maidservant

Chapter 25 Lin Yu sleeps with Cui and reveals the truth
Lin Yu had a shy look on her face, her fingertips twisting the dark blue handkerchief were slightly pale, and the saxaul flowers embroidered with silver thread on the corners of the handkerchief were soaked with sweat from her hands.

"Master, don't panic. The nanny has taught you everything. But this first time serving the emperor is very important. A few days ago, Madam asked me to go to the Imperial Music Bureau to learn some lessons. May I explain it to you in detail?"

Lin Yu nodded slightly and buried his head in his arms again.

Yunshan bit her lip and told them one by one.

The floating night-blooming jasmine petals in the hot spring suddenly spun and sank, and the water surface reflected Yunshan's action of opening the gilded and silver-inlaid box - the ylang-ylang scented pills prepared by Yunshan in the box were wrapped in a layer of crystal clear beeswax, with star-like red spots showing through the inside.

He whispered and frowned.

The next day, just after the third gong sounded at the hour of Yin, a maid holding a washbasin was already standing in Shaokun's palace.

Lin Yu helped the prince put on his shoes, knelt down, and gently escorted him to court. She then took Yunshan with her to pay her respects and offer tea to the Crown Princess, leaving Yunjin as the head maid to record the gifts bestowed by the Crown Prince.

Yun Jin looked at the gilded and vermilion lacquered gift boxes that were entering the corridor one after another, and the jade beads on her wrist made a clear sound - this was the third box of rewards she had received this morning.

"This is the Nine-Curved Pagoda presented as a tribute from Siam." The young eunuch lifted up the gold-woven soft satin, and the seven-story pagoda carved from mutton-fat jade shone with a cold light.

When Yun Jin's fingertips brushed the eaves of the tower, she suddenly felt a slight bulge on the third-layer eaves. Looking closely in the morning light, she saw that the lotus pattern was inlaid with colored glaze.

He held the gilded scale in his hands and wondered silently: Why is this ice silk shining with blue light?

When the sun climbed above the eaves, Yunjin's Xiangfei bamboo wolf hair brush had already filled seven pages of gold-sprinkled paper.

Lin Yu and Yun Shan also returned to the hall. Looking at the pile of dazzling treasures, they looked at each other, not knowing what to say.

After cleaning up, Lin Yu had eaten a full table, and Yunshan and Yunjin also ate with relish.

Just when she was about to take a nap, Yun Jin lifted the Xiang Fei bamboo curtain and caught a glimpse of Cui Liang Di and Li Yang, both of whom were smiling happily and slowly walking into the courtyard.

The golden phoenix hairpin on Li Liang's temples trembled slightly, and the gilded hand warmer held by Yang Chenghui emitted a faint scent of henbane.

They were all beauties. In the Eastern Palace, after the Crown Prince ascended the throne, the people around him would surely be all beauties.

"Congratulations to my sister." Cui Liangdi didn't show much emotion on her face.

She came here today specifically with the gold filigree ruby ​​phoenix hairpin - it was the gift that the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion presented to the Eastern Palace when Lin Yu came of age last year.

Li and Yang presented a brocade box.

After a period of feigning composure, when the sun was already setting in the west, Cui Liangdi stayed alone in Shaokun Palace to "chat about old times".

Cui Wan'er looked solemn, hesitant to speak. Seeing this, Lin Yu said softly:
"We've talked long enough today. Sisters, please go back first." Then he added, "Yunjin, please see my two sisters off for me. Yunshan, you stay and keep me company."

Everyone stood up and said goodbye. Yun Jin turned and left with her maid. The moment she turned around, a subtle hint of displeasure flashed across her face. This subtle expression was caught by the sharp-eyed Yun Shan.

Yunjin had served Lin Yu since childhood, accompanying him for over a decade. Her feelings for him must have been similar to hers for Yan Yu. Perhaps Yunjin saw herself as a latecomer, having stayed and rung the bell out of kindness. But over the past year, Lin Yu had become increasingly important to her, especially after the assassination. The Marquis's mansion had promoted her to a first-class maid, placing her on equal footing with Yunjin. Naturally, she felt uncomfortable.

After everyone left, only Lin Yu, Yun Shan and Cui Wan'er were left in the room.

Lin Yu had a faint smile on his face. He looked at Cui Wan'er and said softly:
"Sister Cui gave me such a valuable gift today, and now she's staying to talk alone. I think there's something important going on. So, why not speak frankly?"

Cui Wan'er took a deep breath, a hint of hesitation flashed in her eyes, but she soon became firm and said slowly:
"Sister Lin, I came here today because I have something extremely important to tell you. Wu'er is someone our Cui family has arranged to be with you."

Lin Yu was slightly startled when she heard this, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure. She raised her eyebrows slightly and asked, "Oh? Why is that?"

Cui Wan'er sighed and continued:

"Since the decree weakening the power of the imperial clan has been issued, the power of the imperial clan has declined significantly, and few of their descendants hold important positions. Now, the power of the new ministers, led by the Lin family, is growing stronger, and the situation at court is volatile. As a family of old ministers, the Cui family is forced to make a choice in this treacherous situation. The clan members are asking the Cui family to find a way to dismantle the power of your Lin family to prevent the new ministers from becoming too powerful and threatening the balance of interests between the imperial family, the clan members, and the old ministers."

Lin Yu listened quietly, tapping the table lightly with his fingers, and fell into deep thought.

After a moment, she raised her head, looked at Cui Wan'er calmly, and said, "Sister Cui, aren't you afraid that the Cui family will blame you for telling me this today?"

Cui Wan'er smiled bitterly and shook her head, saying:
"Sister Lin, although I come from the Cui family, I don't want to see them involved in this meaningless fight. I didn't know about Wu'er's situation beforehand, and only learned the full story this morning. I'm taking the risk of telling you today because I know you'll get to the bottom of it. Rather than create a rift between us, I'll tell you the truth now, and I bet you'll trust me."

"Don't worry, Sister Cui. I know what's going on. However, this matter is of great importance, and I don't know how many people know about it. If the Crown Prince interrogates me, I can only pretend to be ignorant of what you told me today."

"I understand the pros and cons of this. If you are willing to not expose the Cui family to His Highness, I will remember your kindness.

After Cui Liangdi left, Yunshan said, "Master, Cui Liangdi doesn't look like she came to the Eastern Palace voluntarily. But we can't just trust her with a few words. A person's true character will be revealed over time, so it's better to be cautious."

Lin Yu stood up, walked to the window and looked out.

Yunshan looked at her with heartache. She knew very well that in this complicated court situation, she would lose everything if she was not careful. Lin Yu could no longer be the carefree daughter of a marquis.

However, after this incident, Yunshan realized that although she looked weak, she was actually tough. Perhaps, she could really carve out a world of her own in this chaotic world.

But this time, thanks to the concerted efforts of the three of them, the master and the servant, they were able to get through the difficulties safely. If there was a rift between the master and the servant, it would be an extremely dangerous thing.

The look Yun Jin gave her when she left just now was like a needle piercing her heart.

If someone with ulterior motives tries to sow discord next time, they may be able to easily create conflict between them by taking advantage of the rift.

　Everyone~ From February 2th to February 18nd, this novel will be participating in the ranking. Please read the two newly updated chapters every day. This "reading rate" is very important to me! Thank you! ~~~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)