Counterattack of the Cannon Fodder Chambermaid

Untitled Part 52

Today was New Year's Eve, but palace maids and eunuchs didn't celebrate it. Apart from receiving a month salary's worth of coins, a new set of clothing and one more meat dish in their meal, the rest of the time was spent as normal.

Xiao Hua also knew that the prince was accompanying his concubines and wives for New Year's Eve dinner, but it didn't have much to do with her. Knowing that the hall was entertaining a lot of people today, she was self-aware enough not to try and join the ruckus.

The food for the hall's feast was prepared by the meal management center, so Nana He was idling in the small kitchen.

All the people in the Hall of Splendor had gathered in the front hall, leaving behind a few strays. The small kitchen prepared a table of sumptuous delicacies, and everyone sat eating together. It could be counted as a New Year's celebration dinner.

Xiao Hua was over at Nana He's place at this time. A large round table was set up in the small kitchen's outer room. Those that weren't currently serving in the front hall or guarding the door were all gathered here.

There weren't that many people, a little over ten.

In the small kitchen there was Nana He and her few older palace maid Aunties, as well as Xiao Hua, Chun Cao and five low-ranked eunuchs responsible for odd jobs.

Today's food was prepared by a palace maid called Auntie Meng while Nana He directed on the side. Nana He was old and apart from occasionally preparing his highness's meals she would usually have her subordinates do the cooking. Xiao Hua only found out about this after getting familiar with those in the small kitchen.

After the dishes were arranged and the people were seated, An Chen came over.

Seeing An Chen, everyone was a little surprised.

Before anyone had a chance to ask, they saw An Chen's stern face as he spoke: "Miss Xiao Hua, his highness summons you to the front hall."

As his words fell, the kitchen immediately quieted down. Only the occasional sparks from the lamps could be heard.

"This——" For a time, Xiao Hua was bewildered and didn't know how to react.

Nana He was old and experienced, and knew that the prince definitely wouldn't summon Xiao Hua over for no reason. If he had intended to do so, she would have long been called over and not suddenly summoned halfway through.

"An Chen you brat, just what is going on here? Don't you put on airs in front of this Nana here."

An Chen rubbed his face and smiled ingratiatingly.

"Nana He don't say it like that. This little one had just come over from the other side, and didn't have time to adjust." He furrowed his brow, looked worriedly at Xiao Hua on the side and said: "Things aren't looking too good. The consort has somehow found out about Miss Xiao Hua's situation and suddenly mentioned wanting to take a look at her during the feast. She had spoken so earnestly in front of others, and her words were extremely reasonable, making it hard for his highness to reject her and thus he accepted it."

As Eunuch Fu's disciple, An Chen was still quite knowledgeable. The Jing Consort wouldn't have created this situation without a good reason. But the situation was urgent and his highness had also agreed, so they as servants could only come bring the person over. Moreover, they knew that once this was over, the Hall of Splendor would undergo another round of turbulence.

Outsiders weren't aware, but those inside where all clear on the Hall of Splendor's rules. If the smallest piece of information was leaked outside the hall, the one responsible would be put to death.