The little lady in the dining room

Chapter 8
The seven kings of Sydney Yang "sent" her to the Huanyi Bureau to deliver things. The reason was only a rough idea, and the seven kings agreed.

I have to say that he was very helpful with this help, and after answering, he also thoughtfully asked Sydney which day he wanted to go to.Xueli thought about it, it seemed too inappropriate to leave to do her own business when Shangshi Bureau was nervous about the Seven Kings, so she said, "In early August, is it okay?"

The Seven Kings nodded, and called Zhang Kang in, reminding him to go to the Shangshi Bureau in early August and ask Xueli to cook a few dishes and send them to the Huanyi Bureau.

Zhang Kang was confused by this order. He didn't understand why His Highness would send things to the Clothes Bureau. The Seven Kings' explanation was simple and rude: "Don't worry about it, I have my arrangements."

Sydney breathed a sigh of relief, deeply feeling that this was the most "smart" time since she entered the palace!

They were all forced out, if it wasn't for the promotion of the little palace maid, she would never have thought of such a way.

He didn't let the Seven Kings directly open their mouths to press the Shangshi Bureau to keep her, and let the Shangshi Bureau see "Eh? Your Highness actually asked her to do things directly?" to increase his own importance; at the same time, he went to The opportunity of the Huanyi Bureau can also be guaranteed by the female officials at the central government.

So smart!

Xue Li stepped out of the Seven Kings' bedroom, feeling that the fear just now and the gloom that lasted for several days had dissipated.Zhi jumped two steps happily, Shu Er realized that he seemed too forgetful, looked around quickly, straightened his clothes, and walked back in a regular manner.

The way the Seven Kings got angry just now made everyone sweat for Sydney, and seeing her come back safely, no matter whether the relationship is good or not, they are all relieved.

There are many unwritten rules that everyone knows well, so no one hastily asked what the Seven Kings had said to her.The elder Gong'e came over to comfort her, and then went back to rest - after all, they all stayed up all night.

As for whether they have guessed the clues behind the conversation between her and the Seven Kings in the first few words she heard, Xueli doesn't know.In short, since then, Xu Chunsheng never came to make trouble, and the tension in the kitchen was no longer there. Meals were brought in and taken out as usual, and Zhang Kang patiently prepared for supper.

Three days later, they returned to Shangshi Bureau.

As soon as she went back, Shen Nvshi was called to the dining room.Sydney looked around on tiptoe, as if all the other female historians had gone too.

After a while, the female historians summoned the young ladies under Qi Le who had not yet been promoted, and told them: "This year's young ladies will enter the palace on July [-]th."

That is eight days later.

There was a tense atmosphere in the Shangshi Bureau again—I don't know what to say, but after the little maids enter the palace, their fate will be decided faster.

They are doing odd jobs, although many of them rely on the saying "practice makes perfect", but it is simple after all.The little maids will get started very quickly. After they can get started, those among them who have not been promoted to chief envoys or honorary envoys should be sent elsewhere.

Worrying, the eight days passed quickly.At Maoshi on July [-], when the breakfast was ready and the lunch preparations had not yet started, a young eunuch came to send a message to let everyone go to the front yard.

However, they were all gathered in a short while, and the usually empty front yard looked a little imposing because of the large number of people and the orderliness.

There is an empty passage in the middle, and on the right side of the empty passage are all people who can be called "female officials".From the fourth rank, there are four chief cooks, from the fifth rank, eight Dian Shans, from the fifth rank, twelve female historians, plus 16 regular and sixth ranks who are in charge of the classics of the Shangshi Bureau, and [-] Dian attendants.

On the left are all lower-ranking maids of honor.From the seventh-rank selection servants to the back row, they are all arranged in three rows, from the second entrance gate to the head entrance gate.Su Zixian, who has just been promoted to the eighth-rank envoy, is almost in the middle, and the ninth-rank envoy in Sydney is only two feet away from the door.

In this way, when everyone is lined up, those with low status will appear even lower.The difference in clothing is too obvious. For example, their skirt skirts of the ninth rank are cherry pink, while those of the ninth rank who are half a rank lower are pale pink, and the headgear of the ninth rank also has an extra hairpin.

The female officer of Shangshi arrived a little late, standing in front of the entrance of the courtyard, watching her head into the courtyard and waiting quietly.

After a while, the dark red courtyard door slowly opened.

All the court ladies in the courtyard nodded their heads, although they couldn't help taking a peek from the side, but no one dared to whisper to each other, and the courtyard was as quiet as before.

A group of new girls, all seven or eight years old, lined up in two long rows and were brought into the courtyard by several eunuchs.

There are a total of 72 people, all from the pale pink Ruqun of the ninth rank. After two months, 32 will be selected to be promoted to the ninth rank.

After entering the courtyard, the original two columns became four columns.They were far less well-behaved, many people looked around, and the sisters on both sides were full of curiosity.

Until the eunuch who brought them here coughed and said to Shang Shi: "This is Shang Shi's female official."

"Food."

They are blessed.Because they will learn the rules at the Shangyi Bureau for half a month before sending them to various places, so this ceremony... Although it is uneven, it is still acceptable.

This day became very lively.

The female official of Shangshi assigned the new little maids to the female historians. The female historians all added people. They were promoted to the female historians only after they entered the palace in Sydney. bit.

But there was nothing for them to do for a while.Shang Shi asked them to go to rest first, but they couldn't bear the more lively ones, so they couldn't help but want to take a look at the dining room door.

The female officials are too busy to take care of this kind of thing, let alone Sydney and the others—they are considered "experts", and in a few days, when the female officials are free, they will be "cleaned up" Proper.

On the first day of August, the eunuch in charge of Zhengzheng Palace suddenly came to Shangshi Bureau and asked Sydney to cook a few dishes to send to Huanyi Bureau, and said, "It's the meaning of His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince".

This confession was made to Cui Wan, and Cui Wan was stunned for a long time, unable to believe it: "Sydney?!"

Zhang Kang nodded: "Yes."

"Ruan Xueli?" Cui Wan was still surprised, and explained to Zhang Kang, "She is still a little maid, serving as the envoy of the ninth rank. The orders of the Seventh Highness are entrusted to her..."

"This is not something we should be in charge of. His Royal Highness asked her to do this matter by name. Not to mention that she is an official ninth-rank envoy, even those who have just entered the palace must do so!"

Zhang Kang said so.Cui Wan panicked, not because she was afraid of other things, but because she was afraid that Sydney would be punished if she could not handle this matter.

She bowed to Zhang Kang, and said hastily, "Master Zhong, please follow me to see Shangshi's female official", suppressing her surprise, she went to Shangshi Zou's residence.

Zhang Kang didn't panic.Anyway, His Highness the Seventh Highness told him to send Sydney to the Clothes Bureau to deliver some dishes. He only needs to finish this matter, and he has nothing to worry about.

After finishing talking to Shang Shi calmly, Zhang Kangdan looked at Zou Shi and Cui Wan with the same shock.

Mrs. Zou felt so surprised. It was the first time that she had been in charge of the Shangshi Bureau for so long, and it was the first time she had heard that...the prince will find a little maid to deliver food to the Clothes Bureau.

Gathering his mind, Mrs. Zou asked Cui Wan to call Xue Li.

Xueli entered the room, bowed her knees, bowed her head in a polite way: "Ma'am."

Zou pointed at Zhang Kang and said, "Is this the child?"

Zhang Kangdao: "Yes, she was among the people who went to Zhengzheng Palace to prepare meals for His Highness earlier. Maybe she was bold enough to persuade His Highness to have a meal that day, His Highness thinks she is courageous."

As Zhang Kang said, he also found an opportunity to make up a reason for such an arrangement.

Mrs. Zou thought for a moment, nodded slowly, and said with a smile: "Then I will follow His Highness's wishes, but I don't know what dishes to prepare?"

Xue Li bit her teeth sharply.

Still not smart enough! ! !

Why did she never expect that His Highness the Seventh Highness would come to explain this matter, and Shang Shi would naturally ask His Highness what kind of dishes to use, how could she let her arrange it?But His Royal Highness...wouldn't really prepare a meal list in advance.

She peeked nervously at Zhang Kang, but when she saw Zhang Kang bowed, she actually took out a piece of paper from her sleeve.

Now, Sydney is even more nervous!
In case His Royal Highness Seven wrote down delicacies from mountains and seas, she would take them to the Clothes Bureau and give them to the female officer in charge, but the female officer in charge would not dare to accept them...

Zou took the list and looked at it, her expression unchanged, she handed it to Xueli.

Xueli stepped forward to take it, feeling so restless that her breath was stagnant, she bit her lip and gained courage for a long time before she raised her eyelids to see what was written on the paper.

There are six lines in total.The handwriting is beautiful and flamboyant.

Red bean rice, pork ribs and yam soup, chicken feet with pickled peppers, fish fillets, sweet and sour cherry meat, shortbread with red bean paste.

Well, nothing too rare.

"We will prepare and send it as soon as possible." Mrs. Zou nodded like Zhang Kang.

Zhang Kang cupped his hands to express his reassurance, and added: "Remember to let her deliver it."

Then Zhang Kang left.In the room, Mrs. Zou was sitting, Cui Wan and Xue Li were standing, all still a little dazed.

After a while, Zou breathed a sigh of relief, and told Cui Wan: "You and Aqin choose a few people to do it together, and let her send it off."

"No." Cui Wanfu leaned forward, thought for a while, and begged for another chance for Xue Li, "Slave servant let her learn?"

At this juncture, everyone wants their own people to have more opportunities to learn their skills. If no one around them can stay, it will not look good to be a female history.

Sydney was pleasantly surprised and looked at Mrs. Zou, who really nodded: "It's good to learn this, let's go."

The two retired together.Cui Wan went to find Xue Qin, and called a few waiters and regular waiters who were not bad at cooking, divided up the work, and started to prepare meals.

"The yam for pork ribs and yam soup needs to be cut into pieces with a hob." Cui Wan said as she dropped the knife in her hand.Every time the yam is cut and turned, the white yam that has been peeled will soon become several pieces.

She took a piece and showed it to Sydney: "Each piece is half an inch long."

After she finished speaking, she went to fetch the casserole.As soon as he picked it up and looked at it, his eyebrows frowned.

Putting the casserole on the table, Cui Wan said with a cold face, "Call out all the little maids who washed the dishes yesterday."

"No." The waiter Yichang said, and he didn't dare to get out of the air, so he went to find someone.

Cui Wan took two more sections of yam to Sydney: "You practice, I'll be right back."

This indifferent look...

Xue Li tightened her shoulders, nodded repeatedly, and watched Cui Wan leave with stealthy eyes.

When Xue Li walked out of the dining room with the food box, she saw more than two dozen new maids being punished by the wall.

The seven or eight-year-old girls were almost a head shorter than her, and they stood in a row without raising their heads. They stretched out their little hands, clenching their teeth and waiting for the one-foot-wide bamboo board to fall down.

Xueli walked over bravely, whispering constantly in her ears.

Finally arrived at the most desolate palace road again.

Fortunately, it was noon this time, and the sun was full, so it was not as cold and gloomy as last time.

As Sydney walked forward, she thought to herself that she would go to the imperial hospital when she returned later, and ask the doctor for two sets of wound healing medicines for the new little maids.

It also hurts to hit the bamboo board on the palm of the hand, not much more comfortable than the rattan stick on the forearm in the future!
Suddenly someone stood in front of him.

"Yeah", Xue Li hurriedly stopped, looked up and stepped back, bent her knees and said, "Master Wei."

Holding a large barrel of arrows, Wei Chen looked down at her with a smile: "Go to the clothing bureau again?"

"Yeah." Sydney nodded.

The last time I went to Zichen Palace to deliver supper, Wei Chen protected her, and after that she was no longer so afraid of him.

The food box was placed on the ground, she knelt down, took out the dish of shortbread with red bean paste and brought it to him: "Thank you, my lord, for helping the slaves speak in Zichen Palace!"

Gratitude.She prepared six kinds of food today, and it doesn't matter if she takes out one of them.

Wei Chen couldn't help smiling, looked at the snacks she was holding, and at the heavy quiver in his hand: "Can you help me carry it?"

Sydney was a little startled.

I really don't want to see the commander who used darts to scare people again, but right now, she said thank you first, and it's not easy to take it back.

She put the snacks back into the food box and carried them together, and followed Wei Chen dully, walking directly behind Wei Chen all the way, so that the commander could not throw darts at her...

Walking to the gate of the courtyard, Wei Chen quickly released his hand and pushed it away. As soon as Xueli took a look, she was frightened by the situation in the courtyard!

Under the bright sunshine at noon, more than a dozen male-like silver grays were scattered, standing in a neat row, bowing and stringing, and they all looked over at the sound of the door...

Because they were lined up too neatly, she looked at them from this slightly oblique angle, and for a moment thought she saw double images.

The dozen or so people frowned when they saw the little girl sticking her head out from behind Wei Chen.

"Ming Xuan-jun." The commander stood with his hands behind his back in the corridor, and smiled lightly, "It's fine if Ming Xuan-jun is late, why did you bring a girl?"

At the beginning of the sentence, the eyes turned slightly: "Let's go."

The ten or so people turned their heads to face the target in an instant, and the feathers and arrows shot out in an instant, and the sound of piercing the target was very loud.

Seeing the target, Sydney was shocked again.

A tiger is drawn on the target.More than a dozen arrows were shot on the tiger's neck without exception...

With such a fast speed just now, she has no idea how they aimed at it!

Wei Chen smiled easily, bent down and put the quiver by the door.As if sensing Sydney's nervousness, he reached out and patted her on the back, and walked in with her.

While walking, he explained to the commander: "I just met her when I walked to Yinhan Gate. I have a thank you gift for me, so I asked her to bring it directly."

Sydney really wants to escape...

Silently, they followed him to the front of the commander, separated only by a fence for people to sit on.

Sydney put the food box on the fence, took out the plate of snacks and put it down.Wei Chen reached out and took a piece to eat, and said with a smile, "Not bad."

Xueli forced a smile, glanced carefully out of the corner of the eye, and the commander took the initiative to eat a piece.

"It's too sweet," he said.Fortunately, one piece of shortbread was only enough for two bites, so he threw the rest into his mouth with a frown and ate it.

Wei Chen's eyes fell on the food box she hadn't closed yet, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he smiled shortly: "Pickled pepper and chicken feet?"

"Yeah!" She nodded.

Wei Chen looked thoughtful, Xueli didn't know what he was thinking about, and stared at him intently.

After a while, he reached into his sleeve with his right hand, and when he took out a small piece of silver, he said, "I'll buy this dish from you."

Sydney was dumbfounded.

"My lord..." She lowered her head and hesitated, then raised her eyes to look at him again, "This vegetable servant is going to be sent to the Clothes Bureau."

(End of this chapter)