Su Xi-er was left quietly kneeling on the ground before she slowly stood up.
She was thinking of his words, “This prince’s hobby is to destroy everything I’m interested in.”
After a while, Hong Li entered the room with lingering fear etched across her face. In her hands were a bowl of white congee and two white steamed buns.
When she saw that Su Xi-er was standing motionless and gazing at the grey wall, Hong Li thought that the former had been scared stiff by Prince Hao.
“Su Xi-er, quickly come back to your senses. Eat something and suppress your fear.” Hong Li patted her shoulder before taking her hand and leading her to the wooden table.
Su Xi-er replied with a soft “mhm” before she sat on the wooden stool and began to eat her dinner.
“Prince Hao’s whole body was emitting a cold aura as he walked out of your room just now. Did you provoke him?” When Hong Li recalled Prince Hao’s appearance, she could still feel her heart palpitating wildly. It was too dangerous. What exactly did he tell Su Xi-er in the room?
Su Xi-er answered indifferently, “I didn’t provoke him. Prince Hao simply likes to lose his temper randomly.”
“Ah, he flew into a temper randomly and you resisted? Su Xi-er, you told me to be more intelligent, but why are you yourself so stupid? It’s very normal for a master to fly into a rage. Someday, when Old Maidservant Liu flies into a temper, we still have to endure it.”
Su Xi-er had a half-hearted smile on her face as she drank a mouthful of congee. “Even if they fly into a rage randomly, we still have to endure it.”
Even if you are asked to take off your clothes and lie down for him to see, you still have to do it. However, I’m unable to do it. That kind of thing, how can I do it…?
Hong Li sighed. “Su Xi-er, it’s a good thing that you have changed; however you must watch yourself. Even I can sometimes sense that unyielding arrogance of yours. That being said, with how long you have stayed in the Palace Side Quarters, your sharp attitude should have died out. I really can’t tell where that arrogance of yours comes from.”
Contrarily, Su Xi-er suddenly asked, “The matter about Prince Hao coming to my room, has it already been spread all over?”
Hong Li nodded repeatedly. “That’s right. Prince Hao’s imposing manner scared all the palace maids until they were half-dead. Even Old Maidservant Liu was punished to kneel at the palace gate of the Palace Side Quarters. She’s not allowed to get up until 6.30pm.”
“Prince Hao punished Old Maidservant Liu?” Su Xi-er verified once again.
“Mhm! Old Maidservant Liu didn’t commit any crime, but Prince Hao still made her kneel at the palace gate of the Palace Side Quarters.” Hong Li then saw Su Xi-er place her white bowl down and walk outside.
Hong Li’s face was full of astonishment. Everyone outside is currently discussing the matter of her and Prince Hao. If she goes out now, wouldn’t she be drowned to death by their spittle! She and I are people on the same boat.
In the end, Hong Li bit her teeth and ran out to follow her.
The places Su Xi-er passed by all had palace maids from the Palace Side Quarters present, each with different opinions of the situation. There were some who were enjoying a good show, some who despised her, and some who thought that she deserved it.
“With how Prince Hao was acting just now, Su Xi-er is definitely not far away from death this time!”
“Exactly. No wonder Miss Qing came to lecture her today. Who doesn’t know that Miss Qing is the room concubine servant prepared for Prince Hao by the Pei family? Their relationship is inseparably close”
“With such an appearance, it only serves her right that she dies. The Palace Side Quarters was originally been very tranquil until she started stirring up trouble and causing a state of pandemonium.”
Their voices became increasingly louder, completely inconsiderate of the fact that Su Xi-er was present.
Su Xi-er stopped in her tracks, her gaze turning cold as she looked at those palace maids.
Immediately, silence permeated the courtyard until one could hear a pin being dropped.
Su Xi-er could subdue the chaotic scene with just a glance. Behind her, Hong Li couldn’t help but admire and respect her.
It stayed very silent even after Su Xi-er had walked off into the distance.
At the Palace Side Quarters’ palace gate, Su Xi-er pulled Old Maidservant Liu’s arm. “Old Maidservant Liu, your legs aren’t in a good condition. You can’t kneel too long, or it will become a lingering injury in the future.”
Old Maidservant Liu waved her hand. “This was Prince Hao’s punishment. I must comply with it.”
“What happened? This servant will bear it for you.”
As soon as she heard that, Old Maidservant Liu looked at Su Xi-er with a different expression in her eyes. Finally, she laughed. “Do you know? Sometimes, you are very similar to my deceased master. It’s a pity that my master was just a Lady of Talent even until she died. She was exploited by others, and was even robbed of her son.”
Her master was the reigning emperor’s biological mother.
“Su Xi-er, I have been in the imperial palace for so long. I believe you should have already discerned that I have been sounding you out ever since I arrived at the Palace Side Quarters.” Old Maidservant Liu’s tone contained helplessness.
“It’s normal for you to sound this servant out Old Maidservant Liu.”
“Everyone’s attention is on you because of your extraordinary qualities.” Old Maidservant Liu broke free of Su Xi-er’s hand and slowly informed her, “Miss He came to my room to tell me to punish you and make you suffer, but I didn’t agree. While your personality is similar to my master’s, your looks are also better than hers. I want to see what will become of you.”
Old Maidservant Liu then shifted her gaze to Su Xi-er. She knew that Ruo Yuan and Su Xi-er were close. Thus, she purposely asked Eunuch Zhang to take Ruo Yuan away and feigned that Ruo Yuan had committed a crime. In reality, Ruo Yuan just went to the Imperial Household Department to move heavy items.
In the end, she managed to find out that Ruo Yuan’s importance to Su Xi-er was different from Hong Li’s.
As to why there was a difference, she didn’t know.
Old Maidservant Liu didn’t want to hide anything so she was frank, “Su Xi-er, you secretly took two subordinates in the Palace Side Quarters to be used by you. This matter didn’t escape my eyes.”
Su Xi-er came here by playing a self-injury ruse, but she didn’t expect that Old Maidservant Liu would pour everything out so quickly.
“Old Maidservant Liu, you’re telling this servant like this…” Su Xi-er lowered her head and pretended to be concerned about her. “You are very loyal to your master. Since you want to see a different outcome for me, why don’t you…”
Old Maidservant Liu smiled and replied softly, “Be used by you? On what basis should I believe you?”
“Based on your loyalty to your master.”
Old Maidservant Liu didn’t respond. She was contemplating.
“Old Maidservant Liu, let’s make a bet. I’ll let you get up, and if Prince Hao pursues the matter, you can ignore me from now on. If he doesn’t pursue the matter, you will let yourself be used by me.”
After a long time, Old Maidservant Liu nodded and grabbed Su Xi-er’s hand to stand up. “Alright, I’ll bet just this once.”
“Old Maidservant Liu, I’ll support you back to your room to rest.” Su Xi-er then lent an arm to support her.
Old Maidservant Liu nodded and followed her back to the room.
This scene stunned the palace maids.
Afterwards, Su Xi-er instructed Hong Li to disseminate the news throughout the Palace Side Quarters that Old Maidservant Liu had publicly gone against Prince Hao’s edict.
Hong Li was a clever lass, and in an instant, the news had spread through the Palace Side Quarters. In less than two hours, the news had reached Pei Qianhao.
Wu Ling looked at Prince Hao while maintaining his composure. He didn’t say anything, only waiting to see Prince Hao’s reaction.
After a long time, the corner of Pei Qianhao’s mouth was upturned. “She has some schemes. This prince wants to see what other tricks she still wants to play. Wu Ling.”
“This subordinate is here.”
Pei Qianhao waved his hand. “Convey this prince’s edict, Ruo Yuan, palace maid from the Palace Side Quarters, is to be transferred to the Laundry Service Bureau. You’re only allowed to tell Eunuch Zhang from the Imperial Household Department that this matter was instructed by this prince. In addition, you can let the Third Imperial Prince be aware of this.”
Wu Ling was in a daze. This is a matter the Imperial Household Department is in charge of…
“Quickly go.”
When he saw that Prince Hao’s expression was unfriendly, Wu Ling immediately bowed and withdrew.
On the way, Wu Ling still couldn’t understand. How is this related to Ruo Yuan? Ruo Yuan is that fat palace maid, right? Hasn’t Prince Hao’s hand reached too far?
