Chapter 277: Sent Back to the Imperial Palace
Bai Qiu looked somewhat embarrassed and could only retreat behind Chu Wan, remaining silent. The back of her hand, which she had intentionally or unintentionally revealed, was noticeably red.
Chu Wan felt somewhat uncomfortable with Xiao Ya's domineering demeanor.
Or perhaps you feel uncomfortable.
She was willing to give her a chance, but she said it was all crocodile tears. Although she said this to Bai Qiu, who knows if she meant to be sarcastic?
With this thought, Chu Wan's last remaining compassion visibly dissipated.
"Bai Qiu is my personal maid, and what she said is exactly what I mean."
Since you show no remorse, I have nothing more to say. Out of consideration for our past relationship as mistress and servant, I will spare you the caning. Go back to the inner palace; the Hehuan Palace cannot tolerate a palace servant whose heart is higher than her master's."
Chu Wan sat in front of the dressing mirror and carefully wiped the kingfisher hairpin with a handkerchief. When she said this, she didn't even spare her a glance.
Xiaoya suddenly raised her head, her eyes wide with surprise: "Back to the Yeting Palace?"
It's understandable that those young palace maids who have just arrived at various palaces and halls to serve their masters are sent back to the inner palace because of their clumsiness. But to send her back to the inner palace at her age would be like taking her life.
Just thinking about it made her blood boil. Not only that, her mind was filled with a buzzing sound, as if she were underwater and couldn't hear anything.
Seeing that the fire was blazing, Bai Qiu added more firewood without making a sound: "If we go back to the inner palace like this, we don't know how much criticism we will suffer. Xiao Ya is old enough to be released from the palace. Your Majesty, why don't you grant her a favor and let her leave the palace?"
Chu Wan remained silent, as if she was considering it.
"No, Your Majesty, Your Majesty, no, Xiaoya cannot leave the palace!"
Xiao Ya hurriedly crawled to Chu Wan's feet and hugged her leg: "Your Majesty, I have been serving you since you entered the palace. I have served you for more than ten years!"
If Xiaoya leaves the palace, she will never see the Empress again!
Palace maids could be sent out of the palace when they turned twenty-five. Xiaoya was long past that age. Although leaving the palace was more dignified than being sent back to the inner palace, she would still lose the treatment she received from her master.
Then there's the loss of her monthly allowance and her youth; when she's old and faded, who will she marry?
Therefore, all the palace maids serving their masters tried their best to stay in the palace, not seeking wealth and glory, but only hoping to live a decent life for the rest of their lives, which was enough for them.
"Whether or not I leave the palace is not up to me; it depends on what the Imperial Household Department says."
Chu Wan slightly raised her chin, clearly having made up her mind to drive her out of the Hehuan Palace.
From her angle, all she could see were the silver-gilt pearl earrings that swayed slightly with Chu Wan's movements, adorned with red enamel accents. Their vibrant colors were eye-catching, but lacked any real warmth.
Xiaoya originally thought that after more than ten years of master-servant relationship, if they didn't reconcile their past grievances, she could at least stay in the Hehuan Palace. However, Bai Qiu repeatedly went against her, forcing her to the brink of despair.
“But Your Highness, I have done so much for you. Even if you don’t remember, I remember it all clearly.”
Xiaoya gritted her teeth in reluctance and used her last trump card.
Even if you're going to dismantle the bridge after crossing the river, you should at least consider whether the planks can be removed.
"Oh? Is that so?"
Chu Wan raised an eyebrow, finally deigning to give her a cold, indifferent look.
"I understand that you do not want to be sent back to the inner palace, and you do not want to leave the palace."
She stood up, holding two hairpins, and walked slowly to Bai Qiu. In fact, her conversation with Xiao Ya was not over yet.
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