Qingcao frowned and asked, "Baiju, if you have something to say, just come out with it. Being so evasive will only make me drift further away from you."
Baiju gave a soft cough and said to her, "Actually, it's not that I wanted to come to you. Do you think I have the ability to come here on my own? It's my mistress who wants to see you. She said she has something to talk to you about. If you're free, maybe..."
"I'm not available." Qingcao's refusal was clear. After saying that, she got up and turned to leave.
"Qingcao, we've known each other for years. Moreover, we're from the same hometown and entered the palace together. Can't you do me a favor? If you go with me, I'll be promoted from a second - rank maid to a first - rank one." Baiju slowly looked up. "You've been a first - rank maid for so many years. I've finally got a chance. Can't you help me out?"
"It's not that I won't help, but our mistresses are different. If I go with you, I'll lose my position as a first - rank maid." Qingcao's eyes were cold.
If it weren't for the order from her mistress to put on a good show and cut off the crooked ideas of other concubines, she would have turned away right after hearing Baiju's words.
Baiju quickly forced a smile and whispered in her ear, "Of course, we won't let your mistress know about this. After all, we plan to cooperate in the long - term. You just need to say you're going to the kitchen to get some pastries. Our mistress is waiting for you in the pavilion in the back garden."
After saying that, she didn't stay any longer, lest Qingcao arouse suspicion.
After all, if Qingcao went with them, they would be in a cooperative relationship, so they naturally couldn't expose her identity.
Little did she know that as soon as she left, Qingcao turned around and reported to Si Junlin.
Si Junlin took a sip of tea and then slowly said, "Just do as I told you. Remember, you must make them believe that you're on their side."
Qingcao agreed. She took the blueprint of the house from Si Junlin's desk and then walked towards the imperial garden.
As for what Baiju said about going to the imperial kitchen to get pastries, she did as told. After all, if you're acting, you have to make it convincing, right?
When she arrived at the imperial garden, Baiju was already waiting there.
Seeing Qingcao coming, Baiju quickly stepped forward and said, "Oh, Qingcao. Long time no see. It's such a coincidence to meet you today. How about we go to the pavilion over there and have a chat?"
Naturally, Qingcao followed her without a hitch.
Although it was the imperial garden, there were still many deserted places in it.
The place Baiju led Qingcao to was a secluded spot near the palace wall.
For some reason, there was a delicately carved small pavilion there. At this moment, a concubine in a light - blue dress was waiting inside.
Baiju led her straight up.
Actually, Qingcao didn't need Baiju to introduce her to know who the woman in the pavilion was.
Early on, she had heard that Baiju, who was originally supposed to be assigned to the Clothing Bureau, was good at taking care of flowers. When delivering clothes to Concubine Hua, she helped Concubine Hua solve a problem with a flower. Concubine Hua saw her talent and since then, Baiju had served as a second - rank maid beside Concubine Hua.
There was no need to ask who the woman in the pavilion was.
"Your humble servant, Qingcao, pays respects to Concubine Hua." Whether out of courtesy or for the sake of acting, she had to bow respectfully to Concubine Hua.
"Are you Qingcao, the maid beside the queen?" Concubine Hua turned her head and glanced at Qingcao. She found that Qingcao's attitude was neither over - humble nor over - arrogant. Compared to Baiju, she was much more pleasing to the eye.
No wonder she was the first - rank maid beside the queen.
Qingcao replied respectfully, "Yes."
"Do you know why I asked Baiju to invite you here today?" Concubine Hua asked Qingcao.
Qingcao pretended to look puzzled. "Your humble servant doesn't know. Please enlighten me, Your Highness."
Concubine Hua didn't say a word. She just stared at Qingcao with a somewhat threatening look in her eyes.
Even before coming here, Qingcao had anticipated that Concubine Hua wouldn't trust her easily and would surely size her up. She had already prepared herself mentally.
So, even when Concubine Hua stared at her threateningly, she could remain calm.
After sizing her up for a long time and still not seeing any evasive look on Qingcao's face, Concubine Hua finally calmed down. "Since you're here, I won't beat around the bush with you."
She sat down in front of Qingcao, then tapped the stone table rhythmically with her fingers and said, "The main reason I asked Baiju to call you here is to talk about cooperation."
"Cooperation?" Qingcao pretended to be confused.
Concubine Hua said, "Yes, it's cooperation. I hope you can help me get the blueprint from the queen's hands. Of course, I won't let you work for nothing. As long as you get it, I'll create opportunities for you to become a court lady candidate. From then on, you won't be a maid serving others anymore."
For others, this would be a very tempting offer, but for Qingcao, it was not so.
The intrigue in the palace was too terrifying. She thought it was better to be a maid. At least, when she reached a certain age, she still had a chance to leave the palace. If she became a concubine, she would really end up dying in the palace for the rest of her life.
So, when she heard Concubine Hua say that she wanted her to become a court lady candidate, she quickly refused. "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. Your humble servant doesn't want to become a court lady candidate. Compared to that, your humble servant prefers silver."
What she meant was that as long as the concubine gave her silver, it would be fine.
Concubine Hua was slightly stunned when she heard this, but it didn't matter much to her. "Well, since you don't want to enter the palace as a concubine, I'll give you a hundred taels of silver as a reward. Of course, it will be after the task is completed."
"Only a hundred taels..." Qingcao pondered, seemingly not very satisfied with this level of reward.
Concubine Hua frowned. There was a hint of annoyance in her words. "Qingcao, one shouldn't be too greedy. If you are, you might end up losing both money and your life..."
There were more maids in the queen's palace than just her. If she couldn't be of use to her, Concubine Hua wouldn't mind using her to cover for someone else.
Qingcao naturally understood what she meant. A look of helplessness appeared on her face. "Alright, I'll agree to you, Your Highness."
Then, she made an appointment with Concubine Hua for the delivery time and left with the pastries in her hand.
This kind of thing also happened to other favored maids. At this time, it was a test of their loyalty.