Nianyao was unaware of how others were discussing her.
Upon entering the inner hall, she immediately felt the warmth from the heated floor, and her previously chilled hands and feet gradually regained their warmth.
Nianyao walked forward properly and curtsied to the Empress Dowager.
“This humble servant pays respects to the Empress Dowager. May Your Majesty live a thousand years.”
Her voice was melodious and captivating, pleasing to the ear, gentle to the very core.
Yet the Empress Dowager seemed completely unaffected, her expression indifferent. “Mm, rise.”
Nianyao obediently stood to the side, her head slightly bowed. Her attire differed from that of other palace maids—her raven-black hair cascaded down her back, half-tied up. This made her figure appear even more slender and delicate, her face even more pitifully beautiful.
It was Mama An who had specifically instructed this. Nianyao herself did not know how to style complex hairdos, so this way was much simpler.
As soon as the Empress Dowager saw Nianyao’s face, Prince Nan’s words from earlier surfaced in her mind.
She remained silent for a moment before giving instructions.
“In the coming days, pack your belongings and go to the Buddhist hall. I have already given the orders; they will not make things difficult for you.”
These words struck Nianyao like a blow, leaving her dizzy and caught off guard.
Her petal-like lips trembled for a moment before she knelt on the ground.
Nianyao’s voice quivered slightly, as if she were terribly frightened.
“This humble servant does not know what wrong she has committed for Your Majesty to punish her by sending her to the Buddhist hall.”
The Buddhist hall was not a good place—not to mention its cold and desolate atmosphere, most maids sent there had committed errors and were being punished by their masters.
In winter, maids sent there not only had to copy sutras for their masters but also kneel daily before the Buddha statues, praying for their masters’ health and safety.
Nianyao thought of everything she had just gained, now so easily reduced to ashes.
Yet she did not even know what mistake she had made.
Seeing her like this, the Empress Dowager rarely rubbed her temples.
She waved her hand, signaling Mama An to comfort her little apprentice herself.
Seeing the Empress Dowager’s gesture, Mama An quickly stepped forward and helped Nianyao up.
Nianyao’s eyes were timid, looking at her like a fawn in the forest, evoking pity and affection.
Having gotten along quite harmoniously with Nianyao these past days, Mama An could not help but feel compassion in her heart.
She took a handkerchief from her sleeve and wiped the tears from Nianyao’s cheeks.
In a tone half coaxing a child, she said, “Don’t worry, Her Majesty is not punishing you. She is protecting you.”
At these words, even the Empress Dowager could not help but glance at Mama An.
But in the end, she said nothing.
Seeing this, Mama An continued.
“She is only sending you there to hide for a while. You just need to copy sutras for Her Majesty to burn, no need to keep vigil before the Buddha statues at night.”
She paused, as if giving assurance. “Besides, after some time, you will be brought back. I will have someone watch over your belongings in your room, not allowing anyone else to touch them.”
Nianyao was slightly taken aback, raising her head to meet Mama An’s eyes.
She hesitated uncertainly. “R-really?”
Seeing that Nianyao was no longer as frightened as before, Mama An breathed a sigh of relief.
Nowadays, when Nianyao cried, even an old nanny like her, half in the grave, could not withstand it.
Mama An suddenly understood the Empress Dowager’s earlier intention.
She patted Nianyao’s hand reassuringly. “Of course I wouldn’t lie to you.”
These days, Mama An had truly treated her well. Even such a stern person was now here comforting her.
A wave of warmth surged in Nianyao’s heart.
Although she did not know why the Empress Dowager had made such a decision, she was, after all, a maidservant and had no right to defy her master’s orders.
Thus, Nianyao took a step back, putting some distance between herself and Mama An.
She bowed to the Empress Dowager seated above.
“Yes, Nianyao obeys the decree. Nianyao will sincerely pray for blessings on behalf of Her Majesty the Empress Dowager.”
Since there was no way to turn the situation around, Nianyao naturally wanted to leave a good impression on the Empress Dowager.
Although Mama An had just said she would bring her back,
until it was done, Nianyao only believed it three-tenths.
All these years in the palace had long taught Nianyao one thing:
Relying on others is not as good as relying on oneself. If one wants to survive well in the palace, one can only depend on oneself.
News spread quickly in the Palace of Longevity and Peace. Before Nianyao had even finished packing her belongings, the news that she was going to the Buddhist hall had already spread throughout the entire palace.
Even Qiu’er, who had been very close to Nianyao recently, couldn’t help but come forward.
“Sister Nianyao, you’re…”
Nianyao patted the bundle she had packed. “It’s just going to pray for blessings on behalf of Her Majesty. It’s nothing serious.”
Qiu’er seemed hesitant to speak.
Everyone knew that if someone was sent to the Buddhist hall because they had fallen out of favor with their master, it was said to be for praying and accumulating merit for the master.
But in reality, it was…
Looking at Nianyao’s still rosy complexion, Qiu’er felt a pang of pity.
With such a beautiful face, she had originally thought the Empress Dowager was preparing to send Nianyao to the Eastern Palace.
Who would have thought she was still useless?
The expression on Qiu’er’s face instantly cooled, as if the person who had been calling her “sister” and trying to get along with Nianyao in recent days was not her at all.
Fortunately, Nianyao did not take these irrelevant people to heart.
Since she was being sent to the Buddhist hall, she would diligently copy Buddhist scriptures for the Empress Dowager.
No matter where she was, as long as she did what she was supposed to do, others would have no weaknesses to exploit and no way to find fault with her.
Nianyao lowered her head, hiding the smile at the corner of her lips.
After she finished packing her things and left the Palace of Longevity and Peace, walking onto the palace path,
she had not taken more than a few steps when a coquettish voice stopped her.
“Wait a moment.”
Nianyao paused in her steps. She recognized it—it was Yunrou’s voice.
Sure enough, when Nianyao turned around and looked up, she saw Yunrou standing on the steps, looking down at her with disdain in her eyes.
Standing beside Yunrou was Qiu’er. When Nianyao looked over, Qiu’er first appeared somewhat uneasy, then mustered her courage and met Nianyao’s gaze.
But Nianyao’s expression was indifferent, as usual, not paying them any mind.
Without saying a word, she turned and continued walking forward.
In Yunrou’s eyes, Nianyao had already fallen to the lowest point and could never rise again.
Although she did not know how, in the short span of an incense stick’s burning time, Nianyao had angered the Empress Dowager, causing such a benevolent master to order her to be sent to the Buddhist hall,
Yunrou didn’t care. As long as Nianyao lost favor, she could step forward to bully her.
Looking at Nianyao’s noble, plum-like figure, Yunrou snorted coldly and stepped forward, intending to snatch Nianyao’s bundle.
Her words were righteous and stern.
“Since you’ve left the Palace of Longevity and Peace, you are no longer a person of the Palace of Longevity and Peace. I must check for our master whether you, this thief, have stolen anything from the palace to take out!”