pertwk Chapter 2304 The Setting Sun
Chapter 2304 The Setting Sun
Chapter 2304 The Setting Sun
Atop the mountains, deep in the clouds, stands the Star-Picking Tower.
The magnificent Star-Picking Tower, known as the earthly abode of the gods, attracts countless pilgrims every day. However, it has been closed to the public for ten days now, and anyone daring to enter will be killed on sight.
As the sun sets in the west, it bathes the pristine white jade steps in a golden glow. Any piece of jade here would be worthy of being displayed on the screen wall of a wealthy man's home, but here, it is merely a stone under people's feet.
Once the gates were closed, the palace appeared empty and desolate, but thankfully the graceful figures of the maids, like butterflies, moved to and fro, adding a lot of life to the place.
The work at Xushan is exceptionally demanding, and every maid is very busy, especially today.
Just then, the bells on the eaves of the palace rang, and the gates of the Star-Picking Tower, which had been closed for half a day, slowly opened inward. Dozens of people filed in, all of them high-ranking officials of the Heavenly Palace, each with a solemn expression.
The two leading figures are the frontrunners to become the next Chief of the Capital:
Hou Tianyu and Lu Yongyan.
They passed through the ladder to heaven and hurried into the main hall.
The maids who were fetching medicine hurriedly stopped to make way for them and curtsied.
Both envoys kept their eyes straight ahead, not even glancing at them.
Only after everyone's backs had disappeared up to the second floor did the maids dare to breathe a sigh of relief.
One of them whispered, "In the past half month, the two Du Yun envoys have come five times. The last time was the night before last."
"These are very special times. I heard that Aunt Zeng has cried quietly several times, is that right, Sister Tong?"
Sister Tong, who was singled out by them, remained silent.
"The officials of the royal court are always asking us questions. But what difference does it make whether they find out a day earlier or a day later?"
"That's different! If news from here gets out half a day earlier, the world will be turned upside down."
The first maid to speak then said, "Hey, guess who will take over the position of chief envoy, Lord Hou or Lord Lu?"
Before anyone could answer, Tong Yiyi suddenly spoke up: "Shut up! Everyone knows these are extraordinary times, how can you not know that loose lips sink ships?"
Her voice was somewhat stern, so the other maids dared not speak.
Just then, another voice suddenly rang out from the side: "How dare you presume to comment on the arrangements of the gods?"
Three people emerged from behind the pillar, the leader being a beautiful woman who appeared to be only in her early thirties. However, everyone knew that she was nearly fifty years old.
She was followed by two maids, whose clothes were more refined than those of the others, indicating that they were of higher status.
The maids were shocked and knelt down together, saying, "Aunt Zeng, please forgive us!"
Aunt Zeng said coldly, "I should have pulled out your tongues, but we're short-handed tonight. So, I'll give each of you thirty slaps to the face, to be carried out tomorrow morning!"
"Yes!"
Aunt Zeng dismissed the other maids, leaving only Tong Yiyi.
"Did you bring the medicine?"
Tong Yiyi bowed respectfully to her again: "It was brought exactly as ordered, not a bit less."
"You're serious about your work, but you're a bit lacking in interpersonal skills." Aunt Zeng looked at her with a hint of disappointment.
With such a beautiful face, if she were to be paired with a clever and resourceful mind, I wonder how effective she would be.
It's a pity that while this girl is loyal, she's not very bright. In a place like the Heavenly Palace, not being bright is equivalent to being stupid, and she's useless in crucial moments!
She had shown her incompetence twice, so Aunt Zeng could no longer entrust her with important responsibilities.
"If they dare to gossip behind your back, it means you haven't disciplined them well."
Tong Yiyi did not argue, but immediately curtsied and said, "Yiyi has not been strict with her subordinates, please punish me, Aunt!"
"Alright, come with me to get your medicine."
Once inside the pharmacy, the process of getting everything sorted out took about 45 minutes.
Aunt Zeng had served Master Duyun for over thirty years and was his most trusted maid, handling all matters large and small. Even the medicine Master Duyun took was personally prepared and delivered by Aunt Zeng.
The medicinal herbs that Tong Yiyi delivered all had the original seals from the medicine storehouse, indicating that they had not been touched in the slightest.
She now had some medical knowledge and was secretly alarmed to see that Aunt Zeng was prescribing potent and dangerous medicines.
Aunt Zeng's loyalty to Du Yun was beyond doubt, and she would never harm him in public, so these medicines were only for short-term prolongation.
In other words, the mastermind couldn't hold on any longer.
No wonder Hou Tianyu and Lu Yongyan rushed over again; they must be determined to settle their differences tonight.
Aunt Zeng was busy with her work when she suddenly let out a long sigh and wiped the corner of her eye.
Her maid, Xiao Yu, quickly handed her a soft towel, saying, "Auntie, please rest for a while."
Tong Yiyi considerately said, "You rest for a while, leave the rest to us..."
Aunt Zeng glared at her: "What nonsense are you talking about!"
Did she ever let anyone else handle such an important task as dispensing medication?
Tong Yiyi realized she had said the wrong thing and fell silent.
Xiao Yu, standing to the side, glanced at her with schadenfreude. Luckily, this was a dim-witted beauty; she couldn't utilize even 30% of the advantages of her face. Otherwise, Xiao Yu might not have been Aunt Zeng's top maid.
Aunt Zeng pounded the medicine for a while longer, then asked the two maids, "What are your plans for the future?"
Xiao Yu cautiously replied, "I will do my best to follow Aunt's arrangements!"
Tong Yiyi hesitated for a moment, then bit her lip: "Aunt Zeng, can I go home?"
“Okay.” Aunt Zeng glanced at her; her temperament was indeed not suitable for staying in the Heavenly Palace. “When I leave the palace, you can come down the mountain with me.”
Tong Yiyi was overjoyed, but Xiao Yu was shocked: "Aunt Zeng! You, you?"
“The master said that if he is blessed by the gods, I can return home.” Aunt Zeng sighed softly. “I was only sixteen when I first entered the Heavenly Palace, the same age as you were when you entered. In the blink of an eye, thirty-five years have passed.”
Xiao Yu was in a state of utter confusion. She had considered all the possibilities that might arise after the mastermind's death, but she hadn't expected that Aunt Zeng would actually retire and return to her hometown!
"Gong..." Tong Yiyi realized her mistake as soon as she spoke and quickly corrected herself, "After working for so many years, Aunt Zeng should enjoy her retirement."
Both of them knew that she originally wanted to say "Congratulations," but that wouldn't be appropriate now.
Aunt Zeng's face darkened: "Why are you making so many mistakes tonight?"
Tong Yiyi kept her eyes down, not daring to utter a single word.
Just then, a guard rushed in: "Aunt Zeng, is the medicine ready? The master wants you to come immediately."
"Coming right away!" Aunt Zeng put the medicine on the tray, carried it herself, and glanced between Tong Yiyi and Xiao Yu.
She said to Xiao Yu, "Come with me."
She said to Tong Yiyi, "You wait here."
On such an important occasion, at such a crucial moment, no one can afford to say the wrong thing. She'd better take a clever maid with her.
"Yes."
They took the medicine and left the pharmacy, naturally followed by several maids.
Only Tong Yiyi remained in the pharmacy, watching their figures disappear.
Then she tilted her head and pursed her lips.
(End of this chapter)