Chapter 337
**Chapter 335: Xue Mei Leaves the Palace**
Shen Wei rubbed her temples and told Liu Ru Yan, “Fu Guang Jin is worth a fortune, and according to the rules, it won’t be sent to your palace. You prefer the plain white silk, and the Imperial Household Department provides white satin every year.”
Liu Ru Yan frowned, “Ordinary white satin? How can that be made into clothes?”
Shen Wei: ...
Liu Ru Yan coldly added, “The noble consort is virtuous and kind. Why not gift me your Fu Guang Jin? It would enhance the noble consort’s reputation.”
In Liu Ru Yan’s eyes, Fu Guang Jin was precious, and wearing it herself would be a waste.
Shen Wei looked up at the sky in silence. What kind of mind did Liu Ru Yan have to say such things with such confidence? It was as if the whole world had to revolve around her, and everyone must love and protect her unconditionally.
Seeing Shen Wei silent for a long time, Liu Ru Yan’s beautiful eyes glimmered with a cold smile, “It seems the noble consort’s virtuous name is just a figment of imagination.”
Shen Wei closed her eyes, utterly at a loss for how to communicate with Liu Ru Yan.
What a stunning beauty, yet she had such a sharp tongue.
“Just stay in Yu Xiu Palace,” Shen Wei, who prided herself on her eloquence, found herself at a loss for words and simply turned to leave.
Before departing, Cai Ping pulled the four palace maids of Yu Xiu Palace into a corner and earnestly advised, “Just serve Mei Pin well, and do your duty. If you really fail in your tasks, be careful not to be expelled from Yu Xiu Palace.”
One eunuch’s eyes lit up with excitement, “Cai Ping Gu Gu, is that true? If I fail in my duties, please, Cai Ping Gu Gu, take charge and expel me from Yu Xiu Palace!”
Another palace maid complained, “I still have two years before I can leave the palace. I don’t want to stay in Yu Xiu Palace any longer; it’s driving me mad.”
Cai Ping smiled awkwardly, feeling quite troubled.
---
The spring sun was warm, and at the palace gates, hundreds of palace maids stood in the courtyard.
According to palace regulations, today was the day for palace maids who had turned twenty-five to leave the palace. A small number chose to stay on as female officials, while most opted to return home.
“The noble consort has instructed that, according to your ranks in the palace, silver and silk will be distributed. Please come forward in order to collect your shares.”
“If you don’t find work after leaving the palace, you can go to the Yan Jing Palace Maid Office, where someone will help you find a new occupation.”
Yong Mama sat at a desk, holding a brush to record the proceedings.
The palace maids collected their exit rewards in an orderly fashion, smiles brightening their faces.
Retiring palace maids had a promising future ahead; each would receive a generous sum. Some would marry and have children after leaving, while others would enter official households as teaching maids. Still, others would use their money to start businesses.
“Xue Mei Gu Gu.” Li Nan Zhi rushed over, her eyes glistening with tears as she looked at the crutch-supported Xue Mei. “I’ll see you out of the palace.”
Xue Mei smiled gratefully, “Thank you, Your Highness.”
With her legs unsteady, Xue Mei was supported by Li Nan Zhi and another palace maid as they slowly made their way out of the palace.
On the long palace path, Li Nan Zhi, dressed in a pink spring gown, carefully assisted Xue Mei and choked out, “Xue Mei Gu Gu, will you return home after leaving the palace? Or will you stay in Yan Jing City? Will I still be able to see you? Are you going to get married after leaving?”
Xue Mei smiled gently, patiently answering each question, “I only have an elderly mother at home. I’ve rented a courtyard on the outskirts of Yan Jing, and I’ll live there with her. If the princess wishes to see me, you can send someone to summon me.”
Years ago, Xue Mei’s father had run up a mountain of debt and abandoned his wife and daughter, leaving them to face relentless creditors. With no other choice, Xue Mei entered the Yan Wang Fu as a maid. She had heard that a little generosity from the nobles could sustain a maid for half a lifetime.
Unfortunately, her luck was poor, and she ended up serving Liu Ru Yan. After years of serving her, Xue Mei’s family debts remained unpaid, and she often fell ill.
Fortunately, Shen Wei rose to prominence, and Xue Mei, diligent in her work, received many rewards and bonuses, allowing her to pay off her family’s debts.
Now, as she left the palace, she had a substantial reward, along with her savings, enough to live comfortably for many years.
As for marriage?
Xue Mei had no such aspirations.
First, she had lost the use of her legs; no man would marry a cripple. Second, having spent years with Liu Ru Yan, who often lamented the fickleness of men, Xue Mei secretly harbored a strong aversion to marriage, fearing she might end up like Liu Ru Yan.
She no longer had many ambitions, only wishing to accompany her mother through her twilight years. As for how she would spend her remaining life after her mother passed, Xue Mei didn’t want to think about it for now.
Li Nan Zhi’s eyes turned red as she held Xue Mei’s hand, “Xue Mei Gu Gu, come with me.”
Li Nan Zhi supported Xue Mei and led her to a corner by the palace gates. There, a dusty carriage stood, its door emblazoned with the “Liu” family crest.
Two servants waiting by the carriage hurried over to greet Li Nan Zhi.
“Your Highness, what is this?” Xue Mei was taken aback, unsure of Li Nan Zhi’s intentions.
Li Nan Zhi wiped her tears and explained, “Xue Mei Gu Gu, there are no medical facilities in the remote areas outside the city. Doctor Mo said your legs need regular acupuncture and heat treatment, and living outside the city isn’t convenient at all. I’ve written to my grandparents to buy you a house in the city, so you can live there from now on.”
Xue Mei repeatedly refused, “Your Highness, that’s not appropriate. It’s my duty to take care of you.”
Li Nan Zhi’s gaze fell on Xue Mei’s disabled legs, and she choked out, “Xue Mei Gu Gu, besides Chen Niang Niang and Yu Niang Niang, you have treated me the best in the palace. When I leave the palace to marry, I will definitely bring you to live with me and take care of you for the rest of your life.”
A wave of warmth surged in Xue Mei’s heart.
Li Nan Zhi threw herself into Xue Mei’s embrace, and the two shared a tight hug. The spring breeze blew, causing the carriage curtains to flutter.
After a long while, Xue Mei and Li Nan Zhi parted, boarding the carriage to leave. As the carriage rolled smoothly, Xue Mei lifted the curtain to gaze at the towering imperial city in the distance, spotting the little girl in a pink dress standing at the palace gates.
After so many years of servitude, Xue Mei found her memories of the past somewhat hazy. She vaguely remembered the day her father abandoned them, when the white plum blossoms bloomed in the snow; she seemed to recall being chosen by Liu Ru Yan among a crowd of maids when she first entered the Yan Wang Fu; she also remembered the summer nights when her arms were covered in mosquito bites; and she faintly recalled kneeling in the snow of the Imperial Garden, filled with resentment and sorrow.
Leaning against the wooden wall of the carriage, Xue Mei glanced down at her useless legs.
She was just an ordinary palace maid, inconspicuous in the imperial city, as if she had already lived half her life. After a long time, Xue Mei let out a deep sigh filled with the weight of her experiences.
---
A few days later, as spring deepened, the Southern Chu envoy made a grand entrance into Yan Jing City.
Li Yuan Jing hosted a banquet at Qing Hua Hall, inviting all the concubines of the rear palace to attend.
As dusk approached, within Yong Ning Palace, Shen Wei, who had just changed into her noble consort’s ceremonial robe, suddenly sneezed, “Achoo—”
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