Quick Transmigration: Underdog Turns out to be Untouchable

Chapter 881: Chapter 792: Unwilling to Be a Slave (Part 12)

The reason Bai Ruoyun took in Qiushuang and Qiuyi was because of their loyalty. Back when their mistress was accused, the two palace maids steadfastly refused to betray her and testify against her, which is why they were sent to the Violence Room.

Now, Bai Ruoyun was preoccupied with the idea of gathering medicinal herbs with Nangong Shuangshuang. She was ambitious and determined to explore every nook and cranny of the Imperial Palace to retrieve all the herbs she could find.

As for the palace maids working in the Violence Room, they were already disciplined by her. She had accumulated substantial authority, and even if those palace maids harbored any thoughts, a mere glance from her would rectify them, so she wasn’t worried about letting them relax for a few days.

Today, Bai Ruoyun and Nangong Shuangshuang ventured to the northeast corner of the Imperial Garden. Although the original Imperial Garden was large, it wasn’t extraordinarily vast.

The late Emperor had a penchant for indulgence; he had flattened three palaces and claimed vast territories to expand the garden. He had ordered the transplantation of numerous exotic flowers and herbs and the keeping of many strange mutant beasts for leisure.

Unfortunately, the late Emperor passed away within five years, and the massive garden project was left unfinished. The National Treasury, exhausted by his extravagance, led the current Emperor to flatten the unfinished areas and casually plant some flowers and plants without concern for the scenery.

Such a place naturally lacked allure for the nobles, and its remote location led to its eventual neglect. Although it was not as overgrown as the Cold Palace, it was still quite weed-infested.

Bai Ruoyun typically wouldn’t dare to come to such a place. Although the chance of encountering a noble was low, the possibility of accidentally offending one was a grave offense in the palace—a risk she could not afford.

Were it not for having explored every other corner of the palace and her insatiable urge to continue hoarding medicinal herbs, Bai Ruoyun would not have risked bringing Nangong Shuangshuang to the Imperial Garden.

Bai Ruoyun initially thought this place was so secluded that you hardly ever saw a noble, or even notable palace maids or eunuchs would visit throughout the year.

Sometimes, however, fate conjures exactly what you fear. The more Bai Ruoyun wanted to avoid encountering a noble, the more unlikely it seemed, for as soon as she and Nangong Shuangshuang had excavated half a basket of herbs, a grandly attired courtesan flanked by attendants drew near.

The ostentatious display was unmistakably intended for a palace noble, and the ceremonial grandeur was clearly reserved for a third-rank Noble Consort. Although Bai Ruoyun hadn’t ventured into the palace’s core for a while, she, one of the steward aunts, knew who the key ladies of the palace were.

The Emperor’s consorts were few, with only one Noble Consort—Noble Consort Gao. Her father was the Left Imperial Censor of the Imperial Supervision Office, Gao Yan, holding a senior fourth-rank position.

The Imperial Supervision Office and the Six Departments, collectively known as Ke Dao, fell under the purview of officials in charge of speaking. The Imperial Censor who had reported Bai Ruoyun’s father Nangong Chengxuan for embezzlement was from the Imperial Supervision Office and a close subordinate of Gao Yan’s archrival, Right Imperial Censor Wang Zheng.

In this dynasty, the Left was revered; despite both being Imperial Censors, Left Imperial Censor Gao Yan always overshadowed Right Imperial Censor Wang Zheng, igniting Wang Zheng’s discontent, especially because Gao Yan was less competent than him. Wang Zheng longed for a chance to overthrow Gao Yan.

Unfortunately, Gao Yan had an outstanding daughter in Noble Consort Gao, whose beauty and talents garnered the Emperor’s favor. Because of her, despite his mediocrity, Gao Yan held firmly to his role as Left Imperial Censor, leaving Wang Zheng unable to challenge him.

While Nangong Shuangshuang contemplated Noble Consort Gao’s background, the Noble Consort’s procession arrived, prompting Bai Ruoyun and Nangong Shuangshuang to immediately perform a deep curtsy, ”This servant greets the Noble Consort, may the Noble Consort have blessings of gold and peace.”

Noble Consort Gao reclined on a luxurious palanquin, her hand resting on its intricately carved armrest, gazing at the bowing Bai Ruoyun and Nangong Shuangshuang, her eyes briefly sweeping over the basket of herbs in Nangong Shuangshuang’s hands.

Bai Ruoyun’s body tensed as Noble Consort Gao’s eyes fell upon the herb basket, but Nangong Shuangshuang remained calm, expressionless, with her head bowed. Noble Consort Gao spoke in a faint voice, ”From which palace are you servants? What are you digging in that basket?”

Before leaving, Bai Ruoyun and Nangong Shuangshuang had discussed how to respond if they ran into a noble or Chief Palace Maid, so Bai Ruoyun quickly replied, ”In reply to the Noble Consort, this servant is the steward aunt of the Violence Room. With the weather warming these days, mosquitoes have been disturbing the Violence Room, so I came to collect some Mugwort to dry and burn for repelling mosquitoes.”

Noble Consort Gao gave a noncommittal ”hmm,” glancing once again at the Mugwort in Nangong Shuangshuang’s basket. Beneath the tightly packed Mugwort lay faint glimpses of other herbs. After a careful look, Noble Consort Gao waved her hand without further comment, and the strong eunuchs resumed bearing the palanquin forward.

Watching from afar as the Noble Consort’s entourage departed, Bai Ruoyun finally released a breath, standing up with a hint of fatigue. She had been particularly fearful that the Noble Consort would inspect Nangong Shuangshuang’s herb basket, for it contained many herbs they had just excavated, which might have exposed them.

Of course, although the palace did not tend to the sick servants, they would not be punished for finding their own remedies.

If a servant could find medicinal herbs within the Imperial Palace to cure ailments, they certainly would not be held accountable, as long as they didn’t dig in the Imperial Garden. Bai Ruoyun’s tension was mainly due to her fear of the Noble Consort recognizing Nangong Shuangshuang’s skills and taking her away.

The palace is rife with schemes and power struggles; every noble lady would want a knowledgeable, trusted medical aide by her side, not only for personal health but also to avoid troubles regarding food and drink.

If, by good fortune, a Dragon Embryo was conceived, having a skilled aide would greatly increase the chances of a safe delivery. Indeed, having a skilled confidante was highly advantageous.

Considering this, Bai Ruoyun resolved that no matter how plentiful or fine the herbs outside might be, they could not return to the Imperial Garden. Not just the Imperial Garden, but until the herbs were depleted, Nangong Shuangshuang should not be sent out again, lest she attract unwanted attention.

With this in mind, Bai Ruoyun turned to lead Nangong Shuangshuang back, whilst warning her, ”That was truly dangerous just now. If Noble Consort Gao had discovered anything, you might have been punished.”

Bai Ruoyun’s tone was very grave, as though Nangong Shuangshuang had narrowly escaped grave peril. Nangong Shuangshuang cooperatively donned an expression of fright, her voice trembling, ”Auntie, what kind of punishment?”