Chapter 22 Cannot Be Hidden

Song Zhimian looked at the girl beside her with some surprise.

Her name is Lian Qiao. She is a candidate for female doctor. She doesn't talk much, but she is kind to people. I heard that she has been learning medicine from an old doctor since she was a child.

She quickly grabbed Lianqiao and pinched her arm hard before explaining to Yue Siyi.

"Lianqiao hasn't been feeling well these past two days, and she even came to borrow some hot water from me this morning."

When Yue Siyi saw Lian Qiao's pale face and the beads of sweat on her forehead, she seemed to understand something.

She must have started her period; she'd heard quite a few things like that these past few days.

These girls have just moved to a new place, and with their studies still ongoing, the pressure is greater than before, so it's not uncommon for them to suddenly feel unwell.

"Then go back and rest! Song Zhimian, you take her home!"

"If the pain is severe, please ask the physician for medication!" said Master Yue with concern.

Lian Qiao realized what was happening and quickly bowed to Master Yue.

"Thank you for your understanding, Auntie. I'll be fine after I go back and rest!"

Yue Siyi nodded without saying anything, and continued walking forward with the other female officials and physicians who were the candidates.

Song Zhimian helped Lian Qiao walk back.

After a short while, Lianqiao's face was no longer so pale, and the beads of sweat on her forehead disappeared.

She looked at Song Zhimin beside her and softly said, "Thank you!"

Song Zhimian smiled, said nothing, and simply helped her continue walking back.

On her way back, when she passed by the merchant guild, Lianqiao made a point of glancing inside.

Song Zhimian could tell that Lian Qiao's eyes were... open to killing someone!

His eyes were filled with hatred, which he couldn't hide at all.

Song Zhimian thought that Lian Qiao had been fine until she saw that Prince Zhao and Cai Boju, after which she started acting strangely.

I just don't know which of the two it is...

Song Zhimian pretended not to see anything and continued to help Lian Qiao walk towards the inner courtyard.

...

After returning to the inner courtyard, Song Zhimian escorted Lian Qiao back to her own room and asked the gatekeeper to bring Lian Qiao some hot water before returning to her own room.

After sitting down in her room, Song Zhimian began to think about the day's events.

She was now certain that Cai Boju was the murderer who caused the massacre of her aunt's entire family.

Cai Boju is probably going to the north now. According to what everyone has been saying these past few days, he will be going to the north with Wu Jiande in a month at most...

Then, after returning, he married Princess Shang.

From then on, Cai Boju's career would soar to great heights...

Song Zhimian tried to calm herself down.

There's nothing she can do now. Even if she knew the truth, what good would it do? The authorities wouldn't listen to her side of the story.

What Song Zhimian can confirm at present is that Cai Boju is a man of the King of Zhao. If that's the case, then he must be at odds with the Crown Prince and the King of Qi.

The Crown Prince and the King of Qi certainly wouldn't want him to go to the north.

No one expected the other side's strength to increase so drastically; the Crown Prince and Prince Qi would definitely make a move...

but……

Song Zhimian didn't want to place all her hopes on others.

Are we just going to watch Cai Boju live a carefree life...?

Even though Song Zhimian is now an outsider, she still feels a pang of pain in her heart whenever she thinks of that aunt.

Such a wonderful aunt, such beautiful and lovely younger sisters, and my third uncle who always stood behind my aunt.

They just disappeared like that!

Song Zhimian was unwilling, but now it seemed there was nothing she could do.

"A gentleman takes his revenge, even after ten years!" Song Zhimian secretly encouraged herself.

We already know who it is; as long as we keep looking, there will always be a chance.

Song Zhimian let out a long sigh, trying her best to calm herself down.

Her skills were still too shallow; she couldn't control her emotions just from hearing that person's voice today. If it weren't for Lianqiao's even stronger reaction beside her...

Song Zhimin seemed to have thought of something...

Over the next few days, the candidates for female officials and female doctors attended classes separately.

Song Zhimian and Lian Qiao only met on their way back after class.

However, the two can now greet each other normally.

There are many lessons to be learned in selecting ladies-in-waiting; it's not enough to just follow the rules and know how to serve important people.

The inner court and imperial palace of Dayu had many female officials.

It is also known as the Six Bureaus and One Division in the eyes of others.

The Shanggong Bureau, Shangyi Bureau, Shangfu Bureau, Shangshi Bureau, Shangqin Bureau, Shanggong Bureau, and Gongzheng Division.

The one who oversees the six bureaus and one department is the Palace Attendant, Aunt Cui.

Below Aunt Cui are the leading female officials of the Six Bureaus and One Department: Aunt Shanggong, Aunt Shangyi, Aunt Shangfu...

The six bureaus are responsible for different matters. The Shanggong Bureau guides the Empress and manages the affairs of the inner palace.

The Shangyi Bureau was in charge of etiquette and daily life affairs; the Shangfu Bureau was responsible for the clothing of the various palaces; the Shangshi Bureau was responsible for the palace meals; and the Shangqin Bureau was responsible for the affairs of the sleeping quarters.

The Bureau of Imperial Sacrifices supervises the palace maids.

The Palace Attendant was responsible for investigating illegal activities within the palace, handling disputes among the six bureaus, and could directly report major matters to the Emperor.

The current Palace Attendant is also concurrently held by Aunt Cui.

As a candidate for female official, Song Zhimian has a lot to learn every day.

Needless to say, they also needed to know the rules and etiquette of the palace, as well as the affairs of the Six Bureaus.

How to greet different distinguished guests, how to greet all distinguished guests together, and how to arrange seating...

How should one deal with officials in the imperial court?

Furthermore, what are the rules regarding the clothing of nobles? What clothes can they wear and what clothes cannot they wear?

What kind of materials were reserved for imperial tribute, and only nobles in the palace could use them?

What kind of jewelry do people of high status wear?

If important figures wear the wrong clothes or jewelry, the first thing to be held accountable is the Sixth Bureau.

We need to see if the Sixth Bureau sent the wrong document. If it wasn't the Sixth Bureau that sent it wrong, then we can hold the palace servants around the noble ladies accountable.

Even for nobles, there are many rules regarding dining.

What are the standards for meals for nobles of different ranks, and what rank of nobles are qualified to have a small kitchen set up in the palace?

How many processes and how many hands do those meals go through before they reach the mouths of the distinguished guests?

In short, Song Zhimian felt that there was always so much knowledge to learn every day.

My brain feels like it's not enough to keep up.

Even when she was exhausted, Song Zhimian studied diligently.

She knew that these things, though seemingly complicated, were all very useful, and that a seemingly insignificant detail could potentially cost a person their life.

Or to save someone's life...

...

That day, Song Zhimian had just come out of the Bureau of Clothing and Apparel with everyone else.

Today's lesson is about visiting the Shangfu Bureau to look at various fabrics for internal use.

Which items are for the emperor, empress, crown prince, and princesses? Which are for imperial concubines? And which are for noble ladies in the palace but not for ordinary noble families?

Song Zhimin was dazzled by the sight, as were the others.

With her mind filled with images of various fabrics, Song Zhimian followed the others out and was just about to head towards the inner courtyard when she saw two figures approaching on the main road of the inner courtyard.

The emcee, Yue, who was leading them, quickly led everyone to stand aside.

"Greetings, Your Highness Prince Qi! Greetings, Lord Ye!" Master of Ceremonies Yue hurriedly bowed.

Everyone else was also busy and bowed in greeting.

Song Zhimian also bowed along with everyone else.

However, as Song Zhimian bent down, she saw a pair of feet wearing beige-gold boots stop in front of her.

"Song Zhimian? Do you have any jokes to tell today?" Xiao Huaijin's voice rang out above Song Zhimian's head.