Among those in the hall with lower ranks than Song Ronghua were Xu Lanshan, a Changzai, along with Attendant Fang and Jiang Meiren. The three of them stood up together to greet Song Ronghua.
Since this was at Fengwu Palace to pay respects to the Empress, those of lower rank only needed to stand and offer a greeting when encountering someone of higher rank. It was not like the usual etiquette that required formal bows, let alone paying respects—how could one pay respects to someone else before even greeting the Empress?
After offering her greetings, Xu Lanshan sat down along with the others.
Song Ronghua snorted coldly and glared fiercely at Xu Lanshan.
Coincidentally, her seat was positioned just above Xu Lanshan’s, while Attendant Fang sat directly across from Xu Lanshan.
Although she was seated above Xu Lanshan, Song Ronghua felt no joy at all. Instead, she felt increasingly humiliated and resentful.
How could anyone be content with a former maid now sitting beside her as a “sister”?
Moreover, she had originally thought that the Emperor would visit her at Yongchun Palace yesterday to console and compensate her. Instead of the Emperor, however, she received news that he had summoned that wretched maid to Qianyuan Palace to serve him for the night.
Last night, consumed by jealousy and resentment, Song Ronghua cried for half the night. When she woke up this morning, dark circles shadowed her eyes, and her eyelids were swollen and red. Only a thick layer of powder could barely conceal her distress.
Of course, she had to hide it. Today, when paying respects to the Empress, she absolutely would not let others watch her misfortune, especially not that wretched maid, who was sure to be present. She would never allow that maid to see her haggard appearance and gloat!
Noble Lady Deng suddenly covered her mouth with a light laugh and smiled at Song Ronghua. “Congratulations on your promotion, sister. What a joyous occasion!”
Song Ronghua’s face turned extremely unpleasant.
She had dreamed of being promoted, but she never imagined that the day her rank was elevated would bring her such humiliation!
Concubine Rou also smiled and said, “It must be said that Song Ronghua knows how to train people. Our servants only know how to perform menial tasks, unlike those under Song Ronghua, who can earn promotions for their master!”
Everyone burst into laughter. “Exactly!” “Song Ronghua is truly blessed!” “Congratulations, Song Ronghua.”
The concubines were delighted to watch the spectacle and joined in with cheerful congratulations. For a moment, the hall was filled with congratulatory remarks, creating a lively and harmonious atmosphere.
Song Ronghua trembled with anger, her breathing heavy and erratic. She struggled to restrain herself from turning around and slapping Xu Lanshan across the face.
That wretched maid! She had made her lose all face!
Song Ronghua shot a cold glance at Noble Lady Deng, the instigator, and said icily, “If you envy me, sister, I wish you the same good fortune. May you achieve your wishes soon.”
Noble Lady Deng’s expression darkened, and she sneered, “I could never accept such fortune. I’m not like Song Ronghua! If I had such a servant under me, I would have had her beaten to death long ago. What use is a disloyal wretch who doesn’t know her place?”
Shuangxi, her personal maid standing behind her, quickly lowered her head and chimed in with a flattering smile, “This servant is loyal to her master and only knows how to serve. I would never dare to commit such a disloyal act.”
For a moment, the gazes of all the concubines turned to Xu Lanshan, filled with disdain, contempt, or cold mockery.
Naturally, they disliked having another person to share the Emperor’s favor, especially one who was a lowly palace maid. How could she be worthy of sitting among them as an equal?
Xu Lanshan had anticipated such a scene before arriving. She sat with her eyes lowered, remaining silent.
Firstly, there was no need to speak; secondly, as a mere Changzai, she was insignificant enough to be dismissed as not worth the effort. It was easier to simply let them talk.
As long as she remained strong-willed, their words would feel less like sharp blades and more like meaningless chatter.
Betraying her master? Ha! How many who were forced into desperate situations had not been driven to such extremes? With the original host’s timid and cowardly nature, how could she have possibly betrayed anyone?
Yet, it was precisely because the Emperor had inadvertently noticed her hands that she had caught the attention of Song Ronghua and that malicious maid, Su Ying.
The original host had already been tormented to death by these two. Did they think they could continue tormenting her? Xu Lanshan was nothing like the original host.
Given this, she naturally had to find a way to escape this dire situation.
In the palace, as a maid who had once served under Song Ronghua, what choice did she have other than to secure the Emperor’s favor as her golden lifeline?
Could she seek justice from the Empress? She likely wouldn’t even make it past the gates of Fengwu Palace.
Moreover, would the Empress even bother with a lowly maid like her? At most, she might reprimand Song Ronghua a few times, but afterward, Xu Lanshan would still suffer.
By then, she would be completely at their mercy—a risk she couldn’t afford to take.
Let them talk all they wanted. One day, she would openly reveal the truth behind this so-called “betrayal.”
Although she didn’t particularly care, why should she bear the blame for something she didn’t do?
Noble Lady Deng seemed determined to stir up trouble today, and she soon turned her attention to Xu Lanshan. With a forced smile, she said, “Why isn’t Attendant Xu speaking? Are you unaccustomed to this? Don’t be nervous. You’ll get used to it in time.”
Xu Lanshan cursed her inwardly as a troublemaker.
Now that she had been singled out, she had no choice but to respond.
Xu Lanshan glanced briefly at Noble Lady Deng before lowering her eyes again and said softly, “I thank Noble Lady Deng for your guidance.”
Noble Lady Deng was taken aback. When did I offer any guidance? Was that even the point of what I said?
She sneered coldly, feeling suddenly bored.
She had expected someone remarkable to rise from a maid’s status to become a Changzai, but it seemed this one was nothing special—clumsy and foolish, unable to even understand a simple remark. She wondered what the Emperor had seen in her. Perhaps it was just a passing whim!
Yes, it must have been a passing whim. By tomorrow, the Emperor might have already forgotten about her.
With this thought, Noble Lady Deng felt somewhat relieved and lost interest in targeting Xu Lanshan further.
Just then, Consort Shu, Consort Yu, and Consort Lian arrived one after another.
Everyone rose to greet them.
Consort Lian was, as usual, the last to arrive. As the beloved niece of the Empress Dowager, it had been the Empress Dowager’s wish for the Emperor to appoint her as Empress. Both she and her family, the Fu Family, had believed she would become Empress.
Unexpectedly, the Emperor refused and instead appointed the daughter of Minister Shen of the Ministry of Revenue as Empress.
The Empress Dowager was displeased, and Consort Lian harbored deep resentment toward the Empress, believing she had stolen what was rightfully hers. With the Empress Dowager’s backing, she had no fear of the Empress and often went out of her way to cause trouble or provoke her. She was almost always the last to arrive for morning greetings.
As soon as Consort Lian entered the hall, her gaze immediately fell on Xu Lanshan, and she sneered coldly.
Though Xu Lanshan kept her eyes lowered, she could still feel the sharp, dagger-like stare directed at her. She couldn’t help but feel exasperated.
Judging by Consort Lian's reaction, one might think I originally belonged to her Yu Ming Gong.
Fortunately, that is not the case.