Inside the hall, though it was daytime.
A white candle burned atop the lotus-shaped glass lamp stand.
The faint light shimmered on the beaded curtains that had not yet been rolled up.
Nianyao, however, was not foolish enough to stand there and let her strike.
Though she was exceedingly timid and preferred to avoid confrontation, having been bullied so often, even a rabbit that does not bite will learn to dodge.
But Yunrou, who was accustomed to bullying Nianyao, widened her eyes in disbelief.
“You—you! Not only did you deceive me earlier, but now you dare to resist me! Have you no regard for your life!”
Nianyao hid behind an exquisitely crafted filigree vase so precious that even Yunrou only dared glare, not daring to step forward and pull her out recklessly.
Afraid she might lose control of her strength and damage the ornament beloved by the Empress Dowager.
Nianyao’s frame was delicate; though she had changed into thicker clothing, she still appeared frail and boneless.
Like a dodder vine that needed someone to cling to, yet now, she was ready to bite.
Her voice trembled timidly, but she blinked once.
“Sister, please don’t be angry. This is Shouning Palace now, not the Yun residence.”
Hearing Nianyao’s words, Yunrou felt as if flames were about to erupt from her heart.
She naturally understood the implied meaning in Nianyao’s words—that she was arrogant and overbearing, treating Shouning Palace as her own home.
“You!”
Nianyao glanced around, seeing that everyone had already left.
Only then did she lean forward slightly, speaking in a voice only the two of them could hear.
“If you injure me here, do you think you’ll ever have a chance to enter the Eastern Palace in this lifetime?”
Nianyao tilted her head, seemingly unafraid of her actions.
Her soft, almond-shaped eyes blinked, looking at Yunrou as if brimming with grievance.
Yunrou stared at Nianyao.
This appearance—what difference was there from that lowly concubine at home who had monopolized their father’s favor!
Always appearing weak and tearful, yet daring to scheme against and look down upon her, the legitimate daughter, behind her back.
Yunrou gritted her teeth. “Whether I can enter is for His Highness to decide, not you!”
Nianyao shrank back, as if frightened by her words.
“This servant truly cannot decide, but the Empress Dowager can. If you, as a servant, strike your fellow servant—me—do you think Her Majesty would feel at ease employing such a…”
Nianyao pondered for a moment before selecting the right word.
“Fool.”
Her delicate brows slightly furrowed, and when she raised her head to look at Yunrou, her eyes were filled with seriousness.
“Sister, don’t you agree?”
Though she knew Nianyao was insulting her, Yunrou had to admit there was some truth in her words.
Yunrou snorted coldly, sweeping her gaze over Nianyao from head to toe.
“You may dodge today, but who knows if you can dodge tomorrow. As long as I, Yunrou, remain in Shouning Palace for a single day, you, Nianyao, will never have a peaceful day!”
Yunrou stomped her foot fiercely and spat in her direction.
Then, swaying her slender willow-like waist, she walked away to one side.
Watching her unwilling retreating figure, Nianyao patted her chest and let out a sigh of relief.
At least she had managed to send this formidable presence away. As for what came next, she would deal with it as it arose.
Nianyao’s steps were somewhat awkward, but she still made her way back to her room.
Unaware that every word and action between them had been observed by Mama An, who stood by the Empress Dowager’s side.
Mama An watched the direction Yunrou had gone, shaking her head gently and sighing.
But when she turned to look in the direction Nianyao had left,
A hint of inscrutable meaning flickered across her face.
She then turned and walked toward the inner hall.
Upon returning to the servants’ quarters, a look of helplessness slowly surfaced on Nianyao’s face.
Outside, the sun was warm and gentle, yet she wrapped herself tightly in the damp bedding, alone.
After an unknown length of time, someone knocked on her window frame.
Nianyao jolted, hurriedly got up, and quietly pushed open the window.
It was Qīng’ér.
Nianyao’s eyes lit up, and she quickly asked, “Did you manage to send the things out?”
But before Qīng’ér could reply, she noticed the anxious expression on Qīng’ér’s face, which didn’t seem to bode well.
Sure enough, as soon as Qīng’ér spoke, Nianyao’s heart sank completely.
“Somehow, someone came to inspect,” Qīng’ér said, a flicker of guilt crossing her face. “Nianyao, I’m sorry. The things you gave me earlier were all confiscated by the inspecting guards.”
Nianyao swayed on her feet. If not for one hand bracing against the windowsill, she would have collapsed to the ground.
Qīng’ér looked up at her. Nianyao, who had just regained a slight rosy complexion after a short nap, now looked frighteningly pale.
When Qīng’ér spoke again, her words were slightly stuttered: “N-Nianyao, don’t worry. I still have some silver here. If you need it urgently, I’ll definitely help you.”
Looking at the flustered and helpless Qīng’ér, Nianyao felt nothing but bitterness in her heart.
Yet, now, she was the only one in the Jiang family she could rely on.
Swallowing the metallic taste in her throat, Nianyao lifted her head again. Though her eyes still held a fragile sorrow, her complexion had improved somewhat compared to before.
“Qīng’ér, I can think of a way. You should keep your own things safe.”
Nianyao knew that Qīng’ér was just a maid like her, though her monthly allowance was slightly higher.
However, Qīng’ér had parents who didn’t treat their daughter as a person and an older brother who was lazy and gluttonous.
Even if Qīng’ér had managed to save some private funds, it would be fortunate if they amounted to half of what Nianyao had.
Nianyao wasn’t one to trouble others easily. She pursed her lips, as if finding it difficult to speak.
“I have a brother I know outside the palace. I want to write him a letter and send it to him. Do you think that’s possible?”
She looked up at Qīng’ér.
Qīng’ér gazed into Nianyao’s beautiful, watery eyes and instinctively swallowed.
She had always known of Nianyao’s beauty, but now, with the beauty looking at her with tearful eyes…
Even as a woman, she couldn’t withstand it.
Seeing Qīng’ér remain silent for a long moment, a trace of sorrow flashed in Nianyao’s eyes.
But the next moment, Qīng’ér waved her hand. “Come over. I have some ink and brushes left behind by my master.”
Qīng’ér served in the Fourth Prince’s quarters. The Fourth Prince was still young, just reaching the age to begin his studies.
Ink and brushes were rare items among maids.
Nianyao knew she owed Qīng’ér another favor.
But given the urgency of the situation, Nianyao turned, closed the window, and got out of bed. She hurriedly straightened her clothes and went out to meet Qīng’ér.
In her haste, Nianyao moved quickly. By the time she emerged, her jade-like complexion had grown even more flushed.
Yet, when she looked at Qīng’ér, there was a hint of guilt in her eyes.
Looking at her, Qīng’ér could roughly guess what was on Nianyao’s mind.
She reached out and scratched her head, saying to Nianyao, “If it weren’t for those useless people at Wo Xun, you wouldn’t be in this mess. It’s such a pity that all the things you saved up before are gone.”
Qīng’ér muttered to herself, worried that Nianyao might dwell on it further. She took Nianyao’s hand and led her outside.
There weren’t many people on the palace path. Those who were there walked in twos and threes, heading back to their own quarters.
Nianyao was breathing slightly heavily, with fine beads of sweat appearing on her forehead. Yet she dared not stop, only following Qīng’ér’s steps as she walked forward with her head lowered.
But as they reached the corner.
Nianyao merely glanced up before hurriedly pulling Qīng’ér with her to retreat to the innermost side of the palace path.
“This servant greets Your Highness.”
Nianyao lowered her head and performed the proper salute.
Yet the next moment, a pair of black deerskin boots embroidered with golden thread in intricate patterns came into her line of sight.