Chapter 161 Uya Clan, Bondservant of the Plain Yellow Banner
After bowing and leaving the dining hall, Li Guiping dared not be negligent.
All ten eunuchs and palace maids on duty in Chengqian Palace were immediately summoned to wait quietly in the corridor outside the sleeping quarters.
He straightened his robes before raising his voice to announce his arrival into the hall.
"Princess, all the servants of Chengqian Palace have been brought and are waiting outside the hall."
From inside came Tongjia's voice, which carried a hint of languor and pride.
"Come in, everyone."
"Yes, sir."
Li Guiping responded, then turned around, gave the servants who dared not breathe loudly a wink, and whispered.
"Be smart, everyone. Follow me inside and kowtow to the princess."
He led the way, and the group filed in.
In the somewhat empty sleeping quarters, everyone knelt down silently according to their rank and said in unison.
"This servant greets Your Highness, may Your Highness be blessed with ten thousand years of happiness and peace."
Lady Tongjia had already moved to the main seat in the center and sat down, with her trusted nanny standing quietly beside her.
Her gaze swept over the sea of heads below, and she slightly raised her chin.
Li Guiping understood, stepped forward, and respectfully introduced.
"Your Highness, according to palace rules, you enjoy the treatment of a concubine, and are provided with one head eunuch, who is also your servant, four other lowly eunuchs, one head maid, two second-class maids, and two lowly maids. Including your servant, there are a total of ten people serving Your Highness. Please take a look."
Tongjia nodded, leaning forward slightly, her gaze critical.
He carefully examined each person kneeling below.
Although they were all wearing the same palace attire, upon closer inspection, their height, weight, temperament, and demeanor were ultimately different.
She couldn't help but silently complain to herself.
What kind of rotten fruits and juicy things did the Imperial Household Department send over?
They either look dull and stupid, or they have an average appearance.
This love of beauty is not unique to men; women have it too.
If the servants around her are pleasing to the eye, her mood as the mistress will be somewhat more comfortable.
Her gaze swept around until she saw a palace maid kneeling near the front.
Although she also has a demure and meek demeanor, she has an upright posture, a slender neck, and soft profile lines.
She possesses an dignified and composed demeanor that sets her apart from others.
Tongjia couldn't help but take a second look.
"you!"
She extended her slender finger and pointed at the palace maid.
"Come forward and give your reply."
Upon hearing this, the palace maid looked up. The palace maid pointed at by Lady Tongjia stood up as instructed and took small steps forward.
He knelt down again five or six steps away from Tongjia.
He performed a standard curtsy, his voice clear and gentle, neither humble nor arrogant.
"This servant greets Your Highness."
Only then did Tongjia see her face clearly. She had delicate features, fair skin, and a calm and gentle demeanor.
She was indeed among the best of the palace women.
Feeling somewhat relieved, Lady Tongjia asked.
"May I have your name?"
“Replying to Your Highness, this servant, Wuya, is a bondservant of the Plain Yellow Banner.”
Uya bowed her head in response, her posture respectful.
Tongjia nodded. She was a bondservant of the Plain Yellow Banner, and her background was quite respectable, which explained her different demeanor.
She already had a plan in mind, and then she said...
"I find your demeanor to be quite composed, and your appearance to be decent. How about this, from now on you will serve me personally, and I will promote you to the position of head maid of Chengqian Palace."
Upon hearing this, Uya immediately kowtowed deeply, her tone conveying just the right amount of gratitude and loyalty.
"This servant thanks Your Highness for your kindness! This servant will do my best to serve Your Highness and will never dare to slack off in the slightest. I will certainly live up to Your Highness's kindness in promoting me."
These words of loyalty were spoken fluently and sincerely.
The other palace maids kneeling beside them, especially those who might have been contenders for the position of head maid.
They couldn't help but cast envious and slightly jealous glances at Wuya.
Seeing that she reacted appropriately, Tongjia was satisfied, chuckled, and waved her hand.
"Get up. From now on, serve diligently. As long as you remain loyal, I will certainly not treat you unfairly. But if I find out you have any other intentions..."
She didn't finish her sentence, but the warning was clear.
Uya kowtowed again.
"This servant dares not, this servant will remember Your Highness's teachings."
She then carefully stood up and obediently walked to a spot slightly behind Tongjia.
She has already assumed the role of a head palace maid.
Feeling that the matter was settled for the day, Lady Tongjia waved to the crowd still kneeling on the ground and casually gave them instructions.
"Alright, now that everyone has recognized each other, just do your jobs properly. Go and take charge of your duties."
"Yes, sir."
Everyone responded in unison, bowed their heads, and respectfully withdrew from the bedchamber.
——————
Two days later, it was the period of reflection that occurred every three days.
In the afternoon, the sleeping quarters of Chengqian Palace were quiet and peaceful, with the gentle fragrance of incense wafting through the air.
Tongjia, however, seemed somewhat uneasy, sitting next to Kangxi on the couch.
She gently tugged at his sleeve, her voice timid and shy, her almond-shaped eyes gazing at him with watery eyes.
"Cousin... I am truly terrified."
Emperor Kangxi put down his teacup and looked at her.
"Oh? What has caused my cousin such fear?"
Tongjia frowned slightly, looking pitiful.
"I have been raised in seclusion since childhood and rarely see outsiders except for my family. Just thinking about going to Kunning Palace later to formally serve tea to Her Majesty the Empress and facing so many concubines... makes my heart pound wildly."
As she spoke, she subconsciously touched her chest.
"I'm just afraid that... if Her Majesty the Empress is unhappy and doesn't like me, or if I'm not polite enough and make a fool of myself, it will also make you lose face, my cousin."
Kangxi noticed that her expression didn't seem fake; she genuinely carried the nervousness of a young girl entering an unfamiliar environment for the first time.
He then softened his voice to soothe her.
"You need not be overly worried. The Queen, she..."
He paused, his tone naturally softening.
"Nan Nan is a straightforward person and not a harsh one. As long as you abide by the palace rules and don't provoke her, she is actually very easy to talk to and will never make things difficult for you without reason."
Upon hearing the word "Nan Nan" uttered by Emperor Kangxi, a surge of bitterness and resentment welled up within Tongjia.
She suppressed her emotions, but put on an even more dependent and pleading expression, and gently shook Kangxi's arm.
"Cousin, your words have put my mind at ease a little. But... I'm still afraid. Cousin, can you grant me a request?"
She looked up, her eyes full of anticipation.
"I am in a daze today. Could you please take some time to visit Kunning Palace? With you here, I feel more secure. If I am truly disliked by Her Majesty the Empress, with you here, my cousin, you can always say a word for me, and I won't be in too much of a predicament."
Kangxi observed her daughterly demeanor.
He thought that it was understandable that she was nervous as she was new to the palace.
I'll just show up and put things in order to reassure her and demonstrate my care for my mother's family. It's not a big deal.
He thought for a moment and then nodded.
"Alright, I agree. If the memorials go smoothly this afternoon, I will take some time to visit Kunning Palace."
Upon hearing this, Lady Tongjia immediately broke into a bright smile.
She affectionately embraced Kangxi's arm, her voice so sweet it could melt honey.
"Thank you, cousin. You are so kind to me."
Seeing her mood change so quickly, Kangxi couldn't help but chuckle. He patted the back of her hand and stood up.
"Alright, lunch is over. I should go back to the Qianqing Palace to review the memorials. You can rest assured and prepare. Don't be too nervous during your slumber."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I respectfully see you off."
Tongjia stood up and bowed respectfully.
——————
In fact, Wuya was not originally a palace maid of the Tongjia clan. She entered the palace through the normal selection process and was given the title of concubine.
However, everyone's opinion is that the Tongjia clan rose through the ranks from the palace. So, I'll just go with the flow, which makes the story quite interesting.
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