Chapter 5
Night fell.
I was lying down and trying to ignore my hunger when I saw Jinzhi sneak out.
She shouldn’t have been sleeping here. Only after people mocked the way she’d dressed Her Ladyship’s hair a few days earlier had she been “demoted” to the communal bed.
But everyone could see that with Matron Zhang so favored, her daughter’s return to a larger room was only a matter of time.
Sure enough, while the rest of us lay down, Jinzhi went off to seek favor again.
We were used to it.
Tonight, though, she was gone too long.
For some reason, a bad feeling suddenly came over me…
Then Matron Zhang entered.
“Yuan’er, Her Ladyship wants you.”
My right eyelid twitched hard three times.
I scrambled up and dressed quickly.
Watching her expression, I ventured, “Matron, does Her Ladyship want another hairstyle…”
“Hairstyle?” Matron Zhang gave two cold laughs, her authority needing no anger.
They chilled me through.
Following her to the main hall felt like being escorted as a prisoner.
Zhou Dafu signaled for me to approach alone.
I knelt to pay my respects.
“Yuan’er requests an audience with Your Ladyship.”
Porcelain shattered inside.
Zhou Dafu said, “Her Ladyship tells you to enter.”
Wonderful.
Someone really was plotting against me.
As soon as I stepped in, something flew at my face.
I looked closely. It was the tourmaline stone I’d worked so hard to find.
I dared not dodge the little thing and took the blow.
Her hair unbound, the Noble Consort sat in plain clothes before the bronze mirror.
Anger was written across her beautiful face.
Behind her, Jinzhi smiled triumphantly.
“Where did you get this bead?” the Noble Consort demanded.
I forced myself to answer. “Your Ladyship… I found it.”
“Hmph! ‘Found it,’ indeed! What crime have I committed that I deserve nothing better than a bead from the mud?”
My head began to buzz.
Jinzhi’s mocking expression deepened.
So she hadn’t gone far that day. She’d seen everything…
Pale with fear, I tried to think of an explanation.
But the Noble Consort valued her dignity above all, and now the truth had been exposed…
My life was over!
Sure enough, she coldly threw the tourmaline away.
“Take your muddy bead and get out of my palace!”
It was late and cold, and palace security was strict.
Where could I go?
But an order was an order. Bent at the waist, I slowly retreated.
Jinzhi came to shut the door without hesitation.
Just as I stepped outside in misery, uncertain what to do, Matron Zhang’s trembling voice came from the entrance.
“Your Ladyship, His Majesty… His Majesty has come to Chengxi Palace!”
All three of us looked at the tiny tourmaline stone.
Only one absurd thought filled my mind.
No way… did it really attract romance?
The Noble Consort stood abruptly, excitement showing on her lovely face.
“His Majesty hasn’t visited Chengxi Palace in so long!”
“Quick, help me dress!”
Bique, beside Jinzhi, reacted at once, already pulling clothes onto the Noble Consort.
Jinzhi had gone white, perhaps realizing something.
She instinctively looked at our mistress.
The Noble Consort gave her a sidelong glance, then beckoned to me. “Yuan’er, why are you standing there? Dress my hair!”
I understood immediately. I was useful to her again.
Abandoning all dignity, I hurried over like the lackey I was.
“Would Your Ladyship like a fashionable hairstyle?”
She nodded with haughty satisfaction. “Naturally. His Majesty has not seen me for some time. Prepare carefully!”