The Empress Dowager waved her hand and instructed her attendants to summon someone from the Jewelry Bureau.
Her words clearly indicated her approval of Nianyao’s suggestion.
Even the palace maids and matrons who had earlier spoken righteously and kicked her while she was down now felt uneasy.
They had uttered many unpleasant words when Nianyao was “found guilty.”
Now, seeing the Empress Dowager’s protection of Nianyao,
they began to feel anxious.
They feared that if Nianyao truly caught the Empress Dowager’s favor, she might settle accounts with them for today’s actions.
However, Nianyao, the subject of the discussion, was observing Xiao He kneeling nearby, whose face showed obvious unease.
Although Nianyao had lived in the same quarters for nearly a year and had little interaction with Xiao He, she knew Xiao He had a timid and fearful nature.
Nianyao was curious about how Xiao He had mustered the courage to slander her in front of the Empress Dowager today.
After all, the current Empress Dowager, though possessing a benevolent appearance, was strict and impartial toward her subordinates, rewarding and punishing without hesitation.
If Xiao He’s false accusation against Nianyao, a fellow third-rank palace maid, were exposed, the one sent to the Punishment Bureau would be someone else entirely.
As Nianyao pondered this, she suddenly noticed Xiao He glancing in a certain direction. Unlike her earlier unease, her eyes now held a desperate plea for help.
Following Xiao He’s gaze,
Nianyao accurately spotted someone.
Yunrou.
Having endured two years of hardship in the palace, everyone said Nianyao had become extremely gentle and soft.
So much so that even the entire palace dared to bully her.
But they forgot that Nianyao was once a daughter of the Jiang family.
Nianyao looked directly at Yunrou, who stood gracefully nearby.
Yunrou glared fiercely at Xiao He, her eyes flashing with threat. When she realized Nianyao was also looking at her, Yunrou was startled.
But the next moment, her expression returned to normal.
The female official from the Jewelry Bureau had arrived.
The female official, surnamed Chen, appeared quite young, likely in her early twenties.
Yet her movements were steady and composed. Behind her followed a young palace maid with twin buns, holding the daily records.
Chen first bowed to the Empress Dowager and, after being excused, presented the records.
Mama An, standing beside the Empress Dowager, personally examined them.
Nianyao had a clear conscience and stood with her back straight.
But her slender figure drew the Empress Dowager’s gaze to her peach-like curves.
A flicker of contemplation passed through the Empress Dowager’s eyes, though no one knew what she was thinking.
Mama An examined the records meticulously. After finishing, she stepped forward and whispered something into the Empress Dowager’s ear.
The Empress Dowager frowned slightly, her gaze falling on Xiao He.
“The records show no entry of Nianyao delivering the crown to the Jewelry Bureau. What do you have to say for yourself?”
With the Empress Dowager’s authoritative words, not only was Nianyao’s name cleared, but everyone’s attention shifted to Xiao He, who had spoken deceitfully.
Xiao He had never faced such a situation before. Her kneeling body trembled uncontrollably, her face as pale as a wall, and her lips quivered without uttering a single word.
She shifted her gaze to Nianyao and reached out to grasp her wrist.
‘Nianyao, I beg you, it was my fault. Please plead for mercy on my behalf in front of Her Majesty, won’t you?’
Nianyao had always been gentle and soft-spoken by nature. Even when others asked for favors, she would agree as long as it wasn’t too excessive.
Now, everyone’s gaze was fixed on Nianyao.
They wanted to see how this meek and easily bullied Nianyao would respond to Xiao He’s words.
Some even harbored ill intentions.
“Xiao He must have been mistaken. Nianyao, she didn’t mean it.”
The one who said this was a palace maid who was usually very close to Xiao He. She was a third-rank maid in Shouning Palace, but her position was slightly better than that of Xiao He, Nianyao, and the others, as she was responsible for cleaning the furnishings in the main hall.
Everyone glanced at the Empress Dowager’s expression and saw that it remained unchanged, as if she didn’t mind their words.
Then, someone who usually disliked Nianyao and had even bullied her before spoke up.
“Exactly, exactly. Nianyao, Xiao He shares a room with you. You two have a deep bond. Such a serious matter—she definitely didn’t say it on purpose. She must have been mistaken.”
Nianyao raised her head and looked at the circle of people around her, their expressions utterly hypocritical.
Why hadn’t they shown such support for the weak before? They simply wanted to trample on her while testing her limits.
If today she spoke up for Xiao He, who had falsely accused her, tomorrow the bullying and disdain would surely intensify even more than before.
“Empress Dowager.”
Nianyao finally spoke. She knelt and moved forward a few steps, instantly putting distance between herself, Xiao He, and the matron.
Everyone watched Nianyao, and even Xiao He’s gaze held a glimmer of hope.
Her eyes were clear and bright. After kowtowing to the Empress Dowager, she spoke. Though her words were as soft as a spring breeze, what she said made Xiao He’s vision darken.
“The solemnity and dignity of Shouning Palace have always been upheld by strict palace rules. Since that is the case, everything should be handled according to the rules.”
Nianyao spoke quickly and without any roundabout phrasing.
But after she finished, Xiao He’s gaze toward her turned into one of utter disbelief and resentment.
She was shocked that Nianyao was not acting as she usually did—that she could be so vicious, so heartless and ungrateful!
She wouldn’t even plead for leniency on her behalf before the Empress Dowager.
This was a death sentence for her!
Compared to the shock of the others, the Empress Dowager’s expression softened slightly, as if she was extremely satisfied with Nianyao’s response.
“Then, let it be handled according to Nianyao’s suggestion.”
“Thank you, Empress Dowager.”
Nianyao showed no fear. She had acted with integrity and sat upright. If she hadn’t taken a desperate gamble today to make the Empress Dowager remember her and even grant her an audience in person,
Nianyao would likely have already been sent to the Punishment Bureau.
Her entire life would have been ruined.
Nianyao shifted her gaze to Xiao He, whose face had turned deathly pale and whose body trembled with immense fear.
There was no pity in her eyes, only infinite calm.
What a pity.
Following Xiao He’s gaze, Nianyao looked at Yunrou, who was avoiding eye contact.
What a pity she couldn’t drag this instigator down with her.
But everything could be taken slowly.
Nianyao lowered her gaze, reverting to her usual timid and meek demeanor, watching as Xiao He was dragged away.
The Empress Dowager had witnessed the entire farce, yet her mood seemed exceptionally good.
Her gaze lingered on Nianyao, and she showed no displeasure at the timidity Nianyao now displayed.
“In that case, I must trouble you. I shall grant you a favor—you may ask for one thing, and I will grant it.”
Nianyao’s eyes flickered with emotion as she looked up. “Truly?”
“When I give my word, I do not take it back.”
Biting her lip gently, Nianyao spoke softly, her gaze filled with admiration as she looked at the Empress Dowager.
“This servant wishes to serve by Your Majesty’s side.”