Volume One, Chapter Four: The Palace Maid Before the Emperor

Deng Chumo said, "Aunt, the Grand Tutor once said that the woman mentioned in the prophecy represents a pivotal opportunity. The timing of this woman’s appearance is highly suspicious. I believe that if we truly fulfill the divination and use her to counteract Xu Qing, our path to controlling the imperial court will become entirely unobstructed."

Empress Dowager Deng turned her face away upon hearing this, stepped back, and pondered for a moment.

Lou Hongling could not help but sneer inwardly. She did not believe in destiny or prophecies; she only found it laughable that Deng Chumo remained as arrogant and self-important as ever.

Taking advantage of the silence, Deng Chumo walked toward Lou Hongling, extended his hand, and offered a seemingly gentle smile. "Miss Lou, you are safe now."

Deng Chumo was known as the most handsome man in Chang'an, his dashing and romantic air having stolen the hearts of countless women. Such a gesture from a face so handsome was naturally highly effective—though it failed to move Lou Hongling in the slightest.

Lou Hongling watched him with vigilance. Seeing the flash of intense hatred in her eyes, Deng Chumo’s expression stiffened. He wondered how he could have possibly offended her, unable to fathom why she looked at him with such animosity.

Although she did not know exactly what had happened to lead to this moment, she had to rely on Empress Dowager Deng to reach Xu Qing's side and clear the obstacles for him, just as she had in her previous life.

Thus, she compromised for the time being. Lowering her gaze and feigning modesty, she placed her hand in Deng Chumo’s palm. Yet, the moment they touched, she could not stop herself from feeling nauseated; every pore in her body trembled.

*Lou Hongling, you must endure,* she told herself. Her lowered eyelids perfectly masked her revulsion.

"Thank you, Your Grace."

Lou Hongling allowed him to pull her up with a look of feigned fragility. Deng Chumo was satisfied with her submissiveness, assuming the look he had seen earlier must have been a mistake.

Empress Dowager Deng, already superstitious about divination, looked at Lou Hongling with growing hesitation. Knowing the Empress Dowager was weighing her options, Lou Hongling took the initiative to pledge her loyalty.

"Now that my father has passed and I am left all alone, I only wish to find a sliver of peace in this palace and atone for my family's sins."

Her eyes revealed a mix of sorrow and determination, calculated to make her true intentions impossible to discern. Having navigated the treacherous waters of power for years, the Empress Dowager would not be so easily swayed. She gave a cold laugh that echoed jarringly through the silent palace.

"Hmph. If that is the case, then prove it to me."

She whispered a few words to her attendant, and Qingdai immediately understood, exiting the chamber.

A moment later, a eunuch entered carrying a tray. On it sat a poisonous scorpion, its claws snapping and its venomous tail shimmering with a cold, purple light under the candlelight.

"Pick up this scorpion. If you dare to touch it, I shall believe that your loyalty to me is genuine."

The Empress Dowager’s voice was filled with oppression, waiting to see Lou Hongling recoil.

"Aunt, is this appropriate? She is, after all, a weak woman."

Deng Chumo spoke up with hypocritical chivalry, though there was no genuine concern in his eyes.

It would be a lie to say she was not hesitant. Lou Hongling took a deep breath; if she backed down now, all her previous efforts would be in vain, and her life would once again be at stake. She slowly stood up, her gaze fixed intently on the poisonous creature. Without a moment's hesitation, she reached out and grabbed it.

The surrounding attendants gasped, as if they already envisioned her dying from a venomous sting. Yet, Lou Hongling’s hand remained steady. The scorpion struggled violently in her grasp, its tail lashing out, but her gaze remained firm, showing not a hint of fear.

After a few moments, the scorpion seemed cowed by her aura; it gradually ceased its struggle and lay motionless in her palm.

Lou Hongling placed the scorpion back on the tray and knelt again. Her legs were trembling, and sweat dripped onto the floor. She struggled to keep from fainting, forcing herself to remain conscious.

"Empress Dowager, I have proven my loyalty."

In truth, she had been gambling, and fortunately, she had won.

Empress Dowager Deng nodded slightly, a flicker of surprise and admiration crossing her eyes. She was somewhat satisfied with Lou Hongling’s performance, but the prophecy still left her suspicious. She felt this woman was not simple and must not be taken lightly.

Staring down at Lou Hongling, the Empress Dowager curled her lips into a meaningful, cold smile. "Do you think I will trust you entirely just because you caught this scorpion? Lou Xiao’s daughter—your mind must run deep indeed."

With a flick of her sleeve, Qingdai, who stood nearby, understood and stepped forward to present a secret document. The Empress Dowager tapped the letter, her eyes filled with authority.

"I have heard that the Emperor has been in frequent, secret contact with a certain minister lately. He is surely plotting something detrimental to me. If you are truly loyal, investigate the truth behind this within a month. Otherwise, your life may not last much longer."

Lou Hongling knew she could not agree too quickly. She lowered her head, her voice trembling slightly as she feigned composure. "Empress Dowager, this matter is of great importance. With my meager strength, I fear..."

"What?"

The Empress Dowager interrupted her impatiently, her eyes filled with a threat. "Are you defying my command?"

Lou Hongling quickly knelt lower, her forehead touching the ground, her voice filled with helplessness and resolve. "I would not dare. I shall do everything in my power to live up to your trust."

"Rise. I hope that in the future, you will remain as loyal and obedient to me as you claim today. If I discover any ulterior motives, you know what the consequences will be." The Empress Dowager’s voice remained cold, heavy with warning.

"As you command."

The Empress Dowager summoned Qingdai to assist her and turned to leave. Deng Chumo stepped forward slowly, speaking in a tone of feigned pity. "Get up. Your name is Lou Hongling, is it not?"

"Yes."

"Miss Hongling, I truly could not bear to see my aunt act this way, but my position is humble and my words carry little weight, so I could not protect you. However, as long as you fulfill the tasks she gives you, I will do my best to keep you safe."

Lou Hongling frowned slightly. Although the timing of their meeting was different from her previous life, Deng Chumo’s method of manipulating hearts remained unchanged. How could she have been so foolish as to think he was a good man?

She knew exactly what Deng Chumo wanted to see. Adopting the submissive persona he favored, she thanked him with a timid, subservient air.

As Lou Hongling walked out of the hall, Deng Chumo fell into deep thought, questioning whether his approach was truly correct, before pride eventually took over again. He did not believe that a mere palace maid could escape his control and turn the world upside down.

The following day, Aunt Qingdai arrived with the Empress Dowager’s decree. Lou Hongling was officially appointed as a palace maid serving in the Imperial Presence, with orders to report to the Xuanshi Palace immediately.

The news hit the servants' quarters like a bombshell. Those who had once bullied her and Zhang Zhiqiu stood frozen, their faces filled with shock and regret.

Although the Emperor was out of favor, a position as an attendant in the Imperial Presence was something most could only dream of achieving. How, they wondered, had Lou Hongling managed to secure such a promotion after only meeting the Empress Dowager once?

At that moment, Matron Zhang was overseeing the sweeping of the courtyard. When she heard the news, her broom clattered to the ground. She stared in disbelief, muttering to herself, "How is this possible? How can this be..."

She could never have imagined that the little maid she had always considered a pushover would transform into an attendant handpicked by the Empress Dowager herself.