Xu Yuehuai immediately turned around warily, only to see a figure climb in through the window from the shadows. It was the Ghost Doctor!
Seeing this, Xu Yuehuai quickly went forward to check on the Ghost Doctor's injuries. The Ghost Doctor was pale, and his clothes were stained with blood, clearly indicating that his wounds had reopened. Xu Yuehuai immediately took out a medicine box from the cabinet and began to re-bandage the Ghost Doctor's wounds.
The Ghost Doctor looked at Xu Yuehuai gratefully and said, "Thank you so much. I'm so sorry if I've dragged you into this."
Xu Yuehuai shook her head and said, "Ghost Doctor, you're too kind. It was my carelessness that made people discover the abnormality. I will be more careful in the future."
While the two were talking, Xu Yuehuai had already finished bandaging the Ghost Doctor's wounds. Although the Ghost Doctor's face was still pale, it was much better than before.
...
Early the next morning, in the spacious and solemn Anshou Palace, the Empress Dowager sat on an exquisite jade throne. Her face was both kind and dignified, her eyes revealing a profound wisdom gained through life's experiences. Her fingers tapped lightly on the armrests, producing a rhythmic sound, as if she were weighing every subtle change in the palace.
Xu Yuehuai then told the Empress Dowager about the head palace maid searching her room the previous night. The Empress Dowager was furious upon hearing this and immediately ordered the head palace maid to be punished.
When the head palace maid was brought before the Empress Dowager, she was pale and trembling. She knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly and begging for mercy.
However, the Empress Dowager remained unmoved. She coldly looked at the head palace maid and said, "As the head of the palace maids, you led the way in recklessly searching Xiaoyue's room. What kind of behavior is this! Do you know your crime?"
The head palace maid dared not raise her head, but kept kowtowing and saying, "This servant knows her crime, this servant knows her crime."
The Empress Dowager sneered and said, "Since you know your crime, you should know how to be punished. Guards, drag her out and give her twenty strokes of the cane!"
Immediately, palace maids stepped forward and dragged the head maid out.
The Empress Dowager watched the head palace maid's retreating figure, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes. She turned to Xu Yuehuai and said, "Such disloyal and unjust palace maids should be severely punished!"
Xu Yuehuai bowed her head respectfully and said, "Thank you for your teachings, Your Majesty. I will keep them in mind."
Suddenly, the Empress Dowager's voice was warm and powerful, like a spring breeze: "I believe you will do better than her. From today onwards, you will be a first-class palace maid by my side."
Xu Yuehuai's heart skipped a beat. She quickly looked up, her eyes sparkling with surprise and disbelief. She immediately bowed, her voice trembling, "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty. Yuehuai will certainly do her utmost and live up to your expectations."
In Xu Yuehuai's heart, this promotion came so suddenly that she could hardly believe her ears. She thought of the arrogant and conceited head palace maid, Xiaohua, and a ripple of emotion stirred within her.
It seems that Xiao Hua's arrogance and domineering attitude did not win the Empress Dowager's approval, but instead became a stepping stone for her promotion.
"Ah—! Spare me!"
"Your Majesty! This servant knows she was wrong!"
"I will never dare to do it again, please spare my life!"
Just as Xu Yuehuai was lost in thought, a mournful wail suddenly came from outside Anshou Palace.
That was Xiaohua's voice. She was being severely beaten with a board by the eunuchs, and her cries of pain rose and fell, making people tremble with fear.
However, the Empress Dowager seemed to ignore her, her gaze remaining fixed on Xu Yuehuai with an unfathomable meaning.
"It's too noisy here, let me go to the backyard to bask in the sun!"
"Here you go!"
Although Xu Yuehua felt a pang of reluctance, she knew this was the rule of the palace, and the price she had paid for her promotion. She dared not hesitate or show any pity, and silently helped the Empress Dowager walk towards the inner courtyard.
The Empress Dowager's backyard was a tranquil and comfortable place, where sunlight streamed through the exquisite window frames, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
Xu Yuehuai helped the Empress Dowager sit on a soft couch and then gently massaged her shoulders.
A satisfied smile appeared on the Empress Dowager's face. She closed her eyes and enjoyed this rare moment of tranquility.
As Xu Yuehuai massaged the Empress Dowager, she kept a close eye on her expression. She discovered that although the Empress Dowager was dignified, she also had a soft heart. She couldn't help but think of her own mother, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.
Time passed slowly in this peaceful and warm atmosphere.
"Da da da..."
Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps broke the silence.
A palace maid rushed in, her face filled with terror: "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! Xiao Hua... she has fainted!"
The Empress Dowager slightly opened her eyes, her face showing no surprise, and simply said, "Drag her away."
Xu Yuehuai's heart skipped a beat. She knew this meant Xiaohua had been completely abandoned, and no one knew what her fate would be. As for herself, she had become a first-class palace maid by the Empress Dowager's side, and her future was now full of infinite possibilities.
The palace maids of Anshou Palace also underwent a subtle change in their attitude towards Xu Yuehuai. They were no longer as indifferent or even hostile towards her as before, but instead became respectful and fearful.
Xu Yuehuai knew this was because she had become the Empress Dowager's confidante, and her status was no longer what it used to be.
However, Xu Yuehuai did not become arrogant or complacent because of this. She knew clearly that this honor and status were bestowed by the Empress Dowager, and she could only repay the Empress Dowager's trust and stabilize everything by working even harder.
Xu Yuehuai worked even more diligently in Anshou Palace, not only taking meticulous care of the Empress Dowager's daily life but also actively participating in various palace activities. Her intelligence, humility, and prudence won the praise and respect of the Empress Dowager and other palace maids.
As time went by, Xu Yuehuai's position in the palace gradually became more secure, and she gradually adapted to this complex and challenging life, always keeping her original aspirations and mission in mind.
The night was as dark as ink, and the lights of Anshou Palace were dim.
Xu Yuehuai stood by the window of her room, her eyes filled with determination and anticipation. She wore a simple, elegant dress, her hair flowing gently, like a delicate ink painting. Opposite her stood a ghost doctor dressed in black.
The Ghost Doctor's face was obscured by the brim of his hat, revealing only a pair of deep eyes that seemed to see into people's hearts. His voice was deep and powerful, like the night wind, carrying a hint of coolness: "Miss Xu, I will definitely take care of the matter you entrusted to me."
Xu Yuehuai turned around, her eyes sparkling with gratitude: "Ghost Doctor, thank you so much. The information we've gathered is crucial to the Prince, so you must make sure to convey it to him properly."
The Ghost Doctor nodded slightly, his voice carrying a hint of solemnity: "Miss Xu, I will follow your instructions and pass the message to the Prince. Once we find Tie Xiong and the others, I will immediately return to meet you and we will leave this place of trouble together."
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