Chapter 155 Is she waking up? ...

[Slap her now, on the side of her face that isn't swollen. Tell her that insubordination deserves punishment.]

Xiang Bei sighed heavily again.

In the TV dramas she watched, the princesses didn't have to lift a finger; when someone offended a princess, her maids would simply step forward and slap the offender across the face.

As for Xiao Qiluo, she still had to do it herself. She just couldn't bring herself to do it.

Standing there looking at A Luo, who was lying on the ground unable to move, Xiao Qiluo hesitated for a while before half-squatting down beside A Luo, reaching out her hand and pausing for a moment.

His expression was somewhat conflicted, as if he was hesitating whether or not to take action.

A-Luo thought Xiao Qiluo was going to help her up, and snorted. But then she saw Xiao Qiluo take a deep breath and slap her across the cheek.

It was called a hit, but it was really just a light swipe of the palm across A Luo's face, less forceful than a tickle.

Xiang Bei sighed.

[For the sake of you being my precious daughter, watch carefully, open your eyes wide and look closely, and I'll demonstrate it for you again.]

Xiang Bei swung her arm again and slapped A Luo across the other side of his face.

A-Luo, who was just plotting how to complain to the prince consort, was slapped away again.

This time it flew into the courtyard, crashed into a tree, and passed out again.

Many leaves had fallen from the tree onto her.

When the maids who had been slacking off in the courtyard returned and saw this scene, they were completely stunned.

They saw it very clearly just now; Sister A-Luo flew over from beside the princess.

The princess actually knocked Sister A-Luo flying.

Some people wanted to go forward to check the situation, but when they saw Xiao Qiluo standing there, they all stopped in their tracks, looked at each other, and quickly ran away.

As they ran, they muttered to themselves, "The princess must be crazy. Now that the prince consort is not here, what if the princess attacks them too?"

Xiang Bei sighed. This was clearly a princess's residence, but no one in the household took Princess Xiao Qiluo seriously. No matter what happened, they would think of the prince consort first.

This is a reversal of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches.

Not only did the prince consort act like a king in the princess's residence, but almost no one in the household respected the princess as the true mistress.

"Mother, is A-Luo dead?"

She's not dead, but if you cry because of her again, I really will beat her to death.

Xiang Bei didn't intend to kill A Luo; how to deal with these people was something Xiao Qiluo had to handle herself.

Seeing tears welling up in Xiao Qiluo's eyes again, Xiang Bei felt somewhat helpless. This was the first time she had encountered a female lead with so many tears. Her brows furrowed slightly, and tears would fall.

With the added element of the setting, the way the female lead cries is truly heartbreaking.

But crying is useless. The female lead cried a lot in the original story, but she was still tormented by the male lead and died in a very unbearable way.

Xiang Bei then brought up another topic.

[This disrespectful maid looks unfamiliar; I've never seen her before. She doesn't seem like someone from the palace. Qiluo, was she given to you by your father? Where have all the maids I left for you gone?]

Xiang Bei naturally knew why it was A Luo who was serving her now.

The maids left behind by the empress had served the princess since childhood. At first, the princess secretly followed the male protagonist behind their backs.

Later, when the maids realized something was wrong and the princess was chasing after the male lead, they were able to offer some advice.

Ever since the female lead and the male lead got married and moved into the princess's mansion, the princess's wet nurse and four maids have become the villains who hinder the male and female leads.

Xiang Bei thought about it the other way around: in this kind of angst-filled novel, the person who can obstruct the male and female protagonists from being together in this way, without doing anything bad, must be a good person.

Unfortunately, these people did not have a good ending.

The maids spoke ill of the male lead, which displeased the female lead. The female lead, however, was not one to hold a grudge; she merely gave them a few warnings and didn't do anything further to them.

But not long after, the four maids were either sold off or sent away by the male protagonist for making mistakes.

Even the wet nurse, who was closest to the female lead, warned Cui Fang's mother that the princess was the emperor's daughter, and to them she was the emperor's sovereign, and their family were all subjects, and they had to pay their respects to the princess.

Instead of having the princess bow to them in return.

She, an old woman, wanted to be a proper mother-in-law of a princess, and even have the princess serve her like a daughter from an ordinary family, paying her respects morning and evening—it was simply a pipe dream.

Then, Old Lady Cui cried and complained to her son, saying that the princess looked down on her as her mother-in-law. Cui Fang then secretly pushed the wet nurse into the water and drowned her. He turned around and told the princess that the wet nurse was a servant who had bullied her master. Just as he was about to settle accounts with her, he found that she had accidentally fallen and drowned.

The male protagonist forgives the female protagonist and the matter is considered over once the princess apologizes to her mother-in-law on behalf of the deceased nanny.

The princess cried for her wet nurse and gave her a proper burial, but Cui Fang had already replaced the wet nurse's remains with the corpse of a dog.

After the female lead's heart was taken and the male lead left, the imposter Ruan Rou'er appeared at the bedside and smugly told the female lead everything.

Xiang Bei sighed and listened as the princess quietly explained why none of the people her mother had left for her were by her side.

"Mother, I'm sorry, I..."

Stop, please don't cry anymore.

Xiao Qiluo didn't want to cry, but she didn't know why, she just couldn't control her tears.

Even if I try my best to hold back, tears will keep welling up in my eyes.

Xiang Bei was too lazy to discuss it with her; Xiao Qiluo's willpower was not firm at all.

Especially when the keyword "驸马" (驸马, meaning imperial son-in-law) is triggered, I have absolutely no willpower. It's currently unclear whether there are any other keywords that can be triggered.

Thinking this way, Xiang Bei directly used her status as the Empress Dowager to make the decision for her.

【Reach and bring back all the other survivors right now. I think there's a pretty good little maid in the princess's backyard who cleans the chamber pots; promote her to your side. As for those around you, especially that one named A-Luo, they must be removed.】

Not only that, everyone in the princess's residence had to be replaced.

Almost all of them obeyed the prince consort's orders and acted according to his whims. Why keep them around for the New Year?

Xiao Qiluo looked at it and, remembering that it was her mother who had said it, agreed.

"Alright, we'll wait for the prince consort to return..."

[Don't mention that scoundrel again. While you're thinking of him, he's with the woman he loves most. You're a princess; have you even remembered what I said?]

As Xiao Qiluo read those words, she could feel her mother's anger even just by silently reciting them in her mind.

The Empress Dowager seemed very angry; you could even sense her furious roar.

Xiao Qiluo moved her lips slightly, "Mother, please don't be angry."

No, I'm not angry, I'm not angry at all.

"But you were clearly very angry."

Xiang Bei didn't respond to Xiao Qiluo's words, but frowned and looked at the system. "Strange, why do I feel like the female lead can sense my emotions?"

"It's not surprising. She's the female lead, so it's normal for her to have some special abilities. Even though it's set in ancient times, the author still gave her a fantasy setting like a heart with seven orifices of glass."

Xiang Bei clicked her tongue twice, "Amazing, absolutely amazing."

First, there was the domineering CEO who forcibly removed the female lead's kidney to give to his white moonlight, and then there was the domineering general who took the heart of a fake benefactor.

Not only is there no logic to it, but they just remove it whenever they want and replace it whenever they want. Did they really not consider that there is a reaction called rejection?

Xiang Bei really didn't want to explain too much to Xiao Qiluo right now; she might not listen.

Go now, hurry up!

Xiao Qiluo nodded hurriedly, pacing around the courtyard while tears streamed down her face.

She had no idea which way to go.

After spinning around several times, he finally stopped. "Mother, I... I don't know which way to go?"

Although it was called the princess's residence, Xiao Qiluo only knew where her mother-in-law's courtyard was and the study of the prince consort Cui Fang.

She wasn't very familiar with the rest of the mansion.

Before Xiang Bei could speak, the system switched the screen to a diagram of the Princess's residence. The red dots indicated the location of the female protagonist, while the green dots showed the places Xiang Bei had sent Xiao Qiluo.

"It's been upgraded again?" Xiang Bei asked, somewhat surprised.

"It was upgraded before, but it has never been used."

"System, well done." Xiang Bei patted the system and praised it.

"It's alright."

Xiang Bei didn't say much, but directed Xiao Qiluo in which direction.

The maid in the book is not given a name; it is only mentioned that she received kindness from the female protagonist and was always thinking about how to repay her.

In the end, nothing was mentioned about what happened to the person.

Xiao Qiluo didn't know why her mother wanted her to find the maid who emptied the chamber pot. Since her mother said so, there must be a reason.

Walking on unfamiliar roads, Xiao Qiluo was still somewhat dazed.

Since moving to the princess's residence, she often stayed in her own courtyard, and otherwise went to her mother-in-law's place to pay her respects morning and evening, and to her husband's place to deliver tonic soup.

It seemed she had never known there was such a place in the princess's residence.

It felt very unfamiliar, and there was an indescribable feeling about it.

Xiao Qiluo was in a daze, wondering why she had never thought of going out for a walk in the courtyard before.

Although the surrounding scenery looked completely unfamiliar, Xiao Qiluo's steps became lighter and lighter, as if she had forgotten many of her troubles in that instant.

Upon arriving at the backyard, Xiao Qiluo stood there, momentarily bewildered, suddenly forgetting the purpose of her visit.

Find a maid who empties chamber pots and take her with you.

Xiang Bei, seeing Xiao Qiluo's blank expression, reminded her.

She still felt that Xiao Qiluo's condition was not right.

"Commander, have you really not found anything wrong with Xiao Qiluo?"

The female protagonists I've encountered before have never experienced anything like this.

The system looked somewhat blank, as if it were receiving some message.

After a long pause, he said, "Host, I just asked my superiors, and there's really nothing unusual about Xiao Qiluo. If there's anything wrong with her, it could be part of the original plot; maybe that's just how her character was supposed to be."

"The characters of other people are also based on the plot, and there is no such situation."

"Don't worry, host. I will monitor the data at any time and will let you know if I find anything wrong."

Xiang Bei nodded.

Xiao Qiluo stood there, sizing up the servants, and they were also sizing up Xiao Qiluo, but none of them had any intention of going up to greet her.

Xiao Qiluo didn't speak, but her gaze swept over those people. She didn't know which person her mother was looking for.

Emptying chamber pots was a job for the lowest-ranking maids in the mansion. Even the lowest-ranking old women in the mansion were unwilling to do it, as it would leave them with a lingering odor that they could never wash off.

Following her mother's instructions, Xiao Qiluo found the maid who emptied the chamber pot.

"This servant greets the princess." The little maid came over and bowed respectfully to Xiao Qiluo.

The old woman beside her smiled broadly, "Princess, this is the maid you've been looking for."

As they were talking, Xiao Qiluo kept staring at the little girl and even kicked her.

“Princess, please don’t be offended. This girl is naive and timid. I don’t know what she did wrong to make you come here in person. I will punish her right away and have a slave trader come to the manor to sell her.”

"She didn't do anything wrong, don't hit her," Xiao Qiluo quickly said.

Xiang Bei rubbed her forehead.

Speak louder, and don't be weak-willed; be assertive. This is your princess's residence. If you encounter a disobedient servant, punish them accordingly.

Xiao Qiluo's mouth moved, but in the end she only looked at the kneeling maid and asked, "Get up first, what's your name?"

The maid did not get up, but said timidly, "My humble name is A-Chou."

"Ah Chou?"

An old woman walked over without even a bow and said dismissively, "Princess, this girl who empties the chamber pot didn't have a name when she was bought. She empties the chamber pot every day and smells terrible. We all call her Stinky. You should leave now and not let the stench of this girl soil you."

Xiang Bei slumped on the sofa. It seemed that all the servants in the mansion were just like the male lead, and they didn't respect the female lead, the princess, at all.

No, I'm still so angry.

【Qiluo, whatever I say from now on, you just repeat after me, understand?】

Xiao Qiluo nodded subconsciously. The old woman was looking down at the little maid and didn't see her movement.

[How dare you!]

"Insolence." Xiao Qiluo could sense her mother's tone, but when she said it herself, it was weak and lacked any real threat.

The old woman looked up and laughed, "Princess, this little girl is indeed presumptuous. She is disrespectful to you. I will take her away to punish her."

Xiao Qiluo immediately became anxious, "You mustn't punish her."

She felt that Ah Chou hadn't done anything wrong; on the contrary, she thought the old woman was being unreasonable.

"Since the princess says she won't punish, then she won't punish."

The old woman's grinning face annoyed Xiao Qiluo, but she couldn't bring herself to say anything harsh.

A strange emotion welled up inside her as she thought about her mother's words.

These people seemed to have no respect for her at all. Even though she was the mistress of the princess's residence, they didn't take her seriously at all.

The perfunctory words she spoke inexplicably irritated her.

A glimmer of light appeared in Xiao Qiluo's eyes.

Is she annoyed?

This feeling is so peculiar.

"Princess, Princess?" The old woman called out a few times when she saw Xiao Qiluo lost in thought.

Thinking of her mother, Xiao Qiluo mustered her courage.

"How dare you disrespect this princess! Slap yourself!"

The old woman looked at Xiao Qiluo in shock, seemingly unable to believe that she was being spoken to. "Princess, how could you make me slap myself? I am your elder, after all. Your mother-in-law and I are cousins. Although we are from different branches of the family, in terms of seniority, you should call me Auntie."

Xiao Qiluo did some mental calculations and it seemed to be true.

Xiang Bei took a deep breath and let Xiao Qiluo speak for herself, which obviously had no deterrent effect.

The book also specifically describes the female protagonist as having a delicate and soft appearance, and a very charming voice.

Xiang Bei rolled her eyes. "Rou Mei my foot!"

Let her do it.

She directly controlled Xiao Qiluo's body, and her originally gentle and charming expression instantly turned sharp under Xiang Bei's fierce and cold gaze.

"How dare you! You old codger, do you think you're worthy of claiming kinship with this princess? I'll slap you if you want."

The old woman pursed her lips, seemingly a little impatient, and casually patted her mouth a couple of times, complaining that even scratching an itch wasn't enough force.

"I admit I was wrong, Your Highness. You're quite the majestic one, humph."

The old woman's words sounded as if she were being unreasonable, and Xiao Qiluo felt an indescribable sense of frustration.

Xiang Bei patted Xiao Qiluo on the shoulder.

[Fine, you're my daughter, so step back!]

Xiao Qiluo knew that her mother was about to make a move, so she immediately took a few steps back and called Ah Chou over as well, so as not to accidentally hurt her later.

The old woman, not understanding what was happening, was about to follow when she was suddenly slapped and sent flying.

The old woman was sturdy and strong. She ate well at the princess's residence, so she was exceptionally healthy. She didn't fly as far as A-Luo, nor did she faint.

However, he was still stunned by the slap, lying on the ground covering his cheek and looking at Xiao Qiluo in disbelief.

The princess didn't touch her, so why was she knocked away?

The old woman looked at the princess with a terrified expression, scrambled to her feet, took a few steps back, and dared not approach Xiao Qiluo again.

Ah Chou, standing nearby, glanced at the old woman, then at Xiao Qiluo, thinking to himself, "The princess is amazing."

"I'll take this little maid with me," Xiao Qiluo said, looking at the words that were floating by.

The voice was much louder, and because of what had just happened, the surroundings were unusually quiet, so the words reached everyone's ears.

"Ah Chou, come with me."

Ah Chou quickly followed Xiao Qiluo away.

When they arrived at Xiao Qiluo's courtyard, A Chou was still a little uneasy and tugged at his clothes.

The princess's courtyard is so big and beautiful.

She also heard the princess tell her that she would become the princess's personal maid.

As the princess's head maid, she not only had plenty of food and drink, but also received a considerable monthly allowance.

The clothes alone are more than one level higher.

Looking at the new clothes in his hands, Ah Chou was so nervous that he didn't dare to touch them.

"Why don't you change your clothes?" Xiao Qiluo asked in confusion.

"Princess, this servant... this servant has never worn such fine clothes before, I'm afraid I'll ruin them," A-Chou said shyly.

Xiao Qiluo never expected it was for this reason, and suddenly felt sorry for A Chou. Thinking of A Luo beside her, she had no shortage of clothes and jewelry, and had to make many new clothes for all four seasons.

Even so, A-Luo was still complaining that it wasn't enough.

"Clothes are meant to be worn, they'll just rot if you leave them lying around. Besides, the name 'A-Chou' isn't very nice. What was your original name?"

“Before I was sold by my family, I was called Erniu. The nanny in charge of the backyard said that I smelled bad when I emptied the chamber pot, so she started calling me A-Chou.”

Xiao Qiluo sat there looking at A Chou, her hand covering her chest, that inexplicable emotion welling up in her heart again.

She was silent for a moment before saying, "From now on, your name will be Xingzhi, Xing as in awake and Zhi as in knowing. How about that?"

Xiang Bei also fell silent.

Awaken to the truth.

It signifies a clear understanding.

Is she about to wake up?