Emperor's Cunning Wife

The sliding doors of Empress' quarters opened, and Taoyi emerged from the inside. "Is the Empress asleep? Did she call for anyone?" The other three that had long been waiting for chances to be appreciated by Ning Lou became impatient and surrounded her from all sides.

Annoyed with their incessant inquiries, she spoke coldly interrupting their chatters, "Niang Niang commanded me to tell Tang Mama of the promotion. I am required to go get identification token. Do the three of you dare to delay me?"

Silence engulfed them for a moment before, before the farce continued.

Taoyi didn't plan to accommodate them and resumed walking however she didn't even manage to take a step when she was again obstructed.

But this time, Su Su only watched and didn't have any intentions to join Biying and Pei Zhi.

Biying nearly exclaimed barely managing to control her voice. In terms of birth Biying had the noblest background among the four. She was a shu daughter from a branch family of a well to do clan. Pei Zhi on the other hand was unfavored concubine daughter from a declining family, while Su Su was sold to the palace by her impoverished family. Lastly Taoyi was born from a slave. Tang Mama picked her up after noticing she was tactful and clever, otherwise she would be subjected to clean the latrine despite her delicate looks.

"You….Did you whisper something to Tang Mama to gain the Empress' favor you?"

Su Su, on the side only furrowed her brows thinking that Biying was so stupid. How can a lowly maid of Taoyi's status influence Tang Mama? Does this person have a hole in the head?

Taoyi didn't bother to refute Biying's claims, and only lay a warning "If you still wanted to create a scene be my guest. Niang Niang said she hated disturbance."

Startled, Su Su remembered Ning Lou's earlier words. It was their first day of duty, to have raise conflict in front of Ning Lou's bed chambers was asking to be kicked out. She only managed to secure a spot because of bribing and connections, thus this opportunity she would not waste.

Pei Zhi was about to grab Taoyi when Su Su interjected not wanting to be matter to be worst, less she gets implicated. The Empress from the rumors was unruly, easily provoked, and did things unsightly. Su Su hasn't established a foothold in Niang Niang's hearts, making her worry, but this Taoyi within just a day has been recognized by the Empress, don't know if it was really luck or what Biying said.

Pissed off, Pei Zhi glared at Su Su for restraining her hand. "Why are you stopping me? Are you in cahoots?"

Taoyi saw Su Su helping her out and was about to thank her, but when Su Su opened her mouth. "We're not far from Niang Niang. Settle your grievance when no one around." Taoyi turned away and swallowed the lingering words in her tongue.

Su Su had only dared to say it because Ning Lou wasn't around. Besides Pei Zhi and Biying was hot tempered and will easily roused fights without thinking of the consequences, she could leave these to Taoyi, and have her deal with them without Su Su lifting any hand. These could be considered as hitting two birds with one stone.

The furious Pei Zhi calmed down at Su Su's suggestion. Her eyes glued towards Taoyi, calculations going through her mind. Biying also settled the anger in her heart, her thought gearing towards Taoyi plans of demise.

Pei Zhi and Biying made way not before intentionally bumping into Taoyi's shoulders. They each found some spots where to stick their ears in the wall, each wanting to get ahead of the other when the Empress calls.

Taoyi only endured and did not put any importance on the two, but she couldn't help give Su Su a glance before brushing her sleeves and resuming her walk. What a hypocrite!

Su Su knew that Taoyi had perceived some of her thoughts based on her reactions just now. She also didn't bother. Serving Ning Lou and gaining her favor was her utmost priority. In front of Ning Lou she would be a trustworthy servant that would always think of the mistress wellbeing. But outside she would us the Empress trust to kick the people serving her until she was the only one she could trust, and then she could have wealth and honor, her father would be regretting until his intestines would turned green from seeing her status.

If it was the past Ning Lou, her plans would have some results, unfortunately towards present Ning Lou, a veteran swindler Su Su's proclaimed cleverness was just blowing farts.

Under the heat of the sun, honey locust permeated the air; its fragrance invaded all the corners. Among the several labored mamas, a little girl was squatting washing the clothes in the wooden basin.

Bang-

Another wooden basin was placed beside her. The mama who brought it, only walked away without sparing her a glance.

The little girl looked at the bundles of clothes, and thought of her companion recuperating in that shabby room. Her eyes went cold. Xiao Qu, Yan'jie is getting you out of here.