So, Bai Sheng quickly released the little black snake from her space, making it seem as though it had suddenly sprung from the nearby lotus pond and lunged directly at Princess Xin Yao's face.
"Ah! A snake!" Princess Xin Yao screamed in fright, stumbling backward in panic. Losing her balance, she fell towards the lotus pond. The young palace maids beside her immediately reached out to pull her back, but it was too late. They both tumbled into the lotus pond in a heap.
Seeing this, the other palace maids and eunuchs were greatly alarmed, some rushing to save the princess, others looking for the snake, causing extreme chaos.
But there was no trace of the snake anywhere.
Within a 200-meter radius, Bai Sheng effortlessly retrieved the little black snake back into her space.
She followed Eunuch Zhu, a secret smile curling at her lips.
The little black snake had been exceptionally agile today and had performed a great service. Bai Sheng planned to formally name it that evening when she entered her space.
Princess Xin Yao was pulled out, looking utterly disheveled. However, instead of tending to her embarrassing appearance, she immediately began slapping the palace maid who had pulled her, "You lowly wretch, how dare you fall onto this princess!"
The palace maid, soaked through with her hair disheveled, knelt on the ground, trembling with fear.
She regretted her impulsive action, wondering why she had to pull the princess. Not only did she fail to save her, but she was also dragged into the water with her, falling on top of the princess.
Princess Xin Yao then glared hatefully at the lotus pond and roared, "Fill this entire lotus pond for me!"
A young eunuch immediately responded respectfully, "Your Highness, this lotus pond was specially built by His Ancestor Emperor for Empress Ming Chun. It absolutely cannot be filled. If His Majesty were to be displeased—"
"If you're not filling it, then don't! Why are you talking so much nonsense? You're so annoying!" Princess Xin Yao impatiently interrupted the eunuch, "Then order someone to find all the snakes in this lotus pond. I want to throw them into the furnace and burn them all to death!"
A flicker of helplessness crossed the young eunuch's eyes. He could only brace himself and say, "Yes," then turned to find other eunuchs to go into the lotus pond to search for snakes.
Consort Mei resided in Yong'an Palace. Its location was somewhat secluded but offered a more serene environment.
Before even entering the palace grounds, Bai Sheng heard the clang of weapons and the shouts of women exerting themselves.
Could there be assassins? Bai Sheng immediately tilted her head back to look over the palace walls, but they were too high to see anything.
Eunuch Zhu, however, appeared calm, showing no signs of panic, as if this scene was commonplace for him.
Upon entering the palace grounds, Bai Sheng saw a slender woman dressed in martial attire, wearing a mask, sparring with another woman holding a sword.
Both women were sparring with restraint, indicating they were practicing their martial arts. It was no wonder Eunuch Zhu hadn't reacted to the sounds of fighting.
Seeing Eunuch Zhu's return, both women stopped and turned their gaze towards Bai Sheng.
Eunuch Zhu bowed to the masked woman, "Consort Mei, Miss Bai has arrived."
Consort Mei?!
Bai Sheng was astonished. Where was the gentle, water-like, quiet, and beautiful imperial consort she had imagined? How could Consort Mei be a chivalrous woman who preferred martial attire to makeup?
And she was wearing a rather distinctive silver mask!
This was completely unlike the appearance of a concubine in the imperial harem! She looked like a woman of the martial world!
However, Bai Sheng liked her very much!
She disliked women who spent their days vying for men and scheming against each other. She felt their perspectives were too narrow, and they lived less freely than birds.
But, Consort Mei seemed so bold and upright; why was she willing to reside in this unfree imperial harem? And to share a husband with countless other beauties, enduring their subtle or overt animosity?
"This humble subject, Bai Sheng, greets Consort Mei!" Bai Sheng respectfully bowed to Consort Mei.
"Miss Bai, there's no need for such formality." Consort Mei spoke with a slight pant, casually tossing her sword to the woman beside her and smiling at Bai Sheng, "Let's go inside and sit."
With that, she strode through the courtyard towards the front hall.
Eunuch Zhu smiled and gestured to Bai Sheng, "Please."
Bai Sheng smiled back, returned the gesture, and followed.
The woman holding the sword put it away and also walked towards the front hall. She washed her hands in a bronze basin brought by a palace maid before rising to pour tea for Bai Sheng.
"Please have some tea, Miss Bai. I am Zi Qiu, Consort Mei's personal maid."
"Hello, Sister Zi Qiu!" Bai Sheng said with a bright smile.
Zi Qiu let out a giggle. "At my age, I could be your aunt, Miss Bai. Where did you get 'sister' from?"
"You look very young," this was Bai Sheng's genuine thought. This maid named Zi Qiu looked no older than twenty-something.
Zi Qiu laughed again, her demeanor lacking the strict formality of other palace maids.
Another palace maid brought water for the Empress to wash up. After wiping the sweat from her neck with a handkerchief, the Empress sat in the main seat.
Although her expression couldn't be clearly seen through the mask, Bai Sheng felt there was a smile in her eyes.
A moment later, Consort Mei chuckled, "Miss Bai, your beauty is indeed radiant and extraordinary, and your temperament is clear and lively. No wonder my son, Jing Yu, likes you so much."
Jing Yu must be the name of Prince Yu.
Bai Sheng was startled and immediately explained respectfully, "Reporting to Consort Mei, this humble subject is already married and has four sons. It is absolutely inappropriate to mention anyone else liking me."
Consort Mei chuckled. "Jing Yu did indeed tell me you were married. He also said your husband is a very handsome pretty boy. Hehe, but that doesn't stop him from liking you and admiring you."
"Consort Mei, this humble subject is crude and of low status, truly unworthy of Prince Yu's affection. I hope Consort Mei will not misunderstand." Bai Sheng was inwardly amazed; Consort Mei's thinking was even more open than many modern people.
Consort Mei smiled gently. "Miss Bai, please don't be so modest. I am very pleased that my son likes you so much. Moreover, I am especially grateful to you. You are the first person he has ever admitted to liking in his life.
Before, I even doubted if he might have a preference for men. Now it's all good; he likes women, and a very outstanding woman at that. It's just a pity you are already married.
But, you needn't be concerned. I believe my son will never trouble you. You are like a beautiful flower, destined not to belong to him. He will only stand far away and admire you, but not pluck you."
Bai Sheng didn't know what to say. She finally understood who had influenced Prince Yu's willful personality.
"Thank you for your kind words, Consort Mei. To speak a treasonous phrase, this humble subject has always regarded Prince Yu as a good... brother (close call! Almost said 'sister'!). This humble woman has also always hoped that Prince Yu will find his true love soon, fly wing to wing, and have many children," Bai Sheng said sincerely.
Consort Mei smiled. "Your words are appreciated. However, Jing Yu has his own thoughts, and I do not interfere with him."
Bai Sheng no longer wanted to continue this topic. Seeing that several eunuchs had already brought in the chests, she immediately smiled, "Consort Mei, this is my first visit to you, and I have nothing worthy to present. I have only brought some peculiar fruits, hoping you might try them."