“Elder sister, please don’t tease me. That Palace Maid is clearly dressed from the Imperial Kitchen. How could she be yours?”
“Oh? But from what I saw, you were talking to this Palace Maid for quite a while. That’s not your usual style.”
The Empress greeted warmly with a smile, but there was not a hint of amusement in her curved brows and eyes.
“This little wretch killed Zhao Changzai. I was just about to punish her.”
Xunian had been kneeling on the ground, listening to their back-and-forth for what felt like forever, almost dozing off right there.
What are these two babbling about?
As a Modern Person, she couldn’t quite make sense of it.
Still, she knew the Empress was her only lifeline right now, and it was clear the Empress intended to protect her.
So why not…
Xunian swiftly turned to kneel toward the Empress again. “Your Majesty, please see clearly—this servant has been wronged!”
“Pfft—” The Empress was amused, her phoenix eyes arching, light glimmering within. “Is that all you know how to say?”
That, in turn, reminded the “Your Majesty” standing nearby that the Empress had been behind the pear tree the whole time, witnessing the entire scene and, naturally, hearing Xunian repeat, “This servant has been wronged,” several times.
Having been reminded by the Empress both overtly and covertly, the “Your Majesty” didn’t look pleased. “What do you mean, elder sister?”
“Since the real culprit who poisoned Zhao Changzai has been found, just execute her,” the Empress declared calmly.
The Palace Maid who had slandered Xunian, saying she had a scar on her face, turned pale and started kowtowing frantically. “Your Majesty, spare me! Please, Your Majesty, I’ve been wronged…”
The Empress didn’t spare the other Palace Maid a glance. She glanced lightly at Xunian, still kneeling on the floor. “As for her, I’ll take her with me.”
Her aim wasn’t to save the Palace Maid—she just needed to use Xunian to give the Noble Consort a warning.
The Noble Consort’s expression was cold as ice, nearly shattering, as she gritted out to the Empress,
“We’ll do as elder sister says.”
She waved her hand, signaling her attendants to let Xunian go.
The Noble Consort watched as the “Backpot Scapegoat” Xunian slipped away right under her nose.
She glared viciously at the Empress’s retreating back.
This damned Empress—if only she hadn’t intercepted her…
……
The Empress and her entourage led Xunian back to the Empress’s Palace.
In the lavishly decorated hall, a few sticks of incense burned, their white smoke curling and wafting about, carrying a faint fragrance.
The Empress went straight to her intricately Phoenix Pattern–carved chair and sat, her beautiful eyes shimmering as she sized up Xunian, who stood not far off, staring down at her own shoes.
“What’s your name?”
Xunian lowered her head respectfully and replied, “This servant is a daughter of the Xu Clan, called Nian.”
“Xu… Nian?” The Empress repeated her name, and an unexplainable emotion stirred in her heart.
“Ahem, ahem,” she coughed into her sleeve, looking vexed as she waved her hand. “Send her back to the Imperial Kitchen.”
Now that her goal was accomplished, the Empress had no further use for Xunian.
The Nanny beside the Empress stepped forward. “Come with me.”
Xunian hurried after the Nanny, following her out of the Empress’s Palace.
The green-clad Palace Maid’s figure gradually disappeared with the Nanny.
The Empress’s lips pressed into a thin line, her smile fading, face expressionless as she watched Xunian’s back recede. She instructed the person behind her,
“Go, look into that Palace Maid for me.”
How could a mere Palace Maid look so familiar? It seemed this Xunian was no ordinary person.
“Yes.”
……
The Nanny at the Empress’s side took her to the Imperial Kitchen. Even before entering, Xunian could see the place was bustling with people coming and going.
A few Palace Maids busied themselves by the stoves—some chopping vegetables, some putting food in pots, others washing greens.
Several Eunuchs stood at attention, eyes fixed on the Palace Maids at work.
As soon as she arrived, one Palace Maid hurried over and pulled Xunian aside.
“Perfect timing—we’re short-handed, come with me!”
Xunian was dragged inside. Looking back, she saw no sign of the Nanny; she must have returned.
Xunian was assigned to wash vegetables. She sat on a little wooden stool, picked up a large, fresh cabbage, and started scrubbing away.
A tap landed on her shoulder.
She turned to find another Palace Maid, dressed like herself, greeting her from behind. Her bright, dark brown eyes sparkled. “Hi~”
She reached out, seeming to want a handshake.
Xunian looked at her, not quite sure what she meant.
“Hello, I’m Qiujv.”
“Xunian.”
“Can I call you Sister Nian?”
“As you wish.”
Xunian answered indifferently.
“Sister Nian…”
Qiujv clearly wanted to chat more, but was immediately interrupted.
A bald Eunuch fixed his beady eyes on the two of them. “Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing? Anyone slacking gets half a month’s wages docked!”
Qiujv had no choice but to fall silent, giving Xunian a meaningful look.
Xunian didn’t understand what she meant.
At last, it was break time. The Palace Maid who had spoken to Xunian—Qiujv—slinked over sneakily.
Qiujv leaned in mysteriously and whispered, “When odd changes, the unchanged remains?”
A flicker of surprise flashed in Xunian’s eyes. She glanced at Qiujv, hesitating.
Seeing Qiujv’s expectant and encouraging gaze, Xunian replied coolly, “Is that some kind of cooking mantra?”
Qiujv’s smile froze.
She asked uncertainly again, “Hydrogen ammonia lithium boron?”
“Imperial Wine of Jade Liquid?”
“Heavenly King Covers the Tiger?”
Seeing Xunian unable to respond to any of them, Qiujv put her hands behind her back and paced anxiously.
Xunian spoke. “Hmm…”
Qiujv stopped, her eyes shining with excitement as she looked at her.
“I don’t understand.”
At those two words, Qiujv’s once bright eyes went dead, and with a final struggle, she asked,
“Sister Nian, could you come with me somewhere tonight?”
“No.”
“It’s really important—you’ll understand when you get there!”
“No.”
“I beg you, I’ll give you half a month’s wages!”
“Alright.”
Qiujv pestered Xunian all afternoon before Xunian reluctantly agreed.
Qiujv’s brow twitched with irritation—if you wanted silver, you should have just said so in the first place.
……
Night fell.
The garden was stifling, filled with the endless chirping of cicadas.
The snow-white blossoms of the tassel tree were just as alluring by night, adding a touch of coolness to the sweltering Imperial Garden.
Two figures appeared in a corner of the Imperial Garden, hands warming each other as they stumbled in.
Qiujv led Xunian through several twists and turns before finally stopping before a giant ornamental stone.
On the stone, conspicuous black rules were carved:
[Palace Rules]
[Rule 1]: Do not look directly into the Emperor’s eyes.
[Rule 2]: No one may refuse the Empress’s requests.
[Rule 3]: Please find all the Players.
[Rule 4]: Remember, someone among the Players possesses the Key.
[Rule 5]: Do not let anyone find out you are a Player.
This imperial palace journey will last one month. Please play your assigned role well and don’t give yourselves away.
For the first time, Xunian’s indifferent expression shifted.
These rules were so…disgusting.
Hide your identity? Is this some kind of Werewolf game?
Interesting.
“What are you looking at?” Qiujv’s deep brown eyes were fixed on hers, as if trying to find some clue in her expression.
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