Eunuch Sanbao watched the two with a cold eye, saying nothing.
Previously, when Song Yuanbao was in Yutang Palace, Zhi Xia was responsible for serving him. At that ti, Eunuch Sanbao found this little girl quite likable. But now, for so unknown reason, she had sohow ended up mixed with Gu Yu.
Eunuch Sanbao sighed inwardly.
Indeed, not a single woman in the inner court is innocent, especially when it cos to competing for favor. Even the kindest of people in the end are forced to resort to malicious sches.
After Zhi Xia finished shouting, her tears flowed even more fiercely, and she wiped them repeatedly with her sleeve.
In the end, as if unable to stay, she ran toward the East Courtyard, wiping her tears.
Wan Qiu had just changed out of the silk clothes and pants she wore last night, preparing to wash them by the well. As she stepped out, she saw Zhi Xia running back in tears. She hurriedly called out to her, "Zhi Xia, what’s wrong?"
Upon hearing her voice, Zhi Xia stopped, glared at her with red-rimd eyes, said nothing, and then dashed back to her room, slamming the door shut with such force that it startled Nian Chun and Xiu Dong inside.
Nian Chun peeked out with half a head, then saw Wan Qiu carrying a wooden basin in the yard. She rubbed her sleepy eyes, "What’s wrong?"
After realizing it was Wan Qiu, she suddenly widened her eyes, "Sister Wan Qiu? Where did you go last night?"
With Gu Yu’s side already in turmoil, there was no way to keep it hidden from the sisters. Wan Qiu had no choice but to truthfully say, "I stayed in Chengming Hall last night."
Nian Chun nodded and acknowledged with an "Oh."
It’s nothing new for Wan Qiu to keep vigil for His Highness over there.
However, "Sister, aren’t you afraid Aunt Gu Yu will give you trouble again, going so quickly to keep vigil?"
Wan Qiu bit her lip and whispered, "It’s not to keep vigil, but... it’s..."
Nian Chun listened and whispered, "Bedroom duty?"
Wan Qiu nodded gently.
Nian Chun was stunned.
Even though they all knew serving Him in the bedroom was bound to happen, when that day truly arrived, it seed unbelievable, as if in a dream.
Although the person serving His Highness the first night wasn’t her, as long as one succeeded, it ans the other few would have a chance.
Thinking of this, Nian Chun felt delighted, her face full of smiles, "Then congratulations, Sister!"
Wan Qiu awkwardly tugged at the corners of her lips.
Then she looked toward Zhi Xia’s room, "Earlier, Sister Zhi Xia ran back crying. I’m not in a convenient position now; Nian Chun, would you go check on her for ?"
Wan Qiu knew well that after receiving His Highness’s favor last night, early this morning Gu Yu brought Zhi Xia to serve His Highness for dressing and grooming. His Highness had never summoned Zhi Xia before; now she barged in, and even if His Highness wasn’t angry or said harsh words, surely he’d make her leave publicly.
Zhi Xia definitely couldn’t bear such a blow.
And her "luck" last night—if she ran to Zhi Xia’s door now to ask what’s wrong and advise her not to be upset, even with good intentions, others would see it as fake sympathy.
So, Wan Qiu could only act like she knew nothing and ask nothing.
She cherished her days with the sisters in the East Courtyard, not wanting them to beco enemies due to bedroom duties.
But in this palace, where is eternal sisterhood?
Once His Highness enlightens, various competitions for favor will arise thereafter.
Thinking of these, Wan Qiu sighed helplessly and regretfully.
Nian Chun headed to Zhi Xia’s room, where she was lying on her pillow and crying.
"Zhi Xia, is it Aunt Gu Yu who troubled you?"
Nian Chun spoke as she sat on the edge of the bed.
Zhi Xia was crying so hard, she said nothing.
Nian Chun said, "Aunt Gu Yu always acts and speaks like that. We have long experienced it. If you keep caring about these things, you’ll definitely be angered to death soday."
"I’m just feeling wronged," Zhi Xia sobbed, "We all ca together, she can go inside the hall, and I was pushed away with a few words just for serving grooming, only to be scolded by Aunt Gu Yu for being useless. How can it be like this?"
Speaking, she hugged Nian Chun tightly, continued crying on her shoulder, "When we ca, we agreed, no matter who first gets favored, we’d find ways for others to benefit. No competing out of jealousy, but look at her! What did she do? She said she would pretend to be ill for at least half a month without seeing His Highness and told us to keep it a secret, saying she caught a cold; we helped her hide it. But what about her? In the dark, she climbed His Highness’s bed without telling us a thing. If I hadn’t gone in with Aunt Gu Yu this morning, we’d still be clueless that she stayed in Chengming Hall last night. What’s her intention? Afraid we’d compete with her for His Highness?"
Nian Chun hesitated, "Could there be so hidden details we don’t know?"
"Pretending to be ill by day, climbing the bed by night—that’s already a fact. What hidden details could there be? By the looks of it, if I’d been later this morning, she’d sneak back and make us think she stayed in the East Courtyard last night."
Zhi Xia grew more upset, "His Highness isn’t hers alone. How can she be so selfish? Now I’m scolded by Aunt Gu Yu, and she doesn’t even comfort . I hate her!"
Nian Chun didn’t know how to console her; actually, she thought whoever first enlightened His Highness didn’t matter. After all, among the four, soone was bound to start.
Zhi Xia acted this way because of her young age; she was the sa age as His Highness, thinking more immaturely than the others.
At this mont, Xiu Dong’s voice ca from the door, "Crying and wailing so early, isn’t it unlucky?"
Xiu Dong always had a sharp tongue, and Zhi Xia glared at her with annoyance, "If you’re not here sincerely, then leave. I don’t want to hear you taunting."
Xiu Dong snorted, sat down to the side, "It’s just Wan Qiu, that little maid, receiving favor. We’re sisters; what’s the difference in who gets favored?"
Zhi Xia scoffed, "Sister is magnanimous; I can’t compare with you."
Xiu Dong glanced at her, "Wan Qiu is just a bedroom maid. What’s there to compete with her for? If you have the ability, why not wait until the Crown Princess Consort and concubine enter the palace and have a good fight with them?"
Zhi Xia’s face went pale, then angrily said, "What nonsense are you talking?"
Xiu Dong casually grabbed so lon seeds to munch on, "Am I wrong? We only serve in the bedroom, and later we’ll be assigned to various posts in the inner court. Even if you outcompete her now, you won’t gain any status. Wasted effort. Those qualified to sche are the masters. You’re which hall’s mistress? You haven’t even approached His Highness and are already being petty and jealous. Haven’t you stayed so long that you’ve forgotten your status?"
These words, actually, all four understood. But having just lost face before the Crown Prince and been scolded by Gu Yu, Zhi Xia was still frustrated. Now, pierced by Xiu Dong’s harsh truths, she was infuriated and grabbed the pillow from the bed to throw.
Xiu Dong tilted her body to avoid it, didn’t pick up the pillow for her, and humd away.
As soon as Xiu Dong left, Zhi Xia broke into sobs again, "Sister Nian Chun, they’re all bullying , boohoo, I feel so sad."
Nian Chun hugged her, "There, there, don’t cry. Actually, Xiu Dong has a point. Regardless of whether we succeed in serving, we’ll never have any status. We’ll still be assigned to work in the inner court. You should co to terms with it."
Zhi Xia sniffled, "Even you say so."
Then pouted unhappily.
——
anwhile, upon learning that Wan Qiu had successfully served in the bedroom, Gu Yu was nearly exploding with rage, knowing the Crown Prince didn’t favor her anymore. Instead of seeking trouble directly, she headed to the laundry room and asked if any bedding from Chengming Hall had been sent over last night.
The two little palace maids responsible for laundering blushed and stamred "yes."
Gu Yu then asked if there were any marks on them.
The question was too blunt; the little palace maids turned shy, not daring to raise their heads.
Gu Yu’s face turned black with anger. She imdiately gritted her teeth and cursed, "Shaless little wretch!"
Pretending illness to climb the bed, she really knew how to play tricks.
The two little palace maids were inexplicably scolded and shivered with fear.
Gu Yu slipped out of the laundry room, returned to the West Courtyard, and instructed a little eunuch to fetch Zhi Xia.
The little eunuch went to the East Courtyard, by then Wan Qiu had finished washing clothes, Nian Chun had returned to her room, leaving Zhi Xia alone.
Hearing a knock, Zhi Xia opened the door and saw a young eunuch unfamiliar to her. She hesitated, "What’s the matter, sir?"
The little eunuch lowered his voice, "Miss, Aunt Gu Yu sent to convey that she wants to see you on urgent business."
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