Emperor's Cunning Wife

Meanwhile, our protagonist Ning Lou was currently enjoying a massage from her maids. She had already taken off the heavy robe and jewelries. Lying on the red sandalwood bench, the four maids circled around Ning Lou, fanning, serving her tea or massaging her shoulders and legs. She g.r.o.a.n.e.d when the little hands found the right spot, a satisfying sigh escaped her lips. None of the thoughts from the earlier trifles bothered her, her mind was only filled with the temporary freedom she had. It would be great to have a life like this, free from the government pursuit. She frowned wryly momentarily forgetting the little guys waiting for her.

"Would Niang Niang like another cup of tea?" The tallest maid noticed her teacup empty and inquired.

"No." The food and beverages she consumed tasted like sand. None could satisfy her taste buds except for the soup last night that tortured her stomach. It was sweet yet traumatizing. It would be good to give that little girl a scolding.

Ning Lou abruptly remembered the little rabbit that was punished.

"Did any of you know what happened to the two maids serving me before?" She asked.

"Replying to Niang Niang, This servant heard that they were sent to the laundry department." The maid massaging her legs stopped and replied.

Hearing the reply, she gave the servant a nod before inquiring her again with more details, "How are their conditions?"

The maid paled and hesitated to answer.

The other two servants also had complicated expressions. Only the servant fanning remained calm.

Ning Lou, without even getting an answer could guess the conditions of her previous servants from their faces. Her mind begun to search her non-existent memories and her conversation with the old woman of important clues she missed.

"Are they still alive?" She asked observing the mirage of expressions emerging from the three's faces.

There were seconds of silence before the maid fanning spoke, "Replying to Your Ladyship, the servants are still alive, however the one of them is recuperating from severe injuries."

The other three maids simultaneously remembered Xiao Qu's state when she was released from the Human Resources Department, she was unrecognizable. They were injuries from wh.i.p.s on her arms, faces and legs. He clothes were tattered and tainted with blood. None of the other maids dared to help her, only Xiao Yan carried her to her quarters. The horrific sight was a common scene in the department, the only thing bothering them was how she managed to keep her life.

Ning Lou's scalp tingled imagining the maids' condition. Historical dramas depicted a lot of inhuman tortures that made one rather die than undergo through them. A young girl not yet an a.d.u.l.t, how many she could last with those severe injuries? It triggered Ning Lou's conscience, as if she had one.

"The mamas in the kitchen told this servant some words; don't know if Niang Niang wants to hear?"

Ning Lou retrieved her thoughts and paid the one holding the fan a deeper look, "Oh, Speak then."

The one who spoke had her head lowered restraining Ning Lou's vision. Ning Lou then glanced at the slightly calloused fingers gripping the fan and couldn't help wondering how she was able passed the discerning eyes of Tang Mama.

"This servant was just passing by when this servant heard from the old mamas' mouth that one of the kitchen maids is missing, and out of worry, one of them told this servant to be careful. This servant was only concern for Your Ladyship and wished you to be safe." The maid's voice was full of distress and seemingly paid Ning Lou's wellbeing a great amount of attention. Those who have simple minds might be touched and take a few looks at this servant more, however you could say such terrifying matters on the absence of other people, now look at those three maids shuddering like scared rabbits who will give them comfort now?

This maid ah! Having big guts to plant some fears and insecurities in the hearts of the other servants. If it was the past Ning Lou she might overlook and treat this matter as something so simple.

"With such genuine sincerity, Bengong is lucky to have a servant like you. What are you called?" Ning Lou smiled concealing her probing gazes to the other three maids who are visibly trembling from overhearing the news of the missing servant.

"This servant has only sincerity and loyalty to Your Ladyship. To answer Your Ladyship, this servant's name is Su Su." The servant set the fan down and kowtowed.

Ning Lou nodded acknowledging Su Su. Bah- who name this girl 'Simple', is that person blind?

Anyway, with such a helping hand, how could Ning Lou let go of this free service. Go on, sow some seeds and have this aunt harvest your fruits. The faster you drive them away the better, by then I can leave unhindered.

Loyalty or not, I'm not going to stay here anyway.

"Stand up. How could Bengong let a loyal servant like you suffer? Anyway, take the snacks. This is Bengong's appreciation for you." Ning Lou said, raising her hand and yawned. She was looking for a trashcan to dispose these things, and a Su Su with her rubbish mouth was a perfect fit, why not be a match maker and sow red strings.

"This servant thanks Your Ladyship for the rewards." Su Su stood up, retreated to the small table where the snacks were placed. The three maids stop trembling long ago and only observed Su Su getting praised. This was the palace, who doesn't want to curry favors and climbed up. Even Ning Lou was only an Empress with an empty title. She still has a strong paternal family and Empress' Dowager's backings. Thus, the three maids instantly got jealous and secretly her death glares.

Su Su merely stared at the floor and ignored them. However, the slight curve on the corner of her mouth didn't escape Ning Lou's sharp eyes. Meh- Su? More like a Hu (fox)!