Zhou Shengsheng wore a smoke-gray satin dress today, a color rarely chosen by girls of her age. Of course, she didn’t pick this color because she liked to appear older. In fact, she preferred bright and vibrant clothing, but years of survival in the palace had taught her that it was always best to keep a low profile. Only then could she avoid the risk of being crushed like cannon fodder.
Before the two could step out of the courtyard, a group of people barged in unceremoniously. The girl at the forefront was dressed in a smoke-gray satin dress, her hair adorned with a jade butterfly silver hairpin. This simple yet elegant attire softened her otherwise striking and cold beauty, giving her a more gentle appearance.
Zhou Shengsheng’s gaze lifted, and her eyes met Xie Qingwan’s.
Damn… they were wearing the same outfit.
Xie Qingwan’s jaw tightened, and a flicker of embarrassment and anger flashed in her eyes.
“I’ve heard that Miss Shengsheng has been attending to His Majesty these past few days. It’s all my fault for catching a cold and feeling unwell. His Majesty, concerned for my health, insisted I rest for a few days. Thank you for taking care of him in my stead,” she said, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush, her eyes coquettish.
A maid behind her quickly chimed in, “His Majesty is so considerate of you, Miss. You’re truly blessed.”
Zhou Shengsheng remained silent. Though she was just a minor character in this story, she didn’t want to be blown to smithereens by the plot.
Thankfully, the female lead was still the female lead, and no matter the situation, she always had a unique way of drawing attention.
“Oh? Wasn’t it because he was afraid of getting infected?” Zhou Shengsheng said, giving Xie Qingwan a disdainful look and subtly stepping back, as if Xie Qingwan were some kind of deadly virus.
The polite smile on Xie Qingwan’s face faded slightly.
“Speaking of which, I’ve come today for an important matter.”
Zhou Shengsheng breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, things were back on track.
She subtly nudged Jiang Zhiyu beside her and took half a step back.
Jiang Zhiyu, as if suddenly realizing what was happening, addressed Xie Qingwan, “May I ask what brings you here, Miss Xie?”
Xie Qingwan was slightly taken aback by her polite and normal tone.
Since when did this fool know how to speak properly?
“Ahem… bring her forward,” Xie Qingwan said coldly, glancing at Jiang Zhiyu and issuing the command.
From the crowd behind her, a trembling and cowering young maid stepped forward. The maid timidly bowed to Xie Qingwan.
Xie Qingwan spoke softly, “Don’t be afraid. Look up and tell me, is the person you accused standing in front of you?”
The maid timidly raised her head and looked at Jiang Zhiyu. Upon seeing her face, the maid trembled even more violently, shrinking back as if she had seen a terrifying monster. “Please don’t hit me… I was wrong… I beg you! Don’t hit me!” she cried out.
The crowd behind them immediately cast suspicious, accusatory, and disgusted looks at Jiang Zhiyu.
Jiang Zhiyu ignored the malice in their eyes and stared directly at Xie Qingwan. “Miss Xie, what is the meaning of this?”
Xie Qingwan patted the trembling maid kneeling on the ground, her tone filled with pity. “Don’t be afraid, child. With me and the other officials here to support you, speak the truth. No one will dare harm you.”
Hearing this, the maid, who had been crying nonstop, finally calmed down and spoke between sobs, “I… I was sent by Eunuch Hai to serve this… Miss Jiang. She is a guest brought back by His Majesty, so I took great care to serve her diligently, never daring to be negligent…”
“But…” Her tone shifted, and she raised her tear-streaked face, rolling up her sleeve to reveal a series of shocking, bloody marks on her arm.
Even those who had spent years working in the palace were startled by the sheer number of wounds.
“But… no matter how hard I tried, Miss Jiang was never satisfied. She constantly complained about His Majesty neglecting her… and took out her anger on me!” the maid said, pointing at Jiang Zhiyu with a heartbroken expression.
Jiang Zhiyu finally recognized her. She was the maid who had led the others in calling her a fool.
“I never mistreated you. You keep accusing me of abusing you, but do you have any proof?” Jiang Zhiyu demanded.
The maid let out a bitter laugh. “Miss Jiang, you are a guest brought back by His Majesty, a person of great importance. I am just a lowly servant. Isn’t this body covered in wounds proof enough?”
“Or do you think I inflicted these wounds on myself just to frame you?”
Her words were so heartfelt that they swayed the hearts of many of the onlookers, and their gazes toward Jiang Zhiyu slowly changed.
Zhou Shengsheng couldn’t help but admire her sharp tongue.
“Miss Jiang, you came all the way from the Zhu Kingdom as our guest. We treated you with sincerity, yet you trampled on our goodwill,” Xie Qingwan said sorrowfully, her tone then turning sharp. “But we, the people of Yong Kingdom, are not to be trifled with!”
“Guards! Take this malicious woman out of the palace at once!” she commanded, waving her hand.
As if they had been waiting outside, several armed guards quickly filed in and moved to apprehend Jiang Zhiyu.
Zhou Shengsheng’s eyes widened. Since when could palace officials command guards? Or had Xie Qingwan’s influence grown to the point where she could do as she pleased?
“Wait! I was brought here by His Majesty. If you want to expel me from the palace, shouldn’t you at least consult him first?” Jiang Zhiyu shouted sternly.
The guards hesitated, glancing at Xie Qingwan for confirmation.
Xie Qingwan sneered. “His Majesty is busy with state affairs. There’s no need to trouble him with such trivial matters.”
“Seize her!”
As soon as she finished speaking, a small figure suddenly flew out from the hall, straight toward Xie Qingwan’s face.
“Ah!!!” she screamed in pain, flailing her arms in an attempt to swat the thing away.
But the perpetrator simply dodged gracefully and flew away, eventually landing on Zhou Shengsheng’s head, where it calmly began preening its ruffled feathers.
Crazy woman, disturbing his peaceful nap with all her noise.
The crowd erupted into chaos, and a shrill voice pointed at Zhou Shengsheng, “It’s her bird that hurt Miss Xie! Arrest her!”
Zhou Shengsheng smiled awkwardly, waving her hand and trying to explain that it was a misunderstanding.
But the palace servants of Yong Kingdom were already incensed and gave her no chance to defend herself.
Jiang Zhiyu was equally frustrated.
The script Zhou Shengsheng had given her didn’t include this part! She hadn’t even gotten to deliver her line, “Who dares touch me!”
Zhou Shengsheng couldn’t let them be captured, so she grabbed Jiang Zhiyu’s hand and bolted for the door.
The guards shouted, “Stop them!”
Jiang Zhiyu, being dragged along by Zhou Shengsheng, turned her head and excitedly yelled, “Who dares touch me!”
Her words only further enraged the already furious guards, and they quickened their pace.
Zhou Shengsheng was on the verge of tears. Where was the male lead who was supposed to save the day?
Ming Siran, your mother and sister are about to be tied up!
Luckily, their fortune held. Just as Zhou Shengsheng had this thought, a furious roar echoed from outside the courtyard, “Stop! Who dares lay a hand on her!”
Zhou Shengsheng cheered inwardly, [My son, come quickly to the rescue!]
The man crossing the threshold paused for a moment, then let out a soft sigh. With long strides, he entered the courtyard, followed by a group of people.
