As Old Maidservant Zhao had already begun to suspect her, Su Xi-er was her only hope.
“Wake up. Quickly eat these two steamed buns. There were no leftovers yesterday, so I didn’t send you dinner.” Hong Li spoke loudly. When she saw that Su Xi-er was still asleep, she tried to shake her to wake her up.
Before her hand had touched Su Xi-er’s arm, Su Xi-er opened her eyes. Her eyes were bursting forth with frost-like coldness, shocking Hong Li to the point that she almost dropped the two steamed buns.
Finally, Hong Li spoke in a quivering voice, “You…were you too tired last night? I called so loudly, but you still didn’t wake up.”
Su Xi-er stood up. “I was already awake before you came in.”
Then, she scanned her surroundings. Situ Li has already left.
She had worn herself out during this period. When she had rested her head on the wooden table last night, she had fallen asleep very quickly, and have even felt safe while doing so.
Hong Li passed the steamed buns to her. “You should eat these two steamed buns. They’re hot.”
Su Xi-er took the steamed buns and smiled at Hong Li.
When Su Xi-er lowered her head, however, she noticed that, in addition to a layer of green powder on her wrist, the bruising had already gone down by a lot.
This isn’t my medicinal herb extract. Was it Situ Li who applied it for me?
Hong Li was stunned upon seeing her smiling face. So Su Xi-er actually looks so nice when she smiles. Everyone in the Palace Side Quarters hates her; but after getting to know her, she doesn’t seem as bad as the rumours would suggest.
Those people who said that she looks like a source of calamity are obviously not people who know their place.
Heaven has bestowed an extremely beautiful mien to Su Xi-er, a double-edged sword to be sure.
“What are you thinking about?” Su Xi-er glanced at Hong Li and asked unhurriedly.
“You look very beautiful; especially when you smile. Your eyes seem to be able to speak and attract everyone’s gaze to you.” Hong Li spoke from the heart, her eyes filled with sincerity.
“Your current appearance attracts people very much,” Su Xi-er responded indifferently.
When one’s eyes are sincere, they will attract people. At the very least, there is nothing else mixed in her eyes.
“Why would I attract people…” Hong Li was feeling a little embarrassed since it was the first time she had been praised by someone.
“Is there any news about Old Maidservant Zhao’s movements?” Su Xi-er changed from a gentle smiling expression to a cold expression, adjusting her tone accordingly to a solemn one.
Hong Li also became earnest. “Something seemed to have happened last night. Old Maidservant Zhao was in a hurry, but I don’t know where she went. All the palace maids in the Palace Side Quarters were required to stay in their rooms.”
Su Xi-er nodded slightly. It must be because Liu Ye-er ran out and scared Old Maidservant Zhao terribly.
What on earth is the relationship between these two? Why does Liu Ye-er cause Old Maidservant Zhao to be so nervous?
I’m not sure what she came for, but Miss Qing had come around this morning and looked around all the palace maids’ rooms in the Palace Side Quarters. Was she looking for you?” Hong Li surmised cautiously. Among the palace maids in the Palace Side Quarters, the only person Miss Qing knows is Su Xi-er.
“She probably was.” Although this was what Su Xi-er replied, she was already certain in her heart that Miss Qing had come to look for her.
This palace maid called Miss Qing wears her heart on her sleeve. She speaks in an unruly manner, but isn’t scheming.
Su Xi-er continued to eat her steamed buns unhurriedly. After she was done eating, she remained seated on the wooden stool and appeared to be at ease.
She was waiting; waiting for Old Maidservant Zhao to look for her personally.
Approximately an hour later, Old Maidservant Zhao’s tall and thin figure finally appeared, a ghastly expression on her face.
Old Maidservant Zhao was feeling very complicated. Last night, Liu Ye-er ran out and was discovered by Su Xi-er.
If by any chance Su Xi-er uses this matter to blackmail me, it would be grim.
As for Liu Ye-er…there’s no choice. I can only think of ways to protect her.
I have kept her well hidden away for so many years. Even the palace maids who knew that Liu Ye-er was alive have all died.
“Old Maidservant Zhao, your complexion doesn’t look too good. Do you want to ask the Imperial Physician Institute to write a prescription for you?” Su Xi-er dusted her clothes and stood up, her face wreathed in smiles.
“It’s not easy to get medicine from the Imperial Physician Institute. Every old maidservant is restricted to a set portion of medicinal herbs. You on the other hand, not only is there the smell of chamber pots on you, there is also the smell of medicinal herbs. Don’t tell me that you left the Palace Side Quarters behind my back and went to steal medicinal herbs?” Old Maidservant Zhao was glancing at her wrist.
“Is it very strange? I have told you previously that I have a backer. Do you wish to know who gave this medicinal powder to me?” Su Xi-er raised her eyebrows and showed a resplendent smile.
Old Maidservant Zhao’s expression changed. Someone who could grind the medicinal herbs into powder… and so finely at that, is definitely of a noble background.
How should I deal with Su Xi-er?
It would be wonderful if Liu Ye-er had successfully burned Su Xi-er to death last night. This thought suddenly jumped into Old Maidservant Zhao’s mind.
As Hong Li watched the scene unfold from one side, she was trembling in fear. Su Xi-er doesn’t think anything of Old Maidservant Zhao at all. Her aura totally oppresses Old Maidservant Zhao.
“Su Xi-er, I have belittled your capabilities. It’s just that…” Old Maidservant Zhao suddenly moved close to her and spoke in a threatening tone, “You must forget all about the matter last night. Otherwise, I will help He Ying give you a hard time until you die.”
Su Xi-er smiled slightly and didn’t answer. Old Maidservant Zhao has already leaned towards He Ying. There’s no point even if I keep her.
It looks like the Palace Side Quarters is going to have a change in the old-maidservant-in-charge.
Just as the two were all set for a showdown, a woman’s loud and clear voice sounded. “Well well, Old Maidservant Zhao. You hid Su Xi-er here and caused me to search for half a day!”
When they looked in the direction of the sound, they saw that the person who had come was Miss Qing.
Old Maidservant Zhao immediately kept the strict look in her eyes. I can’t offend Miss Qing. As Prince Hao’s person, her status is even higher than Miss He’s.
“Miss Qing, Su Xi-er committed a crime yesterday. This old servant was disciplining her a little.”
“That’s enough! You don’t even take my words seriously. Are you tired of living? Withdraw!” Miss Qing didn’t care that it was the death zone of the Palace Side Quarters and directly entered the shed.
Old Maidservant Zhao nodded and retreated respectfully, Hong Li following shortly after.
Once it was only the two of them in the room, Miss Qing looked at Su Xi-er carefully pouted in dissatisfaction.
“Su Xi-er, are you beautiful or am I beautiful?”
She didn’t expect that Miss Qing would ask her this question right after she came. Her words were full of jealousy, making Su Xi-er wonder if she had charmed away a man that she shouldn’t have.
“You’re not beautiful at all. I don’t get it. Why…” Miss Qing shut her mouth when she spoke until this point. Phew. Otherwise, I would have let it slip.
“Why did you come to look for me?” Su Xi-er raised her head to look at her and directly asked.
Miss Qing snorted before looking at the fragrance sachet on Su Xi-er’s waist. She pulled it down and placed it under her nose to smell it.
The more she sniffed it, the more she felt that something was wrong. Miss Qing directly pulled the fragrance sachet apart and carefully searched for something inside.
“That’s not right. I smelt it, but why isn’t it inside?”
Su Xi-er pretended that she didn’t understand and asked, “What smell are you referring to?”
“Safflower.” Miss Qing passed the fragrance sachet back to her and added, “It’s best that you wash the cloth of the fragrance sachet. There is the remnant smell of safflower left on it.”
“Who instructed you to come?” Su Xi-er didn’t think that Miss Qing would be so kind.
Flames spurted out from Miss Qing’s eyes. She stamped her feet and no longer cared that she would let divulge something. “Imperial Bodyguard Wu! Are you very pleased with yourself? But he’s mine. Don’t think of seducing him!”
