Although Chao Sheng expressed her desire to let things go, unfortunately she is now in a weak position and not only cant persuade Wang Mei, but also Huan Xun doesnt agree with her. Moreover, Wang Mei didnt say she wanted to report Qing Jings wrongdoing, just that she wanted to get some medicinal cream for Chao Sheng to apply to the wound on her face.

  No power, no status, nothing you say is useful.

  You clearly know that the other person is using you as a gun, but what can you do? Can you say I dont want to be your gun?

  Its no use, even if you say something, it wont work. Others are stronger than you, and resisting is futile.

  A single glance from him could make her feel like she was dying and coming back to life at the same time.

  Wang Mei wanted to do something, Chao Sheng Mingming knew it clearly, but she couldnt help it.

  Wang Mei left, and Huan Xun carefully shaved the remaining watermelon rind into thin slices and applied them to her face and arms, reminding her: "You have to be honest tonight, dont move around and knock this off."

  Tide Sheng sighed with a bitter smile: "Who cares about it after falling asleep?"

  The sunburned area was washed with tea water and then applied with a piece of watermelon rind, the pain had eased a lot. She lay there without daring to move, after a while her waist started to ache.

  Dazed and not having slept very well, she got up early to examine her injuries. They were no longer as red and severe as they had been the day before, and some areas had already faded, but there were still several red marks scattered across her face and arms, still looking quite pitiful.

  "Does it still hurt?"

  "It doesnt hurt much anymore." Chao Sheng touched himself lightly: "It still stings a bit."

  "Ill bring some ointment for you to apply today, and it should be completely healed." Hanyin said: "Dont go out today, be careful not to get sunburned again."

  "But yesterdays chores arent finished yet."

  "Ill come back and help you with it." Huan Xun glanced outside at the sky: "Ill go get dinner first."

  The palace maids breakfast was always the same, steamed buns, thin porridge, and salted vegetables. Sometimes it was blanched green leaves with a bit of salt. Occasionally there would be some variation, such as spring pancakes during the Spring Festival, or sacrificial cakes on days of sacrifice. It wasnt about being delicious, sometimes they werent even full. Of course, Empress Chen had her own small kitchen, but the senior palace maids could enjoy some benefits, while the junior ones couldnt even get a taste.

  Chao Sheng took out the unfinished work from the day before yesterday to do. It was a skirt that Han Xiang had found for her. Chao Sheng only had one set of summer clothes - well, it could also be called a uniform. The color was neither blue nor green. In modern times, as long as you were willing, everyone could wear red if they wanted to, or wear green if they wanted to. But this era wasnt like that; wearing casual clothes in the palace would get you beheaded. Taking a step back, even if it were allowed, nobody would wear them anyway. To dye fabrics and satins into bright red, crimson, or bright yellow, the dyes required were precious and rare, and ordinary people absolutely couldnt afford to wear them.

  She brought two pieces of clothing, not knowing who wore them before. The waist was so loose that it could fit her after giving birth to the tide, and even a large winter melon could be stuffed in without any problem. The tide has been busy these past two days and hasnt had time to alter them. Cutting off the excess and re-sewing would have been convenient, but its a pity that the leftover fabric wasnt enough to make other clothes or shoes and socks. So she folded the hem of the skirt up, and sewed the waist inside out, so when she grows taller again, she can let it out and continue wearing it without wasting anything.

  Chao Sheng was distracted, first thinking about whether Wang Mei had already reported the black situation to Empress Chen, and then thinking about how Huan Xun would follow Wang Meis words, wondering if she would also be implicated. Even if it didnt happen this time, it was hard to guarantee peace next time.

  I have to think of a way... at least let Huan Xun not be so infatuated, others just say a few kind words and hes already deeply moved.

  To be honest, if Chao Sheng himself wasnt a reincarnated person, he might have also considered Wang Mei as a good sister or a living Bodhisattva.

  "Psst..." Chao Sheng sucked on his injured finger.

  Someone outside shouted: "Tide is born?"

  She hastily responded with a "yes" and opened the door. The little palace maid Sanxiang beckoned to her: "Quickly, quickly, someone is calling you up ahead."

  A loud noise suddenly echoed in his mind.

  This time... This time I really have offended Qing Jing severely.

  The tide is born in the belly and cries bitterly, can only say: "Just come."

  She put down her work, closed the door and followed Sanxiang to the front. Sanjing couldnt help but steal a few glances at her and ask: "Your face..."

  Chao Sheng lifted his hand and touched it, bitterly smiling: "Its hard to look at, isnt it?"

  "Hmm, its a bit scary at first glance." Chao Sheng asked in a low voice: "Who called me?"

  "Its all the same anyway."

  The one waiting for him by the door was neither Wang Mei nor Han Xiang, which made Chao Sheng extremely surprised.

  It was actually Hua Liang standing at the door waiting for her.

  Chao Sheng hesitated for a moment, then Hua Liang called out: "Come in, the princess wants to ask you something."

  Chao Sheng responded with a "yes" and walked in with his head down.

  Nothing could be discerned from Hualiangs normally cold face.

  Chao Sheng entered the west wing of the house, and with a glance, he saw that there were several people inside. Wang Mei, Han Xun, Qing Jing, and He Ran were all present. Next to them was another palace maid, dressed in the attire of a high-ranking palace maid, but Chao Sheng had never seen her before.

  Chao Sheng walked past Shen, and Chen Fei beckoned her over: "Come closer, let me take a look."

  Chao Sheng took two more steps forward.

  Chen Fei reached out her hand and lifted up her chin, taking a close look at her in the light.

  Chen Feis hands and those of the servants who did chores were naturally different, snow-white and tender, with several bangles on her wrists, fragrant.

  "Alas, Ive indeed gotten sunburned." Empress Chen nodded and signaled to the palace maid beside her: "Sui Mu, go get some White Powder Dispersion for me."

  So this is the New Years Eve Ive heard of but never seen before.

  Chao Sheng glanced at her while taking the medicine, and indeed, she was said to be one of Chen Feis most trusted palace maids - others couldnt tell if she was old or not, but judging from her age, she must have been in her twenties. From this age, even if she wasnt brought into the palace by Chen Fei from her hometown, she might have been serving Chen Fei since she entered the palace. With a subtle smile and without revealing her teeth, she stood there silently, exuding an air of calmness and stability.

  Looking at Wang Mei and Qing Jing again, they indeed looked less lively and spirited than before, standing quietly to the side.

  When there is no tiger in the mountain, the monkey becomes the king. Now that the real big shot has returned, the second and third in command have to tuck their tails and be careful with what they do.

  Chao Sheng is uncertain in his heart, looking at this situation, I wonder if Wang Meis case has been settled or not?

  Since you asked me to come and gave me medicine, its definitely a farewell gift.

  But now that the eldest princess has returned to take charge, the second and third princes can no longer make a big deal out of this. Could it be... that the eldest princess will smooth things over as soon as she returns?

  Its actually not a big deal, at least for Chen Fei and Sui Mu. This matter is no bigger than a sesame seed to them. But for Chao Sheng, the person involved and the victim, this matter is huge.

  At the end of the year, he asked Chao Sheng a few questions, nothing more than how old she was, how long she had been in the palace, and what she usually did. Then he said, "Hmm, I think this child is quite good." At the end of the year, smiling, said: "Please ask the empress to grant me an amnesty, and let her be my apprentice."

  "Ah? You suddenly want to take on an apprentice? Last year you werent even willing to discuss it."

  At the end of the year, in front of Chen Fei, he seemed to be very dignified and said: "This is one thing, that is another. At that time, there were many things to do, and I was too busy to take care of this. But after falling ill this time, when I had nothing to do, I thought about it carefully. Taking on an apprentice is a good thing. Even the great eunuch Lian wants to take in two young apprentices to help him, and I also want to teach a good apprentice, not to mention that if I fall ill again, there will be an apprentice to serve you wholeheartedly in front of Your Highness."

  Chen Fei nodded and said, "Since youre willing to accept it, then take it. I think this child is quite good too, and her hands are also skilled." She also had someone bring over a silk purse as a gift for Chao Sheng, saying it was to give her some good luck.

  Who would have thought that at the end of the year, something like this would suddenly happen? If you put it nicely, its a stroke of genius; if you put it badly, its just inexplicable.

  What kind of person is Su Mu? Even the fool can see it today, Wang Mei and Qing Jing are both deep-hearted and bad-tempered. They dont dare to be presumptuous in front of her. She says a word, and Chen Fei nods, showing that she has the same influence on those above and below her, and her ability to control is top-notch.

  Someone like that wants to say they want to take on an apprentice, and all the little palace maids in the courtyard are fighting to be chosen. How can it be so easy for them?

  Everyone in the house congratulated them, saying that they had taken in a good apprentice at the end of the year and that Chao Sheng was lucky. At this time, Chao Sheng just lowered his head and pretended to be honest, which wasnt difficult for him.

  Others say congratulations, even Huan Xun says congratulations, it can be seen that she is truly happy for Chao Sheng.

  But as for becoming a master, it was decided in just one sentence between Shu and Chen at the end of the year, but no one asked if Chao Sheng was willing or not.

  Of course, the little palace maid had no autonomy and when she was summoned at the end of the year, she had to respond.

  When others think she should come, how could she not respond? Only a fool wouldnt know to hug thick legs and find a reliable backer.

  After leaving Chen Feis house, Sui Mu said to Chao Sheng: "Come to my house, I have something to tell you."

  Chao Sheng responded with a "yes", and then asked in confusion: "Then... should I call you Master or Sister from now on?"

  At the end of the year, she probably didnt expect her to ask this first, and smiled: "Just call me sister."

  The house where the old man lived was naturally better than the one where Chao Sheng and Huan Xun lived. There were no moldy spots on the wall, no sunken bricks on the ground, and no rusty marks on the locks and household items.

  "Sit down."

  Chao Sheng sat down on a chair, and at the end of the year, he didnt speak first. He took a plate, mixed some water with the white powder given by Chen Fei, and applied it to Chao Shengs face.

  Its really good medicine from the palace, after applying it feels cool and refreshing, much more comfortable.

  "The medicine is not much, tomorrow I will apply it on my face again, and there wont be enough for my arms."

  "Its already very good, thank you Sister Sui Mu."

  At the end of the year with a smile, washed his hands and sat down: "Are you thinking about it, today is the first time we meet, why would I mention that matter?"

  Chao Sheng said: "Sister likes me, its my good fortune."

  "Whether its good luck or bad...its hard to say now. Ive taken a liking to you, youre a rare understanding person."

  Chao Sheng was slightly startled and raised his head.

  "Your time in the palace has been short, but your composure is impressive. Even those who have been in the palace for seven or eight years may not be able to match it. The answers you gave when Her Majesty asked you questions earlier were neither biased nor evasive, and sounded calm and collected, yet upon closer reflection, they reveal a great deal of insight."

  Tao Sheng was wrongly accused, she said whatever came to her mind. Qing Jing was a senior palace maid, and it was proper for her to be sent on errands. She herself didnt even find a hat to shade the sun, and she wasnt born with a tolerance for heat, so this couldnt all be blamed on Qing Jing.

  "You came for a short time and probably didnt know me."

  Chao Sheng said: "Ive heard that before, sister is the one that Niang Niang trusts the most."

  Her status was evident throughout the entire Yunxia Palace.

  At the end of the year, a faint smile: "You dont quite understand whats going on here. I was brought in by the empress when she entered the palace, and next year will be twenty-five years old. In the palace, twenty-five is a critical juncture. If one has an official rank, even if its just the lowest ninth rank, they can continue to stay in the palace; otherwise, they will be dismissed."

  Chao Sheng was taken aback for a moment, and at the end of the year, she said this, could it be that she still didnt have a rank?

  This is unlikely. Chen Fei said that even if she was a concubine, the most trusted palace maid by her side would not be able to get a promotion to a higher rank?

  "Theres no need for me to tell you more about this, even if I did, you wouldnt understand now." Sui Mu said: "If I havent been promoted by the end of this year, Ill have to leave the palace next year. After Im gone, one of Wang Mei, Qing Jing and Hua Liang will take my place."

  I see... No wonder Wang Mei was in a hurry to step on Qing Jings head.

  It turned out that it was all for the sake of competing for the first place left by the end of the year. What about Hua Liang? Doesnt she want to compete? Or does she have other plans?

  Iron-clad palace walls, flowing palace maidens...

  Chao Sheng had never heard of such things before, she thought all the palace maids would be released from the palace when they reached a certain age and then replaced by new ones. However, she had also seen some older female officials and palace staff, if it was true that they were released from the palace at a certain age, how did those people stay behind? It turned out to be this kind of thing.

  "This time you were implicated by them, this kind of thing, once it happens, there will be a second time. Both sides made their moves, the one in the middle suffers the most." Suemous fingers lightly touched Choushengs face, and Chousheng endured without flinching.

  Its fine if I dont touch it, but once I touch it, it still hurts.

  Now Cai Sheng understood a bit, but what did it have to do with Sui Mu saying he wanted to take her as his apprentice?

  Will you really cultivate your own successor at the end of the year and suppress both Wang Mei and Qing Jing?

  At the end of the year, smiling and saying: "I said youre a sensible person. Things that arent clear now will be understood later."

  ＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋

  New book needs everyones attention...

  Seeking pats, seeking recommendations, seeking collections, seeking replies... All kinds of seeking mixed with rolling around ^_^

  Everyone, touch me more and I will write with even greater enthusiasm.

  P.S: Just failed to upload earlier, it said I had forbidden words... Heh, only succeeded after revising.