Cen Ang's daily work involved handling all sorts of matters, big and small, within the palace. Although his main focus was within the Crown Prince's palace, the Crown Prince did not leave the palace to establish his own household.
The words "cold-hearted and indifferent" seemed tailor-made for her, and the girl didn't care what others said about her.
However, the palace servants also noticed that she didn't seem to be like that.
"Aunt, the newly arrived palace maid who sweeps the palace has broken the offerings. What do you think?"
Such trivial matters would generally not reach Cen Ang's ears; according to palace rules, even if he didn't die, he would be severely punished.
But today, seeing his former colleague come to deliver a message, Cen Ang asked directly:
"Are they your people?"
The colleague shook his head and then said:
"He was just a pitiful child. He was naive and didn't know anything when he first entered the palace. He was also a bit careless in his work, and he died just like that. It's a pity."
Cen Ang rolled his eyes at her, then got up and walked straight to the cleaning room.
Whatever the reason, my colleague is right. This kind of thing hasn't happened in a long time. Besides, how could a maid who sweeps the house possibly come into contact with the tribute?
This colleague of mine doesn't even explain himself clearly.
When Cen Ang arrived at the cleaning room, he saw the little palace maid who had caused the trouble covered in blood, lying face down on a stool, probably having just been tortured.
"Greetings to Aunt."
Upon seeing Cen Ang, everyone bowed to her.
"What happened? Why is it so bloody?"
"Replying to Aunt, this little girl accidentally broke the offering bowl. What do you think...?"
Cen Ang sat in the main seat, raised his phoenix eyes to look at the head palace maid beside him who was sweeping and cleaning, and asked:
"Aren't you going to investigate why there are offerings in the cleaning room?"
"..."
"..."
"Tell me, how did you break the offering bowl?"
Cen Ang asked the little palace maid who was about to faint. The little palace maid was only about ten years old and had been gritting her teeth and holding on to her last breath.
"I was sweeping the floor just fine, and when I turned around, the bowl was right at my feet. The broom broke as soon as it touched it."
"Did you hear that? The offering bowl is on the ground. Aren't you going to check it?"
The cold-faced aunt stood up, went to the child, untied her bound hands, and then said:
"Someone, summon the imperial physician!"
"Aunt, she's just a palace maid. Isn't it a bit too much to summon the imperial physician...?"
Seeing Cen Ang's imposing eyes, everyone around immediately shut their mouths.
Who dares to speak up? Can't you see this guy's getting a little angry?
The little palace maid was carried by Cen Ang to the servants' courtyard inside the Crown Prince's palace, and blood stained her body.
Zhao Kai happened to be delivering something to the Crown Prince's residence when he saw Cen Ang and couldn't help but frown. Had she gotten into some trouble?
Where were these people rescued from?
"A-Cen is back?" Lan Youxin was looking for her. The palace maids said she was back, but she wasn't by her side.
"Your Highness, Ah Cen is throwing a tantrum in the backyard."
Lan Youxin, her hand still busy munching on melon seeds, looked at Hua Luan with clear eyes and asked:
"What's wrong? Who made our aunt angry again?"
"I heard that a palace maid in the sweeping room broke a tribute bowl and was almost beaten to death. But how did the tribute bowl end up in the sweeping room? So Ah Cen sent people to investigate."
"Have you found out yet?"
"We found out. Princess Helan took it to play with and forgot to put it away."
"Then why is Ah Cen still throwing a tantrum?"
"I guess it's the people cleaning the sanitation room who are treating human life like dirt."
"Disregarding human life?"
"Yes, that little palace maid is in our backyard right now. Ah Cen is having the imperial physician treat her while also dealing with her."
Hua Luan explained everything clearly. Although she wasn't in charge of things in the palace like Cen Ang, she could still keep any slight movement from her.
Lan Youxin stood up and walked towards the backyard, saying:
“Then I’ll go and support Ah Cen. It wouldn’t be good if someone bullied her.”
"..."
The Crown Princess, who dares to bully her? She's always getting hurt.
Zhao Kai had also found out the whole story. Thinking of Cen Ang's back as he carried the injured little palace maid back to the Crown Prince's Palace, he couldn't help but toss and turn in bed.
She doesn't seem to be as cold-hearted as the outside world portrays her.
What a wonderful person he is.
That cold demeanor she usually displays must be a facade; in reality, that girl is incredibly kind-hearted.
Recently, Cen Ang has been ruthless in her crackdown on the inner court, mainly targeting the stewards of the various palaces. If such a disregard for human life occurs again, don't blame her for turning her back on people.
This matter even made the Empress a little apprehensive. She summoned Lan Youxin and asked her:
"Youxin, won't A-Cen offend too many people in the palace by doing this?"
"Please forgive me, but I am just a Crown Princess and you are the Empress. Can't you protect her?"
The Empress rubbed her temples. This child is amazing.
What were you thinking?
That's certainly true, but it's easier to defend against a spear in the open than a hidden arrow in the dark.
She was afraid something might happen to Cen Ang.
“I think Aunt Cen is a very good person. If it weren’t for her, we might be dead.”
This palace reorganization also included some people who had truly offended their masters.
The so-called "masters" were the beauties in the emperor's harem.
Being disliked, one has a bellyful of resentment with nowhere to vent it.
Walking in the Imperial Garden, even a palace maid who was slow in serving tea would be scolded. Being scolded was a minor matter; losing one's life was a major one.
The woman was about to beat the maid to death with sticks, but it was only after a maidservant told her that Cen Ang was coming on strong that she gave up the idea.
But this person immediately turned his attention to Cen Ang.
On the first and fifteenth of each month, the concubines in the inner palace would pay their respects to the Empress. Cen Ang would always be there at that time, and it was then that the concubine made her move against Cen Ang.
It wasn't that I wanted to do anything to her, I just wanted to deflate her arrogance.
She wanted to tell Cen Ang that in this harem, no matter how well she fared, she was still just a servant.
As Cen Ang poured tea for each of the ladies, one of the concubines threw her teacup on the ground, splashing hot tea all over Cen Ang.
It's summer now, and nobody's wearing much clothing. That thin layer of clothing is hardly enough to block the heat of the tea.
"Oh dear, my hands are a bit weak today. I just finished serving the Emperor yesterday. Could you please pour me another cup, Aunt Cen?"
Cen Ang remained expressionless and bowed, saying:
"yes."
The Crown Princess, who was standing to the side, was furious. If Hua Luan hadn't held her back, Lan Youxin would have immediately lashed out and slapped the concubine across the face.
She saw it all; she did it on purpose!
Fresh water was added to the teapot, and Cen Ang poured another cup for the woman who had agreed to serve.
—Click
The teacup fell to the ground, and the scalding water spilled onto Cen Ang's calves.
"I'm sorry, Aunt Cen."
"What are you ashamed of?!"
Just as Cen Ang was about to pour her another cup, the Crown Princess broke free from Hua Luan's hand and pulled Cen Ang behind her. Before Hua Luan and Cen Ang could react, she raised her hand and slapped the concubine.
This time, the head aunt was at a loss.
The Crown Princess's mother was considered a concubine, and the Crown Princess's actions were unfilial.
This must not be allowed to get out.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
