Chapter 101 The Daughter of a Guilty Minister vs. the Disabled Prince 15
Ji Yunhuan first went to the imperial kitchen to find Xia Yang. When Xia Yang heard that it was a reward from the Grand Prince, he accepted it without saying a word and was not polite at all.
She went to the slave camp to find Baizhi again. She thought she would encounter difficulties and there would not be much left by the time the things were delivered to Baizhi. Unexpectedly, she met Baizhi very smoothly.
"No, no! Life in the East Palace is already difficult. You and His Highness just need to be well fed and warmly clothed. I have everything. You don't need to repay me."
Ji Yun laughed and said, "Your Highness asked me to give it to you. If you don't accept it, I won't be able to explain to Your Highness when I go back."
Bai Zhi touched the exquisite fabric and said in a voice so soft that it was almost inaudible, "So His Highness still remembers me."
"I've accepted the gift, Xiaoyun, you must take good care of His Highness. Taking good care of him is the best way to repay me."
Ji Yunhuan noticed that Bai Zhi seemed to have deep feelings for Xiao Yan. When he stepped forward to go to the Eastern Palace for her, perhaps it was not to help her, but because he really wanted to take care of Xiao Yan.
"Don't worry, sister. This is all my job."
The two chatted some more. Bai Zhi was particularly concerned about Xiao Yan, so Ji Yunhuan could only talk about some small things like food and clothing. Bai Zhi also listened with great interest.
"Miss Xiaoyun is here." A young eunuch with a fair face came over and greeted Ji Yunhuan with a smile.
Bai Zhi immediately bowed and said, "Hello, Eunuch Shun."
Xiao Shunzi was the new manager of the prison camp. He gave Bai Zhi a helping hand and said with a smile, "Since you are Miss Xiaoyun's friend, you don't have to be so polite. Just call me Xiao Shunzi."
He turned to look at Ji Yunhuan again, "Miss Xiaoyun, have you finished your work?"
Ji Yunhuan didn't know this little Shunzi at all, so she could only bow and reply, "I'm done, I'll leave right away."
Xiao Shunzi nodded and said, "In that case, come with me, girl."
Ji Yunhuan recognized that this was the road to Jinhua Palace.
No wonder Xiao Shunzi became the manager of the slave camp at such a young age. It turned out that he had the support of Concubine Wu.
The entire harem was under the control of Concubine Wu. As long as she left the Eastern Palace, Concubine Wu would know immediately.
If Concubine Wu wanted to kill her, a criminal slave, there would be no need to go through so much trouble. She was very curious that she would go to so much trouble just to see her.
Xiao Shunzi took Ji Yunhuan into Jinhua Palace through the corner gate quietly without disturbing anyone.
After living for two lifetimes, Ji Yunhuan met Concubine Wu for the first time.
It was thought that Concubine Wu, who was favored the most in the harem, should be a beauty with extraordinary beauty, but Concubine Wu's appearance could only be considered above average. Although she was very beautiful, she was not to the point of outshining all other beauties.
She is nearly forty years old, with round eyebrows and a gentle and kind appearance. When she smiles, there are traces of time in the corners of her eyes, which makes her look even more gentle.
"Good boy, stop kneeling and sit down."
As soon as Ji Yunhuan knelt down, she was helped up. The stool was already prepared. The nanny beside Concubine Wu pulled her to sit down with a smile, not allowing her to refute.
"Thank you, Madam. I am very confused. I don't know why you summoned me here."
Concubine Wu looked at Ji Yunhuan with gentle eyes, as if she was looking at a younger generation of her own family.
"She is indeed a beauty from heaven. With such a beautiful face and such a good figure, it is such a pity that she has gone to such a cold place like the East Palace."
"The deposed crown prince is cruel by nature. The palace maids are all sent by girls from good families. Even if they are from the royal family, they cannot be beaten and killed at will. I have no choice but to let Die'er go to the prison camp to select people. Die'er has good eyesight and chose you at first sight. Die'er, come here."
Die'er came over with her head down, and bowed to Ji Yunhuan and said, "Miss Xiaoyun, I'm sorry. It was my younger sister who was ignorant and offended you. It was my fault that I didn't discipline her well. Now that she's gone, please be magnanimous and don't hold it against her."
Ji Yunhuan stood up in a panic and bowed, even more respectfully than Die'er, "Sister, you are too polite. I am just a slave, how can I deserve your apology. Besides, you are here to do the work, so someone has to serve His Highness."
Concubine Wu nodded in satisfaction. "I am relieved that you are so sensible and considerate. Although you went to the East Palace by mistake, you have served the deposed crown prince so well, which is also a merit."
Ji Yunhuan said more respectfully, "It is my duty to serve Your Highness. I dare not take credit for it."
Concubine Wu ordered people to display many gold, silver and jewelry. The exquisite sandalwood boxes were opened one by one, and the things inside were shining brightly. Any one of them was a treasure that an ordinary person could not get in his lifetime.
"These are given to you by me, take them and play with them."
Ji Yunhuan not only confiscated it, but also took out the banknotes in her arms, spread them on the table, and said seriously: "No merit, no reward. Your Majesty's generous reward makes me feel terrified."
Concubine Wu couldn't help but look up to Ji Yunhuan. "You are indeed an honest child. I didn't make a mistake in choosing you. You are different from those who try to climb up the social ladder. Everyone loves gold, silver and jewelry, but you don't want them."
She waved her hand and asked everyone to leave, leaving only Ji Yunhuan. "I like this child and want to talk to her. You all go out. Don't come in and disturb me if you don't have anything to do."
A group of palace maids filed out, Die'er was the last one, and couldn't help but glare at Ji Yunhuan.
Her sister died in unclear circumstances, so she didn't believe that she would commit suicide by jumping into a well. Xiaoyun was the only one in the entire harem who had a grudge against her sister, so it must have been Xiaoyun who did it!
Xiaoyun not only seduces the Fifth Prince, but now she also pretends to win the favor of the Imperial Concubine. This is really despicable!
Even though she was unwilling in her heart, Die'er could only endure it for the time being. One day, she would kill Xiaoyun to avenge her sister!
Concubine Wu pulled Ji Yunhuan to sit beside her, lifted up Ji Yunhuan's sleeve, revealing the hideous "slave" mark on his forearm.
Criminal slaves would be branded with a red-hot iron and then stained with a special ink. It was a mark of shame that could never be removed.
Ji Yunhuan couldn't help but shrink back and lowered his head even lower.
Concubine Wu touched the slave mark on Ji Yunhuan's body lovingly and sighed, "You are a good child, but you have a miserable life and were sent to a slave camp."
"Even if I offer you a first-class maid, you will still be a criminal slave and will never be able to leave the palace. But are you really willing to serve others for the rest of your life and never be able to hold your head up high?"
Ji Yunhuan's eyes were indifferent, but her voice was choked with sobs, "Now this is already a sign of your Majesty's love for me. What else can this servant ask for?"
"You don't have to belittle yourself. I can help you get rid of your slavery and let you leave the palace to live a free and happy life. You can live an upright life and no longer have to bear this mark of shame!"
Ji Yunhuan raised his head suddenly, his eyes filled with joy that could not be hidden, "Are you serious, Madam? Is this really possible?"
Concubine Wu smiled. She knew that as long as one is a human being, he or she will have desires, and she has found Xiaoyun's desires.
"Of course!" Concubine Wu placed a small black porcelain bottle on the banknotes and pushed it in front of Ji Yunhuan. "As long as you are willing to work for me and get rid of your slavery in the future, I will give you good land and houses, and guarantee you a lifetime of wealth and glory!"
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