I casually pulled at the corner of my mouth and turned to comfort her: “It’s okay! I know you’re not in control, I won’t blame you. But could you do me a favor and leave a lamp for me later? I… I’m afraid of the dark!”
“Yes!” The little maid nodded repeatedly: “My lady, please tell me if you need anything.”
I smiled and said: “Later, go to my courtyard and inform Zui’er and Shui’er so they won’t worry about not finding me.”
“Yes, my lady, don’t worry!” The maid pointed to the dilapidated house ahead: “My lady, we’ve arrived at the woodshed. Please bear with it temporarily. Once the Prince’s anger subsides, he will surely release you!”
“I’m fine, you can go now!”
I carefully pushed open the woodshed door, and with a “creak”, as soon as a crack appeared, a cloud of dust rushed towards me!
“Achoo, achoo!” I couldn’t help but sneeze twice, covering my nose and quickly stepping back…
Seeing my severely twitching mouth corners, Zi’er couldn’t help but nervously ask: “My lady, are you alright? Is something wrong?”
She wouldn’t have asked if it was better, but with her question, I suddenly felt my stomach start to ache faintly. I pursed my lips and couldn’t help but say two words pitifully, “I’m hungry!”
“Ah?” The little maid looked at me blankly: “But the Crown Prince has ordered that no one is allowed to send anything to my lady, or they will be expelled from the mansion!”
I didn’t want to make things difficult for this maid who had already helped me a lot, so I just laughed and pretended nothing was wrong: “I was just joking, I’m fine. You should go rest early!”
The little maid looked at me worriedly: “But my lady, your complexion doesn’t look good. Are you really okay?”
I immediately nodded my head like a rattle drum, repeatedly saying: “Really, really, truer than a pearl, you should go quickly! Be careful not to get in trouble with the Crown Prince!”
The little maid handed me the lamp, reluctantly instructing: “Then please take care of yourself, my lady.”
I’ll come check on you early tomorrow morning!”
