How thrilling is that?

“Yulian, Yulian.”

Pan Yulian had just returned to Ninglan Courtyard, carefully putting away the items she had obtained from her elder and younger sisters. She was about to open the system to study further when Madam Xu, hearing the wind, hurried over calling her name repeatedly.

“Auntie.”

Pan Yulian had just stood to greet her when Madam Xu grabbed her hand and pulled her into the inner chamber.

“Yulian, does the household need young ladies to go to the imperial selection this time?”

Seeing Madam Xu’s anxious and flustered face, Pan Yulian helped her sit down and then nodded. “Yes, just now in the front hall during the greeting, the madam herself said so.”

Madam Xu’s face turned pale at these words.

She squeezed Pan Yulian’s hand tightly. “Yulian, listen to me, you absolutely cannot go to the selection. No matter what, you must not go.”

Pan Yulian looked at Madam Xu, whose expression was a mix of shock and worry.

Over the years, Madam Xu had always been humble and meek in front of Lady Lin, never contending or scrambling, appearing soft and even meek. But when anyone dared to lay hands on Pan Yulian, Madam Xu fought fiercely.

The wet nurse, who mistreated Pan Yulian arrogantly due to her status, was torn apart by Madam Xu in a frenzy, her face scratched and even a hole smashed into her head.

After that, Madam Xu cried all the way with Pan Yulian to the main hall, kneeling, weeping, and begging for justice... Except for one incident in childhood, Pan Yulian had never seen Madam Xu use such pitiful tricks for favor again.

Madam Xu was literate. Besides doing embroidery, she liked reading to Pan Yulian when idle, praising her quick literacy as far superior to her own childhood. She even saved a dowry for Pan Yulian, eyes shining with hopeful anticipation of seeing her married someday...

After all, hearts are made of flesh and blood.

Though Pan Yulian called her auntie, in her heart, she only recognized her as a mother.

If she were to enter the palace...

To be honest, in such a suffocating and hierarchically ruthless place, even with some so-called golden privileges, Pan Yulian felt no confidence.

If the male lead’s methods were gentler—even if she had to kneel and be a sycophant—Pan Yulian might hesitate briefly but would comply. But alas, the humiliation suffered by the arrogant dragon must be washed away at a cost a thousand times greater.

“Auntie.”

Pan Yulian gently patted Madam Xu’s hand and whispered, “Auntie, I have already agreed to this.”

“Yulian!”

Madam Xu’s voice cracked with urgency.

She wanted to drag Pan Yulian to the main hall immediately. “Come, let’s go now. Just say you’ve been feverish these past days and are confused.”

“Auntie.”

Pan Yulian held Madam Xu firmly. “Auntie, this matter... I am willing.”

“What do you mean ‘willing’?!”

---

Madam Xu glared at Pan Yulian with red eyes.

She was like a cat with its fur standing on end from shock. “You, you!”

“You always get flustered in the mansion arguing with them—that’s one thing, it’s just small matters. ButI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.