Chapter 2325

On the mountain peak, deep in the mist, the Star-Picking Tower.

The magnificent Star-Picking Tower is called the earthly abode of the gods, drawing countless pilgrims daily, but it has been closed to outsiders for ten days now, and any idle person daring to enter will be killed on sight.

The slanting western sun gilds the flawless white jade steps with a layer of golden light; any slab of this white jade taken to the mortal world would be worthy of adorning a wealthy family's shadow wall, but here it is merely stone underfoot.

With the gate shut, the palace feels vast, empty, and cold, yet the graceful, butterfly-like figures of the maidservants coming and going lend it some vitality.

The work at Mount Xushan is especially burdensome, each maidservant extremely busy, today more so than ever.

Just then, the eave bell of the Lord rang, and the Star-Picking Tower's gate, shut tight for half a day, slowly creaked open inward as dozens filed in, all high officials of the Heavenly Palace, each with a gloomy expression.

Leading the two were the top contenders for the next post of Chief Envoy of All Clouds:

Hou Tianyu and Lu Yongyan.

They climbed the Heavenly Ladder and hurried into the main hall.

Several maidservants fetching medicine hastily stopped to make way, simultaneously dropping to their knees in salute.

The two Chief Envoys of All Clouds looked straight ahead, not glancing at them once.

Only after the crowd's backs had ascended to the second floor did the maidservants dare to draw a full breath.

One of them whispered softly: "In the past half month, the two Chief Envoys of All Clouds have come five times, the last being just the night before last."

"Now is indeed a critical moment. I heard that Aunt Zeng has already wept secretly several times, isn't that right, Sister Tong?"

The Tong sister they named remained silent.

"The officials of Wang Ting also keep questioning us. Really, whether they know a day earlier or later makes no difference."

"That's not the same! If our news leaks half a day early, the mortal world will be turned upside down."

The maid who spoke first added: "Hey, you guys guess—who will inherit the Chief Envoy's position, Lord Hou or Lord Lu?"

Before anyone could answer, Tong Yiyi suddenly spoke: "Shut up! Everyone knows it's a critical juncture—how can you not know disaster comes from the mouth?"

Her tone was somewhat stern, and the other maidservants dared not speak.

At that moment, a voice suddenly sounded from beside: "Even the gods' arrangements—do you dare to presume to discuss them?"

From behind the pillar stepped three people, the leader a beautiful woman in her early thirties by appearance, though everyone knew she was nearing fifty.

Behind her followed two maidservants, but their attire was finer than those present, clearly indicating higher rank.

All the maidservants gasped and dropped to their knees together: "Aunt Zeng, forgive us!"

Aunt Zeng said coldly: "I should have pulled out your tongues, but tonight we're short-staffed, so I'll record thirty slaps for each of you, to be carried out tomorrow morning!"

"Yes!"

Aunt Zeng waved off the other maidservants, leaving only Tong Yiyi.

"Did you bring the medicine?"

Tong Yiyi bowed respectfully again: "I brought it according to the prescribed amount, not a bit off."

"You're usually diligent in your work, just clumsy in handling people and things." Aunt Zeng looked at her, feeling some frustration at her inability to improve.

Such a lovely face, if paired with a thousand ingenious thoughts, who knows how useful she could be.

Alas, this girl, though loyal, lacks wit; in a place like the Heavenly Palace, lacking wit is stupidity, and at crucial moments she cannot be relied upon.

After she revealed her clumsiness twice, Aunt Zeng could no longer entrust her with important duties.

"They dared to gossip behind backs—this shows you usually discipline them poorly."

Tong Yiyi did not argue, immediately dropping to her knees: "Yiyi fails to manage her subordinates strictly; please, Aunt Zeng, impose punishment!"

"Enough, come with me to prepare the medicine."

Entering the pharmacy, this round of pounding took two quarters of an hour.

Aunt Zeng has served beside the Chief Envoy of All Clouds for over thirty years, his most trusted maid, handling all matters great and small; even the medicine the Chief Envoy takes is personally prepared and delivered by her.

The medicine Tong Yiyi brought bears the original seal of the medicine store, showing it has not been touched in the slightest.

She now also knows a bit of medical theory; seeing that Aunt Zeng's preparation consists entirely of potent drugs, she could not help but feel secretly alarmed.

Aunt Zeng's loyalty to the Chief Envoy of All Clouds is beyond doubt, and she would hardly harm him in public, so these medicines must be for short-term life support?

In other words, the Chief Envoy cannot hold on much longer.

No wonder Hou Tianyu and Lu Yongyan rushed over anxiously, likely intending to settle the matter tonight.

Aunt Zeng was busy with her work when she suddenly let out a long sigh and wiped the corner of her eye.

The maid behind her, Xiao Yu, quickly handed over a soft cloth: "Aunt, rest a while."

Tong Yiyi then said thoughtfully: "You rest a while, we'll take care of the rest..."

Aunt Zeng glared at her: "What nonsense are you spouting!"

For such important work as preparing medicine, has she ever let a second person handle it?

Tong Yiyi also realized she had misspoken and fell silent.

Xiao Yu beside her, gloating, glanced at her: "Good thing this is a foolish beauty—otherwise that face's advantage would not be fully utilized three-tenths; otherwise, Aunt Zeng's chief maid might not have been her."

Aunt Zeng pounded the medicine for a while, then asked the two maidservants: "What plans do you have for the future?"

Xiao Yu said cautiously: "I will follow Aunt's arrangements and surely do my utmost!"

Tong Yiyi hesitated, then bit her lip: "Aunt Zeng, may I go home?"

"Yes." Aunt Zeng glanced at her, her temperament indeed unsuited to staying in the Heavenly Palace: "When I leave the palace, you may come down the mountain with me."

Tong Yiyi rejoiced, but Xiao Yu was startled: "Aunt Zeng! You, you?"

"The Chief Envoy said, if he is summoned by the gods, I may return to my native place." Aunt Zeng sighed lightly: "When I first entered the Heavenly Palace, I was sixteen, the same age as you when you came in. In the blink of an eye, thirty-five years have passed."

Xiao Yu's mind was in turmoil. She had imagined various scenarios after the Chief Envoy's death, but never expected Aunt Zeng to actually request retirement and return home.

"Respect..." Tong Yiyi beside her began to speak but realized it was wrong, hastily correcting: "After working so many years, Aunt Zeng deserves to enjoy some blessings."

Both knew she had originally wanted to say "Congratulations," but now it was inappropriate.

Aunt Zeng darkened her face: "Why do you keep making mistakes tonight?"

Tong Yiyi lowered her eyes to her nose, her nose to her heart, and dared not utter a single word.

At that moment, a guard rushed in from outside: "Aunt Zeng, is the medicine ready? The master summons you immediately."

"Coming right away!" Aunt Zeng placed the medicine into the tray, held it herself, and her gaze darted between Tong Yiyi and Xiao Yu.

She said to Xiao Yu: "Come with me."

To Tong Yiyi she said: "You wait here."

Such an important occasion, such a critical moment—no one could afford to speak out of turn. Better to bring along a quick-witted maid.

"Yes."

They took the medicine, left the pharmacy, and naturally a few more maids followed behind.

Only Tong Yiyi remained in the pharmacy, watching their backs disappear.

Then she tilted her head slightly, pursed her lips.