169 Mad Woman

After several days of continuous uproar, Zhang Bitong finally quieted down. She finally understood that making a fuss for a long time was of no use. Lingbo Palace was situated in a remote corner, and anyone who came by only came to lecture her, never to help her.

Jiang Xuan was unable to help her, Lu Ning would not help her, and the rest would only watch her make a fool of herself.

On the night Zhang Bitong chose to stop making a scene, Yunqing and I kept watch outside and clearly heard her cry. Even though she tried her best to restrain herself, and even though she still held onto the so-called pride of a mistress and did not want us to see, she could not help crying after all. Yunqing and I heard it clearly.

The very next day, Zhang Bitong stopped throwing tantrums and became much kinder toward us.

On this particular evening, Zhang Bitong took a sudden fancy to having Yunqing and me prepare a richer meal.

Autumn had gradually set in, and Lingbo Palace was so desolate that it felt even colder inside than it did outside. Since Zhang Bitong had made this request, Yunqing and I tried every possible means to fulfill it.

Fortunately, Yunqing had spent many years in the palace and knew quite a few eunuchs and palace maids. Coupled with her usual kind nature, she had made a few friends, among whom was a eunuch from the Imperial Kitchen.

Even so, Yunqing remained extremely cautious, terrified of bringing disaster upon herself or implicating others. Therefore, she only managed to fetch three small dishes from the Imperial Kitchen.

"Today, let us drop all distinctions between master and servant. This palace..." At this point, Zhang Bitong gave a self-deprecating smile. "In the state I am in now, you are the only ones I can command. No matter where I go now, anyone can humiliate me at will. Very well, let us dine together tonight. In all the years I have entered the palace, I have never shared a meal with people like you."

I looked at Yunqing, and Yunqing nodded back at me. We then set up a table at the doorway, brought over a few stools, and the three of us sat together in a circle.

"If only we had some wine," Zhang Bitong said with a smile as she picked up a vegetable with her chopsticks.

"Your Ladyship, it is cold outside. Once we finish dinner, your servant will escort you back inside," Yunqing said with concern.

"Yunqing, do not spoil the mood. Besides, what difference is there between out here and in there?"

Yunqing was at a loss for words. I hurriedly chimed in, "Aunt Yunqing, Your Ladyship, let us eat quickly. This servant is getting a bit hungry."

Just as the three of us were eating there, we suddenly heard the sobbing of a woman, accompanied by gusts of night wind. It was truly bizarre. Was it that same woman playing ghosts again whom I had seen the other day?

I kept my composure and looked at Yunqing to see how she would react.

Yet before she could react at all, Zhang Bitong was so frightened that she dropped her chopsticks onto the ground.

Yunqing quickly put down her bowl and chopsticks and went over to check on Zhang Bitong. "Your Ladyship, are you alright?"

Zhang Bitong’s face had turned pale with terror, and she asked, "Did you hear that? There is the crying of a woman, coming in waves. Yunqing, this is not the first time I have heard it. I have heard it several times in the middle of the night. It is so terrifying. This has always been the Cold Palace; could it be the lingering spirit of some concubine who died here in the past?"

Yunqing comforted her, saying, "Your Ladyship is overthinking. It is probably just the night wind stirring something up and making that sound."

No sooner had Yunqing finished speaking than that plaintive, choked sob arose once again. If I had not already known there was a woman hidden in Lingbo Palace, I would have been startled too, for the sound was truly spine-chilling.

"Ah! Yunqing, there really is a ghost, a female ghost. Yunqing, I do not want to die yet; I do not want my life claimed by a vengeful spirit."

Seeing that Zhang Bitong was scared out of her wits, Yunqing had no choice but to say, "Your Ladyship, stay here. This servant will go and take a look. By the sound of it, it seems to be coming from the back courtyard."

"Alright, go and take a look."

As Yunqing prepared to leave, I said, "This small one will accompany you to take a look. It is pitch black in the back courtyard at this hour, so having someone along will help muster up some courage."

Just as I walked over to join Yunqing, Zhang Bitong rushed over, grabbed Yunqing’s arm, and said, "I cannot be left here alone. I... I am afraid. I will come with you to take a look."

Yunqing had no alternative but to nod and say, "Then Your Ladyship, walk in the middle. Little Xiaozi, you walk at the back to protect Her Ladyship."

"Yes!"

The three of us headed to the back courtyard together, and Zhang Bitong kept holding onto Yunqing’s arm, gripping it tightly and refusing to let go. Most women in the inner palace believed deeply in ghosts and deities.

When we reached the back courtyard, Yunqing went into the kitchen, but there was no one inside. Yunqing then carried a lantern and walked around the courtyard, seeing no one at all. By this time, the sobbing sound had also ceased.

Yunqing walked back, and Zhang Bitong asked cautiously, "Did you see anything?"

Yunqing replied, "No, Your Ladyship. It must have been caused by the wind. Let us return to the front courtyard. The food will get cold."

Zhang Bitong looked around nervously to the left and right, and then said, "Alright then, I will still walk in the middle. Let us move inside to eat; we will not eat outside anymore."

"Everything shall be as Your Ladyship commands."

When we arrived back at the front courtyard, I was suddenly startled. Zhang Bitong walked ahead, took one look, and let out a shrill scream. "There really is a ghost! There is a ghost! That ghost has eaten all our food! Yunqing, look, look! I do not want to stay here, I do not want to stay here anymore! I want to get out, I want to get out..."

Suddenly losing control of herself, Zhang Bitong bolted toward the palace gates.

I cast a quick glance at the empty plates on the table and immediately dashed after Zhang Bitong.

"Little Xiaozi, quickly catch Her Ladyship! Without a summons, Her Ladyship is not allowed to leave Lingbo Palace," Yunqing called out as she also gave chase.

When I ran out, I saw that Zhang Bitong had already sprinted far ahead. Once a person is terrified, it can unleash potential they never knew they had. Just like Zhang Bitong—who had always walked leisurely and with great poise—now, frightened by ghosts and spirits, she was running at an incredible speed.

Fortunately, it was the dinner hour, and there were not many people walking along the palace pathways. I intended to catch Zhang Bitong quickly to prevent her from causing further trouble.

Yet no one expected that we would run right into the Empress’s phoenix sedan chair ahead.

"There is a ghost! There is a ghost..." Zhang Bitong did not see the Empress at all and kept running forward.

"Audacious wretch! How dare you charge at the Empress Dowager... no, the Empress!" Minghe commanded, and two eunuchs stepped forward to block Zhang Bitong.

Only when Zhang Bitong saw the Empress did she regain a shred of her senses. She stammered, "Empress, there is a female ghost in Lingbo Palace! There is a female ghost in Lingbo Palace!"

"Absurd! What is your intention in spreading rumors about ghosts and spirits within the inner palace?" Minghe reprimanded.

I hurried forward, knelt, and paid my respects. "This servant, Little Xiaozi, greets the Empress."

"Rise. This palace told you to stay quietly in Lingbo Palace, not to run around and spread heresies. Do you feel that the punishment in Lingbo Palace was too lenient?"

Since Zhang Bitong had already brought up the subject of ghosts, I decided to simply go along with her words. People in the inner palace mostly believed in ghosts and spirits, and such baseless matters were even harder to fathom. In this way, fewer people would come to Lingbo Palace to humiliate Zhang Bitong in the future, which might turn out to be a way of protecting her.

I replied, "Reporting to the Empress, something truly strange occurred in Lingbo Palace just now. This servant would not dare spread rumors, but as this servant was attending to Her Ladyship at dinner, we suddenly heard the sobbing of a woman. Your servant and the others went to investigate, but upon returning, we discovered that all the food had vanished into thin air. Yet upon careful inspection by your servant and the others, aside from your servant, Her Ladyship, and Yunqing, there was not a single soul in Lingbo Palace. I ask you, who would be reduced to sneaking into a place like Lingbo Palace to steal food?"

"Utter nonsense. Little Xiaozi, are you implying that there is a female ghost inside Lingbo Palace?"

"This servant dares not; this servant is merely reporting the facts we saw and heard to Your Ladyship."

"Outrageous! This palace believes that you, this servant, having just recovered slightly, are now instigating your mistress to utter such words. Do you think that by doing this, this palace will grant you leniency and let you leave Lingbo Palace? Think again! It seems this palace must teach you all a lesson today!"

"Empress, please calm your anger!" Yunqing hurried over and knelt directly before the Empress.

"Yunqing?" The Empress frowned and said, "You are a veteran of the inner palace, and this palace has always regarded you as steady and reliable. I never expected that today you would actually connive with your mistress to commit such an act!"

Yunqing pleaded hurriedly, "Empress, please spare your wrath. Her Ladyship was truly frightened by today’s bizarre events, which is why she spoke without restraint and uttered improper words. Coupled with the blows she has suffered and her despondency within Lingbo Palace, her state of mind has become somewhat unstable. Considering that Her Ladyship is already in such a state, we beg the Empress to forgive her this once."

"Let her go," the Empress waved her hand.

"This servant thanks the Empress!"

"Little Xiaozi, why aren't you taking your mistress back to Lingbo Palace?"

"Yes, this servant will take Her Ladyship back right away. Thank you, Empress!"

I helped Zhang Bitong to her feet, but she was still muttering incoherently. I looked at Yunqing, preparing to leave with her, when I suddenly heard the Empress say, "Yunqing, Minghe entered the palace around the same time as you. This palace thinks it is about time you two sisters had a chat."

Yunqing was momentarily stunned, only to hear Minghe say, "Reporting to Your Ladyship, this servant indeed has a few words she wishes to say to Yunqing."

"Very well, then this palace will return to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility first."

"Respectfully send off the Empress!"

After the Empress had walked some distance away, Yunqing said to me and Zhang Bitong, "Your Ladyship, this servant has some matters to attend to and must stay behind. Little Xiaozi, you escort Her Ladyship back immediately. It is cold outside; remember to protect Her Ladyship well."

"Auntie, rest assured! Your Ladyship, let us return to the palace!"

"There is a ghost! There is truly a ghost! There is a ghost, Little Xiaozi, a ghost..."

I supported the muttering Zhang Bitong all the way back to Lingbo Palace. The moment the doors were shut behind us, Zhang Bitong immediately dropped her act and said in an icy tone, "All that acting of mine was wasted for nothing; she actually didn't fall for it. As expected, she is hoping that I will be tormented to death by evil spirits right here in Lingbo Palace."

I was stunned for a moment, realizing that this entire scene had been nothing more than a performance by Zhang Bitong.

Zhang Bitong turned her head and smiled at me, saying, "Did you think I was genuinely afraid of ghosts? What a joke. How could I ever be afraid of such things? Even if it were a ghost, it wouldn't eat human food. There is definitely someone hiding in this place. I had hoped to use this opportunity to see if I could leave Lingbo Palace, but it seems that is out of the question."

It was rare for Zhang Bitong to be clever for once, yet she failed to realize that because of this very incident, many troubles would be spared her in the future!