762 - I Am This Murim’s Crazy B*tch

Hierarchy existed among the concubines, with a clearly defined order from the First Empress to lesser consorts. However, what truly took precedence over this hierarchy defined by law was the emperor's favor. Of course, except for the Empress, who was the mother of the nation—unless the emperor's misconduct was exceptionally disgraceful, there was rarely a case of an empress being demoted in terms of favoritism. If this was the case for the concubines, what about the palace maids? The rank among the palace maids serving the same master was also determined by the master’s favor. In that sense, the maid Haeryu was a fallen figure. Suddenly, the maids in Princess Yeonsu’s chambers began to change one by one. Naturally, it wasn’t that the existing maids had disappeared; rather, they were reassigned to roles as managers or supervisors of empty buildings outside the palace. These sweet positions, with low workload and responsibility but high compensation, were essentially considered promotions. As a result, there remained only the palace maid who had attended from a young age, aside from herself. Under these circumstances, if the existing maidservant seemed difficult to approach and didn't appear to enjoy much favor, and even her demeanor wasn't particularly warm, what could she expect in terms of treatment? It was hard to confront directly, so there was no outright bullying, yet she faced a situation of subtle or open ostracism. Nevertheless, human beings are social creatures. Even without direct harassment, being ostracized and leading a solitary life in such situations was not an easy feat. Yet Haeryu continued to endure steadfastly, persistently fighting the solitary battle. Yes, a battle it was. For whom was it a battle? It was indeed a struggle for the true Princess Yeonsu. She had to uncover the identity of that despicable fake. Did that wretched woman dare to steal our princess's death? Our Princess Yeonsu, whose death was not even known, deserved a monument! If someone overheard this, they would likely think this woman had lost her mind entirely. Additionally, doubting and labeling the master in the palace as a fake wench wasn't simply insanity. It was an immediate capital offense, punishable by beheading. Especially since the master was none other than Princess Yeonsu, who had lost her memory. Thus, some might argue that it was only natural that Haeryu had fallen out of the princess's favor. How then did this maid, Haeryu, come to be gripped by such an extraordinarily outrageous delusion? It began with slight discomforts, ones she herself hadn't even been aware of. Her Majesty was eating only one bowl of rice...? Her Majesty behaving endearingly with His Highness the Crown Prince...? When did Her Majesty develop such elegance and feminine poise, even becoming graciously refined? Initially, these discomforts were at a level that Haeryu could accept. Her memory was lost, she had survived a terrifying illness and bore significant scars on her formerly beautiful visage... But when Haeryu saw a birthmark that had spread during a bath—a hidden trio of discreet marks under ample flesh— it exploded into a massive revelation. These were painted marks that had spread to look real. Fake marks. This woman, somehow, was a fraud, a fake wench! For this reason, she risked her life to inform Her Majesty the Empress, bravely attempting to seek an audience despite the terrifying rank and principles of the law and the palace hierarchy. Likewise, the Empress, who had her own mounting suspicions, also exploded upon this alarming discovery. It was akin to a chain insanity, erupting as if the mental threshold had been crossed. It seemed as though those unaware might think this woman was indeed the root of all evil! The transmitter of madness! It was a katharsis of fury. Thus, the Empress issued a special order. "Stop crying, child! At times like this, we must not act recklessly. You must stay next to the fake and continue collecting evidence. Do you understand?" "Yes, Your Majesty. Even if it costs me my life." Thus, Haeryu had only one last mission left on her path as a palace maid: to somehow find indisputable proof that the impostor was indeed a fraud! And today. "Your Highness! I am keenly aware that my unjust plea is a serious crime deserving of death! Yet, my sole wish is merely to serve Her Highness the Princess for my entire life, so I humbly implore you, please have mercy on me, and withdraw your command." It was a brazen scene, with a mere maid defiantly challenging the Crown Prince, the epitome of future power. In reality, it's not uncommon for palace maids to change affiliations. Within the political games among the women of the Forbidden City, it's quite routine to scatter palace maids if a concubine’s influence becomes too powerful. The future of transferred palace maids would obviously mean happiness ended, hardships began, since existing palace maids tend to assert seniority, and those maids are usually assigned to those who did not have good relations with their previous owner. Yet instances of maids resisting and refusing to leave are almost nonexistent. That is due to the rational response mechanism of the Forbidden City. Imagine being told, you are now a maid of that other palace, and suppose the concerned maid requests to retract it. A bad answer. Request: I have devotedly served my current master and pledged to continue doing so for life; I cannot serve another master. Response: *Explanation of reasons for serving another master.* - There are countless cases, making persuasion time-consuming. - Being an unreasonable command, there's not much to explain. - Gives the false hope that reasoning might change command. - Ultimately, the hierarchy of the Forbidden City collapses. - Creates a sense of forcing against individual will. Good answer. Request: I have devotedly served my current master and pledged to continue doing so for life; I cannot serve another master. Response: Then die. - Ends quickly. - Helps establish hierarchy within the Forbidden City. - Fulfills the wish of serving one master for life. - Respects individual will. Therefore, Haeryu’s petition was truly a life-risking, death-defying plea. Had the Crown Prince been in a sour mood, he might have immediately ordered her beheading. Daring to defy my words, were you? Yet fortunately, the Crown Prince found it satisfactory. Ah, Yeonsu. Despite it all, she seems to have a knack for attracting good fortune. To have such a devoted maid—it might make her seem a bit foolish, but for this particular matter, she seemed to be the ideal candidate. The Crown Prince lowered his voice. "Listen carefully. The reason I have chosen you is none other than for Yeonsu. There is someone in the palace claiming to be Yeonsu—a fake, daring to assert the bloodline of heaven as their own." "Gasp!" Haeryu couldn't hide her astonishment. "You knew, Your Highness!" "Of course. How could I not? What fool cannot recognize their own kin? I recognized it the moment I laid eyes on her." "Oh, I am so relieved. Truly..." "It is for this reason that I have summoned you. To expose the identity of that cunning impostor, I need your help." "Your Highness! I am eternally grateful! What must I do? If you command me to leap into a pit of fire holding kindling, I shall do so! Just give the order!" Kindling, being fuel for a fire, is something easily combustible. Leaping into a pit with kindling would mean bursting into flames at the slightest spark. The Crown Prince nodded with satisfaction. "I will assign you to serve under the Heavenly Sword Flower（天華）. You must uncover evidence of one posing as the dignified royal princess. Can you do this?" "I can! Let me do it!" Haeryu responded with spirited confidence. For the princess, she had nothing to fear! But why suddenly under the Heavenly Sword Flower? Haeryu couldn't understand, but surely there was a plan behind it. Thus, with Haeryu trailing behind, the Crown Prince crossed the forecourt of Namsamsu Palace. Naturally, the court was still filled with clergymen sprawled out in every direction. The nation's officials recognized Haeryu. As she was a significant palace maid, her appearance often served as a herald of royal presence, so naturally, they had to memorize her face. Hence, the officials were even more stunned. As if a wet nurse was not enough, bringing in a maid greatly cherished by the princess, who was like a sister! “This cannot be!!! Your Highness!!!” “Please, heed our plea!!!” “Aaagh! Heed our words!!! Yooooour Highness!!!" It is worth noting that heeding ('chungchok') means lighting a candle. Just as a candle lights up darkness, the officials sought their pleas to be as illuminating, requesting the Crown Prince to heed them. Yet the Crown Prince had no intention of heeding them. His mission was clear—to unveil and halt the machinations of that contemptible impostor. --- Hmm. How should I say this? It's intriguing, immensely intriguing. Intriguing, with a chest most significant. When was the last time I saw something so intriguing, ugh, ugh. Qing closed and opened her hand repeatedly. If not intriguing, then perhaps Chunbong. Or if nothing else, just any hollow. Darn it, why am I like this? The natural desire to touch a chest is, of course, something everyone would feel. Because that's a basic human instinct? If you think about it, perhaps a pursuit of maternal instincts? Or something akin to that? But for some reason today, there is this unbearable urge, why is that? Because intriguing appeared in my dream last night? I feel restless, should I say? Once the thought comes, it won't leave my mind; even if I try to force myself to think about something else, hm, hmm, I want to fiddle with it... Thus, I couldn't concentrate since morning. If I had anything to do, I would focus to forget it. I was stuck within the courtyard of the Heavenly Palace. I thought about swinging my body around, but the elder siblings frequently recommended that I not practice martial arts out of mere boredom. The only productive thing I could do was inner energy training. But as soon as I sat down cross-legged, gathering my hands in meditation, and closed my eyes, hm, was I always this fond of flesh, why can't I find peace? If Gabia were here, I could study the amazing relics of heaven by watching a demonstration of expressions and emotions. Palace maids from heaven are granted an unsurpassable right, authorized by the Emperor himself, to pray at celestial events without obstruction. Though even if they could obstruct it, Qing wouldn’t try to prevent them. Religious freedom should be guaranteed. Or maybe I could get a massage. But it would be strange for me to call someone to give me a massage unless it were the palace maids. A massage is no ordinary effort. Come to think of it, the heavenly-style massage from Gabia was somewhat lackluster. While I received it well, it felt wrong to say it wasn't great—since when was a massage just about lightly dotting with fingers after applying oil? Moreover, the main focus wasn't the back but the front. A proper massage should be about deeply kneading muscles and tugging and pressing bones until they twist. But due to politeness, I couldn't say much. I couldn't refuse the kind effort as someone who shrinks in front of kindness. For during the heavenly-style massage, Gabia would frequently pause, asking: How is it? Does it feel alright, Your Ladyship? Do you feel something stirring up? Don’t restrain yourself if sounds naturally arise; it is better for you. Are you fine, Your Ladyship? Are you comfortable? Here? How about here? Oh dear, where are we? How does it feel here? Do you feel the heat rising from within, and catching your breath, well, indeed. I see… Yes... They say you can't spit on a smiling face. Therefore, I couldn't bring myself to ask Gabia, who was so earnest, if she could give me a firm, robust massage in the style of Zhongyuan. However, they touted it as an ancient, six-thousand-year-old massage technique. Perhaps it wasn't a problem of heavenly versus Zhongyuan style, but possibly an issue of the masseur's skill level. Come to think of it, the way Gabia kept asking, "Does it feel okay here? What's the sensation there? Don't you feel a bit breathless and warm, like a sound might slip out inadvertently?" might have been because she was just a novice in the heavenly massage technique. But really, who is proficient at something right from the start? Still, she tried hard, and that was commendable... Even so, there was this oddly intriguing feeling, as if it was gently ticklish, yet pleasant in its own right. Recalling those massages, I start feeling a bit ticklish myself, wondering if the room feels warm? Does it feel like the temperature is rising a bit? It’s as if, despite wrapping myself in the cold air from the Cold Heart Art, the skin beneath seems to be heating up—hmm. Ah! Could it be? Is this the efficacy of that massage technique? Perhaps the effects of the heavenly massage only manifest after half a day? It was at that moment. A strange voice came from outside. "Your Ladyship, I am the maiden Haeryu, assigned to serve you from today. May I present my greetings to Your Ladyship?"