Qiaoer couldnt follow them out. Although she should have felt relieved in her heart, there was another kind of anxiety and fear shrouding her.

  She tiptoed and stretched her neck to look in the direction of the tomb, several places where she stepped on the line of the palace gate were ruthlessly pushed back by two guards.

  Qiao Er was furious with the two guards, but could only flutter around like a headless fly. As time passed, she felt increasingly uneasy in her heart.

  At this moment, she saw a very bright flame rising outside the palace gate. The flame was extremely eye-catching in the daytime. At a glance, it could be seen that it was made from the special fire oil refined in the palace.

  Then she saw Jing Waners figure appearing at a distance from the palace gate, gradually getting closer and closer.

  Qiaoers heart tightened and then relaxed, and at this moment, she actually felt that Jing Wanyus face didnt seem as annoying as usual.

  Jing Waner arrived at the palace gate and once again showed her waist card to the two generals guarding the entrance, after obtaining their consent, she re-entered the palace.

  Qiaoers face was cold: "How come it took so long?" Her legs were numb from standing.

  Jing Waner said: "Long? This is already the fastest speed in dealing with a corpse."

  She would normally dig a hole and bury the body, which took several times longer than today.

  Chaoer saw that she was speaking lightly, her face turned pale again, and after giving her a fierce glance, she led the way into the palace.

  Two people returned to Liang Shanggongs place to report back. After asking a few questions, Liang Shanggong let Jing Wanyan leave first.

  Jing Waner glanced at Qiaoer who was left behind and saw the unease in her eyes.

  She hooked up the corner of her mouth and left Liang Shanggongs place. She wasnt worried that Qiao would say anything, even if it was for self-protection, Qiao wouldnt confess to the truth.

  Li Shanggong stared at Qiaoer: "Did you see her burn the corpse with your own eyes? Was there anything left of the corpse?"

  Qiaoer bit her lip and said decisively, "I saw it with my own eyes. The flames were extremely high, nothing was left."

  Li Shanggong seemed satisfied, "I know, you guys did a good job this time, theres a reward."

  Qiaoers face lit up with joy, and she immediately kowtowed to thank her: "This servant thanks the Empress."

  Because the mat was wrapped around the corpse and burned together, Jing Wanyi returned empty-handed for the first time. She took off her clothes and waist token, finally looking at the remaining half of the fire oil in her hand with some profound meaning in her eyes.

  There were five or six rough palace maids living in the attic, all of whom knew that Cuier and Jing Wanyan had gone out of the palace together to deal with the corpse today.

  Qiaoer returned to Liang Shanggongs mansion and went straight to the bathroom to bathe, and it has been two hours now but she still hasnt come out.

  Several palace maids huddled together and giggled secretly.

  Jing Waner had already finished washing up. Whats the difference between half an hour and two hours of bathing? It wont make your skin really emit a fragrant scent anyway.

  She sat alone on her kang, with her eyes closed, and didnt know whether she was asleep or not.

  When the sky was dark, Qiaoer came back, still holding a quilt in her arms.

  Qiaoer said with a pleased smile: "The Empress rewarded me with a new quilt."

  But she remembered the quilt that Jing Wanyan had taken away from her before, and Qiaoer was even more ruthless in taking it back. The wet quilt that Jing Wanyan had discarded, she didnt want it at all.

  Several palace maids immediately gathered around, admiring and touching: "This is still the new quilt cover made by the embroidery workshop."

  Moreover, Liang Shanggong was not one to easily reward people. Even the palace maid who had been by her side for many years had never received any rewards.

  So everyone was amazed when they saw the reward for Chaoer.

  Qiaoer followed and dealt with a corpse, and was rewarded by Shang Gong. Jing Yuanyu did it every day, but didnt get anything...

  For a moment, more eyes turned to Jing Yuanyu, as if they all carried malicious ridicule.

  Jing Waner was shunned by people because of her job handling corpses, but Qiaoer benefited from the misfortune and became even more popular among the palace maids.

  Ke Jing Waner didnt react at all, her face turned inward, and she fell asleep comfortably on her large bed. It was better that they didnt want to get close to her, as the place where she slept was much larger than theirs, and even turning over in bed at night felt spacious.

  ——

  At night, Liang Shanggong lowered his eyebrows and eyes towards a person wearing eunuch clothes: "Please rest assured, Grandfather, it has all been taken care of."

  Li Shanggong, who had always looked down on the palace maids, was able to lower his head like this because of his eunuch identity.

  The eunuch pinched his throat and said: "Those related to this matter... The adults ordered that no one be left alive. What about the two who handled the corpses?"

  Li Shanggongs eyes moved: "They didnt see the corpse, I guarantee it."

  The eunuch spoke in a cold tone: "To be on the safe side, youd better find an opportunity to get rid of her." The death of two palace maids in the deep palace was not a big deal.

  Li Shanggong bowed and said: "The slave understands."

  The miscellaneous palace is no different from other places, and the work done is all bitter and hard. Even if they are not bullied, there will always be a few palace maids who think about it every year and jump into the river or commit suicide.

  Its nothing unusual for people to die elsewhere, and its even less unusual here. Thats why the miscellaneous service room can be favored by various palaces and become a place to deal with these palace maids.

  "Others are easy to handle," Liang Shanggong said in a low voice, "but that Jing Wanyan is a bit of trouble."

  "Eunuchs voice was shrill: What trouble is there?"

  Li Shanggong leaned in and whispered: "She is the daughter of Jing Zhe, all members of the Jing family were banished to Cold Tower, only she was sent into the palace as a slave."

  The eunuchs eyes rolled around and suddenly let out a cold laugh: "Since youve entered the palace, youre now a person of the palace. Life and death are decided by the palace, what more trouble can there be?"

  Li Shanggong paused for a moment, his eyes flashing as he said: "Since thats the case, I will definitely take care of it."

  ——

  As soon as she opened her eyes in the morning, Jing Wanyi moved her wrists, yesterdays dragging of such a heavy corpse had really strained her muscles and bones.

  She sat up and saw that the other bunks were already empty.

  Apart from her, other palace maids did laundry or even heavier chores, working from morning till dusk before they could rest.

  Perhaps this was also one of the reasons why other palace ladies disliked Jing Yuanniang.

  They didnt dare touch the corpse like Jing Waner did, but they were also jealous of Jing Waner for not having to do chores.

  Always thinking of getting all the benefits, yet being disgruntled every day.

  Jing Waner stretched her waist, slowly getting down from the kang, she walked into the courtyard, looking at the rising sun, today was supposed to be the Servant Langs big wedding day.

  ——

  Su Shiye, the eldest son of Su family, Su Shouyue.

  Today I married the brilliant pearl of Shengjing, Miss Cui Linglan from a side branch of the Cui family. Being able to form an alliance with the Cui family is a grand affair that makes everyone in Shengjing crane their necks in admiration.

  So early in the morning, guests are like clouds, and the Shengjing folk customs are open. On such a happy day, all pedestrians can come in to drink a cup of wine, and the host will never drive away guests.

  Su Shouyue himself was also said to be a refined and elegant young master.

  Its said that initially, there was a joke about the daughter of the Jing family sneaking out at midnight to secretly meet someone, which made the name of Su Gongzi resound loudly in Shengjing overnight.

  A blue sedan chair stopped at the gate of the Su family home, with two attendants dressed in red uniforms standing beside it.

  The sedan chair stopped, and two attendants lifted up the curtain.

  A man slowly emerged from inside. He wore a simple robe and plain clothes, which made his skin look somewhat too pale, with a white cloth wrapped around his right hand.

  He looked like a weak scholar, but he held a brocade box in his hand, and his expression was as calm as his clothes.

  Seeing this person, the servants at the entrance of the Su Mansion all changed their expressions.

  He wasnt wearing official attire, nor did he have any identification marks, but when he walked to the Su familys gate, those servants suddenly had a fearful look on their faces and bowed their heads: "Young Master Pei."

  The attendant beside him immediately said coldly: "My familys master was just promoted as the Temple of Great Rites chief a few days ago, what prince?"

  In these days, only a young man without an official position is called "young master".

  Jia Ding was so frightened that he hastily changed his words: "Yes, Lord Pei is good."

  Pei Tan carried a brocade box and slowly stepped into the Su mansions gate, with two men following closely behind him without looking around.

  Two household servants immediately whispered to each other and one of them quickly went off: "Go tell the master that Pei Tan has arrived."

  One word from Pei Tan was like a flood beast, immediately triggering the vigilance of the Su family.

  Su Shilang heard the name of Pei Tan, and his face immediately turned solemn, with all the joy on his face gone. The wife of the attendant was even more obvious, spitting on the ground: "Ptooey, on a happy day like today, what is this unlucky star doing here?"

  Su Shilang glanced at his wife: "Ill go and greet them, you quickly hide."

  What is called "avoiding him" is actually that everyone dislikes him and doesnt want to see him. The wife of the Imperial Censor turned her sleeve and entered the back hall.

  In the front courtyard, guests gathered in large numbers. Su Shilang arrived at the entrance and didnt see Pei Tan at first glance. Upon inquiry, he saw a servant pointing to a direction with a terrified expression, only to find that Lord Pei was already seated in the most conspicuous position, enthusiastically tilting his head back to drink from a jug of wine.

  Su Shilangs heart skipped a beat, and he immediately walked over. Just as Pei Tan turned his head, he put on a fake smile: "Ah, Lord Pei... youve come from afar, Im really sorry for not welcoming you properly."

  Pei Tan raised his eyes and looked at Su Shilang with a face full of wrinkles, still trying to pretend to be happy.

  He smiled faintly and nodded to a nearby attendant. The attendant immediately held up the brocade box, covering Su Shilangs face.

  Su Shilang was stunned.

  "Though its a small gift, I hope youll accept it as a token of respect. Congratulations on your wedding."

  Su Shilang forcibly pulled his stiff face again and pulled out a smile that was even uglier than crying: "This is... how can I trouble Lord Pei to spend money..."

  He took over the box, which was very light, and he didnt know what was inside.

  Su Shilang hastily handed the box to a servant beside him and picked up a cup of wine from the table: "Thank you, Lord Pei, for attending my sons wedding. My son is truly blessed."

  Its probably the misfortune of three lives. There are people next to me who know that its Pei Tan, and they all have a look of gloating.

  Pei Tan had a drink with him, and his face was still pale: "Since its a big wedding, the banquet is busy, let Lord Su go entertain others, and let Pei stay here."

  Let this Yan Wang stay alone here? Su Shilang felt that thinking about it would make his heart unbearable.

  He pretended to smile and said: "This is not as good as finding two attendants, no, finding two beautiful ladies with a pleasant appearance to pour wine for Lord Pei."

  Pei Tan glanced at him lightly and his voice was even more bland: "Youre overjoyed, arent you? Finding a beauty for me, isnt that inappropriate?"