Chapter Fourteen: Do You Have a Problem with Me?

How could this possibly be called a minor grievance? At this moment, Suxin’s heart was being torn apart, restless and uneasy. She muttered under her breath, “No wonder Her Highness was so attentive today. I knew nothing good would come of it…”

Sure enough, her uneasy premonition came true, striking her like a bolt from the blue.

“Suxin, I know this is unfair to you. How about this—let’s share the responsibilities of the Xuanji Palace between the two of us. What do you think?” Huarong looked at Suxin with a hint of pleading in her eyes. Though Suxin was a maid, there was genuine affection between them, and Huarong was, after all, the closest companion she had in the harem. She couldn’t bear to chill her heart.

Hearing this, Suxin knew she couldn’t fight against her mistress’s will. She could only sigh and say, “For Your Highness’s safety, this is the only way.”

No sooner said than done, Huarong immediately summoned the chief eunuch and instructed that all unnecessary maids and eunuchs be reassigned elsewhere.

The moment these words left her lips, the chief eunuch was visibly shocked. “Your Highness, are you well? If you dismiss everyone, how will you get by?”

Though Huarong lived the most peaceful and reclusive life in the harem—even growing her own fruits and vegetables—she still required help to manage everything. It was impossible for one person alone to handle it all. Moreover, such an arrangement was against rules and reason, clearly making things difficult for everyone.

The chief eunuch shook his head obstinately, refusing to comply. Huarong, on the verge of tears, suddenly grabbed his arm and, with little regard for decorum, insisted, “I don’t care! They’re just getting in the way here. Only Suxin truly understands me. If you don’t send them away, then let them wander outside!”

For the sake of her own survival, Huarong had no choice but to wrong both the chief eunuch and the palace staff, hoping they would understand.

The eunuch wiped his sleeves and brow repeatedly, at a complete loss. “Your Highness, removing everyone is really not appropriate. You should at least keep a few.”

This was his greatest concession. Although Huarong herself had requested it, the proper rites due to a consort could not be entirely neglected.

Seeing how unyielding he was, Huarong sighed helplessly, “Very well, since you insist, I’ll begrudgingly keep two or three.”

All the palace maids and eunuchs were gathered together—more than thirty in total. Upon hearing of the forced dismissals, many were gripped by fear.

“Your Highness, did we do something wrong? Why are we being sent away so suddenly?”

“Yes, if we made mistakes, we can change. Please, Your Highness, don’t send us away!”

If dismissed and left unwanted, these maids would only be assigned menial and arduous labor—nothing could compare to the idyllic and lively life here.

Even Cuiyu felt uneasy, thinking, “What’s happening? If I can’t stay here as Wan Consort’s spy, how will I ever leave the palace in the future?”

Watching the panic and confusion in everyone’s faces, Huarong felt a pang of reluctance. After all, these people had been with her for so long. But harsh reality left her with no choice.

“Alas, if you must blame someone, blame those who seek to harm me.” Huarong only wished for a quiet and peaceful life, but who could have foreseen that there would always be schemers out to get her?

Thus, she could only use such a drastic measure, removing those who posed a threat to her safety. Wasn’t this the smartest move? She couldn’t help but feel a bit proud of her own ingenuity.

With a touch of satisfaction, Huarong steadied herself and spoke calmly, “I truly am sorry. I don’t wish for this either, but with so many people in the courtyard, it’s become crowded and noisy. I’ve already spoken to the chief eunuch—after you leave, you’ll all be properly reassigned.”

Her words plunged the group into a new wave of helplessness and sorrow. Most were simply reluctant to leave.

Huarong had no energy left to comfort them. Her eyes drifted over the group, and for a moment, she truly couldn’t decide whom to choose.

“How is this even harder than choosing consorts? How am I supposed to know who’s good and who’s not?”

Her sharp gaze swept across every face.

Just then, Cuiyu rushed out in panic, clutching Huarong’s leg. “Your Highness, please don’t cast me aside! As one of your dowry maids, I have always served you faithfully. How could I suddenly become so distant now?”

She had nearly forgotten—Cuiyu was also one of the dowry maids. There had originally been four of them, each assigned to different responsibilities. Huarong seldom interacted with them except for Suxin, who remained by her side.

Huarong was momentarily taken aback. Seeing Cuiyu’s tearful, pitiful face, she was moved for a moment. “Good heavens, I’m not sentencing you all to death—why do you look like you’re being sent to the underworld?”

After much inner conflict, Huarong finally told the chief eunuch, “Very well, let’s keep those few dowry maids who came with me. The others must go. Make sure they’re well taken care of—no mistreatment.”

Thus, Cuiyu was fortunate enough to remain. Besides her and Suxin, two other dowry maids stayed, though Huarong knew them less well than Suxin.

Once everyone else had left, the courtyard instantly became eerily silent. Only five people remained, making the vast space seem excessively solemn.

“Well, though a few have left, it doesn’t mean we can’t live happily together. There’s no need for such gloominess.”

It almost felt like they were mourning the departed staff, which made her shudder at the thought.

Cuiyu was the first to break the silence with a smile. “Your Highness, with only four of us left to serve you, should we redistribute the work in the courtyard?”

“Yes, I almost forgot. We may be busier from now on, but I’ll work alongside you. We’ll labor and find joy together.”

Huarong quickly divided the tasks among them. The workload was indeed much heavier now, but aside from Suxin, who looked thoroughly aggrieved, the others remained obedient and quiet—perhaps still shaken by the fear of being dismissed moments ago.

Suxin was duly promoted to head maid, which finally eased Huarong’s mind. She gently patted Suxin’s shoulder. “There, Suxin, you’ve been given a position of authority—aren’t you happy?”

“Your Highness, do you have some grudge against me? Making me the supervisor now is just going to work me to death, isn’t it?”

So much for any leisure days—now she had to manage her own duties and oversee the others as well. Double the work, how considerate indeed!