Two

After a moment, one of the petite maids stepped forward and said cheerfully, "I am here!"

"Impudent!" Jin Se exclaimed sharply, "I am a sixth-rank female official. What authority does a mere guard's wife have to obstruct me?"

When the palace gate was pushed open, Li Xiutian appeared on the throne with an air of arrogance.

The so-called "a servant bullies the master"... If it were Her Majesty the Queen, then Zhong Yilan's career would be at an end, and Cui Pei would likely meet the same fate as Song Yueren; however, if it were the Empress Dowager... Cui Pei has been in charge of the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau for eight years and surely understands the intricacies of the situation. To mobilize the four houses in such a short time cannot be achieved solely by a servant and mere words. Whether the Treasure Room has played a role in this matter is one thing, but the other two houses likely have ulterior motives as well. To mobilize the four houses in such a short time cannot be achieved solely by a servant and mere words. Whether the Treasure Room has played a role in this matter is one thing, but the other two houses likely have ulterior motives as well

What do you intend to do by going to Linhua Palace without having clarified the situation? Is it a demonstration, or are you planning to rebel against this palace?

The wings of Shaoguang's nose felt a bit sore, so she reached out and supported Li Xiutian's arm

It is clearly a matter concerning the wardrobe, yet she arrives the latest. The esteemed maidservant of the wardrobe! Bai Bi cast a slightly mocking glance, and behind her, the maidservants of the ceremonial room also displayed expressions of disdain

Cui Pei, upon seeing the four palace maids, tightened her face and anxiously descended from the Dan platform, saying, "This servant has failed in her duties. The maids in the palace, concerned for my safety, took matters into their own hands. I humbly ask for Your Highness's forgiveness"

Having said that, he waved his hand, indicating that he was tired

Until the final results were announced, the maids waiting outside were in an uproar

The light of the moment gently lowered its gaze. What should have been a response from Zhong Yilan was abruptly interrupted by this maid from the Si Bao room, and soon it would be her turn to introduce herself. She was neither a newcomer nor an old hand from the Si Yi room—while considering her words, she intended to give Zhong Yilan a subtle hint, but unexpectedly, as she raised her eyes, she met the long-staring gaze of Yang Guang.

Are you all idle? With so much work to do, how dare you gather together to pass the time

Peach branches gently waved, "Zhong Siyi's judgment has always been accurate. Choosing you naturally means that she values your talent. In the remaining days, practice diligently, and the improvement in your needlework skills will astonish even yourself."

The woman, exhausted, silently uttered a phrase of gratitude, "Thank heaven and earth," raised her head, only to be momentarily taken aback, and then immediately bowed down. The palace maids from the four quarters behind her also followed suit, bowing in unison.

Seventh rank..." Yang Guang lightly pressed his thin lips, savoring it for a moment. After a brief pause, he nodded and said, "In that case, this prince will wait and see.

Is everything ready?

Yang Guang strolled down the Danbi and walked to the northern side

As a minor punishment to serve as a warning, each of you will have your salary deducted for three months. Upon returning, have the maidservants each draw an additional twenty palace designs. " Cui Pei rubbed her forehead, then addressed Zhong Yilan and Yu Xizi, "As for the competition that the two of you initiated, now that a prince is involved, you should consider how to handle it.

Prince Jin glanced at Cui Pei for a moment, then waved his hand slightly, "Everyone, please rise! The Ministry of Ceremonial Garments is closely connected, which clearly indicates that Manager Cui has managed the affairs appropriately. With everyone united in this manner, Manager Cui's contributions are indispensable." He turned around with his hands behind his back and added, "I have heard that the Ministry of Ceremonial Garments will soon hold a competition; is this true?"

In the clothing room, beneath the head of clothing is the position of the clothing manager. Apart from Tao Zhi, here, A Cai holds the highest position, and she is also the most likely candidate for promotion to the head of clothing. Subsequently, based on seniority, it is very possible that a palace maid will be selected to take on the role of clothing manager. Everyone has the opportunity for advancement.

The palace attendants from the Fourth Court were quite surprised by this outcome, especially those from the Department of Garments, who rushed over with burning hearts, only to return with rewards in hand, filled with both astonishment and joy. At the same time, they began to speculate about Jin Se's origins and background. Many palace attendants spread rumors that her audacity in confronting Li Xiutian was actually due to the support of Prince Jin behind her.

Peach Branch stepped into the embroidery hall, checked the progress of the embroiderers, and then approached Shaoguang's embroidery frame, saying, "For the time being, set aside the work at hand, as we are about to compete with the Si Bao Fang. Let's practice with more palace patterns."

The palace maids reluctantly parted ways

Standing at the forefront are the three house managers: Yu Xizi, Bai Bi, and Yan Jinxin

The newly appointed steward is named Jin Se. The elderly residents in the room are all familiar with her; she was originally a decorator in the Costume Department. Due to offending Si Shi Yan Jin Xin, she was demoted to serve the idle concubines in Fu Xue Garden. After three years of silence, her return to the Costume Department this time carries a hint of a comeback.

At this moment, Jin Se was not in the embroidery hall

At this moment, A Cai approached with a flattering demeanor. Before she could speak, Tao Zhi said: "Later, Zhong Si Yi will be bringing the newly appointed ceremonial attire. You should go prepare and bring the previous Pei Zi of Feng Yi."

You

The new fabric replacement in the clothing department is carried out under the command of the Empress Dowager and with the consent of His Highness the Crown Prince. Madam Li, the guard's wife, is deliberately stalling, treating the Empress Dowager's decree as a joke. Is it possible that she intends to defy the order?

The sound is very close.

Yang Guang's thin lips curved slightly, "What reward is there for the victor?"

Four individuals stood before His Majesty the Emperor

Having spent over thirty years in the palace, now aged and faded in beauty, I cannot return in glory. ... In the future, the splendor will no longer be, returning to the mundane, yet I must still adapt to the ordinary and frugal life in the countryside ...

In the entire matter, Prince Jin did not blame Cui Pei and Zhong Yilan; on the contrary, he rewarded the Department of Garments with many gifts afterwards. As for Li Xiutian, who was primarily responsible, she, along with her husband, who held the position of Chief Guard, has been expelled from the palace and will never be employed again

The desolate doorway, with layers of red paint peeling away, reveals only the mottled old rust of the colorful decorations, while the door nails remain a bright yellow. Weeds grow abundantly on the ground, and the servant tasked with guarding leans against the red-painted threshold, dozing off. Occasionally, one or two flying insects are impatiently swatted away by him, before he turns over and continues to sleep.

If it were not for the inadvertent detention and punishment by Prince Jin, the four concubines, being of the same family and united, would not have allowed the higher authorities to exercise discretion in handling the matter; instead, it would have resulted in Cui Pei and Zhong Yilan having no chance of return.

Li Xiutian was somewhat dumbfounded, spending a long time trying to understand the meaning behind the words. In a fit of anger, he sarcastically scolded, "What do you think you are? Acting all high and mighty in front of an old woman. If I said no, then it's no. Get lost, take your silk and get out of here!"

Cui Pei had never been this angry before, and Bai Bi was so frightened that she shivered and took a step back. Yan Jinxin, with a forced smile, awkwardly said: "Cui Shangfu, how could we servants dare to have such thoughts? It is only because the palace maids are worried about your well-being that they took the liberty to act on their own..."

Are you going to use the palace to suppress me

The heart of Shaoguang skipped a beat, and she hurriedly lowered her head

Yan Jinxin's gaze swept over the peach branch, "The troublemakers haven't shown up, yet the one who cares the least about matters has arrived."

As the voice fell, suddenly, footsteps could be heard coming from within the grand hall. Unlike the light steps of ordinary palace maids, they resembled the sound of strong warriors treading upon the jade stone tiles, resonant and powerful

Everyone put on an expression of anticipation for the show

Xiu'er covered her mouth and laughed, at that moment, a knocking sound was heard from outside the door

"Cai Zhang Yi, are you about to become our ceremonial attire?" A favored maid came over to inquire.

The moment Shaoguang began to pick out the mixed threads from the basket, she paused upon hearing the words. She could discern the sincerity in the speech, yet she couldn't help but smile. ... As a clothing attendant, could she really not see that Zhong Yilan's challenge was driven by ulterior motives, or had she truly reached a point where she only cared about fabrics, embroidery patterns, and craftsmanship ... ? ... To the extent of being indifferent to the struggles in between ?

On the other side of the porch stood a short, stout, and robust man. With a slightly balding head, he was enveloped in the glow of the setting sun, yet his body stood straight and tall, and his smile was simple and sincere, as he waited for a long time.

Peach Branch glanced at her lightly, without saying a word

With a single remark, the maidservants present stirred slightly

In front of the palace, three groups of maidservants have already gathered

Having said that, he waved his hand to shoo the person away

Clearing her throat, the palace attendants, upon seeing her, all gathered around with smiles to exchange pleasantries

The next morning, the tasks had not yet been assigned, and the embroidered satin completed the previous day was all hung up. The palace maids who arrived early, seeing that there was no one in charge, gathered together to engage in idle chatter. The topic of conversation was nothing more than the recent promotions of the female officials within the palace—Fei Yi had married outside the palace, and her official position had been revoked, which effectively vacated her position in charge of the ceremonial garments. The more senior maids were all eagerly looking forward to the assignments from Zhong Si Yi.

A Cai pressed her lips together and smiled, saying, "Don't talk nonsense, Zhong Siyi hasn't announced it yet"

Bypassing the Furen Hall of Zhaoyang Palace and continuing along Guangxiang, one will arrive at the Rongci Gate, located at the far west side of the palace city. It is from here that the ailing old palace maids and the expelled servants are sent out. This signifies that leaving through the western gate means departing from the palace, never to return.

In the spring, willow catkins scatter through the sky. Two individuals, their eyes as dark as night, reflect each other with rich hues, resembling a handful of crushed peach blossoms

Li Xiutian laughed heartily, giving Shaoguang a hearty pat on the shoulder, "Having been away from home for too long, it is time for the wife to go back and take a look."

I pay my respects to His Royal Highness, the King of Jin

The colorful robe and the peach-patterned robe, something big has happened. Someone from Linhua Palace has come to say that His Royal Highness, the Prince of Jin, has ordered Cui Shangfu and Zhong Siyi to go for questioning! It must be that on that day, Jin Se, the ceremonial robe, angered Lady Li, the guard's wife, and now His Royal Highness wants to hold our Siyi Room accountable

Who is making such a ruckus here without any decorum

As time passes, Li Xiutian, carrying a bundle of broken blue flowers, is smiling towards this direction

The incense in the hall is thick, yet the wisps of smoke dissipate in an instant

The solemn and cool black eyes were deeply locked, slightly aggressive, resembling an abyss. All present were servants, their heads bowed, casting furtive glances without daring to look up. Zhong Yilan also kept her head down, not having seen that bright and piercing gaze.

Two incisive questions pinned Li Xiutian firmly in place in an instant

At this moment, Zhong Yilan seized the opportunity to say: "This servant has specially arranged this competition to assess the skills of the newcomers to the palace. I am grateful for Your Highness's appreciation, and I hope to serve as a witness on the day of the competition"

Indeed, considering the sincere intentions of the maidservants, let us not be angry

Something bad is about to happen

The head of the four departments exited the inner chamber with a look of shame on his face

Cui Pei wiped the sweat from his brow and was helped up by Yu Xizi. "Your Highness, I report that there will indeed be a competition in the bureau in the near future, which is merely a minor skirmish between the Department of Garments and the Department of Treasures. Please do not worry, Your Highness."

The black eyes gazed over, as if separated by smoke and ice, hauntingly cold and deep, captivating the heart and soul. The Prince of Jin has long been stationed at the main camp, exuding a strong aura of military might, deeply revered by the palace maids, yet possessing a peerless countenance that rivals that of the Han Emperor, with an extraordinary and proud demeanor. Most of the women in the four chambers are young, and being glanced at in such a manner, they all feel their hearts racing like startled deer, filled with romantic thoughts.

The incident of reprimanding Li Xiutian in front of Linhua Palace spread among the maids the next day. Not long ago, the gloom from the destruction of the fabrics had been somewhat alleviated by the sudden marriage of Fuyi, but it ultimately dissipated completely in the first flames ignited by Jin Se upon taking office. The palace maids were all speculating, wondering where this newly appointed wardrobe manager would direct the second fire.

Prince Jin Guang, Cui Pei, Zhong Yilan, and also Jin Se, who has not appeared since the beginning

Jinse raised the corners of her lips, "If it were not for Your Highness's instructions, how would Madam Li, the guard's wife, dare to boldly push the wardrobe out of the door? However, in three days, the lady official in charge of Mingguang Palace will personally come to verify. At that time, if there is no replacement that is brand new, the wardrobe will not bear any responsibility. I humbly advise you to stop while you are ahead!"

She knows everything

Shaoguang and Qingmei entered carrying the fabric, while Xiuer had already joined the other women in addressing A Cai as the chief tailor. Ning Shuang curled her lips, indicating that these people had lost their senses.

As the light of youth flickered, the scene of the four families lined up at that time inevitably surfaced before my eyes

Are they all new maids

Provoking Lady Li indeed brought great satisfaction to many, but while appearing unafraid of the powerful, it seems to have implicated everyone in the Department of Garments. The palace maids hurried through the broad alley, filled with regret, while secretly blaming the newly appointed head of garments. Compared to her decisive and vigorous approach, it would have been better to have the capriciousness of the former head. At least it would not have invited such unwarranted calamity

The maid who conveyed the news took a breath and said, "It has been half an hour. I heard that the guards coming to take the person have a grim expression, and everyone is quite worried. Yan Sishi and Bai Sizhang have already taken the maid over there. Tao Dianyi, let us go as well"

At this moment, the frantic cries of the maid could be heard from outside

Li Xiutian glared at her fiercely for a long while, then angrily shouted to the palace servant behind him, "Why are you still standing there? Take her to the hall!"

Qingmei glared at him with a mix of anger and amusement, saying, "Look at how beautiful you think you are!"

A Cai put down the register in her hand and shot a glare, saying, "What are you talking about? Why are you so flustered!"

The guard glanced at her face and said stiffly, "Madam Li, the guard's wife has instructed that the palace maids from the wardrobe are not to enter."

Ning Shuang picked up a sewing kit and threw it over with a hint of reproach, "If Miss Shao becomes the head of the garments, who would still fear any tricky situations? Once I step out of this door, I will walk around the house with confidence. You mustn't be too envious!"

Peach Branch looked around and saw the scene before her: the maids were all rising from their embroidery frames, each with a different expression on their faces, all containing varying degrees of determination and scrutiny. Peach Branch bit her lip, feeling quite hesitant, yet it was difficult to decline under the hundreds of piercing gazes. She could only say: "Well then, let us all go together!"

Cui Pei's complexion was somewhat pale, gripping the armrest of the chair tightly, and she said with lingering fear: "Today it is only His Highness, the Prince of Jin. If it were any of the other princes, dismissal, imprisonment, exile, execution... which of these could one escape from? Have you all forgotten the examples of Song Yueren and Zhao Dezhen from the past?"

The wind has swept down a tree full of peach blossoms

Women of advanced age tend to move slowly, yet Li Xiutian is different. Having married into the military, she has developed a strong physique, lacking the gentle and dull demeanor typical of a housewife. Instead, she possesses a rare air of heroism and composure.

Li Xiutian did not refuse, tightening her handbag and sighing: "His Highness the Prince of Jin has long been suspicious of this old woman. Even if I do not return, it is only a matter of time. This way, I truly feel that I have implicated my family, but it also ensures their safety. There is no regret, except for not being able to attend the grand funeral of Her Majesty the Empress. This old woman feels in her heart..." Li Xiutian could not continue, lowering her head and wiping her eyes fiercely with her sleeve. "Miss Shao, now in the palace, you are the only one left. Be very careful in everything." There is no regret, except for not being able to attend the grand funeral of Her Majesty the Empress. This old woman feels in her heart..." Li Xiutian could not continue, lowering her head and wiping her eyes fiercely with her sleeve. "Miss Shao, now in the palace, you are the only one left. Be very careful in everything."

When Zhong Yilan brought the person in, the palace maids were all taken aback. A Cai stood among the crowd, staring at the coldly beautiful woman, and forcefully tore the silk handkerchief in her hand.

Yang Guang's gaze swept across her face, and the maid bit her lip, a blush rising on her cheeks. After a moment, another servant from the north side reported their identity—Shaoguang had not stepped forward, merely standing behind the three rows of palace attendants in a composed manner.

"Madam Li, please be careful. If it gets torn, there will be no new silk to replace it in the Linhua Palace"

Seeing this, the three housekeepers behind her all knelt down behind Cui Pei. Zhong Yilan and Jin Se also followed suit and knelt down.

The lingering fragrance is cool and subtle

Standing under the sun for more than an hour, only to receive no reward and instead be punished. Truly, good intentions do not lead to good outcomes... Ning Shuang bit the penholder, staring at the plain white silk cloth for quite some time, sighing deeply.

The fleeting time has passed like glass, and then I quietly returned to take a stitched pouch, before silently walking out of the courtyard alone

Li Xiutian ground her silver teeth in anger, feeling a surge of rage. The other departments of the Imperial Garment Bureau had always been cordial, flattering and ingratiating; who would dare to look down on her? ... Yet it was the Department of Attire, and it was this wretched maid ...

The lady in the ceremonial attire has left, and the servants all feel that the next step will surely be that you, in your colorful robe, will take charge of us

The midday sun was intense, shining down directly, causing some palace attendants to be unable to withstand the heat and collapse. Except for the Department of Garments, the other three departments were naturally focused on the Chief Attendant Cui Pei, not daring to be negligent, and certainly not allowed to leave without permission. As time dragged on, their legs began to tremble.

This prince remembers that it was during the competition of palace attire that Cui Shangfu caught the favor of the Empress Dowager. This time, it seems that this prince has the opportunity to witness it.

Do you still remember what she looks like

The other palace maids in the Fourth Courtyard cast envious glances, consumed by jealousy, wishing they could be the ones competing, yet secretly admiring the immense fortune of being personally chosen by Prince Jin.

From the various difficulties that Li Xiutian imposed on the Si Yi Fang outside the Linhua Palace, she realized that the Jin Wang had already harbored intentions of elimination. The harsh criticisms directed at the fabrics that day were likely at the Jin Wang's behest, as part of an effort to win over Cui Pei, but more importantly, to bring an end to the last remaining pawn of the aristocratic family within the Linhua Palace.

Zhong Yilan was taken aback for a moment, contemplating and then said: "If we win... naturally, there should be a reward. The clothing department is still in need of a seventh-rank head tailor. If we can surpass the Treasure Room, I will... I will submit a request for an imperial decree."

Qingmei smiled and shot her a glance, "It's a good thing you swallowed the second half of your words. Be careful not to let anyone hear you, or they might report you for a tricky situation"

Li Xiutian shook his head with a bitter smile, "There is nothing much to tidy up. Over the years, following Prince Jin, I have become accustomed to it."

The robust woman was momentarily taken aback, unexpectedly intimidated by her presence. Before she could speak, she saw her retract the jade pendant and say, "The silk fabric has been sent by the clothing department; please review it immediately."

What kind of person is the newly appointed female official? Now, one can finally understand clearly

This is your new steward, who is also a skilled embroiderer, and will be managing the clothing room together with Tao Zhi from now on. " After saying this, Zhong Yilan gestured towards the woman beside her.

Shaoguang set down the satin, took her outside, and seeing that there was no one else around, spoke softly: "Liuli, I would like to ask you some questions. At noon, before you returned to the embroidery hall to deliver the message, who did you hear say that the guards were taking Cui Shangfu and Zhong Siyi to Linhua Palace?"

Under the glaring sunlight, there stands a stunning woman dressed in a deep gray palace gown. Her expression is solemn, with her chin slightly raised, exuding a sharp and commanding presence. "Are you the wife of Guard Li?"

Such an unexpected situation caused Yan Jinxin and Bai Bi to exchange a surprised glance with each other

What are your plans after leaving the palace

Peach branch's complexion darkened, "How long ago was it?"

Liuli tilted her head and pondered for a moment, "Now that you mention it, I truly cannot say. She was indeed wearing a blue silk gauze dress. At that time, I was flustered and did not observe closely, but now that I think about it, she really does not resemble any of those in the Si Bao room."

Liu Li honestly said: "It seems like she is just a maid from the Si Bao Fang, extremely anxious, urging me to hurry back to inform everyone. As soon as I heard this, I returned to deliver the message."

She is a new palace maid in the Si Bao Fang, the youngest and also the most beautiful, dressed in a lake blue silk palace gown that accentuates her ethereal elegance

Peach Branch led the maid in the room to stand at the northernmost side, next to the other three rooms, forming a row of four. Thus, the four colors—light gray, lake blue, sky blue, and indigo—came together in a harmonious arrangement, creating a truly spectacular sight. Shao Guang was positioned at the outermost side of the three rows to the north, with Ning Shuang, Qing Mei, and Xiu Er inside.

Having said that, without even glancing at Li Xiutian, he commanded firmly: "Go, bring the materials for Madam Li, the guard, to review."

"Cui Shangfu has gained such support in the bureau, what crime has he committed?" The straightforward voice seemed to emanate an invisible pressure, causing everyone present to lower their heads

The cool sound of the zither echoed, and His Majesty Dan's maid covered her mouth, nearly laughing out loud

Jinse wore a high-waisted long dress in a cool tone reminiscent of clouds and smoke, with impeccable features and flawless makeup. Her brows and eyes exuded a slight chill, making her appear as if she had stepped out from a realm of frost and snow. As she nodded solemnly, her gaze swept across the faces of each maid, instantly imparting an undeniable presence.

Your Highness, the maidservants I have sent are also newcomers from the household. " Zhong Yilan waited for a long time without hearing her speak, and hurried over to mediate, " If we are to compare skills, the maidservants on my side can certainly compete with those of Yu Xizi! "

A Cai stepped over the threshold, while the other women were still sighing.

My skills are rather crude, I fear that ... ...

As the time passed, I lowered my gaze and took out the embroidered pouch from my bosom, placing it into her bag, "Are you regretting your return?"

The blue satin and black satin took another three days to be redone, and when they were sent to Linhua Palace, Jinse personally accompanied them. The weather at the end of April had warmed up a bit more, with the sounds of warblers and sparrows filling the air, accompanied by a faint fragrance of flowers. The maidservants stood under the sun holding the embroidered satin for a long time, and as sweat began to bead on their foreheads, they couldn't help but exchange glances, each displaying a different expression.

It is all due to the servants' lack of proper guidance, Your Highness, please do not be angry. " Cui Pei said with a trembling voice, her face pale.

The embroidered satin felt still smooth and soft to the touch, yet the withered fingers were stiff and cold. Li Xiutian caressed it inch by inch, his nails scraping, wishing he could grasp the face of that female official at this moment... If it were not for the Empress Dowager's decree, he truly wanted to...

As he spoke, he paced back to the front of His Majesty Dan.

Indeed, it is not you, who else is qualified to be the ceremonial attire! The colorful ceremonial attire, oh no, it should now be referred to as the colorful ceremonial attire!

More curious glances fell upon, stealing looks while not daring to be too bold

Everyone's complexion looks poor

The setting sun cast a silhouette on the city tower, and after a moment of gazing at the fleeting time, I caught sight of the ochre figure beside the moon gate

The fragrance of coldness enveloped the senses, yet what caught the eye was a black mist-colored cloud robe with a front opening; a pure silver belt adorned the waist, accentuating a slender and upright figure. In the pouch, entwined with vine patterns, were fragrant pieces and musk. The dark brocade boots, with each step, released a waft of aromatic mist. Shaoguang caught a whiff of that faint scent, feeling somewhat lightheaded.

The guards in front of Linhua Palace had just allowed the palace maids from the Si Shi Fang to pass, yet they still completely blocked the way for Jin Se and her group. Jin Se furrowed her brows as she scrutinized the features and armor of each guard. Finally, her gaze settled on a short, stout guard with a resolute expression. She raised her waist token and said, "Let your officer come out to speak with me"

Xiu'er ran over to open the door, and it was Liuli, a maid from another room inside. The two were not very familiar with each other; she nodded to Xiu'er, then looked out into the courtyard. Upon seeing Shaoguang coming out of the cross courtyard with a bundle of cloth, she said: "Miss Shao, are you looking for me?"

Jinse looked at her coldly, "Madam Li, you may pretend not to understand. But can you also not comprehend the command of His Highness, the Prince Jin?"

In the courtyard, Ning Shuang and a few others were still laughing and making noise

The esteemed man gazes down from a height, his penetrating gaze both solemn and alluring, with a face as desolate as that of a deity. In his eyes, a shadowy and fierce wave is reflected, hinting at a murderous intent.

The palace maids exchanged words with each other, causing A Cai's heart to bloom with joy

Yan Jinxin and Bai Bi exchanged a glance, both deeply filled with trepidation.

When Bai Bi felt that she could no longer hold on, with a creak, the heavy palace door was pushed open

Your Highness, please calm your anger

As soon as she stepped out of the Linhua Palace, Cui Pei summoned the heads of the four chambers to the inner office

"Your Highness, I am Yingluo, a newly entered palace maid in the year of Jiazi, serving in the Treasury Department." The one who spoke hastily was a young maid in a lake blue silk dress, with delicate features and a voice that resembled the soft and gentle dialect of Yangzhou.

Peach Branch stepped over the threshold, furrowing her brows as she looked at the maids chatting idly in pairs. After reprimanding them, she picked up the register to verify the number of people.

The words from the peach branch were like melting snow, drenching A Cai's head and face. "Why isn't it... from any one chosen in the room?"