I then breathed a sigh of relief, smiling at them, “I don’t know how you served your previous masters, but now that you’re with me, you’ll do things my way, following my habits. Understood?”
“This servant obeys my lady’s instructions!” Both responded in unison.
“Hmm?” I raised an eyebrow, and they immediately understood, quickly correcting, “Yes, Zhui’er (Shui’er) understands!”
“That’s more like it!” I nodded satisfactorily, continuing, “The second thing you’ll change is to stop kneeling at every turn. People are all the same, there’s no distinction of noble or lowly, at least not in my eyes…”
The perks of being a concubine are indeed numerous.
After dressing and grooming, I arrived at the flower hall.
Qi Chenxuan was long gone, leaving only the steward waiting respectfully. Seeing me, he said, “The prince has instructed that he will go to the palace to pay respects alone. My lady should stay and rest at home.
The old steward’s face was serious, and he answered expressionlessly: “Please be at ease, madam! If His Royal Highness the Crown Prince says it’s fine, then it is fine!”
“Really?” I immediately exclaimed happily. To be honest, I was really afraid of entering the palace to pay respects. There are so many rules, and if I accidentally do something improper, they might mock me behind my back. It seems being a concubine does have its advantages!
The old steward respectfully nodded: “Madam can walk freely in the mansion, but there is a cherry blossom forest in the West Courtyard that is a forbidden area of the royal residence. If madam has nothing urgent, please do not go there!”
The steward’s expression turned cold, and he answered sternly: “This servant does not know. In any case, His Royal Highness does not like people casually entering. Lightly, one’s salary will be suspended for a year; seriously, thirty strokes of punishment and being expelled from the Crown Prince’s residence. Madam should not inquire too much!”
“Thank you for the reminder, I understand!”
I smiled and nodded, then left the flower hall with the two maids, Shui’er and Zui’er.
The cherry blossom forest in the West Courtyard? What kind of place is that…
