Shen Wei rubbed her temples and said to Liu Ruyan, "The shimmering brocade is worth a fortune. According to regulations, it won’t be sent to your palace. If you prefer plain silver-white fabric, the Internal Affairs Office provides white satin every year."
Liu Ruyan replied unhappily, "Ordinary white satin? How could that be used for garments?"
Shen Wei: "..."
Liu Ruyan then added coldly, "Since Your Highness the Noble Consort is so virtuous and benevolent, why not gift me your shimmering brocade? It would only enhance your reputation."
In Liu Ruyan’s eyes, the shimmering brocade was too precious to be wasted on Shen Wei.
Shen Wei looked up at the sky in exasperation. What kind of mind did Liu Ruyan have to say such things so shamelessly?
It was as if the entire world had to revolve around Liu Ruyan, and everyone was obliged to love and pamper her unconditionally.
Seeing Shen Wei remain silent for a long time, Liu Ruyan’s beautiful eyes glinted with a cold sneer. "It seems the Noble Consort’s virtuous reputation is nothing but hearsay."
Shen Wei closed her eyes briefly, utterly at a loss for how to communicate with Liu Ruyan.
Such a stunning beauty—if only she didn’t have a mouth.
"Stay in Yuxiu Palace and behave yourself." Though Shen Wei prided herself on her silver tongue, she truly didn’t know how to retort to Liu Ruyan. In the end, she simply flicked her sleeves and left.
Before departing, Cai Ping pulled aside the four palace maids of Yuxiu Palace and earnestly advised them, "Just do your duties when serving Consort Mei. But if you truly neglect your work, be prepared to be expelled from Yuxiu Palace."
A eunuch’s eyes lit up with excitement. "Aunt Cai Ping, is that true? Then this servant begs you to dismiss me from Yuxiu Palace for incompetence!"
Another maid chimed in, "I only have two years left before I can leave the palace, but I can’t stand staying in Yuxiu Palace any longer. I’ll go mad!"
Cai Ping gave an awkward smile, equally exasperated.
Under the warm spring sun, hundreds of palace maids stood in the courtyard by the palace gates.
According to palace regulations, today was the day for maids who had turned twenty-five to leave the palace. A small number chose to stay and become senior attendants, while most opted to return to their hometowns.
"The Noble Consort has ordered that silver and silk be distributed according to each person’s rank. Please come forward one by one to receive your share."
"If any of you struggle to find work after leaving, you may visit the Yanjing Palace Servants’ Bureau. Special arrangements will be made for you."
Nanny Rong sat at a desk, recording the proceedings with a brush.
The maids lined up in an orderly fashion to collect their rewards, their faces unable to conceal their joy.
Retired palace maids had relatively bright prospects—each received a generous sum. Some would marry and start families, others would enter noble households as governesses, and some would use the money to start businesses.
"Aunt Xue Mei!" Li Nanzhi rushed over, her eyes brimming with tears as she gazed at Xue Mei, who leaned on a cane. "Let me escort you out of the palace."
Xue Mei smiled warmly. "Thank you, Your Highness."
With Li Nanzhi and another maid supporting her, Xue Mei slowly made her way out of the palace.
On the long palace road, Li Nanzhi, dressed in a pink spring gown, carefully steadied Xue Mei and asked tearfully, "Aunt Xue Mei, will you return home after leaving? Or will you stay in Yanjing? Will I ever see you again? Will you marry?"
Xue Mei chuckled and patiently answered each question. "I only have an elderly mother left. I’ve rented a small house in the outskirts of Yanjing, where we’ll live together. If Your Highness wishes to see me, just send word."
Years ago, Xue Mei’s father had abandoned his family after drowning in debt, leaving creditors hounding them daily. Desperate, Xue Mei entered Prince Yan’s mansion as a maid, hoping the nobles’ occasional generosity would sustain her.
Unfortunately, she ended up serving Liu Ruyan. Despite years of toil, her family’s debts remained unpaid, and her health deteriorated.
Fortunately, after Shen Wei rose to power, Xue Mei’s diligence earned her ample rewards, allowing her to finally clear the debts.
Now, with her severance pay and savings, she could live comfortably for over a decade.
As for marriage?
Xue Mei had long abandoned such hopes.
First, her crippled legs made her undesirable as a wife.
Second, years of listening to Liu Ruyan’s bitter laments about men’s fickleness had left her wary of marriage—she feared becoming like Liu Ruyan.
Her only wish now was to care for her mother in their remaining years. What would happen after her mother’s passing? She refused to dwell on it.
Li Nanzhi’s eyes reddened as she tugged Xue Mei’s hand. "Aunt Xue Mei, come with me."
She guided Xue Mei to a corner near the palace gates, where a plain carriage bearing the "Liu" family emblem waited.
Two servants hurried over to greet Li Nanzhi.
"Your Highness, what is this?" Xue Mei asked in confusion.
Li Nanzhi wiped her tears. "Aunt Xue Mei, the outskirts lack proper medical care. Doctor Mo said your legs need regular acupuncture and hot compresses—living outside the city is inconvenient. I wrote to my grandparents, and they bought you a house in the city. You’ll live there from now on."
Xue Mei shook her head. "Your Highness, this is too much. Serving you was my duty."
Li Nanzhi glanced at Xue Mei’s crippled legs and choked up. "Aunt Xue Mei, aside from Consort Chen and Consort Yu, you treated me the kindest in the palace. When I marry and leave, I’ll bring you with me. I’ll care for you in your old age."
A surge of warmth flooded Xue Mei’s heart.
Li Nanzhi threw herself into Xue Mei’s arms, and the two embraced tightly. The spring breeze rustled the carriage curtains.
After a long moment, Xue Mei boarded the carriage. As it rolled away smoothly, she lifted the curtain and gazed back at the towering palace walls, spotting the small figure in pink still standing at the gates.
Years of servitude had blurred many memories—her father’s abandonment, the white plum blossoms in the snow, the day Liu Ruyan selected her from the maids, the mosquito-riddled summer nights, the bitterness of kneeling in the snowy gardens.
Xue Mei leaned against the carriage wall and looked down at her ruined legs.
She was just an ordinary maid, insignificant in the grand palace. Yet somehow, it felt like half a lifetime had already passed. With a sigh heavy with weariness, she let the curtain fall.
...
Days later, as spring deepened, the Southern Chu envoy arrived in Yanjing with great fanfare.
Li Yuanjing hosted a banquet in Qinghua Hall, requiring all palace consorts to attend.
As dusk approached in Yongning Palace, Shen Wei, freshly dressed in her formal consort robes, suddenly sneezed. "Achoo—!"
