“Caixiang, she deliberately didn’t hold it properly and splashed urine all over my skirt. Why are you still defending her?” Qiu Mei continued to “play” her role as the bad cop.
“No, it was you who suddenly let go,” Nianxia suddenly said.
This was the first time she had spoken in front of Qiu Mei, Cai Xiang, and the others.
"You're talking nonsense! I saw you reach out your hand, but who knew you'd be so wicked as to deliberately refuse!" Qiu Mei cursed.
Nianxia used to be quite arrogant, and Qiu Mei never dared to look her in the eye. Now, she was being insulted like this. Nianxia felt as if her heart was on fire, and her eyes blazed with fury.
Perhaps Qiu Mei had something to hide, because when she saw Nian Xia's angry gaze, her arrogance seemed to diminish by half. But when Cai Xiang gave her a wink, she immediately put her hands on her hips and said, "What are you looking at? Do you think you're still the head maid of Consort Xi? Don't you even look in the mirror? What a horrible sight you are now. You reek of excrement!"
After saying that, she fanned her nose with her hand, as if a foul odor was emanating from Nianxia.
Nianxia clenched her hands, wishing she could go up and fight Qiu Mei to vent the anger she had been holding in for so many days.
“Qiu Mei, don’t go too far. We’re all just servants. How do you know you won’t be humiliated in the future if you humiliate her like this today?” Cai Xiang said indignantly.
Nianxia's heart skipped a beat. Caixiang was the only person who had spoken up for her these past few days. She just hadn't expected that it would be someone from Consort Fucha's side.
“Caixiang, don’t forget whose maid you are. Our Consort Fucha has suffered a lot of indignities. And you actually speak up for the people of Changchun Palace.” Qiu Mei deliberately emphasized the words “Changchun Palace”.
“I… I’m no longer a member of Changchun Palace,” Nianxia blurted out.
A glint of light flashed in Cai Xiang's eyes, then vanished without a trace.
"Did you hear that? She's already been sent to the Imperial Guard for hard labor, which is pitiful enough. Don't bring up those embarrassing and sad things anymore," Cai Xiang said, trying to reconcile Xia and Qiu Mei.
"Hmph, what am I going to do with these shoes? They cost me two taels of silver. It's all her fault for getting them dirty," Qiu Mei said, still seemingly unwilling to let it go.
“Take it off, I’ll wash it for you, and I promise it will look exactly the same as before,” Cai Xiang said quickly.
"You said it yourself." Qiu Mei felt a little better, rolled her eyes at Nian Xia, and then turned to change her shoes.
"Nianxia, what are you still standing here for? Go get some water to wash your shoes and dress; they smell pretty strong," Caixiang said gently.
Nianxia looked at Caixiang, her heart stirred slightly, and she bowed her head and said, "Thank you."
Cai Xiang felt a surge of secret joy and said, "We're just serving people, no need to thank me."
After that, whenever Nianxia came to Zhongcui Palace to clean, Caixiang would take care of her. Whenever Qiumei tried to find fault with Nianxia, Caixiang would stop her.
Gradually, Nianxia and Caizhu's relationship improved. Nianxia was grateful to Caizhu for helping her when she was at her lowest point.
Caizhu also inquired, intentionally or unintentionally, about the reason why Nianxia was expelled from Changchun Palace. Nianxia finally admitted that she had stolen Consort Xi's hairpin out of greed.
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