In this palace, imperial favor was like a flatbread in the pot — enough for one to eat their fill, but when split between two, it was only half each.
Her own mistress had only just shown her face before His Majesty, yet this Mu Daying was already trying to snatch away the attention.
Chunqi, having rested these past few days and still brimming with energy, was about to open her mouth to snap back at Mu Daying when she was stopped by Qiu Ming.
He stepped forward two paces and addressed Mu Daying sternly:
"Lady Mu, please mind your words. My lady holds the same rank as you. How could she possibly make arrangements for the Dragon Boat Festival? You are asking the wrong person."
"Eunuch Qiu… I…"
Mu Lanchun looked innocent, her face showing both fear and regret as she glanced at Qiu Ming. She had only served in His Majesty's presence for a short while and had been so nervous she barely remembered anything of it, and so had little impression of this powerful eunuch.
Now that he had interrupted her so harshly, she felt even more intimidated.
It had to be said, Qiu Ming's intervention spared Lin Wanyi a great deal of trouble.
Had Lin Wanyi refused outright, Mu Lanchun might have borne a grudge.
Had Lin Wanyi accepted, rumors could easily spread that she was growing arrogant with favor, even interfering in the seating arrangements for the Dragon Boat Festival.
Either way, it would not have ended well for Lin Wanyi.
Qiu Ming had taught Xia An before that no matter what happened, they as servants should always shield their mistress first.
Chunqi and Xia An looked at Qiu Ming with admiration in their eyes, then stood on either side of Lin Wanyi like loyal guardians.
With such a formation, Mu Lanchun's meager confidence instantly collapsed.
She could only force a laugh and say,
"Elder Sister, I was too forward."
"No matter," Lin Wanyi replied gently. "Sister, you were only concerned. But palace rules stand above all, and I cannot overstep them. I hope you can understand."
Mu Lanchun gave a somewhat embarrassed smile. Seeing Qiu Ming's stern face, she had no wish to remain, and quickly found an excuse to leave Xianyi Hall.
As soon as she left, Qiu Ming immediately had Xiao Hezi brought over and scolded him harshly:
"I ordered you to guard the palace gate. How did you let someone slip in? You can't even handle this small matter — what else could I trust you with in the future?"
In the courtyard, Qiu Ming stood on the steps, while Xiao Hezi kept his head bowed, hunched below him.
Already lacking presence, he was now scolded so fiercely that he could not even lift his head.
Xiao Luzi looked at him with a trace of pity, but kept his lips tightly shut.
As Qiu Ming had said before, they were the iron shield of Xianyi Hall. If anyone could come and go as they pleased, then what use were they?
If Xiao Hezi had stopped Mu Daying at the gate today, none of this would have happened.
Now, he had only brought trouble upon their mistress.
In the palace, where alliances shifted like the wind, no one could predict who might rise to favor one day.
If Mu Daying were to gain power in the future and remember this incident, it would only spell trouble for the servants of Xianyi Hall.
Xiao Hezi felt wronged but could not speak.
He had only stepped away to relieve himself, and who could have known Mu Daying would appear so suddenly? The fright of it still made him break out in cold sweat.
And now, scolded so harshly by Qiu Ming, he could only curse his rotten luck.
Qiu Ming sighed. "Enough. You and Yan'er return to the Inner Court Office. You were only assigned to us for half a month anyway. There are just a few days left, so it doesn't matter. Xiao Luzi and Chunqi have recovered, and there are enough people to serve our lady now."
Xiao Hezi was so frightened he immediately fell to his knees, nearly in tears.
"Eunuch Qiu, I truly didn't mean to! If we are sent back over this mistake, it will be impossible to get another good posting in the future. Please, Eunuch Qiu, be merciful this once!"
His wailing was so loud that Lin Wanyi and the others inside could hear it.
Yan'er, who was also inside, bit her lip hard to keep herself from crying aloud.
For a palace servant, whether one could establish themselves depended on their skills — but also on their mistress's fortune.
When she was first assigned to Xianyi Hall, she hadn't thought much of it.
But these past few days, having seen with her own eyes how much favor Lin Wanyi enjoyed, of course she had started to hope.
Yan'er had quietly wished that Qiu Ming might allow her to stay on, like Xiao Luzi had before, under a temporary assignment that could eventually become permanent.
Especially since Lin Wanyi was clearly favored by His Majesty; perhaps she would be promoted soon.
If that happened, Yan'er could stay here for good.
But now, Xiao Hezi's mistake meant she would have to leave too.
Seeing a bright future slip away and return to nothing, who wouldn't feel disappointed?
Yan'er was no exception.
During this time, Chunqi had been cared for by Yan'er, so she felt a genuine affection for her.
She turned to Lin Wanyi and said softly,
"My lady, Yan'er had nothing to do with this mistake. Could she stay for a few more days?"
Hearing this, Yan'er immediately looked up at Lin Wanyi, her eyes full of hope.
But Xia An scolded sharply,
"Foolish! Eunuch Qiu is now the steward of Xianyi Hall. Everything should be decided by him! Chunqi, you were ill for a few days and have already forgotten the rules?"
Xia An remembered Qiu Ming's teachings perfectly.
If Chunqi spoke up like this, it would only place their mistress in a difficult position.
After all, Lin Wanyi's rank was only that of a Daying; having four people to serve her was already quite generous.
Keeping Xiao Hezi and Yan'er here any longer was impossible.
Why give people false hope?
Hearing Xia An's words, Chunqi realized she had overstepped.
Seeing the hope in Yan'er's eyes turn to disappointment and finally sink into sadness, Lin Wanyi could not help but feel a pang in her heart.
But since she had already entrusted palace affairs to Qiu Ming, she could not change the rules today and overturn them tomorrow.
Otherwise, it would not only undermine Qiu Ming's authority, but also make it hard for her to manage her people.
Moreover, Qiu Ming's strictness was all for her own good.
If she intervened now, wouldn't it chill his loyal heart?
So she could not — and would not — interfere.
When Yan'er and Xiao Hezi packed up their belongings and came to the inner chamber to bid farewell, Lin Wanyi spoke slowly:
"We may have only known each other a few days, but there is some sentiment between us. If you encounter difficulties in the palace in the future and Xianyi Hall can help, I will do my best."
Then she had Chunqi give them each a small embroidered pouch.
Xiao Hezi accepted it gratefully with a deep bow of thanks, while Yan'er's eyes still carried a hint of sorrow.
After sending them off, Qiu Ming once again gathered the remaining three attendants and reminded them sternly:
"Let today's matter be a lesson for us all. When on duty, never let down your guard — understand?"
"Yes!"
Xiao Luzi and Xia An answered firmly.
Chunqi felt that Qiu Ming's strictness was a bit too cold and unfeeling, which made him rather frightening, so her own response was not quite as forceful.
Qiu Ming, with his sharp ears, immediately picked up on it and called Chunqi forward by name.