Ye Ling'er picked up the handkerchief from the ground and put it back on. She glanced at Lin Xiantao, sat down on the edge of the bed, and said in a low voice, "I think I remember who you are. You are Miss Zhang Xiantao from General Zhang's family?"
"It was me. I knew you were faking it. You're so wicked and scheming, how could you not remember me?" Zhang Xiantao said with a sneer.
"It wasn't me who insisted on punishing that palace maid that day. It was my head maid, the woman who claimed to be my benefactor. Actually, she's Prince Gong's confidante, named Shui Liniang. That palace maid offended Shui Liniang, and she used me to teach that palace maid a lesson. It wasn't my intention," Ye Ling'er explained slowly, her expression somewhat resentful.
Zhang Xiantao leaned down and looked closely into Ye Ling'er's eyes. Ye Ling'er couldn't stand her staring at her like that, so she subconsciously leaned back. "I've heard about what happened to you. Everyone says you were a pawn used by Prince Gong. Even the Emperor spared your life because of your young age. But I think you're quite resourceful. You can come up with such a clever way to protect yourself at such a young age."
Ye Ling'er didn't want to pay any more attention to her. The more she said, the more mistakes she would make. She decided to remain silent. This Miss Zhang seemed to be here for revenge. Now she was like a fish in a frying pan, only able to be manipulated. Let her do whatever she wanted. She would leave when she was done.
Miss Zhang wouldn't be able to stay for long anyway. The emperor had sent people to keep an eye on her and would come to check on her from time to time. If Miss Zhang hadn't left by then, she would be driven away by the emperor's people, who might even suspect that Miss Zhang had some kind of connection with him. I believe Miss Zhang isn't that stupid as to stay after being discovered.
In fact, Zhang Xiantao originally intended to make things difficult for the imposter princess, but when she saw the slightly hideous scar on her face and the dilapidated and shabby house she lived in, she changed her mind.
She also felt it was rather pointless; there was really no need for her to kick someone when they're down over some personal matter.
This person was only seven years old after the New Year, had no parents or relatives, was disfigured, was being monitored by a group of people, and was being held captive in a dilapidated Taoist temple. It was not worth her effort to suppress him.
So Zhang Xiantao said a few unpleasant words and left the Taoist temple with her people. The emperor's guards had already noticed Zhang Xiantao's arrival, but seeing that she hadn't caused any trouble, they didn't show themselves.
"Miss, the moon is already high in the sky. If we go back so late, Madam will definitely be angry." Xiao Huan looked up at the sky with a worried expression. If the young lady is punished, they, as maids, won't have an easy time either.
"What's there to be afraid of? Mother must be asleep by now. We'll sneak over the wall and pretend we've been sleeping in the room all along." Zhang Xiantao didn't think much of it. Madam Zhang doted on her, and as long as she didn't cause trouble, she wouldn't be scolded much, at most she'd get a scolding.
Zhang Xiantao is thick-skinned and doesn't care about being scolded at all. She just lets it go in one ear and out the other. At worst, she'll be fined a month's salary. What's there to be afraid of? She has plenty of savings. Even if she doesn't get a month's salary, she won't lack pocket money.
"Miss..." Xiao Huan looked like she was about to cry. The young lady wasn't afraid of being fined her monthly allowance, but they, the servants, were.
"Sigh, I know, I'll make up for your monthly allowance. Since you're all so obedient, I'll naturally protect you." Zhang Xiantao waved her hand indifferently. She was the only young lady in the Zhang family, and her father, brother, and mother all doted on her, which is why she developed her silly and bold personality today.
New Year's Eve arrived in the blink of an eye. Today, there was a palace banquet, and the wives of ministers, noble ladies, and young masters were all fortunate enough to attend. However, due to the frequent natural disasters in the Great Jin Dynasty in recent years, the emperor and empress had taken the lead in living a frugal life, so even if they attended the palace banquet, they could not dress too extravagantly.
Simplicity is all the rage these days. Clothes and jewelry should not be too luxurious. Everything should be kept simple. Even the food at palace banquets is very simple, with small portions and few varieties. Everyone goes to the palace only on orders. Otherwise, it would be better to eat at home, where you can eat more comfortably and enjoy yourself.
Previously, when the fake princess returned to the palace, there were no plans to hold a palace banquet for the Mid-Autumn Festival. However, a banquet was held to celebrate the princess's official appointment. A banquet will definitely be held on New Year's Eve, as is the custom, especially since the real princess has already returned to the palace.
Before the palace banquet began, the Empress told Xingxing to eat something first to fill her stomach. "There's nothing good to eat at the banquet. Everyone comes to the palace not to eat, it's just a formality. Your mother has had your favorite dishes made, so you can eat here first."
No matter how much the imperial harem tries to cut back, they can't cut back on Xingxing. The emperor and empress both feel that she has suffered too much outside and want to make it up to her.
However, Xingxing was used to not wasting food in the Zhou family, so after a few extravagant meals, the imperial kitchen stopped making too many dishes and only made enough for her to eat at each meal. However, how could a princess's appearance be too shabby? So no matter how much she insisted on the Zhou family, the imperial kitchen would still make a few extra dishes, and the leftovers would be given to the palace maids and eunuchs.
Zhu Lin did not appear at the palace banquet. He watched the scene from the shadows and noticed that Tie Qingfeng had also entered the palace with his parents. Song Jiao did not come.
The boy also saw Zhang Xiantao in the palace. The girl was staring intently at Xingxing, as if trying to see a flower bloom. Xingxing noticed her gaze, but every time Xingxing looked over, she would quickly look away, pretending that she wasn't peeking.
"Mother, I really like that young lady in the red dress. Could you please let her come over and talk to me?" Xingxing whispered in the Empress's ear.
The mention of an empress in red immediately brings to mind the daughter of General Zhang. That girl loved red the most, and her style of dress remained unchanged from childhood to adulthood; it was rare to see her wear clothes of any other color.
So she had a palace maid deliver a message, asking Zhang Xiantao to come forward and speak with the princess. Zhang Xiantao looked bitter and resentful. She had only glanced at her a few times, so why was she being targeted? She just wanted to confirm whether this real princess was the one she had stopped at the jewelry shop earlier.
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