After her reprimand, Empress Fucha only selected two honest and loyal palace maids as first-class palace maids, specifically to serve her daily needs. Two other palace maids were selected as second-class palace maids, responsible for miscellaneous cleaning and chores in Zhongcui Palace. The last four were only assigned to do some rough work outside, and were classified as third-class palace maids.
Lingxiu inquired about the palace maids selected by the Fucha clan from the sidelines. They seemed ordinary and had nothing special about them, so she asked the Imperial Household Department out of curiosity.
The eunuch from the Imperial Household Department said, "That day, there were several particularly clever and intelligent palace maids in Songwu Zhongcui Palace. It was thought that they would be given important positions, but unexpectedly, they were all assigned to menial tasks. On the contrary, two quiet and honest palace maids were favored by Lady Fucha."
When the Empress learned of this, she couldn't help but look at Empress Fucha with new respect: "She is a cunning person by nature and cannot tolerate those around her who are scheming. She wanted to cultivate her own confidants, but the clever palace maids had the opposite effect. It turns out that Empress Fucha didn't value that intention at all..."
Lingxiu was somewhat anxious and worried, saying, "This servant is worried that the two people around Lady Fucha are not easy to approach. The less senior they are, the more they are valued by Lady Fucha, so naturally they are grateful and loyal..."
The Empress pondered for a moment and then smiled, "Actually, we don't need to start with her. She's so cautious; the slightest disturbance will surely not escape her notice. That's fine too. Go and see if there are any other methods..."
Lingxiu deliberately stood on the path leading to the kitchen, where she encountered a third-class palace maid responsible for serving Fucha's meals. In an accidental collision, she knocked over Fucha's food, startling the maid who nearly cried out, "What should we do? Her Highness will surely be furious..."
Lingxiu apologized profusely, saying, "It was my carelessness. How about I go with you to apologize to your young master? It'll just be a meal. Or I can give you our master's food first?"
Another palace maid, seeing the food scattered on the floor, stood up, grabbed the weeping maid, and said angrily, "Forget it, it's not a good place anyway. Even if we're punished, it doesn't matter. At worst, we'll just be sent back... I didn't want to work under her anymore..."
The weeping palace maid tugged at her sleeve and said timidly, "What are you saying, Sister Bitong? If the Noble Lady finds out, she'll probably punish you again..."
Lingxiu was startled. Bitong? That name sounds so familiar!
That's the palace maid the Imperial Household Department said was very clever! Lingxiu was immediately delighted, and feigned concern as she asked, "Is your mistress that capable?"
Bi Tong rolled her eyes and said angrily, "It's always punishment and beatings, I've had enough of it..."
Lingxiu sympathetically helped the palace maid squatting on the ground to clean up. Looking at her hands, she asked softly with concern, "You don't look like third-class palace maids, so why are you doing all the rough and tiring work? The Imperial Household Department is really bad at assigning tasks..."
The palace maid shushed her with her finger and explained, "Sister Bitong is the smartest and most capable among us. This time, the Imperial Household Department specifically promised Sister Bitong that she would definitely be given an important position in Zhongcui Palace, which is why she was assigned to us... I didn't expect that my master would only select the two most honest and simple palace maids as first-class palace maids, but make Sister Bitong a third-class palace maid... Sister Bitong was unwilling, which is why she was punished by my master..."
Lingxiu looked up at the palace maid named Bitong and knew that she was the one she was looking for!
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