The Duke House's Ideal Daughter-in-law
Chapter 128
Xuan Jie’er turned her face, her large, clear almond-shaped eyes widening in astonishment as she looked at Nie Guocheng.
Nie Guocheng, flustered by her stare, raised a hand to scratch the back of his head and stammered, “What I mean is… well… after all, we’re both at the age for marriage proposals. If you don’t have anyone you like yet, why not get engaged to me? This way, we can avoid the risk of our families randomly matchmaking us with others, and we can go out and have fun together. If you regret it later, you can break off the engagement, and I promise I won’t blame you.”
Xuan Jie’er knew very well why her mother had sent her to the capital. Hearing Nie Guocheng’s proposal, she couldn’t help but feel a bit interested.
She carefully examined Nie Guocheng. The sixteen-year-old youth had sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, a high nose, and full lips. His figure was well-proportioned and sturdy. What was rare was that, despite being from the capital, he had a straightforward and bold personality, the kind of person she had been accustomed to interacting with since childhood.
After some thought, she asked him, “What will you do if I really break off the engagement with you in the future?”
Nie Guocheng replied without hesitation, “Then I’ll join the army in the north and stay there for a few years. If I forget about you, I’ll return and marry someone else. If I can’t forget you, I’ll just stay there and never come back.”
Xuan Jie’er’s brows shot up, and she threw a punch at him, saying, “You’re proposing to me on one hand and thinking about marrying someone else if it doesn’t work out on the other? I didn’t expect you to look so honest but have such a wandering heart!”
As Nie Guocheng defended himself, he explained, “Isn’t this about what happens if you break off the engagement in the future? What, do you expect me to never marry because of you? Fine, fine, if you won’t marry me, I’ll never marry anyone in my life. How about that?” Nie Guocheng grabbed her wrist as he spoke.
Xuan Jie’er looked into his bright, spirited eyes, snorted, and turned away, just in time to see Zhao Huanxi walking in through the courtyard gate.
When he looked up and saw Xuan Jie’er under the veranda, he walked over.
As he got closer, Xuan Jie’er greeted him, “Jiujiu.”
Nie Guocheng followed suit, “Jiujiu.”
Zhao Huanxi froze. “Ah?”
Xuan Jie’er shot a sideways glance at Nie Guocheng.
Realising his mistake, Nie Guocheng’s face turned crimson as he quickly corrected himself, “Zhao—Zhao Xiong.”
Zhao Huanxi let out a sigh of relief and handed the paper-wrapped package he was holding to Xuan Jie’er. “I heard from your Jiumu that you like spicy food. I happened to see a vendor selling spicy fried wontons on my way back. Try them and see if you like them.”
Xuan Jie’er accepted the package he handed over and said, “Thank you, Jiujiu.”
Zhao Huanxi then turned to Nie Guocheng and asked, “Did you come to see me?”
Nie Guocheng replied, “No, I came to see Xuan Jie’er. My mother is here as well.”
Zhao Huanxi went to the main hall to pay respects to the elders. Just as he reached the doorway, he saw Xu Nian’an warmly guiding Yan Furen outside.
With Zhao Jiazhen having returned and Lu Lao Furen meeting her future granddaughter-in-law, it was evidently inappropriate for Yan Furen to remain inside, so she excused herself and returned home.
Not long after, Lu Feng arrived as well. The elders of both families gathered in the main hall, chatting lively for a while before finalising the engagement. Yin Furen personally escorted Lu Lao Furen to the door.
With Zhao Jiazhen’s marriage settled, there came a proposal from General Zhenbei Residence for Xuan Jie’er. Yin Furen couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride, thinking, “My family’s daughters will never have trouble finding good matches.” She basked in this joy for quite a while before finally remembering to ask Zhao Jiazhen about the matter with the jewellery shop.
Before Zhao Jiazhen could respond, Xuan Jie’er animatedly recounted everything that had happened in the building to Yin Furen and the others.
Upon hearing this, Yin Furen was furious. “How could such a thing happen! That Wen woman is utterly outrageous! Such ill fortune—her family must invite monks to perform a cleansing ritual (to their shop)!”
Zhao Jiazhen said, “Lu Feng had slready included that matter in the lawsuit he submitted to the authorities.”
At the mention of Lu Feng, Yin Furen brightened up again and said, “Truly someone your Zufu saw potential in, so reliable and capable. Once you marry him, you’ll finally be able to enjoy some peace and happiness.”
Zhao Jiazhen blushed.
A few days later, one evening, Lu Feng suddenly arrived at Jing Guogong Residence to see Yin Furen and Zhao Jiazhen.
Yin Furen was quite surprised, as it was not the ten-day rest day.
“I took leave today to handle the matter with Wen Shi,” Lu Feng explained. “Her husband, Yu Zhikuan, requested Tan Daren of Shuntian Prefecture to mediate, hoping I would withdraw the lawsuit. I set three conditions: First, once Wen Shi recovers, she must personally come and apologise to you in public. Second, the Tan Family must invite a high monk within three days to perform a cleansing ritual at Xiangfeng Tower to dispel the bad luck. Third, the Jinyu Liangyuan shop must be transferred to me at market price. They agreed to all of it.”
Lu Feng drew a deed from his sleeve, walked over, and handed it to Zhao Jiazhen. “From now on, no one across the street will ever be an eyesore to you again.”
Yin Furen exclaimed with delight, “Aiya, this was handled so decisively and neatly!”
Lu Feng smiled politely and said, “Since they were asking us to give them a way out, naturally, they agreed readily.” Then, turning to Zhao Jiazhen, he added, “As for how to handle Jinyu Liangyuan, it’s up to you. I don’t know much about such matters, and no one in my family does either, so I’ll have to trouble you with it.”
Zhao Jiazhen thought that since they were already engaged, and with only Lu Lao Furen managing his household, it would be inconvenient to trouble her. So, she nodded in agreement.
Lu Feng smiled, turned back, and bowed respectfully to Yin Furen. “Yuemu Daren, Xiaoxu must hurry back to the academy, so One will take leave now.”
Yin Furen stood up and said, “Leaving in such a hurry? Can’t you stay and have a few bites of dinner before you go?”
“Many thanks for Yuemu‘s kindness, but if we delay any longer, the city gates will be closed,” Lu Feng replied.
“Then will you still make it in time for dinner at the academy? If not, why don’t you bring something along to eat? Ei, Qianhe, quickly check the kitchen to see if there are any warm milk cakes left, or sugar-coated fried dumplings…”
After hurriedly seeing Lu Feng off, Yin Furen turned around and saw Zhao Jiazhen leisurely standing by the main room’s door. She walked over and scolded, “You child, you didn’t even think to go and see him off. Don’t assume that just because he was eager to marry you, you can take it lightly. Look at how Nian’an treats Huanxi.”
Zhao Jiazhen replied with a laugh, “Dimei is practically raising a son. I don’t want to be like her.” With that, she turned and went back to her room.
“Hey, who says Nian’an is raising a son? Huanxi is clearly a son I raised. Keep talking nonsense, and see if I don’t smack your mouth,” Yin Furen said, laughing as she followed her into the room.
A few days later, General Zhenbei Residence also sent a matchmaker to Yin Furen to propose marriage for Xuan Jie’er.
The rank of General Zhenbei was slightly higher than that of General Huaiyuan. Yin Furen had met Nie Guocheng before and had no objections, so she agreed.
✦
Time passed neither hurriedly nor slowly, just as Yin Furen liked it. On a day in early of the Fourth Month, Xu Nian’an returned from visiting Zhao Huanxi at the Canglan Academy, only to hear Yin Furen mention that a maid had come to see her and was now waiting in the side room.
Xu Nian’an had the person brought in to take a look, and it turned out to be Rongbing, the maid of Liu Fuyi.
After Rongbing saluted Yin Furen and Xu Nian’an, Xu Nian’an asked nervously, “Where is your family’s Xiaojie?”
Tears welled up in Rongbing’s eyes as she replied, “She has been taken to the Palace. She asked Nubi to deliver a letter to you.” As she spoke, she took a folded piece of paper from her bosom and handed it to Xu Nian’an.
Xu Nian’an took the letter and glanced at it. The delicate and elegant small characters in regular script were unmistakably Liu Fuyi’s handwriting.
“To see this letter is to meet me. It was naive of me to forget that under the heaven, all land belongs to the Emperor, and all who dwell on its shores are his subjects. My life was humble to begin with, yet I fear pain and death too much to let go, so I have no choice but to find another place to eke out an existence. You know Rongbing, this little girl has been with me since childhood. She has no family, no relatives, and no one to rely on, so I can only entrust her to you. When the time is right, please trouble yourself to find her a suitable marriage. You won’t need to provide her dowry, I’ve already prepared one for her. Handwritten.”
After reading the letter, Xu Nian’an instructed Rongbing to go and rest. She then said to Yin Furen, “Mom, this is Miaoyin Niangzi’s maid. Now that Miaoyin Niangzi has entered the palace, I have to take her in.”
“Miaoyin Niangzi has entered the palace?” Yin Furen asked in surprise.
Xu Nian’an nodded, “She tried to escape, but she couldn’t. It seems the Emperor is determined to have her.”
Yin Furen sighed, “The Emperor really is…” She started to speak but quickly stopped herself, for even at home, one had to be cautious of eavesdropping walls.
She changed her tone and said, “Since the Emperor values her so highly, it seems she will have a good life in the palace.”
Xu Nian’an knew that, for now, this was the only way to console herself.
She brought Rongbing back to Shenhui Courtyard, where Yisu and Mingli recognized her, as Liu Fuyi had once stayed with them at the Xu Residence for over a year.
Xu Nian’an arranged for Rongbing to live with Yisu and Mingli, assigning her the status of a first-rank maid, with the allowances provided by Xu Nian’an herself.
The next afternoon, Xu Nian’an was in Yin Furen’s room, helping Zhao Jiazhen choose styles for her wedding attire, when Songyun rushed in hurriedly to report, “Taitai, San Nainai, someone from Lao Taitai’s courtyard has come and taken Yisu away, saying she had private dealings with the Fourth Branch’s Rong Wu Yé!”
The three women in the room were all stunned.
Yin Furen stood up and said to Zhao Jiazhen and Xuan Jie’er, “You two stay here. Nian’an.”
Xu Nian’an got up and followed Yin Furen out, her mind still in a daze.
Yisu and Zhao Huanrong secretly exchanging favours? How could that be possible? Apart from their brief interaction in Zhilan Garden on the day Zhao Huanxi first injured Zhu Zhifu, the two had not had any opportunity to meet afterward.
As they reached the entrance of Jiaxiang House, she suddenly came to her senses, stopped in her tracks, and called Songyun over to whisper a few instructions. Songyun nodded repeatedly and then turned to head toward the Fourth Branch’s courtyard.
When the mother and daughter-in-law arrived at Lingde Hall, Zhao Huanrong and Yisu were already kneeling in Lao Taitai’s main room. On the floor lay a bundle of men’s short coats, socks, and handkerchiefs. On Lao Taitai’s table were a few pairs of gold and silver earrings, two bracelets—one gold, one silver—and some handkerchiefs.
Yin Furen and Xu Nian’an bowed respectfully to Lao Taitai, who barely lifted her eyelids as she looked at them and said, “You came just in time, I was about to send someone to summon you. This girl deliberately seduced the Fourth Branch’s Huanrong with ill intentions. The evidence of their improper exchange is conclusive. To uphold the family’s reputation, she must be beaten to death.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Zhao Huanrong immediately said, “It has nothing to do with her. I will take full responsibility for everything.”
“Silence! Your disgraceful and sneaky behaviour will be dealt with according to the family rules!” Lao Taitai reprimanded sternly.
Xu Nian’an glanced at Yisu, who was kneeling on the ground with her head lowered, and quietly clenched her fists, forcing herself to remain silent.
Yin Furen said, “Pomu, could there be some misunderstanding in all of this?”
Lao Taitai remained silent and merely glanced at Nanny Li, who was standing to the side.
Nanny Li cast a sinister glance at Xu Nian’an and said, “Chunyue, you explain.”
A maid named Chunyue stepped forward from the back and spoke fluently, “At noon, under Nanny Li’s orders, Nubi went to Zhilan Garden to pick flowers for the Buddha. When Nubi reached Diecui Rock, One saw Yisu Guniang carrying a flower basket, sneaking around and glancing about suspiciously. Seeing no one around, she took a bundle out of her basket and hurriedly stuffed it into a rock cave hidden by vines before quickly leaving. Nubi was still wondering about it when, not long after, Rong Wu Yé appeared. Just like Yisu Guniang, he first checked his surroundings before reaching into the rock cave to retrieve the bundle. Then, he placed a small box into the cave before carrying the bundle away.”
Nanny Li continued, “The bundle on the ground, containing men’s clothing, is what Yisu placed into the rock cave and was later taken by Rong Wu Yé. After examining the stitching, it was confirmed to be Yisu’s handiwork, and the size matches Rong Wu Yé perfectly. The brocade box that Rong Wu Yé placed in the rock cave contained a pair of gold earrings, which are part of the same set as several other earrings found in Yisu’s room—plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum motifs. These two bracelets, which were placed alongside the earrings, surely can’t all have been rewarded from San Nainai to this maid, right?”
Xu Nian’an listened to their statements calmly, then bowed respectfully to Lao Taitai and said, “Zumu, allow me to explain. Rong Wu Yé and my maid Yisu truly did not engage in any improper exchanges.”
“The evidence is right here before us, and you still want to shield your maid? Think carefully about what you’re saying,” Lao Taitai said, her gaze devoid of any emotion as she looked at Xu Nian’an.
An emotionless gaze often carries more intimidation than one filled with implied emotions. However, Xu Nian’an seemed entirely unfazed by the underlying danger, maintaining her gentle smile as she replied, “It truly wasn’t an improper exchange. Yisu made those clothes for Rong Wu Yé because Si Shenshen entrusted the task to me, and I assigned it to Yisu.”
Nanny Li immediately responded, “Why would Si Taitai entrust the clothes of a shu son from the Fourth Branch to the daughter-in-law of thr First Branch? San Nainai, you‘d better think carefully before speaking instead of making things up on the spot.”
Yin Furen frowned at Nanny Li and said coldly, “San Nainai is addressing Lao Taitai, and Lao Taitai has yet to respond. How dare a servant like you interrupt and criticise a Nainai? Have the rules of Lingde Hall been thrown into a dog’s stomach?”
Though the words were harsh, they were justified. Nanny Li dared not refute and could only sulk in silence.
Xu Nian’an then said to Lao Taitai, “If Zumu has doubts, why not send someone to invite Si Shenshen over? Everything will become clear with a single question.”
“I’m here, I’m here, no need to send for me,” as soon as Xu Nian’an finished speaking, Si Taitai rushed in from outside, bowed to Lao Taitai, and then looked at the bundle on the floor and Zhao Huanrong and Yisu. Slapping her thigh, she exclaimed, “Ah, this is my fault, all my fault! I was so caught up with Shutong’s wedding that I completely forgot about this, causing such a big misunderstanding.”
She then turned her gaze to Lao Taitai and said, “Pomu, this is how it happened. Huanrong has been practicing martial arts with the First Branch’s Huanxi, right? During the time I was ill, Nian’an came to visit me and told me that Huanxi said many of Huanrong’s coats were torn. At the time, I wasn’t feeling well and was upset, so I said the embroidery room in the manor was busy making clothes for everyone, and there was no one available. I suggested we could talk about it later. Nian’an said she had a few maids in her courtyard who were good at sewing, and if I didn’t mind, they could start making them for me. I casually agreed, and I didn’t expect her to take it so seriously.”
“Since it was agreed upon between the two of you, why did they act so secretly? And what about these pieces of jewellery?” Lao Taitai sternly glared at Si Taitai, trying to exert pressure.
However, the current Si Taitai was not the same as before. Facing Lao Taitai’s intense gaze, she remained calm and replied, “Pomu may not know Nian’an is always thorough in her actions. She could have instructed the maid to directly deliver the clothes to my household, but if she did that, with so many people in the manor, it would inevitably lead to gossip. People might say that as a legitimate wife, I am neglecting a shu son that he had to rely on the First Branch for clothes. She arranged the delivery in secret simply to preserve my reputation. Who would have thought that there are still some petty people in the courtyard, who, instead of focusing on their own duties, spend all their time watching others’ every move? As for those little pieces of jewellery, it’s probably because Huanrong is an honest child. Seeing that I had forgotten about this matter, and not wanting to take things from the First Branch for free, he sent some gifts as a token of gratitude.”
“If he wanted to express his gratitude, why not just give silver? Why go through the trouble of sending women’s jewellery? There’s clearly something fishy about this,” Nanny Li was stung by the remark “instead of focusing on their own duties, spend all their time watching others’ every move,” and interjected sharply.
Yin Furen frowned at her.
Si Taitai responded, “The First Branch made clothes for Huanrong, and Huanrong returned the gesture with gifts. That’s simply a matter of mutual courtesy between the households. Silver? Do you really think the people of the First Branch are just seamstresses? You sew the clothes, and I’ll pay you silver? Nanny Li, you’ve been serving beside Lao Taitai for so long, how is it that you’re becoming more and more backward? How can you even say such things?”
Yin Furen added, “Nanny Li really ought to brush up on proper etiquette. Fortunately, we’re all family here. But if you spoke so recklessly in front of outsiders, making such lowly comments, you’d be embarrassing Lao Taitai.”
“Alright then, since it was all a misunderstanding, you may all leave now. Take the items with you,” Lao Taitai said with a stern face.
Yin Furen, Si Taitai, Xu Nian’an, and the others bowed and then left Lingde Hall, taking Zhao Huanrong and Yisu with them.
Once outside, there were no further words exchanged between the two branches. Si Taitai took Zhao Huanrong back to the Fourth Branch, while Yin Furen escorted Xu Nian’an back to Jiaxiang House.
“Mother, I’ll return to Shenhui Courtyard now,” Xu Nian’an said, bowing to Yin Furen at the entrance of Jiaxiang House.
Yin Furen glanced at Yisu, who was following behind her, and nodded, “Go ahead.”
Xu Nian’an returned to Shenhui Courtyard with Yisu, entered the main room, dismissed the maids, and closed the door.
Yisu immediately kneeled before Xu Nian’an, her head touching the ground, crying, “Forgive me, Xiaojie, Nubi have brought shame upon you.”
Xu Nian’an truly hadn’t expected Yisu, who had always been attentive and meticulous, to make such a mistake. She didn’t beat around the bush and directly asked, “When did you start to have feelings for him?”
Now that things had come to this point, Yisu had nothing left to hide. She cried as she lay on the ground and said, “It was… when he alongside Xiaojie and Gu Yé hid in the lotus pond.”
“How many times have you met since then?”
“Aside from that time in the lotus pond, We have only met once more. Last year’s Mid-Autumn Festival, when Xiaojie didn’t go to the street, the maids left in the manor, with Yin Furen’s permission, went to Lan Lake to release lotus lanterns. Nubi also went. Nubi was preoccupied with my thoughts and wandered off a bit, then ran into him. He accidentally tore his clothes on the rockery. Nubi said Nubi would mend them, and after fixing them, left them in the rockery cave, asking him to come take them the next night. Later, when Nubi went to check if he had taken the clothes, Nubi found a pair of gold earrings in the cave. Nubi never meant to take his jewellery. Every time Nubi went to place the clothes, Nubi put it in the package to bring with me, but he always returned it to the cave. Worried that someone else would take it, Nubi took them back, thinking One would return them to him when had the chance.”
Xu Nian’an looked at her trembling back as she cried and asked, “When you were doing all this, what future did you imagine with him?”
Yisu shook her head. “Nubi never thought about having a future with him. Nubi is well aware of the vast difference in our status. It’s just… Xiaojie, it’s all my fault. I was selfish and didn’t consider Xiaojie‘s reputation. Please punish me as you see fit.”
“You didn’t just disregard my reputation, you even neglected your own life,” Xu Nian’an replied coldly. “Go back for now. Today’s matter has been covered up by Si Taitai, but don’t do anything foolish again, or you’ll be leading others to injustice. As for your punishment, we’ll discuss it later.”
Yisu kowtowed to her, carefully wiping away the traces of tears on her face. She slowly got up and left the room.
Xu Nian’an walked into the inner room, changed into more comfortable clothing, and lay down on the bed. For a moment, she felt lost and disoriented, and at other times, she was filled with a deep sense of sorrow.
Yisu had been by her side since she was young, and she was the most attentive and capable maid Xu Nian’an had. Xu Nian’an had always hoped for a good future for her, which was why she had delayed choosing a suitable match for her.
However, Zhao Huanrong, no matter how disregarded he was, was still a young master of the noble family, and Yisu was not of his standing.
As these thoughts stirred discomfort in her, Xu Nian’an couldn’t help but glance at Zhao Huanxi’s pillow on the other side of the bed. She was startled to realize that the longer she had been married to him, the more she felt a sense of fragility when facing difficulties. This shouldn’t be the case. She should have become stronger, not weaker.
In the Fourth Branch‘s courtyard, Si Taitai’s room was also tightly shut. Zhao Huanrong knelt before her.
“What were you thinking? You’ve already earned a reputation as someone who brings misfortune to his wives. Do you want rumours of you fooling around with maids from other branches to spread throughout the residence? How am I supposed to find you a match in the future?” Si Taitai said in frustration, her face red with anger.
Zhao Huanrong knelt there stiffly, silent and unmoving, like a block of wood.
Seeing him like this only made Si Taitai angrier. She snapped impatiently, “From now on, you are not to meet that girl from the First Branch. Avoid suspicion in ambiguous situations. I can protect you this time, but I may not be able to protect you next time! Go back. If you really can’t bear it, just take one of the maids in your courtyard as a concubine.”
Zhao Huanrong finally spoke, “I don’t want that.”
Si Taitai’s eyebrows shot up, and her voice sharpened, “What do you mean, you ‘don’t want that’? What are you trying to do? Let me warn you, Shutong’s wedding is imminent. At this critical moment, I will not allow any bad rumours about the Fourth Branch to spread. Don’t force me to lock you up!”
Zhao Huanrong kowtowed to her and said, “Since Furen knows it’s difficult to arrange a match for me, why not let me take charge of this matter myself?”
Si Taitai widened her eyes. “Don’t tell me you’re thinking of marrying that maid? Zhao Huanrong, are you really such a fool?”
Zhao Huanrong replied, “I intend to head north and join the army. I will never bring shame to the Fourth Branch. I only ask that Furen stop arranging marriages for me.”
This time, Si Taitai was truly shocked. She asked to confirm, “You want to head north and join the army?”
“Yes. I’ve failed at my studies, and all I have is my martial arts. I have no other path. I ask for Furen’s permission to let me go.”
For the first time, Si Taitai looked at this usually silent and reserved shu son with newfound respect. After a moment of stunned silence, she said, “Fine, I understand. You may leave now.”
By nightfall, Zhao Huanrong learned that Guogong Yé had returned and went to Dunyi Hall.
When Guogong Yé saw him, he asked, “Why have you come so early today?” Ever since Zhao Huanxi had gone to Canglan Academy, Guogong Yé only personally mentored Zhao Huanrong.
Zhao Huanrong knelt and said, “Zufu, Sun’er wishes to head north to join the army and start a family.”
Guogong Yé was somewhat surprised by these words and, after a moment of silence, asked, “Have you made up your mind?”
“Indeed. Staying in the capital, Sun’er accomplishes nothing. One might as well go north, join the military, and rely on skills to achieve something. At least Sun’er wouldn’t waste the teachings Zufu has given me,” Zhao Huanrong replied.
This was the first time Guogong Yé had heard him speak so much in one breath. He asked, “You mentioned starting a family earlier. Has your stepmother already found you a match?”
Zhao Huanrong lowered his head and said, “This is the second thing Sun’er wishes to ask of Zufu. Sun’er has taken a liking to Yisu, the maid of Huanxi’s wife. Carrying the reputation of bringing misfortune to my wives, One has never expected to rely on my in-laws in the future. Sun’er only hopes to carve out my own path and have a wife who shares my sentiments, so One can live without regrets. The only concern is that this might harm the reputation of the Guogong Residence. If Zufu is willing to grant this, Sun’er will ask Huanxi’s wife to release Yisu from her indenture, take her north, have her adopted into another family as a foster daughter, and then marry her. In the future, unless necessary, Sun’er will not return to the capital.”
Guogong Yé remained silent for a long while before saying, “You may go.”
Zhao Huanrong looked up at him.
“I will write a letter to General Li, but don’t expect him to give you any special treatment. Starting from the bottom will do you good,” Guogong Yé said.
Tears welled up in Zhao Huanrong’s eyes. He kowtowed to Guogong Yé and said, “Thanking Zufu, for granting my wish.”
Niohuru meme explanation (from the snippet):
The meme comes from a popular TV show called Empresses in the Palace. In the show, the protagonist Zhen Huan returns to the palace under the new surname Niohuru, shedding her former innocence to become a cold, calculating, and unstoppable power player. Ihis name then became synonymous with a character's "darkening" or evolution into a powerful, ruthless version of themselves.
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