Xi Hongrui paid no mind to what this master-servant pair was thinking. Even without her rebirth, she could easily guess—they just wanted to bribe her, then find an opportunity to eliminate the female lead and take her place!
In her previous life, she had also dreamed of becoming the Prince’s bedchamber maid. But ultimately, a bedchamber maid still belonged to the young lady. Naturally, like the young lady, she despised all the other little vixens besides herself.
But this life was different. Now, she had no expectations whatsoever for either the male or female lead, so her former enemies were no longer enemies~
Xi Hongrui lowered her head and counted the silver pieces in her hand—one… two… three… there were actually seven!
Upon closer inspection, several of them were quite large; altogether, they were probably worth over ten taels!
Her current monthly allowance was only one tael and one string of cash. This was equivalent to half a year’s wages without eating or drinking!
Xi Hongrui gleefully counted the silver pieces. When she had time, she would melt this silver down to make a pair of bracelets and a ring. When she married into her husband’s family in the future, this would be her dignity~
Wait… why was she thinking about such unambitious things again?
Xi Hongrui suddenly felt a bit annoyed. Having been reborn once and experienced great storms and waves, how could she become complacent over a few scraps of silver!
When she became an imperial consort, even wearing gold and jade would be nothing!
After coming to this realization, Xi Hongrui happily wrapped the silver pieces in a handkerchief and carefully hid them away.
However, she kept the jade hairpin, holding it up to examine it for a long time.
The white jade petals bloomed like lotuses, each exquisitely crafted, with several short tassels dangling beneath, swaying gently—so beautiful it felt like a dream.
In her previous life, the male lead had only used her to provoke the female lead. So, after being taken into his chamber, she only had superficial glory; all other treatment was nonexistent, not even a decent hairpin.
She reached out, carefully styled her hair, and gently inserted the white jade hairpin into her updo.
The reflection in the water swayed with the ripples. Xi Hongrui shook her head, and the tassels on the hairpin playfully swayed along, utterly charming.
Xi Hongrui giggled. If she became an imperial consort in the future, she would have a hundred such hairpins made and wear a different one every day!
Logically speaking, if someone were reborn and learned they were a character in a novel, they should naturally try to win over the male lead.
Just like the maidservants in storybooks who, knowing the entire plot, would directly kick aside the young lady and marry the Number One Scholar as his official wife.
But why were the male leads in those stories so shameless!
Either they rose to power with the help of a prime minister’s daughter, only to take a princess as a concubine later, or they freely enjoyed the maidservant’s body and then pursued true love with the female lead.
If the Number One Scholar wanted to take her as a concubine after using her, Xi Hongrui could tolerate it—after all, she would at least have the title of the Number One Scholar’s wife, something tangible to grasp.
But what kind of move was it for the male lead to either offer a cup of poisoned wine or send her to a brothel after using her? Did your mother give birth to you with such audacity for nothing?
Ugh—
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became!
No matter how stingy the old emperor was, he couldn’t be as bad as the male lead, right?
Even if he didn’t give money, he could at least grant her the position of an Imperial Concubine!
She had no hope for this novel’s infuriating male lead. A stingy person would remain stingy even if they became emperor.
If a man wasn’t willing to spend money on you now, then no matter how much money he had in the future, it was useless!
She just didn’t know when His Majesty the Emperor would come again?She would bet that if he came just once more, nothing in this world would matter except the “Red Imperial Concubine”!
…
When the Chongwen Emperor departed, his steps were light, almost unlike a man in his fifties.
Perched on a stand beneath the corridor was a scarlet parrot. Except for its wings, which were a kaleidoscope of dark green, its entire body was blazing red.
In the past, the Chongwen Emperor had never paid it much mind, but today, for some reason, his eyes suddenly lit up at the sight of it.
He ambled over slowly, teasing it with treats. The parrot pecked at his fingers, chattering flatteries one phrase after another.
Amused by its playful antics, the Chongwen Emperor stroked his beard and swayed his head, reminiscing about the scene: “Lotus bathes in emerald waters, dew dampens crimson attire. Gazing afar at egrets in flight, to whom do those arched brows frown in feigned ire? Hehe~
“To whom!” To whom! To whom!” The palace parrot, exceedingly clever, immediately began mimicking.
The Chongwen Emperor grew even more delighted and fed it several more seeds.
The Chief Eunuch, De Ren, watched from the side. Only after the Emperor had his fill of amusement did he step forward, bowing his head to his chest with a submissive demeanor. “Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine has sent someone. She has a painting she wishes for you to appraise. What are your thoughts?”
The smile on the Chongwen Emperor’s face vanished instantly, replaced by a hint of disinterest. “We are not in the mood today.”
It was no wonder the Emperor reacted this way.
As a normal man, he was not immune to the allure of women. However, when a pleasure becomes a duty, no matter how enjoyable it once was, it eventually breeds weariness.
As the Emperor, continuing the imperial lineage was a crucial task. Yet, throughout his reign, the Chongwen Emperor had not fathered a single child!
An emperor without an heir was a matter of grave concern. The loyal civil and military officials daily petitioned him to be more diligent in the rear palace.
At first, the Chongwen Emperor had been quite willing to engage in such endeavors. But after exhausting himself sowing seeds without a single sprout, his mindset gradually shifted.
Every man has his pride in that regard. Upon realizing his “inefficacy,” the Chongwen Emperor developed a deep psychological shadow.
Thus, whenever his ministers urged him, he felt his self-esteem wounded and would fly into a rage, to the point that officials no longer dared to press the matter.
Consequently, although the Chongwen Emperor indulged in luxury and pleasure, he was not particularly prolific with women. His rear palace housed only thirteen consorts, two of whom had passed away—a relatively restrained number compared to emperors of previous dynasties.
Among the remaining eleven, his favorite was Xiao Guifei, renowned for her exceptional talent and beauty, skilled in singing and dancing, and adept at understanding his moods.
Lately, however, he found her less captivating than before. Perhaps it was because Xiao Guifei was now thirty-six, indeed getting on in years.
De Ren, observing the Emperor’s expression, promptly bowed in acknowledgment. “Understood. This servant will have someone inform the Imperial Concubine that there is no rush. Regarding Lord Mingshan’s treasured painting, we shall ask Her Ladyship to keep it for now.”
“Lord Mingshan?”
The Chongwen Emperor paused mid-step, his eyes then brightening. “Lord Mingshan’s treasured painting? Well, then, We shall go take a look. Prepare the carriage.”
De Ren immediately bowed in assent.
As he turned, De Ren shot a glance, summoning another young eunuch, and looked meaningfully at the parrot in the corridor.The young eunuch understood immediately. Once the Chongwen Emperor had departed, he promptly instructed the attendants, “This parrot has been displayed here for quite some time. His Majesty must be tired of it. Go to the Imperial Household Department and have them replace it with some new decorations.”
“Yes…”
…
“Lan Gege, thank you for coming to see me.” Bai Lian’er coughed weakly a few times.
Ning Lan gazed at her with heartfelt concern. “Don’t speak such distant words. Only when I see you well can I set my mind at ease.”
Bai Lian’er looked at him with pitiful eyes. “Then, Lan Gege, can you stay with Lian’er tonight? I’m so afraid…”
Ning Lan gently placed his hand over hers atop the quilt, smiling as he spoke. “Don’t worry. I won’t leave until you’ve fallen asleep.”
Bai Lian’er smiled happily, but beneath the quilt, her hand gradually clenched.
If he would only leave after she fell asleep, that meant he still intended to go, didn’t it? After leaving her, was he going to seek out his rightful Crown Princess Consort?
Ning Lan maintained a faint smile as he accompanied Bai Lian’er. After what felt like an eternity, he finally emerged from her chamber.
Once outside, the smile completely vanished from Ning Lan’s face. He took out a handkerchief and wiped his hand, as if he had touched something filthy.
He had originally thought that today would not only resolve a major problem but also gain an ally in the palace. Unexpectedly, because of a mere maid, such a complication had arisen.
Considering his subordinate’s report, it was clear that the Chongwen Emperor’s attention had completely shifted, focusing entirely on that girl.
But it didn’t matter. She was just a maid—he had plenty of means to deal with her.
Although De Ren was the emperor’s eunuch and remained impartial, the current emperor was already very old.
He wouldn’t provide much assistance, but dispelling a whim of the emperor was merely a trivial matter.
As for that girl, he truly hadn’t paid her any attention before.