They say love is like fire, and perhaps the hot weather easily stirs restlessness in people.
The Chongwen Emperor had walked quite a distance and was already feeling the heat, which only intensified his agitation. Yet the lotus flowers across the water pavilion remained just out of reach—their fragrance drifting over, silent and demure.
Xi Hongrui, fulfilling her duties as a maid, firmly shielded the little Bai Lian’er behind her, preserving both her virtue and concealing her beauty.
This little Bai Lian’er was truly lovely—no chance of letting her steal the spotlight!
Heh heh, since in our past life I gave you a chance and you wasted it, I’ll just take your destiny as an imperial consort for myself!
Knowing this world was based on a novel where the female lead becomes empress, Xi Hongrui’s mind began racing.
We maids always get our masters’ leftovers—if the master is the primary wife, we become concubines. So if the master becomes empress, why shouldn’t I aim to be an imperial noble consort?
If this book’s comment section still existed, they’d probably laugh at her ambition.
A lowly servant girl, barely fit for a commoner—how dare she aspire to the emperor!
The male lead only loves the female lead—they’re fated for each other. How dare a wretch like her entertain such delusions!
Xi Hongrui slowly wrung out her clothes and hair, letting the shimmering lake light play across her face. Lifting her misty eyes through the vapor—
Who said anything about seducing the male lead? Is he the only emperor in this world?
The male lead will become emperor in the future, but isn’t he just a prince for now?
She only wants to be an imperial noble consort—does it really matter which emperor she serves?
Though the current emperor is already an old man, as long as the treatment is good, who cares about his age!
Having been reborn once, she’d already proven through personal experience—just as the comment section verified—that the male lead loves no one but the female lead.
In that case, she’ll pledge herself to a different emperor!
Next time she meets the male lead, he’ll have to call her aunt… no, Imperial Concubine! Oh ho ho!
Having resolved to become the male lead’s “aunt,” Xi Hongrui lifted her face and asked brightly, “Who are you people? How dare you trespass in the rear courtyard of the Prince’s Residence? If you’ve disturbed the womenfolk here, can you bear the consequences?”
Just as the grand eunuch De Ren beside the Chongwen Emperor was about to speak, the emperor stopped him and chuckled, “I… I’m the new steward of the Prince’s Residence.”
Xi Hongrui: Huh? This isn’t going as expected. What game is this old man playing?
She raised her pale, dew-kissed face, a lively pout in her expression: “You’re lying through your teeth! Looking at your imposing presence, there’s no way you’re just a steward!”
The Chongwen Emperor spread his hands and looked down at himself, chuckling cheerfully. Why wouldn’t he look like a steward?
Turning to Grand Eunuch De Ren, who had served his master for so long, De Ren immediately understood his lord’s intention. Drooping his eyebrows, he smiled and said, “Actually, our master… our group are painters designing this garden, commissioned by the Prince to tour and sketch. This area isn’t the inner quarters, so we meant no offense.”
Xi Hongrui: …
Pah! So he’s playing the “emperor pretending to be commoner” game. Quite lively for an old man!
But with the act reaching this point, it would be impolite not to play along.
So Xi Hongrui put on a very naive and gullible expression, completely believing their story. Planting her hands on her hips, she declared brightly, “Oh, I see! In that case, you should go elsewhere for now. I need to help my young lady change clothes.”
Bai Lian’er, wrapped up like a quail, hid behind Xi Hongrui without saying a word. Only then did the Chongwen Emperor remember her presence.Not knowing who this was from the Prince’s Residence, and realizing it was indeed inappropriate to stay any longer, she cheerfully agreed.
Seeing the Chongwen Emperor turn to leave without even asking her name, Xi Hongrui grew anxious inside.
But clinging on would be too obvious, so with a flash of inspiration, she kicked the person on the ground in the waist and called out, “Hey! You left him behind!”
Turning back, they saw the guard commander lying on the ground, spitting out water. Xi Hongrui’s kick jolted him awake.
His ears were full of water, and he was still dazed. Lifting his head, he saw a girl in red silk, blinking her bright, dark eyes as they sparkled with life.
His ears instantly flushed red. Grabbing his sword from the ground, he scrambled over without needing anyone to fetch him.
Just as he was about to salute, the chief eunuch De Ren glared at him, stopping him in his tracks. The guard awkwardly lowered his head.
Seeing him like this, the Chongwen Emperor’s memory instantly returned, and he felt utterly speechless.
Still, for the sake of his orders, even though the guard couldn’t swim, he had dared to jump into the water. Such loyalty was commendable, so the Chongwen Emperor waved his hand, signaling him to hurry and catch up.
After they were out of sight, the Emperor glanced back in that direction, an expression of novelty crossing his face.
…
Only when the group had gone far away and disappeared from view did Xi Hongrui cross her arms in frustration. Hey, he really didn’t even bother to ask! In the original plot, Bai Lian’er was summoned to the palace after just one glance!
Filled with grand ambitions to seize the opportunities of the villainess, she never expected that reputation was reserved for young ladies—maidservants had none at all!
Dealt such a heavy blow, Xi Hongrui slumped in defeat.
Turning around, her previously charming demeanor vanished as she narrowed her eyes and spoke in a mocking tone, “I say, Cousin, in such a large garden, couldn’t you have found a better place to step? How did you ‘accidentally’ fall into the water, and without anyone by your side?”
Bai Lian’er, having set up this scheme, naturally couldn’t be without accomplices.
During the earlier chaos, the maids and matrons hiding nearby hadn’t had time to intervene. Now that the others were gone, they hurried over to help their young lady up.
The matron immediately scolded, “Where did this little girl come from, so ill-mannered? How dare you criticize our young lady! Wait until I report this to the Prince—”
Before she could finish, a soft voice stopped her.
“Nanny, she is, after all, Lian’er’s savior. Do not be rude. Quickly fetch some silver to thank this young lady.”
The matron seemed extremely indignant but, seeing her young lady’s stern expression, reluctantly poured a few pieces of broken silver from her purse and said condescendingly, “Here! This is our young lady’s charity!”
Xi Hongrui glanced at the silver in her palm—about seven or eight pieces—and her eyes immediately lit up. But after a look at Bai Lian’er, she still snorted haughtily and raised her chin.
Before she could refuse, Bai Lian’er stepped forward and tucked the hairpin from her own hair into Xi Hongrui’s.
Xi Hongrui froze, torn between wanting to remove it and being reluctant to do so, standing stiffly in place.
Bai Lian’er then took the silver from the matron’s hand, pressed it into Xi Hongrui’s palm, and said gently with a smile, “This is what you deserve, young lady. Do not be polite.”
Xi Hongrui’s initially defiant expression gradually softened. Her eyes fixed on the silver, she cheerfully curtsied. “Thank you, Cousin!”Bai Lian’er coughed again at the opportune moment. Xi Hongrui hurriedly feigned alarm and went to support her, saying with exaggerated concern, “Although it’s summer, you’re in poor health, cousin. You shouldn’t stay wet for long. Let’s return to your room quickly and call for a physician!”
After Bai Lian’er praised her a few times, she slowly departed with the support of her servants.
Once Xi Hongrui was out of sight, Bai Lian’er abruptly turned back.
Knowing yourself and your enemy ensures victory in every battle—she had immediately recognized the Crown Princess Consort’s personal maid.
It seemed the Crown Princess Consort’s inner circle wasn’t as united as it appeared.
“Cough, cough, cough…”
To make her act convincing, Bai Lian’er had genuinely inhaled some water and was now coughing for real.
Her nanny, heart aching, rushed to support her. “My lady, you’re a daughter of the Duke’s household! Why must you torment yourself like this?”
Bai Lian’er halted, her unique aura and delicate physique naturally evoking pity, but now her eyes burned with resentment.
“Lan Gege and I love each other deeply. If not for that Lin woman interfering, I should have been the one to marry him! I can’t accept this… I won’t accept it… I must win Lan Gege back. As long as his heart remains with me, I’d even be willing to become a concubine!”
Seeing the fierce determination in Bai Lian’er’s eyes, the nanny knew she was beyond persuasion and could only sigh helplessly.