Song He'er smiled awkwardly, "I just came back to pick up some things, there's no need to bother Your Highness. What's your name?"
The maid was very pretty, with red lips and white teeth.
“My name is Xiangxiu, and I have been serving His Highness for many years. Sister He’er is new, but she has gained His Highness’s favor. This is a blessing we can only dream of. Congratulations.”
At first, Song He'er only thought she was pretty, but she never expected that she would be so eloquent, with a sweet tongue as sweet as honey.
"You are so clever and quick-witted, His Highness will continue to value you in the future. I have to go now, I have things to do. My mother is staying at the post station, and because of the cold weather, she doesn't have any warm clothes. I plan to find some maids' clothes for her to change into."
Little did she know that this little girl was very diligent. As soon as she saw that Song He'er was going to find clothes herself, she started to fawn over her and try to get close to her.
"Sister He'er, let me help you. There are many beautiful clothes in the storeroom, all kinds of styles, big and small, loose and slim! There are also many colors. I estimate that Sister He'er's mother is about the same age as my mother. I can help you choose personally. You are a favorite of the young prince. Let alone clothes, what do you want? The people in the Clothing Bureau will not give it to you."
The barrage of praise left Song He'er somewhat bewildered. Was this little girl probably sent by that eccentric prince to keep an eye on her?
Otherwise, you can't shake them off no matter what you do?
"this……"
"Oh, don't refuse, just come with me!"
Song He'er felt that if she refused again, she would only arouse suspicion, so she decided to go with her to the Clothing Bureau to see what was going on.
Since they'll need maids' clothes to escape anyway, if they see soldiers' uniforms, they can just recite an incantation and collect them all.
"Alright then, thank you for your trouble, Miss Xiangxiu."
"You're too kind. You're a favorite of His Highness, and I'll have to rely on you in the future. I just hope you can put in a good word for me with His Highness so that I can be released from the palace as soon as possible. I have a childhood sweetheart cousin waiting for me, so we won't be separated by distance."
Song He'er smiled, thinking that although the girl had approached her with a purpose, she was still quite cute.
"It's great that you have someone you like! I really envy you, being able to live so freely and without worries."
Xiangxiu raised her head and looked at Song He'er with longing eyes, asking in great confusion, "You have it good too. You have everything you need in this palace, so why are you so envious of me?"
Song He'er's lips curled up into a forced smile. "I have parents and family to take care of, so for me, romantic love is the least important thing. If I were as carefree as you, who wouldn't want to find a husband to spend their life with?"
Upon hearing this, Xiangxiu's expression turned somewhat unpleasant. "Well, now that you mention it, you must have your own difficulties. I am indeed a bit different from you. I have no parents or relatives left; I only have my cousin, so I am more carefree and easygoing. However, you have a mother who loves you, which should be a good thing."
"Yes, my mother is indeed very good." Song He'er said, quickening her pace.
It was quite a distance from Yangyue Palace to the Clothing Bureau, and Xiangxiu led her there in about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
"Sister He'er, we've arrived. There's a steward named Ma inside. Just tell him you're from Yangyue Palace and let him know what you need."
Song He'er nodded symbolically, thinking that Xiangxiu would go in with her, but unexpectedly, the girl just greeted Steward Ma on his behalf and then left.
The man called Steward Ma first respectfully performed the Xizhou-style shoulder-supporting salute to her, and then made a gesture of invitation.
"Please tell me what you need, young lady."
"You're too kind, Steward. I'd like to find a few maid's clothes."
"That's easy, please come this way, young lady."
Song He'er smiled awkwardly. She had never imagined that the plan would go so smoothly, as if someone had arranged it in advance.
Upon entering the inner room, colorful silks came into view. The Bureau of Clothing was quite disciplined; the maids' clothes and the soldiers' clothes were kept in two separate rooms, separated by a long corridor.
In particular, the undergarment, long gown, hat, fur coat, and shoes should all be stored separately.
When people from the palace came to collect their clothes, they would announce their names and have their servants collect them. There was never a precedent of letting people in to be freely selected.
"Manager Ma, I only need the outermost style, two pieces."
Steward Ma glanced at the lowest-ranking maid's robe next to the cabinet and frowned.
“Miss, those are clothes worn by rough maids and are not suitable for you. Why don’t you choose some better quality clothes? You’re always serving His Highness, and if you wear those kinds of clothes, wouldn’t that be a disgrace to our Clothing Department?”
Song He'er replied calmly, "But these aren't for me. They're for my mother. His Highness settled my mother in the post station, but I saw that her clothes were all torn. As her daughter, I couldn't bear it, so I came to find some clothes. The cost can be deducted from my monthly allowance."
"Ah... I see. Well then, as you said, I'll pack a few for you!"
Seeing that he was diligently folding clothes and had not yet summoned the servant, Song He'er knew that her chance had come!
So, Song He'er quickly went into the room next door where soldiers' uniforms were stored, recited a set of incantations, and quickly put away ten sets of soldiers' uniforms of various sizes.
After Steward Ma finished packing the clothes, Song He'er came out from inside.
"Miss, shall I have someone take you home?"
"No need, I know the way, and besides, I can manage on my own with just these two pieces of clothing."
Steward Ma nodded. "Take care, young lady."
"Um."
Song He'er quickened her pace, wanting only to leave this place as soon as possible; she felt that Steward Ma's tone was a bit strange.
Even if she were a maidservant by the young prince's side, she might not receive such treatment, right?
Enough, enough. Let's not speculate wildly. Distribute the clothes and find a chance to escape. That's the right thing to do!
Song He'er ran all the way to the inn. When she entered, all the guards outside had disappeared. Song He'er randomly picked a spot, took off her clothes and hid them, and then quickly ran into the room.
Zhang Xiu'e was startled by the sudden banging on the door. "He'er, you're back. How did it go? Did you find it? Do you need any help?"
Song He'er walked to the table, poured herself a cup of tea, and drank it down in one gulp.
"No need, I carried them all back by myself and hid them in the yard. Auntie, you can go out and bring them in later!"
"Put it in the yard? Won't the soldiers find it?"
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