"No need to see me off." Old Tong left.
Mu Run pulled Xiang Zhu into the house.
Looking at the simple house, apart from the new bedding on the bed, there was nothing else new.
Xiangzhu looked at them with pity and sympathy, but there was nothing she could do; after all, they were slaves.
"Did he bully you last night?"
Mu Run knew what she was asking. Her temples flushed, and she nodded shyly, saying, "He's quite good. He's a nice person."
Seeing that she was shy, Xiangzhu figured there was nothing wrong with it and teased, "As long as I'm good to you, that's fine. Remember to thank the Princess later, don't break the rules."
Mu Run suddenly realized that he had completely forgotten about this. "Look at my memory."
Xiangzhu, "Knowing you have amnesia, I rushed over to remind you."
"Then I'll go with you."
Mu Run changed into a new outfit, the ones Shi Xuan had brought back for her last night. It was a pinkish-cherry blossom color, embroidered with auspicious patterns representing the four seasons, and the perfect waistline accentuated her slender and graceful figure.
Xiangzhu looked at her clothes. "I seem to remember you didn't wear this, did you?"
"Shi Xuan bought it for me." Mu Run looked at Xiang Zhu. "Wait a moment."
Mu Run opened the wardrobe and took out a light green dress with a bluish tinge, embroidered with floral patterns. "This should fit you well; it's a bit short on me."
Xiangzhu immediately took a liking to the color, and since servants couldn't wear red, green was the most suitable. "No, no, no, how could I take your clothes? You can keep them for yourself. If they're too short, you can just alter the hem. Put them away quickly."
"I have more, and I'm too lazy to mend clothes." Mu Run took out an inconspicuous gray cloth and wrapped the clothes up for Xiang Zhu. "Take this! Otherwise, I'll get angry."
"You! Sigh~ Fine, I'll take it." Xiangzhu packed up her bundle. "Looking at it this way, Shi Xuan seems pretty good. You're lucky, you've found a gem."
"A few pieces of clothing are all you're talking about? Your standards are way too low." Mu Run took two bunches of grapes from a basket hanging behind the door and handed one to Xiang Zhu. "Old Tong just brought these over. Try them and see if they're good."
Xiangzhu caught it, smelled it, and said, "It smells alright."
The two of them ate grapes as they headed towards Hanzhang Garden.
Madam Yan sat in front of her dressing table, examining a fine green jade hairpin and a purple pearl hair ornament.
Xiangzhu came in and reported, "Your Majesty, Xiao Su has arrived."
Yan scoffed, "Meddlesome, I won't see you."
Hearing Yan's displeased tone, Xiangzhu immediately looked flustered and replied, "Yes."
Mu Run waited outside for the summons. When he saw Xiang Zhu come out, her expression was not quite right, and he immediately guessed, "Is Her Majesty not going to see me?"
"..."
"Then I'll head back."
"Why don't you wait? The Empress might want to see you."
"Impossible. In her eyes, I'm just a lowly maid who's been kicked out, not worth seeing again. Remember to come visit me when you have time, bye."
Mu Run was also quick and efficient; as soon as Yan Shi refused to see her, she left immediately.
Xiangzhu sighed as she watched Mu Run leave with a carefree air.
A maid carrying a bowl of grapes came over and, seeing Xiangzhu, asked, "What's wrong?"
"Sister Qitong, Her Majesty does not want to see Xiao Su."
"Of course we won't see her." Qi Tong looked around to make sure no one was watching before saying, "The Empress doesn't like her face. She's a vixen; men can't resist her."
"Sister Qitong, Xiao Su is pretty, but it's not that exaggerated," Xiangzhu whispered, somewhat disagreeing with Qitong's assessment that Xiao Su was a vixen. Xiao Su had never flaunted her looks to anyone.
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