After Byeol handed Eun-bi her lost shoes, she hurriedly put them on and shuffled after the Queen Dowager into the temple.

For some reason, she felt like a rabbit being dragged into a tigress's den. The fact that Senior Court Lady Yi was walking behind her did not calm her nerves. Her palms were sweating, and she wiped them against her dress.

Wasn't she supposed to only offer her greeting? Why was she escorted as if they were bringing her in for an interrogation?

She pursed her lips together tightly, aware that she should keep her tongue tied this time. She knew better than to cross these two old ladies. After all, they were the ones in charge of her education. She couldn't have her lessons gone from unbearable to lethally unstoppable.

Keep your thoughts in.

The Queen Dowager brought them into the Meditation Hall and Eun-bi paid her respects to the gods. Afterwards, they made their way to a wide veranda located beside the hall. Supported by tall pillars, the veranda jutted out over a lotus pond.

If Eun-bi could dive right in and swim away, she would.

They settled on the cushions on the wooden floor. While Senior Court Lady Yi was serving them warm honey citron tea, Eun-bi quietly observed Yul's grandmother, trying to spot any subtle change in her aloof expression.

There was a distinct cough from behind Eun-bi, followed by the court lady's warning voice. "Your Highness, do not slouch."

Normally, Eun-bi wouldn't heed her words, but this was an exception; she straightened her back immediately. She fixed all her attention on the Queen Dowager, who took a small sip from the white porcelain cup in her hand.

"Lady Eun-bi."

"Y-yes, Your Majesty?"

Unlike the officials and servants who had already started calling her princess, the Queen Dowager simply addressed her by her name.

This meant she hadn't acknowledged Eun-bi as Yul's consort yet.

Although the King and Yul showed tremendous affection towards Eun-bi, it never occurred to her that the Queen Dowager was going to be this difficult of a person. Eun-bi was going to work doubly hard if she wanted to earn the older woman's blessing for their marriage.

After all, this person was Yul's grandmother.

She was a part of his family.

"How have you been faring in this palace?" the Queen Dowager asked indifferently. "Are you adapting well?"

Eun-bi bit her bottom lip, trying to form a response in her mind. How blunt could she be, or not?

In the end, she settled for honesty, because that was who she was. "I would be telling a lie if I said it isn't challenging."

Fingers tapped on the oak table as cool, appraising eyes studied her. "Would you care to elaborate on this? Are the lessons overwhelming? Or...have you regretted your decision to marry the Crown Prince?"

The last line set Eun-bi off. "Of course I haven't!" she exclaimed, catching the Queen Dowager off guard. "The lessons are...manageable. The court ladies have been very patient and they're trying to accommodate my learning pace, especially Senior Court Lady Yi. She has been extremely helpful in preparing me for the palace."

From her peripheral vision, Eun-bi witnessed how the court lady's usually calm expression morphed into a look of disbelief.

Even if she had mostly exaggerated her words, was it that bad to hear her compliment?!

The Queen Dowager appeared somewhat amused. "Is that so? However, from what I've heard from others, you haven't been diligent in learning."

Eun-bi bit her bottom lip, realising that she has never met a person this tough and sharp-tongued as the Queen Dowager that even Senior Court Lady Yi placed second to her.

If Eun-bi were to speak her mind freely, there was a risk that she might be digging a bigger grave for herself.

Eyes narrowed, the Queen Dowager carried on speaking. "Stories of you, especially during the time of the Selection, have reached my ears. Getting into fights, climbing walls and even fooling around in classes. I must say, this is the first time I've heard a lady behaving in such a raucous way in the palace."

Eun-bi was astonished to know that word had travelled this far. "That's not everything. I've even snuck out—" Glares shot in her direction. "—It's nothing!"

The Queen Dowager didn't seem impressed by her lack of remorse. "What do you think of this palace? A place for you to play?" she berated, her tone growing sharper. "Have you forgotten the role you're soon about to take on, or are you simply belittling the rules that our ancestors have set in place?"

Eun-bi hung her head low as guilt trickled through her words. "I apologise, Your Majesty. I'm trying to adapt to the way of living here."

"Trying is not enough, especially for women in the royal family. People would frown at the slightest mistake that we make. We're the face of the royal family, and we need to uphold our image."

"That sounds brutally boring..." Eun-bi mumbled under her breath, but the sound of someone's throat clearing made her clap a hand over her mouth. "...Or not! I apologise again."

Without a doubt, the Queen Dowager heard it all. She frowned at Eun-bi, her wrinkles deepening across her forehead. "The wedding ceremony is a week later, but I can definitely tell that you aren't ready for it. You need to be disciplined," she decided. "What do you say about working in a garden?"

Eun-bi swore her ears were playing tricks on her. "A-a garden?"

Did she hear wrong? Was the Queen Dowager ordering her to tend to plants now?

"You heard me correctly. A stray cat wandered in this morning and ruined the flower bed. I need you to mend it by noon." The Queen Dowager dismissed her with a wave of her hand nonchalantly. "Come back when you're finished."

***

In the next hour, Eun-bi worked alone.

The cat was definitely a mischievous one; it had wrecked the entire flower bed and dug little holes everywhere. Using whatever gardening tools she had, she raked the old dirt over them and smooth it over the surface.

After tending to the ruined flower bed, she was exhausted. The bottom of her dress, shoes and fingernails grimed with soil. Sweat glistened on her forehead, and she wiped it away on her sleeve awkwardly.

She wasn't certain what the Queen Dowager's true agenda was in today's interrogation. It seemed more than just a simple discipline. Did she truly hate Eun-bi and wish to annoy her by giving her a mundane task that was often assigned to servants?

Or was she simply giving Eun-bi a test of her patience?

Whatever the reason was, Eun-bi worked as quickly as she could. All her court ladies and maids were waiting at the temple's entrance and, therefore, she could only rely on herself to finish her task now. The earlier she finished, the quicker she could return to her quarters for a nap.

Some time later, the Queen Dowager and Senior Court Lady Yi emerged from the temple hall to check on her progress. They were rather gobsmacked by her work.

"You're...finished?"

Eun-bi tossed aside the rake and stood up, wiping the soil off her hands on her dress. With a proud smile, she showed off her work. "I pulled out the dead flowers, replanted with new seeds and watered them. What do you think of it, Your Majesty?"

Before she could get an answer, Senior Court Lady Yi began fretting over her dishevelled appearance instead.

"Your Highness, look at your state! I will instruct the maids right away to get a new attire for you."

Once she left, the Queen Dowager stepped closer. She examined the now tidied flowerbed. "I must admit that I'm surprised... I wasn't expecting you to complete the task."

Eun-bi nearly choked on how unstinting she sounded.

She knew it! She knew the Queen Dowager was hiding a motive.

If she was expecting Eun-bi to be one of those noblewomen who would throw a fit over filth getting on their clothes, she was wrong.

"Soil doesn't bother me much. When I was younger, I slipped off the back of my horse during training several times," Eun-bi explained quickly. The memories of her childhood brought a smile to her face. "I used to play with my dogs and ruined my mother's favourite flowers, so she would always punish me similarly by forcing me to clean up my mess. The servants at my manor would secretly help me and give me a few tips."

"I see." The Queen Dowager looked almost disappointed. "You did...well."

"Did I pass your test?"

A look of surprise flitted across her face. "I see you aren't just a mischievous girl," she remarked. "You're quick-witted, aren't you? The King told me about your outstanding performance during the Selection. The entire palace is raving over how my precious grandson is enamoured with you. Naturally, I've to see for myself who this lady was. You're not quite what I was expecting."

An awkwardness lurked in the air between them. "I'm sorry if I offend you, Your Majesty. I tend to speak my mind out of habit."

Her cold features softened imperceptibly. "I can see that, but you ought to remember this—not everybody you meet in the palace will see you as a friend and treat you with kindness. Always watch your back. You never know when you might walk into someone's devious stratagem."

The Queen Dowager's advice stunned Eun-bi. Was this how it was like when she entered the palace for the first time?

"Your Majesty, are you worried about me?"

"No," she grumbled. "That is just your wishful thinking."

Even if she didn't wish to admit it, her intention for today's meeting was crystal clear–she wanted to give Eun-bi a taste of what it was like to live a life of royalty. Even if the title of the Crown Princess would soon confer on her, not everyone would accept her for who she was.

The Queen Dowager simply wanted to see how Eun-bi would navigate in such situations.

She may be ruthless with her choice of words, but she wasn't as cold-hearted as she appeared.

In some way, she was like Yul.

Just like how it took much effort and dedication to grow plants, Eun-bi needed to forge the relationship between her and the Queen Dowager. "Your Majesty, I may not be the granddaughter-in-law that you were expecting, but I hope to form a close kinship. After all, you're the grandmother of the Crown Prince."

They shared a brief silence, and not once did Eun-bi look away from those cold, calculative eyes.

"Is that so?" The Queen Dowager considered with a nod. "Then I believe this meeting can't be our last. For now, you may return to your room to rest. Thank you for helping to clean the flower bed today."

Shocked, Eun-bi stared after the old woman's back as she retreated into the temple slowly, wondering if she had heard wrong.

Did the Queen Dowager just give her permission to visit again?

A/N: First & foremost, I just want to apologise for going on a hiatus because my schedule has been crazy, but I'm back to writing this story! Thank you guys for your patience. 💖