After sending Consort Tong away, Xie 'er and Liu Yan finally let out a long and deep sigh of relief. Their hearts that had been on edge finally settled down.
Liu Yan's face was filled with sorrow and guilt." Xie 'er, it's all my fault."”
"Fortunately, I survived a great disaster. I think there will be good fortune in the future!”Xie 'er gently pulled her hand and smiled calmly.
"Haha." Liu Yan smiled faintly at her words and said," You always have a unique calmness.”
"I just don't want you to blame yourself too much.”Xie 'er scoffed softly.
Liu Yan's smile became more and more affectionate, as warm as the rising sun. Suddenly, his expression changed and he exclaimed," It's already past two hours! Eunuch Xiao Shunzi said that there would be a lecture this morning!”
"I've really forgotten about it because of the delay. Let's go!”Xie 'er was shocked and quickly brought Liu Huan to Chuxiu Palace.
Stepping into the courtyard, he saw a luxuriously dressed middle-aged woman, swaying her plump buttocks and swinging a gorgeous silk handkerchief. She was leading a group of women in their thirties dressed as female officials, standing solemnly in front of the group of beautiful women and lecturing them. Xiao Shunzi was following behind them, nodding and bowing.
After the fat woman stood still, she used her extremely small eyes, which were squeezed by the fat on her face, to scan the group of beautiful women. She said," I'm the nanny in charge of your rules, Nanny Zhu.”
Her voice was unusually rough, and all of the female cultivators were startled. However, when they heard her call them Nanny Zhu, they immediately felt that it matched her figure very well, and they could not help but laugh. However, due to Xiao Shunzi's father-in-law staring at them, they could only lower their heads and purse their lips tightly, occasionally sniffing.
"Starting from tomorrow, for a month, I will be in charge of teaching you all the rules of the palace. To put it nicely, this beautiful girl was the future master. To put it bluntly, she might be a little palace maid in some corner of Xinzheku. "Without rules, there's no circle…" Nanny Zhu said smugly. The corners of her mouth curled into a deep arc, which was even more terrifying.
"You just entered the palace, so you have to learn everything slowly. The first step was to learn the rules. The second step was to learn etiquette. The third step was to learn to be interesting. Learning the rules is learning how to conduct yourself in the world. Not being able to conduct yourself is the number one taboo in the palace. If you offend anyone carelessly, I dare to guarantee that you might not be able to see the sun the next day.”Nanny Zhu said with her eyes wide open.
All the female cultivators listened carefully, not daring to miss a single word. Nanny Zhu glanced at their humble appearance and was very satisfied. She paused for a moment and continued," Don't be afraid. I, Nanny Zhu, will take care of you and your aunties who are in charge of your respective rooms.”
Xie 'er and Liu Yan stood outside the door in fear. They looked at Nanny Zhu's fierce and terrifying appearance and did not dare to enter.
At this moment, Wanzhen's sharp and bright eyes scanned the area and caught sight of Xie 'er and the others. She couldn't help but purse her lips into a smile and shout," Nanny Zhu, I wonder if it's proper to lecture people who are late?"”
The faces of Xie 'er and the others turned ashen. They held each other tightly and broke out in cold sweat.
Lowering her eyebrows, she saw the East First Branch's relieved smile and the worried eyes of the East Second Branch sisters. She was embarrassed and did not dare to take half a step forward.
Nanny Zhu's fat body turned around, making her look smart. The corners of her mouth drooped, and her angry face immediately rose. She glared at Xie 'er and the others and scolded them sternly," You haven't even become a master yet, yet you're so relaxed? Do you need me, Granny Zhu, to massage your masters 'legs? Are you tired from walking? Do you want a cup of good tea?"
Nanny Zhu mocked, and everyone covered their mouths and laughed.
Unknowingly, the sun was rising. Nanny Zhu looked back at the other sisters and said," Alright, that's all for today's rules. How much you listen to and how much you learn depends on your own abilities. However, the master led the way, but cultivation depended on one's own ability. Disperse." Granny Zhu looked exhausted.
" Yes…" When everyone left, only Xie 'er and the others remained where they were.
In the huge courtyard, there was no sound other than the jade pieces falling down. The atmosphere became more and more stagnant and cold. Only then did Nanny Zhu leisurely walk up to the two of them. After sizing them up, she snorted and said," The beautiful women in the palace are like ants everywhere. Don't be presumptuous just because you've entered the palace for a day!"”
Xie 'er and Liu Yan lowered their eyes in fear and stood with their hands folded.
"All of you, stand still. Tonight's dinner is waived!”Mrs. Zhu's face instantly turned stern and she angrily scolded," Also, we are sisters. Little Shunzi, lock all the people in the second house in the east into the woodshed. They are not allowed to eat either! Watch carefully. Those who are lazy, tired, or running away, drag them down and beat them up!”
"Yes, yes, yes. You should go and rest. You're tired after talking for the entire morning. It's all because Xiao Shunzi didn't discipline them well…" Xiao Shunzi turned around and glared at them, then helped Nanny Zhu back.
Xie 'er and the others felt a wave of guilt for implicating the sisters in the room. If you don't go deep into the palace, how can you know that people are evil? The snow under his feet melted.
After sending off Nanny Zhu, Xiao Shunzi approached them with a smile and sized them up with shifty eyes. He suddenly stood in front of Xie 'er and looked around for a long time before slowly saying," You're called Nala? Xie 'er?"
"Yes, Eunuch." Xie 'er lowered her eyes and replied respectfully.
"You didn't manage the Second East household well, so I will punish you heavily. Who is Mrs. Zhu? She has connections, but who asked you to be this chicken? Today, I'll kill and show those over a hundred little monkeys who don't know the rules what the consequences of offending the higher-ups are!”After Xiao Shunzi finished speaking, he snorted lightly," Come on, break off two long-handled old plums! The two of you, hold it up for me. If it falls down once, I'll beat you ten times. Do you understand?”
The young eunuchs responded and went to the courtyard to break two plum branches with long handles from a few delicate yellow old plum trees. Then, they placed them on Xie 'er's and Liu' er's hair, shaking them. Xie 'er hurriedly held her breath and concentrated. She did not dare to breathe for a moment, afraid that the plum branches would fall and she would be beaten for no reason.
Liu Yan didn't say anything. She pursed her lips and accepted everything silently. She was as quiet as a pool of stagnant water, and it made people feel a trace of respect for her.
After about half an hour, he felt that the snow under his feet had melted, and the bone-piercing coldness spread to every part of his body. It made his eyes turn black, his neck ache, and his legs numb, but he did not dare to move at all. The night fell, and he stood from noon to dusk. He was exhausted, and his stomach was empty. He felt even more miserable.
Little Shunzi went to have dinner first. Before he left, he deliberately scared them to stand for another incense stick before he could rest. Xie 'er and Liu Yan could only endure it. After he left, he relaxed a little. The surroundings were so cold that only the occasional night magpies could be seen.
" Xie 'er, I can't take it anymore…" Liu Yan murmured. Xie' er looked at her in shock. Her lips were pale and her thin body swayed in the wind, just like the thin plum blossom on her head.
"Little Yan, bear with it, the time is almost up.”Xie 'er didn't want to see her being punished. How could she, a weak girl, take it?
" Little Missy…" At this moment, a little girl dressed in pink and jade sneaked in from outside the pavilion. She wore a silver-red coat and had two crow buns tied up. She was holding a hot yellow steamed bun in her hand.
Seeing that there was no one around, she ran to Xie 'er and whispered," Little Sister, you've been punished too. You must still be hungry. Look, what did I bring?"”
The little girl quickly tore off a few pieces of the steamed bun in her arms and gently stretched out her hand, just enough to touch Xie 'er and the others' mouths. Xie 'er was delighted and quickly whispered," Give it to the sister next to me first. I'm not hungry."”
Liu Yan was moved and tears rolled down her face. She chewed the steamed bun with tears in her eyes and sobbed from time to time.
Before Xie 'er could take a bite, she suddenly heard a stern shout." Doudou! You wretched girl, you're running around again. Come over here and see if I don't slap you properly! Go, go to the woodshed and stay there!"
Jingwa burst into tears and was dragged outside by Ah Lu of the East First House. Xie 'er was surprised and heartbroken. Liu Huan was crying silently. She frowned and looked at Xie' er. Her expression was abnormal. She knew that Xie 'er hadn't eaten a single bite.
The noise quickly subsided. They looked down at the rolling buns on the ground with mixed feelings.
However, Little Shunzi slowly walked in from outside the court. When he saw them, he smiled and said," Forget it, Attendant Liu Xuan, please follow me to the woodshed to have a seat. You can also accompany your good sisters in the Second East Branch." Pavilion Selection Attendant, come to my room when you are free. I have something to tell you.”
After that, Liu Huan was brought to the woodshed. Aunt Agan came up from the door and supported Xie 'er. She said with concern," Are you alright? Don't miss the time again. That Nanny Zhu is a powerful person. With the evidence today, she will definitely find trouble with you in the future." Everything had to be done carefully. The palace was not as free as the outside world.”
"Xie 'er will remember aunt's teachings." Xie 'er answered tiredly and asked softly," Aunt, what do you think Eunuch Shun wants me to do in his room?" Could it be that you're thinking of ways to punish me again?”
"What punishment? He probably likes you.”Agan glanced at him and said with extreme hatred.
"What? " He, he, he is…" Xie 'er was shocked and stuttered.
"I know, you want to say that he is a eunuch, hehe. You just entered the palace and don't understand. In the palace, eunuchs can also get married. If they fancy a palace maid, they can ask the higher-ups to bestow a marriage and let you two be husband and wife.”Ah Gan answered absent-mindedly.
"Ah?" Xie 'er was shocked again." But, I'm a beauty, not a palace maid…"
"Ai, it's hard to say about the matters in the palace. The higher-ups have plenty of methods. As long as they secretly put down your name list, the emperor will not be able to choose you, and you will naturally be demoted to be a palace maid. "Then, it'll be justified…" Ah Gan swallowed the fruit together and said carefully.
" I don't want to…face that damned…" Xie 'er suddenly felt disgusted.
However, before she could finish speaking, Aunt Ah Gan sent Xie 'er to the door of Xiao Shunzi's father-in-law. Before she left, she instructed," Take care of yourself."”Then, he leaned into Xie 'er's ear and gave her a few instructions. Xie' er nodded slowly.
As soon as Xie 'er entered the room, Xiao Shunzi suddenly came in from outside the door. He was shy, but when he saw that Xie' er was already inside the door, he immediately smiled and carefully closed the door with his delicate hands.
"Miss Xie 'er, you're so punctual. Haha, that's great.”Little Shunzi smiled mischievously, making one's spine tingle.
"What orders do you have, Eunuch? Please speak." Xie 'er took a few steps back and asked warily.
" Hey, don't go so far away. Come, come, come to my side. I want to have a good talk with you…" Little Shunzi said as he reached out his hand. Xie 'er was so scared that she staggered back a few steps.
" Eunuch, if you have something to say, say it quickly…Xie 'er, Xie' er can just listen here…" Xie 'er was disgusted and afraid, and her voice was trembling.
"Don't be ungrateful. I am the only godson of Eunuch Huang, who is beside Noble Consort Tong!”Xiao Shunzi proudly raised her head and said," You just entered the palace, so you definitely don't know. Among these hundreds of beautiful girls, which one of them isn't beautiful? Only a handful of them are chosen, and they are all rich and powerful. Those who failed in their studies were miserable. They washed clothes, did heavy labor, cleaned chamber pots, and did all kinds of shameful things…Poor people. They were all dressed up and treated like treasures at home, but when they entered the palace, they no longer treated them as servants…The miscellaneous family saw that you were born with a bright future and wanted to keep you by their side. They wanted to be a couple and support you well. Although we can't compare to an ordinary couple, I guarantee that you won't have to worry about food and clothing. What do you think?”
When Xie 'er heard this, she felt nauseous. She didn't want to listen to another word, so she interrupted him solemnly." Eunuch Shun, Xie' er is not talented, but you appreciate me." " It's just…" Xie 'er was at a loss for words. He spoke with certainty about some of the palace's hidden rules, which made Xie' er a little afraid. She was deeply afraid that she had really offended some powerful figure. How could she survive in the future? At this moment, she was actually a little hesitant, not knowing how to deal with this damn eunuch in front of her.
"It's just that…Tell me what conditions you have. As long as it's within my means, I'll do it for you.”Eunuch Shun saw Xie 'er's hesitation and thought that there was hope, so he quickly became more attentive.
" It's just, it's just…" Xie 'er slowly moved towards the window. Little Shunzi listened attentively to what she was about to say and did not notice it for a moment.
" Bang!" Xie 'er took three steps forward, turned around, and nimbly jumped out of the window.
When she landed, she happened to fall on something soft. She almost screamed, but a large hand immediately covered her mouth.
Xie 'er struggled to look over and saw that she was lying in Ah Gan's arms. Ah Gan pulled Xie 'er over and ran quickly. The wind rustled his hair as he took a few steps and brought himself to the second room in the east.
"Girl, you can save her for a while, but you can't save her forever. The most important thing now is to quickly find a backer in the palace, understand?”Ah Gan locked the door and windows and carefully instructed Xie 'er with a solemn expression.
"Backers? " I'm just a little girl…" Xie 'er was puzzled.
"His Little Shunzi's backer is Eunuch Huang, and Eunuch Huang is Noble Consort Tong's man. Only the Emperor, Empress Dowager, and Empress Dowager could fight against Noble Consort Tong. " The Emperor and the Empress Dowager are not easy to get close to. Only the Empress is kind, dignified, and virtuous. She might be your only backer in the future…" Ah Gan sat beside Xie 'er. His eyes were bright, and he looked especially wise.
Xie 'er remembered every word carefully.
"Ah Gan, Nanny Zhu wants you to go. She says she has something to tell you.”Just as Ah Gan was about to continue, a eunuch knocked on the door and said hurriedly.
"Hey, I'm here." Ah Gan replied. Before he left, he turned around and patted Xie 'er's hand." Don't worry. Nothing will happen tonight." I'll take care of the girls. Rest well. You have to wake up early tomorrow. Take a rest."
"Yes." Xie 'er replied meekly.
Ah Gan opened the door and walked towards Nanny Zhu's room. The night was dark, leaving only the dripping water, which made people feel desolate and cold.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]