Capítulo 51: They make another move?
Zhuyan hurried through the palace corridors, her thoughts swirling with frustration and disappointment.
She had gone to the Steward's office to find out why she wasn't among the servants her mistress took into Xiaohua Temple for the Blessing festival. Instead, she was only further upset by the knowledge that her mistress was discussing dropping a few more servants immediately upon her return!
She couldn't believe her ears. A princess consort ought to have a sizable entourage; how else could they demonstrate their influence? How else was she meant to showcase her power?
Sure, Zhuyan had only gotten this job due to a recommendation, but she had risen up the ranks from a junior maid to an attendant thanks to serving the right person.
But how long was she assigned tasks such as cleaning, cooking, serving meals, and running errands? She wanted to attend directly to noble or court ladies' needs with their personal affairs.
This was precisely why she had left her previous mistress. She couldn't aspire to be a handmaid or personal attendant by serving someone outside the imperial family.
This new consort was her ticket to power to become a handmaiden. Yet, this Wangfei had no intention of keeping her?!!
All her efforts, ambitions, and dreams of climbing the social ladder within the palace seemed to crumble before her eyes.
No, she couldn't go down like this. She had to prove her worth and become someone her mistress needed!
As she turned a corner to the seventh Prince's courtyard, she spotted a young servant girl anxiously pacing about.
"What are you doing here?" Zhuyan's voice was sharp, her tone betraying her impatience.
"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bother," the servant girl jumped at the sound, clutching a letter tightly.
Zhuyan's expression softened, but only slightly, as she eyed the letter. "You're not intruding. What brings you here?"
The servant girl hesitated before extending the letter towards Zhuyan with trembling hands. "Th-this is for Li Wangfei," she explained in a quavering voice. "It's from Chancellor Yi's household."
Zhuyan snatched the letter from the girl's quivering hand, her eyes sparkling. "I'll deliver this to Li Wangfei, so you can go now."
Since it came from the Chancellor's house, it must be from Prime Minister Han! With that, she turned on her heel and hurried straight to the inner courtyard.
Walking through the second gate, the familiar scenery greeted her. Everything looked the same as before—the pergola's elegant architecture and the garden's tranquil atmosphere were exactly the same as before; only the occupant at the heart of the scenery seemed to have changed.
It wasn't long ago that she would follow her mistress to find the Prince immersed in his studies in this very spot. Who would have guessed this new wife of his had the same preference?
Han Aeng sat upon the cushioned seat, her posture upright yet graceful, commanding the space around her with an air of quiet authority.
The soft morning light casts a gentle glow upon Han Aeng's delicate features. Her dark hair was neatly arranged, framing a face adorned with an expression of intense concentration. She hadn't slept after returning from the temple but decided to spend her time going over a few details of Shangwei's imperial family.
Approaching quietly, Zhuyan cleared her throat to announce her presence. "Li Wangfei, this one, has a letter to deliver."
Without dividing her attention to Zhuyan, Han Aeng extended out her hand.
"This one personally brings this letter from your father." Zhuyan explained with a sense of urgency as she presented the letter.
Han Aeng raised a single brow and put down her brush.
The subtle fragrance emanating from the parchment caught her attention as she read the contents to herself.
'Dear Aeng, meet me by the Lotus Pavilion at midday.'
"Did this one do a good job?" Zhuyan questioned eagerly.
Han Aeng's expression remained unreadable as she held Zhuyan's gaze for a moment before turning her lips into a smile, "Thank you. Can you find out where Nanny Na is?"
Zhuyan's expression soured, her lips pressing into a thin line as she bit down on them in frustration.
Before, Zhuyan rarely had a chance to showcase her skills. But now that she had the chance, for some reason, she could never seem to impress her mistress. She was certain her talents would eventually catch her mistress's attention. But ever since Nanny Na came to the palace and finished her training, this mistress of hers only calls for the old lady! This preference was undoubtedly sidelining her every effort!
Still, she couldn't afford to show any displeasure, so she reluctantly accepted. "Of course, Li Wangfei. This one will go right away."
Watching her depart, Han Aeng read the letter again. "Ruyi, is the Lotus Pavilion the section that was closed off?"
Ruyi approached and nodded in response. "Yes, Wangfei. The Lotus Pavilion is currently blocked due to renovation."
Thinking back on her tour of the palace, she distinctly recalled encountering the blocked-off section during her tour. It was near the location where she had gotten lost, so she made a note of it out of curiosity.
"Does the palace always have renovations going on throughout the year?"
"Not usually, Wangfei. His Majesty prefers to maintain the palace's original state whenever possible." Ruyi hesitated for a moment before explaining. "However, renovations was unavoidable following a fire that broke out a month ago."
"Fire? Do you know what caused the fire?"
Ruyi shook her head. "Nubi is afraid she doesn't know, Wangfei."
Though there were only rumours circulating about what happened that night, nothing was confirmed. The Empress swiftly handled the situation, and the matter was veiled in secrecy ever since.
"But thankfully, the fire was contained before it could spread, and because Miss Mei was called by Shufei Yi that night, no one was harmed."
Han Aeng's brow furrowed. "Who did you say used to live there?"
"Miss Mei Fubai used to reside in the Lotus Pavilion," Ruyi explained. "However, His Majesty has her relocation as punishment for neglecting her residence."
"Mei Fubai?"
Some punishment. That rundown place has enough treasures to buy a city. Could it be His Majesty was secretly fond of her?
"She seems to be treated quite well for someone outside of the imperial family."
"Nubi can not say for sure, Wangfei."
Tsk, not a single peep outside what needs to be said. Han Aeng rested her head on her hand, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on her face. Fubai's old resident and a so-called letter from my father. Mmm, I wonder...
Han Aeng folded the paper, put it into her sleeve, and stood up with a burst of energy. "Ruyi, pack up for me. I'm going to find His Highness."
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