"Puchi——" I laughed out loud because of her amusing words: "You are the only one who can say that. You must have read a lot of the storybooks in my room!"
"Oh my, my young master has discovered all of this! It seems that my young master is very smart and intelligent!" Xiao Tao was very proud today, and her mouth was much more clever than usual.
"Alright, alright, stop joking!" I pinched her nose and looked at her seriously. "Go and ask if there's anyone who's been bullied by Ajian and dares to testify. If there is, please ask them to come to Chenxiang Pavilion and see me now."
"By the way, don't force them! Just ask politely." I quickly added, "If they don't want to, just treat it as casual conversation. Absolutely don't force them!"
"Oh oh." Xiao Tao nodded thoughtfully: "I'll go now!"
"Wait! Also, try to find a maid in the harem who isn't already affiliated with a concubine." I hurriedly called her back. Firstly, the people Ah Jian dared to bully were mostly small maids who didn't have concubines to rely on. Secondly, if these maids came forward to testify, there would be little resistance, and it wouldn't involve other unrelated concubines in the matter.
I sat in the courtyard, waiting for a while, but no one showed up. Suddenly, I felt anxious. After all, Ah Jian had Empress Hua's influence on her side, and the maids in the palace were always bullied by her, so they dared not speak out. Moreover, being bullied was always a thorn in my heart, and it took a strong heart to expose it to everyone.
I stood up and paced back and forth in the yard, determined that even if there were no witnesses, I would speak in front of the Queen Mother. At least it would give the Queen and Ajian a heads-up, and it would be a good thing to ask Ajian to stop this evil behavior that was almost sadistic and violent.
Suddenly, there was a commotion at the gate of the yard, and the colorful flowers and green willows were dazzling - Xiaotao actually brought more than a dozen people with her!
"My dear, there are too many people, so we've been delayed!" Xiao Tao came in with a fluttering brow. I quickly pulled her aside and whispered, "You didn't force me, did you?"
"How could that be possible!" Xiao Tao retorted loudly, "If you don't believe me, ask these sisters!"
Unexpectedly, the original owner was spoiled and domineering, but the maid Xiaotao was quite popular.
"Today I heard that Lady Mu punished... punished Ah Jian. Lady Mu is my benefactor..." A maidservant with a whispery voice trembled as she spoke: "If Lady Mu needs help, Xiaofeng will definitely help..."
The maids all agreed, and I was a little confused by their enthusiasm. An older maid stepped forward and said earnestly, "Lady Mu, to be honest, we are willing to come here today because we know that you are currently in great favor, and we also want to use your light to vent our anger."
This reminded me, and I actually really liked her honesty. After thanking everyone, I opened up: "I'm not 100% sure I can help you all vent your anger when I testify. And after all, Ajian has Empress Hua behind him. You should carefully consider whether to take the risk of testifying for us."
"Secondly, you all know I need to testify, which will certainly require some... um..." I said, trying to be tactful. "Clear evidence might require you to expose some of your wounds. You all need to consider this carefully."
"Alright, I don't need you to express your opinions right away. Go back and think about it first. After you've considered it at noon, those who are still willing to come can come to Chenshuang Pavilion to find me." I thanked them sincerely: "Regardless of the outcome of your consideration, I, Mu Chenshuang, am deeply grateful to you for being willing to come to my Chenxiang Pavilion at this moment."
The maids looked at each other and retreated in an orderly manner. I went back to my room with the quilt in my hand, planning to have a good sleep first, and also to conserve my energy and be prepared for a "fierce battle" at any time.
Xiaotao woke me up when I was drowsy. The sunlight outside the window was dazzling, and it was almost noon.
"My lady, some sisters have already arrived, but there aren't that many people here..." Xiao Tao pulled me up. After fiddling around for a while, I left the room and went to the yard. There were actually six people there! I was already very surprised and satisfied.
I eagerly approached them and repeatedly asked, "Did you understand and consider everything I said this morning?"
They nodded. I looked at the six of them seriously and finally said, "I don't need so many people to take risks with me. How about this? If possible, can you show me your injuries?"
They all cooperated and expressed their willingness, then I let them into my room, closed the doors and windows, and asked Xiaotao to guard the door.
Oh my God, when I saw them exposing their arms or thighs, I realized how cruel this A Jian was. There were large bruises that were almost black, long scars that had scabbed and festered, and even skin that was in a mess after being burned by a branding iron... I quickly asked them to put on their clothes, and then only two of them were left.
Before they left, I gave them the ointment that Doctor Jiang left with me, and asked Xiaotao to give them my monthly allowance as well, and told her to come to me if she saw any of her sisters injured and in need of money.
But what else could I do? I escorted them out of the courtyard. After they left, I leaned against the bright red beam and looked up at the sky. It was a deep blue, with flocks of white birds flying by. I clenched my fists, and for the first time, I truly felt the fragility and insignificance of life in this deep palace, like a mustard seed or a speck of dust.
The two people who stayed behind happened to be the two who had spoken this morning. The little girl Xiaofeng with a mosquito-like voice was only 15 years old. Because she answered Ajian's words in a low voice, Ajian hit her with a bucket and left bruises on her legs; the older one was called Azhu and was 23 years old. Because she was aloof and calm, she had never been paid attention to and had to do odd jobs in the harem. Ajian took advantage of her lack of servants and beat her with a cane at night to vent his anger.
I hadn't been chatting with them for long when an elderly, unfamiliar nanny suddenly came to the Chenxiang Pavilion and said, "The Empress Dowager requests that Concubine Mu go to the Cining Palace immediately."
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