Cold Palace's Abandoned Consort Chapter 4

Chapter 4 – Who was seeing His Majesty the Third Prince

The Lateral Court, also known as the Yong Xiang(永巷), was the residence where all the court maids resided and was located right beside the palace.

And I, Yue Qing Ying, was just the most ordinary and lowly court maids working in the Heavenly Empire's Imperial Palace. Since entering the palace at the age of 16 until today, it has almost been about 5 years. My life was always quiet just like a lake without a single ripple.

However, last night's matter completely destroyed this peace.

With a frightened and anxious heart, I slowly walked to the courtyard in the front. There were already a lot of court maids gathered there chatting spiritedly and in front of this group stood the supervisor of the inner palace, Eunuch Yu.

Standing by his side was the housekeeper of the Lateral Court, Yao Ying Xue, who we usually call Auntie. In fact. She's younger than me by a year but because she entered the court earlier, looked pretty, was smart and has quite a considerable amount of a.s.sets. So, just like how a fish should be in water, she was given the control of the Lateral Courts for being so capable at such a young age.

After seeing the two of them, my face turned deathly pale.

Yu Er grabbed me once she saw me and with a small voice whispered. 'Why are you so slow? Do you want to get punished?'

I forcedly showed her a smile but my heart was in turmoil.

It wasn't that I was slow. It was because that agonizing pain in the lower half of the body hasn't gone away until now. Every step taken was difficult but I couldn't even say a word about the pain. I slowly lifted my head up to see Eunuch Yu slowly taking a step forward, looking down at us. Those narrow eyes illuminated with astuteness, letting people who catch sight of it break out into a cold sweat.

My heartbeat started beating faster.

At this time, Eunuch Yu lightly coughed and everybody immediately became quiet and only heard him say. 'Everybody worked hard for half the night of the Crown Prince's wedding banquet yesterday night.'

Everyone just nodded without speaking.

'However, there were still some people who took the time off to slip away! Normally, we wouldn't even restrain you, but if something were to have happened, don't ask me to help you ask for forgiveness!'

My heart started thumping loudly. It felt like it was going to beat out of my chest.

At this moment, he suddenly switched the subject of the conversation. 'However, the king has kindness in his heart and everybody will still be rewarded. You guys should feel grateful, for the king's reward is an enormous good fortune!'

As it turned out, he's here to hand out gratuity.

My heart practically leapt into my throat. As this moment gradually sank in, the blood started to flow again in my entire body, and the surroundings started bustling with excitement.

Then, everyone proceeded to line up in front of him to receive their commission. Each person received two strings of copper coins[1]. After the people in the front had gotten their share, they quickly walked away. When it came to my turn, I also walked up to the front.'Many thanks to His Highness for his generosity.'

After getting my portion, I was about to turn and head back when suddenly, after I turned around. Eunuch Yu said. 'Another thing that I wanted to say. Yesterday, during the crown prince's wedding feast, a bunch of you weren't on duty and weren't there at the hall, but was anyone somewhere else in the palace meeting with the His Highness the Third Prince?'

Clunk!

As Eunuch's words sank in, a sound that came out of nowhere had surprised everybody and everyone turned around and look at me in astonishment.

I was at a loss standing there with a pile of copper coins scattered beneath my feet.

[1] string of copper coins: