Why do you want to stay in the palace?

"Because...because I want to live."

As she spoke the second half of her sentence, the girl kneeling on the ground raised her head, her eyes filled with unwavering determination, devoid of any other emotion.

"The palace is not as simple as you think; death can strike in an instant."

"This humble woman... knows."

"Your Majesty, I already know that if it weren't for you and the princess coming and allowing Commander Zou to save me, I would already be dead."

"This commoner wants to stay in the palace. I'll do anything, as long as it's within the palace. I'm not afraid of dying at any moment."

Qin Jue was somewhat surprised to hear the girl's words. While examining the girl kneeling on the ground, he felt a slight tug and looked at Xiao Xi'er.

Then he saw Xiao Xi'er smile, revealing her little baby teeth. Qin Jue turned his gaze back to the girl and spoke softly.

"What's your name?"

"The commoner girl calls her dead girl"

Zou Heng was stunned; he really hadn't expected the girl to have that name.

"Master, this..."

"No hindrance"

Zou Heng was about to say something when he saw Qin Jue wave his hand, so he stepped aside.

"Would you like to follow the princess?"

"think"

As soon as Qin Jue finished speaking, the girl immediately said "yes," but then, not hearing Qin Jue's reply, she became very anxious.

"You must understand, a princess never wants useless people around her, much less disloyal ones."

"This humble woman will always be loyal to the princess and will never betray her. If she does, may she die a horrible death."

He kept kowtowing as he spoke, trying to show his attitude.

"Stop. Your kowtowing here doesn't demonstrate your resolve, nor does it prove you won't betray your Lord in the future."

"Your Majesty, if I were to betray the princess, I would suffer a terrible death and be tormented beyond measure."

"Remember what you said today. If you betray your master in the slightest, you will suffer a fate worse than death."

"Yes, this humble woman... I will certainly remember."

Upon hearing the girl's words, Qin Jue looked at Xiao Xi'er and said, "Xiao Xi'er, give her a name. She will be your palace maid from now on."

"Like Sister Chunhe and Sister Xiaju, right?"

Under Xiao Xi'er's gaze, Qin Jue nodded, agreeing with what Xiao Xi'er said.

"Um……"

Xiao Xi'er bit her finger, deep in thought. After a while, still unable to come up with an answer, she turned her gaze to Qin Jue.

She started to act coquettishly towards Qin Jue.

"Daddy~, I can't think of a name~, Daddy, please name her."

"Please? Daddy~"

When Xiao Xi'er saw that Qin Jue didn't agree, she put both hands on Qin Jue's face and shook his head from side to side.

"Alright, stop shaking Daddy's head. If you keep shaking him until we can't think of a name, he'll get dizzy."

Only after hearing Qin Jue's words did Xiao Xi'er reluctantly let go of his hand, smiling sheepishly.

Hehehe

"It's okay, I believe even if Daddy faints, he can still come up with a name for her."

"You little rascal!"

As he spoke, Qin Jue affectionately pinched Xiao Xi'er's nose.

Qin Jue looked at the girl on the ground for a while, then spoke to her.

"Your name will be Qiumei, and you'll follow behind Chunhe and Xiaju from now on."

"This servant thanks Your Majesty for bestowing a name, and thanks the Princess for bestowing a name."

"Step down."

"This servant/subordinate takes his leave."

After listening to Qin Jue's words, Zou Heng left with Qiu Mei.

"Daddy~, did Uncle Zou Heng receive those drawings?"

I think so.

Qin Jue said that Zou Heng had received the painting, but she knew very well that Zou Heng had not received it.

Because the painting has now been taken by Yu Ying and shown to the members of the Dark Guard Camp.

"Daddy~, I want to learn to draw too, okay?"

"Okay, Daddy will find someone to teach you."

"Wow, thank you, Daddy!"

"Sigh, Xiaoxi'er is getting more and more perfunctory with her father."

Qin Jue looked sad as he said this, but Xiao Xi'er immediately gave him two kisses on the cheek, and Qin Jue visibly cheered up.

——————

Zou Heng led Qiu Mei to the courtyard of Chunhe Xiaju.

Upon entering, Zou Heng saw Granny Lu and Chunhe talking together, and then brought Qiu Mei to Xia Ju's side.

"Miss Xia Ju"

"Why is Commander Zou here?"

Upon seeing Zou Heng arrive, Chunhe informed Granny Lu and then went to Xiaju's side. Granny Lu then went into her room.

"Commander Zou, is there something you need?"

"Miss Chunhe, Miss Xiaju, and this is Qiumei."

Upon hearing this, Chunhe and Xiaju exchanged glances, then looked at Zou Heng.

"This Qiu Mei...?"

"Miss Chunhe, His Majesty's intention is for the two young ladies to mentor Qiumei and, incidentally, teach her the rules of the palace."

"Qiu Mei, these two are Chun He and Xia Ju. They are first-class palace maids serving the princess."

After speaking about spring lotus and summer chrysanthemum, Zou Heng looked at Qiu Mei and introduced spring lotus.

"Sister Chunhe, Sister Xiaju"

Qiu Mei, newly arrived at the palace and unfamiliar with etiquette, bowed and spoke to Chun He and Xia Ju.

"Since it is His Majesty's order, Commander Zou can rest assured."

"Um"

"Once the rules are taught, you can serve the princess."

"Commander Zou, rest assured."

Xia Ju was still thinking about Qiu Mei when Chun He and Zou Heng exchanged a few words.

After saying that, she looked at Qiu Mei again and said, "You stay here. Chunhe will arrange your accommodation. After that, just listen to Chunhe and Xiaju."

After Zou Heng finished speaking, he left, giving Chunhe a knowing look as he went. Chunhe understood immediately.

"Commander Zou, this servant will see you off."

Once outside, Zou Heng explained to Chunhe why he had called her out.

"Miss Chunhe, please keep a close eye on Qiumei. She comes from outside the palace. If she does anything to harm His Majesty or the Princess..."

"Commander Zou, don't worry, this servant knows what to do."

"Okay, then I'll be going."

Chunhe bowed and watched Zou Heng leave before entering the courtyard.

I walked to the side of autumn plum and summer chrysanthemum.

"Your name is Qiumei?"

"Yes, Sister Chunhe."

"Did your parents give you this name?"

"It was His Majesty who bestowed the name upon it."

Hearing this, Chunhe and Xiaju were both stunned for a moment, then looked at each other.

Then, quickly concealing her expression, Chunhe led Qiumei away, with Xiaju following behind.

He stopped in front of a door and turned to look at Qiu Mei.

"This will be your room from now on. I'll take you to get your clothes later. As for the monthly allowance..."

"You are now considered a fifth-rank palace maid, earning two taels of silver per month."

"In the palace, first-class palace maids are generally only served by His Majesty, the Empress, and the Empress Dowager. Palace maids serving consorts with the title of Noble Consort or above are of the first rank, those serving consorts with the title of Consort are of the second rank, and those serving consorts with the title of Concubine are of the second rank."

"In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the sixth rank is the lowest, which is for cleaning the energy buckets. You started at the fifth rank, but if you do well in the future, you can be promoted."

"This servant understands."

Qiu Mei answered Chun He's words.

"In our presence, you don't need to refer to yourself as a servant; just say 'I'. But don't forget this in front of His Majesty and the Princess."

"I understand, thank you, Sister Chunhe."