bayedsolid Chapter 131 Bedside Maid
Chapter 131 Bedside Maid
Just as Zi'an was feeling that he didn't want to continue playing in this space without Xiao Si,
Xiao Si pushed open the door and entered, carrying a tea tray, smiling sweetly. She didn't care at all that she had just transmigrated to the Tang Dynasty as a beloved little princess, but had become a palace maid serving tea and water, with her head bowed and eyes lowered.
When Zi'an saw her, his eyes widened like copper bells, and he almost jumped up from his chair, nearly spilling tea on the Empress's face in his shock.
It turned out that, in order to clear the Emperor's name of his shameful deeds, the Empress had all items related to Mei Xiaosi burned to the ground, leaving no trace. She kept saying that "Mei Xiaosi ran away and then disappeared," and that the name should never be mentioned again.
In reality, the "missing" Mei Xiaosi went to the Liaodong Peninsula to farm and opened three thousand households, but he didn't escape far.
Now, she is obediently kept by the Empress's side, doing the job of a "bed-climbing maid".
You know, this is really clever. Not only did no one know about it, but it also saved face for the royal family. It's a win-win situation.
Zi'an was overjoyed to see Mei Xiaosi right in front of him!
He hurriedly stood up, stared at the Empress for a moment, and then the Empress lowered her head.
His expression shifted from surprise to one of shame—"My God, Your Majesty, how could this be?! You are amazing!"
He muttered under his breath, "How... how did Mei Xiaosi end up working as a palace maid here?!"
Empress Wang feigned innocence, gently wiping away her tears with a handkerchief. The Emperor had never wiped her tears before, so her gaze became even more unfocused. She whispered, "Isn't all of this for Your Majesty..."
Zi'an felt even more ashamed and said softly, "I originally thought that the Empress had arranged for Mei Xiaosi to enter the palace for a perfectly legitimate reason..."
The empress was furious and stamped her foot in anger to express her dissatisfaction.
However, she maintained the composure of a well-bred lady and responded without changing her expression:
"Your Majesty's matter was never aboveboard to begin with. If you are dissatisfied, I will arrange for her to return immediately..."
Zi'an realized his mistake and hurriedly stood next to the Empress, massaging her shoulders and pounding her legs. At the same time, he secretly glanced at Mei Xiaosi and then at the Empress, pondering how to ease the situation.
The Empress smiled helplessly, a complex look in her eyes:
"Oh, don't even mention it. I couldn't find a suitable maid to climb into the Emperor's bedchamber... I did so much, and in the end, it's all my fault, Your Majesty? With Xiao Si here, Your Majesty will have to come and dine here more often..."
Zi'an was so shocked he almost dropped his teacup: "You little bastard, this...this isn't right!"
At this moment, Mei Xiaosi walked up to them with a tea tray: "Your Majesty and Empress, what are you two saying about me? Why are you so serious, like you're having a major meeting?!"
Then, while gently stirring the tea, she added in a low voice:
"However, Brother Zi'an, don't worry. My skills as a palace maid won't embarrass you. After all, I've been in the palace since I was 14 and have been practicing for over ten years..."
Zi'an froze instantly, nearly falling off his chair, his mind going completely blank.
"You...you actually became the Empress's bedchamber maid? This is too..."
Zi'an's mind completely exploded in that instant.
The Empress spread her hands, looking helpless: "What does Your Majesty think I can do? If she doesn't do it, who else can? You never come to my place..."
He stood there, stunned, wondering, "What did I do wrong? Now I have to face the double challenge of this 'stern-faced boss' and this 'seductive little girl' every day?!"
— Facing a wooden queen who is six years older than him, living like he's being controlled by a "mother" every day is already enough to make him feel suffocated.
Now, another maidservant, four years older than him, has appeared to accompany him in bed. Could this be the "last straw that breaks the camel's back" prepared by heaven?
However, after a moment's thought, Zi'an found the matter quite interesting.
After all, he transmigrated into the identity of the emperor, which can be said to be experiencing the comfort and ease bestowed by Consort Xiao, right?
He certainly didn't want to miss out on such a privileged life.
He sighed inwardly, deciding to discard those chaotic thoughts and, since he was already here, should enjoy it to the fullest.
Furthermore, if we don't pamper Consort Xiao now, when she is imprisoned and suffers the torture of bone poisoning in the future, at least we should have some pleasant memories to look back on.
However, thinking about this, he thought:
If this scheme of removing limbs and placing them in a wine jar truly originated from Mei Xiaosi, he certainly wouldn't stand idly by. He would do everything in his power to secure a chance for Consort Xiao's survival, after all, she had given him warmth and affection.
On another note, Zi'an was secretly thinking to himself that the "combination" between the Empress and Mei Xiaosi seemed quite interesting. It was not only much more lively than those boring court meetings with false reports, but also more "lively" than Consort Xiao's meetings which were just about flowers and plants!
Every time Zi'an came to the Empress's place and chatted with the two of them, she felt that her life had gained more than a few "colors".
Zi'an blinked and finally understood the mystery.
Unfortunately, with this sudden change in fortune, Consort Xiao soon discovered that the Emperor no longer sought her out for entertainment.
The news reported by the spies made Consort Xiao extremely uneasy.
"The Emperor has been going to the Empress's place every day these past few days."
She felt a wave of confusion wash over her, pacing anxiously, and had no interest in tending to the flowers and plants; her brow furrowed slightly.
"How is that possible? His Majesty clearly said before that the Empress is the most depressing and annoying person, and he never goes there!"
The look of confusion on her beautiful face was so touching.
Consort Xiao continued to dress up and wait for the Emperor, but she could not hide the unease in her heart.
She said to herself, "Impossible. Why would the Emperor suddenly change his mind? There must be something fishy going on."
……
At this moment, Mei Xiaosi's mood was not so relaxed.
She glanced at Zi'an, who was always "obsessed" with something:
"That's just how the Empress is. She's such a proud and vain noblewoman. Every time the Emperor comes to see her, she knows perfectly well what's going on, but she's always unwilling to admit it. In reality, only the two of us know that the Emperor's visits aren't for her at all, but rather to see me, this 'bed-climbing lowly maid.'"
As she said this, her eyes held a mixture of helplessness and excitement.
"After all this, I'm completely exhausted!" Mei Xiaosi's resentment was about to burst forth.
She looked at Zi'an with her clear eyes and continued to whisper:
"I hate you to death, but I can only secretly endure it and play along with your act. The Emperor was excited, but as soon as you left, the Empress changed completely and tormented me in every way!"
Zi'an frowned: "Then... what are you going to do?"
"Now, I can only be patient with the Empress. I hope the Emperor can take you to the Taiji Hall. Do you remember the Zhu Ming Gate? To its north is the Liangyi Gate. The cross street between the Zhu Ming Gate and the Liangyi Gate is the boundary between the court and the imperial bedchamber. Back then... we could only sneak around. When will we be able to do it openly and honestly?"
Zi'an said, "Yes, I will. I've come to terms with it now. You're playing the role of Wu Zetian, so what are you afraid of?"
Mei Xiaosi shook her head: "Time and space are the epitome of being out of control. The only constant in this universe is change."
She thought there was no need to tell Zi'an, because he was currently enjoying the relationship.
The Empress is a fake lady, pretending to be dignified while threatening the Emperor. She demands to witness everything we do, otherwise she'll send me away. My true identity can't be revealed, and I can't forever remain just a tool for her to win over the Emperor!
"I think the Empress seems to be enjoying it, but she's a little impatient. I don't give her a chance, so she can only watch from the sidelines."
Seeing Zi An's provocative tone, Mei Xiaosi said, "You may feel happy, but every time she leaves, she vents all her anger and unfulfilled desires on me."
Zi'an gave a bitter smile: "What should we do?"
Mei Xiaosi sighed softly, her eyes dimming slightly.
She clearly came here to be a princess, so why did that annoyance she felt as a European noblewoman in her previous life reappear?
...That feeling of being forced, of being used as a tool, would suffocate her every time the Emperor's favor ended, until the second night...
Zi An's eyes flickered slightly, and he understood her inner turmoil.
He couldn't help but whisper, "Then why didn't the Empress notice your dissatisfaction?"
Mei Xiaosi paused for a moment, a sly glint in her eyes:
"Discover it? How could she possibly discover it? She only cares about her superficial glory and inner hunger. The more I struggle and humble myself, the more excited she becomes!"
Zi'an said, "Okay, then we'll play along with her act."
At this moment, Xiao Si looked at Zi An, seemingly noticing something from her dazed expression, and suddenly glanced at Zi An with a smug smile:
"This is nothing, how could it possibly stump me? The more serious the Empress is, the more interesting this becomes..."
"I have to play with her a lot, little sister." She laughed as she gently swirled her teacup, like a little girl having a great time.
Zi'an was momentarily at a loss, her eyes darting around, and the fan in her hand seemed a little unsteady.
At this moment, Xiao Si put down the tea tray, suddenly turned around, and her eyes lit up:
"Zi'an, don't you think this palace maid outfit suits me quite well? Next time you come, I'll dress you up as a laundry maid, something even more rustic, how about that?"
Zi An's eyes widened, and she froze completely: "You... what do you want?"
"Actually, Empress Wang had already sent someone to Ganye Temple earlier to announce: Mei Xiaosi—the Empress is calling you back to the palace to be favored. Hurry up and grow your hair out. Once your hair is long enough, we will come to take you as a maid to bring the Empress some joy and be an 'absolutely loyal' companion."
Zi'an was completely dumbfounded upon hearing this:
"This...this is practically an open recruitment drive for 'public relations undercover agents'! It's too...too blatant!"
Mei Xiaosi pouted: "This empress is too 'cunning'! Aside from being a proud weakling herself, she's surrounded by powerful figures, yet she's so self-righteous, thinking she can handle things openly and secretly without arousing suspicion. But she's actually letting a wolf into the house..."
Zi'an laughed: "That's how deep the palace's schemes are. She's so 'solemn' on the surface, isolating herself, but she has a whole 'show' waiting for you to orchestrate in her heart..."
Mei Xiaosi gave a soft hum and added:
"However, Your Majesty, if you're not convinced, come and try it. How would you feel if you went from being a princess to being this 'bedside maid'?!"