Inside Longteng Palace, hierarchy was clearly defined.
Noble Lady Shi and Little Xinzhuo had returned to the Imperial Palace thanks to Xin Lin's help, but their status had not improved in the slightest.
Even after the Zixiao Palace Exam, Little Xinzhuo had yet to meet Emperor Longteng, and Noble Lady Shi was far from serving in his bedchamber.
Although mother and son had returned to the palace, the staff, from the highest eunuchs to the lowest palace maids, had completely changed from before.
Noble Lady Shi didn't even have a servant she could order around, and had to be cautious and careful in every way, so as not to attract trouble, truly living a life worse than that of palace maids and eunuchs.
She did not reveal these circumstances in her letters to Xin Lin, only mentioning that she and Little Xinzhuo were doing well.
Yet, it was exactly this insincere statement of "all is well" that allowed Xin Lin to see the flaw in her words.
