After Eunuch Zhou sent the women to the Laundry Department, he specifically told the head of the department, Momo Fan, about the Consort's intentions, instructing her to assign the dirtiest and most tiring work in the Laundry Department to Lady Fucha and Lady Wuya. The two women toiled in the Laundry Department all day without rest, and were also tormented and bullied by other palace maids, suffering terribly.
Empress Fucha was carrying freshly washed clothes to hang them out to dry when a palace maid walking towards her bumped into her, knocking the clothes to the ground. Empress Fucha, her eyes red with anger, glared back. Unexpectedly, the maid not only didn't apologize but also angrily retorted, "Can't you even watch where you're going?"
Empress Fucha stood up, shoved the palace maid, and snapped, "What did you say? Do you know who I am?"
The palace maids nearby stopped what they were doing to watch the commotion, laughing and saying, "Oh, so you're putting on airs now? You think you're some kind of empress?"
"That's right. Once you come to our Xin Zhe Ku, you're all just the same kind of slaves. What's so great about that?"
"Look at yourself! You're not even as good as us servants..."
Empress Fucha was furious, but she was isolated and helpless, so she suppressed her anger.
Uya rushed over, protecting Fucha, and pointed at the palace maids, furious: "What are you doing? Although we were demoted to the Xin Zhe Ku (a place for palace maids to serve in the imperial kitchen), please open your eyes and look carefully! We are still masters! And you... you will be slaves for all eternity... If the Emperor remembers our kindness one day, we can leave this place. Don't blame me then for not warning you..."
Uya's imposing presence overwhelmed everyone, and for a moment, all was silent. The palace maids dared not cause any trouble and had no choice but to disperse.
Fucha and Wuya sat down to rest together. Fucha looked at Wuya and said, "I have remembered what you said, sister."
Uya smiled bitterly, brushing aside a stray lock of hair that had fallen from Fucha's head: "Sister, we have to find a way to get out of this awful place..."
Empress Fucha was unwilling to accept this fate. Looking at her clothes and her hands, worn from working day and night, she felt a deep hatred for Consort Nian. She muttered under her breath, "I'm not reconciled. If it weren't for Consort Nian, I wouldn't have ended up like this. If I could bring Consort Nian down, I would do anything..."
Looking at Fucha's indignant expression, Uya murmured, recalling her own tragic past, "Who would willingly choose this state? We were all framed and brought to this point, yet she lives a carefree life, even being honored as Consort Xi, while I have to do menial, lowly work in the Laundry Department..."
Fucha knew that Wuya was holding a grudge against Lanqin. It was no wonder, since Wuya was so favored by the Fourth Prince back then. If it weren't for Lanqin, she might still be the Emperor's cousin.
Two people in the same boat, feeling sorry for each other, developed a deep bond. Fucha, being clever, knew that the only way out of the Xinzheku was to find someone she could rely on.
The two of them thought of the Empress simultaneously. In this palace, besides the Fourth Prince, only the Empress could rival Lanqin and Consort Nian. Everyone in the palace knew that the Empress had always been dissatisfied with Lanqin and Consort Nian. Although the Empress appeared magnanimous and maintained her imperial demeanor, avoiding conflict with Changchun Palace and Yikun Palace, they were secretly at odds.
Empress Fucha had an idea and said to Empress Wuya, "The Empress's change of clothes will be delivered tomorrow. This is the only way we can contact the Empress..."
Uya was overjoyed and whispered a few words in Fucha's ear. Fucha nodded, and the two smiled at each other...
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