His Majesty And I ✔️

Sneakish Love

Chapter 18

Dao
Hougong

Dao almost fell, overcome by the dizziness of being in the same position for a long time. She knelt on the ground outside the quarters of Second Class Female Attendant Wei, her new mistress.

"A lady doesn't smile with her teeth." The two scholar ladies were teaching Lady Wei palace rules, etiquette and Inner Court history. They came in every day for the past week and taught her for at least three hours.

Straightening her back, Dao wiped her brows off of the sweat that was dribbling because of the tormenting sun. Kneeling in the sun for long wasn't for the weak.

"A lady doesn't speak more than the emperor. If the dragon speaks five words, she speaks less than five. If he says nothing, she says nothing."

Lady Wei Li Lian sat under the shade of her floral lotus flower parasol at the entrance to her quarters. On the table, they had many books they were going through.

Dao couldn't believe this woman was her mistress. It was all like a dream. From serving the highly sought after Princess Cai Wenjin, she was now an attendant to a concubine. It was embarrassing and all her friends were laughing at her. Working for a concubine was looked down upon, and Dao didn't think she would work for one but here she was.

Lady Li Lian had the smallest of quarters. Adding to that, she was only allowed two attendants, which meant there was going to be a lot of work for Dao. But the worst of it was that Dao would not be able to leave the palace as she pleased. She was no longer as accountable to the Harem Senior Court Lady who she could make deals with.

How was she going to be able to see Luo Meng? He was already unhappy about the limited time they spent together. Dao blamed it on being a courtesan which was just a cover-up. If he found out she was a palace maid, a woman belonging to the emperor, he would discard her. And Dao couldn't have that. She cared for Luo Meng too much.

"As Second Class Female Attendant, Her Ladyship will only serve His Majesty once or twice a week. Only the First Class can serve the dragon three times." The Scholar ladies rambled on.

Dao was doomed. This mistress of hers was scarred, and a concubine. There was no future for her which meant Dao as her attendant also had no future.

When Dao asked Lady Wei why she chose her to be her attendant, she said Mistress Han asked her to look after her child. It was bizarre. How did her mother know such a hated woman as Li Lian? Everyone despised Li Lian in the place.

"Do you know what you did wrong?" Li Lian approached her when the scholar ladies left.

Dao rolled her eyes. "I poisoned your tea."

Li Lian pulled her by her hair and Dao whimpered.

"You dare roll your eyes at your mistress?" Li Lian chided her with a tone of amusement. She didn't seem angry at her.

"Forgive this servant, My Lady." Dao murmured with her eyes closed.

Poisoning the tea was what Dao did in exchange for a gate pass. The Harem Senior Court Lady told her it was just sleeping herbs and no one would be harmed. So she obeyed.

Li Lian released her and smiled. "Get up. I forgive you. Just stay away from Harem Senior Court Lady since you belong to me now."

Why was it that this Li Lian, though she seemed mean, she was nicer than she let on? "Yes, My Lady."

"Here," Li Lian handed Dao a gate pass. "I am sending you to your mother's manor. There is a girl named Ai that is there. Go and get her because she will be my second attendant."