Chapter 395 Adaptability

Meanwhile, the two head palace maids on night watch arrived at their quarters in Chang Le Palace and prepared to rest.

They were senior palace maids serving the Empress, holding high ranks second only to the female officials of the Six Bureaus. Other palace maids would respectfully address them as "Auntie."

Therefore, their living quarters were more spacious and comfortable than those of ordinary palace maids. They lived in the east wing of the rear hall of Chang Le Palace, each with their own private room.

Bi Sui had been thinking about Yin Ling's unusual behavior. She couldn't get any information out of her while on night watch, but now that they were on the road, she finally had a chance.

However, as soon as she asked Yinling where she was from, how old she was when she entered the palace, and where she used to work, Yinling rolled her eyes, made an excuse about having a stomachache, and ran away, leaving Bihui standing there alone, watching Yinling walk quickly towards the washroom.

Well, she probably asked too many questions. Yinling was also on guard and would try to find out more about this person's true nature.

Bi Sui sighed, not thinking much of it.

She was nervous and anxious all day yesterday, and stayed up all night. Her mind was still a bit foggy. She should hurry up and go to sleep before getting up to serve the Empress.

Meanwhile, Yinling came out of the washroom and went straight out of the back gate of Chang Le Palace. She then turned around and walked quickly towards Cining Palace.

In the Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager waited for her almost all night, and before dawn she kept asking why she hadn't arrived yet.

As soon as Zhang Mama, who was waiting at the palace gate, saw Yinling, she led her people quickly inside.

Granny Zhang was an old servant of the Empress Dowager, having served her for forty years. She was highly regarded by her mistress and was somewhat flattered to be personally greeted by Granny Zhang.

"Granny Zhang, why are you waiting here personally?" she asked in a low voice as she walked quickly.

Zhang Mama smiled and grabbed her hand. "Good child, you are loyal to your former master. The Empress Dowager likes you, and I also dote on you. This matter is of utmost importance, and you are willing to take such a big risk. Of course, I have to come and take you in so that you can work for the Empress Dowager with peace of mind, right?"

Yinling's face flushed: "Actually, I didn't do anything. You're so kind to me, Granny Zhang..."

As Zhang Mama grew older, she increasingly loved to show a smiling face. Regardless of what she was thinking, just by looking at her, everyone would think that she and the Empress Dowager were both compassionate people.

The old woman and the young man exchanged a few words, and after leading the group to the Empress Dowager, who had not slept all night, Zhang Mama smiled, bowed, and said, pulling on the silver bell:

"The Empress Dowager didn't see it. This child is too respectful and cautious. I only hope that you will be kind and not frighten her."

After more than forty years of serving as mistress and servant, the Empress Dowager immediately understood what Zhang Mama meant. She beckoned to Yinling and had someone come to her.

"Your name is Yinling? Raise your head and let me see you."

As soon as the Empress Dowager's kind voice rang out, Yinling's nervousness vanished instantly.

She knelt obediently on the ground, not daring to look directly at the Empress Dowager, only raising her head slightly, her eyes still looking down, very obedient.

Yinling had a small, delicate face with smooth skin and pretty features. She had an approachable and friendly appearance.

The Empress Dowager smiled and nodded, saying, "I only knew you served in my palace before, but I didn't expect you to be so beautiful."

"It's a pity she's a palace maid. If it weren't for the emperor... Never mind, let's not talk about that. How was last night?"

Yinling then recounted everything she had heard the previous night, including her conversation with Bihui.

"That's all?" The smile on Zhang Mama's face immediately faded.

Yinling was puzzled: "This servant has reported everything I heard and saw to the Empress Dowager, and dared not conceal anything."

The Empress Dowager's smile remained unchanged: "Then, in your opinion, was it the Empress's first time last night?"

"First time?" Yinling remained outwardly calm, but inwardly she was in turmoil. "Replying to the Empress Dowager, this servant has no way of knowing about this matter..."

It's true that she and Bihui were guarding outside the palace, but unless there was a huge commotion inside, no sound could be heard from inside. They weren't peeking over the dragon bed, so they had no way of knowing whether the Empress was having her first time.

Yinling looked honest and simple, but Zhang Mama's smile had completely vanished. She looked at the Empress Dowager with a questioning gaze.

The Empress Dowager raised her hand. "Alright, I've only heard some rumors. I can't ask the Emperor directly, so I can only ask you indirectly."

"Don't take it to heart. Your mistress is the Empress, not me. From now on, you should always put the Empress first."

Yinling kowtowed again: "Yes, this servant will follow the Empress Dowager's instructions."

After saying a few more words, the Empress Dowager quickly excused herself, saying she was tired, and dismissed Yinling.

This time, it was still Granny Zhang who personally saw her out. Before leaving, Granny Zhang said to her:

“Yinling, you are still young. As long as you do your job well, you can still gain both fame and fortune. When you reach the right age, you can leave the palace comfortably. Whether you build your own house and land or find a promising young man to marry and have children, it is the best way out for you. Do you understand?”

Yinling seemed to understand but not quite: "I know, thank you, Granny Zhang."

In the dim morning light, Granny Zhang looked at her with kind eyes and said, "Spending your life in this palace is ultimately the worst thing you can do. You must know how to be flexible in order to leave safely."

Yinling suddenly felt a chill run down her spine. She didn't dare to think too deeply about what Zhang Mama meant, so she nodded haphazardly, said goodbye, and quickly left Cining Palace.

The journey from Changle Palace to Cining Palace was quite long. By the time Yinling returned to the east wing of the rear hall of Changle Palace, half an hour had already passed. Judging by the time, the Emperor and Empress had already prepared and were heading to Kunning Palace to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager.

She walked meekly to her small private room, and just as she was about to push the door open, she heard the door to the next room suddenly being opened from the inside. Yinling was startled and almost screamed.

She looked up and saw Bihui standing casually at the door, arms crossed, looking at her.

Yinling, feeling guilty, was already unsteady on her feet, and being stared at like that made her even more flustered: "Sister Bihui, why aren't you asleep yet?"

Bihui looked her up and down before saying, "Yinling, it took you so long to go to the washroom. Are you feeling unwell? Should I go to the Imperial Hospital to get some medicine for you?"

"No need, no need, it's just a minor ailment, nothing serious," Yinling quickly waved her hand in refusal.

Bihui: "It's not entirely because I'm worried about you. What if your 'little problem' flares up while you're serving Her Majesty, and that interferes with your service?"

Yinling wondered if it was just her imagination, but Bihui seemed to be exaggerating the "minor flaws" in Bihui's words.

Did she discover something?