Li Liangyu was originally in a state of watching the show, but now seeing Su Jingyuns high and mighty appearance, she felt uncomfortable again. "Why did Sister Zhen say that? Du Mei is with us when we go out, if something happens...".

  Saying half a sentence is sometimes more effective than saying the whole thing, after all, peoples ability to fill in the gaps is top-notch. Just look at the expressions of those eunuchs standing around, watching with bated breath, and youll understand.

  Su Jing smoothed out her black hair, a faint smile playing on the corners of her mouth as she stood there quietly watching the two of them "play their roles", without saying a word.

  "Her Majesty has arrived," a shrill eunuchs voice rang out at the right moment, breaking the temporary silence.

  "Concubines and maidservants pay their respects to Her Majesty the Empress."

  The queen came over and said, "Get up, all of you."

  The empress did not like Su Jinger and had been subtly wanting to target her since she entered the palace. If it werent for competing with Consort Shu, perhaps she wouldnt have let her enter the palace in the first place.

  However, she had gone ahead and done it, not coming to Kun Ning Palace to pay her respects for three days at a time, treating herself as if she were the second "Shu Gui Fei", this kind of thing, she absolutely would not permit.

  Fortunately, she is still respectful now. She cant openly deal with her after all, as she is the Empress and on an equal footing with Consort Shu. As for her, previously a noble lady, now just a pin, fighting her would be lowering her own status.

  "I didnt expect that as soon as I left Kunning Palace, I would run into several sisters, especially you, Zhen. Ive heard that you rarely come to the Imperial Garden; what wind blew you here today?"

  Su Jingxiao listened to the queens hypocritical words, feeling a little amused. When did these lines that could only appear in TV dramas become her reality? One day she would also have to "act" alongside someone.

  "Its precisely because its been too long since I came, so I missed out on all these beautiful scenes. My sister still finds it quite regrettable at this moment," Su Jing said with a gentle tone.

  Without waiting for them to speak, he continued, "Speaking of which, I have another matter that my sister would like to request of Your Majesty the Empress."

  The queens eyes suddenly turned cold, but the corners of her mouth were filled with a smile. "I dont know whats going on, sister, just say it, Im the empress, and Ill do my best to help you out."

  "Its nothing serious, Your Majesty doesnt have to worry," Su Jing said, pointing to the peony beside her, "its just that I think this flower is quite pretty and want to ask the Empress for a servant."

  The queen listened and it was nothing serious. In this palace, what is lacking the least are servants. If thats all, she would be willing to show some personal favor.

  "I thought it was something big, but its just a trivial matter of a slave, and you think I would send someone to deliver him to the Drunken Cloud Pavilion?" The empress spoke in a gentle tone.

  She paused for a moment, "Now that Zhen is also promoted to Pin, the slaves of Zuiyun Pavilion are probably not enough. The palace will send some slaves over and let sister choose."

  This is what you mean by stuffing people, and between the lines, its also a tone that doesnt allow for negotiation.

  Su Jing smiled and bowed, "Im sorry to trouble Your Majesty, but yesterday the Emperor said he would help me choose a few servants, now it seems thats not necessary."

  The empress was taken aback, not expecting that Zong Zhengjin had even considered these trivial matters for her. However, thinking about it, she felt that he was just trying to curry favor with her, and this thought made her look down on him instead.

  "In that case, I have been too meddlesome."

  Su Jing looked at her with a faint smile, also silent, and for a moment the atmosphere was somewhat awkward.

  The queens face turned pale and she didnt speak, wasnt that equivalent to admitting that this queen was indeed meddling as she had said herself?

  Li Liangs wife suddenly burst out laughing, "Sister Zhen was so captivated by the flowers that she didnt even hear what the Empress and you were saying?"

  The queen is the queen after all. If someone gives her a way out, she will step down. After all, its outside and being put in an awkward position by a small concubine is not good for the queen.

  She hooked up the corner of her mouth and said, "However, I didnt know that Zhen sister liked flowers so much, not even noticing when I was speaking."

  This is implying that she doesnt know the rules and is disrespecting the empress.

  "Look at what the Empress said, imperial consorts are just as the Empress said, its been too long since I came to this Imperial Garden, and being dazzled by these beautiful flowers is all," she said with a curtsy.

  "I also beg Your Majesty the Empress to forgive me. I, a concubine, know that Your Majesty is wise and magnanimous, a model for all women in the world. Such nobility of character is not something that someone like me can match. Surely, Your Majesty will not bother with trivialities with me?"

  The empress suddenly smiled, "I naturally wont quarrel with my sister."

  Su Jing thought she would take advantage of her and put her in a difficult position, but unexpectedly she was so easy to talk to, and after thinking about it for a moment, she understood.

  "The queens demeanor is extraordinary, and we concubines are inferior to her," Du Changjin chimed in from the side, not wanting to be overlooked.

  The queen knew she was being flattered, but her mood improved slightly, after all, people love to hear good things.

  "Its better for you to take good care of yourself and the baby, the Imperial Garden is crowded and complicated, if something happens it wont be good," The Empress shifted her gaze to her, seeing that her belly had already started to show, she furrowed her brow, thinking of something, and finally reminded her.

  Du Chang has become more open-minded after being persuaded by Ruan Xiaoyi, and she has long decided to follow the Empress. Even when the Empress assigns palace maids to her side, she doesnt make a fuss. Having entered the palace for a long time, the number of times she has been favored can be counted on one hand, but she is much better than her elder sister.

  "The queen said, You may return to the palace now."

  The queen nodded and glanced at the palace maid behind her, "Take good care of your master, if anything happens to your master, you will..."

  The palace maid trembled with fear, the queens words were not finished, but the meaning was already clear. "Your Majesty can rest assured, I will serve Du Changjin well."

  "Hmm, well done. The palace will reward you," and then gave a nod to Huizhu behind her, "You personally see Du Changjin off."

  "Yes, milord."

  …………

  After Du Chang left, Su Jing also found an excuse to leave, leaving only Li Liangyu and the Empress.

  "Your Majesty, why did the Empress..."

  "Why is Ben Niang and He Qi so strange?" Su Jing continued to say what she hadnt finished saying, "Ben Niang doesnt know either, something unexpected must have happened, be careful these days."

  The slaves in the palace were still very efficient, and when Su Jing returned to Zuiyun Pavilion, Xiao Luzi had already packed up.

  "Let him follow Xiao Fuzi for now and see how things go." Su Jing entered the inner chamber, changed into another outfit, and said to Ting Yao.

  Ting Yao understood her meaning and thought for a moment. "Master, Yunxiang went out once at midnight last night and was discovered by Xiangxiang who was on duty."

  "Is it?" Su Jing said lightly, "But I dont know what hes doing."

  "This is still unclear, Im afraid of stirring up trouble, so I dont dare make too much noise, thinking to report back to the master first."

  Su Jing put down the silver-white ceramic tea cup with a hint of red glaze, "Youve done well, just watch for now, let Xiangxiang be more careful, and have others pay attention to Xiangxiang."

  "The master is suspicious..."

  "Its not that Im suspicious, its just to be absolutely sure," Su Jing turned around to face her, his words sincere. "Listen, Yao, youre the one Ben brought out of the Su family, in terms of trust, no one can compare to you."

  Ying Yao was taken aback, almost shedding tears, and hastily knelt down, "Your humble servant has always been devoted to serving the master, never daring to have a second heart."

  Su Jing heard that she was misunderstood, and hurriedly got up to personally help her up. "Foolish Liu Yao, Ben Piao is telling the truth. Ben Piaos feelings for you are different from others. I trust you because I know youve done a great job."

  "Dont worry, master. I will serve you wholeheartedly," Yau heard the sincerity in her words and couldnt help but shed tears.

  As a servant, getting rewarded by the master is an affirmation of ones ability, gaining the masters trust is an affirmation of oneself. Sometimes, a single word of affirmation from the master is far more important than any reward in silver.

  Xianglian hastily wiped away her tears, "Master must be hungry? Ill have someone send in dinner," she said as she curtsied and then walked out, leaving Su Jingyun speechless.

  "Yao sister, whats wrong with you?" Yunxiang asked hurriedly as she came in from outside and saw her eyes were red.

  Yao wiped away her tears, "Nothings wrong, go back to your own business."

  Ying Xiangs lips moved, wanting to say something else, but Ting Yao didnt give her the chance. "The master needs his meal, Ill go first."

  …………

  "Let Xiaofuzi come in," Su Jing said, washing her hands in the rose-petal-filled golden basin with cloud patterns, to Dai Man beside her.

  "I have come to pay respects to you, Master," he said, kneeling down and bowing.

  Su Jing wiped her hands with a smooth silk cloth and said, "Get up, Ben Niang has something she wants you to take care of."

  Xiao Fus expression changed, remembering the last time his master had used the "Empty City Strategy" to send him on an errand, only for the Emperor to become enraged and his master to be placed under house arrest. Upon hearing this, he immediately sensed that something was amiss again.

  Whats on his mind is one thing, but he doesnt show it on his face at all. "Please go ahead and give your orders, Master."

  "Xiao Fu Zi, do you remember Dai Xia?" Without waiting for his response, she continued, "Ben Niang suspects that Dui Yun Wu has a second Dai Xia. I dont know if you can put Ben Niangs mind at ease."

  Xiao Fus heart sank, "Ill definitely do my best to help Master share his worries, but I dont know what Master suspects..."

  Su Jing looked at the entwined Yulan magnolia vine and the fragrance burner not far away, a few strands of white gas slowly rising, "What incense is being lit?"

  "Returning to the master, its Su He Xiang," Dai Man said from the side, "clear and calm."

  Su Jing raised an eyebrow, "Take it away, your master doesnt need to concentrate."

  He then turned to the person who was still standing with his head bowed and said, "Xiao Fu Zi, you have been in the palace for eight years now. Your younger brother at home should be getting married soon too."

  Xiao Fuzi broke out in a cold sweat, unable to think of why she suddenly said these things. She replied cautiously, "Replying to Master, my younger brother is getting married next month."

  "Hmm, Ill send a gift," Su Jings smile deepened, "Ben Niangs older brother should get married too."