While she was lost in thought, Lan Ying had already opened the door of the wing room: "We're here. This will be your residence from now on."
Xue Zhiyi stepped in and saw that the place was not spacious, not even one-third the size of Jiangxuexuan, but it was bright and ventilated. The room was well-equipped, and there was a low couch by the window with a cherry wood desk on it. Looking out the window from here, one could catch a glimpse of the sky at the four corners of Jianzhang Palace.
However, there were many high-quality white porcelain ornaments in the room. White porcelain was expensive. Even though the palace was luxurious, Xue Zhiyi was just a servant after all. These objects were probably too gorgeous for her.
"Lan Ying." Xue Zhiyi called her, "I wonder who arranged this room for me?"
Lan Ying just held her hands up. Although she was a few inches shorter than her, she held her chin high when looking at her, inexplicably looking down on her.
Although she smiled, she looked unfriendly. "I arranged it, but the palace is not like your home. We come to the palace to serve, not to be served. Naturally, it is not as comfortable as your home."
Xue Zhiyi suddenly smiled and said, "You arranged it very well. What else can I find fault with?"
As she spoke, she took out some golden barley from her purse and handed it to Jingchun first, then handed a handful to Lanying: "Please take good care of me in the future."
The expression on Lan Ying's face changed immediately, and the look in her eyes as she stared at Xue Zhiyi became extremely fierce.
Xue Zhiyi is... treating her like a servant!
But Xue Zhiyi happened to be the Royal Attendant, and his status was higher than hers, so it was reasonable for him to reward her.
However, Lan Ying must be unhappy to be reminded of the difference in status like this.
But Xue Zhiyi seemed not to notice and continued to hand over the handful of golden barley with a friendly look, as if he really didn't notice her emotions at all.
She smiled coldly: "No need."
Xue Zhiyi heard this and did not force it any further. He could only put away the golden barley with regret: "Lan Ying is also a straightforward person. If you need anything from me in the future, just ask."
"You're being too formal. Zhiyi should focus more on yourself."
Although Lan Ying was smiling when she said this, she was thinking resentfully in her heart: This idiot is so proud now, and he thinks how long he can stay in Jianzhang Palace!
Not knowing what she was thinking, Lan Ying suddenly said, "I heard that your father is the Minister of Revenue?"
The ever-changing events in the court always spread quickly. How could Lan Ying not know about the Xue family's misfortune? She had been humiliated by Xue Zhiyi for no reason and she didn't want to swallow this humiliation.
Xue Zhiyi heard this, but she did not show any sadness. She smiled as if she was not surprised by the honor or disgrace. "Something went wrong back then. I am not of the Shangshu Mansion bloodline."
Lan Ying was stunned. It was obvious that she was not aware of this matter yet. So she looked at Xue Zhiyi with even more contempt: This lowly bloodline from who knows where was actually worthy of being above her? How hateful!
She was still smiling, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. "No matter whether you have Xue family blood flowing in your veins, after all, you were also raised in that way in the past, so naturally you are more delicate than others. From now on in Jianzhang Palace, I hope you can curb your arrogance and avoid causing trouble."
Xue Zhiyi said calmly, "Lan Ying has a noble bearing, so she must be from a distinguished family."
Speaking of this, Lan Ying raised her already high chin even higher: "My father is the Minister of Dali Temple."
Xue Zhiyi smiled suddenly, "I am just a daughter of the Shangshu Mansion in name only, but you, Lanying, are the daughter of the Dali Temple Minister. I guess you are even more precious. I don't know how to get rid of my arrogance. From now on, I will have to follow your words and deeds."
"You..." Lan Ying choked.
Xue Zhiyi just smiled, and it seemed like the most ordinary courtesy and small talk, but it left Lan Ying speechless for a moment.
Xue Zhiyi could only sigh that she was really prone to attracting villains. As soon as she walked into the gate of Jianzhang Palace, someone started to make trouble for her.
"Two...two sisters!" Jing Chun naturally sensed the tension between the two and hurriedly advised, "Two sisters, we are all from the same palace. From now on, we are sisters. We should support each other, right?"
Facing Jingchun, Xue Zhiyi's expression softened considerably. "What Jingchun said makes sense. People who stir up trouble out of nothing will probably be hard to tolerate under the palace rules. Lanying entered the palace early, so she should understand this principle better, right?"
Lan Ying hadn't expected Xue Zhiyi to be such a smooth talker. She snorted coldly, "I won't argue with you. Now that you've settled down, go pay your respects to the Queen Mother as soon as possible, lest she think that even though your family has fallen on hard times, you're still a proud and arrogant lady from a high-class family."
Xue Zhiyi said calmly: "Thanks for the reminder."
With a cold snort, Lan Ying turned and left.
But Jingchun hesitated to speak. Just as he was about to say something, he was pulled away by Lanying.
Looking at the direction Lan Ying left, Xue Zhiyi could still hear her voice: "The last time you came to Jianzhang Palace, you caused a lot of trouble. Now you are sharp-tongued and sharp-tongued, which shows that you are very restless! Sooner or later, the Queen Mother will be tired of such people!"
…
Xue Zhiyi had plenty of time, so he went outside the main hall to meet the empress dowager.
At this moment, a young eunuch rushed over and told Xue Zhiyi, who was about to speak, to shut up.
The young eunuch, still somewhat childish despite his youth and possessing a certain cleverness, placed his finger on his lips, hushing, and whispered, "Shut up!"
Xue Zhiyi was startled when he saw the young eunuch glance towards the main hall. He then almost breathed, "Sister, the Queen Mother is asleep. Why are you here now? The Queen Mother is a light sleeper. Your shouting will surely wake her up!"
But Xue Zhiyi frowned and looked towards the main hall.
Didn’t Huo Wuyou just go over to pay his respects?
The young eunuch seemed to see through Xue Zhiyi's thoughts and said, "As soon as the Marquis of Lin'an arrived, the Queen Mother said she was tired and asked the Marquis to leave first."
After saying that, he winked at Xue Zhiyi again and said, "My name is Chuizhu. The Marquis instructed me to remind my sister more often."
"Marquis of Lin'an?" Xue Zhiyi also replied in a breathy voice.
Although Lan Ying was not a kind person, she could not guarantee that Chuizhu was really helping her.
If the Queen Mother was asleep at this moment, she certainly couldn't go to disturb her, but if she was awake, and she listened to Chuizhu's words and delayed paying her respects, she was afraid that the Queen Mother's impression of her would be greatly reduced.
Chuizhu raised her head and smiled, "The Marquis and I have a very good relationship. Besides asking me to look after you, sister, he also asked me to remind you that you should keep the things he gave you safely. If you have any questions in Jianzhang Palace in the future, please ask me Chuizhu!"
Xue Zhiyi clutched the hair ribbon under his sleeve. He had just talked to Lan Ying and the others and had not had time to hide the thing properly in the house, so it was still on his body.
But after hearing Chuizhu say this, she finally believed his words and smiled slightly: "Thank you very much, Chuizhu."
Compared to Lan Ying, who was not very friendly to her and hurriedly urged her to come and pay a visit to the Queen Mother, Chuizhu's words were obviously more credible.
But Chuizhu waved her hand and said, "Why are you being polite? Sister, just wait here."
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