The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1633 - 1628: A Secret That Claims Lives

"All of you have been with County Monarch Rongyi for quite some time, trusted by both the County Lord and Madam, and regarded as respectable people. I am happy to grant you that respect; henceforth, supplies here will adhere strictly to Madam’s precedent with not even a slight reduction!"

"However, I’ll be frank with you from the onset, the benefits you deserve will not fall short by even a cent. I do not expect any of you to pledge your loyalty to me starting today, to go through fire and water for me, to exert yourselves fully until death. To be honest, even if you were to claim such allegiance, I wouldn’t believe it so easily!"

"We’re all smart individuals, there’s no need for excessive words. Whether you hold affection for your former master or find it hard to let go, keep it in your heart and don’t show it in front of me!"

"Seeing as you elders are up in age, a typical household would have you tending to grandchildren, enjoying the twilight years. Don’t cause any trouble; living in this spacious compound, served by maids and attendants, you live no worse than the Old Marquis. So be content! Don’t cause issues, for if you truly anger me, you must have heard of my reputation and means from Madam! Don’t blame me when the time comes!"

"That’s all I have to say; that’s my message!"

As Wang Yongzhu finished his speech, the room fell silent.

After a considerable pause, Sister Zhao stepped forward, knelt down and kowtowed to Wang Yongzhu: "Thank you for your great kindness, Wife of the Heir-Apparent! Please be assured that from today, this old servant will remain in this courtyard, praying for County Monarch Rongyi, Madam, and the Wife of the Heir-Apparent! Without instructions from the Wife of the Heir-Apparent, I shall not step out of this courtyard!"

The other elderly individuals glanced at each other, realizing that Madam could no longer protect them.

Moreover, the Wife of the Heir-Apparent had clearly stated she needed not their loyalty—just their honest and peaceable presence.

Having lived most of their lives, they simply desired a few more days of peace, unwilling to involve themselves in other matters.

Seeing Sister Zhao take the lead, they swiftly followed suit, kneeling down to express their position.

Only then did Wang Yongzhu nod in satisfaction; as long as they remained honest and peaceable.

Having admonished them, Wang Yongzhu naturally would not linger further and prepared to leave.

Behind him, Sister Zhao’s expression struggled for a while before she finally spoke: "Wife of the Heir-Apparent, this old servant has something to say."

Wang Yongzhu turned around, looking at Sister Zhao.

Sister Zhao glanced around; everyone present was perceptive, and without Wang Yongzhu’s instructions, they had already found excuses to withdraw outside, diligently guarding the entrance to prevent anyone from entering.

Seeing this, Sister Zhao opened all the doors and windows to ensure a view of the outside while preventing outsiders from approaching the room.

She then invited Wang Yongzhu to take a seat and poured her tea.

In a low voice, she said: "Earlier, Sister Kang, who was beside Madam, came and told this old servant about Madam’s current predicament. This old servant distinctly heard Sister Kang mention that the Wife of the Heir-Apparent could agree to protect us because Madam told you about the affairs of the Qi Family back then."

Sister Zhao paused at this point.

Wang Yongzhu looked at Sister Zhao, clearly seeing her conflicted expression.

"You know about the Qi Family’s matters?"

Sister Zhao nodded, "This old servant was once a little palace maid in the imperial court; I almost lost my life for offending someone, but was fortunate enough to be rescued by County Monarch Rongyi."

"Later, County Monarch Rongyi favored the old servant, requesting me from the Empress Dowager, and brought me out of the palace to marry. From then on, I often accompanied County Monarch Rongyi back to the palace and maintained cordial relations with the palace maids."

It turned out, Sister Zhao had a dear friend, Cai Yun, who also worked as a palace maid, but had better fortune, being assigned to the current Empress, previously the Empress Dowager.

She was exceedingly bright and clever; with County Monarch Rongyi speaking highly of her discreetly, she quickly became a second-class maid beside the Empress.

Sister Zhao often accompanied County Monarch Rongyi into the palace, giving them the chance to meet; Cai Yun frequently asked her to bring items from outside the palace, maintaining a good friendship.

On the day of the palace banquet incident, Sister Zhao was with County Monarch Rongyi in the palace but stayed at the Empress Dowager’s chamber due to a stomach discomfort.

Coincidentally, Cai Yun claimed she was also unwell, fearing to offend a Noble Patron, and took leave to rest in her chamber.

Sister Zhao decided to visit her, intending to rest and chat in her room until the banquet ended and she could return to the household with the County Monarch.

Instead, she found Cai Yun distressed, seemingly frightened by something.

After some probing, Cai Yun clutched Sister Zhao, telling her she feared she wouldn’t live long, as she inadvertently overheard a significant secret.

The importance of this secret implied she might not survive long.

Sister Zhao was terrified; palace maids all understood the palace held too many deadly secrets.

In their panic, Sister Zhao suggested begging County Monarch Rongyi for favor to bring Cai Yun to live at her estate, potentially avoiding danger.

Cai Yun bitterly smiled, explaining that if she had been a mere palace maid, it might’ve been possible.

But as a second-class maid in the Empress’s chamber aware of many matters, releasing her was unlikely.

She might have to remain and eventually die in the palace.

Both cried silently.

Amid her tears, Cai Yun whispered the secret to Sister Zhao.

It involved how she, along with another second-class maid, encountered distress while delivering dessert to the Empress’s inner sanctum.

This decision among palace maids was usual, as long as care was taken not to be noticed by their superiors.

Cai Yun agreed quickly.

Maneuvering around the Little Chamberlain outside the hall, she entered the inner sanctum with the dessert, only to find it deserted.

Then she overheard the Empress conversing with someone.

The speaker was none other than the late emperor.

They were discussing Qi Le, the eldest lady of the Qi Family.

Qi Le was renowned within the palace.

Tasked with the cake delivery, Cai Yun found herself unable to advance or retreat, fearful of disturbing anyone within. Hearing much of the exchange, she was unable to discern parts of their conversation.

She gathered that the Empress disapproved of Qi Le’s closeness with the Great Prince of the Grasslands, disregarding the Princes.

The Empress belittled Qi Le’s conduct as unsuitable for a Princess Consort.

The late emperor responded that Qi Le was indeed following his orders.

Observing the Great Prince’s definite interest in Qi Le, he instructed her to subtly show favor to the Prince with the aim of obtaining something from him.

This object seemed extraordinarily significant; though Cai Yun struggled to catch the details, she heard the Empress utter a gasp.

She then queried how, given this context, Qi Le could still become a Princess Consort.

The late emperor replied he had no true intention of elevating Qi Le to a Princess Consort, criticizing her high profile and unbecoming conduct.

Her audacious interactions with several Princes were deemed prideful.

A Prince’s dignity should prevent any subject’s daughter from manipulating him in such a manner; furthermore, the mystery surrounding Qi Le’s birth and personal characteristics intrigued him indefinitely.

The Empress seemed to remark on something further when Cai Yun heard noise from outside.

Alarmed, she hastily and wisely set the cake down and hid under the altar in the nearby annex of the Empress’s meditation room.