TLDPCRM 31: Laundry Department (Patreon)

Chapter 31: Laundry Department


"Miss, the laundry area is just ahead. It's a gathering place for the servants of the palace, and it's best not to go there," said Xiao Dengzi, whose legs were already numb from walking. However, the young miss's energy seemed to be inexhaustible.

"It looks so lively," said the young miss.

"Miss..."

Qing Xing knew that she couldn't dissuade her mistress, so she quickened her pace to catch up.

"How dare a lowly servant talk back!"

A burly palace maid in the crowd raised her hand to slap another kneeling palace maid.

"Stop!"

Gu Yunru appeared just in time to prevent the maid from being beaten.

"Who are you?"

Ziyun withdrew her hand and glared fiercely at Gu Yunru, who had intruded uninvited. She was used to being arrogant and domineering, but she never expected a nameless servant girl to interfere with her.

Xiao Dengzi panted as he rushed forward, looked at Ziyun, and swept the dust off his robe. "This is His Highness Zhao's guest brought into the palace. Ziyun, you have some nerve!"

Upon hearing this, Ziyun quickly retracted her hand and respectfully bowed to Gu Yunru. "I didn't recognize the Mount Tai. I didn't know you were His Highness Zhao's honored guest. Please forgive me, miss."

"No need to be so formal. I'm curious about what happened to this girl that she was beaten so badly by you," Gu Yunru said.

The woman lying on the ground had been beaten so badly that her face was bruised and swollen, with blood flowing from her mouth. The helplessness and frustration in her eyes left everyone present feeling uneasy.

Ziyun decided to take the initiative and quickly walked over to Gu Yunru, saying, "Miss, you don't know. This Bi Luo has a lot of nerve. She actually tampered with Lady Ying's clothes."

"No, I didn't do it. Even if you gave me a hundred guts, I wouldn't dare to do such a thing. Moreover, Lady Ying has been kind to me. I wouldn't do something so ungrateful," Bi Luo sobbed, tears streaming down her face.

Looking at Bi Luo's eyes full of resentment and injustice, Gu Yunru believed that what she said was true.

Xiao Dengzi didn't want this matter to disturb Gu Yunru, so he glared at the two of them and said, "It's such a small matter. Don't bother Miss Gu about it."

"Yes, that's right. Leave it to me. Take Bi Luo away and give her fifty slaps," said the maid in charge, looking at her powerful assistants.

Ziyun looked at the maids behind her and quickly stepped forward to stop them, saying, "I don't think Bi Luo is lying."

Bi Luo looked at Gu Yunru, so emotional that she couldn't even speak. She had been bullied in the laundry department, but she never expected a completely unrelated woman to speak up for her.

Ziyun was a little embarrassed and gestured to Xiao Dengzi, who whispered in Gu Yunru's ear, "Miss, this is the matter of the servants. Let them handle it themselves. But we can't spoil your mood. You said you wanted to go to the Imperial Garden. How about we go now?"

"I don't feel like going anymore," Gu Yunru replied.

Gu Yunru looked stubborn as she helped Bi luo up from the ground.

"What did she do wrong for all of you to beat her up like this without reason?" she questioned, looking at the previously arrogant Ziyun. Ziyun furrowed her brow in discomfort and said, "Miss, this matter has nothing to do with you. You're a guest from outside the palace, and I won't argue with you. But this is what Lady Shufei ordered, and we must resolve this matter neatly. Otherwise, it will be difficult for me to report back to my mistress."

"Miss, please don't try to intervene on my behalf," Bi luo timidly said from behind Gu Yunru.

"That won't do. Who will speak up for her and clear her name?" Gu Yunru scanned the crowd of onlookers, but no one dared to cross Lady Shufei.

At that moment, a tall figure appeared behind Xiao Dengzi. When Xiao Dengzi saw that Prince Zhao was here, he was about to call out to attract everyone's attention. But before he could, Prince Zhao's sharp gaze forced him to retreat.

Rong Zhen had been looking for Gu Yunru for a long time without success. He had to inquire with the palace attendants to find out that she had come this way.

"I know you're a guest of Prince Zhao, but he cannot interfere in the affairs of the harem. If you have some sense, young lady, please leave. Bi luo is the person Lady Shufei wants," Ziyun said, still refusing to back down.

Gu Yunru had expected this response, but before she could speak, she heard a familiar, magnetic male voice from behind her.

"Can't I ask about my woman's affairs?" Prince Zhao asked.

Everyone was frightened and kneeled before him.

Ziyun, still struggling, furrowed her brow and said, "Your Highness, Bi luo made a huge mistake. We don't know what she put on her clothes, but it attracted many insects that scared Concubine Ying so badly that she couldn't leave her bed."

"Upon hearing this, Shufei Niangniang ordered an investigation and found out that Biluo was the one who had taken over the clothes of Imperial Concubine Ying. Therefore, Bi luo had intended to frame her master, and her crime was unforgivable!"

With Rongzhen's appearance, Ziyun finally explained the whole story.

Bi luo was so scared that tears flowed down her pale cheeks, shaking her head and saying, "I really didn't have such thoughts. If it was me, may I be struck by lightning and not die a good death."

"What more is there to say when there is evidence and witnesses?" Ziyun's eyes narrowed fiercely. She was about to have Bi luo taken away when Gu Yunru stepped forward to stand behind Biluo, showing that she was determined to protect her. Rongzhen could tell what she was thinking.

"Blocking my servant's path is the same as picking a fight with Shufei Niangniang. Are you sure you want to do this?" Ziyun warned.

Gu Yunru swallowed and whispered to Rongzhen, "Who is this Shufei Niangniang?"

"She is the imperial consort in charge of the six palaces, with power comparable to that of the empress, but unfortunately she has not been promoted to empress."

Gu Yunru breathed a sigh of relief, but just from hearing her title, she knew that Shufei's background was not small.


"There is something suspicious about this matter. I believe Bi luo's words. I ask the Shufei Niangniang to give us a few more days to find out the truth. Please don't wrong someone for no reason," Gu Yunru said.

Ziyun was a bit embarrassed and looked at Rongzhen next to her. If it weren't for the sudden appearance of Prince Zhao, she would have taken the dead girl away long ago.

In the Qianxi Palace, the Imperial Concubine Shu was getting ready for the evening banquet. Her flowing dark hair was styled into an exquisite and dignified bun, and her high eyebrows gave her a distant look that made her watery eyes all the more alluring. Her thick and long eyelashes, with silver and golden earrings on her ears, and the purple jade hairpin behind her, made her look even more noble and elegant.