Chapter 76: Chapter 47: It’s That Troublemaker
Nanny Zhang was swamped with work, so when she heard Zhang Maoquan had arrived, her heart sank. She immediately got up to welcome him.
"This humble servant greets you, Chief Steward Zhang. What brings you here today? Are there new orders from on high?" With a broad smile, Nanny Zhang ushered Zhang Maoquan into the main hall.
Zhang Maoquan’s expression was grave and his posture ramrod-straight. He fixed his gaze on Nanny Zhang. "I heard Miss Song was injured. Nanny, what happened here?"
Nanny Zhang had already suspected this was the reason for his visit, but hearing Zhang Maoquan ask it aloud still made her heart lurch.
A glint appeared in her eyes before she spoke. "It is all due to this servant’s lack of thoroughness, which has troubled you, Chief Steward Zhang. During etiquette practice today, some of the concubines couldn’t take the strain. One accidentally fell and knocked another over, and Miss Song ended up getting hurt as a result."
"Is that so? Nanny Zhang, you are a clever woman. Do not try to cover for anyone."
Cold sweat threatened to break out on Nanny Zhang’s back, but the smile on her face only grew more earnest. "Chief Steward Zhang, this servant has worked in Zhichun Palace for decades. As you know, I have always been impartial in my duties. I would never dare to spout nonsense."
Zhang Maoquan scoffed inwardly; he didn’t believe a word of it. "As long as you’re aware."
Nanny Zhang bowed as she saw Zhang Maoquan off. The second he was gone, her expression transformed. She rushed into an inner room, pulled out a letter she had received earlier, and burned it with a flint. Her face was grim, her expression wavering.
’I knew this would be a thankless task. I can’t afford to offend Zhang Maoquan, but I can’t afford to offend the one who sent me the message, either. Now I’m caught in the middle, unable to move up or down.’
Nanny Yin walked in just then. Smelling something burning, she frowned. "Did you send him away?"
Nanny Zhang nodded. "How did things go on your end?"
"What else could I do? Her lips are sealed. She insists it was her own jealousy of Miss Song that made her push the girl and cause the injury. She’s shouldering all the blame." Nanny Yin didn’t seem too concerned. This kind of thing happened a few times during every selection.
There were always a few unlucky souls destined to be stepping stones for others.
And who was there to blame?
Only their own families, for using their daughters as stepping stones.
Nanny Zhang huffed. "So we’re just leaving it at that?"
Nanny Yin looked up at Nanny Zhang. "Zhang Maoquan came to ask about it himself. Do you really think that’ll fly?"
If no one from on high were paying attention, it would be a simple matter. But now that Zhang Maoquan had stepped in, they couldn’t afford to be careless.
"Then what do you suggest? Our power as Housekeepers only goes so far. That concubine is adamant it was her own doing. Short of sending her to the Imprisonment Department for interrogation, what can we do? Besides, would Chief Steward Zhang really raise such a fuss over one Miss Song?"
Nanny Zhang lowered her voice, her words carrying a subtle, unspoken implication. With so many high-ranking concubines in the harem watching, it might not be a good thing for someone from Zhichun Palace to stand out so soon.
Nanny Yin was also getting frustrated. After a moment, she said, "Be that as it may, this Miss Song seems to have fortune on her side. And that person did say that, no matter what, someone ’different’ has to emerge from the palace this year."
Nanny Zhang sighed. "So be it."
Nanny Yin patted Nanny Zhang’s arm. "You don’t need to worry so much. I can tell Miss Song is no ordinary girl. If we protect her today, who knows? We might benefit from her good fortune someday."
Nanny Zhang shook her head. "I wouldn’t dare count on that. I only hope to make it out of the palace in one piece someday."
At these words, Nanny Yin’s expression went blank for a second before she let out a soft laugh. "You have a point." She started walking toward the door as she spoke. "I’ll go check on Miss Song. You can handle the other concubine."
"What’s to be done with her?"
"Report it to the higher-ups, of course."
Nanny Zhang asked in annoyance, "And which of the imperial consorts should we report to?"
If Consort Chu were still alive, we would naturally report to the Imperial Concubine. But with her gone, there are three consorts of the first rank. Choosing one means offending the other two.
"You’re getting confused. His Majesty never decreed that the harem consorts should oversee the selection process. Naturally, the report goes to Taiji Palace."
Nanny Zhang opened and closed her mouth without a word. She had been on the wrong track. ’If I had known, I would have explained it all to Chief Steward Zhang in detail.’
She’d have to wear out her own legs making another trip. Besides, Taixi Hall didn’t just have Zhang Maoquan; there was also Meng Jiuchang and Xu Sixi. She couldn’t afford to get on the wrong side of any of them.
The two women went their separate ways, failing to notice a shadow flicker past the rear window and disappear.
After listening to Nanny Yin, a perfectly timed look of astonishment appeared on Song Yunzhao’s face. "I have no quarrel or grudge with Zhang Xiu Ni. I can’t believe she would harbor such a malicious desire to harm someone. It’s simply incredible."
