Chapter 43: The New Master
Qingzhi watched helplessly as Yuan Siyin led the person away. Before she could even wipe the tears from her face, the old nanny dismissed the other palace maids: "Disperse, you're all unlucky. Get back to work!"
Having said that, she carried the rattan cane in one hand, gritted her teeth, rolled up her sleeves, and walked towards Qingzhi.
With Yuan Siyin gone and no one to restrain her, she completely lost her temper.
"You've grown wings? Trying to curry favor with a new master so quickly?"
"You traitor! I've fed and pampered you all this time, never letting you do a single chore, hoping you'd marry some rich guy and rise to the top. Turns out you're quite the schemer! I'll break your legs and teach you a lesson you won't be able to talk back to!"
Qingzhi shivered and was about to beg for mercy when a clear, cold female voice came in: "Stop."
The woman held a semi-transparent golden fan in her hand, her lotus-like steps slow and graceful, followed by several palace servants.
"What did this child do wrong that you're punishing her like this?"
"Who are you……?"
The old woman squinted, and just as the rattan cane in her hand was about to fall, she pulled it back.
"I am Shen Ruolan, the Crown Prince's concubine."
She slightly raised her chin, a hint of arrogance on her beautiful, fair face.
Upon hearing this, the bustling inner palace immediately erupted in a buzz of chatter: "The Crown Prince's concubine?!"
"Could it be that she's just imagining things?"
"I've never heard of His Highness the Crown Prince taking a concubine. Wasn't it rumored that he was going to arrange a marriage with the woman just now?"
The old nanny overheard their whispers, looked Shen Ruolan up and down, and after a long while forced out a not-so-pleasant smile: "This old servant is blind, I don't know what the concubine means by this."
This old servant is merely disciplining my goddaughter; such trivial family matters need not concern Consort Shen or the Imperial Concubine.
Relying on her status as a senior member of the palace, Granny Gui looked down on this concubine of dubious origin, and her tone was naturally impatient.
Ruolan's fingers, which were gripping the fan, suddenly tightened beneath her sleeves, but she still maintained a faint smile on her face: "I am on good terms with Miss Yuan. Since she refuses, I will do her a favor."
It just so happens that I don't have a close friend to serve me after entering the palace. Why don't you give her to me, nanny? It would be a favor to me.
"The old woman is very generous; surely she wouldn't refuse to give you even this much face?"
Upon hearing this, Qingzhi quickly got up and ran to her, bowing respectfully: "Your Highness is so kind, Consort! This servant Qingzhi thanks Your Highness for your great kindness!"
Having said all that, Granny Gui had nothing to say. Even though she was burning with anger, she could only give up and haughtily snort, "It's her good fortune to be favored by the concubine. If the concubine doesn't mind, then take her away."
"In that case, thank you, Granny."
Let's go.
As soon as Shen Ruolan spoke, Qingzhi immediately and cleverly took her hand. Her demeanor was completely different from her previous timid appearance; she seemed like a different person altogether.
Once she was far from the inner palace, she leisurely smoothed the stray hairs at her temples, turned around and glanced at the palace servants sent by the Empress: "You wait here, I'm going to take a stroll around the carp pond. Qingzhi can accompany me."
The palace servants remained silent, simply keeping their heads down.
"What, do I have no say?"
Shen Ruolan frowned slightly.
"The Emperor's decree of marriage has not yet been issued, and Miss is not yet a concubine. We servants are merely temporarily sent by the Empress."
Besides, Her Majesty instructed that we must stay with Miss at all times.
Qingzhi had just ingratiated herself with her new master and wanted to prove her loyalty; she knew this was a good opportunity.
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