Little Palace Maid Desires a Higher Seat of Honor - Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Lu Song

The news of Lu Meiren‘s pregnancy spread quickly throughout Taihe Hall.
Lu Meiren was overjoyed, and she grasped Yun Si’s hand, saying repeatedly, “Yun Si, did you hear? I’m pregnant with the Emperor’s child!”

Everyone knew the importance of having an imperial heir. Just look at the status of Consort Fei and Rong Zhaoyi in the palace. Lu Meiren could imagine that once she safely gave birth to the imperial heir, she would finally have a firm foothold in the harem.

Lu Meiren’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

Currently, she was only a fifth-rank Meiren, far from the third-rank title required to raise an imperial heir. However, her family background was impressive, and Lu Meiren couldn’t think of a reason why the Emperor wouldn’t let her raise the child herself. Therefore, as long as she carried the child safely to term, a third-rank title might not be out of reach.

Lu Meiren had only been in the palace for three months, and she had just realized she was pregnant. She hadn’t developed a strong bond with the child yet.

She just thought that if she could raise the imperial heir herself, her title would definitely change. When that happened, Yang Jieyu wouldn’t dare to be so arrogant in front of her. Just thinking about Yang Jieyu having to swallow her anger made Lu Meiren feel delighted.

Yun Si supported her, and Lu Meiren breathed a sigh of relief. When she looked up, her face was filled with smiles, and it was impossible to read her thoughts.

“Be careful, mistress. You’re pregnant now, and you can’t be as careless as before.”

Lu Meiren listened and immediately became more cautious. After a moment, she raised her chin, “You’re right. I need to be more careful now.”

Yun Si saw the excitement in her eyes and felt a bit of concern deep down.

Lu Meiren had been in the palace for too short a time, and she had just been bullied by Yang Jieyu. Now that she was found to be pregnant with the imperial heir, so many things had happened in such a short time. Yun Si was a bit worried that she might lose her balance.

No matter how many thoughts Yun Si had in her mind, she wouldn’t spoil the mood at this time.

When Lu Meiren returned to Taihe Hall, all the dishes on her table had been replaced with new ones. Yun Si noticed that the Taihu silver fish that had made Lu Meiren vomit had been removed. No matter how precious the tribute was, it was not as important as the imperial heir.

This Longevity Festival, the happiest person was undoubtedly Lu Meiren, and perhaps the Emperor and the Empress Dowager as well.

After all, it had been a long time since there was good news in the harem. The news of Lu Meiren’s pregnancy on the Longevity Festival was the best birthday gift for the Emperor.

The opportunities for the banquet in the following days were all centered around Lu Meiren. There were countless people coming to congratulate her. No matter what they thought, they would only show surprise and joy in front of the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.

Yun Si glanced at Yang Jieyu discreetly and was a bit surprised. Yang Jieyu lowered her eyes, and it was impossible to read her emotions.

When the banquet ended and they returned to Heyi Hall, Song Rong and the others had already heard the news and knelt down in a row, “Congratulations, mistress! Congratulations!”

Lu Meiren was also happy, and she waved her hand, “Double the monthly allowance this month.”

When she finished speaking, the palace maids’ smiles became even brighter. They were just hoping for this.

The next morning, rewards arrived from the Emperor’s palace, Cining Palace, and Kunning Palace. Seeing this, the other palaces prepared congratulatory gifts to send over.
Yun Si and Song Rong recorded these gifts and busied themselves until their feet didn’t touch the ground. Before they finished recording, news from the Emperor’s palace arrived again.

Lu Meiren was promoted to Pin.

Lu Pin was overjoyed and knelt down to receive the edict. In less than a month, she had been promoted two ranks, which was almost unprecedented in the palace.

Before the previous batch of congratulatory gifts was stored, another batch arrived. Yun Si didn’t have time to think too much and finished recording the gifts. It was almost evening when she looked back at Lu Pin, who kept looking outside the palace hall. Yun Si walked over quickly, “Mistress, you shouldn’t worry too much now.”

She could see at a glance what Lu Pin was thinking. Although the gifts from the various palaces had arrived, the Emperor hadn’t shown up at Heyi Hall today.

Lu Pin pouted slightly, “I just found out I’m pregnant. Do you think the Emperor will come to see me today?”

Yun Si remained silent, not knowing the answer.

If Lu Pin had been diagnosed with pregnancy today at Heyi Hall, the Emperor would definitely come to see her. But it was yesterday, and yesterday was the Emperor’s birthday. After the banquet, the Emperor had returned to Kunning Palace with the Empress and hadn’t come to Heyi Hall yet. Moreover, Lu Pin had stolen the show at the banquet yesterday, so it was understandable whether the Emperor came to Heyi Hall today or not.

Soon, the answer to Lu Pin’s question arrived. News from the Emperor’s palace said that he would spend the night at Changchun Palace.

Lu Pin’s expectant expression froze.

Changchun Palace was where Rong Zhaoyi lived, and no one in the palace could rival Rong Zhaoyi’s favor. Lu Pin bit her lip, and her eyes drooped listlessly. Her voice was a bit choked, “Why didn’t he come to see me?”

Since she entered the palace, the Emperor was the closest person to her, to be frank.

At this moment, Lu Pin naturally wanted the Emperor to be by her side, sharing the joy of her pregnancy with her, rather than summoning other concubines to attend to him.

Yun Si spoke up to comfort her, “Mistress, you’ve been promoted two ranks in a short time, which is an honor that no one else has experienced. The Emperor is also thinking of you, afraid that you’ll attract too much attention in the harem.”

Lu Pin had been in the spotlight recently, and her pregnancy would definitely draw everyone’s attention in the harem. Perhaps it was a good thing that the Emperor wasn’t coming to see her at this time.

Lu Pin listened and gradually stopped sobbing. She looked up at Yun Si with tears in her eyes and asked, “Is it really true?”

Yun Si’s words were just meant to comfort her. She had no idea what the Emperor was thinking, but no matter what, she could only nod, “Of course it’s true.”

Lu Pin finally calmed down, and Yun Si breathed a sigh of relief. She was afraid that Lu Pin would overthink things, so she didn’t dare leave the palace hall. Instead, she sent Xiao Rongzi to the imperial kitchen to fetch dinner.

Just as Xiao Rongzi left, there was another commotion outside. Lu Pin looked puzzled and turned to Yun Si, who quickly walked out. When she saw Eunuch Liu, she was a bit surprised, and her eyes lit up.

She curtsied gracefully, “Eunuch Liu.”

Eunuch Liu discreetly looked her up and down, saw that her complexion was good, and wasn’t affected by her previous injuries. He smiled and waved his hand, “Yun Si girl, don’t be so polite. Is Lu Pin available?”

Yun Si was taken aback for a moment, then realized that she was no longer just a palace maid from the Central Province Hall. She was now following Lu Pin, who was in the spotlight, and Eunuch Liu had to address her politely as “Girl”.

Yun Si pursed her lips slightly, knowing that Eunuch Liu’s attitude was for her own good. She paused for a moment, then smiled, “Eunuch Liu, please wait a moment. I’ll go in and announce your arrival.”

Before going in, she glanced at Eunuch Liu and the row of servants standing behind him, and she had a rough idea of what was going on.

Soon, she supported Lu Pin out, who looked puzzled, “What’s going on?”

Eunuch Liu was respectful, “Reporting to Lu Pin, after your promotion to Pin, according to palace rules, you should have two more servants to attend to you. I didn’t dare delay, so I brought them immediately. Please take a look and see if there’s anyone you’d like to choose.”

Yun Si helped Lu Pin out, and Lu Pin looked at the servants behind Eunuch Liu, still unsure of what was happening.
Lu Pin had been expecting the Emperor to visit her today and had forgotten about this matter.

When she heard Eunuch Liu’s words, her low mood lifted slightly. She glanced at the row of servants and said, “Make them raise their heads so I can take a look.”

According to the rules, Lu Pin should have two more eunuchs attending to her now. However, sometimes the rules weren’t that rigid. Eunuch Liu had brought not only eunuchs but also palace maids, a total of five or six people standing in a row.

When they raised their heads, Lu Pin examined them carefully. Yun Si followed her gaze and saw the faces of the servants. When she saw one of them, her expression changed dramatically.

Before anyone could notice, Yun Si quickly lowered her head. However, Lu Pin sensed her abnormality and felt a slight relaxation in the hand that was holding hers. She turned around, puzzled, “What’s wrong?”

Yun Si raised her head, and her face had already returned to normal. She smiled, “Mistress, you know that I came from the Central Province Hall. I thought I would recognize all the people Eunuch Liu brought, but I didn’t expect to see a stranger. That’s all.”

It was more than just surprise; it was shock.

Her gaze fell on one of the eunuchs, and her eyes were particularly cold.

Eunuch Liu was a bit surprised. Among the people he brought, only one was new to the palace, but the person had learned the rules well, so Eunuch Liu had brought them along. He had known Yun Si for two years and knew her better than Lu Pin did.

When had Yun Si ever cared about seeing new faces in the palace?
Unless…

She knew this person.

Eunuch Liu glanced at the young eunuch and narrowed his eyes slightly.

Lu Pin didn’t doubt Yun Si’s words and even thought that Yun Si was giving her a hint. A new face meant that the person had recently entered the palace and wouldn’t be someone planted by other palaces.

Lu Pin’s eyes lit up, and she pointed to the young eunuch, “Since he’s been brought here by Eunuch Liu despite being new to the palace, he must have some exceptional qualities. I’ll take these two.”

She randomly pointed to another young eunuch, and Eunuch Liu couldn’t object. After congratulating her on her pregnancy and promotion, he left with the remaining people.

Lu Pin told the young eunuch, “You’ll serve outside the hall from now on.”

After the young eunuch responded, she turned to the so-called new face and paid more attention to him, “What’s your name?”

“Your servant’s name is Lu Song.”

Lu Pin was taken aback. After entering the palace, she had heard many eunuchs’ names that were given by the palace. It was rare to hear a proper name like this. She asked with interest, “Is this your name before entering the palace?”

Lu Song nodded and responded respectfully, “Yes.”

No one knew that after he said his name, his hand in his sleeve clenched into a fist. He couldn’t even raise his head to see the reaction of the woman beside Lu Pin.

He never expected to see her after entering the palace.

Lu Song maintained his composure, “If the mistress doesn’t like it, she can give your servant a new name.”

Lu Pin waved her hand, “Forget it, it sounds nice. Let’s keep it that way.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she looked at Lu Song carefully and smiled, covering her mouth, “You’re quite handsome.”

Lu Song was indeed good-looking, with thick eyebrows and thin lips. His facial features were quite angular, and his skin was pale with a hint of yellow, possibly due to malnutrition. He seemed to be new to the palace and hadn’t yet developed the habit of being obsequious, making him stand out among the other palace servants.

Lu Pin had always liked people who were good-looking, and she was in a good mood. After arranging for Lu Song to follow Xiao Rongzi, she turned and entered the hall.

Xiao Rongzi returned with dinner, and since Song Rong was on night duty, she attended to Lu Pin’s meal. After Lu Pin finished eating, Yun Si left the inner hall.

With a new person added to the hall, Yun Si was particularly quiet today. When she saw the figure on the long corridor, she wasn’t surprised at all. She walked past him, heading towards her quarters, but he grabbed her arm.

Lu Song’s eyes were filled with emotion, and his voice was unsteady, “Ah Si.”

Yun Si’s face suddenly turned cold, “Shut up!”

Lu Song’s voice was muffled, but he didn’t let go of her arm. He leaned in closer, his voice barely audible, “I’ve been looking for you for a long time.”

Yun Si’s mind flashed back to some memories she had long wanted to forget. Her face grew colder, “You mean, after your mother sold me and I couldn’t find you when I needed your help, you’ve been looking for me for a long time?”

Her tone was neutral, but it was particularly sarcastic.
Lu Song’s face turned pale in an instant.