LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 95: The Drowned Maid

Spring is in the air. The spring rains have brought the peach trees into blossom, and the fragrance of peach blossoms fills the palace. You plan to go out and gather some peach blossoms to make a liqueur. They can also be added to sweet treats and given to friends.

Shi Lian: My Lady, look over there...

You look over in the direction Shi Lian is indicating, and see a line of nervous young women wearing brand new palace gowns. They are walking gingerly along the path, at the heels of an Old Matron.

Xiu Ying: New palace maids. How time flies. That was us, not so long ago.

Like them, you were full of trepidation for the road ahead, but you brave and persisted, and pushed yourself forward.

Shi Lian: [Bursting out laughing] Look, my Lady! What a coincidence! There's Lord Fu Heng...

Xiu Ying: Speaking of which, I hope they don't meet another "Cai Li".

Fu Heng's sudden appearance sets the palace maids all a-flutter. The Old Matron scolds them sternly and they quieten down. You can't help laughing. Fu Heng senses your presence and looks in you direction. Your eyes meet. You quickly try to hide your amusement. He leaves his guard troop and walks over to you.

Fu Heng: Peach blossoms? What are you making? Can I have some?

You agree and Fu Heng turns away, satisfied. You watch the patrol gradually disappear into the distance and are just about to leave yourself when you hear a loud scream. You shove your basket into Shi Lian's arms and sprint towards the commotion.

Old Matron: What's all this?! She fell into the water?! Don't just stand there! Get help!

A young woman is splashing frantically near the edge of the lake. She obviously can't swim. Not thinking, you kick off your shoes and jump into the water. You grab the struggling maid and drag her up above water. She is panicking and grabs onto you tightly, dragging you down into the water. You almost go under.

Xiu Ying: Calm down! You're going to drown us both!

You start to weaken, a feeling of helplessness sweeps over you, and your body starts to sink. Suddenly, a powerful pair of arms lifts you clear of the water.

Fu Heng: Don't worry... I've got you. When will you learn?!

Fu Heng saved your life. Another guard dragged the drowning maid out of the lake. You're both alive!

Xiu Ying: (In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have jumped in after her.)

Fu Heng purses his lip. He takes off his robe and puts it over you. You get the feeling he is angry.

Xiu Ying: [Cautiously] Lord Fu Heng, are you mad at me?

Fu Heng: What do you think? Why didn't you call for help?

Xiu Ying: Sorry. I don't know what I was thinking. Next time I'll get you first!

Fu Heng: [Smiling coldly] This isn't the first time. Next time I should let you experience the consequences for yourself.

Hearing his warning, you nod frantically in agreement. The girl who fell in the water has come round. She got a big fright, and now sobbing uncontrollably.

Shi Lian: Don't cry, you're okay. It's okay. How did you fall into the lake?

Drowned Maid: [Ashen faced] I was careless, walking along the edge of the lake, not watching where I was going...

Shi Lian: Try to be more careful from now on.

Drowned Maid: [Looking at you] Is this the Lady that saved me? Thank you, sister!

The girl is very pretty. She is trembling slightly and looks deeply shaken by her experience. You can't help feeling sorry for her.

Xiu Ying: [Embarrassed] I tried to save you, but the person who really saved you was that guard. He's the one you ought to thank.

The maid thanks the guard who saved her, and turns back to you.

Drowned Maid: Whatever the case, I should still thank you. I put you in a lot of danger, my Lady!

Xiu Ying: I'm fine. Just try to be more careful in future.

Fu Heng: [Interrupting] My Lady, you should go change.

As you walk away, the new palace maids all start talking at once.

Old Matron: Silence! She is a Village Lady who attends the Empress Dowager and Emperor! Stop gawking and get in line!

Maid A: If she is a Village Lady, why does she live in the palace?

Old Matron: Because the Empress Dowager and Emperor are fond of her and cannot bear to see her leave the palace! They have organized a palace for her to stay in, and she enjoys the status of a princess.

The maids are obviously impressed, which encourages the Old Matron to explain further.

Old Matron: She used to be just like you, a simple palace maid, but she quickly gained the favor of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor and has been elevated to her current station!

To be elevated above your current station - the dream of every palace maid! If they could just follow in your footsteps, now that would be a fine thing!