The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 200: Chapter 199: Slapping the Green Tea Empress Dowager (Part 16)

The Empress Dowager’s expression was very unpleasant.

She forced a smile: ”What do you mean?”

Anning smiled with delight: ”I was thinking that I can’t compare to you in experience. You’ve seen many beauties in the harem and know who is loyal and honest, who can serve well. So, I thought I’d ask you for a good palace maid to take back to serve the Prince. Of course, if you could give more than one, that would make me even happier.”

The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes slightly, hiding her venomous gaze: ”Does Prince Kang know?”

Anning covered her mouth and giggled lightly: ”Of course, he knows. I told him I would ask you for people. Our Prince even scolded me, saying it’s not easy for you to train a few who are both good-looking and sensible, yet it ends up benefitting me and the Prince.”

Anning gestured and a servant girl came over holding a box.

Anning opened the box: ”The Prince and I discussed that we shouldn’t just take your people for nothing, so we specially picked a few presentable items for your enjoyment.”

Upon opening the box, it was filled with many treasures.

There were thumb-sized pearls, exquisitely made Liu Li bead bracelets, and various jade ornaments.

Anning placed the box on the table next to the Empress Dowager: ”Please be generous and pick a good maid for me, so I can report back to the Prince.”

The Empress Dowager took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in her heart. She almost wanted to tear Anning apart, but then she thought that sending a palace maid over wouldn’t be too bad.

She could send one who was well-trained and loyal to her. Firstly, it could win over Prince Kang, and secondly, it might also allow her to gather some information from Prince Kang Mansion and potentially cause some trouble for Princess Kang.

Thinking this way, the Empress Dowager felt calmer.

She also smiled: ”It’s tough for you to think so much for Prince Kang. Well, I actually do have someone in mind.”

The Empress Dowager thought of a few palace maids whom Nanny Qin had trained over the past two years. Among them, a maid named Xiao Lu was exceptionally beautiful and very loyal. Originally, she had wanted to keep her to serve the Emperor when he got married. Now, since Princess Kang is asking for maids, she might as well send Xiao Lu.

She called over Nanny Qin: ”Call Xiao Lu here.”

Nanny Qin’s smile was a bit dry, and she soon returned with a delicate-looking and submissive palace maid.

Anning looked at the palace maid for a while and then smiled, bowing to the Empress Dowager: ”She really is a good person, thank you for your consideration, Empress Dowager.”

Anning didn’t linger long in Shoukang Palace; after getting Xiao Lu, she took her directly back to the Prince Mansion.

On the way, Anning and Xiao Lu didn’t talk.

Anning seemed at ease, but Xiao Lu was somewhat nervous.

She occasionally stole glances at Anning but did not dare to make eye contact, appearing anxious.

When Anning arrived at the Prince Mansion and was leading her to the inner house, she whispered softly: ”Don’t be afraid, I know you are Mr. Xiao’s person.”

It turns out that Xiao Lu was the younger sister of Xiao Yu. The sisters had been orphaned at a young age and were cheated out of their family fortune by relatives. When they were destitute and had nowhere to go, Xiao Yuan saved their lives.

Later, Xiao Yuan needed to place people inside the palace, and remembering the life-saving grace, Xiao Yu and Xiao Lu volunteered to enter the palace as spies.

Xiao Yuan initially didn’t want them to enter the palace, hoping to teach them some skills to live more freely.

However, the stubborn girls found a way to enter the palace without Xiao Yuan’s consent.

Since they had entered the palace, Xiao Yuan had to make arrangements for them. He utilized Prince Kang’s influence and had Nanny Qin take care of the two girls. Later on, they followed He Yiqiu, who wasn’t the Empress Dowager back then, and did many things for her, earning her trust.

The Empress Dowager let Xiao Lu follow Anning back to Prince Kang Mansion because Xiao Yu was still in the palace.

The Empress Dowager thought that by holding onto Xiao Yu, Xiao Lu would have to follow her orders.

Little did she know, both Xiao Yu and Xiao Lu were Xiao Yuan’s people.

Xiao Lu breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Anning say that: ”I was afraid that Mr. Xiao would scold me.”

Anning smiled: ”No worries.”

After entering the room, Anning asked someone to take Xiao Lu to wash and dress up.

She was waiting for Prince Kang to return.

By evening, Prince Kang returned to the mansion, and Anning intercepted him halfway.

”Prince, I have something to tell you.”

Prince Kang was stunned for a moment: ”Go ahead.”

Anning pursed her lips and smiled before speaking: ”Today I went to Shoukang Palace to greet the Empress Dowager and mentioned that the Prince had no one to serve him, which seemed a bit lonely. The Empress Dowager, sympathizing with the Prince, bestowed a palace maid. I have already brought her here and was thinking of assigning her to the study to serve. Generally, the Prince lacks a lady to add charm to his surroundings; now that we have a suitable maiden, I thought the Prince could relax for a few days.”

Prince Kang’s face immediately darkened.

He glared at Anning: ”Nonsense, when did I ever say I lacked attendants? You actually went to Shoukang Palace...”

Anning blinked: ”How am I causing trouble? This maid was bestowed by the Empress Dowager, and if she wasn’t willing, how could I possibly force her? I certainly don’t have the same power as the Prince.”

Towards the end, Anning’s words carried a hint of sourness.

Prince Kang felt quite uncomfortable.

He waved his hand: ”Since you’ve brought her, let her first learn the rules. We’ll discuss how to arrange her duties later.”

Anning gave a bow with a smile, then turned her head and smiled at Prince Kang: ”Won’t the Prince take a look at what the maid looks like?”

Prince Kang rubbed his forehead: ”No need, you handle it.”

Anning sneered, tossing her handkerchief and walked away.

Prince Kang felt a bit angry: ”Her temper is getting worse; just wait and see.”

Anning’s somewhat cool voice came through: ”I am waiting, let’s talk when you can win against me.”

Prince Kang was almost about to curse out loud.

Jiyuan Palace, Mr. Liu cautiously looked at Emperor Jianwu.

Emperor Jianwu finished writing a document, put down his pen, and rubbed his wrist: ”What is it? Got something to say?”

Mr. Liu swallowed dryly: ”Your Majesty, today Princess Kang went to Shoukang Palace and asked the Empress Dowager for a maid saying it was to serve Prince Kang.”

Emperor Jianwu sneered: ”My mother agreed?”

Mr. Liu nodded: ”The Empress Dowager sent Xiao Lu.”

”Hmph.” Emperor Jianwu’s laugh grew colder: ”So it is, my mother would even give away Xiao Lu to win over Prince Kang. Originally, she even wanted to keep Xiao Lu to meet with me, but now well...”

Mr. Liu felt a chill and quietly stepped back two steps: ”Your Majesty, don’t be angry, the Empress Dowager is also considering your interests. Now that Prince Kang is powerful, if the Empress Dowager didn’t hold him in check, it’s feared...”

Emperor Jianwu slammed the table and stood up: ”Am I so useless, needing my own mother to sacrifice herself for me? Ha, everyone knows that I raised Prince Kang, yet they recognize only Prince Kang and forget about me. Being this emperor is really disgraceful.”

His heart full of frustration, he paced around the hall several times, then looked at Mr. Liu: ”Do you have anything fun?”

Mr. Liu became even more cautious: ”Your Majesty, what fun could there be in the palace?”

Emperor Jianwu narrowed his eyes slightly: ”What, are there fun things outside the palace?”

His question aroused Mr. Liu’s thoughts, and Mr. Liu chuckled: ”Indeed, there are many entertaining things outside the palace – storytellers, acrobats, singers, I’m sure Your Majesty has never seen them before.”