Cai Qing recounted all that had happened to Feng Jin.
"That little girl really has quite the temper."
"Young Madam, you have no idea, she looked like she wanted to fight with this servant at that moment."
Cai Qing truly felt that the girl named Xiao Qi, despite her young age, had a considerable temper.
"It's good for a person to have some temper; what is the point of being utterly submissive?"
Even a palace maid should have spirit. To live a lifetime of timidity and fear would be suffocatingly difficult.
"Young Madam speaks the truth. This servant sees that the one named Zhen Zhu is quite protective of that little girl, always standing in front of her."
"Protective... it's good that she has someone to care about. That makes her easier to handle."
Feng Jin placed a Ruyi-shaped silver hairpin adorned with intertwined threads into her hair. She glanced at her reflection with satisfaction, then rose.
"Alright, time is almost up. Let's go and see them."
"Yes, Young Madam." Cai Qing acknowledged with a nod and stepped forward to assist Feng Jin as they walked out.
When Feng Jin arrived, Zhen Zhu was scooping water from the pond with a basin and pouring it onto the lawn nearby.
"With your clumsy method, how long will it take you to empty this pond? It will be ages."
"Greetings, Madam. This servant is foolish and can only think of such a clumsy method. I beg your forgiveness, Madam."
Hearing the sound, Zhen Zhu quickly knelt on the ground, pulling the still dazed Xiao Qi down with her to kneel as well.
"Do you know why I have assigned you a task that is impossible to complete?"
"This servant is slow-witted and does not know Madam's intentions."
Zhen Zhu's eyes were lowered, her gaze constantly avoiding Feng Jin's.
"Slow-witted... I find you not at all slow-witted, but quite clever."
From the beginning, Zhen Zhu could create a facade of being foolish. In reality, she was very intelligent, appearing ignorant but understanding everything, subtly evading her questions.
She merely wanted to downplay her presence, which was indeed very clever.
"Madam, please forgive me. This servant dares not deceive Madam."
Zhen Zhu lowered her head even further, not daring to meet Feng Jin's gaze directly.
"I am not a fearsome person. You may rise."
"Yes, Madam." Zhen Zhu nodded and hesitantly stood up, remaining silent and lowering her head, trying to minimize her presence. She knew better than anyone that being too outstanding would invite the envy of others.
Within the palace walls, only by being inconspicuous could one best protect oneself and remain safe.
"What is your name?"
Feng Jin's gaze shifted to the younger one standing to the side, who appeared to be thirteen or fourteen years old.
"This servant's name is Xiao Qi."
"Xiao Qi, how old are you this year?"
"This servant is thirteen this year," Xiao Qi replied, following Feng Jin's lead.
"Thirteen years old, so young."
At such a tender age, she was still a child who needed care, yet in ancient times, she had to learn to serve a master.
Compared to her own circumstances, the disparity was indeed significant.
"I recall that in Xi Liang, palace maids are only allowed to leave the palace when they turn twenty-four, is that correct?"
Zhen Zhu couldn't discern Feng Jin's true intention for asking this question and simply responded with a nod, "Madam is correct. Palace maids can leave the palace upon reaching the age of twenty-four."
"Twenty-four years old. Ten years is a long and arduous time. It is even more difficult for you as accompanying palace maids. If you receive favor from your master, you might be allowed to marry and leave, but otherwise, you will only die alone as a servant. Your life and safety are beyond your own control."
Feng Jin began to sigh, which instantly resonated with Xiao Qi.
Zhen Zhu continued to keep her head down, but her mind was racing, trying to decipher the meaning behind Feng Jin's words.
"I find this young girl quite agreeable. I have a younger sister at home, of similar age to you. Perhaps I can ask Madam Sun to let me take you. Would you be willing to serve by my side?"
"Madam... this servant... this servant..."
Xiao Qi was taken aback by the sudden proposition and was momentarily speechless, frozen in place.
"If you have no objections, you will follow me from now on. You are so thin, child, and your clothes are torn too."
Feng Jin stepped forward and helped Xiao Qi up from the ground, observing her. She was indeed pretty, but too thin, with sallow skin that suggested malnutrition.
"Cai Qing, take Xiao Qi back. From now on, she is one of my people. Go and get her some clean clothes."
"Yes, Young Madam."
Cai Qing stepped forward and, without waiting for Xiao Qi to react, led her away.
"Madam, Madam... this won't do. We are accompanying palace maids to the Princess. Without the Princess's command, we cannot follow Madam back without authorization."
Zhen Zhu panicked instantly and hurried to her feet, wanting to argue with Feng Jin. However, constrained by the difference in their status, she could only kneel there, not daring to overstep, and watch helplessly as Xiao Qi was led away by Cai Qing.
"That's easily settled. We and your Princess have always been on good terms. When we return to the capital, I will personally speak with the Princess. She is just a servant, and she will surely let me have her."
Feng Jin was determined to take Xiao Qi with her and naturally would not give Zhen Zhu any chance to object. At this moment, she truly felt the power of status.
"You must be quite tired today. Go back and rest. This punishment will be waived."
"Madam..." Zhen Zhu looked at Feng Jin's retreating back, her heart filled with anxiety. This was a disaster. Xiao Qi had been taken away, and she had no way to get her back. *QuickBooks*
That's right, she should find Madam Sun. Madam Sun would surely not stand by and watch Xiao Qi be taken away, and only Madam Sun could find a way to retrieve Xiao Qi.
With a plan in mind, Zhen Zhu ran to find Madam Sun.
Upon meeting Madam Sun, she recounted everything that had transpired.
"What? Xiao Qi was taken by her!"
Madam Sun's voice was loud enough to fill the room, her face filled with panic.
"Madam Sun, this servant begs you to retrieve Xiao Qi."
Zhen Zhu kowtowed to Madam Sun several times, pleading.
"Once she takes her, it will be difficult to get her back."
She had clashed with Feng Jin several times before and had never gained any advantage. Now that the person was in Feng Jin's hands, it would be hard to get her back.
"Madam, Xiao Qi grew up under your care. She is only thirteen years old. Madam, this servant implores you, please retrieve Xiao Qi, Madam."
"Enough, close your mouth. It's all your fault for leading Xiao Qi into this situation. Your punishment alone wasn't enough, and now you want to implicate others!"
Madam Sun shifted her anger and blamed everything on Zhen Zhu. Angrily, she grabbed a teacup from the table and hurled it heavily at Zhen Zhu.