Chapter 200: Chapter 199: Slapping the Green Tea Empress Dowager (Part 16)
The Empress Dowagerâs expression was very unpleasant.
She forced a smile: "What do you mean?"
Anning smiled with delight: "I was thinking that I canât compare to you in experience. Youâve seen many beauties in the harem and know who is loyal and honest, who can serve well. So, I thought Iâd ask you for a good palace maid to take back to serve the Prince. Of course, if you could give more than one, that would make me even happier."
The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes slightly, hiding her venomous gaze: "Does Prince Kang know?"
Anning covered her mouth and giggled lightly: "Of course, he knows. I told him I would ask you for people. Our Prince even scolded me, saying itâs not easy for you to train a few who are both good-looking and sensible, yet it ends up benefitting me and the Prince."
Anning gestured and a servant girl came over holding a box.
Anning opened the box: "The Prince and I discussed that we shouldnât just take your people for nothing, so we specially picked a few presentable items for your enjoyment."
Upon opening the box, it was filled with many treasures.
There were thumb-sized pearls, exquisitely made Liu Li bead bracelets, and various jade ornaments.
Anning placed the box on the table next to the Empress Dowager: "Please be generous and pick a good maid for me, so I can report back to the Prince."
The Empress Dowager took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in her heart. She almost wanted to tear Anning apart, but then she thought that sending a palace maid over wouldnât be too bad.
She could send one who was well-trained and loyal to her. Firstly, it could win over Prince Kang, and secondly, it might also allow her to gather some information from Prince Kang Mansion and potentially cause some trouble for Princess Kang.
Thinking this way, the Empress Dowager felt calmer.
She also smiled: "Itâs tough for you to think so much for Prince Kang. Well, I actually do have someone in mind."
The Empress Dowager thought of a few palace maids whom Nanny Qin had trained over the past two years. Among them, a maid named Xiao Lu was exceptionally beautiful and very loyal. Originally, she had wanted to keep her to serve the Emperor when he got married. Now, since Princess Kang is asking for maids, she might as well send Xiao Lu.
She called over Nanny Qin: "Call Xiao Lu here."
Nanny Qinâs smile was a bit dry, and she soon returned with a delicate-looking and submissive palace maid.
Anning looked at the palace maid for a while and then smiled, bowing to the Empress Dowager: "She really is a good person, thank you for your consideration, Empress Dowager."
Anning didnât linger long in Shoukang Palace; after getting Xiao Lu, she took her directly back to the Prince Mansion.
On the way, Anning and Xiao Lu didnât talk.
Anning seemed at ease, but Xiao Lu was somewhat nervous.
She occasionally stole glances at Anning but did not dare to make eye contact, appearing anxious.
When Anning arrived at the Prince Mansion and was leading her to the inner house, she whispered softly: "Donât be afraid, I know you are Mr. Xiaoâs person."
It turns out that Xiao Lu was the younger sister of Xiao Yu. The sisters had been orphaned at a young age and were cheated out of their family fortune by relatives. When they were destitute and had nowhere to go, Xiao Yuan saved their lives.
Later, Xiao Yuan needed to place people inside the palace, and remembering the life-saving grace, Xiao Yu and Xiao Lu volunteered to enter the palace as spies.
Xiao Yuan initially didnât want them to enter the palace, hoping to teach them some skills to live more freely.
However, the stubborn girls found a way to enter the palace without Xiao Yuanâs consent.
Since they had entered the palace, Xiao Yuan had to make arrangements for them. He utilized Prince Kangâs influence and had Nanny Qin take care of the two girls. Later on, they followed He Yiqiu, who wasnât the Empress Dowager back then, and did many things for her, earning her trust.
The Empress Dowager let Xiao Lu follow Anning back to Prince Kang Mansion because Xiao Yu was still in the palace.
The Empress Dowager thought that by holding onto Xiao Yu, Xiao Lu would have to follow her orders.
Little did she know, both Xiao Yu and Xiao Lu were Xiao Yuanâs people.
Xiao Lu breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Anning say that: "I was afraid that Mr. Xiao would scold me."
Anning smiled: "No worries."
After entering the room, Anning asked someone to take Xiao Lu to wash and dress up.
She was waiting for Prince Kang to return.
By evening, Prince Kang returned to the mansion, and Anning intercepted him halfway.
"Prince, I have something to tell you."
Prince Kang was stunned for a moment: "Go ahead."
Anning pursed her lips and smiled before speaking: "Today I went to Shoukang Palace to greet the Empress Dowager and mentioned that the Prince had no one to serve him, which seemed a bit lonely. The Empress Dowager, sympathizing with the Prince, bestowed a palace maid. I have already brought her here and was thinking of assigning her to the study to serve. Generally, the Prince lacks a lady to add charm to his surroundings; now that we have a suitable maiden, I thought the Prince could relax for a few days."
Prince Kangâs face immediately darkened.
He glared at Anning: "Nonsense, when did I ever say I lacked attendants? You actually went to Shoukang Palace..."
Anning blinked: "How am I causing trouble? This maid was bestowed by the Empress Dowager, and if she wasnât willing, how could I possibly force her? I certainly donât have the same power as the Prince."
Towards the end, Anningâs words carried a hint of sourness.
Prince Kang felt quite uncomfortable.
He waved his hand: "Since youâve brought her, let her first learn the rules. Weâll discuss how to arrange her duties later."
Anning gave a bow with a smile, then turned her head and smiled at Prince Kang: "Wonât the Prince take a look at what the maid looks like?"
Prince Kang rubbed his forehead: "No need, you handle it."
Anning sneered, tossing her handkerchief and walked away.
Prince Kang felt a bit angry: "Her temper is getting worse; just wait and see."
Anningâs somewhat cool voice came through: "I am waiting, letâs talk when you can win against me."
Prince Kang was almost about to curse out loud.
Jiyuan Palace, Mr. Liu cautiously looked at Emperor Jianwu.
Emperor Jianwu finished writing a document, put down his pen, and rubbed his wrist: "What is it? Got something to say?"
Mr. Liu swallowed dryly: "Your Majesty, today Princess Kang went to Shoukang Palace and asked the Empress Dowager for a maid saying it was to serve Prince Kang."
Emperor Jianwu sneered: "My mother agreed?"
Mr. Liu nodded: "The Empress Dowager sent Xiao Lu."
"Hmph." Emperor Jianwuâs laugh grew colder: "So it is, my mother would even give away Xiao Lu to win over Prince Kang. Originally, she even wanted to keep Xiao Lu to meet with me, but now well..."
Mr. Liu felt a chill and quietly stepped back two steps: "Your Majesty, donât be angry, the Empress Dowager is also considering your interests. Now that Prince Kang is powerful, if the Empress Dowager didnât hold him in check, itâs feared..."
Emperor Jianwu slammed the table and stood up: "Am I so useless, needing my own mother to sacrifice herself for me? Ha, everyone knows that I raised Prince Kang, yet they recognize only Prince Kang and forget about me. Being this emperor is really disgraceful."
His heart full of frustration, he paced around the hall several times, then looked at Mr. Liu: "Do you have anything fun?"
Mr. Liu became even more cautious: "Your Majesty, what fun could there be in the palace?"
Emperor Jianwu narrowed his eyes slightly: "What, are there fun things outside the palace?"
His question aroused Mr. Liuâs thoughts, and Mr. Liu chuckled: "Indeed, there are many entertaining things outside the palace â storytellers, acrobats, singers, Iâm sure Your Majesty has never seen them before."