As soon as Nianyao spoke these words, even the Empress Dowager’s eyebrows raised slightly.
Yunrou, standing among the palace maids, nearly ground her teeth to dust.
“How could there be such a shameless woman, daring to climb up the ladder handed to her!”
Though her words were filled with malice, a careful listener might detect a hint of envy hidden within.
Even the second-class maids, who usually kept to themselves, exchanged glances.
They didn’t speak, but their eyes faintly revealed worry.
No one wanted Nianyao’s wish to come true.
Those who could serve the Empress Dowager closely were either the old maidservants who had long accompanied her or newly promoted fresh faces, all appointed as first-class maids.
Though first-class maids were still maidservants, they were worlds apart from the countless third-class maids.
Not only did first-class maids have their own rooms, but they also served closely by their mistress’s side.
Take Qīng’ér, whom Nianyao was friendly with—not only had she earned her mistress’s favor and received various rewards, but even when she went out, she carried herself with confidence.
Even ordinary maids and eunuchs would address her as “elder sister.”
The Empress Dowager’s smile sent a chill through the hearts of those with differing thoughts.
“Very well, I shall grant your wish. From now on, you shall be the fifth first-class maid of Shouning Palace.”
The Empress Dowager had sat for a while and was beginning to feel fatigued.
She stood up, assisted by Mama An at her side.
The Empress Dowager did not forget to add, “From now on, your etiquette training will be overseen personally by Mama An.”
Nianyao felt no joy in her heart, only immense relief.
She knelt and bowed in gratitude toward the Empress Dowager’s retreating figure.
“This humble maid thanks the Empress Dowager for her great kindness.”
After rising to her feet, Nianyao found, for some reason, a tear glistening at the corner of her eye.
Her face remained the same as before, her frame still delicate and seemingly easy to bully.
But Nianyao knew that from this day forward, her life would undergo a dramatic change.
Even the way others looked at her now carried a trace of fear.
They feared that Nianyao would remember how they had bullied her in the past and, now that she had gained power, seek revenge.
Nianyao curved her lips into a smile.
What she cared about most now was the monthly allowance of a first-class maid!
As a third-class maid, her monthly allowance had been only three strings of coins, not even amounting to one tael of silver.
But now, as a first-class maid, she would receive a full three taels of silver!
A surge of emotions welled up in Nianyao’s heart.
Finally, she could finally ensure that her younger siblings outside the palace would have enough to eat and could even attend school!
Meanwhile, Yunrou, who had long been at odds with Nianyao, watched her bright-eyed expression with indescribable jealousy.
Before, she could still bully Nianyao.
But from today onward, Nianyao would be a senior maid of Shouning Palace, representing the Empress Dowager’s dignity, and naturally, she could no longer be easily bullied.
Yunrou linked arms with a fellow maid beside her and snorted coldly.
Whether intentional or not, she remarked, “Some people are quite calculating, soaring to the top like this. But let’s hope she doesn’t end up like her father, earning her mistress’s disdain and meeting a fate of dying in the wilderness.”
As soon as Yunrou spoke, silence fell around them.
Nianyao’s earlier good mood instantly cooled, and the curve of her smile slowly faded.
A young maid beside Yunrou nudged her. “Why would you say such a thing…”
After Yunrou finished speaking, she immediately felt some regret. However, seeing Nianyao’s unpleasant expression, she instantly raised her chin again.
“Do you think I’m lying?”
Nianyao felt a lump in her throat.
She could endure being wronged herself, but she could not tolerate her father becoming the butt of others’ jokes.
Nianyao’s long eyelashes trembled slightly, her voice soft and distant: “Sister Yunrou.”
Yunrou was startled by her, but when she heard Nianyao call her “sister,” a trace of contempt flashed in her eyes.
It seemed that Nianyao, now a first-class maid, was still the same as before.
A timid and useless little palace maid whom anyone could bully.
However, before Yunrou could react, she felt a swift gust of wind brush past her ear.
The next moment, a slap landed on her face, burning with pain.
She was struck so hard that her head spun. Lifting her gaze, she saw Nianyao standing before her, her palm slightly red and still trembling.
“You… you… you!”
Nianyao pursed her lips, revealing the small dimples on her cheeks.
She still wore that timid appearance, but now, she had stunned all the palace maids in the room, and no one dared to look down on her anymore.
“This is what Nianyao returns to you, Sister Yunrou. Please keep it well.”
Yunrou was stunned, rooted to the spot.
The gazes of those around her felt like needles, making her unable to hold back a scream.
“What do you mean, returning something? I never hit you back then!”
Nianyao glanced at her timidly, then lowered her eyes again, as if frightened by Yunrou’s demeanor.
Her profile was exposed, her snow-white neck appearing delicate and fragile, catching the eyes of everyone else.
It was almost as if she had become a different person from the one who had just struck with such arrogance.
Nianyao’s voice choked with emotion: “If Sister Yunrou says so, then let it be.”
Yunrou was dumbfounded.
She stammered for a long time, and even the young maid who had been holding her arm earlier unconsciously stepped forward to mediate.
“Nianyao is so delicate—how could she possibly hit you for no reason? Yunrou, perhaps you should work on your temper.”
Hearing this, Yunrou glared at the speaking maid with reddened eyes.
She looked utterly disbelieving, but as she glanced around, she noticed that the others’ gazes held a hint of criticism.
As if it were not Yunrou who had been struck, but Nianyao.
Her eyes reddened instantly. Yunrou was accustomed to being flattered.
Now, those who usually fawned over her had all rushed to comfort the person she despised.
Yunrou swept a fierce glare over them.
“Pah! You’re all just dogs who fawn on the powerful! When I enter the Eastern Palace, I’ll make sure you pay for this!”
After throwing out these words, she turned and left without looking back.
A young maid who was on good terms with Yunrou glanced at her retreating figure but stepped forward instead: “Sister Nianyao, now that you’re a senior maid, let this younger sister help you pack your things.”
Nianyao could not refuse, but having someone help her pack and move to the new room was something she welcomed.
Nianyao’s gaze lingered on Yunrou’s departing figure.
Is this all it takes for you to break? I’m afraid what you’ll lose in the future will be far more than this.
Once the new room was tidied up, Nianyao tilted her head slightly, her eyes falling on the burning white candle.
The room was now occupied by Nianyao alone, arranged in quiet order but with very few belongings. Even the wooden shelves were mostly empty.
Compared to the boudoir she once had in the Jiang family, this room was a world apart.
But for Nianyao now, it was a place where she could sleep peacefully without worrying about other young palace maids waking her up during the night. Even her daily rations didn’t need to be hidden away; she could simply place them in the small box by the window corner, lock it herself, and feel completely secure.
Though Nianyao’s body felt somewhat weak and weary, she still stood up and fetched a basin of hot water from outside. Carefully, she removed her clothing.
The drab gray palace attire fell away, revealing her snow-white skin. Nianyao’s long, soft eyelashes lowered slightly as she gazed at the marks on her waist—clear traces left by a man’s caresses and bites.
She bit her lip and wiped the area with the hot water.
But when she looked down again, she realized the marks weren’t just on her waist.
Several other intimate places were also covered in bluish-red imprints.
Unable to hold back, Nianyao tossed the cloth into the basin, splashing water everywhere.
The water rippled and swayed, while the white candle flickered gracefully. Through the warm, gentle glow, one could faintly glimpse Nianyao’s beautiful eyes, brimming with tears.