion stirring in her. She looked so alike; had Lin Yuan not seen Shu Wan's corpse with her own eyes, she would have doubted whether the person before her was truly Shu Wan.

"Mind how you go." Lin Yuan left these stern words of warning and turned to leave.

At that moment, however, Shu Wan looked up, "Lady, I have made some new tea snacks. If the Lady does not disdain them, please come in and have a taste."

Lin Yuan had intended to refuse, but just then a delicious fragrance wafted out from the hall, and she could not resist saying, "Alright then, I'll have a taste."

Lin Yuan followed Shu Wan into the hall, covertly surveying the layout within, thinking to herself that this little contestant had quite the good taste, her palace decorated rather elegantly.

Shu Wan served up a plate of chestnut pastries, utilizing the special techniques she'd learned in the modern era. The resulting chestnut cake was soft, sticky, and sweet, yet not the least bit cloying.

Lin Yuan had no other hobbies; her sole indulgence was relishing delicious food.

Shu Wan's palace treats suited her taste perfectly, and she couldn't help but eat several pieces.

Lin Yuan was typically quite forthright, and after eating Shu Wan's pastries, she felt a strange softening in her heart.

She cleared her throat lightly, "The pastry is quite passable."

Shu Wan chuckled inwardly, "Thank you for the Lady's praise."

"With that face of yours, do not engage in any unsavory deeds, understand?"

"Duly noted, my Lady."

Seeing that Shu Wan seemed fairly honest and that the pastries she made were acceptable, Lin Yuan, who had come in a huff, was now mostly appeased.

She flicked her sleeve, "Enough, I shall take my leave. Mind how you go."

Though she spoke thus, she did not rise to leave.

Shu Wan stepped forward, "Lady, please stay a little longer. I have a soy sauce chicken simmering in the small kitchen, a new dish I've thought up. Would you like to try it?"

Lin Yuan had never heard of this dish before and unconsciously licked her lips.

Though Lin Yuan loved to eat, she wasn't someone who was easily detained by others usually. However, she didn't understand why today, despite telling herself repeatedly that this Shu Wan was not the real Shu Wan, her feet wouldn't move an inch.

"Then, I'll try it," Lin Yuan agreed awkwardly.

A smile touched the corners of Shu Wan's eyes, "Good."

In a past life, Shu Wan and Lin Yuan had the best relationship. Seeing Lin Yuan now, Shu Wan felt nothing but joy and warmth, bringing over all kinds of delicious food.

Lin Yuan ate, occasionally glancing at Shu Wan. Seeing that Shu Wan kept a consistently cheerful gaze on her, Lin Yuan felt a strange sensation, "What are you staring at me for?"

"Nothing, I just find you beautiful."

Lin Yuan felt even more unsettled. She ate another piece of pastry and then stood up, "I tell you, I was the late Empress's best friend. It's impossible for you to get close to me. A fake will always be a fake."

Shu Wan looked down, "I understand."

"Hmph," Lin Yuan huffed and turned to leave.

Watching Lin Yuan's retreating figure, a warmth surged in Shu Wan's eyes. Although she had been in the palace for so long, Lin Yuan was still as vivid as ever. It was indeed wonderful.

Inside Qianqing Palace, there was silence except for the sound of Qi Yuan handling petitions.

"Your Majesty, the Lady has just left Zhongcui Palace."

Qi Yuan's hands didn't stop moving, "How was it?"

"When she arrived, she was quite angry. But when she left, she appeared rather well, even seemingly a bit happy."

Qi Yuan lifted his head, his eyes deep and inscrutable, "What did Noble Lady Shu do?"

"Noble Lady Shu served several plates of pastries to the Lady."

Hearing the word 'pastries,' a flicker of interest crossed Qi Yuan's eyes.

Speaking of which, the reason he had promoted Shu Wan to the rank of noble was related to the pastries she had made the last time.