Emperor's Cunning Wife

Taoyi coincidentally came when Su Su was immersed in her thoughts. She also saw the tray held by Biying which appeared to be the lunch. Relieved, it seemed she came right on the mark.

Biying and Pei Zhi heard Taoyi coming in and gave her hateful glares. Taoyi also received a pensive observation from Su Su. Taoyi wasn't the type to share her good news, besides she doesn't see her fellow maids as acquaintance, so Su Su could only wait to know if Tang mama had allow Taoyi's sudden promotion. She believed that Tang mama would not carelessly plant some maids on Ning Lou's side and would allot some time to put them under observation.

Su Su calmed herself with this reasoning, unaware of Tang mama's initial intentions.

Biying passed the lunch to Pei Zhi and approached Taoyi, his eyes held her sinister intention wanting to shred her apart.

"Tell the Empress that Biying is thoughtful in serving and can satisfy her. Tell the Empress!" Biying grabbed her sleeves while commanding her in a voice that only the four of them could hear. One that had held herself in high regard was now relying on a lowborn mouth to do her some favor. Biying loathed herself for this moment, but stop herself from insinuating Taoyi's dislike. Once this matter ends, and the Empress sees her in another light, she'll settle Taoyi first, who made her a stumbling block on her way.

Pei Zhi handed the tray to Su Su and also went forward giving the same command to Taoyi. "Persuade Niang Niang that drinking tea is good for her health. Say that Pei Zhi is well versed at tea making." Pei Zhi more or less had shared the same sentiments with Biying, both had put the matter of stamping over Taoyi on the back of their head.

Both of them grabbed her sleeves restraining her from walking forward. Taoyi pulled her clothes from their grasps with some effort. Normally, with Taoyi patient temperament she would treat the two like air but since the morning the two's behaviors was getting on her nerves and now with such forceful demand, even if one had a will of steel it is evitable to have some cracks.

"Niang Niang! Taoyi just came back."Taoyi exclaimed raising her voice to let the person inside discover her arrival.

Biying and Pei Zhi simultaneously let go, afraid that Ning Lou would see them and misunderstand the situation. The two were typical examples of 'bullying the weak and fearing the strong.'

Too bad for Taoyi that the crumpled of her sleeves were too clear and disorganized with her appearance, Taoyi lifted her sleeves and smoothen the fabric with her hand to remedy it.

"Then come in. Bengong is slightly famished. Did the kitchen send some wine as well?" Ning Lou gulped. Her throat parched like dry sands from hot water. Better to have a wine to quench one's bland taste. Having a meal with a bad palette, just watching those appetizing meals but cannot even appreciate, made it more hateful.

This….Taoyi threw Su Su a questioning glance completely unaware of the Empress' preference of wine.

Not just Taoyi, others also had bewildered looks, but still obediently looked for any shadow of the wine in the tray, but each was disappointed failing to offer what Ning Lou wants.

"There is no wine Niang Niang. Would Niang Niang like for this servant to order someone to fetch a jar of Nu'er in the private cellar." Su Su opened her mouth, taking advantage of the opportunity. Not knowing even where the cellar is, but offered it nonetheless, this Su Su really is investing her all.

Biying and Pei Zhi were frustrated and could only take a look at Su Su, but still waited for Ning Lou's answer.

"Nevermind. Just leave and let Xiao Taoyi serve Bengong."

Taoyi! Taoyi! Taoyi!

Snap-

Something broke in the three's mind.

That name sounded like an ominous mantra looping repeatedly in the three ears, like strings of zither getting pluck vigorously or the beating of the drums creating surging waves of emotions.

The sound of the door opening.

Ning Lou looked at them four before stopping her eyes on Xiaoyi. This gaze, Niang Niang gives to Xiao Taoyi somehow contains reliance and concern in the eyes of the three and each of them silently endure.

"Is there something wrong? What keeps Xiao Taoyi from serving Bengong? Ning Lou asked, her patience had long been like the sand in the hour glass waning every minute.

"Nothing Niang Niang. It is just that Xiao Taoyi seems to be exhausted and we sisters wanted to take her place in serving lunch to give Taoyi meimei some rest." Biying and Pei Zhi couldn't help admire Su Su's ability to twist the story.

"Yes, look at Taoyi meimei forehead full of sweat. The trip to Tang Mama must have sap her energy."

"Niang Niang, wouldn't it be good to give Taoyi some rest, and since we sisters should care for each other, we can replace Taoyi to serve Niang Niang."

"No one will think you three are mutes if you don't speak." Ning lou rubbed her forehead and tugged the tray out of Su Su's grasp. Her silhouette approached the Taoyi handing her the lunch. After a while, Taoyi felt herself getting dragged and within a blink of the eye, the scenery change and by the time she recovered she was already inside.

The three outside looked at the closed doors with exclamation marks.