Chapter 34: Do Not Botch It

Hu Rong’s face was etched with fury as she stared at the oval-faced palace maid, her voice cold and cutting.

"Your superior is still speaking with me. Since when does a mere palace maid have the right to overstep and report directly to me?"

"Superintendent Guo, you really must discipline these subordinates of yours who have no sense of decorum."

Hu Rong’s anger was such that not only did the other officials of the Laundry Bureau tremble in terrified silence, but even the oval-faced maid turned deathly pale with panic. She had never imagined that her desperate attempt to denounce Su Lian would not only fail to achieve its purpose but would instead incur the wrath of Lady Hu, the Director of Ceremonial. The girl’s legs began to shake uncontrollably.

Guo Min cast a cold, mocking glance at the maid before responding to Hu Rong.

"Please rest assured, Director. I will certainly see to it that this maid is properly disciplined."

It was clear that Guo Min was also incensed by the maid’s actions; she would surely not let the matter slide. This only caused the maid to tremble even more violently. She began to regret her actions. Why had she been so eager to show off and seek revenge on Su Lian? Now, she was headed for disaster.

At that moment, Hu Rong approached Su Lian and praised her with an approving expression.

"To take the initiative to work through the night is truly commendable diligence. To be aware of the urgent need for the Jade Pavilion’s garments for the banquet and to prioritize the Noble Consort’s needs—such loyalty is rare."

"Having someone so diligent and untiring in the Laundry Bureau is truly worthy of being an example. I shall certainly recommend such a model of excellence in the future."

"Superintendent Guo, to have cultivated such talent shows you have managed your department well."

Su Lian stood there, completely bewildered. What just happened? What did I do? And who is this person? She had only stolen a nap, and upon waking, she found herself being lavished with praise by a high-ranking lady official. She wanted to ask what was going on, but Guo Min pinched her surreptitiously, signaling her to keep quiet.

The others present were equally stunned. The turn of events was simply inconceivable! Lady Hu, who was known for her sternness and for having no tolerance for even the slightest flaw, was actually favoring a maid who had committed a fault? She even said she would recommend her to higher authorities? Lady Hu was known for her caution and discretion; she never made empty promises. If she was serious, it meant a bright future for Su Lian!

What game was Lady Hu playing? And what merit did Su Lian have to deserve such a recommendation? It defied all logic!

The officials of the Laundry Bureau, all seasoned in the ways of court, soon seemed to catch on and began to flatter Lady Hu, praising her keen insight. As for the other palace maids, they were completely lost. The oval-faced maid, meanwhile, was utterly dumbfounded. She racked her brains but could not understand how things had turned out this way.

While everyone was still dazed, Hu Rong gave a few brief instructions and took her leave.

She had come suddenly, and she left just as casually. No one understood the true intent behind her visit to the Laundry Bureau. Once Hu Rong was gone, the officials offered a few more words of praise to Su Lian before dispersing.

Left behind, Guo Min stared at the group of maids with icy eyes.

"Very well. All of you are doing just fine, aren't you?"

"Not a single one of you thought to wake Su Lian, did you? You all treated my orders like wind passing by your ears?"

"After finishing the laundry today, all of you will kneel and face the wall for the entire night!"

The maids shuddered, nearly bursting into tears. Kneeling for an entire night—how could they endure it? They had hoped to watch Su Lian make a fool of herself, but ended up suffering the consequences themselves.

Guo Min turned her cold gaze toward the oval-faced maid.

"And you, you despicable wretch. You purposefully wanted to make me look bad in front of Lady Hu, didn't you?"

The maid could not withstand the murderous intensity in Guo Min’s eyes. She wanted to explain, to tell her aunt that she wasn't targeting her, but Su Lian. However, her teeth chattered so hard that she couldn't utter a single word.

Guo Min gritted her teeth and said, "Go and report to the 'dungeon lock' yourself."

The simple sentence was enough to chill the maid to the bone. The other maids were terrified into silence. In the imperial palace, there were many cruel punishments for maids, and the "dungeon lock" was among the worst. The victim was locked inside a cramped wooden box for days without food until they were on the verge of starvation. It was a perilous punishment; if not released in time, the victim could easily starve to death. Even if they survived, they would be left half-dead.

"Aunt! Please, have mercy!"

"I was blinded by greed; I was wrong! Please, spare my life!"

"Su Lian, I will never dare to target you again! Please, beg my aunt for me!"

The maid collapsed to the ground, sobbing and wailing. She regretted her actions with every fiber of her being, but there was no medicine for regret in this world; she was destined to pay for her impulsiveness.

Guo Min merely scoffed and gestured coldly. Two burly eunuchs stepped forward and dragged the wailing maid away. Her screams echoed long and piteously, leaving all who heard them trembling with fear.

Only Su Lian remained confused. She still didn't understand how the maid had offended her aunt so deeply that she deserved such a terrifying punishment, or what any of this had to do with her.

Guo Min pulled Su Lian away and led her back to their quarters. Once the door was shut, she smiled.

"Su Lian, Lady Hu is a woman of her word. Since she praised you and promised to recommend you today, you have a bright future ahead."

"I have benefited from your success this time as well. At my age, nearing the time to leave the palace, this is a rare stroke of luck."

"Once I am no longer in the palace, Lady Hu will be your pillar of support. You must treat her with the utmost respect."

Guo Min was already over thirty and could not stay in the palace much longer. But Su Lian was not concerned with such matters; she was still utterly confused.

"Aunt, I don't understand..." she asked, voicing her inner doubt. There was too much she didn't grasp. She regretted having dozed off, leaving her as ignorant as a fool regarding what had transpired while she slept.

Guo Min smiled faintly. "It is natural that you don't understand."

"At Lady Hu’s level, when she needs something done, she rarely speaks plainly. She will reward you and give you opportunities, but you must be able to comprehend her hints."

Su Lian was even more bewildered. From her aunt’s tone, it seemed Lady Hu needed her to do something? But as a lowly laundry supervisor, what qualifications did she have to work for Lady Hu?

Seeing Su Lian’s confusion, Guo Min sighed and explained, "Ah, your mind is better suited for the Laundry Bureau. If you were truly promoted by Lady Hu, I don't know if it would be a blessing or a curse."

"Let me put it plainly for you. Lady Hu’s ancestral home is in Qingzhou Prefecture, and many of her family members have contracted the epidemic."

"Now, do you understand?"

Su Lian finally grasped the situation. So, Lady Hu was in the same predicament as her aunt—her family back home was suffering from the plague and was in desperate need of medicine. It made sense; as a lowly person, this was the only way she could be of use.

Su Lian then asked, "But Aunt, Lady Hu is such a high-ranking official. Surely it isn't difficult for her to have medicine sent to her family?"

Although Guo Min was powerful within the Laundry Bureau, she was still a minor official with no influence outside those walls. But Lady Hu was different. A single word from her would have countless people scrambling to curry favor.

Guo Min poked Su Lian’s head in exasperation. "I say you're slow, and you really are! Of course, it isn't difficult for Lady Hu."

"But the fact that she needs your help means that all her other methods have failed. It is strange, but the plague in Qingzhou is notoriously difficult to treat. Only the medicine your relative sent has shown miraculous effects. You must write to your relative immediately and seize this opportunity. If you handle this well, you will secure your footing in the palace."

At the end, Guo Min’s tone turned serious and stern. "This matter must be done perfectly. Do not fail!"

"If you ruin this, not only will you suffer, but I will be implicated as well. Do you understand?"

Su Lian could only nod, giving a dazed and submissive response.