Pei Yaran sneered. “This Empress Dowager has already long known about this matter. You are rather brave, not even considering that the person that good sister of yours had offended was Commandery Prince Xie. Others do not know, but this Empress Dowager is clearly aware that despite looking like a gentleman, Commandery Prince Xie is a person who seeks revenge for even the smallest of grievances.”
Su Xi-er pretended to reveal a stupefied expression as she stumbled over her next words. “The person she offended is…Commandery Prince Xie. This servant…didn’t know.”
“Should this Empress Dowager say that you are intelligent? Or that you are silly? However, no matter what it is, this matter has already passed. What is your intention in involving He Xiangyu when we were talking about your relationship with Prince Hao.”
Su Xi-er continued to spin a lie, “Perhaps He Xiangyu had let it slip while she was in the Beauty Palace, allowing Prince Hao to find out about my existence. Later on, Imperial Bodyguard Wu met this servant by coincidence and probably made slight comparisons of our appearances in front of Prince Hao, which led him to come to the Palace Side Quarters. Prince Hao has already shown that he would take in a beauty whenever he sees one. After he saw this servant…”
Pei Yaran immediately caught the loophole in her words. “You told the Compassionate Peace Palace’s imperial guards just now that Prince Hao doesn’t have the intention to take you into the Beauty Palace at all.”
Su Xi-er was composed. She had originally wanted to borrow their mouths to pass on what she said to Pei Yaran. She didn’t expect that Pei Yaran would have eavesdropped on the whole thing.
“This servant hasn’t finished speaking. After Prince Hao saw this servant, he smelt the stench of chamber pots and was immediately displeased. This servant was carrying a well bucket back then and accidentally splashed it all over Prince Hao. Ever since then, Prince Hao started to target this servant in all aspects. Yet somehow, others have twisted this into him being interested in me.”
Pei Yaran watched Su Xi-er closely. She knew Pei Qianhao’s temper clearly. Although he isn’t someone like Commandery Prince Xie who seeks revenge for the smallest grievances. Whoever provokes him and happens to be someone he has decided to punish, he wouldn’t let them off no matter who they were. If the offense is severe enough, he’ll directly sentence them to death. Even light punishments end up with a great deal of torture for the victim.
For Su Xi-er, is he planning to target her for a while before he kills her?
If that’s really the case… Pei Yaran released a sigh of relief, She isn’t of any threat to me.
When Su Xi-er saw Pei Yaran’s relaxed expression, she knew that the latter had bought it. Hence, Su Xi-er continued, “This servant has been in the Palace Side Quarters since I was young. I was bullied by people and didn’t dare to utter a word. With Prince Hao treating this servant like this, this servant has been trembling in fear every day. Empress Dowager…”
Su Xi-er revealed a pitiful expression.
Catching sight of such a face reinforced Pei Yaran’s belief of what she had just been told. Perhaps, it helped that Su Xi-er’s words were exactly what Pei Yaran had wanted to hear.
Torture first, then kill off!
“This Empress Dowager will find out if you are speaking the truth by simply asking as soon as Prince Hao returns from Nanzhao.”
Pei Yaran had mentioned that to sound Su Xi-er out. Whether I actually ask or not will depend on the circumstances. Besides, Prince Hao has never been led by the nose. Perhaps he won’t even be willing to answer.
The expression in Su Xi-er’s eyes became brighter. “Empress Dowager, every word this servant has said is the truth.”
A harsh glint flickered across Pei Yaran’s eyes and she looked at Su Xi-er attentively, “Maybe this Empress Dowager won’t need to ask him face to face. Go back to the Laundry Service Bureau and immediately pack your things. This Empress Dowager will dispatch people to send you to the Beauty Palace.”
At that time, I will just have to observe Prince Hao’s reaction to find out if he has an interest in her.
Su Xi-er was certain that Pei Yaran would definitely not dare to ask Pei Qianhao face to face. By purposely transferring me into the Beauty Palace and waiting for Prince Hao to return, she is trying to discern a little of his attitude by how he handles this matter.
“You don’t have to scrub the chamber pots or wash the clothes in the Beauty Palace. This Empress Dowager will even dispatch palace maids to wait upon you. Isn’t that very good?“ Pei Yaran raised the corners of her mouth slightly.
Pei Yaran shot her a cold glance. “How can this Empress Dowager be afraid of Prince Hao! Do not hesitate in going there. Return to the Laundry Service Bureau to pack your things immediately.” She then flung her sleeves and swiftly left.
Su Xi-er narrowed her eyes slightly. She’s the Empress Dowager after all. With Prince Hao gone, Pei Yaran has the highest status in the imperial palace. However, the Beauty Palace won’t keep me for long; I’ll just have to sneak out to the teahouse to inquire about some news.
However, I can’t leave Beimin’s imperial palace. I must maintain a distance with Pei Qianhao before approaching Beimin’s little emperor. Only by coming into contact with Beimin’s imperial palace and imperial household can I come into contact with Nanzhao’s imperial palace.
~~~
When Su Xi-er returned to the Laundry Service Bureau, Old Maidservant Liu happened to be talking to Old Maidservant Li.
After Old Maidservant Li spotted her, she immediately pointed. “Look, the palace maid under you has returned safely.”
“This servant pays her respects to Old Maidservant Liu and Old Maidservant Li.”
Old Maidservant Li immediately waved her hand. “Rise quickly. I can’t accept such an elaborate greeting from you. Old Maidservant Liu, you entered the Laundry Service Bureau because you wanted to check on how she’s doing. You can see that she’s perfectly fine now.”
Old Maidservant Liu’s face was wreathed in smiles. “Old Maidservant Li, you have a sharp tongue but are actually kind on the inside. You treat the palace maids under you very well. I feel assured knowing that she’s with you. However, the Palace Side Quarters lacks manpower and the Imperial Household Department is unable to send sufficient people over. I heard the palace maids say that Su Xi-er has nothing to do in the Laundry Service Bureau. It would be better if she returns to the Palace Side Quarters and helps out.”
Old Maidservant Li felt that she was extremely fortunate as soon as she heard those words. Go back to the Palace Side Quarters quickly! She immediately agreed. “What are you saying? Since the Palace Side Quarters lacks manpower, Su Xi-er, quickly go back.”
Yet, before anyone could respond, two palace maids from the Compassionate Peace palace walked into the Laundry Service Bureau.
“This servant is obeying the Empress Dowager’s instructions. Miss Su, quickly pack your luggage and prepare to enter the Beauty Palace.”
She was no longer addressed as ‘Su Xi-er,’ but ‘Miss Su’. It’s the Beauty Palace again. These few words shocked Old Maidservant Li.
Old Maidservant Liu on the other hand, was bewildered. “Prince Hao is the one in charge of the Beauty Palace. Why is the Empress Dowager interfering? If Prince Hao finds out, he will definitely be displeased after he comes back from Nanzhao.”
The two palace maids bowed at Old Maidservant Liu. “Old Maidservant, this servant is only listening to instructions. The horse carriage is waiting right outside the side gate of the imperial palace.”
Old Maidservant Liu still wanted to say something, but Su Xi-er immediately cast a meaningful glance at her in secret. “The Empress Dowager has already given the order, so this servant can only go. However, don’t call this servant ‘Miss Su’. I am unable to bear it.”
Su Xi-er then entered her room for a short period before returning with her belongings packed in a cloth bundle. She had brought some clothing, the bottle of medicinal powder, and the red Chinese bodice with the pearl inside of it.
She originally hadn’t wanted to bring the red Chinese bodice and pearl. However, if someone enters the room and came upon the two items, she wouldn’t be able to explain it clearly and absolve herself.
Upon leaving the room, Su Xi-er realised that only Old Maidservant Liu had remained. Only after the latter spoke did Su Xi-er find out that she had sent the two palace maids back to the Compassionate Peace Palace.
“Let Hong Li and Ruo Yuan accompany you there. The Empress Dowager only wants you to go, so the need for two palace maids to serve you can be considered an excuse. As for the Empress Dowager’s side, I naturally have a way to deal with it.”
Su Xi-er nodded, then asked, “How are Ruo Yuan’s injuries?”
“This lass has coarse skin, thick flesh, and a robust body. Even if she runs a fever, she will recover after drinking medicine for a few days. If Ruo Yuan hadn’t informed me that the Empress Dowager had taken you away, I still wouldn’t have known about this matter.”
Hm? Even Old Maidservant Liu didn’t know, so how did Ruo Yuan know? Did she secretly slip into the Laundry Service Bureau to visit me that night?
“Come with me. I will send you to the side gate of the imperial palace after we have gone to the Palace Side Quarters first. The Empress Dowager is mad with Prince Hao and acting out of spite. Your stay in the Beauty Palace is only temporary. Since you have never had the chance to leave the palace since you were young, why don’t you take advantage of this opportunity to go out to play and have some breaths of fresh air?”
Su Xi-er understood what Old Maidservant Liu was implying. She wants me to secretly sneak out of the Beauty Palace and stroll around the streets. However, I am not going to simply stroll, but inquire about news instead.
Many merchants travel in and out of teahouses and restaurants. They have the quickest access to information if I want to obtain news about Nanzhao’s recent developments.
