She didn't really want to return to the Shi family. It was just a polite remark out of habit. She didn't know any of the Shi family members; to her, they were just a vague memory.
"However, if you'd like to meet the younger generation of the family, I can have them enter the palace to accompany you for some fun."
"Okay, I understand."
The palace servants outside the Shoukang Palace were carefully doing their jobs. Ze Ze saw Shi An off at the palace gate and on his way back, he met Zihuan on the road. The little girl was quarreling with someone. When he stepped forward to take a look, he was surprised to find that it was Zhu'er, the maid beside Concubine Rui.
"What do you think you're doing! Are you blind!" Zihuan exclaimed in shock.
"What did you say! You insolent thing."
"Aunt Zhu, this is the Empress Dowager's meal. Please come to the Shoukang Palace with us." When Zihuan saw it was Zhu'er, her attitude softened a bit, but she still remained somewhat tough.
"Humph, who do you think you are? It was clearly you who bumped into me. Even if Xiao Xiao were here today, there's nothing to say." Zhu'er stuck out her neck defiantly.
"What are you talking about? It was you who bumped into me first." As a servant in the Empress Dowager's palace, even though Zihuan didn't always follow Shi Muwǎn around, she still had this bit of backbone.
"Humph, how dare you, a little maid, be so insolent to me!" Zhu'er was extremely arrogant and was about to step forward to hit Zihuan.
With a "slap", Zihuan failed to dodge in time and was slapped hard. Half of her face immediately swelled up. Zihuan covered her cheek in disbelief, wanting to seek justice.
Since she started working in the Shoukang Palace, no one had ever dared to treat her like this.
Ze Ze saw this scene from afar and quickened his pace. His voice came before he did: "Oh, Miss Zhu'er, what are you doing here?"
"Eunuch Ze."
"Eunuch Ze."
When the two saw him, they had to stop and salute him first.
"Eunuch Ze, just now when you went to the palace gate to see off General Shi, the Empress Dowager suddenly wanted to eat something. Aunt Xiao ordered me to bring some food from the imperial kitchen for the Empress Dowager. But suddenly, Zhu'er came up and knocked over all the food. I was just asking her for an explanation." Zihuan covered her face and said angrily, and tears welled up as she spoke.
Ze Ze looked at the food scattered on the ground: "Miss Zhu'er, this really isn't right of you."
"Eunuch Ze, it was your little maid in the palace who was reckless and bumped into me first."
"I didn't, Eunuch Ze, please uphold justice for me! It was clearly her who bumped into me first."
Seeing that the two were about to quarrel non - stop, Ze Ze quickly stopped them: "That's enough, enough. What are you arguing about outside the Shoukang Palace? Are you afraid the Empress Dowager won't know?"
Zhu'er stared at Zihuan angrily. Since both Ze Ze and this lowly maid were from the Shoukang Palace, they would naturally side with her. It would be better for her to go back quickly, lest Concubine Rui scold her for being incompetent again.
"Humph, I'm magnanimous. I'll spare you, this unruly little maid, today. If there's a next time, I'll surely report it to Concubine Rui and let her decide."
After saying that, she turned around and left. Although Ze Ze was the servant beside the Empress Dowager, he didn't dare to stop her easily.
"Eunuch Ze, are we really going to let her go like this?"
"Otherwise, what do you want to do? Call both the empresses here to uphold justice? Zihuan, Zihuan, has everyone in the Shoukang Palace been too kind to you? This is the maid beside Concubine Rui. She will surely find a way to cause trouble for you. She can turn black into white. By then, even the Empress Dowager might not be able to protect you. Sometimes, you just have to endure."
"But she's too overbearing. Clearly, the Empress Dowager is the mistress of the harem." The little girl sobbed and complained.
"She'll surely pay for her actions one day. What are you afraid of? Just don't let others catch your weaknesses and harm you." Ze Ze was also a bit dissatisfied with Zhu'er's behavior.
"Yes, thank you for your teachings, Eunuch Ze. Zihuan remembers."
"Okay."
"Then, Eunuch Ze, what about the Empress Dowager's food?" Zihuan asked.
"You go to the imperial kitchen and bring some more. I'll go and tell the Empress Dowager."
"Thank you, Eunuch Ze."
"Hurry up and go."
"Yes, I'll go right away."
As soon as Ze Ze entered the Shoukang Palace, he reported this matter to Shi Muwǎn.
"Why was Zhu'er here?" Xiao Xiao immediately grasped the problem.
"I also find it strange. The Yanshou Palace is far from our Shoukang Palace. Zhu'er shouldn't have come here."
"The Shoukang Palace is in a separate area, and there are no other offices or bureaus around." Xiao Xiao's eyes were full of vigilance. "Your Majesty, do you want me to investigate her?"
Just then, Zihuan walked in with a tray and placed the dishes in front of Shi Muwǎn one by one.
Shi Muwǎn noticed something was wrong with her face: "Zihuan, how's your face?"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. It's just a bit swollen. It will get better in a few days." Zihuan was a bit flattered. Since the Empress Dowager woke up from her coma last time, she had been very kind to them.
"Xiao Xiao, go and get some medicine for her. It won't look good if there are scars on her face." Shi Muwǎn felt a bit heart - broken. The little girl was so cute before she went out, but now she had become like this when she came back.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Zihuan knelt down and bowed deeply.
"No need. Xiao Xiao is here. You can go and rest first."
"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty."
Watching Zihuan retreat, there was also anger in Shi Muwǎn's eyes. Concubine Rui, huh? She actually dared to touch her people. Let's see how you can still indulge your servants' arrogance in a few days.
"Send Twelve to investigate."
"Yes."
When Ze Ze led Zihuan out, although he felt sorry for her, he still couldn't help but give her a lecture.
"Zihuan, do you know what you did wrong today?"
"Well, Zihuan is stupid. Please enlighten me, Eunuch Ze." What was wrong with her today? It was clearly Zhu'er who bumped into her first. Zihuan felt a bit wronged.
"Concubine Rui has a grudge against our Empress Dowager. She's clearly looking for our mistakes to take advantage of. And you just stupidly rushed up and showed your neck to her."
"Eunuch Ze..." Zihuan didn't think it was this serious. "But she's just a concubine!"
"The relationships in the palace are complex. Not only the people in the harem but also those in the court are watching. If you can teach Zhu'er a lesson without being caught by others, that's good. If not, just be more careful. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Eunuch Ze. Zihuan understands. Zihuan will surely remember your teachings and be more careful in the future."
Since Zihuan served beside the Empress Dowager, she must understand these principles. Ze Ze suddenly felt so tired. Would his workload increase in the future?
Zihuan looked back at Ze Ze who was leaving, then at the medicine in her hand. The Empress Dowager was kind to her. She mustn't be so reckless in the future.