Chief Palace Maid

On the final night of preparations for battle in the palace, Empress Wei personally brought boxes of pastries to the Hall of Bright Radiance to comfort the officials who had stayed behind to prepare for battle.

She presented the food boxes one by one. When she reached Shen Anxin, Empress Wei finally had a chance to take a good look at the young girl disguised as a man before her.

Her features were delicate, and she was lovely and lively. Whether because she simply found her pleasing to the eye or because she would save the crown prince and Great Qi in the future, Empress Wei felt fond of Shen Anxin, and her expression grew even gentler.

Empress Wei said, "Thank you for your hard work, Lord Shen. Why do you look so thin? Haven't you been eating well in the palace? If anything is unsatisfactory, you may tell me, or you can go to the crown prince. You are his attendant, one of the people closest to him, so don't be afraid of troubling him."

Standing nearby, Xiao Yanchen could only feel helpless. He had clearly guessed what Empress Wei was thinking.

But Shen Anxin probably wouldn't read too much into it, or if she did, she would only get the wrong idea.

Shen Anxin said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I've been eating very well. I'm just naturally thin."

Heavens, how can the dignified mother of a nation be so approachable? Empress Wei will surely go down in the history books as a virtuous empress! And she's so beautiful. I was far away yesterday, but seeing her up close today, all I can say is, no wonder she's the woman who gave birth to Xiao Yanchen, the number one beauty!

Xiao Yanchen pressed a hand to his forehead.

Empress Wei: Although it wasn't the first time she had heard Shen Anxin's uninhibited thoughts, she was still shocked this time and nearly failed to keep herself from blushing.

But the number one beauty?

Was she talking about her son?

It seemed Miss Shen thought highly of her son's looks.

Although it wasn't good to use one's looks to win someone over... well, that would do too, as long as it worked.

The princes studying nearby were struggling to hold back their laughter.

The ministers below wanted to laugh but didn't dare.

Lanxiang, the chief palace maid at Empress Wei's side, presented the food box according to protocol.

Shen Anxin thanked her and took it, but as she did, she felt something brush against her finger. She looked up to see Lanxiang giving her a shy smile.

Shen Anxin thought nothing of it, assuming it had been accidental, and smiled back at her.

Lanxiang's eyes lit up at once.

Only Xiao Yanchen caught that fleeting detail. He frowned slightly, but after thinking about it, he felt there was nothing to worry about. After all, Shen Anxin wasn't really Shen Anlan.

But he found one thing a little strange: why couldn't Lanxiang hear Shen Anxin's thoughts?

Eunuch Chen at his imperial father's side and the Brocade Guards at his own side could all hear them.

He had always assumed the chief palace maid, the most important attendant at the empress's side, would hear them too. He hadn't expected that she couldn't.

Empress Wei then said a few more words to Shen Anxin and listened in on her thoughts for a while. After that, she couldn't very well keep her any longer.

But Empress Wei was already perfectly content. After giving the princes a few instructions, she left the Hall of Bright Radiance in a good mood.

As she was leaving, however, Lanxiang passed by Shen Anxin's place and quietly left a handkerchief behind.

Shen Anxin was startled. She picked up the handkerchief, naturally thinking only of returning it at once.

But by then, Lanxiang had already gone far away.

With no other choice, Shen Anxin could only hand it over to the crown prince.

Xiao Yanchen looked at the handkerchief she held out, then at Shen Anxin's innocent expression, and felt a headache coming on.

It seemed Lanxiang really was interested in Shen Anxin.

Xiao Yanchen knew Lanxiang well. After all, she was a longtime attendant in Empress Wei's palace who had grown up by her side. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call her Xiao Yanchen's childhood friend.

By the rules of other countries' imperial families, someone like her might eventually have become Xiao Yanchen's bedchamber maid. But because that rule of Great Qi's imperial family was so deeply ingrained, Lanxiang knew that even though she was close to Xiao Yanchen, she would never see the day she entered the Eastern Palace.

Thus, Lanxiang had never harbored ambitions of joining the imperial family, and she didn't want to be a concubine either.

Her goal had always been to find a talented young man at court and, with her status as Empress Wei's chief palace maid, become a high official's principal wife.

And the current Shen Anlan was the best choice.

Young, handsome, and talented, he was already the crown prince's attendant at such a young age, with boundless prospects ahead of him. Most importantly, he wasn't engaged.

Naturally, Lanxiang would set her sights on such a candidate and try to win him for herself.

Unfortunately, she couldn't hear his thoughts and didn't know that the gentleman she had been casting secret flirtatious glances at tonight was a fake.

Meanwhile, after returning, Lanxiang made indirect inquiries of Empress Wei.

But the answer she received broke her heart. No matter how she hinted, Empress Wei refused to pick up the subject and finally even gave her a veiled reminder not to read too much into things.

Lanxiang left, full of resentment.

"The empress clearly promised to treat me like a daughter. She said that as long as I took a fancy to someone, no matter his status, she'd be willing to make inquiries for me, and afterward she'd stand behind me as my family. Now that I've finally found someone I like, she won't even help me ask! Hmph! Sure enough, there isn't a single good master among them. Their kindness is all a sham, an act for the servants to see! When it comes to actually doing something, they're not willing to help at all. Lord Shen clearly likes me too! If she'd just help me ask, I could marry Lord Shen!"

Lanxiang was already twenty. She had grown accustomed to being the empress's chief palace maid, and even high officials and marquises had to treat her courteously when they met her.

She was in a position to pick and choose among the ministers at court whose families lacked deep foundations.

Now she had set her sights on someone. Although he was a marquis, his family lacked a strong foundation, making him the best choice within her range. Naturally, she didn't want to delay any longer.

Thinking that tonight was Lord Shen's last night in the imperial palace, she decided she absolutely couldn't let this chance slip by.

After giving it some thought, she gritted her teeth and left the empress's palace under cover of night. Just in case, she also tucked a packet of medicinal powder into her robes.

Tonight, she swore she would win Lord Shen!

Shen Anxin was in her room gossiping with Chacha when she suddenly felt a chill down her back.

She asked the time and realized that if she didn't sleep soon, she would have trouble getting up again tomorrow morning.

She was about to blow out the candle when a knock suddenly sounded at the door.

At the same time, both Emperor Hongyao and Xiao Yanchen received word from the Brocade Guards that someone was visiting Lord Shen at night.

When Emperor Hongyao saw that it was Lanxiang, he assumed the empress had sent her on an errand and intended to wait and see what happened. But then he heard that the crown prince had rushed over as soon as he received the message.

It wasn't difficult for Shen Anxin to get ready and rise. After all, while away from home, she disguised her female identity thoroughly even when she slept.

So all she had to do now was put on an outer robe and gather up her hair before receiving a visitor.

When she opened the door, Shen Anxin saw Lanxiang standing outside with a lantern.

"Sorry to disturb you, Lord Shen." Lanxiang bent her knees slightly in a graceful curtsy.

Shen Anxin said, "Lady official Lanxiang? Oh, have you come looking for your lost handkerchief? I've already given it to His Highness the crown prince."

Lanxiang's smile stiffened. How can this person be so oblivious to romance? Could it be that he isn't interested in me?

After a moment's thought, Lanxiang said directly, "My lord, I came to discuss a private matter with you. Have you ever considered taking a wife?"

Shen Anxin froze. She met Lanxiang's upturned gaze, her eyes practically shimmering with allure, and the jolt sent goosebumps all over Shen Anxin.

Had she taken a fancy to her?????

Shen Anxin: Ahhh, I think I've brought Shen Anlan a peach blossom!

The many Brocade Guards keeping watch nearby almost slipped and fell as one. What kind of melon-eating scene was this?!

Chacha: This proves the host is very charming.

Shen Anxin: Stop gloating. Still, this girl has some nerve, daring to go after what she wants. Unfortunately, I am Hua Mulan!

Brocade Guards: Who was Hua Mulan? Never mind, they would make a note of it first.

Seeing Shen Anxin standing there speechless and dumbstruck, Lanxiang suppressed her mounting impatience and put on a delicate air. "Does Lord Shen mind that Lanxiang is three years older than you?"

Startled, Shen Anxin hurriedly waved her hands. "Lady official Lanxiang, you've misunderstood. I... I already have someone in my heart, and before long I'll call on her family to propose marriage."

Shen Anxin: Sorry, Shen Anlan. I'm borrowing your name for this.

Disguising herself as a man was already risky enough. If she made any promises to an outsider on top of that, wouldn't she be asking to die sooner?

Lanxiang's expression stiffened, but she refused to give up. "May I ask which family's young lady is fortunate enough to have won Lord Shen's favor?"

Shen Anxin frowned slightly, feeling that Lanxiang had gone a little too far.

"Naturally, I can't say her name. Wouldn't that damage the young lady's reputation? Lady official Lanxiang, I appreciate your kindness. It's late, so please go back."

Shen Anxin: There's nothing wrong with going after what you want, but I've already said this much. Wouldn't it be rude to keep pressing me?

Shen Anxin had thought that would be the end of it, but to her utter surprise, Xianglan's previously mild expression changed abruptly, and she glared at her with a fierce look.

Shen Anxin: Whoa, what an absolutely spectacular change of face! That look is like she's about to bestow a Zhanghong on me the next second. As expected of the empress's chief palace maid, her bearing really is beyond that of an ordinary little palace maid. But this sort of thing takes two willing people. Is there any need to be so angry? Am I not even allowed to refuse?

Chacha: Hehe, host, I just checked. She's no ordinary person. There's a big melon here. Want to eat it?

Shen Anxin: Later. I'll eat it after she leaves. She's so angry she's about to explode.

Lanxiang truly couldn't accept Shen Anxin's refusal. After all, it was rare for her to think so highly of someone. His was merely a declining marquis household; its entire fortune probably wasn't even half what she had saved. What right did he have to look down on her?!

Could the young ladies outside enjoy the same favor she did before the empress?

"I advise Lord Shen to think carefully. Given your circumstances, I imagine you couldn't marry into a particularly good family. But I'm different. I'm the empress's most favored lady official. In the future, if Lord Shen wishes to rise a little higher, or if you commit an offense and need someone to plead for you, those sheltered young ladies may not be as useful as I am. Besides, Lord Shen has only just gained the crown prince's favor. If I were to say a few unflattering things, your position as his attendant might not..."

Shen Anxin was dumbfounded. She failed to win my love, got angry from embarrassment, and now she's threatening me? I remember the women here being pretty reserved!

Chacha: Who told the host to run into a ruthless one?

Shen Anxin: Stop dangling that in front of me. Can't you see what's happening right now?

Shen Anxin gave a fake smile. "Oh, be my guest."

Lanxiang hadn't expected Shen Anxin to react this way. Her face turned red with anger. "You..."

Chacha: Isn't the host afraid?

Shen Anxin: That's hilarious. If Xiao Yanchen were that kind of fool, how could everyone praise him so highly? I trust him. He definitely wouldn't let a few words from someone else turn him against a person and convict them recklessly.

Xiao Yanchen, who had just reached the vicinity of the moon gate, heard those words. His steps paused, and he couldn't help the smile that curved his lips, his eyes full of amusement.

Lanxiang's expression shifted. Finally, she steeled herself. "Lord Shen, you really don't know what's good for you!"

Before Shen Anxin could react, Lanxiang had dropped her lantern, pulled out the medicinal powder with one hand, and thrown it straight into Shen Anxin's face.

The Brocade Guards were stunned. It wasn't that they were slow to react; they simply hadn't expected Lanxiang to be so bold?! To dare use drugs to frame the crown prince's attendant right here in the palace—she was utterly spoiled by favor and lawless.

Xiao Yanchen caught sight of the scene too. His expression changed abruptly, and he moved to rush inside.

Then he heard Shen Anxin let out an enormous sneeze.

Lanxiang's incredulous voice followed. "Scented... scented powder?! How can it be scented powder? What I took was clearly..."

Shen Anxin had already sneezed several times in a row.

Shen Anxin: What is this stuff? It smells so strong! Did she throw scented powder at me?

Chacha: Is it possible she was planning to drug you unconscious and do some indescribable things?

Shen Anxin: What the hell? Could it be spring...

Chacha: It's exactly what you're thinking!

Shen Anxin: Holy shit, I nearly lost my chastity! No, wait, my secret was nearly exposed. Old Heavenly Granny finally sees me as her granddaughter and blessed me like this. Spring powder turned into scented powder. If this kind of mix-up hadn't happened to me, I'd die laughing.

The Brocade Guards, who had nearly died laughing, were struggling mightily to hold it in.

Because of their profession, they had seen many filthy tricks, and there were many reasons such schemes could fail, but they had never seen someone bring out the wrong thing at the very first step.

Even Ping'an, the palace attendant following Xiao Yanchen, couldn't help commenting, "Your Highness, can scented powder and medicinal powder be kept together? They're so easy to mix up. Isn't she afraid she'll take the wrong one when putting on makeup?"

The corner of Xiao Yanchen's mouth twitched. He was just as baffled.

Chacha, however, cleared up the mystery at once. Host, have you forgotten your Defense and Damage Reflection Buff?

Shen Anxin: Ah, I get it! Because Lanxiang wanted to harm me, it saddled her with bad luck from the very beginning, so she took the wrong thing through a freak combination of circumstances. No wonder there was such an absurd mix-up! Hahahaha, a system product really is a premium product. Good stuff, truly good stuff!

The melon-eating crowd was shocked. So this was the so-called Defense and Damage Reflection Eight Blessings. No wonder something so bizarre had happened. This was simply evil getting its just deserts.

Shen Anxin looked gleefully at Lanxiang, who couldn't accept what had happened.

Lanxiang's expression was a sight to behold. After making fierce threats and taking ruthless action, she had suddenly run into an unexpected mishap and made a fool of herself, leaving her completely devastated.

"Pfft."

Shen Anxin hurriedly covered her mouth.

Hearing Shen Anxin laughing at her, Lanxiang was even more devastated, and her expression turned savage.

"I advise you not to refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. If I were to shout for help right now, Lord Shen would be stripped of your official robes on a charge of debauching the palace!"

"Huh?"

Lanxiang quickly braced the door to keep Shen Anxin from suddenly closing it, then pulled open her own collar with one hand, poised and ready.

"Would Lord Shen like to find out whom the people in this palace would believe? Me, a first-rank lady official at the empress's side who has lived in the imperial palace for over a decade, or you, Lord Shen, a newcomer just out of the thatched cottage?"

Xiao Yanchen's party, along with the Brocade Guards who had been watching all along: ...Why, Lord Shen, of course.