The chief eunuch, Jiang Cheng, approached Liu Liu deferentially, with a thousand apologies. “Does Your Majesty the Empress have any dissatisfaction with these people? I can adjust accordingly.”
Jin Jiali, Lou Sijing, and the other consorts were confused by Jiang Cheng’s attitude. They had heard that Chief Eunuch Jiang was very capable, so why was he so subservient to the ugly woman before them? They couldn’t fathom it.
Even Zhang Xiuyi was somewhat bewildered. Jiang Cheng was known for his ruthlessness and cunning. He had served the Emperor since childhood and enjoyed his complete trust. Therefore, anyone who offended him undoubtedly offended the Emperor.
Yet, he was being so cautious with the ugly woman before them. What was the reason?
Liu Liu scrutinized Jiang Cheng. As expected of the chief eunuch, after years of living in the palace, his agility was quite remarkable. She cast a faint glance at the row of eunuchs and maids, then spoke coldly.
“Clearly, these people are unwilling to accompany me to Huaqing Palace, and I don’t need such a large retinue. Ask for their wishes and select two to tidy up.”
As soon as Liu Liu finished speaking, Jiang Cheng froze, as did all the eunuchs and maids. They were astonished that Her Majesty the Empress did not want many servants.
This was truly a strange occurrence. As the mistress of the harem, the Empress was expected to maintain a certain grandeur. Even if the Emperor disliked her, her aunt was the Empress Dowager. How could she appear so shabby?
“Your Majesty the Empress, absolutely not. Your Majesty is the mother of the nation, how can you be served by only two people? I fear there will be insufficient assistance,” Jiang Cheng said hurriedly, trying to stop the Empress.
Liu Liu’s delicate eyebrows twitched. Her face became impatient, and she spoke with a cold tone, “Chief Eunuch Jiang, are you the master, or am I?”
Hearing the Empress’s words, Chief Eunuch Jiang dared not say anything more. He quickly responded and retreated a step, walking up to the entire row of eunuchs and maids. “Her Majesty does not require so many personnel. Who is willing to go to Huaqing Palace with Her Majesty the Empress?”
As soon as Chief Eunuch Jiang finished speaking, everyone retreated, their expressions brightening. Previously, they had been forced to go to Huaqing Palace due to the chief eunuch’s oppressive authority.
Now that they were asked, of course, they were unwilling to go. Seeing the situation, Jiang Cheng’s slender eyes flashed with a ruthless glint. Just as he was about to act, two young eunuchs quickly stepped out from the crowd.
“Your servant Xiao Anzi (Xiao Nianzi) is willing to go to Huaqing Palace to serve Her Majesty the Empress.”
Jiang Cheng’s expression finally eased slightly. Seeing no one else step forward, he was about to call for more servants when he heard Liu Liu speak coldly from the side.
“Alright, let these two young eunuchs follow. The others are not needed.”
Looking at the expressions of these servants, it was as if going to Huaqing Palace to serve her would cost them their lives. In any case, she didn’t need so many people. She would often leave the palace in the future, and these unreliable individuals would undoubtedly be a hindrance. Therefore, it was better not to have them.
Jiang Cheng was somewhat displeased by the Empress’s words. It was simply too few. Only two eunuchs were willing to follow Her Majesty the Empress. What a bunch of stupid servants! No wonder they could only remain minor servants forever.
However, since Her Majesty the Empress had spoken, he would let her have her way. He immediately waved his hand, “Xiao Anzi, Xiao Nianzi, you two escort Her Majesty the Empress to Huaqing Palace and serve her diligently. If anything is needed, I will send someone over later.”
“Yes, Chief Eunuch Jiang.” Xiao Anzi and Xiao Nianzi quickly moved to Liu Liu’s side, looking up at the Empress. The Empress was so pitiful. It was not her fault for being ugly. Upon entering the palace, she was already bullied by the Emperor, and now even the servants looked down on her. They spoke respectfully, “Your servants greet Her Majesty the Empress.”
“Alright, rise. Take me to Huaqing Palace,” Liu Liu said, finding the expressions of the two young eunuchs somewhat amusing. However, she felt these two were good and could be kept by her side.
“Yes, Your Majesty the Empress.” Xiao Anzi and Xiao Nianzi led Liu Liu out of Zhuxiu Palace, one in front and one behind. Cui’er and Qiao’er followed closely behind their young lady, their little faces contorted with a desire to cry.
It turned out their young lady had truly been bullied. Even these servants were betraying their mistress. What use was it even if she was the Empress?
Jiang Cheng watched Liu Liu walk away, a dark glint flashing in his eyes. He turned and scanned the surrounding servants, a cold smile on his lips. “You ungrateful wretches, to make Her Majesty the Empress so embarrassed. Just wait and see how I deal with you later.”
Those eunuchs and maids immediately became fearful. They wished they had followed Her Majesty the Empress to Huaqing Palace. The chief eunuch looked enraged, and it seemed their lives would not be easy from now on. Everyone trembled with fear. xxs one
After assigning personnel for the Empress, he then assigned personnel for the various consorts. Jin Jiali and Lou Sijing, as first-rank consorts, had fewer people than the Empress: one chief eunuch, one female official, six palace maids, and six eunuchs.
Those who were named were all beaming with joy. They walked before their masters with smiles, respectfully congratulating their masters. The two masters, seeing this scene, recalled the Empress’s previous treatment and compared it to their own, their expressions became joyful, and their words were pleasant to hear.
“Alright, lead your respective masters to their palaces,” Jiang Cheng ordered with a stern face. The consorts all responded with smiles, “Thank you, Chief Eunuch Jiang.” They then left Zhuxiu Palace with the chief eunuchs of their respective palaces, returning to their own residences.
In the vast main hall of Zhuxiu Palace, only about twenty palace maids and eunuchs remained. These were the ones Jiang Cheng had carefully selected to serve Her Majesty the Empress. Unexpectedly, these wretches were so ungrateful. Jiang Cheng looked at them with a sinister smile, speaking chillingly.
“From this day forward, all of you will be assigned to the laundry department.”
Upon hearing this, the faces of the more than twenty people turned ashen, and their bodies stiffened. They simply could not comprehend why Chief Eunuch Jiang was so good to Her Majesty the Empress.
The Empress was destined to be deposed. Chief Eunuch Jiang should have been currying favor with Consort Shu and Consort De, for these two masters would surely ascend to high positions in the future.
Unexpectedly, the chief eunuch was so deferential to the unfavored Empress, yet so indifferent to the consorts who were about to gain favor. While they knew he was usually strange, this was too outrageous.
Huaqing Palace was located near the cold palace, far from the other three palaces. Liu Liu, led by the two young eunuchs, entered Huaqing Palace.
At a glance, the scene was bleak. Everything in this palace appeared old and worn. The palace walls were mottled, and only three of the four corner beast carvings remained.
There were also the door frames and wooden windows, swaying left and right in the wind. Around the palace, weeds grew everywhere, dotted with wildflowers. Liu Liu raised her eyes and looked at it all.
This place was likely worse than the cold palace. The cold palace was at least clean and tidy, but this was a place no one cared about. Yet, why did she feel a sense of familiarity? Puzzled, she turned to ask the young eunuch behind her.
“Xiao Anzi, what do you say this place was before?”
As soon as Liu Liu finished speaking, Xiao Anzi cautiously scanned the surroundings and reported softly, “I heard this was the former Empress’s sleeping quarters?”
“The former Empress?” Liu Liu was startled. She hadn’t expected to be housed here. No wonder the furnishings were so mottled and old; they had some age.
Since a new dynasty had been established, why hadn’t the Emperor ordered this palace to be demolished? She stared at Xiao Anzi in confusion. “Since this is a palace from the previous dynasty, why didn’t the Emperor order it to be torn down?”
“Reporting to Your Majesty, your servant does not know. However, the imperial palace is so vast, it seems many things are from the previous dynasty, later renovated and expanded in some areas. Only this place was left untouched. Perhaps it was too far from the three palaces and close to the cold palace, so it was left here. It is just that the Emperor remembered this place and bestowed it upon Your Majesty the Empress?” Xiao Anzi finished, on the verge of tears.
Liu Liu patted his shoulder nonchalantly. “Alright, Xiao Anzi, go in and tidy up with peace of mind.”