“What is your name?” Li Shengyuan asked.
Li Zhu’s voice trembled, betraying her lack of composure. “This humble maid is named Li Zhu.”
“Li Zhu? Tan Li De Zhu?”
“Yes, Your Majesty is most wise.”
Li Shengyuan chuckled softly. “A good name. Ji An, promote her to first-rank palace maid.”
With that, he left without hesitation.
Ji An acknowledged the order. Even though the positions for first-rank palace maids by the Emperor’s side were already filled, the Emperor’s word was the rule.
From then on, Li Zhu became the third first-rank palace maid serving the Emperor.
As Li Shengyuan departed, everyone rose. Li Zhu nearly collapsed to the ground, but Mei Xiang quickly helped her up.
“Li Zhu, congratulations on becoming a first-rank palace maid,” Mei Xiang said, her feelings somewhat mixed.
Others also began offering their congratulations.
However, Li Zhu was not as happy as they imagined. After all, what kind of good days could one expect by the side of a Tyrant?
Li Zhu felt like crying.
At that moment, Ji An approached as well.
“Miss Li Zhu, tomorrow morning, pack your things and come with me to Qinzheng Palace to serve His Majesty.”
As a first-rank palace maid to the Emperor, it was only natural to attend to the Son of Heaven.
“Yes, thank you, Eunuch Ji An.”
“You’re welcome.”
With that, Ji An gave Li Zhu a meaningful glance.
At the same time, Li Zhu finished reading Ji An’s “melon.”
His “melon” wasn’t particularly explosive—just that he had adopted three god-sons and accepted numerous bribes from both the former dynasty and the inner palace.
It was rather normal. Those close to the Emperor would never lack people trying to curry favor.
Moreover, Ji An knew exactly whose money to accept and how much to take. The Emperor simply turned a blind eye to it.
～～
Unexpectedly, this night became the last evening Li Zhu would share a room with Mei Xiang and the others.
Their attitudes toward Li Zhu had also undergone subtle changes.
There was envy, concern, and expectation.
No one said it outright, but their words were filled with hopes that Li Zhu would help them out in the future.
Li Zhu couldn’t make any promises—her head was still hanging by a thread!
The book said this Tyrant was prone to executing palace servants on a whim!
That night, Li Zhu slept restlessly.
Early the next morning, she left the room with dark circles under her eyes and followed a line of palace servants out of Funing Palace.
On her first day as a senior palace maid, Li Zhu was still adjusting.
Fortunately, Li Shengyuan disliked having palace maids serve too closely. By noon, Li Zhu hadn’t even been assigned the task of serving tea.
It was time for lunch again, and Li Zhu began to look forward to it.
The food for senior palace maids must surely be better than that for third-rank maids.
However, before Li Zhu could eat, she had to attend to the Emperor first.
At the Emperor’s command to serve the meal, a long line of palace maids and eunuchs entered, carrying bowls and dishes.
【So fragrant~】
Li Zhu tried hard to sniff the air. Even if she couldn’t eat, she could at least savor the aroma.
Li Shengyuan glanced at her imperceptibly.
Emerald Shrimp, Crab Roe Lion Head, Braised Deer Tendons, Stir-fried Mutton, Five-Flavor Steamed Chicken…
【The Emerald Shrimp looks so fresh and springy! The Lion Head looks delicious—can I have a bite? With so many dishes, can he finish them all? Move aside, let me have a couple of bites!】
Hearing Li Zhu’s inner thoughts, Li Shengyuan’s lips curved almost imperceptibly.
He picked up his chopsticks and took a shrimp. Indeed, it was springy, but the flavor was just average.
Before long, Li Shengyuan finished eating and stood up.
However, Ji An keenly noticed that the Emperor had eaten four or five more mouthfuls than usual today!
How rare!
Li Zhu was somewhat surprised. Was the meal already over? The dishes on the table had barely been touched!
[Eating so little? So much work and so little food—no wonder he died young.]
Li Zhu didn’t notice Li Shengyuan’s dangerous gaze as he glanced at her unintentionally.
Why did Li Zhu say he died young? It was as if she already knew.
Li Shengyuan grew even more curious about her.
Once the Emperor finished eating, the leftovers on the table naturally couldn’t go to waste and were usually distributed among the servants.
Li Zhu was given a plate of Stir-fried Mutton, a plate of Lotus Seedpod Tofu, and a small dish of Yunpian Cake.
Although it was leftover food, Li Zhu was delighted—she had finally eaten a proper meal!
After finishing every last bite, Li Zhu sat in the side hall, intending to take a short nap, but was abruptly awakened by an unceremonious slap.
Opening her eyes, she saw Xiuyu’s impatient face. Xiuyu was another senior Palace Maid serving the Emperor.
"Sister Xiuyu, what can I do for you?"
"Eunuch Ji An is looking for you."
With that, Xiuyu left without another word, unwilling to say more.
Li Zhu pondered inwardly—it seemed Xiuyu had a problem with her. She had just started her duties today and hadn’t had the chance to look into Xiuyu’s "melon" yet.
Watching Xiuyu’s retreating figure, Li Zhu focused her consciousness and clicked on the exclamation mark above Xiuyu’s head.
Whoa! So it was Xiuyu who had instigated the Palace Maid who tried to seduce the Emperor!
Having served by the Emperor’s side for three years, Xiuyu had fallen for the handsome and authoritative ruler she saw every day.
Yet she didn’t dare show it openly. Instead, she couldn’t stand other Palace Maids admiring the Emperor, especially those with some charm.
Whenever Xiuyu noticed a Palace Maid developing feelings for the Emperor, she would subtly encourage and incite her.
Day after day, that Palace Maid eventually convinced herself she could take a chance and disrobed in the Emperor’s bedchamber to seek favor.
Li Zhu gasped inwardly.
Xiuyu’s method was not only bloodless murder but also a way to test the Emperor’s attitude.
Li Zhu blinked. It seemed Xiuyu had taken a dislike to her as well.
Although Li Zhu disliked scheming and rivalry, she wasn’t afraid of it. At least she now understood Xiuyu’s true nature.
What a pity—her afternoon nap was ruined.
"Eunuch Ji An, what instructions do you have for me?"
"Later, you will go in and serve tea to His Majesty."
"Me?"
"Yes, you."
Li Shengyuan had long suffered from stomach ailments. On good days, he might eat a little more; on bad days, he might not eat at all. Even now, his stomach issues hadn’t fully healed.
Ji An believed that since the Emperor had finally shown interest in a woman, they must seize the opportunity!
He credited Li Zhu for the few extra bites the Emperor had eaten at noon.
"Eunuch, I’m afraid my etiquette may be lacking…"
"No matter. Serving tea isn’t difficult," Ji An interrupted her. "It’s about time. Go now, and don’t keep His Majesty waiting."
Before Li Zhu could think of a reason to refuse, a cup of lukewarm tea was thrust into her hands.
Under Ji An’s encouraging gaze, Li Zhu walked step by step into the hall.
Li Shengyuan was currently discussing matters with a military official.
[Working right after a meal? He’s pushing himself too hard!]
Li Shengyuan knew who had arrived as soon as he heard the voice.
Li Zhu kept her head lowered, steadily approaching him with the tea.
The discussion between the two men continued uninterrupted by her arrival. After setting down the teacup, Li Zhu quietly retreated.
She let out a sigh of relief and glanced up slightly, only to notice an exclamation mark above the military official’s head—larger than usual.
How could Li Zhu resist?
[Heh!]
Li Shengyuan, seated above, was startled by the sound.
【Indeed, appearances can be deceiving!】
Li Shengyuan: What do you mean?
【This military officer looks like a burly, rough man, but he’s actually a cross-dressing enthusiast!】
Li Shengyuan was puzzled—what did "cross-dressing enthusiast" mean?
【Still, what would he look like in women’s clothing?】
Li Zhu imagined in her mind.
Women’s clothing… was it what he was thinking?
Li Zhu had already withdrawn, and Li Shengyuan’s gaze fixed on Cui Tianxun.
Cui Tianxun felt uneasy under the stare. "Your Majesty, is there something improper in what I said?"
"Oh, it’s nothing. Continue."
Li Shengyuan divided his attention, listening to Cui Tianxun while pondering how Li Zhu knew such private matters.
Could it be that Li Zhu and Cui Tianxun had a past connection?
Or was Li Zhu a spy from Da Rong?
After Cui Tianxun left, Li Shengyuan summoned a covert guard.
"Investigate Li Zhu’s background, and… whether Cui Tianxun has a fondness for wearing women’s clothing."
After Li Shengyuan finished speaking, even the covert guard was momentarily stunned.
However, the covert guard did not question or inquire further and immediately went out to investigate.