Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 496 Side Story Four: Wait to Start Over and Reorganize the Old Mountains and Rivers, Facing the Imperial Palace (Part 2)

Chapter 496: Chapter 496 Side Story Four: Wait to Start Over and Reorganize the Old Mountains and Rivers, Facing the Imperial Palace (Part 2)

Later, the eldest daughter of the Zhang Family entered the courtyard gate.

And the little maid who had already fainted was also dragged inside.

When she regained consciousness again, it was already the next morning.

The sunlight streaming through the window gave the little maid a long-missed comfort.

But soon, she noticed something amiss.

The room was unfamiliar, and so were the clothes on her body.

This definitely couldn’t be the back room.

That place never had sunlight filling the room like this.

As she thought about possibly crossing the boundary, she couldn’t help but feel scared.

She quickly stood up intending to get off the bed.

Who knew her knees would give way, causing her to kneel on the bed.

Fortunately, the bed’s mattress was soft, so she didn’t injure herself further.

After a while, the door was pushed open.

A maid who looked even younger than her walked in from outside.

Yet the air about her was incomparable to her own, kneeling on the bed rubbing her foot.

For a moment, there was a sense of shame for her own inadequacy.

"Sister is awake?"

Indeed, she was younger than her.

With an attitude of not daring to provoke anyone, she offered a somewhat flattering smile and said.

"Was it you who saved me? Thank you so much."

The little maid shook her head upon hearing this, smiling as she replied.

"It wasn’t me; you just happened to faint where the eldest lady was returning to the courtyard, so she brought you back."

So that’s what happened.

Only after entering the manor, she had never seen this eldest daughter.

She had vaguely heard the old servants at home mention.

The eldest daughter of the Zhang Family had been raised by the Empress in the palace since she was four.

Thus, rarely returned to the manor.

Such a heaven-sent daughter could also notice someone like her by the roadside.

This little maid still felt somewhat touched.

But thinking about her absence for the night, if the fourth young lady found out.

She feared it would lead to endless torment.

So she could only muster the courage to speak.

"It was the eldest lady who saved me, I wonder if she’s in the courtyard now? I’d like to thank her for saving my life."

The standing little maid nodded upon hearing these words.

Her smile was sincere and adorable.

"Sister Zhongxia instructed me, if you wake up and want to see the eldest lady, I should take you there."

Indeed, this eldest lady was like a Bodhisattva.

Not only compassionate but also possessed foresight.

So, after standing up and tidying herself a bit, she stepped out the door and headed towards the main house of the Zhang Family’s eldest daughter.

This house was at least three times larger than the fourth young lady’s.

Though she didn’t often stay at home, it was cleaned thoroughly up and down.

As though someone lived there every day.

She followed the young maid inside the main house, and immediately knelt down.

She spoke to the Zhang Family’s eldest daughter reclining on the Bright Window Couch.

"Slave Lamei thanks the eldest lady for saving her life; today I have nothing to repay, in the next life I will cherish grass and form a bond to repay this great kindness."

After speaking, she bowed three times deeply.

Then remained kneeling.

Quietly listening to instructions.

The Zhang Family’s eldest daughter on the couch ceased reading and calmly said.

"Lamei? This name doesn’t suit you, what was your name before you entered the manor?"

"Back to the eldest lady, my family’s surname is Wen, my given name is Lan, but since it conflicted with the fourth young lady’s name, Third Mistress decided to change it to Lamei."

She spoke neither fast nor slow.

Her words seemed clear and coherent.

Yet the tension apparent in her fingers was noticed by the Zhang Family’s eldest daughter.

Recalling the state she was in when rescued, the Zhang Family’s eldest daughter knew what kind of days she lived through in the fourth sister’s room.

Thus, she did not make things too difficult.

"Stand up and speak."

"Thank you, eldest lady."

"Have you read books?"

"Back to the eldest lady, my mother at home taught me a few words before entering the manor, so I know some."

"Oh? Knowing words is good; it makes you less likely to be bound by these restrictions."

Wen Lan heard this, not knowing how to respond.

She could only lower her head and remain silent.

After a moment she heard the Zhang Family’s eldest daughter speak again.

"Once you’re healed, let Zhong Xia take you back. It’s tough in fourth sister’s room, take care in the future."

Upon hearing these words, Wen Lan felt a surge of bitterness.

No one probably knew better than her how tough it was in the fourth young lady’s room.

In this manor, everyone feared her power.

No one dared extend a helping hand.

Even in fourth mistress’s courtyard, those who wanted to shine in front of her.

Would deliberately belittle her to gain the fourth mistress’s favor.

Consequently, she lived worse than a stray dog.

Considering this, Wen Lan was unwilling to return to that hell no matter what.

So despite the pain in her knees, she immediately knelt.

With a voice tinged with sorrow, she said.

"I beg the eldest lady to have pity, even if keeping me in the courtyard doing some coarse work is fine, I truly cannot return to the fourth mistress’s courtyard. If she finds out I stayed out overnight, I’m afraid my frail bones wouldn’t survive much longer."

She didn’t understand the relationship between the Zhang Family’s eldest daughter and the fourth young lady.

Thus, in lodging this complaint, she was walking a dangerous path.

If it failed, she might not even leave the eldest lady’s courtyard alive.

But somehow, she felt the eldest lady would protect her.

So she dared to speak.

As time ticked by, the certainty in Wen Lan’s heart turned to fear.

Yet even so, she was unwilling to return.

She’d rather die in the eldest lady’s courtyard than go back and suffer those minute torments.

The Zhang Family’s eldest daughter gazed, reflecting how the person kneeling beneath her shared a similar fate.

Although in the palace, with protection from the Emperor and Empress, she faced no grievances.

But considering her impending marriage to the Crown Prince, who regarded passion as paramount.

She too would endure a lifetime of slow, enduring torment.

She pondered for a long time, then developed goodwill.

"I won’t remain in the manor forever, if you follow me, the future may not be more comfortable than in fourth sister’s room; any mistake could lead to an abyss of destruction, are you sure about wading in this treacherous water?"

The Zhang Family’s eldest daughter clearly stated the future.

Yet Wen Lan did not understand.

But even if she didn’t comprehend, she knew the eldest lady was her only salvation.

So she would fight to hold on.

This time, she wouldn’t be afraid.

Instead, she raised her head to look directly at the noble Zhang Family’s eldest daughter.

Her appearance was stately and gracious, especially her eyes.

Though they seemed calm and unruffled, they carried a mysterious aura like the sea.

At first glance, Wen Lan knew this would be the master she loyally served.

Thus, with determination and eyes like a torch, she said.

"I am but a humble creature; without the eldest lady’s intervention, I would have died by the roadside, therefore regardless of what lies ahead, I am willing to follow faithfully unto death."