Emperor's Cunning Wife

She thought of Xu and the others, who were straightforward and didn't speak between the lines. This girl who wasn't even an a.d.u.l.t had already begun to hide her thoughts. This imperial palace! Pei- Has too many actors…

Ning Lou waved her hand. The shortest maid stopped his actions and retreated to the side, her slightly delicate hand turned red from the force she exerted during the massage yet there was no complain that can be seen on her.

"Aside from the missing maids, did anything unusual happen? Ning Lou tapped the lounge chair while waiting for Su Su's next words.

Su Su straightened her back and made a posture as if she was recalling yesterday's events.

"Besides from the missing maids, a eunuch also lost one set of his uniform. This servant accidentally only heard it, don't know who spread the news." While Su Su said so, she herself also wondered if the two was connected, but the head eunuch that runs the household department didn't come forward to clear the matter.

The mamas also remained passive, as if their knowledge regarding the missing person was limited. No one knows how she disappeared. There was not even a corpse. Su Su couldn't help but be worried about her own safety.

The white fragrant mist from golden gilded phoenix incense cauldron obscured Ning Lou's expression; therefore the little maid with a weak presence tried to guess her thoughts but only stayed silent when she failed to discern any. The rumors this morning were indeed true, Niang Niang seems to change.

Ning Lou concentrated and closed her eyes. No matter how hard she tried to detect any discomfort and pain there was none. As if the pain she felt yesterday was only an illusion. However, the two maids were being transferred to the laundry, one having suffered heavy injuries, and the case of a missing person in the kitchen were a direct proof that there was something going on. Bah! Even that Xu an emotional quotient deficient would smell conspiracy.

Ning Lou lamented being so clueless to what was happening. Her current situation calls for urgency. This place although filled with wealth can swallow a person alive without bones left. Not a good place for cultivating my genius mind.

Therefore, too agitated to continue, Ning Lou glanced at the three others waiting for her orders. She put a standard smile and began interacting.

"How about the rest of you? Do you have any names? Ning Lou looked over and paid the two enviously staring at Su Su a curious glance.

"This servant name is Mu Biying."

"This one is called Pei Zhi."

"This humble servant has no name." The shortest spoke last. Ning Lou shifted her eyesight. When introducing, one may go by the rank, and just base on this Ning Lou could tell that the shortest one had the weakest background.

"Oh, Get closer and let Bengong have a look at you."

Mu Biying took a stepped forward eager to establish her presence before Ning Lou. Pei Zhi soon followed not letting Biying get any advantage. Lastly, the little girl that caught Ning Lou's interest also went with the flow but kept a suitable distance from the two. Biying and Zhi smirked satisfied at the little girl's action.

Ning Lou calculated and compared their stature to the body she possessed, Biying was a little too tall and Pei Zhi shoulders was little wide. It seems that Su Su was the closest to her body statistics but the calloused hands of hers made Ning Lou wavered.

Suddenly she remembered the shortest with her fair hands and stood up, wanting to examine her closely.

Biying, Su Su, and Pei Zhi straightened their limbs and made a proper stance intending to enter Ning Lou's eyes, only the unnamed maid stiffened and attempted to reduce her presence hoping the Empress would not notice her.

"Bengong happens to be in a good mood and would like to give you name." Ning Lou narrowed her eyes after witnessing the little maids' aversion.

Ning Lou's words drop a bomb on the other three maids mind, and each begun to examine the little maid beside them.

"Xiao Taoyi…appears to be suitable name for you. Do you like it?" Ning Lou grabbed the little maid's chin raised her head. The little maid could only let the Empress do as she wish, hopelessness was filling her inside.

"Still so young and already a beauty. Why are you hiding such an exquisite face?" A genuine remark escaped Ning Lou's lips. She was immersed in finding a way to go home and couldn't help compare this girl from the ancient era to the ones in the modern world.

The little maid forget the joy of receiving a name and was instantly terrified listening to her words. Her face getting paler watching Ning Lou c.a.r.e.s.sed her cheeks. She was afraid after the Empress has seen her, she (Empress) would sent her away to waste her youth in order prevent the Emperor from getting swayed.

Ning Lou let go after noticing the visible despair Taoyi displayed.

"What? Does the name Bengong picked doesn't suit your taste?" Ning Lou said wanting to divert Taoyi state of mind.

"This…this…this servant thanks Niang Niang for bestowing a name." Taoyi fidgeted, never predicting Niang Niang's next actions. With a lingering terror, the expression on her face only had a slight improvement.

"Pitiful.." Ning Lou mumbled under her breath.