Chapter 3

Empress Zhou watched her son leave, sitting on the throne and sighing repeatedly. The female officials beside her knew that this was the dangerous moment, and they did not even dare to breathe heavily. They secretly glanced at the chief female official standing at the front, hoping that this official, who held the power of discipline, could dispel the Empress's growing anger.

As a sixth-rank female official, Chief Liu had spent forty springs and autumns in the Forbidden City. When Empress Zhou entered the central palace, Liu was already a twenty-something old palace maid. Because she refused to leave the palace and get married, she was granted the seventh-rank position of Chief Accountant.

At that time, there was also a Noble Consort Tian, who was an old companion of Prince Xian when he was in his mansion. Noble Consort Tian's father held a military position in Yangzhou and had taken several famous courtesans from Yangzhou. One reason was his fondness for beauty, and the other was to train his daughter. These courtesans were all talented, excelling in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and they indeed trained Miss Tian into a formidable force in the boudoir and the leader in the world of beauty.

She was simply born for palace intrigue!

Noble Consort Tian had indeed captivated Emperor Chongzhen for a while. Chongzhen himself had a scholar's sentiment and easily saw Tian as a confidante. However, Tian did not truly understand what "sharing hardships" meant and rashly initiated palace intrigue, challenging the Empress.

At that time, Tian deliberately replaced the eunuchs carrying the sedan chair with palace maids, naturally arousing the Emperor's curiosity. Tian explained, "Your subject has heard that the eunuchs and palace maids in the Empress's palace have many improper relationships, so I replaced them with palace maids."

Chongzhen was a man who could not tolerate any sand in his eyes. In his anger, he even searched the central palace, intent on making a big deal out of it. What made him even more furious was that he found many obscene items from the eunuchs in the central palace.

This was a tacit rule of eunuchs and palace maids forming couples, which had never been interrupted since the Sui and Tang dynasties, but it was exposed by Noble Consort Tian to attack Empress Zhou.

At that moment, Chongzhen was furious and even considered deposing the Empress.

At this critical moment, a female official stepped forward, bowed her head, and said softly, "Is there nothing like that in Noble Consort Tian's palace?"

This statement made Chongzhen come to his senses, and indeed, many obscene items were found in Tian's palace.

This brave female official, who was a seventh-rank Chief Accountant, became a sixth-rank Chief Female Official.

Since then, Empress Zhou naturally trusted Chief Liu even more.

"Your Majesty," Liu stepped forward and smiled, "I suddenly remembered the scene over ten years ago when the Crown Prince presented a poem to Your Majesty."

Empress Zhou's tense expression gradually eased, and she sighed, "How good the young prince was back then, before he learned to make me so upset!"

Liu walked up to the Empress and smiled, "When Your Majesty read the Crown Prince's poem, you laughed for a long time."

Empress Zhou, of course, would not forget her son's first work, which was already imprinted in her mind, and she could not help but smile.

"Heaven's well is square and four-sided, surrounded by high walls.

Clear water reveals the pebbles, a small fish is confined in the center.

Drinking only the well water, it will never grow."

Liu recited softly, her tone gentle, as if she were reciting a timeless masterpiece.

Empress Zhou's smile gradually faded, her brows furrowed with worry, and she said reluctantly, "The young prince has grown up and no longer wants to drink the well water."

"I once heard the Emperor and Your Majesty talk about the fun of their incognito visits. Such concern for the people's livelihood is truly in line with the Emperor and Your Majesty." Liu said softly.

Empress Zhou's brows furrowed again, "If it were just leaving the palace for pleasure, it might not be impossible, but the situation is really not peaceful now. There is a major epidemic in the city, and the Jurchens outside the city. Sigh, if something happens to the young prince..."

Last year, the Jurchens invaded and plundered, and the entire court had no idea what to do. Now it is said that the Jurchens have retreated beyond the Great Wall, but who knows if they have all left.

"The Crown Prince has always been cautious and methodical. Even in games, he plans everything step by step on paper. He will certainly not take unnecessary risks." Liu said, but her heart was pounding. Although she was comforting the Empress, she was also comforting herself.

A few days ago, the Crown Prince suddenly summoned Chief Liu and said many things that made no sense, leaving this old palace maid somewhat bewildered. However, when the Crown Prince came today, Liu could not help but recall what the Crown Prince had said, each word seeming like a premeditated move for today.

It seemed that the Crown Prince had long decided to leave the palace to help with the disaster relief, and perhaps even the visit of Prince Gong to the palace was part of his plan.

This level of wisdom came from a boy who was not yet fifteen.

Although Chief Liu did not fear the Crown Prince, if she did not form a good relationship with him at this time, she would not have reached her current position—the highest female official in the Ming dynasty.

However, if something happened to the Crown Prince, her remaining life would probably be spent in the laundry.

"Alas," Empress Zhou sighed again, "Forget it, don't think about it. Go and fetch the detailed account of last month's palace expenses."

Chief Liu bowed and silently walked to the entrance of the Kunning Palace, instructing the palace maid to fetch the ledger from the office. At her position, she certainly did not need to run errands herself; she only needed to wait in the side hall and take the ledger to the main hall.

"Auntie."

Naturally, a palace maid under Chief Liu's charge stepped forward to fan her, shield her from the sun, and serve her tea. In the palace, these young maids often addressed their superiors as "auntie," "grandma," or "old lady" as a sign of respect.

"What is it?" Chief Liu glanced sideways at her maid, "What do you want to say?"

The young maid fanned herself, bit her lip, and boldly said, "Auntie, the responsibility you are taking on this time is not light..."

Chief Liu took the teacup and sipped it lightly, "You don't understand?"

"Your servant is foolish," the young maid lowered her head.

She was certainly not foolish; otherwise, she would not have been favored by this old palace maid and brought to her side.

What she lacked was the experience to read people.

"You must think that speaking up for the Crown Prince brings no benefits and only risks. Right?" Chief Liu said calmly.

"Even if Auntie doesn't help the Crown Prince, the Prince may not bear a grudge against Auntie," the maid said cautiously.

"Naive girl, do you think the Crown Prince is just anyone?" Chief Liu sighed.

The maid slightly shook her head, unsure whether she dared not speak or did not know.

Chief Liu sighed, "Do you think Tian Cunshan really fell into the water by accident?"

The maid drew in a breath. She knew that Tian Cunshan was appointed as the Chief of the Eastern Palace in the eleventh year of Chongzhen's reign. One day, when the Crown Prince ascended the throne, he would be a follower, holding a high position. The incident of the Chief falling into the water was also well-known in the palace. Now, Chief Liu suddenly brought it up, leaving the young maid in shock. She could not help but exclaim, "Did the Crown Prince push him in?"

Chief Liu neither confirmed nor denied, "Why did Lady Ke manage to bewitch the previous Emperor?"

"This..."

"That's because she knew how to cater to his preferences." Chief Liu heard footsteps outside, the sound of soft-soled shoes on the golden bricks. She stood up and walked out, saying, "If the Crown Prince leaves the palace, he will certainly need palace maids to attend to him. I plan to send you."

"Thank... Auntie." The maid hurriedly followed, adding, "Please give me some instructions."

"Behave well, do a good job, and forget about the Empress and me. The cleaner the better." Chief Liu stepped out of the side hall and added, "The cleaner, the better."

"Your servant dares not forget Auntie's nurturing grace!" The maid knelt down, and her tears fell faster than her knees, making a pattering sound on the floor tiles.

Chief Liu did not speak, took the ledger, flipped through it briefly, and delivered it to the main hall.

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