Chapter 82

"How can you walk without watching where you're going?" Jingyu also couldn't find time to scold her, and hurriedly went to attend to Shen Shuangning beside her.

"Ningning, are you alright?"

The flowerpot knocked from the palace maid's hands shattered into pieces, dirt and ceramic shards littered the ground, some staining the gold-thread embroidered edge of the lady's embroidered shoes.

In the gap between Baizhu's kowtows, she saw it, trembling with fear she took out her own handkerchief to wipe the dirt off Shen Shuangning.

Even if she sold herself, she couldn't afford to pay for this pair of shoes!

Shen Shuangning was about to speak to Jingyu when she caught sight of Baizhu's movement out of the corner of her eye and was instantly startled.

How could she dare let her lifesaver from a previous life wipe her shoes?

Shen Shuangning hastily stepped back and called out loudly, "Don't move."

Baizhu paused, holding the handkerchief, lifted her head to look at her, and only then recognized Shen Shuangning's face.

Unable to restrain herself, she recalled yesterday's incident, and now thought Shen Shuangning despised her and didn't want her to touch her, so the hand hovering in midair trembled and shrank back, propping itself on the ground.

Her head knocked hard against the ground again as she begged for mercy: "Please, lady, be magnanimous and spare this servant!"

Shen Shuangning had already avoided her kowtow without showing any emotion.

The Beautiful Consort's senior palace maid Yichun had returned at some point, happened to see this scene, and immediately strode over, scolding Baizhu without even clarifying the situation.

"You're good for nothing but causing trouble—you can't even handle this small matter, what use are you? Get over there and kneel, so you don't get in the princess's way!"

Baizhu didn't rise, repeatedly agreeing, then crawled on her hands and knees to the corner and knelt there.

In the Embroidered Palace, corporal punishment of servants was commonplace, and even harsher than in other palaces; everyone from the consorts down to the servants had grown accustomed to it, glancing at it and then walking away.

This is one of the reasons Jingyu dislikes the Beautiful Consort.

Coming from a lowly background, once she gained power she insisted on putting on airs over these trivial matters, as if she wouldn't appear noble unless she trampled others into the dust.

Jingyu usually doesn't like making things difficult for servants, but she doesn't feel much sympathy for them either; seeing that Shen Shuangning was unharmed, she wanted to pull her away quickly.

Who knew Shen Shuangning would just stand there, unmoving.

Jingyu looked at her doubtfully—

Shen Shuangning's appearance was lush and gorgeous, like the characters of Wang Xizhi's brush, a stroke of alluring color hiding sharpness; at this moment her slender, dark eyes only needed to deliberately reveal a hint of fragility, with watery light lingering at the corners, making it impossible to look away.

Jingyu only felt her heart give a light tug, so soft she couldn't help it, and then realized Shen Shuangning was gazing at that palace maid.

Jingyu's heart gave another "thud"—could Shen Shuangning be recalling yesterday when her royal brother scolded and beat her? Feeling empathy?

"Ningning, what's wrong?" Jingyu asked tentatively.

Shen Shuangning withdrew her gaze, slowly shook her head, and sighed: "When I entered the palace yesterday, I also happened to see that palace maid being punished; it was originally just a minor matter, but she was made to kneel in the sun, her face swollen from slaps... Alas, the palace isn't as wonderful as I imagined."

"Not at all!" Jingyu hurriedly stopped her negative thought, explaining, "It's only the Embroidered Palace that's like this; the Chang Le Gong never arbitrarily punishes servants."

"It's my fault for misspeaking." Shen Shuangning lowered her eyes, "I just feel... she's very much like me..."

Jingyu quickly took her hand: "Don't think that way—how could she compare to you?"

Seeing Shen Shuangning still low-spirited, Jingyu didn't know how to comfort her for a moment, so she glanced resentfully at Yichun.

"It's all your fault—you frightened Ningning!"

Yichun: "???"

Yichun could only lower her head, fearful: "Your Highness, please forgive me."

Jingyu said: "It wasn't really a big deal, and I hadn't intended to pursue it—why did you punish her so harshly?"

Yichun heard this and replied awkwardly: "Well... then I won't punish her."

After saying that, she looked at Baizhu still kneeling and said impatiently: "The princess is magnanimous; she's not punishing you—hurry up and get up to thank her!"

Baizhu stared for a moment before reacting, then lowered her head and took small steps forward to offer thanks, still timid.

Jingyu didn't pay much attention to her, merely turning her head to look at Shen Shuangning, about to ask if she was pleased now.

Who knew Shen Shuangning would then softly say: "Thanks to the princess's leniency this time, she escaped this punishment—but what about next time?"

Seeing this, Yichun frowned imperceptibly: Why is Miss Shen Si worrying so much over nothing? Even a dead servant girl can make her care this much?

After a moment's thought, Jingyu said: "Go tell your mistress—I want this palace maid."

Shen Shuangning struggled to suppress the corners of her mouth from turning up: "Exactly, that's it!"

Baizhu suddenly lifted her eyes, completely dazed, her gaze turning to Miss Shen Si beside Jingyu, utterly bewildered.

She wasn't stupid; in fact, she was sharper than many, and could see that the princess was willing to protect her because of Miss Shen Si.

But... Miss Shen Si was clearly like that yesterday...

Yichun almost thought she had misheard, her smile unnatural, a flash of malice in her eyes as she stepped forward to advise: "That's right, Your Highness—Baizhu has been in the palace less than half a year, and in the Embroidered Palace she's already made many mistakes; if it weren't for the mistress's kindness, she would have long been sent to the Wardrobe Bureau."

"This girl is clumsy, far less attentive than the people in your palace; I'm not worried about her serving you poorly, but afraid she'll cause you trouble and add to your worries."

You should know that if Baizhu gains the princess's favor and goes to the Chang Le Gong, her prospects will surely be far better than in the Embroidered Palace.

But what gives this dead servant girl such good fortune? Meanwhile she has to endure the Beautiful Consort's harsh treatment in the Embroidered Palace.

While Yichun verbally criticized Baizhu's faults, she had actually made up her mind to ruin Baizhu's opportunity.

Shen Shuangning's heart sank; she saw clearly and thought: This person truly has a wicked heart—no wonder she works under the Beautiful Consort.

"So wicked, so wicked."

Shen Shuangning feared Jingyu might waver, so she glanced at Baizhu, blinked, and gave her a covert look.

Baizhu saw the slyness in Miss Shen Si's eyes—how could she still look fragile and helpless? It suddenly dawned on her—Miss Shen Si was indeed helping her!

Although she didn't know the reason, Baizhu had already come to her senses from the great joy; this was an excellent chance to escape her misery—miss this opportunity and there'd be no second.

Baizhu "plopped" down on her knees, her voice tinged with urgent pleading: "Please, Your Highness, take me in! I'm of lowly status, unafraid of dirt or hardship—I can do any difficult task! If I may stay by your side to serve, I will devote myself wholeheartedly, certainly not dare to cause you worry, nor add the slightest burden."

Yichun couldn't help but glare at Baizhu. "Dead servant girl, you're so eager to cling to a powerful patron?"

Then she turned to Princess Jingyu: "Your Highness, don't listen to her......"

"Could it be that Elder Sister Yichun can't bear to see her well?" Before the words finished, Shen Shuangning cut her off.

Caught off guard by having her thoughts exposed, Yichun's expression faltered and she stammered: "How... how could this be? I was only thinking of the princess's best interests."

Jingyu said impatiently, "You're talking too much; I don't need her to personally attend to me. If she makes a mistake, she'll be dealt with according to palace rules—why are you worrying needlessly? In any case, I've decided on this person—go tell your lady right away."

As a princess of a nation, obtaining a palace maid is still quite simple; Consort Li wouldn't fall out with her over such a trivial matter.

Yichun gritted her teeth and had to go report to Consort Li, thinking she could later add fuel to the fire in front of Consort Li—anyway, just one sentence: her days will be rough, and Baizhu won't have it easy either!

At this moment, Consort Li was worried about Zhai Ji's matter, her mood was poor.

If the Secret Police Office discovered that Zhai Ji's gambling house profit share included her, she'd be in big trouble!

Speaking of this matter, Zhai Ji had only approached her two months earlier.

Although she wasn't short of money, who would dislike having more? Still, if it were just for the money, she wouldn't want to take such a big risk to cooperate with him.

After all, she also wanted to place a bet on Zhai Ji—what if the person who later ascends the throne is him?

"Who wouldn't want the merit of following the dragon?"

At first she didn't care much about that small profit share from the gambling house, but what she didn't expect was that the gambling house's profits were even higher than she imagined!

In just half a month, Zhai Ji had sent her a lot of money! Lying around she could easily earn shiny silver, far more comforting than toiling to serve the emperor!

Consort Li even considered opening her own gambling house—ill-gotten wealth, she didn't care. But what surprised her even more was that Zhai Ji's plot was exposed so quickly!

What a useless person!

She had thought that after Zhai Ji came out of the Secret Police Office, the matter was over, but who knew that just now Zhou Cheng told her the Secret Police Office had discovered something else about Zhai Ji, specifics still unclear.

Consort Li had already sent people to inquire, fearing it might be related to her!

Although her cooperation with Zhai Ji was extremely covert and left no evidence in the accounts, the involvement was not deep, but she couldn't help feeling guilty and afraid!

First, she feared the emperor would find out she dared meddle in former dynasty affairs and collude with princes; second, she feared the Prince Yan's Mansion would no longer look after her.

Consort Li belatedly realized that without these two backers, she in the inner palace was like a fish on a chopping board!

Precisely when she was anxious and vexed, sitting on pins and needles, Yichun came at this moment with a trivial matter for her to decide.

Consort Li instantly flew into a rage, waved her hand, and a cup filled with scalding hot tea instantly smashed onto Yichun's body.

"You come to ask the palace about this kind of thing? What are you good for? Get lost!"

"What Baizhu, what Yuzhu? I don't even remember this person—there are over a hundred palace maids in the Embroidered Palace; losing one wouldn't stop things from turning, would it?"

Yichun had long been used to Consort Li's temper; if she didn't come to inform her, she'd later find fault with her—whether she spoke or not, it was a lose-lose situation, really too difficult!

"I know my fault, my lady, please calm your anger; I'll get lost now!" Yichun endured the pain and then scurried out.

When Baizhu learned she had finally escaped the sea of suffering, she felt like crying from excitement, but she was still in the Embroidered Palace and dared not show too much joy.

Seeing this, Yichun felt her scalded shoulder ache all the way to her heart, her eyes full of resentment.

Shen Shuangning feared something might go wrong, so she had Aheng accompany Baizhu to pack up her things.

Yichun's eyes rolled about, and she lifted her foot to head in the direction Baizhu was going.

Shen Shuangning saw she seemed still intent on mischief, so she called out to her: "The tea we drank earlier in the pavilion was quite good; could you trouble sister to brew another pot?"

Yichun had her back to them, her expression changed, and she turned her head to secretly scrutinize Shen Shuangning.

Yet she saw the other's smile was warm, as if merely wanting a nice cup of tea.

Jingyu saw she was still standing there unmoving, furrowed his brows and said: "Didn't you hear me tell you to brew tea?"

"Yes, I'll go now." Yichun felt unwilling but could only comply.

Soon after, Aheng and Baizhu both returned to Shen Shuangning's side.

Baizhu carried a small bundle on her shoulder, with few belongings; even now she still felt as if she were in a dream.

The tea Yichun had painstakingly brewed, Shen Shuangning didn't take a sip and walked away proudly.

After that group walked away and completely disappeared from sight, Yichun could no longer hold back.

She stamped her foot in anger, furiously helpless on the spot.

That night, after Shen Shuangning finished washing up, Baizhu requested an audience.

Shen Shuangning thought it over and then let her in.

As soon as Baizhu faced her, she performed a deep bow: "Fourth Miss, your great kindness and virtue, I am deeply grateful! In my next life I wish to be an ox or horse to repay your kindness!"

Shen Shuangning pretended not to understand what she was thanking her for, her expression normal: "Why are you thanking me? Get up quickly."

To her, helping her past life's lifesaver was natural and proper, but Baizhu and others were unaware of this.

Nowadays, too many eyes are on her, whether well-meaning or malicious; Shen Shuangning doesn't want to implicate Baizhu, so she can only keep her distance.

Thus she put on a stern face and said: "I don't know what you suffered in the Embroidered Palace before, but since the princess has taken you in now, she is your master; from now on you must abide by your duty, do your assigned tasks, and not disappoint the princess's kindness."

Baizhu stared, bewildered; she didn't understand why the Fourth Miss had helped her, then suddenly turned against her and denied her.

Just as she was about to speak, when her gaze met those clear, jade-green eyes, Baizhu seemed to understand something and immediately said: "I, the servant, will keep the Fourth Miss's teachings in mind; from now on I will devote my liver and brains to the Princess, with no second thoughts!"

Baizhu mistakenly thought Shen Shuangning wanted her to be loyal to Xiao Jingyuan, from now on to be his dog, and so she made a solemn promise.

Shen Shuangning saw she seemed to have misunderstood something, paused briefly, but ultimately gave no explanation.

That's fine too. Xiao Jingyuan had already helped a great deal; otherwise she wouldn't have known where to arrange a good place for Baizhu.

Now at least she could relax.

Meanwhile, Shen Shuangning didn't realize that her action today would later save Xiao Jingyuan's life—but that's another story.

Meanwhile, Xiao Jingyuan returned to Prince Yan's Mansion burdened with thoughts, and actually learned from Su Chen the news that Xie Lin had wiped out the Black Wind Stronghold.

Privately, Xiao Jingyuan had many enterprises; making money was secondary, the true purpose being to use these businesses spread everywhere to build a far-reaching information network.

Thus, many important developments affecting the overall situation, before the great clans in the capital even noticed, he had already grasped the trend of events.

Right now, the news of Xie Lin's eradication of the Black Wind Stronghold reached him first; the outside world still doesn't know, but if it were to spread, it would surely cause a considerable stir.

"Look, I told you before—you don't need to worry; although Young Marquis Xie is young, he's also well-versed in Sunzi's Art of War, so taking down the Black Wind Stronghold is no problem! Although the beauty plot is a bit underhanded..."

To Su Chen and most people, this was naturally good news.

Su Chen had long studied this; Danzhou is a strategic location, its resources extremely abundant—otherwise he wouldn't have been able to raise the Black Wind Stronghold to be stout and strong—it's said their troops could match a regular army.

Su Chen rolled up his sleeves, his whole body excited to the point of being unable to sit still.

He paced back and forth in front of Xiao Jingyuan, already pondering how to lay out in Dan Prefecture, turning it into his own sphere of influence.

"I'm telling you, Dan Prefecture is a piece of fat meat; surely many people are eyeing it, wanting a slice of the pie. We must strike first to gain the upper hand—now is an excellent opportunity!"

Su Chen babbled on for a while, but all he got in return was a single sentence from Xiao Jingyuan.

"...... That fast?"