“However, I am also curious. When did you and Prince Hao get to know each other? There was a time when Mu Tao said that you were possessed and had become very different. Could it have started from that day, you…”
“Hong Li, can I say that I’m not familiar with Prince Hao? Someone of his status is not a person that I can forge connections with; it’s just that some matters aren’t what they appear to be on the surface.”
Puzzlement appeared in Hong Li’s eyes and she looked at Su Xi-er attentively. “You’re not familiar with Prince Hao? How can that be? That day, he clearly punished Old Maidservant Zhao for your sake. Furthermore, didn’t you tell Old Maidservant Zhao that you have a backer?”
“You are sometimes very smart but sometimes very stupid. In the future, don’t say anything at all. You just have to listen to me. Otherwise, seek a way out for yourself.” Su Xi-er didn’t have time to explain, thus, she immediately walked forward speedily.
Hong Li was getting anxious. I can’t seek a way out for myself. I want to follow and mingle with Su Xi-er!
Hence, she ran forward and grabbed Su Xi-er. She softly said, “Don’t worry, I will try hard to become smart and not a smart alec. You have to take me out. All of my hopes are pinned on you.”
Su Xi-er looked at Hong Li’s earnest eyes and nodded. “Mhm, go and do your work.”
Having obtained Su Xi-er’s assurance, Hong Li’s relieved face was plastered in smiles. She immediately ran to the area she worked at.
She gazed at Hong Li’s departing figure. Her current appearance is very much like a carefree little lass with no worries.
It’s just that when one is in the Palace Side Quarters, there are many times when we don’t have the freedom to act out of our own volition.
The other palace maids were currently working. When they worked, it would be time for Su Xi-er to rest.
The weather is currently hot so working at night is cooling. Once the weather becomes cold, however, I will be the one suffering. I must think of a way to change my work before that time.
Since Ruo Yuan had helped her a lot last night, she decided to visit her.
~~~
As Ruo Yuan had a robust body, the tiring heavy labour that was suitable for men was all carried out by her.
Su Xi-er came to the southwest side of the Palace Side Quarters. The area where the chamber pots were placed was very close to the woodhouse Ruo Yuan worked in.
However, she didn’t expect that Ruo Yuan wasn’t around.
Coincidentally, Lian Qiao passed by and immediately rushed over after she saw Su Xi-er.
Su Xi-er looked at her and asked, “Lian Qiao, have you seen Ruo Yuan?”
Lian Qiao looked pensive. “She…I don’t know where she is. In the past, she should be here chopping the firewood.”
At this moment, a contemptuous woman’s voice sounded. It was the thin palace maid who had originally stayed in the same room as Su Xi-er.
“Ruo Yuan was just taken away by the imperial guards.”
The thin palace maid shrugged her shoulders. “I only know that they were imperial guards. Why would I ask, ‘Elder Brother Imperial Guard, which palace are you from’?” Contempt appeared in the palace maid’s eyes as she looked like she was watching a good show.
Su Xi-er saw the axe thrown on the ground. Who would have taken Ruo Yuan away? She’s just someone carrying out manual labour in the Palace Side Quarters. Why would she be taken away? Don’t tell me that it’s because of last night…”
Her thoughts suddenly stopped as her gaze turned cold. Prince Hao?
But I’m in the Palace Side Quarters. How can I go out to look for Pei Qianhao?!
“Su Xi-er, why did you suddenly run here?” Lian Qiao asked smilingly.
“I ran over here to check that the chamber pots that have been scrubbed were properly collected,” Su Xi-er replied indifferently.
Lian Qiao laughed. “They have long been collected by people. You scrub so many chamber pots every day. It’ll be cold when winter arrives. You had better report to Old Maidservant Liu and prepare by bringing some frostbite ointment.”
“Mhm.” Su Xi-er then turned around and walked towards the Palace Side Quarters’ backyard.
When the thin palace maid saw Lian Qiao losing out, she sneered. “She doesn’t pay attention to you. Why do you have to be snubbed when you fawn over her ardently?”
Su Xi-er arrived at the front of her room door very quickly, subconsciously inspecting the white ash on the ground. There are imprints on the ash.
If it was really Pei Qianhao who instructed the imperial guards to take Ruo Yuan away, then he should appear in my room right now.
However, the white ash hasn’t been stepped on. Did he not come, or has he found out about the function of the white ash?
Su Xi-er immediately became cautious. She softly pushed the door open and gingerly surveyed the surroundings.
There’s no one at all. He didn’t come.
Su Xi-er instantly felt that it was very strange. Could it be that Ruo Yuan wasn’t taken away by his subordinates?
Don’t tell me that it was Situ Li? The thought was rejected almost as soon as it flashed across her mind. The Third Imperial Prince would only do this if he is idle with nothing to do.
After pondering for a while, Su Xi-er was certain that the culprit was Pei Qianhao. As to why he had done it, she would have to ask him.
“Su Xi-er,” Hong Li pushed the room door open and called out to her.
“In the future, knock before you come in. What if I’m changing my clothes?”
Hong Li instantly felt awkward. After coughing lightly, she adjusted her expression. “Just now, I pretended that I was passing by Old Maidservant Liu’s house and saw Miss He walking out with a face full of rage.”
The pitch of Su Xi-er’s voice was higher as she replied, “Mhm.” It looks like Old Maidservant Liu didn’t listen to He Ying and directly refused to collaborate with her. Refusing He Ying is tantamount to refusing the Empress Dowager. Old Maidservant Liu has some guts.
“Furthermore, that expression of Miss He was just like she had a mouthful of air stifled in her stomach that couldn’t be vented. Say, what would she have talked to Old Maidservant Liu about?”
Su Xi-er chuckled. “Hong Li, whatever Miss He had told Old Maidservant Zhao, she definitely said the same thing to Old Maidservant Liu.”
“Ah? Miss He is with the Empress Dowager. Why does the Empress Dowager want to kill you so badly?” Hong Li’s voice gradually became softer. She couldn’t understand why she wanted to do that.
“How would there be so many ’whys’ in the imperial palace? In the future, don’t be so flustered and wear your heart on your sleeve. That isn’t good.”
Hong Li nodded her head carefully. “Mhm, I will take note in the future and learn after you in not letting my emotions show.”
“Go and do your work. Don’t stay in my room for too long. Observe the movements in the Palace Side Quarters and, if you see imperial guards, inform me immediately,” Su Xi-er instructed her expeditiously.
“Why would imperial guards come? Nothing big transpired in the Palace Side Quarters.” Hong Li was perplexed.
“You just have to follow what I said. Don’t ask so many questions.”
Hong Li grunted an “oh” before she swiftly exited the room.
Su Xi-er looked at the closed room door. Hong Li is very clever but she still needs more guidance. In some aspects, she isn’t as good as Lü Liu. Right now, her standard in selecting people was based on Lü Liu. As for Ruo Yuan, she made Su Xi-er feel as if Lü Liu was still around.
However, she didn’t even know where Ruo Yuan was taken to. Pei Qianhao still hadn’t come, and she couldn’t leave the Palace Side Quarters.
One day passed very quickly, with no imperial guards coming to the Palace Side Quarters at all. The matter of Ruo Yuan being taken away by the imperial guards was also spread around. Old Maidservant Liu didn’t mention anything, and only instructed another palace maid to chop the firewood.
When night fell, Su Xi-er walked towards the woodhouse at the southwest side as usual.
However, she didn’t expect that he would be waiting there for her.
He was donned in purple clothes that fluttered with the wind, while the contours of his face were extremely handsome and defined.
It’s Pei Qianhao. He’s waiting for me in front of the woodhouse at the southwest side, at the area where the chamber pots are placed.
