Lingxiu remembered this palace maid named Bitong and kept an eye on her movements for the past two days. Finally, she found an opportunity to intercept her on the way to Xin Zhe Ku while she was carrying Fucha's clothes.
Seeing that Bitong was struggling, Lingxiu deliberately stepped forward to help, saying, "What a coincidence, Miss Bitong..." Bitong was taken aback and looked at Lingxiu strangely. Lingxiu suddenly smiled and said, "Have you forgotten? I accidentally bumped into you a few days ago, and you almost got scolded by your master..."
Bi Tong gave an "oh" and bowed slightly, saying, "It's you, sister. I didn't recognize you..." Bi Tong glanced at Ling Xiu's clothes, seemingly casually. Both were maids, but Ling Xiu wore a silk embroidered dress, adorned with hairpins and gold. Bi Tong herself wore coarse cloth clothes with a few stains.
Bi Tong shrank back awkwardly and said apologetically, "I'm dirty, I'm afraid I'll stain your clothes too..."
Lingxiu, with her graceful demeanor, lifted the clothes basket together with Bitong, and said with a friendly smile, "What are you saying? We are both palace maids, it's fate that we met..."
Bi Tong sighed, "It's just that my elder sister is a first-class palace maid, while I am only... a third-class palace maid..."
Lingxiu feigned surprise and exclaimed, "What? Someone as clever and quick-witted as you, how could you only be a first-class palace maid?" Then, indignantly, she said, "Since we know each other, we're sisters. I'll go and report to the Empress and ask her to promote you..."
Bi Tong was startled and covered her mouth, whispering, "Sister, are you someone close to the Empress?"
Lingxiu smiled dismissively, "You're new here, aren't you? You don't know me yet. I'm the Empress's personal maid..."
Lingxiu panicked immediately. Bitong curtsied and said politely, "Greetings, elder sister. I was blind and didn't recognize your status..." Lingxiu quickly helped Bitong up and said with a smile, "I find you quite pleasing to the eye. I know you're a smart person, but it's a pity you suffered such injustice at Zhongcui Palace..."
Bitong was already dissatisfied with Lady Fucha, and hearing Lingxiu's words made her even more aggrieved. Seeing this, Lingxiu continued, "You are considered one of the most beautiful maids in the palace, and you are also diligent in your work. Most importantly, I think you are smart and sensible, and you will definitely understand what it means to be a wise and capable person. It's such a pity that you, Bitong, can only be relegated to being a lowly maid in Zhongcui Palace..."
Lingxiu glanced at Bitong with pity. Bitong wasn't stupid; she understood the meaning behind Lingxiu's words. Lingxiu was someone close to the Empress, and for her to deliberately approach her and say such things, the Empress must need something from her.
Bi Tong's heart sank. Thinking about her own experiences, she felt unwilling and immediately said to Ling Xiu, "Sister is right. I just don't know if I still have a chance to change my fate. Please enlighten me, sister..."
Lingxiu was overjoyed; Bitong was indeed a sensible person. She whispered a few words in Bitong's ear and then prepared to take her to Jingren Palace. Bitong hesitated for a long time, but still went with her…
Upon seeing Bi Tong, the Empress immediately ordered silver to be brought out, took Bi Tong's hand, and said she wanted to reward her. Bi Tong was flattered and timidly asked, "This servant is unworthy and untalented, and truly cannot bear the Empress's kindness. Please give me a chance to repay her..."
The Empress and Lingxiu exchanged a glance, the Empress admiring Lingxiu's discerning eye. Lingxiu smiled and helped Bitong up, saying, "Actually, Her Majesty doesn't have any requests, she just hopes you can tell us about Fucha's every move in Zhongcui Palace..."
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