Chapter 37: Chapter 37: This Palace is Not a Pushover Chapter 37: Chapter 37: This Palace is Not a Pushover Chu Nanli looked at the servants with a mocking gaze, her clear and piercing eyes causing the group to lower their heads in shame and embarrassment.
At this point, what could they fail to understand?
The “sincerity” they had devoted to Concubine Lin was but a joke to her as she saw them as fools. She had appeared concerned only to use them to provoke the Princess Consort. And themselves? They had naively believed that she was kind-hearted and would save them from peril.
Once they came to their senses, one by one they began to kowtow, begging for mercy.
“Princess Consort, we were blind and foolish, please, we beg you to forgive our ignorance and spare us!”
At that moment, the courtyard was filled with their pleas for mercy.
Yanyan watched the scene with astonishment, her eyes round with admiration for Chu Nanli.
Chu Nanli’s expression did not waver as she walked over and stopped in front of the man she had pricked with a silver needle.
“Do you realize your wrongdoing?”
The man was consumed with shameful rage and nodded frantically, “I know I am wrong! I deserve to die!”
Chu Nanli bent down and pulled out the silver needle from his knee.
The man instinctively shrank back, then realized the needle was removed, and his knee felt completely unharmed, as if everything before was an illusion.
“Thank you, Princess Consort!”
Snapping back to reality, he quickly turned over and knelt to kowtow.
Chu Nanli’s gaze swept over them, her tone indifferent yet revealing a commanding presence.
“I am not one to be trifled with, so do not test me. Today, I will let you off, but should there be a next time, it won’t be as simple as just selling you off to a brothel.”
The servants had anticipated certain doom and were taken aback by Chu Nanli’s leniency. They were elated and echoed their agreement.
Chu Nanli commanded, “Attend to your duties well.”
“Yes!”
“Rest assured, Princess Consort, we will work diligently!”
They each expressed their loyalty in turn.
After Chu Nanli entered the house, they all sincerely breathed a sigh of relief, feeling like they had survived a catastrophe.
However, thinking of Lin Fuying’s actions made them feel cold inside, and they no longer held onto their previous naive thoughts.
Having returned to her room, a shadow crossed Chu Nanli’s eyes.
Today, she might have thwarted the white lotus, but given the white lotus’s vengeful nature, she was sure to provoke Ye Yunting to trouble her.
Nevertheless, it had been impossible for her to swallow her anger just then.
If she had shown weakness before the white lotus today, allowing herself to be ridiculed, her future in the Prince Residence would become even more difficult, with servants gossiping behind her back and disregarding her outright.
So, in consideration of the long-term strategy, her retaliation was justified.
Exhaling a breath of turbid air, Chu Nanli called for Yanyan to come in.
Yanyan still remembered Chu Nanli’s fierce display in the courtyard and approached with trepidation. She did her curtsy and asked, “What are your orders, Princess Consort?”
“Do not fear, I’ve called you here to ask if you’re willing to become my chief maid?”
Yanyan was taken aback, her wide eyes looking at her as she stumbled over her words, “I am willing… but I’m concerned about not being up to the task. I have never been a chief maid.”
She seemed restless.
Chu Nanli saw the sincerity in her heart and stated earnestly, “I have only one requirement.”
Yanyan, suppressing her nervousness, replied, “Please tell me.”
“Remain loyal to me.”
Yanyan paused, looking at the serious and calm face before her. The unease in her heart gradually settled.
Clenching her fists, she mustered her courage and said, “Please be assured, Princess Consort, I will be loyal to you without any reservation. Although I don’t quite understand what a chief maid should do, I will try my best not to disappoint you.”
Her promise lacked exaggeration and servility, but it was her truthfulness in every word that made her sincerity all the more palpable.
It was rare for Chu Nanli to show a relaxed smile, and she winked at her: “From now on, we are allies.”
Yanyan seemed a bit overwhelmed by the Princess Consort’s sudden playfulness, her hands fidgeting, her face gradually blushing.
“Alright… alright.”
Chu Nanli then gave her first task, “Monitor those outside and ensure they do their work without disturbing me.”
Yanyan nodded quickly, “Yes.”
After Yanyan had left, Chu Nanli’s thoughts shifted, and she entered her private space.