Becoming the Villainess: I Dominate the Cultivation Realm with My Wok!-Chapter 404

Lin Qing turned back to look, seeing a young lady dressed as a prominent palace maid glaring angrily at the two of them. Several other palace maids, who appeared rather young but had exceptional beauty, were standing behind her.

The woman naturally glanced over too. She instinctively understood that this prominent palace maid was referring to her, considering her own messy and filthy attire, coupled with the fox she was holding; it was hardly presentable.

Before the chief palace maid could continue speaking, a round-faced young maid behind her muttered softly, "Shao Yao sister, I wonder which family this young master is from, to possess such charm and handsome looks."

The palace maid, referred to as Shao Yao, raised her eyebrows in disapproval, "Speaking so brazenly in front of outsiders!"

After saying this, she added, "He doesn’t seem familiar, so likely he isn’t from a prominent family in the capital."

"But he’s in the palace; surely there must be something appealing about him?" Another young maid teased, "Lian’er sister, don’t let your heart be swayed. Noble gentlemen never consider marrying palace maids officially."

Lin Qing thought to himself: Everyone, I’m still standing here; I can hear you.

These palace maids not only had appearances akin to concubines but also spoke with the demeanor of one; they didn’t seem like typical maids at all...

The woman, already with some opinions forming, realized how far the Imperial Concubine was willing to go for favor. Yet, wasn’t she worried that one day, when she aged and lost her beauty, she would be surpassed by someone she promoted herself?

Nonetheless, until now, the Imperial Concubine maintained her status, suggesting she had some skills.

The round-faced young maid known as Lian’er appeared quite embarrassed, although she actively asked, her face wasn’t as thick as the others. After being teased, her face turned completely red: "I...I was just curious and asked, I didn’t mean..."

"Alright, alright, in front of outsiders, mind your behavior. Stop bullying Lian’er," Shao Yao admonished, then turned towards Lin Qing, mainly eyeing the disheveled and yet somewhat decent-clothed woman. "Who are you people? Why loiter in front of the Imperial Concubine’s palace? Are you conspiring something untoward?"

Lin Qing displayed a smile and bowed slightly, "We are merely passing by, amazed by the grandeur of this palace, and stopped briefly to admire it. If that’s inappropriate, we shall leave at once."

Yet internally, he mused: Who bluntly asks others if they’re plotting something untoward? Even if they were, they wouldn’t admit it to you, right?!

To his surprise, Shao Yao merely snorted coldly, "Young master speaks like this, yet do you know the inner palace isn’t a place for whole men to roam freely? Moreover, the lady beside you seems suspect. If you wish to leave, you must wait until I’ve consulted the Imperial Concubine."

Lin Qing’s smile was unwavering, "In that case, you should go ask the Imperial Concubine’s opinion."

He internally lamented: Then why waste time talking to me here?! Why not go ask directly! It infuriates me! Besides, if I were to flee, could you feeble-armed, weak-legged ones stop me?

Shao Yao cast a deeply suspicious gaze at Lin Qing before stepping towards the palace interior. Unbeknownst to her, several young maids started following her.

"Are you idiots?! If no one watches them, what if they run off? Keep an eye on them!" Fortunately, Shao Yao’s mind was still clear, promptly scolding them.

A few young maids returned grudgingly to their positions, each covering their faces and eyeing Lin Qing with smiles.