The Princess Is to Remarry

Chapter 5: The Servant Girl Who Bullied Others

“I’m sorry, Sister Qin, I kept you waiting…” came Xiao Lian’s voice, apologetic and submissive.

“You little brat.” That shrill voice rang out again, unmistakably haughty: “Do you think I’m as idle as you are? Let me tell you, I’m the head maid in Lady He’s chambers. If it weren’t for Lady He’s kindness in sending me to bring you your meal, do you think I’d be wasting my time in this godforsaken place? And now you have the nerve to make me wait…”

“Yes, yes, yes. I am deeply grateful for Lady He’s kindness! And… this servant was wrong. Please, Sister Qin, do not hold it against me…” Xiao Lian said meekly.

“I say you’re a pitiful soul. If only Empress He had chosen you back then, you wouldn’t be living such a miserable life with the Imperial Consort now…” The shrill voice was thoroughly gloating.

How dare she! Zuo Xiaoqian was furious. A mere maid dared to run amok right under the nose of an Imperial Consort like her, and even had the audacity to gossip about her right at her doorstep. It was utterly despicable.

Struggling to her feet, she laboriously dragged her limp body toward the doorway. As she drew near, she discovered that Xiao Lian was actually kneeling with her head bowed. Before her stood a young woman of about seventeen or eighteen, dressed in pale yellow robes and possessing delicate features. Her hair was styled in a much more elaborate bun than Xiao Lian’s; such a complex coiffure indicated that this maid held a rather high status within the mansion.

“Oh my, what kind of dog is this, daring to bark indiscriminately before this Princess Consort without regard for rank?” She leaned against the courtyard gate; her white undergarments made her appear rather frail. Curling her pretty pink lips into a smirk, she spoke with scorn.

“You…” The woman was about to unleash a torrent of abuse when she looked up and saw that the speaker was Zuo Xiaoqian. Though she immediately swallowed the curse on her lips, her attitude remained defiant, and her face showed no sign of panic: “So it’s the Princess Consort. Xiaoqin has come to bring you your meal on Her Highness Princess He’s orders. Your Highness has a delicate constitution; you really shouldn’t be wandering about—”

With that, she set the food box on the ground and turned to leave.

“What’s this, Miss Xiaoqin? Aren’t you usually quite fond of barking? Have you finished barking already? But what a pity! This Princess was looking forward to hearing your barking, fueled by the power of your master, just a little longer!” Zuo Xiaoqian continued to regard her with a half-smile, her star-like eyes glinting faintly as she said casually, “All right, go ahead and keep barking. Keep it up until I’m satisfied… Xiao Lian, go fetch a stool for this Princess!”

The maid named Xiao Qin turned pale and trembled all over. “Y-y-you…”

“Princess, I’m afraid this isn’t a good idea…” Xiao Lian shakily scrambled to her feet, her little face filled with panic and worry.

Zuo Xiaoqian gave her a gentle smile and reached out to pat her head. She soothed her, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”

No matter how pathetic or unsuccessful this Princess had been in the past, no matter how miserably she’d been bullied, from now on, Zuo Xiaoqian would never allow herself to be pushed around.

None of the three people inside or outside the courtyard noticed a snow-white figure standing behind the lush greenery. When those deep, dark eyes fell upon Zuo Xiaoqian’s gently smiling lips, a flicker of surprise crossed them…