Xiao Nangua hated her work in the palace. As the lowest ranking maid without a master or support, she and the others like her were forced to complete all the busywork while the personal maids could enjoy their day in leisure alongside their masters and mistresses. Before entering the palace she had also imagined such a lifestyle for herself, but after 4 years with no signs of ever receiving a promotion, she was sick of it. Being bossed around by everyone, in her home, she was never treated like this! However, there was one reprieve in this endless loop of serving:
Clear Pond Courtyard.
It was where the unfavored Second Princess resided, or had resided before she had vanished for almost two months, although she was back now, so it didn't really matter. She was the one person who had never issued any order or retaliated in anyway no matter how much abuse she suffered. She was the lowest of the low, even more so than Xiao Nangua and her peers.
Apparently, her mother had died shortly after her birth, so she could only blame herself when they took her allowance, her food, her very clothes. After all, she was the reason her mother was gone.
A smile had spread on the maid's face, oh, how she would enjoy finally venting her grievances on this princess who was lower than a dog!
She passed by the guards standing at the front gate, nodding only in greeting, before making her way to the shabby building in the middle of it all. She pushed open the door with her foot, tray with a servant's share of food in hand, and stepped inside. Immediately, she felt the dusty air in the building tickling in her nose and she couldn't help sneezing, of course she did not avert her head to avoid getting it on the food.
"Bless you."
The maid almost dropped the tray in fright, whipping her head around, she saw the Second Princess with an unperturbed expression standing only a few meters away from her. What was she doing here? Had she seen her sneezing on her food? She must have! Xiao Nangua felt her heart squeeze, but immediately after another voice spoke in her mind.
Who cares? It's not like she will or can do anything about it!
Just like that Xiao Nangua's expression changed from fright to disdain and she simply dropped the tray to the ground, not caring whether the bowl of cold soup toppled or the solitary, thumb-sized, piece of meat dropped onto the dusty floor.
"Your meal, Second Princess," she said, not hiding her ridicule. A dog should dine like a dog.
However, this time the Second Princess neither hid her hurt nor moved to silently pick up her meal as she would have usually done, instead she continued to look at Xiao Nangua.
"I have a proposal for you," the princess' voice was calm, but there was not a hint of warmth or anything of that nature, but Xiao Nangua still felt like there was something lurking beneath the surface.
"Ha! What proposal do you have for me, Second Princess?", despite feeling a little creeped out, the maid still retorted confidently.
Just then, the young woman before her raised her hand in a swift motion, opening her fist to reveal 5 glittering silver coins.
"I want you to get me some information and a few items," the princess continued to fixate Xiao Nangua, "of course, you will be reimbursed the expenses for the items. Do you accept?"
Xiao Nangua couldn't help retreating a step, shifting her gaze from the coins to the Second Princess' violet eyes.
Where had she gotten these coins from? Wasn't she piss poor? She must have gathered them while staying in that common village! But so many silver coins? And she said she could offer even more?
Her mind raced, weighing what the princess had said. But the more she thought the more muddled her thoughts became, increasingly distracted by the pupils boring into her face. Unable to bear it any longer, Xiao Nangua just pressed out.
"Why should I?"
Tilting her head, the Second Princess seemed confused at such a nonsensical question.
"It's easily earned money? Or are you afraid that you will be put at risk?", at this point young woman seemed to have read something from Xiao Nangua's expression that confirmed her suspicions and a smile pulled up the corners of her mouth, "Not to worry, I can ensure you that during your task you will not once be put at risk."
She felt tiny, almost insignificant. The longer these deep violet eyes stared at her, the more she felt like a mouse confronting a snake.
How could the Second Princess change so much in just 2 months!
In a last ditch effort to reclaim some agency, Xiao Nangua protested.
"How do I know you're not deceiving me? For all I know this could be all the coins you have!"
it was a laughable protest at best, she knew that herself but she couldn't let herself get trampled on like that! Not after the years she had felt superior to the pathetic bastard child before her!
Without batting an eye, the 'pathetic bastard child' pulled out a luxurious pouch and let coins pour out, clinking against each other on the way down.
"You will receive your reward if you complete your tasks, rest assured. Now, do you accept?"
At the sight of all these silver coins, Xiao Nangua couldn't help but gulp. That was more than twice her yearly salary.
Forget it, if it turned to be too risky in the end, she would just pocket the money and never return, there were enough maids to replace her, she certainly wouldn't be missed.
"I accept, what do I have to do?"
The Second Princess smiled once more, a triumphant smile, that should have infuriated Xiao Nangua but instead only made her heart tremble.
"Just inform me of any official news, like the date of my trial for example. As for the items you should acquire..."
Small theater:
Lei Mingxing: Money rules the world!
Xiao Nangua: I'm still trembling... maybe I should claim emotional damages?