LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 30: Invincible

After Yin Zhen's plot, you figured out the cons of going to Eastern Palace. You reject the Empress Dowager.

Empress Dowager: [Thinks] That's fine. I'm too reluctant to let you go anyway.

You didn't go to the Easter Palace, but the Empress Dowager still loves you. The Crown Prince still likes to have an extended conversation with you. It seems that after Yin Zhen came out with the truth, pranking you become his hobby.

Today you've been tasked with selecting mandarins at Internal Affairs. A few maids look with ridicule. You are used to these looks. They're usually the start to a fight.

Maid A: Hey, isn't it Xiu Ying? Careful, don't get on her bad side.

Maid B: Why is that?

Maid A: She's favored by the Empress Dowager, almost became concubine at Eastern Palace.

Maid B: That's a downright lie. Eastern Palace isn't for just anyone!

Xiu Ying: You should be cleaning now.

A mindless comment from you made the eunuchs at the House of Internal Affairs look at you blankly.

Xiu Ying: You heard that? Flies buzzed around.

Maid A: [Stares] What did you say?

Xiu Ying: [Act surprised] What do want you want? I said there are flies. You don't have to admit you are one.

Maid B: You calling us flies? That's it!

Maid C: Hey what's the point of getting angry at someone like that. Let's go.

The last maid was the immediate maid of the noble consort. She's usually the meanest, but doesn't want to bother with you today. Since they let go, you decide to turn around. But they keep walking in you direction. You take a peek at them. You know something's up when you see them holding mandarins. As you thought, Maid C throws down the mandarins as she approaches you. But you throw your mandarins at her even faster. The mandarins are scattered on the ground. Those who wanted to frame you are stunned.

Maid C opens her mouth, but you speak out first.

Xiu Ying: How dare you! These are for the Empress Dowager! You dare throw away the Empress Dowager's mandarins! What insolence!

Maid C: [Dumbfounded] These are... for the Noble Consort...you.

Xiu Ying: [Righteously] So you threw away the Empress Dowager's mandarins and now you want to blame me?

You learned to mess with the enemy from Cai Li herself. Now they are trapped. The maids who wanted to start a fight are now speechless.

Maid C: You liar! Why would I throw away Empress Dowager's mandarins?

Maid A and Maid B nodded.

Xiu Ying: So all of you are in this together! Let's to go the Empress Dowager and the Noble Consort to settle this!

Your words were powerful. No one is an idiot at Internal Affairs. They were aware of the Empress Dowager's fondness of you, and decide to do nothing at all. You walk up to them, telling them that you want to see the Empress Dowager. They panic. Even though they hate you and make fun of you, they still have to admit that you are favored by the Empress Dowager, and she would surely side with you.

Maid A: That's not what happened!

Maid B: I don't know anything! If the Noble Consort found out, I'd be skinned alive!

Maid C: Fine, you win!

Zhou Peigong: [After getting the truth] Don't bother the Empress Dowager and the Noble Consort with such trivial matters. Get the Internal Affairs people to bring more mandarins.

Xiu Ying: I'm not one to easily forgive and forget! Unless they apologize to the mandarins!

Maid C: You!

Xiu Ying: What? The Empress Dowager's mandarins don't deserve your apology?

As soon as the Empress Dowager was mentioned, the two maids start to apologize to the mandarins. Even Maid C had to comply.

Xiu Ying: [Scoffs] We can call an end to this now. Next time, I won't let you off so easily! Remember. I'm no easy picking.

You never back down from a fight. You take the new mandarins, and leave the Ministry of Internal Affairs gracefully, without even looking at them.