Emperor's Cunning Wife

Inside the Loving Piety Palace, the Empress Dowager had a big smile on her face as she listened to Tang mama's chatters regarding Ning Lou's earlier actions. She was pleased about the good changes and couldn't help but finished another bowl and a half of rice. Tang mama was also relieved and helped the old woman to the chair after eating. A group of maids tidied the table and left letting two continue their discussion.

"Does the Empress Dowager want to hear another good news?" In a voice full of good vibes, Tang mama asked eager to share this piece to the old woman.

"What? Is she pregnant? Will this old woman be able to hold a grandson next year?" The Dowager tried to guess, blurting her heart's wishes.

"That's not it; it's about the maids this servant had assigned around Ning Lou." Tang mama reacted a little downcast.

The Empress Dowager knew that was her own wishful thinking. Everyone in the capital knew that the Emperor, that unfilial child, dislike the Empress and dotes on that fox spirit. Even up until now, there was no movement in the Empress' w.o.m.b, this had dissatisfied the Dowager causing the mother and son relationship to deteriorate. It was only because there was no news of the other palace consorts expecting that the Dowager left the Emperor alone with a cold shoulder treatment. The eldest dragon son should crawl out of the Empress' w.o.m.b otherwise this old woman with her shrewdness and ruthless means would eliminate obstacles for the Ning Clan and her Lou'er's happiness.

"Just at noon, something great happened. Would the Dowager like to listen further?"

"Oh, what matter made you so excited?" The Old Dowager asked curious what might pique Tang mama's interest.

"It's about the maids this servant had assigned. This servant tried testing Her Ladyship's skill in evaluating people by placing four temporary maids beside her. Earlier, this servant was little bit guilty doing such things but who knew Her Ladyship managed to pick the most decent one out of the four. This servant thinks that Her ladyship had really change for the better." Tang mama said in between smiles.

"Aiya, what happened if Lou'er picked the wrong one?" The Old Dowager argued, but a smile was undoubtedly blooming on her lips. "Tang Shi, the more you get old the more meddlesome you are." The Dowager continued tenderly calling Tang mama's maiden name.

"This servant has Her Ladyship's wellbeing on mind, and even if the one that was picked had dubious thoughts, there are methods to be employed." Tang mama smiled and patted the Dowager's hand to reassure that everything would be fine. She made sure that those four had no connections to anyone in the palace.

"Alright Alright, so how are you going to settle the others after staging a play?" The dowager asked reminding that those three doesn't need to be kept. Anyone with malicious thoughts shall be cut from the bud to prevent future troubles.

"Rest assured. This servant already made some preparations." Tang mama curled her lips, not minding sacrificing three people for some social experiment.

"What about the other one? Are you sure she's clean?" The Old Dowager emphasized the last word particularly as it was transmitted to Tang mama.

In an ordinary household one might associate the word 'clean' to simple meanings, but in the palace where every people wears a mask, the use of the word 'clean' to refer a person, only means that if one had no suspicious history.

"This servant already did some background check. That girl was born from a slave. That slave died when the little girl was only ten. They live off doing laundries before she was brought by human trafficker in the palace for some coins. At first her jobs was doing heavy labors in the cold palace but a malicious eunuch actually set his sight on the little girl. This servant found her pleasing to the eye and let her serve Her Ladyship." Tang Mama explained, however the Old Dowager only remained silent to give Tang Mama some peace.

"Alright. Let's end the matter here. If it is destiny then so be it." She waved her hand dusting off the memories from Tang Mama's mind.

...

Red clouds dusted the horizon, the sun had set and night had crawled and blanketed the sky with bright stars. Inside the Soaring Phoenix Palace, Ning Lou quietly sat in front of the vanity, tapping the lacquered furniture. She was waiting for the token and uniform to arrive, and Taoyi had been with her since the afternoon, serving her snacks, fanning her if necessary.

The swaying flames from the candles lit made her shadow solemn, her face obscure. Taoyi was never talkative, in addition to her lack of knowledge about the four scholarly arts and current fashion and cosmetics, she also hated gossips. So, at most her mouth would open but no words would come mouth. Ning Lou also like her like this thus one pass the time enjoying the silence and the other had trouble breaking the stillness.

"Do you know where the laundry department is located?" Ning Lou broke the ice and asked recalling her nonexistent awareness of the landscape of the Imperial Palace.