Quick Transmigration: Underdog Turns out to be Untouchable

Chapter 888: Chapter 799: Unwilling to Be a Slave 19

A noble lady, whose status fell from the heights to the depths of Hell overnight, did not fall into despair or helplessness. Instead, she adapted quickly to everything and devised an excellent life plan in such a short time, while also taking care of her mother.

At such an age, with such temperament, such strategy, and such capability, each aspect is enough to make the Noble Consort feel apprehensive.

The Noble Consort asked herself, if she were Nangong Shuangshuang, she would definitely not be able to achieve this. Faced with such a possibly scheming individual, even though Nangong Shuangshuang’s current status is as lowly as dust, she instinctively felt pressured.

Seeing Nangong Shuangshuang perform the ceremonial greeting before her, the Noble Consort took a deep breath discreetly and said calmly, ”Rise, Nangong Shuangshuang. The purpose of my summoning you today should be clear to you.”

The Noble Consort always believed that she had schemed against Nangong Shuangshuang, but after much contemplation, she realized that she might have actually been schemed against by Nangong Shuangshuang, who intentionally grabbed her attention for the sake of her father, Nangong Chengxuan.

Though she figured out Nangong Shuangshuang’s plan, the Noble Consort had to think for many days to understand this, which made her both fear and desire to win over Nangong Shuangshuang even more because she urgently needed capable people around her.

Nangong Shuangshuang was not surprised that her plan was discovered by the Noble Consort. She wanted a smart person to support, not a fool. If the Noble Consort still hadn’t realized she had been schemed against after such a long time, Nangong Shuangshuang would have immediately, and without hesitation, switched her target and given up on the Noble Consort.

Therefore, Nangong Shuangshuang admitted frankly, ”Your servant understands why Your Highness summoned me. From now on, I am willing to wholeheartedly serve Your Highness. Should I betray, my parents and I will descend to Hell together.”

Ancient people valued oaths greatly, and Nangong Shuangshuang making such a solemn vow indicated her loyalty. With this single vow, the Noble Consort could relax most of her tense emotions, feeling that Nangong Shuangshuang sincerely wanted to acknowledge her as a master.

This both relieved the Noble Consort and secretly thrilled her. Being chosen by an outstanding person is an acknowledgment of her, and being recognized by clever people is an enjoyable experience.

With a slight smile appearing on the Noble Consort’s face, she lightly tapped the table beside her, where a letter was. The Noble Consort gestured for her trusted aide Lan Ying to hand the letter to Nangong Shuangshuang, ”I understand your purpose for approaching me. Here is your father’s handwritten letter. After reading it, burn it.”

I have ordered that two excellent rooms be prepared, both suitable for your mother and you to reside in. Although you both hold the status of criminal slaves, I can’t upgrade your ranks immediately. You will have to bear the title of servant maid for the time being.

However, all your benefits will be equivalent to those of a First-class Palace Maid. I will not treat you badly. In the future, if an opportunity arises, I will definitely find a way to ask the Emperor to pardon your crimes and remove your criminal slave status, allowing you to advance according to the palace maid promotion rules.”

Nangong Shuangshuang took the envelope from Lan Ying, thanked the Noble Consort again, and opened it in front of her. Inside was indeed Nangong Chengxuan’s handwriting. Although Nangong Chengxuan was a man of integrity who disliked mingling, he was not stubborn and did not reject the care provided by the Noble Consort.

Yet, Nangong Chengxuan did not want his daughter to pledge allegiance solely for a better life. In the letter, he truthfully expressed his circumstances, instructing Nangong Shuangshuang not to worry about him and act according to her heart.

After reading the letter, Nangong Shuangshuang thanked the Noble Consort once more, then handed the letter back to Lan Ying, asking her to burn it on the spot. Whether helping criminal slaves in the Violence Room care for her father or secretly facilitating letter delivery, these could not be known by the Emperor and indeed violated his taboos.

Nangong Shuangshuang did this to show the Noble Consort that she wouldn’t let parental attachments leave behind her father’s handwritten letter, thus causing trouble for the Noble Consort.

Watching as Nangong Chengxuan’s letter burned to ash was the moment Nangong Shuangshuang said, ”Your servant, on behalf of my father, thanks the Noble Consort Empress for her kindness. In the future, your servant wishes to serve the Empress loyally. However, since entering the palace, I have been greatly cared for by the Steward Aunt of the Violence Room. I request permission to bid farewell to her.”

The Noble Consort nodded, not objecting to Nangong Shuangshuang’s decision. On the contrary, she was somewhat pleased. Nangong Shuangshuang had now risen to her side, and it could be said that as the Emperor’s favored concubine, her third-class palace maids had more face than a Steward Aunt from the Violence Room.

Nangong Shuangshuang’s remembrance of past superiors was a sign of her loyalty and righteousness, which was a good thing for the Noble Consort. A loyal servant was certainly more reassuring than a callous lackey.

When Nangong Shuangshuang returned to the Violence Room, Bai Ruoyun was pacing anxiously, and even Qiushuang and Qiuyi beside her looked worried. Bai Ruoyun had an ominous sense that Nangong Shuangshuang, her talisman for survival, was leaving her this time.

Bai Ruoyun did not suspect Nangong Shuangshuang of any wrongdoing since Nangong Shuangshuang never took unnecessary steps or glanced around while outside, always diligently digging herbs.

Encountering the Noble Consort happened only once, and afterwards, Nangong Shuangshuang never left the Violence Room, except to visit Xiao Chun for treatment, the furthest she had gone. How could she possibly have connected with the Noble Consort under such circumstances.

Bai Ruoyun thought and thought, concluding that there was only one possibility: when she encountered the Noble Consort, the latter didn’t believe her and became suspicious, investigated Nangong Shuangshuang, discovered her abilities, and decided to employ her.

The Violence Room was entirely under Bai Ruoyun’s control, and although she hadn’t thought of it before, now with suspicions, Bai Ruoyun immediately summoned the working palace maids to inquire, and indeed found a clue: someone had already been probing into Nangong Shuangshuang’s matters.

Bai Ruoyun’s heart went cold. Nangong Shuangshuang was someone she could no longer retain. Growing ever angrier, Bai Ruoyun burst into a fit of rage, picked up a whip, and ruthlessly lashed at the palace maids before her.

While whipping, she shouted: ”You loose-lipped lot, have you forgotten the Violence Room’s rules prohibiting idle talk among yourselves? A few days without a beating and you don’t know your limits; I’ll beat you to death!”

After a harsh whipping of those gossiping palace maids, Bai Ruoyun’s heart was still full of remorse and she deeply regretted not keeping a closer eye on the Violence Room, resulting in the Noble Consort’s people probing out information. She resolved to control these maids’ tongues moving forward, forbidding them from gossiping further.