Chapter 1355 - 1362: Situ Changge’s Impulse (1)
The Autumn Hunt had ended, and Ning Huaixiu, the daughter of Prime Minister Ning, followed the Sacred Carriage back to the palace. This pampered young lady, from the most noble heiress of the Great Jin Nation, transformed in an instant into a nameless palace maid by the side of The Emperor and the Empress.
Before, Prime Minister Ning had vehemently opposed his daughter’s choice to demean herself in such a way, but Ning Huaixiu was resolute in her decision. Despite the couple’s earnest entreaties, she refused to turn back. Seeing that his persuasion was in vain, Prime Minister Ning, in a fit of anger, decided to wash his hands off her and pretended as if he had no such daughter.
Although Madam Ning could not bring herself to be as decisive as her husband, the depth of her daughter’s stubbornness also filled her with disappointment.
A chancellor’s daughter of her stature, in terms of identity, was more than qualified to be an Empress, yet she demeaned and belittled herself so willingly. For the sake of a man, she did not only forsake her own dignity but also disregarded the reputation of her parents, brothers, and sisters, insisting on being a lowly palace maid by The Emperor’s side.
Disappointed as they were, they no longer showered her with the affection they had before, allowing her to enter the palace!
Ning Huaixiu ambitiously entered the palace, only to discover that life therein was utterly different from what she had imagined. In her fantasy, she was to be The Emperor’s personal attendant, supposed to spend her entire days by his side, handing him tea and grinding ink, her presence adding fragrance like an accessory to his sleeve.
However, on the very day she entered the palace, the Steward Eunuch, Meng Huaian, assigned her to the nightly shift, which meant she had to sleep throughout the day, only getting the opportunity to serve by The Emperor’s side from the Hai hour to the Yin Time.