Chapter 93 Ants Stealing a Living
The old woman leaned forward slightly, lowered her voice, and spoke slowly and deliberately.
"I need you... to find a way to kill Consort Jin."
"What?"
Xiaolian was terrified and suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with fear.
"Granny, are you sending me to my death? Consort Jin... Although I work in the laundry department, I have heard of her power and influence. I dare not do it. Please, Granny, have mercy and spare me."
She kowtowed repeatedly, her forehead hitting the ground with a dull thud.
The old nanny's face darkened, and her tone suddenly turned cold.
"Dare not? Hmph, what is there to be afraid of? No matter how arrogant Consort Jin is, she's still just a mortal. If a knife goes in, she'll bleed and die just the same. Now, you only have two paths before you. Either you use your life to exchange for your brother's lifelong wealth and honor, or..."
She paused, her voice as cold as ice.
"Just wait to collect your brother's corpse."
Xiaolian collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down her face, pleading desperately.
"Granny, I am a pitiful person. I only have one younger brother... I want to watch him grow up, get married, and have children. I don't want to die, Granny, I beg you to have mercy!"
The old woman lost her patience and snorted coldly.
"It seems you've made your choice. Fine, since you're afraid of death, I won't force you. I'll find someone else."
Upon hearing this, Xiaolian seemed to see a glimmer of hope and immediately kowtowed repeatedly.
"Thank you, Granny Xie. I am deeply grateful for your kindness."
The old nanny watched her relieved expression, a sinister smile curling at the corner of her mouth.
"Okay, then you can go back now."
Xiao Lian felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She scrambled to her feet and, full of gratitude, turned to leave.
However, she had only taken one step.
The old nanny's chilling voice came from behind her, making her feel as if she had fallen into an ice cave.
"In a few days, you won't need to carry any more money. You won't need to do that anymore either. But don't worry, I'll have someone burn paper money for your good brother when the time comes."
Xiaolian stopped abruptly and turned around stiffly.
He stared in disbelief at the old woman's incredibly ferocious face.
The ruthlessness and murderous intent in his eyes made her realize that this was far more than just a threat.
She finally understood that from the moment she was chosen to step into this room, there was no turning back.
If they don't agree, she and her brother will both die without a burial place.
If she agrees, she will surely die, but her brother might... have a slim chance of survival.
She closed her eyes, and two lines of clear tears slid down her cheeks. When she opened them again, her eyes were filled with a deathly resignation.
She knelt down again, her voice hoarse and numb.
“This servant… will do it. Granny, this servant agrees, but I only beg you to be merciful and spare this servant’s younger brother. This servant doesn’t want him to achieve anything great, I only ask that he can live peacefully and be an ordinary person.”
The old woman smiled with satisfaction, and her tone returned to its previous gentleness.
“That’s right. Don’t worry, I keep my word. As long as you get things done, the Niohuru family will take care of your brother’s future.”
Xiao Lian nodded blankly.
The old nanny continued to assign tasks, her tone as relaxed as if she were giving a routine errand.
"As you know, Consort Jin is now accompanied by many more eunuchs and maids than before when she travels, making it difficult to get close to her. But there's always a way to overcome difficulties. Consort Jin is a free spirit who loves to meddle in other people's business, so this is your opportunity. I believe you are a smart child, and this little matter shouldn't be too difficult for you. You can carefully consider how to proceed, and I only need the results within half a month."
Xiaolian felt a chill run through her heart upon hearing these words.
They wanted her to go and die, but didn't offer any real help, leaving her to rely entirely on her own luck, while also threatening her brother's life...
She suppressed the hatred surging in her heart and responded humbly.
"I understand, I will find a way."
"Very well, go. Remember, you only have half a month, and this matter is a secret between heaven, earth, you, and me. If there is even the slightest leak..."
The old woman didn't finish speaking, but the murderous intent in her eyes said it all.
Like a puppet, Xiaolian quietly slipped out of the suffocating side room.
————————
She quietly returned to the laundry room, which was crowded with palace maids.
Unlike her trembling and tearful state in Yikun Palace, her face was expressionless at this moment.
She groped her way to her bunk and sat down, her eyes shining surprisingly brightly in the darkness.
Yikun Palace... Yongshou Palace...
The two names lingered in her mind.
On one side is Consort Niohuru, who appears noble but can only maintain her position through insidious means.
On the other side is Consort Jin, who is at the height of her power, arrogant and ruthless in her actions, yet deeply favored by the Emperor.
Is she stupid?
Xiao Lian's lips curled into a mocking and disdainful smile.
If she were truly a stupid and cowardly person, how could she possibly survive in this ruthless and treacherous palace?
How could someone secretly save money after being exploited at every level?
How could he possibly find a reliable way to safely deliver his hard-earned money to his younger brother outside the palace?
The old nanny thought she could completely control her by using her younger brother.
However, they underestimated the survival wisdom and courage she had honed through struggling to survive at the bottom of society.
To kill Consort Jin? That would be a certain death.
Not to mention that Consort Jin is now heavily guarded, and she can't get close to her at all.
Even if she were to succeed by chance, would the Niohuru family really keep their promise to take care of her brother?
I'm afraid the first ones they'll be silenced are the siblings.
This is a dead end.
On the other hand, what if she used the conspiracy of Yikun Palace as a pledge of loyalty and went directly to Yongshou Palace to report it?
This is the only way out, and it might even earn Consort Jin's favor...
Yes, she was tired of it.
Tired of this dark, damp, smelly, and endless washing life.
Tired of being trampled on like an ant.
The old nanny's coercion, on the contrary, acted as a key, unlocking the long-suppressed resentment and ambition in her heart.
If a person doesn't look out for themselves, they'll be punished by heaven and earth.
This cruel thought clearly surfaced.
Her younger brother was indeed her emotional support, but her first priority was to ensure her own survival.
If she can use this opportunity to climb up to Consort Jin's patronage and gain her favor.
Even being a lowly palace maid in Yongshou Palace is a hundred times better than working in the laundry department.
Only then will she have the real ability to protect her brother.
She sat quietly in the darkness, listening to the water clock dripping, waiting for dawn.
The reason she remained inactive was to wait until dawn.
Going to Yongshou Palace late at night would be suspicious, and even if one managed to evade the guards' patrols, one would not be able to enter the palace gates.
It would be more reasonable to request an audience at daybreak, citing important matters to report.
Time passed slowly, as the first rays of dawn shone through the window.
Xiaolian only stood up when there were rustling sounds of people getting up in the laundry room.
She carefully straightened her old but still clean palace maid's clothes, and walked out of the shabby room that had confined her for many years with a determined look in her eyes.
————————
I really like the girl whose last four digits are 0016.
Each chapter has its own commentary and critiques; one person could contribute 99+ comments to this palace.
Can I have a dozen more of these treasures?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
