In truth, due to the angle, they hadn’t seen clearly either. However, Lady Xia couldn’t have fallen for no reason. And with Hu Liyi being so aggressive, if Rong Qiu hadn’t pushed her, who else could it have been?
"You’re talking nonsense!" Rong Qiu suddenly retorted.
Laying hands on a Palace Consort was a grave offense. If confirmed, Rong Qiu would face severe punishment, if not death itself. Moreover, she hadn’t done it.
"How audacious! A mere Palace Maid dares to be so insolent in front of the Empress!" Yu Lan shouted angrily. Rong Qiu was immediately so frightened that she dared not speak anymore.
She had just been panicking. She didn’t want to be wrongly accused; she wanted to live. Unfortunately, speaking out against the Empress was yet another crime.
The Empress rubbed her forehead and said with a frown, "Regardless, it was wrong of Hu Liyi to instigate a Servant to commit violence. You will be confined to reflect for one month. As for this Palace Maid..." She paused, then continued, "Your master has erred. Not only did you fail to advise her, but you also abetted the mistake, disrespecting rank and causing injury. You shall be... sent to the Laundry Bureau!"
However audacious Hu Liyi usually was, she didn’t dare talk back now. She quickly kowtowed in acceptance.
As for Rong Qiu, she had already collapsed to the floor. She looked pleadingly at Hu Liyi, hoping her mistress would offer some protection—even a scolding or a beating would have been better than this. However, Hu Liyi didn’t spare her even a glance. In that moment, Rong Qiu felt utterly hopeless.
Yu Lan noticed Rong Qiu’s desolate eyes. Sensing something amiss and fearing she might go mad, Yu Lan quickly ordered her mouth gagged and had her dragged away.
The Empress then instructed, "Later, have the Ministry of Internal Affairs send some fine things over, and let Hu Liyi pick two more attendants."
Since Hu Liyi had been promoted, she was entitled to more attendants. One had been taken away, so sending two would replenish her staff.
Hu Liyi kowtowed her thanks. The Empress then remembered something else and turned to Xia Ruqing. "Your residence is also short one menial servant. Later, I’ll have some sent over for you to choose from!"
"Thank you, Empress!" Xia Ruqing curtsied in gratitude.
The Empress nodded. After a few more words of consolation to Xia Ruqing, she dismissed everyone.
As Hu Liyi departed, she shot Xia Ruqing several venomous glares before leaving in a huff.
Xia Ruqing, however, appeared unfazed, calmly walking back to her own quarters.
You bullied me once, so I’ll make you suffer this time. Let’s see if you dare to try again. Though my status is low, I’m not worthless. Why should I tolerate it?
「Back at Zhaohua Pavilion」
Not long after, someone indeed sent over a few Palace Maids for menial tasks for her to choose from.
Xia Ruqing, feeling sullen, didn’t want to bother and left it to Xiao Xizi. "You choose," she told Xiao Xizi. "We need someone simple and honest, not too clever. We wouldn’t know how to manage someone like that."
"Very well!" Xiao Xizi agreed and went out.
Xia Ruqing washed her hands and fetched some ointment, carefully applying it to Zi Yue’s face. Zi Yue’s face had endured more than a dozen slaps from Rong Qiu. Numerous spots were scratched by fingernails and had begun to fester, a truly distressing sight.
"Does it hurt?"
Zi Yue forced a smile. "It doesn’t hurt..."
"It’s my fault you’ve suffered like this..." Xia Ruqing felt unbearably upset.
Rong Qiu would never have dared to push me; I deliberately fell. That Palace Maid only became so arrogant because her master gained favor. Although Hu Liyi ordered her to hit Zi Yue, a girl’s face is her most important asset. Anyone with a shred of compassion wouldn’t have struck with such brutal force. But Rong Qiu was different; she scratched and clawed, nearly ruining Zi Yue’s face! It just shows how malicious she is.
Zi Yue’s eyes brimmed with tears. "My Lady, please don’t say such things. This little bit of suffering is nothing for a servant like me."
Xia Ruqing clenched her teeth and said, "If I had any real power, I’d have sent her straight to Yama, the King of Hell! Sending her to the Laundry Bureau is letting her off far too lightly!"
Zi Yue was terrified and hurriedly urged, "My Lady, please don’t speak like that! I don’t feel wronged. I only hope for the day when you no longer have to endure being bullied by others!"
"It will happen! It definitely will!" Xia Ruqing said firmly. "You follow me with such unwavering loyalty. I won’t let you suffer like this indefinitely!"
"Mm!" Zi Yue nodded with determination.
「Meanwhile」
Xiao Xizi had chosen a new menial Palace Maid. She had a plain appearance and seemed honest and simple.
Xia Ruqing composed herself and asked with a faint smile, "What is your name?"
"This humble servant’s name is Cuicui," the girl replied.
Xia Ruqing smiled and gave her a new name. "From now on, your name will be... Qiu Ye. You’ll follow Qiu Tong and do menial tasks. If you serve diligently, I naturally won’t treat you unfairly."
These were mere formalities. After all, words meant little; only time would reveal a person’s true heart.
"Thank you, Honored Lady, for bestowing this name. This servant will certainly serve you well!" Qiu Ye answered cautiously.
Xia Ruqing felt weary. She waved her hand, dismissing them all.
When the midday meal was served, Xia Ruqing specifically requested light dishes. Zi Yue’s skin was broken and bleeding, so she couldn’t eat any rich or inflammatory foods.