Chapter Two: New Obstacles Arise, Hidden Opportunities Emerge

(1/3)

Humming a little tune, I held my shears and snipped away at the branches in the Imperial Garden, feeling absolutely content. Working in the Imperial Garden was far easier than in the Laundry Bureau, and I could even catch glimpses of a few handsome young eunuchs now and then—hee hee.

Just as I was immersed in the dual enjoyment of the scenery and the eye candy, I suddenly felt a force strike me from behind. I stumbled, and the flower basket in my hand plunged into the pond with a splash, scattering blossoms everywhere and soaking me from head to toe.

"Oh my!" a delicate voice rang out. "How can a palace maid be so clumsy? You’ve ruined my gown!" I looked up, and who should it be but Noble Lady Zhou? She was brushing at her skirt with an expression of utter disgust, despite there being no water stains on it at all.

I cursed silently: You green tea bitch, trying to frame me for a collision!

Just as I was about to explain, a burst of hurried footsteps approached from nearby, accompanied by a sharp, shrill voice: "What is the meaning of this? All this clamor—where is the decorum?" My heart tightened. That voice… Noble Consort Xiao!

That woman was notoriously difficult. It seemed my luck had truly run out today.

Noble Consort Xiao walked up to me, looked me up and down, and sneered with disdain: "It’s you? Always you? First you stole Concubine Li’s gold hairpin, and now you’ve ruined Noble Lady Zhou’s gown. You are truly audacious!"

I was more wronged than Dou E! Noble Lady Zhou had clearly bumped into me on purpose, yet here she was, the villain accusing the victim first!

(2/3)

The surrounding maids and eunuchs all kept their heads bowed, not daring to draw a full breath for fear of inviting trouble. I felt like a little lamb surrounded by a pack of wolves, with no way to escape.

Usually, a palace maid would have knelt and begged for mercy by now, crying a river of tears. But I, Lu Wan’er, am no ordinary person!

I took a deep breath, suppressed the anger in my heart, and looked Noble Consort Xiao straight in the eye. "Please calm your temper, Noble Consort," I said, my voice steady. "I know a secret—a secret about a hidden treasure."

"Oh?" Noble Consort Xiao arched an eyebrow, a flicker of greed flashing in her eyes. "What secret?"

I smiled slightly, lowered my voice, and whispered, "It concerns the treasure of the previous dynasty..."

Noble Consort Xiao curled her lips, which were painted as red as a baboon’s backside, and let out a cold laugh. "Treasure of the previous dynasty? Hah! If you dare to deceive me, I will make you wish you were dead!"

Noble Lady Zhou immediately added fuel to the fire: "Exactly! Noble Consort, this little wench is clearly up to no good. She’s probably just trying to use this as an excuse to escape punishment!"

I cursed them inwardly: What a pair of plastic sisters!

Outwardly, however, I feigned terror, my palms sweating so much I could have rolled them into mud balls. I swallowed hard, pointed toward a secluded corner of the Imperial Garden, and stammered, "It’s… it’s over there. I happened upon it earlier. The soil… it looked as though it had been turned over. It might just be… the entrance to the previous dynasty’s treasure."

Upon hearing this, Noble Consort Xiao was clearly tempted. Her fox-like eyes darted back and forth as if she were calculating the gains.

"Lead the way!" she commanded sternly.

I walked ahead, trembling, my heart drumming against my ribs. It’s over, it’s all over. I’d just pointed to a random spot. If they found out I was lying, I was finished!

(3/3)

When we arrived, I made a show of digging through the dirt and said anxiously, "It’s right here! Your Ladyship, look..."

Noble Consort Xiao eyed me suspiciously and was about to erupt in anger when, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a small box under a nearby tree!

A spark of inspiration hit me. I lunged forward and pried the box open—good heavens! It was filled to the brim with gold and jewelry!

Noble Consort Xiao’s eyes widened. She snatched the box away, her expression instantly shifting from stormy to sunny, and she beamed like a flower. "Not bad, not bad. It seems you haven't completely lost your wits."

She tossed a few trinkets at me as a reward and then strutted away, head held high.

I returned to my quarters with the jewelry, feeling a secret sense of relief: Lucky for me, I managed to bluff my way through!

However, Noble Consort Xiao would certainly not let me off the hook so easily. The days ahead would likely be even harder… I need to get to the storage room at once…