044 I Want to Be the Crown Princess (4) – Second Update

"Princess Xihe, why don't you go check on the Crown Prince first? I'll look into what's happening inside the room."

"Alright, come find me soon."

"Yes!"

Princess Xihe went to look for Jiang Yun, and I hurried into the room, closing the door behind me.

Xiao Ruo was still crying. Hearing the sound, she looked up at me, her face full of grievance.

"What happened?" I crouched down and asked quietly.

"The Crown Prince just asked my name. I told him I'm Xiao Ruo. He said, 'So you're the Xiao Ruo who was demoted to a mere attendant?' I had to nod. Then he stormed out. Azhi, you were right. Because I was once the Emperor’s woman, I'll never dare hope for another man in this life. The Crown Prince clearly likes me, yet he wouldn't dare go against the Emperor."

I sighed inwardly. "Sister, it's not too late to realize this now."

"Am I destined to remain a lowly palace maid? Azhi, I don't want that. How can I face my parents? They hoped I'd enter the palace and become a lady, but now... Azhi, what should I do?"

Perhaps Jiang Yun's actions had ended Xiao Ruo's hopes, but she still dreamed of rising above her station. I worried she would bring trouble upon herself. The imperial harem is unlike anywhere else—Xiao Ruo is still too naive, hardly a match for the other women here.

"Sister, don't be disheartened. It's not yet hopeless. Let's wait and see—perhaps there will be a turn for the better." Even I didn't really believe my words, but it was all I could offer to comfort Xiao Ruo.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince just went out."

"Don't ignore me. He just returned—how could he have gone out again?"

The Empress's voice drew nearer; Xiao Ruo and I had no time to hide. The next moment, the door swung open, and the Empress stood at the threshold, startled to see us. "Little Xiao?"

I hurriedly knelt. "Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Your maid pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Xiao Ruo?"

I thought the Empress had long forgotten Xiao Ruo, but she recognized her at a glance.

The Empress entered slowly, sat in a chair, and said quietly, "I remember the Empress Dowager demoted you to the laundry bureau, didn't she? How are you here?"

"Your maid—" Not only was Xiao Ruo tongue-tied, but I couldn't think of what to say to the Empress either.

If Jiang Xuan were implicated, it would be my fault.

"This maid was once encountered by the Crown Prince on his way back to the palace. He found her obedient and clever, so he brought her here," Xiao Dezi replied from the doorway.

"Did I ask you?"

"Forgive my impudence, Your Majesty. Forgive my impudence." Xiao Dezi quickly slapped his own face.

I knew Xiao Dezi was trying to help us out.

"Stand aside. The Crown Prince dares defy my wishes, all because he's been influenced by you servants. Now I know why he refuses to choose a Crown Princess—there’s a seductive fox hidden in the palace!"

"Your maid did not, Your Majesty. Please judge fairly."

"You dare deny it? What's that on your sleeve?"

Xiao Ruo had danced for Jiang Yun, using water sleeves, and with the Empress’s sudden appearance, she hadn’t time to hide them.

"Your maid—"

"Bold wretch, how dare you seduce the Emperor. Do you know your station? Minghe, take her away and throw her into the disciplinary bureau!"

The disciplinary bureau was a place that struck terror into all who heard its name. I had once escaped from there and knew well its horrors. Xiao Ruo was so fragile—once inside, she would surely—

"Your Majesty, spare me! I did not seduce the Crown Prince—spare me!"

But all her pleading was futile. Xiao Ruo was dragged away. As she begged the Empress, she looked at me, but how could I save her?

After Xiao Ruo left, the Empress turned her attention to me.

"Little Xiao."

"Your servant is here."

"I know why Xiao Ruo was here, but why are you?"

"I accompanied Princess Xihe. She was worried about the Crown Prince and came to check on him."

The Empress laughed. "Little Xiao, you're terrible at lying. If Princess Xihe wanted to come, why would she need you to lead her? Doesn’t she have servants of her own? Now that both the Crown Prince and Princess Xihe are gone, you think you can say whatever you please?"

I banged my head on the floor. "Your servant would never utter a false word."

"Never? Little Xiao, I know you like to play clever, but do you think everyone in the palace is a fool, letting you toy with them?"

"Your servant wouldn’t dare." I guessed the Empress was looking for an excuse to punish me.

"And what else wouldn’t you dare? Shall Minghe send you to the disciplinary bureau, or will you go accept your punishment yourself?"

My heart plummeted into despair. I hadn't expected the Empress to send me away with just a few words.

"Your servant is innocent," I managed.

"I'm tired of hearing that. Go receive your punishment yourself."

"Mother, why are you sending Little Xiao to the disciplinary bureau?" At that moment, Jiang Yun entered, with Princess Xihe beside him.

"He trespassed in the Eastern Palace and consorted with that scheming maid. I must teach him a lesson."

"She didn’t trespass. I brought her here," Princess Xihe spoke up.

"You really brought her? Xihe, don’t you have your own maids and eunuchs?"

Princess Xihe replied, "They’re no good. I like Little Xiao; she’s clever. My mother approved. If the Empress intends to punish Little Xiao, then punish Xihe as well."

The Empress was momentarily speechless, then said, "Since it’s a misunderstanding, I won’t punish you. Xihe, you’d better return soon so your mother won’t worry."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

"Yun’er, I need to speak with you."

But Jiang Yun asked first, "Mother, you said that scheming maid—what did you do to Xiao Ruo?"

"Insolence! How dare you mention that wretch’s name before me. Do you know her status?"

"I do, Mother. She’s just a maid, demoted by Grandmother after a single day as a concubine."

"You know and still kept her in your palace? Aren’t you afraid your father will find out?"

"Father has so many women; does he even remember them? Besides, he never favored Xiao Ruo."

Smack! The Empress slapped Jiang Yun across the face. "This slap is for me and for your father—to wake you up."

Jiang Yun stood stunned, clutching his face. Princess Xihe and I were equally startled. The Empress was truly angry. First, he’d given her no respect in the imperial garden, and now he dared speak irreverently of the Emperor’s concubines. She could bear no more.

That slap silenced Jiang Yun completely.

"All this for a woman—you dare utter such nonsense? Think well on it." With that, the Empress departed.

Princess Xihe stepped forward and tugged Jiang Yun’s sleeve, asking softly, "Does it hurt, Crown Prince Brother? Xihe will rub it for you."

Jiang Yun gave a bitter smile. "It doesn’t hurt. Not at all. Am I useless?"

Princess Xihe shook her head. "Being struck by your own mother doesn’t mean you’re useless. When Xihe is naughty, Mother punishes me too. I don’t hold a grudge for long."

"But she’s not my mother."

"What are you saying, Crown Prince Brother?"

"Nothing. Xihe, I can’t accompany you now—I need to save someone."

Save someone? Naturally, he meant Xiao Ruo.

"Crown Prince!" I called out to Jiang Yun.

He stopped and turned to me. "What do you wish to say?"

"Forgive my boldness, Your Highness, but please don’t try to rescue Xiao Ruo."

He seemed surprised I had guessed his intentions. "Am I, the Crown Prince, unable to save a mere maid? I caused her downfall; otherwise, she wouldn’t be sent to the disciplinary bureau."

"Yes, Your Highness—you cannot save her."

"You—"

"Not only can you not save her, but you would implicate yourself." I spoke solemnly. "Forgive me for speaking so plainly, but it’s the truth. Xiao Ruo’s background is special; if you rescued her, where would you keep her? The Empress is furious—your actions would only add fuel to the fire. Xiao Ruo’s fate might be worse than in the disciplinary bureau. Then, instead of helping her, you’d harm her."

"Am I to stand by and watch?"

Though I disliked it as much as he did, there was no other choice. "Your Highness, this is the only way. However, given your status, you can ensure Xiao Ruo suffers less there. As for rescuing her afterwards, we can reconsider."

Jiang Yun pondered a moment. "You make sense. I refuse to marry Gong Wue, and this will surely drag on. I can barely look after myself, let alone help Xiao Ruo. It’s laughable—the women I fancy, one died, another is now doomed because of me. I’m truly a worthless Crown Prince, unable to protect the women I care for..."

The first woman he referred to must have been Xue Yi. Jiang Yun was straightforward in his feelings—whether Xue Yi or Xiao Ruo, their brief encounters had left deep marks in his heart. Jiang Yun was clearly sentimental.

Jiang Yun was dejected. After Princess Xihe and I left the Eastern Palace, she said to me, "Little Xiao, you’re so bold to speak to Crown Prince Brother like that. But it was your advice that stopped him from acting rashly. I’ve never seen a servant so daring and clever."

I whispered to Princess Xihe, "This counts as another of my secrets, Princess. You must keep it for me!"

Princess Xihe innocently asked, "If I collect more secrets, will my belly get round and full?"

I couldn’t help but laugh. "If it ever does, just go somewhere empty and let them out. I’ll take the blame—even if everyone for miles faints from the smell, I’ll say it was me."

Princess Xihe burst into laughter. "Little Xiao, you’re hilarious! You’re so much fun."

"Princess, it’s a promise then."

"Alright, it’s a deal."

"Let me escort you back to the palace. We’ve been out for a while—your mother will worry."

"Very well," Princess Xihe said, still a little reluctant.