Chapter 23: One Side Must Be Chosen

  Xue Lengyu's heart skipped a beat, and she hastily stood up and said: "Butterfly Concubine, I entered the manor solely because my family is poor and struggling. I couldn't bear to see my parents laboring day in and day out, so I wanted to earn some silver to supplement our household income. I absolutely do not have any intentions of climbing the social ladder. I know my status is lowly, and being able to serve as a maid in Maple Garden is already a great fortune. Please don't misunderstand me, Your Ladyship."

  The butterfly queen smiled even more warmly and said, "Quickly sit down, I didn't say anything, look at you being so scared. A clever and agile girl like you who also has self-awareness is the one I like the most. Seeing that you are also filial, Zixue, come and receive a reward."

  "Yes." Zi Xue listened and took out a hairpin that had been prepared long ago from her bosom, handing it to Xue Leng Yu: "Here, this is for you, Your Highness."

  Xue Lengyu didn't dare accept: "No reward without merit, how can a slave like me dare to want Your Ladyship's reward?"

  The concubine is just more petty than the princess, Xue Lengyu thought to herself. If she wanted to reward her, she should have just given her money directly. Instead, she gave her this thing that's unclear whether it's gold or silver, and then she'd have to take it to a pawnshop, where they'd peel off another layer of skin from her.

  Xue Lengyu was not originally so obsessed with wealth. In modern times, although she wasn't from a wealthy family, at least she had a comfortable life without worrying about food and clothing. Now that she suddenly found herself in the life of a poor peasant, she wholeheartedly thought of how to make everyone live a good life.

  "Take it," said Die Fei: "Don't be afraid. However, in the palace, being a bit timid is not a bad thing."

  "Yes, thank you for the gift." Xue Lengyu saw that this was also something that couldn't be pushed away, so she simply accepted it. She waited again for Die Fei to get to the point.

  "Butterfly Queen slowly said: 'Originally I wanted to invite you to have lunch together, but seeing that you are so restrained, I won't make it difficult for you. I have a few words to entrust to you, and I also hope you will think carefully about them.'"

  "Please give your orders, Princess." Xue Lengyu hastily said.

  "You've just entered the palace, and you're from your sister's courtyard, so there may be many things that are unclear. But you should know that whether it's the main wife or a concubine, whoever wins the king's heart will be the mistress of this inner court. I think you're an interesting little maid, so I'll remind you: remember your identity now, and even if you gain the king's favor in the future, don't forget who you are. The king can't be monopolized by any one woman; as long as you continue to be humble and honest, the king won't mistreat you, and neither will I."

  "Yes." Xue Lengyu said: "The slave knows."

  "Alright." The Butterfly Empress waved her hand: "That's all I have to say, you may withdraw now."

  "Yes." Xue Lengyu bowed again: "This servant takes her leave."

  After Xue Lengyu left, Die Fei said: "Zixue, what do you think of this girl?"

  "Return to the young lady." Zi Xue said: "I, a slave, cannot see through it."

  "I also can't see through it." Die Fei said slowly: "It seems that she is really honest, and what she says is also sincere. It's as if she really just wants to be a maid in Fengyuan... But..."

  Zi Xue continued: "But her fear doesn't seem like real fear. Just like her performance in front of the king this morning, it gives people an inexplicable feeling."

  "Butterfly Queen thought for a moment, then said: 'In short, I don't believe there's anyone who doesn't want to fly high. Li Fei probably won't recover in a year or two. My main opponent is still Wang Fei, the others are not worth paying too much attention to. However, they also can't be ignored.'"

  "Yes." Zi Xue said: "I will pay attention."

  Xue Lengyu walked back to Fengyuan at a moderate pace, playing with the hairpin that Diefei had given her. She estimated how much this thing could be worth. She also knew that no matter how much it was worth, taking someone's money meant she had to help them resolve their troubles.

  Avert disaster? Xue Lengyu smiled wryly. His own disaster, he didn't know when it would come and couldn't be stopped.

  Arriving at the entrance of Maple Garden, Xue Lengyu gazed out casually, but his heart suddenly tightened.

  Standing at the gate of Maple Garden, who else could it be if not Lan?

  At that moment, Xue Lengyu really had the urge to turn her head and run away. She thought about what happened in the morning, including being invited by Empress Butterfly, and it seemed that everything had been passed on to Queen Wang's ears without exception. So Queen Wang couldn't sit still, fearing that the person she had brought with ulterior motives would be taken away by her greatest opponent in just a flash.

  She put away her needlework and forced a smile as she walked towards Lan'er.

  Lan'er was looking forward to the direction of Die Fei's house, stretching her neck and getting sour, it was easy to see Xue Lengyu coming back, and she smiled and walked quickly over.

  "Lan'er." Xue Lengyu clearly knew the reason and asked: "How did you come to Fengyuan? Is there something going on?"

  "What's going on?" Lan'er quickly replied: "It's the princess who wants to see you."

  "The princess wants to see me? There..." Xue Lengyu hadn't finished speaking when he was pulled by Lan'er towards the Spring Seeking Garden.

  "Don't ask so many questions." Lan'er chattered on: "The princess must have had a reason for looking for you. By the way, I heard that you made a mistake this morning and not only did the prince not punish you, but he even rewarded you with breakfast?"

  "I..." Xue Lengyu was about to explain.

  Lan'er continued to speak on her own, unable to conceal the joy in her eyes: "Our princess's vision is indeed good, she knew at first glance that you would be liked by the prince. Sure enough, after just one day in Fengyuan, the prince treats you differently from others. You mustn't forget the favor and turn your back on it..."

  What's the difference, Xue Lengyu saw that it wasn't clear, so she simply shut her mouth. The entire Wang Fu back courtyard thought that the king had a crush on himself, okay, looking at the king's good looks, just let everyone misunderstand. As long as he knew, huh, the king also knew it was fine.

  Xue Lengyu always believed that Li Mu's gaze was not one of affection, but rather provocation and teasing. Of course, this might not be directed at herself, there was no need for that. The person Li Mu was targeting might be the princess who had brought her here.

  At this thought, Xue Lengyu's eyes suddenly lit up. If Li Mu still had feelings for the princess, she would understand how to protect herself.

  With her mind made up, Xue Lengyu suddenly felt a sense of relief and clarity. Going to see the princess didn't seem like such a painful task after all. On the contrary, she quickened her pace, leaving Lan'er slightly behind.

  "Leng Yu, wait!" Lan Er said to herself, forgetting about me. When she came back to her senses, she saw that Xue Leng Yu had already walked several steps ahead of her. She quickly quickened her pace to catch up with him and asked in surprise: "Why are you walking so fast?"

  Xue Lengyu smiled gently, causing Lan'er to lose her composure for a moment: "I also have something important to discuss with the princess."

  Lan'er was confused by Xue Lengyu's sudden change, but she quickly understood and smiled: "Lengyu, have you finally figured it out? That's right, if you can get the prince's favor, you'll fly up to be a phoenix and never have to be a maid again. Your parents will also be able to live a good life."

  Xue Lengyu didn't want to explain either, she just smiled and nodded. She now knew that in this era where it was considered normal for women to rely on men, not wanting to do so made her a freak.