Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 227 - 225

Due to the performances from envoys of other countries at the Longevity Festival, the individual performances by young ladies from various families were cancelled. Only twenty girls renowned for their dance skills were selected to perform the opening dance, eliminating the prospect of royal marriages.

Many who had prepared for years were left with no stage to shine on, feeling somewhat regretful. freeweɓnøvel.com

Xiao’er was among the large group leaving the Imperial Palace. All the ladies and madams she passed were lamenting the missed opportunity to get a royal marriage or to catch the attention of a certain young master or heir.

It was then that Xiao’er realized how many women’s futures she had ruined with her own idea. She felt guilty.

Shortly after Xiao’er and Shen Chengyao stepped away, a eunuch from the Empress’s side approached.

"This servant pays respect to Marquis Shengping and Princess Rui’an."

Xiao’er recognized this as Eunuch Tong of the Empress’s side, so she grinned and asked, "Eunuch Tong, no need for formalities. What brings you here? Any task from the Empress?"

"To answer your question, the Empress misses Princess Rui’an dearly and wishes her to come over for a chat," Eunuch Tong responded respectfully.

"Father, you can go back first. I’ll return later," said Xiao’er to Shen Chengyao after hearing what Eunuch Tong said.

Shen Chengyao knew the Empress had a good impression of his daughter, so he had nothing to worry about. He nodded, "After returning, I will send the carriage to wait for you at the palace gate. Aunt Rong, I am entrusting my daughter to your care."

Xiao’er nodded, indicating she understood, "Please take care on the road, father."

Aunt Rong hastily bowed, "Yes, Marquis."

"Eunuch Tong, let’s proceed to the Empress’s chamber," Xiao’er suggested after Shen Chengyao left.

"After you, Princess Rui’an," Eunuch Tong replied respectfully.

"Eunuch Tong, it has been a while since I last spoke to the Empress. I shall accompany you!" A woman donning a white, long dress with butterfly sleeves approached.

Xiao’er glanced at her. Hm, quite the beautiful white lotus.

"This servant pays respect to Princess Ling’er," Eunuch Tong greeted in an indifferent tone, stripped of his former respect.

His livelihood relied on his ability to read others’ moods. The attitude of his superior was his attitude.

Aunt Rong bowed.

Xiao’er paid her respects. After all, a princess was ranked higher than her, "Greetings, Princess Ling’er."

The princess gave Xiao’er a dismissive look from head to toe, "You may rise. Let’s move on, Eunuch Tong!"

Yet another person wouldn’t even give Xiao’er the time of day. Upon rising, she quickly assumed the unapproachable aura she learned from Shangguan Xuanyi.

Recently, she had been spending a lot of time with a certain someone and picked up some bad habits.

Xiao’er thought it a blessing that this princess didn’t want to interact with her. She wasn’t keen on dealing with those she had nothing in common with, either.

"Princess Ling’er, the Empress asked Princess Rui’an over to discuss important matters," Eunuch Tong unenthusiastically informed.

"Eunuch Tong, you just have to lead the way, I will explain myself to the Empress." Although Princess Ling’er understood Eunuch Tong, she just saw the Sixth Prince headed toward Kunning Palace and wanted to follow.

"Princess Ling’er, stop! I will inform the Empress that you wish to see her. Rest assured and wait for her summons. I must take my leave now, or else I will delay the Empress’s matters, which is a responsibility none of us can bear!"

"Hmph! A bully using the force of another! You think I am afraid?" Nevertheless, she didn’t dare to continue following. She still wanted to be the Empress’s daughter-in-law! Her goal was to earn favor, not invites disgust.

This girl was rather enlightened, realizing her disdainful attitude would indeed invite disgust, which was not easy to achieve.

Because Princess Ling’er delayed them, Eunuch Tong lead Xiao’er down a deserted path to directly reach Kunning Palace.

After they had walked only a short distance, Xiao’er overheard three Japanese envoys conversing.

They were speaking their native language, perhaps because they thought no one here would understand, they didn’t try to lower their voices.

"We must find an opportunity tonight to contaminate the palace’s well with the virus. Then, we must immediately return to our own country!" said one of the Japanese envoys.

"The virus we unleashed in that county a few days ago should already be taking effect!"

"Exactly, which is why we must leave immediately. This smallpox virus is too deadly and spreads too quickly. We must not fall ill, lest we all perish out here!"

The other two nodded—indeed, it was terrifying!

Upon hearing the word ’virus’, Xiao’er immediately signaled for Aunt Rong and Eunuch Tong to keep quiet.

Her face grew pale when she heard the word smallpox!

While smallpox had been eradicated in modern times, it was the grim reaper’s loyal accomplice in ancient times. Its highly contagious nature and high fatality rate instilled great fear in people.

The three men made their way towards Xiao’er. She quickly hid behind a rockery with Aunt Rong and Eunuch Tong.

After seeing these Japanese envoys walk away,

Xiao’er made a sign for them to come out, and whispered so only they could hear, "Tonight, the Japanese plan to contaminate the palace’s well with a virus. They have already released the smallpox virus in some county. Eunuch Tong, hurry and report this to the Emperor. We must not let these three escape."

She and Aunt Rong were not part of the palace and couldn’t freely navigate the Imperial Palace, but as a eunuch at the Empress’s side, Eunuch Tong would be much more freely.

The two were genuinely frightened at the mention of the smallpox virus and nearly let out a scream!

Xiao’er hurriedly covered their mouths!

"Aunt Rong, go to the Empress and tell her I can’t come right now. I have to follow these three men," she instructed.

Aunt Rong wanted to go with her and tried to shake her head but eventually nodded because she couldn’t speak with Xiao’er’s hand over her mouth.

Eunuch Tong, on the other hand, vigorously nodded.

Xiao’er released her hand.

Eunuch Tong immediately ran off.

This matter was too severe. Even though it nearly broke his old bones to run, he dared not stop.

Xiao’er also wanted to chase the three Japanese envoys, but Aunt Rong held her back, "Miss, I will follow them, you must not! It’s too dangerous! Go to the Empress!"

How could she allow the young mistress, loved and cherished by the master, follow those Japanese? If anything were to happen, she could never atone for it!

"Don’t worry, I have some martial arts skills. They won’t discover me. I need to keep a close eye on them in case they poison some other place."

"No, Miss..."

"Aunt Rong, this is important! Don’t dally! You can’t do this, trust me, it will be alright, just go!"

Having finished talking, Xiao’er loosened Aunt Rong’s grip and ran off.

Aunt Rong stamped her foot in frustration before hurrying toward Kunning Palace!

She didn’t care for etiquette at this time. When she reached Kunning Palace, she wanted to barge straight in but was stopped by the maids and nannies outside.

"Quick, quick, quick..." Aunt Rong was so out of breath from running that she couldn’t muster a full sentence. She just kept repeating the word "quick".

One of the Empress’s nannies knew Aunt Rong and helped to soothe her, "Aunt Rong, don’t panic. You can’t express yourself clearly this way."

Aunt Rong took a deep breath and exhaled. Her chest was hurting, but she could finally speak, "Go tell the Empress... Princess Rui’an is in danger!"