A look of realization dawned over Jixin's face. "Mistress, you've truly thought everything through! I would never have considered that."
Noble Lady Rong smiled blandly, but didn't say anything else. When Second-Class Female Attendant Bu heard that she had arrived, she hobbled out on Lanqi's arm to greet her at the door. Noble Lady Rong helped her up and said, "You just ended your confinement period. Take good care of your health."
However, Second-Class Female Attendant Bu didn't dare to break the rules around her. She led Noble Lady Rong to her seat in the main hall and curtseyed deeply to her again.
Lanqi presented Noble Lady Rong with a cup of tea. Noble Lady Rong glanced at her and said smilingly, "Are you the maid that I ran into the other day?"
"Yes, Madam. My name is Uya Lanqi." Lanqi threw herself onto the ground immediately. "I made a foolish mistake the other day. If not for your help, I might have bumped into another mistress and caused an uproar. I'm deeply grateful for the kindness you extended to me."
Noble Lady Rong sighed. "You've learnt the rules of the palace well, I see. It must be your mistress's hard work. Look how you conduct yourself with propriety! Do get up from the ground now."
Lanqi was truly thankful towards her, and not only because Noble Lady Rong had sent her maid to lead the way for her. If Lanqi had met another person instead of the kind-tempered Noble Lady Rong, her foolishness might have gotten herself into a big deal of trouble. Second-Class Female Attendant Bu might have been implicated, too.
"This morning, Noble Lady Hui and I got permission from the Grand Empress Dowager and went to visit the Princes' Palace. We went and took a look at the little princess—she's only a month old, but she looks like a doll, and certainly healthy enough. I came here to tell you that so that you might have peace of mind," Noble Lady Rong said blandly. She took a sip from her teacup before setting it down.
Second-Class Female Attendant Bu's eyes were filled with tears. Feeling a little sorry for her, Noble Lady Rong added, "His Majesty is benevolent and kind. I'm sure you will see your daughter someday soon. Now, the most important task ahead of you is to regain your health."
Second-Class Female Attendant Bu sobbed loudly. "Thank you, Noble Lady Rong. I will take your words to heart."
After chatting with her for a while more, Noble Lady Rong left. She had only remained in there long enough for one refill of her teacup.
Lanqi sent Noble Lady Rong off at the gates and returned to keep away the teacups. When she turned onto a corridor, she spotted Aunt Wang lazing in a chair with her feet up. Next to her, a maid called Jingyan (Peaceful Swallow) was feeding her slices of fruit from a plate, while the eunuch Little Zhao danced around and fanned her profusely.
Panxia came up from behind Lanqi and took in the scene. In a contemptuous whisper, she said, "What a bunch of useless servants. They can't even serve our mistress properly, but they sure look happy kissing up to that old hag! They must be blind or something."
"Oh, do lower your voice!" Lanqi begged, stricken. The two of them turned and walked away in another direction. However, they could still hear Aunt Wang as she said in her scratchy voice, "Even servants should have some ambition. How do you lot think Noble Lady Rong got where she is today? She's quite average in looks, but she still manage to attract the Emperor's attention while working as a maid in the Palace of Divine Purity. The Emperor has favored her for so many years now—even Consort Zhao can't hold a candle to her. Sadly, Noble Lady Rong is of lowly birth, which means she'll never become an Imperial Concubine no matter how much the Emperor favors her."
When they were far away enough, Panxia launched into a tirade. "I shall have to think of a way to make her offend some higher-ranking mistress tomorrow so she finally learns when to shut her mouth. She behaves like a tigress with us, then turns around and fawns over other mistresses with that pug-like face of hers. Did you hear the way she was mocking Noble Lady Rong? When Noble Lady Rong was around earlier, that hag had behaved so obsequiously! I bet she would have kissed Noble Lady Rong's foot if offered the chance."
Lanqi laughed haplessly. "Gosh, you have a wicked mouth. Why bother arguing with her? Anyone with a mouth like hers is bound to meet their end one day soon. Let's just keep our heads down and serve our mistress quietly."
Panxia burst into laughter. "You sure have a sweet temper. What a shame that you're just a servant like the rest of us." She threw an arm around Lanqi and said, "You must know that you're the best-looking girl out of all of us here at the Palace of Accumulated Purity. When you were standing next to Noble Lady Rong just now, she couldn't help but look so much plainer beside you. Lanqi, if you ever get the chance to rise up in life, don't forget about me!"
Lanqi felt rather exasperated. She pinched Panxia on her bottom and snapped, "If you spout more nonsense, I'm going to get our mistress to beat you up. Aren't you afraid that she'll be sad to hear this? Don't mention this again, or I won't play with you anymore. The next time Aunt Wang tortures you, you can dream of having me speak up on your behalf!"
Just as they were arguing playfully, Aunt Wang stalked towards them and said coldly, "Lazing around again, I see! Why are the both of you behaving so suspiciously around here? Go and attend to Second-Class Female Attendant Bu immediately—she's calling for someone."
Lanqi pulled Panxia away before she could argue again. They were too busy to think about anything else for the rest of the day. When Second-Class Female Attendant Bu finally felt asleep that night, Lanqi remained on duty outside. As she sat cross-legged and looked up at the starry sky, an image of Xuanye standing sorrowfully in the rain flashed across her mind again.
Second-Class Female Attendant Bu had once lamented that the Emperor wouldn't even remember her after she did. On the other hand, Empress Xiaochengren might have passed on, but she continued to live on in the Emperor's heart. As ludicrous as it sounded, that was a sort of blessing in itself.
Lanqi didn't say anything in response, but she silently disagreed with Second-Class Female Attendant Bu. It was a far greater blessing to share one's lifetime with the person one loved. If she ever had the luck to meet her soulmate, she would protect him till the very end of her life.
Here, her face burnt with embarrassment. You foolish girl, she scolded herself, how shameless can you be!