Unlike the nervousness and unease of others, Su Yuewu leisurely began her evening meal, wearing a silver-inlaid jade and kingfisher feather butterfly hairpin on her head—a gift from the Empress Dowager when she left the Palace of Benevolent Peace.
Three maids stood in attendance within the hall: Qingwen, Luzhi, and the second-rank maid Fu Cui.
According to palace regulations, a consort could have one head maid, one first-rank maid, two second-rank maids, and five ordinary maids.
For eunuchs, there was one head eunuch and six junior eunuchs responsible for menial tasks.
Fu Cui was originally a first-rank maid, but since the consort’s personal maid brought into the palace occupied the first-rank position, she willingly lowered her status and salary to serve here.
She had initially thought that a mistress who could be granted consort status upon entering the palace must be a capable person, and serving such a mistress would allow her to rise effortlessly. However, she hadn’t expected the mistress to first do nothing at all.
Seeing Su Yuewu’s unhurried demeanor, Fu Cui grew somewhat agitated and couldn’t help speaking up: “Your Highness, the Emperor hasn’t chosen a consort yet. Aren’t you worried?”
Su Yuewu glanced at her but hadn’t spoken yet when Qingwen frowned and rebuked her sharply: “How insolent! Your Highness is still dining. Do you have the right to speak? Do you think you’re still in the Hall of Literary Brilliance, with your uncle Eunuch Sun backing you, allowing you to disregard hierarchy?”
Whether intentional or not, these words directly exposed Fu Cui’s background in front of Su Yuewu.
Fu Cui had never been so humiliated; her face flushed red then pale: “What do you mean, Sister Qingwen? Even though I have an uncle serving by the eldest prince’s side, that’s a blood relation—there’s no choice. But you, Sister, how did you manage to recognize Eunuch Zhang from the Hall of Mental Cultivation as your adoptive father?”
This remark carried clear implications; any woman hearing it would likely feel ashamed and angry. Seeing that the two were about to quarrel, Luzhi frowned and was about to reprimand them, but Su Yuewu stopped her with a glance.
The meaning of that glance was clear: let’s see what else they can say.
However, Qingwen wasn’t angered but instead showed disdain: “Jealous? It’s useless. Even if your uncle spends every day trying to cozy up to my adoptive father, my adoptive father doesn’t care. Otherwise, why don’t you ask your uncle to recognize me as his adoptive mother? I wouldn’t mind having you as my obedient granddaughter!”
“You!” Fu Cui’s face flushed crimson with anger, and she made a move as if to strike.
Su Yuewu then slowly set down her chopsticks and spoke in a calm tone: “I didn’t realize that each of you has such backing.”
Upon hearing this, the two immediately snapped back to attention and quieted down. Qingwen glared at Fu Cui, then knelt heavily on the ground with a thud. Fu Cui, panicked, quickly followed suit.
Su Yuewu took the handker handed by Luzhi and dabbed her lips, her gaze calmly sweeping over them, carrying an imposing aura without anger: “It seems only I am newly entering the palace, with no support or reliance. For surviving in the palace hereafter, I’ll have to rely greatly on both of you.”
Anyone who couldn’t detect the sarcasm here would be foolish. Qingwen bowed deeply and apologized: “As the head maid of the Palace of Earthly Honor, I failed both in disciplining those below and in setting an example myself, and I also acted insolently before Your Highness. I deserve death and will willingly go to the Punishment Office for punishment, only begging Your Highness not to be angered.”
Fu Cui looked at Qingwen in astonishment upon hearing this. How dare she say such things? Shouldn’t she be begging for mercy at this moment? More importantly, with Qingwen’s words, wouldn’t she herself also have to go to the Punishment Bureau to receive punishment?
Fu Cui felt both shocked, fearful, and resentful. If she had known this would happen, she would have stayed quietly in Chonghua Palace. Who would want to serve such a useless master and still have to endure the attitude of someone who was also a servant?
Su Yuewu’s eyes also flickered with a hint of surprise, and she examined Qingwen a few more times.
She saw that Qingwen’s gaze was bright, her tone sincere, carrying a sense of straightforwardness, and being able to speak these words, she didn’t seem like someone completely ignorant of propriety.
Moreover, she was Zhang Guide’s goddaughter…
A suspicion flashed through Su Yuewu’s mind. After pondering for a moment, she made a decision: “Qingwen, considering this is your first offense, I will penalize you by deducting two months’ wages. As for Fu Cui, I will leave her to you to handle. If such incidents happen again in the future, you will no longer serve as the head palace maid here.”
Qingwen probably didn’t expect such a light punishment. Her eyes brightened even more as she looked at Su Yuewu, then she clasped her hands together and respectfully bowed her head: “Thank you, Your Highness! Your Highness need not worry, there will never be another incident like this!”
Fu Cui’s expression, however, turned ugly. She clenched her sleeves, and obvious resentment appeared in her lowered eyes.
This Consort Su was clearly biased! Why, when they both committed the same mistake, Qingwen received a negligible punishment, while she was handed over to Qingwen to be dealt with arbitrarily?
How could someone who couldn’t maintain fairness be worthy of being the mistress of a palace?
Although Su Yuewu couldn’t see her expression, she clearly noticed Fu Cui’s whitened fingertips from gripping them tightly.
After the two withdrew, Su Yuewu said to Luzhi: “Fu Cui cannot stay here. Pay close attention to her and find some mistakes, both big and small. After some time, I will use these reasons to send her back to the Imperial Household Department.”
The mistress of a palace has the authority to handle her palace maids. Unless one is doing too poorly, the Imperial Household Department generally does not reject such requests.
Luzhi understood and nodded in agreement.
Not long after, a third-class palace maid entered and cautiously reported: “Your Highness, news has come from the Hall of Mental Cultivation.” It is said that the Emperor did not choose any consort tonight and is staying in the Palace of Earthly Tranquility.”
The Palace of Earthly Tranquility is where the Empress resides.
With new beauties entering the palace, the Emperor going to the Empress’s palace is not good news for any newcomer.
The palace maid feared that Consort Su would become angry.
However, the other party merely responded casually: “I understand.”
As if remembering something, Su Yuewu asked again: “Where is Eunuch Zheng at the moment?”
The palace maid hurriedly replied: “After Your Highness moved into the Palace of Earthly Honor, the items in the storage room here need to be re-registered and cataloged.” Eunuch Zheng is leading Xiao Fuzi and Xiao Shouzi to handle that.”
Su Yuewu nodded: “Go and ask. If Eunuch Zheng has finished his work for now, have him come here. I have questions for him.”
“Yes!”
Soon after the palace maid left to carry out the order, Zheng Tiande arrived, still appearing honest and humble. After performing the ceremony, he stood below with his head bowed, not asking why he had been summoned.
Su Yuewu drank a sip of tea and spoke with a smile: “Earlier, I forgot to ask. Where did you serve before, Eunuch?”
Zheng Tiande paused slightly: “Replying to Your Highness, I previously served the Emperor with writing materials in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.””
Indeed.
Earlier, upon learning that Qingwen’s godfather was Zhang Guide, who served Shen Heng, Su Yuewu had harbored some suspicions. Now, knowing that Zheng Tiande also came from the Hall of Mental Cultivation, her suspicions were confirmed.
No wonder I found these two so pleasing at first sight—they were specially chosen by someone.
But since he arranged every detail so meticulously, why didn’t he come tonight?
Surely he isn’t still like he was three years ago, insisting on being a gentleman who restrains his feelings and abides by propriety.
Su Yuewu didn’t believe that.
After all, the young man who used to blush at just holding hands was now the father of two children.