Hearing sounds from the courtyard, Di Lingwei grew curious.
“That’s Yun Zheng’s voice,” Mu Fuwan immediately reminded her from the side.
“Let’s take a look.”
Di Lingwei walked over to the courtyard gate. The door wasn’t fully closed; a slight push revealed the scene inside.
A palace maid named Yun Zheng was walking gracefully at the front, and behind her, many young girls were following, mimicking her movements.
After watching for a moment in secret, Di Lingwei asked the two beside her, “What do you think they’re doing?”
Wang Feifei thought for a moment before answering, “It seems Yun Zheng is teaching the other girls etiquette?”
“It’s the etiquette of palace maids,” Mu Fuwan added.
The activity itself wasn’t a problem; learning etiquette was harmless. But why was Yun Zheng teaching this?
After considering it, Di Lingwei decided asking directly was best. Her status meant that many matters could be easily resolved simply by speaking up. There was no need to guess back and forth in her mind.
Creak!
Di Lingwei pushed the door open and entered.
Hearing the door open, Yun Zheng couldn’t help but look over.
The moment she saw Di Lingwei dressed in a vermilion pomegranate skirt, Yun Zheng’s eyes widened in disbelief.
It was the Empress?
The Empress had actually come here?
Instinctively, Yun Zheng moved to pay her respects, but Di Lingwei raised a hand to stop her. “No need for formalities. I have some questions for you. Come here.”
Hearing Di Lingwei’s words, Yun Zheng understood she didn’t want her identity revealed to the others. She could only halt her bow and quickly walk over.
“Sister Yun Zheng, who are they?”
“Where are you going, Sister Yun Zheng?”
The girls behind her all looked simple and honest, gazing at Di Lingwei’s group with curiosity, tinged with a hint of awe. For those living in the slums, encountering people in such luxurious clothing always drew this reaction.
Yun Zheng forced a smile and replied, “Don’t ask too many questions. I have to leave for a bit. Continue practicing on your own. No matter what happens, wait for my return to tell me.”
Seeing Yun Zheng say this, the many girls naturally didn’t press further.
Yun Zheng walked over quickly. As she drew near, she whispered, “Your Majesty, there are many people outside. Please follow this servant this way.”
Di Lingwei nodded and, leading Wang Feifei and Mu Fuwan, followed Yun Zheng into a nearby room.
The moment the door was shut, Yun Zheng knelt before Di Lingwei. “This servant, Yun Zheng, pays respects to Your Majesty.”
“Rise. Explain what this is all about.”
Di Lingwei’s question was casual, yet her casualness for others still carried an unspoken, commanding authority, imposing immense psychological pressure.
Yun Zheng stood up anxiously, head bowed. “This servant is teaching everyone the etiquette for palace maids.”
“Why teach this?”
“Because they may become palace maids someday. Learning early helps them avoid mistakes.”
“Did Ruolan arrange for you to do this?”
“Yes.” Yun Zheng answered, then, fearing Di Lingwei might blame Xing Ruolan, hastily added, “Your Majesty, the Chief Steward did this entirely to help the sisters establish themselves. There is not a single bit of selfishness. All the sisters also participated in the selection process for palace maids and were confirmed qualified before being allowed to enter the palace.”
Di Lingwei remained noncommittal and continued to ask, “Why enter the palace to become a palace maid?”
“Because it’s the best profession among the jobs we have access to,” Yun Zheng answered honestly.
“Is that so?”
Di Lingwei walked to the window and looked outside.
Even though Yun Zheng had left, the many young girls were still pacing gracefully back and forth in the courtyard, their bearing dignified, their etiquette flawless.
Truthfully, this situation differed from Di Lingwei’s expectations. When she learned Xing Ruolan was placing her own people in the Imperial Palace as maids, she felt some concern in her heart, fearing some ulterior motive. Yet the scene before her eyes seemed… different from what she had imagined.
After musing for a moment, Di Lingwei turned back and asked Yun Zheng for more detailed questions.
Facing Di Lingwei, Yun Zheng didn’t dare hide the slightest thing. Her mind felt completely blank; she simply answered whatever Di Lingwei asked.
Under such questioning, Di Lingwei learned that the many young girls in this courtyard were all homeless, utterly alone, without any support. Gathered together by Xing Ruolan, they made a living selling breakfast. In their spare time, they learned all kinds of palace etiquette, preparing to become palace maids.
Was this Ruolan’s purpose?
Just to help ordinary girls?
This realization allowed Di Lingwei to relax slightly. She wasn’t averse to acts of charity. But Xing Ruolan’s personality, and Xing Ruolan’s Regret, were like a thorn that Di Lingwei couldn’t ignore.
Ruolan is definitely hiding something!
With this thought, Di Lingwei formed some plans.
Looking at the apprehensive Yun Zheng, she said, “Zhen will not pursue this matter. You need not worry. Continue with your own affairs.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Yun Zheng let out a long breath.
Next, Di Lingwei opened the door and walked out, Wang Feifei and Mu Fuwan following closely behind.
As they emerged, the young girls practicing their palace maid etiquette in the courtyard looked at the three of them curiously, their eyes holding a sense of awe.
Saying nothing more, Di Lingwei left directly.
“Sister Yun Zheng, who exactly were they?”
“Never mind that! Sister Yun Zheng, keep teaching us etiquette. I so want to enter the palace to be a maid. The maids’ clothes are so beautiful.”
“What does Her Majesty look like? I’m very curious. She must be very heroic, right?”
“When we become palace maids, we’ll be able to see Her Majesty the Empress often.”
Fragments of speech drifted from behind on the wind.
Di Lingwei returned to the Imperial Palace.
At Phoenix Perch Palace, Di Lingwei sat down in the front courtyard. Xing Ruolan very attentively brewed hot tea for her.
“Ruolan, Zhen has some matters to ask you about.” Di Lingwei spoke unhurriedly.
“Does Your Majesty have any instructions?” Xing Ruolan’s voice was soft and gentle.
With such a gentle voice and mild expression, Xing Ruolan perfectly fit the image of someone helping impoverished girls.
But…
Di Lingwei looked at Xing Ruolan and said seriously, “Zhen asks you, have you been placing your own people into the Imperial Palace as maids?”
Xing Ruolan paused for a moment, then replied, “This servant has indeed done so.”
“Very well. Zhen asks you again, what is your purpose? What are you trying to do?” Di Lingwei’s tone grew a few degrees more serious.
It was just a slightly more serious tone, yet a wave of overwhelming, heaven-covering pressure seemed to emanate from her, silencing the entire front courtyard. Only the sound of thumping, beating hearts remained.
