Emperor's Cunning Wife

Hiss-

Xiao Yan winced and blew the new wound on her finger. Thankfully, it was spring otherwise besides the flesh wound; she would suffer from the bitter cold. The winter in the laundry department was unbearable, with no sources of heat, lack of supplies, miserly meals that only consist of two cold mantous and cold water, this was a place where numerous would die from illness such as hypothermia, high fever, and malnutrition.

People who were punished from misconducts and failure to serve their mistress well would be transferred here; hence any person that comes through this department's door was bound to rot with no possibility of promotion. Xiao Yan also knew this fact, and therefore troubled for Xiao Qu. Their future was bleak, but what was more pressing is that Xiao Qu's condition couldn't wait. She rubbed her forehead and wiped the sweat gathering on it.

Xiao Yan could purchase medicines for Xiao Qu's flesh wounds with the money she saved from serving the Empress. Speaking of the Empress, the veins on her hand turned visible from clenching her fist. She regretted accepting the position, if she could reverse the time and not be soft with Xiao Qu's persistent persuading, she would be contented doing embroideries, despite the lack of luxuries, exquisite meals, warm fabrics and charcoal burners, the life there was decent.

However, now that Xiao Qu lost her mind, there was no value in pursuing a better life. Darkness and grievances had shrouded Xiao Yan's heart. She was only waiting for the opportunity to exact revenge. The day she could let the perpetrator taste what Xiao Qu underwent.

Ting-

"The kitchen delivered, line up everyone." The mama was holding a big basket filled with mantous. Her face filled with disgust. Just a bunch of hungry ghost and making me annoy every meals!

Xiao Yan stood up and watched everyone rushed towards the table prepared by the labour mamas, and knitted her brows. She also fought her way in the line, bumping into several people.

���I was here first, scram!"

"Make way for me. Hey!"

"Stop pushing me, get off, Line at the back."

The chaos ensued making the place like a lively market. Xiao Yan had accustomed herself since yesterday and stood firm where she was, never budging despite the angry voice shouting at the back.

The mama at the table finally reached her limit and with a wave her hands, two strong labour mamas separated those who created scenes out of the line.

"No mantous for you!" The mama exclaimed issuing their punishment. Daring to start fights in front of this aunt, do you think I'm just a statue?

The four instantly quietened down after forgetting to behave due to hunger. They immediately prostrated themselves asking for pardon. The food was already scarce, and no one wanted to miss a meal even it was just a tiny mantou, it could at least fill the hunger a little bit.

"Leng Mama, please spare us this time. We will not do it again."

"Yeah, Leng Mama, please be a bigger person and spare this slave."

"This one only momentarily muddled due to hunger, please forgive this lowly one."

"Leng Mama, this servant made a mistake. Forgive this servant's audacity."

Just observing Leng Mama's clothes was better than anyone in this place greatly signified that this person could not be offended otherwise, the already hard life would become harder.

"Hah, You only notice me now, seconds ago you're like pigs fighting for food. If there wasn't a plaque of the laundry department in the entrance, people would probably think this was a pigsty. Scram you four, don't make me disgusted anymore!"

None spoke for them, it was a common occurrence, Leng Mama was a strict person and would not pardon mistakes

"Start the distribution." Leng Mama said to the middle aged woman beside her.

The four flinched and only scurried to the side enviously watching the others received mantous. They stomach rumbled and each consciously gulped their saliva. No one among them dared to raise an opinion anymore; otherwise even their future meals would only be dust.

When Xiao Yan received hers, Leng Mama watched tentatively how Xiao Yan hid the two buns inside her clothes where no one paid attention. Her face full of contemplation when she noticed that this girl's fair skin and decent manners, and remembered what the eunuch said last night. She wasn't the type of person that minded other people's business. She was only surprised that someone still kept their principles in this dog eat dog world. Her eyes didn't linger on Xiao Qu any longer and returned to the line to supervise the distribution.

Xiao Yan was thankful that the one called Leng Mama didn't questioned her otherwise with these people's nature of using any means, the buns that she kept would be devoured by them before it reach Xiao Qu.