Liu Rumei was slightly taken aback, with a hint of confusion in her eyes. Hengniang, however, curved her lips into a smile. "Who is your mistress?"
The maid respectfully bowed to Liu Rumei. "Miss Liu, just go and take a look and you'll know."
Liu Rumei became even more curious. She had been so focused on solving the case that she really had no idea who this person was. She couldn't help but glance at Hengniang.
Hengniang sighed, her tone full of complaint. "Go ahead. I'll wait for you here. You said you'd accompany me to watch the show!"
Liu Rumei looked embarrassed. Just as she was about to comfort Hengniang a bit more, the maid spoke again. "My mistress said she'd like the other miss to come along too."
Hengniang blinked her eyes and smiled coquettishly, which stunned many onlookers around. "Really?"
The maid remained expressionless, but secretly thought to herself: People say her mistress is extremely beautiful, but the woman in front of her is truly charming to the core!
"Please, ladies!"
Hengniang immediately grabbed Liu Rumei and walked towards the room.
The maid pushed open the door in front and invited the two of them in.
Inside, a beautiful woman in purple was reclining on a soft couch. She was incredibly gorgeous. With a simple raise of her eyes, there was an indescribable charm. She was truly a peerless beauty!
The purple - clad beauty curved her lips into a smile, looking extremely enchanting. "Miss Liu, do you still remember me?"
Liu Rumei was slightly taken aback. "Me"?
She quickly realized that this must be someone from the palace. After a moment's thought in her mind, she bowed slightly. "This humble girl pays respects to Your Highness!"
It was the first time Hengniang had seen a beauty who could rival herself. For a moment, she felt quite unhappy, but she didn't want to cause any trouble. She followed Liu Rumei and bowed. "Pays respects to Your Highness."
The purple - clad beauty could tell at a glance that Liu Rumei didn't remember her. A smile appeared in her eyes again. "I came a bit late to the palace banquet. It's only natural that Miss Liu doesn't remember me!"
Liu Rumei felt rather embarrassed on her face. She really didn't remember who this person was! She had just called out "Your Highness" as a lucky guess.
Hengniang smiled sweetly. "I've heard that Concubine Zhang is the emperor's favorite. She especially loves these excerpted operas! Now that I've seen her, the Concubine is indeed as beautiful as the rumors say!"
Reminded by Hengniang, Liu Rumei finally remembered this person. Concubine Zhang was the most favored concubine in the palace. Even the Queen Qi was a bit inferior. She was deeply loved by Mo Yun. Because she loved these excerpted operas, she was specially allowed to leave the palace once a month!
"I failed to recognize Your Highness just now. It's my fault. I hope Your Highness won't blame me!"
Concubine Zhang smiled gently. "It doesn't matter. I'm just a bit bored staying in the palace. I came out for a stroll at random. I didn't expect to meet Miss Liu here today! I invited you rashly. Please forgive me, Miss Liu!"
Liu Rumei quickly shook her head. "I wouldn't dare."
Those who could sit in the Concubine's seat couldn't be ordinary people. Liu Rumei didn't want to get involved with them. There was nothing she had that they could covet!
Seeing Liu Rumei like this, the smile on Concubine Zhang's face deepened a bit. "Miss Liu, don't be so restrained. I don't have a confidant in the palace. Miss Liu and..."
As she spoke, her eyes fell on Hengniang. She looked a bit embarrassed, not knowing what to call her.
Hengniang curved her lips into a smile. "This commoner is called Hengniang."
Concubine Zhang nodded with a smile. "How about chatting with Hengniang and me?"
Since someone had spoken, Liu Rumei couldn't say much. Fortunately, Hengniang was an expert. She quickly got along well with Concubine Zhang.
When it was time to part, Concubine Zhang looked at Hengniang with reluctance in her eyes. "Hengniang, you must come and visit me in the palace some other day!"
After she said this, she felt that it was inappropriate. She quickly changed her words. "Hengniang, let's meet here next month!"
Hengniang nodded with a smile. Her eyes were full of joy. "Then Hengniang will wait for Your Highness here next month!"
Concubine Zhang nodded with a smile and then left with her maid.
Liu Rumei looked at the two of them, with a smile in her eyes. She most admired Hengniang's ability to get along well with anyone, no matter who they were.
After the people left, Hengniang became lazy. She snatched the hot tea from Liu Rumei's hand and took a small sip. "I helped you avoid trouble today. How are you going to thank me, Rumei?"
People in the palace were not easy to get along with. She didn't know what Concubine Zhang wanted to do, but she knew clearly that this person came with ill intentions!
Liu Rumei quickly put the shelled sunflower seeds she had just peeled in front of Hengniang. "Thank you, Hengniang!"
Seeing this, Hengniang was satisfied. The excerpted opera downstairs was almost over. Hengniang looked at the sky. Although she was reluctant in her heart, she had to take Liu Rumei back to the inn.
Just as they reached the door, they saw A Nan sitting there aggrievedly. He looked like he was about to put a broken bowl in front of him and beg!
Seeing his mournful face, Hengniang stepped forward. She stretched out her slender hand and pinched his ear, lifting him up. "Why are you making such a mournful face? If you ruin my business, can you compensate me?"
A Nan looked at Liu Rumei behind Hengniang, with dissatisfaction in his eyes. "You took Rumei out but didn't take me! You left me alone to watch the store and guard those two stinky men! You tell me, do you dislike me?"
Hengniang glared at him with her beautiful eyes. "Is Rumei someone you can call? Hurry up and prepare something to eat!"
Seeing this, Liu Rumei had a smile in her eyes. "Hengniang, be gentle. If you hurt A Nan, there will be no one to help you."
Seeing that Liu Rumei was speaking up for him, Hengniang snorted and let go. She took Liu Rumei into the inn. Seeing Mo Liandi and Ye Zhe, she snorted again and left with a flick of her sleeve.
Liu Rumei didn't want to talk to Mo Liandi either. She turned around and was about to go upstairs.
Unexpectedly, Mo Liandi grabbed her. "Rumei, Yun Xi and Yun Li are off today. I've sent someone to pick them up to Baiweizhai. How about going there for dinner together?"
Liu Rumei wanted to refuse, but thinking of the Yun Xi brothers, she could only nod.
Mo Liandi curved his lips into a smile and immediately pulled her hand towards Baiweizhai.
A Nan looked at their departing backs, with complaint in his eyes. He silently went to seek comfort from Hengniang.
However, Hengniang was furious. "Staying in the inn without paying and still expecting me to do things for him? No way!"
Did he think she was a free thug?
A Nan was also extremely angry. They were being bullied right in their own home. "But he said that if you don't agree, he'll seal up the inn!"
Hengniang gritted her teeth and sneered. She kicked A Nan in the face. "Wanting me to work for free? Absolutely impossible! A Nan, pack your things. Let's go together. If we don't empty the Prime Minister's Mansion, I won't be able to calm my anger!"
A Nan nodded seriously. "You're right. That old man must have hidden a lot of silver. It can just cover our service fees!"
They had never seen such a bully!