She continued, "Alas, perhaps it is fate! But I am, after all, her maternal grandmother, and I cannot bear to see her all alone in the Taoist temple chanting sutras."
At this point, the Empress Dowager abruptly changed the subject, pointing at Xie Yuan: "Recently, I have heard that the Empress has been very busy?"
Having already been called out, Xie Yuan couldn't remain silent.
She raised her head slightly, wearing a standard smile, and replied respectfully, "It's all my fault for being so foolish; I've been quite flustered with so many matters!"
"Haha! Your Majesty, there's no need to be modest. You're not stupid!"
In a jest, the Empress Dowager lightly nudged Xie Yuan.
Then she continued, "The affairs of the palace are inherently complicated, so, according to old custom, the Empress may be appointed as a female attendant!"
A female attendant?
Xie Yuan was taken aback.
yes!
How could I have forgotten this?
In the previous dynasty there was a Grand Chancellor (equivalent to a prime minister), and in the harem there was a female Grand Chancellor.
It doesn't mean that women can become prime ministers, but rather that female officials called "female attendants" could be appointed to assist and advise the empress.
The female attendant was not an ordinary female official, nor was she a palace maid or servant.
Instead, they specifically hired highly respected or noble ladies from prominent families or wealthy households.
They held official positions and were allowed to enter and leave the palace.
A lady-in-waiting can help noblewomen elevate their status and also bring in support for the empress, providing her with more helpers.
Xie Yuan is currently lacking helpers.
"Nanling is timid by nature, but she is still a noble lady from the capital. She may not be able to do much else, but she can certainly keep the Empress company and run errands for her!"
The Empress Dowager finally revealed her purpose.
She wanted Nanling to become Xie Yuan's female attendant, able to move freely within the palace!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
