Chapter 519 - 427: The National Master of the Zhou Kingdom Is Actually Her?
Chapter 519: Chapter 427: The National Master of the Zhou Kingdom Is Actually Her?
"..."
Listening to Si Li’s words, Xiao Mo couldn’t help but stroke his chin.
He was well aware that his personal maid was a spy for either Empress Dowager Yan or Yan Shanao.
As a Puppet Emperor, Xiao Mo could only accept this fact and turn a blind eye.
Otherwise, Empress Dowager Yan and Yan Shanao would be asking, "For what reason does Your Majesty rebel?"
But what Xiao Mo hadn’t expected...
...was for the maid to bring the matter up herself.
This truly took Xiao Mo by surprise.
As Si Li finished speaking...
The bedchamber fell into silence.
Xiao Mo poured himself a cup of tea, took a light sip, and seriously contemplated what she could possibly mean.
’Could this be some new scheme concocted by Empress Dowager Yan or Yan Shanao?’
Setting down his teacup, Xiao Mo looked at the woman named "Si Li" and slowly began to speak. "What is your meaning in telling me this now? What is this about the Empress Dowager spying on me? The Empress Dowager and I are mother and son, and our bond is stronger than one of flesh and blood. How could Mother possibly have someone spy on me?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, this servant speaks only the truth. The Empress Dowager did indeed order this servant to spy on you."
Si Li knew Xiao Mo was pretending, but she acted as if she knew nothing and responded with sincerity.
"So what if Mother has done this? Setting aside whether I kill you or not, if she finds out about this, do you have any idea what your fate will be?" Xiao Mo said, frowning.
"Si Li naturally knows!" Si Li said, her expression tense. "But Your Majesty, this servant still cannot bring herself to spy on you for the Empress Dowager!"
"Your reason." Xiao Mo watched the Palace Maid with great interest.
"This servant’s father passed away early, so I was raised by my grandfather from a young age.
My grandfather was the County Magistrate of Jinjiang County, loyal to the Great Zhou and to the late Emperor.
Although my family fell into decline, my grandfather always told me that the current Emperor is actually a wise and ambitious ruler. But with treacherous ministers in power in the Great Zhou, Your Majesty’s hands are tied, preventing you from realizing your ambitions!
My grandfather also lamented many times that I was not born a man, unable to serve the Imperial Court and assist Your Majesty. He eventually died with this regret.
But there are things a woman can do as well.
Fortunately, this servant was able to enter the palace.
Even as a mere Palace Maid, this servant dreamed of the day I could meet Your Majesty and work for you.
My grandfather’s spirit in heaven must have blessed me, for I never imagined I would be chosen as Your Majesty’s personal maid.
The Empress Dowager once told me that if I spied on Your Majesty for her, I would be guaranteed a foothold in the rear palace—a Talented Person at the very least.
In order to stay by Your Majesty’s side, this servant pretended to agree to the Empress Dowager’s request.
But no matter what, what this servant has done is a crime of deceiving the sovereign. I beg Your Majesty to grant me death!
But my heart is loyal to Your Majesty—heaven and earth can bear witness! I have no other intentions!"
Si Li’s voice echoed in the bedchamber, sounding utterly sincere.
Xiao Mo gazed at the woman kneeling on the floor, lost in thought.
He only half-believed what she said.
’But what if everything she said is true? What if she’s truly loyal to me?’
’In that case, I could turn the tables and have her act as my spy on Empress Dowager Yan. That would be a great advantage for my future plans to seize power.’
"Since you came forward with this on your own, it cannot be considered deceiving the sovereign." Xiao Mo set down his teacup and said slowly, "I will spare you the death penalty. Rise."
"Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty..."
Si Li rose to her feet, wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes. With her head lowered, she looked incredibly apprehensive.
"I need to carefully consider what you have just said. For now, continue to do what you must while you are by my side. You are dismissed." Xiao Mo waved his hand.
"Yes, Your Majesty..."
Si Li curtsied and withdrew from the bedchamber.
After closing the door, Si Li stood outside the bedchamber, the corners of her lips curling into a slight smirk. The apprehensive look was completely gone.
’No need to rush. I’ll take it slow... taking it slow is fine...’
Gazing at the tightly shut door, Si Li pressed her thin lips together, suppressing the impulse in her heart as she whispered softly.
Si Li slipped a hand into her dress and unwound the binding cloth that had been wrapped tightly around her chest.
When Si Li had been selected as a Palace Maid, she had bribed a Female Official to pass, but she had also followed that official’s instructions to wrap her chest with these cloth strips.
She had been afraid that her figure was too outstanding and that if the Empress Dowager discovered it, she would be driven out of the palace.
But now...
There was no need for it anymore.
"Master..."
Si Li pressed a small hand tightly against her heaving chest, whispering the word toward the door.
Her shimmering eyes seemed to overflow with moisture.
...
「The next morning.」
Xiao Mo had just woken up when he heard a knock on the door.
"Your Majesty, this servant has brought hot water to help you wash up."
Si Li called out from outside the door.
"Come in." Xiao Mo yawned and got out of bed.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After entering the room, Si Li quickly placed the hot water on a table and began helping Xiao Mo get dressed.
But as she dressed him, Xiao Mo vaguely sensed that something was off.
He kept feeling two Zishan Snow Seas brushing against his arm or his back.
Xiao Mo turned his head to glance at Si Li, a flicker of surprise rising in his heart.
’Even though she’s wearing the same clothes as yesterday, how has her figure changed so drastically?’
’Did she use some kind of secret art? How could she change so ridiculously overnight?’
Noticing Xiao Mo’s gaze, Si Li lowered her head, her cheeks flushing slightly as she said shyly, "This servant heard before that the Empress Dowager requires that newly-entered Palace Maids not have figures or looks that are too fine, so this servant has always been using a chest binding.
But after so long, it became too stifling. Besides, this servant wanted to face Your Majesty honestly, so..."
As she spoke, Si Li’s voice grew softer, her expression tinged with a captivating allure. "So this servant... took the binding off... If Your Majesty feels it’s inappropriate, this servant will wrap it back up..."
"There’s no need." Xiao Mo averted his gaze. "You can decide such minor matters for yourself."
"Yes... Your Majesty..." Si Li nodded lightly and continued helping Xiao Mo dress.
"Go prepare a carriage. I am going somewhere, and you will accompany me."
Xiao Mo said flatly after he finished changing.
"Yes." Si Li didn’t ask any questions and hurried off to prepare the Dragon Chariot.
Two incense sticks later, the Dragon Chariot came to a stop.
Si Li followed Xiao Mo out of the chariot, arriving before the main gate of a palatial residence.
Looking up, Si Li saw the three large words "National Preceptor’s Mansion."
Xiao Mo knocked on the door. "Is Fairy Jiang present?"
No one answered from within the National Preceptor’s Mansion, but the main gate opened on its own.
Xiao Mo led Si Li inside.
Si Li looked left and right, surveying the mansion.
Soon, a woman wearing a veil emerged from one of the rooms.
Seeing this woman, Si Li’s eyes narrowed.
’The National Master of the Zhou Kingdom is actually her?!’
Si Li couldn’t help but clench her small hands, her heart feeling as if she were facing a formidable enemy.
Jiang Qingyi’s gaze also fell upon Si Li, and her brows furrowed slightly.