070 People Who Should Not Be Manipulated

Lin Tanwei must have already learned about the affair with Little Luzi. Her visit today is surely to seek me out.

Before she could approach, I knelt and performed the proper courtesies. "This servant pays respects to Your Highness. May Your Highness be blessed with ten thousand fortunes."

“Oh? Isn’t this the favored attendant of Consort Tong, Little Xiaozi himself? You offer me such formal greetings—I'm afraid I don’t deserve them. What if I, too, end up like that servant, Little Luzi, and die suddenly?”

Feigning terror, I replied, “Your Highness enjoys robust health—how could that happen? Little Luzi simply lacked the fortune. How could he even be compared to Your Highness?”

“In this harem, accidents are all too common. No matter how healthy I am, I can never be too careful. Don't you think so, Little Xiaozi?”

“This servant does not dare say more.”

Lin Tanwei stepped closer and whispered in my ear, “Little Xiaozi, you played your part well, getting rid of Little Luzi. I did not misjudge you. If you refuse to serve me, you will end up just like him. Make sure you understand that.”

Straightening up, she resumed with a smile, “I can protect myself, but a servant’s life is as cheap as dust—especially one who chooses the wrong master. Xiao Jing, do you suppose that’s why Little Luzi met his end?”

“Little Luzi was simply ill-fated, Your Highness need not pity him,” Xiao Jing replied.

“He was either unlucky or foolish; either way, he brought it on himself. I am sure there are cleverer servants to be found,” Lin Tanwei remarked, casting a meaningful glance at me.

“Your Highness is right. But just a few days ago, I’m not sure whether I was foolish or clever—I nearly lost my own life. I must be muddled; does Your Highness think me clever or foolish?”

Lin Tanwei glared at me. “Your greatest foolishness was following Zhang Bitong. When I was at my lowest, you helped her humiliate me. I have not forgotten that. This time, I merely killed a chicken to warn the monkeys. Next time, who knows who it will be?”

Unhurried, I replied, “Your Highness’s favor is a great fortune. But if you press your luck, perhaps it would be wise to reflect on what brought about your previous fall from grace. Only in disgrace does one suffer humiliation. So, I sincerely wish Your Highness remains ever exalted, never to fall again.”

“How dare you! Are you cursing Her Highness?” Xiao Jing scolded, pointing at me.

“Xiao Jing, it doesn’t matter. Little Xiaozi’s words are not without sense. He says he wishes me well—how is that a curse? Little Xiaozi, I will remember what you said today. When the day comes that someone falls and comes begging me for mercy, you shall see with your own eyes how I repay humiliation. Come, Xiao Jing, let us go to Zhongcui Palace and visit Sister Yun.”

“Yes, Your Highness, please walk slowly!”

Once Lin Tanwei and Xiao Jing had left, I slowly rose. Today, Lin Tanwei simply wanted to make one thing clear: she knows perfectly well why Little Luzi died. If she could have him frame me once, she could have someone else do it a second or third time if I failed to take her meaning.

But she underestimates me.

Since Zhang Bitong had no use for me now, I thought to find Ping’er and thank her. All the bits of silver I had saved, I slipped secretly to the steward in the imperial kitchen, asking for some pastries—ones that looked less presentable and could not be served to the masters. I wrapped them up and hid them in my sleeve.

At the gate of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, I quietly called for Ping’er. Upon seeing me, she happily hurried over.

“Little Xiaozi, did you come especially to see me today, or is there something you need?”

“Elder Sister Ping’er, listen to you! Little Xiaozi remembers your words—I’ll come find you even when there’s nothing urgent. Give me your hand?”

She smiled bashfully, “Little Xiaozi, there are so many people around; what are you up to?”

I placed the wrapped pastries in her hand.

“What’s this? They're still warm?”

“Open it and see.”

With great anticipation, Ping’er opened the bundle. Seeing the pastries, she asked, “Where did you get these, Little Xiaozi?”

“From the imperial kitchen, still warm. Hurry and eat them.”

“Oh, Little Xiaozi, I’ve told you before—serving His Majesty, I sometimes get to eat things like this. You really don’t need to bring them for me. To get these, you must have said good things and given the stewards some reward, haven’t you? Isn’t that a waste?”

“It’s all for you, Elder Sister Ping’er, it doesn’t matter. Please, eat while they're hot.”

“I won’t eat—you eat. You eat far less than I do. Look how thin you are! Hurry and eat.”

“No, no, these are especially for you. Last time, it was thanks to your help.”

“If you keep being so polite, I’ll get angry.”

“If you don’t eat, you’ll waste my good intentions.”

“All right, all right, let’s eat them together, shall we?”

“Fine.”

We sat at the edge of the steps, the two of us eating the warm pastries together.

“You’ve dirtied your face,” Ping’er said, taking a handkerchief to wipe my mouth. I dodged slightly, brushing it away with the back of my hand indifferently.

When we had finished, I stood up. “Elder Sister Ping’er, you should go back. I should return as well.”

“All right, Little Xiaozi, come find me whenever you can.”

“Mm.”

But I did not return to Cuiwei Palace immediately; I went to the Wardrobe Bureau to see Xiao Ruo.

I hadn’t gone far before I encountered Long Zhan. Judging by the direction he came from, he must have seen me with Ping’er just now.

“Master Long.”

“Mm.”

“Do you need anything, Master Long? If not, I’ll—”

“You involved His Majesty in this matter?” As I was about to leave, Long Zhan suddenly blurted out the question.

“I don’t understand what you mean, Master Long—”

“That earring,” he said bluntly. “Didn’t you have Ping’er deliberately leave the earring in front of His Majesty?”

“Master Long, you’re overthinking it—this servant—”

Long Zhan fixed me with a stern gaze. “If you must clear yourself with some clever tricks, I can help you. But you must not try to use His Majesty—he is not someone you can scheme against.”

“Is Master Long worried for my safety?”

“What do you think? You really don’t grasp how serious this is. Little Xiaozi, your recklessness will bring you disaster sooner or later.”

Knowing Long Zhan’s concern was genuine, I smiled to comfort him. “Master Long, you make too much of it. Nothing happened, did it?”

“You really—”

“I remember your words, Master Long. I will never involve His Majesty again.”

“You are reckless, but at least you have some wit. The traitor in the palace—is he dead?”

“News travels fast—even Master Long knows?”

“There are no secrets in this palace. Do you know how many people are watching your every move? More than you can imagine. Can’t you just behave yourself as a servant?”

I smiled. “You’re mistaken, Master Long. I’ve always behaved, but some people won’t let me live in peace.”

“Enough. I share some blame for this. I could have handled it for you; you shouldn’t have let Miss Ping’er take the risk.”

“I won’t be so reserved next time, Master Long.”

“All right, go on with your business.”

“Then I’ll take my leave. By the way, let me ask—have you seen Her Highness the Crown Princess recently?”

Long Zhan glared at me. “You really know how to touch a sore spot.”

I shrank back and turned to leave.

At the Wardrobe Bureau, I pretended to come on behalf of Zhang Bitong to check on her clothes. From the senior maid I learned there were none, so I apologized, claiming I’d made a mistake.

The maid went about her work and paid me no further heed. I looked around and soon found Xiao Ruo. She seemed delighted to see me and pulled me into her room. “Azhi, are you here just to see me?”

“Yes, sister, how have you been? It’s already the New Year and I haven’t had time to visit you.”

Xiao Ruo shook her head indifferently. “I’m well. I do my work well, so the senior maids appreciate me. Others treat me much better now.”

I was truly glad for her. “Hearing that puts my mind at ease. Sister, I brought you some pastries—eat them quickly.”

“What pastries?”

“They may be a bit cold now, but make do.” I split the pastries, giving one portion to Ping’er and saving the other for Xiao Ruo.

She looked at them with delight. “Where did you get these? Azhi, you’re so good to me.”

Eagerly, she took a few bites, praising the taste. “They’re delicious—really delicious. I’ve never had such good pastries.”

“If you like them, eat more. Slow down, don’t choke. If you like them, I’ll find a way to bring you some again.”

“Mm, thank you, Azhi.” After wolfing them down, she said, “Azhi, you know, at times like this, I especially miss our parents. Do you think we’ll ever get to see them again?”

I lowered my gaze. You have someone to miss, but I have no idea who misses me, or whom I might miss.

“There’ll be a chance, sister. Don’t worry.”

“If only I could become a consort. I heard the consorts’ parents can visit them once a year, sometimes even leave the palace to visit relatives with His Majesty’s permission. But for us maids, it’s probably impossible.”

“Don’t be so sure, sister. Don’t lose hope. But—if you had a chance to leave the palace and reunite with our parents, would you want to come back?”

Her chewing paused. She looked at me, then shook her head firmly. “If I ever leave, I won’t return. I want to leave in glory, and let our parents come to see me in splendor. Azhi, just wait—I’ll do it.”

I listened in silence.

Suddenly reminded of something, Xiao Ruo apologized. “Azhi, I can’t talk much longer. The Wardrobe Bureau is rushing to finish the wedding garments for the Fourth Prince and Princess. I must get back to work.”

“All right, I’ll go then.”

“Azhi, thank you—truly.”