After Meizhu tidied herself up, she followed Xiaoyanzi out of the sewing room. When Yongqi saw the two of them come out, they both looked unwell. He frowned and asked, "Xiaoyanzi, what's wrong?"
"Yongqi, have someone send a message to Erkang and Ertai that a man named Zhu Baiyu will be visiting them today. Ask them to help arrange for him to stay."
Yongqi was stunned, but since Xiaoyanzi had spoken up, he could only send someone to inform the Fu brothers.
After returning to Yonghe Palace, Xiao Yanzi took Meizhu into Yongqi's study and told him the truth about what had happened in the sewing room. "Yongqi," she said, "would it have any impact on the palace if we let her leave so abruptly?"
After listening, Yongqi's eyebrows never left his face. He sighed and said, "This matter could be a big deal or a small one. If any of the ladies in the palace like her embroidery, her departure will inevitably displease them, which will bring you endless trouble. But if she stays in Yonghe Palace, there is no suitable reason for her to stay. We already have enough people in Yonghe Palace. Adding more people would break the rules, and it wouldn't be right with the Empress Dowager. Moreover, if they find out the truth, we'll all be in trouble!"
"Fifth Prince, I know this is too much to ask, but that place is truly no place for a human to live. I'm really scared..." Meizhu knelt before Yongqi, crying and pleading, "I beg you, Fifth Prince, to have mercy and save me!"
“Yongqi, if helping her will really put him in a difficult position, then…” Xiaoyanzi wanted to say that if it would really put him in a difficult position, then she would have to stop helping for now, as she didn’t want to cause him any trouble.
However, Yongqi comforted her, saying, "It is a bit troublesome, but it is not unsolvable..." Then he looked at Meizhu and said, "If you really want to escape this sea of suffering, then come with me to see Father Emperor. Only when Father Emperor knows the truth will you have a chance to be saved!"
For Yongqi, the most reliable person in the palace now is Qianlong. As long as Qianlong agrees, more than half of the problem will be solved.
When Meizhu heard that she had to see Emperor Qianlong, she trembled with fear. Seeing her trembling, Yongqi said again, "If you don't go to see Father Emperor, then there's nothing I can do to help you!" Forgive his selfishness now; he couldn't put himself and Xiaoyanzi in danger for the sake of others!
Xiao Yanzi advised, "If you really want to live a good life, then listen to Yongqi. As long as the Emperor agrees to release you, you can leave safely!"
After a struggle with her conscience, Mei Zhu finally nodded in agreement, "Alright, this servant is willing to go see the Emperor!"
"It's getting late now, and Father Emperor is probably already resting. After the morning court session tomorrow, Xiao Yanzi and I will take you to see the Emperor. You can rest at Yonghe Palace for the night."
"This servant thanks Fifth Prince!"
Watching Meizhu leave, Xiaoyanzi sighed, "Yongqi, did she experience something bad? Is that why she hesitated so much..."
Yongqi nodded. "Judging from her expression, I can guess a little, but we'll have to wait until she reports to Father Emperor to find out the specifics."
"Yongqi, do you think the Emperor will agree to let her go?"
"Knowing Father Emperor as I do, he will!" After all, this Meizhu isn't Hanxiang; she doesn't have that much appeal...
Yongqi looked at Xiaoyanzi, whose brows were furrowed, and reached out to smooth her eyebrows, comforting her, "Alright, don't think so much. Go back and rest first. We'll go see Father Emperor again tomorrow and ask him to make a decision!"
"Alright." Little Swallow pouted and slowly returned to the next room. Lying on the bed, Little Swallow hoped that Qianlong would agree to let Meizhu be together, so that there would be two fewer pitiful people in the palace.
The next day, after class, they took Meizhu to the Qianqing Palace.
"This servant greets the Fifth Prince and Princess Feiyan."
Yongqi said, "Eunuch Lu, I have something to discuss with Father Emperor. Please inform him."
"Fifth Prince, please wait a moment, this servant will go right away."
A short while later, Xiao Luzi came out from inside. "Please go in, Your Majesty is waiting."
The two brought Meizhu into the Qianqing Palace, and after bowing and paying their respects to Emperor Qianlong, they explained the purpose of their visit.
Emperor Qianlong frowned and looked at the two of them. "Do you want me to agree to let this palace maid leave with Xiao Yanzi?"
"Your Majesty, I had no other choice but to come to you..." Yongqi looked down at Meizhu, "Tell me your truth, and I will surely stand up for you!"
Following Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi's gaze, Qianlong noticed Meizhu, who had come with them. Meizhu knelt down again with a thud. "Your Majesty, I really can't stay in the palace any longer! I beg Your Majesty to grant me my wish! Please spare my life!"
"Tell me the whole story, and I will make my decision!"
“This servant, Meizhu, is from the capital. I entered the palace five years ago, hoping to pass on my family’s culinary skills. However, I am of low status and no one takes me seriously. Moreover, some people have been plotting against me behind my back, trying to frame me. Fortunately, I have survived these past few years without any real danger…”
“Ever since the Fifth Prince and Princess Feiyan came to see me and learned how to embroider purses, those people have become even more ruthless. They took advantage of the Fifth Prince and Princess’s absence from the palace to attack me. I had no other choice but to beg the Fifth Prince and Princess for help…”
Emperor Qianlong pressed further, "And who are those people you're talking about?"
"Yes...yes..." Mei Zhu hesitated, unsure how to begin. Yong Qi continued, "It's likely that some palace maids conspired with some eunuchs to bully her, which is why..."
Upon hearing Yongqi's words, Qianlong flew into a rage. Meizhu's mind was filled with those disgusting images again. She knelt on the ground, trembling, and cried out, "Your Majesty, those eunuchs are nothing but beasts! They don't treat me like a human being!"
"This is outrageous! How could such a thing happen in my palace?" Although these people didn't explain everything clearly, he was still an adult and naturally understood what they were implying.
"Father, if this matter escalates, it won't be good for her. Why don't we release her first and then deal with her when Xiao Yanzi returns from her training?"
Emperor Qianlong snorted and said angrily, "Yongqi, have people closely monitor those who are causing trouble. If they are found to be taking any further action, they must be arrested and brought to justice!"
If Mei Zhu is such an example, then there must be others who are experiencing the same thing. If we want to solve it, we must eliminate future troubles and restore peace to the harem!
"Yongqi obeys. As for Meizhu..."
"Just as you said, let Meizhu stay at the Scholar's Mansion for a while so she can learn more skills. Then, when Xiaoyanzi leaves the palace, let her go with her!"
The three men kowtowed in gratitude for the Emperor's favor. Emperor Qianlong sighed, "Meizhu, since Yongqi and Xiaoyanzi want to use you, you must live up to their trust. From now on, you must swear allegiance to the death. If you dare to break your oath, I will not forgive you!"
Mei Zhu quickly kowtowed and said, "This servant obeys the decree. This servant thanks Your Majesty for your grace. From now on, I will be loyal to you to the death and help the Princess and the Fifth Prince achieve their wishes as soon as possible!"
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