Chapter 144: Planning for the Dowager Empress
Dongfang Bai's medical clinic will soon open after the renovations are completed.
In regards to this, everyone was very excited.
At the same time, the Dowager Empress's birthday was coming up in ten days.
Since the Dowager Empress's birthday was fast approaching, the servants in Prince Rui's residence were getting busier.
From others, Le Yao Yao found out that the current Dowager Empress was the previous Empress. She was the current Emperor's biological mother.
Sources say that although the late Emperor had many concubines, he was excessively fond of the Dowager Empress. Many envied her.
In addition, although Prince Rui wasn't her biological son, she treated him like he was her own.
So, each year, the Dowager Empress's birthday was a huge deal to not only the country, but in Prince Rui's residence. Everyone was making preparation for this event.
Based on how much the King of Hell cared, it was obvious how highly he viewed the Dowager Empress.
Currently, it was exactly noon and the Sun was shining gloriously.
It was so strong that there was a roasted smell outside.
The blistering heat was very good at making others feel agitated and sleepy. Right now, that was how Le Yao Yao felt.
She was obediently doing her job and serving at the corner of the Study. The men were discussing amongst themselves. On the other hand, she kept dozing off. Her head kept touching against her chest.
Ai, these days, she was way too tired.
For some reason, she never felt like she had enough sleep.
Especially in the morning. If she didn't have to serve and dress the King of Hell, she would have no trouble sleeping in.
But recently, after what had happened at the Ruyi tavern, the King of Hell had been giving her the cold face.
Although Le Yao Yao was still not used to this, at least the King of Hell wasn't forcing her to do anything anymore.
That was a good thing, right?
While Le Yao Yao was thinking on the inside, her mind felt very heavy. She couldn't stop yawning
Since Le Yao Yao looked like a chicken pecking on rice, Leng Jun Yu, Nangong Jun Xi, and Dongfang Bai naturally all noticed it.
"Hey, Xiao Zhu Zi, have you been working as a thief at night?"
Nangong Jun Xi had to insult Le Yao Yao on a daily basis. He was too used to it.
In addition, he wasn't an idiot. He noticed his senior brother had changed a lot. Leng Jun Yu was colder than ever. Now, he was literally like an icicle when talking to Xiao Zhu Zi.
Nangong Jun Xi was very curious as to why his senior brother was acting like this.
This change occurred after that night at the Ruyi tavern.
Nangong Jun Xi was positive that his senior brother's change had something to do with Xiao Zhu Zi.
But regardless of how much he tried to snoop, his senior brother refused to tell him. It was driving him nuts!
As for Le Yao Yao, she was raging on the inside.
Damn it! F**k this slave owning society! Even my name could be change whenever he wanted it!
Pig?! (Zhu means pig in Chinese)
You're the pig!
Your whole family are pigs!
"The 7th Prince really knows how to joke. Servant isn't capable of flipping over walls."
Although Le Yao Yao was acting like a lowly servant, she was actually taking a jab at Nangong Jun Xi. She was implying that he was a thief.
Damn that clever and eloquent servant! Nangong Jun Xi was frustrated he seemed to have lost this round. So, his face turned as repulsive as the smelly rock by the washroom.
Humph! Take that! You want to beat me? You're still too inexperienced! Le Yao Yao grinned as she looked around and observed her surroundings. She was not sleepy anymore.
At this moment, Nangong Jun Xi seemed to have thought of something. Suddenly, there was a cunning smile on his face. He looked directly at Le Yao Yao and Le Yao Yao felt her scalp turning numb.
She could sense his ill intentions. The 7th Prince must have thought of another evil plan to mess with her.
"Xiao Zhu Zi, aren't you very good at coming up with new and strange ideas? This time, I'm giving you a chance to accomplish a meritorious task! The Dowager Empress's birthday is coming up. We need to plan some activities. What do you think we should do?"
"Eh.?"
Seeing how Nangong Jun Xi was trying to push this heavy responsibility on her, Le Yao Yao was speechless.
"To respond to the 7th Prince, how would this servant know?"
After all, it was the Dowager Empress's birthday! It wasn't a small task. If she messed it up, she would be dead meat! Even if she had ten heads, it wouldn't be enough to chop. So obviously, she wasn't going to risk her life and suggest something!
However, although Le Yao Yao was hoping to be off the hook, Nangong Jun Xi wouldn't let her go so easily.
"Xiao Zhu Zi, you're too humble! Who doesn't know that you're filled with ideas! Bai, previously, Xiao Zhu Zi thought of the solution to the drought and flood incident. Also, Xiao Zhu Zi thought of the plan to deal with the scooping heart incident!"
"Oh? Is that so? Brother Yao is truly the pillar of our country!" Dongfang Bai smiled as he praised Le Yao Yao.
"Brother Bai, don't tease me. I just happened to help out last time."
"Oh?! I didn't think there would be a time when Xiao Zhu Zi would be humble. What a rare sight! This time, it's clear that only you can plan and prepare for the Dowager Empress!"
Le Yao Yao knew Nangong Jun Xi was purposely trying to mess with her. So, she was very annoyed.
But she had to hold it in. After all, she was merely a servant. She couldn't exceed her role.
"To respond to the 7th Prince, servant has never even met the Dowager Empress before. Servant has no idea what the Dowager Empress likes. So how could servant plan for the Dowager Empress's birthday? The 7th Prince is obviously trying to make things difficult for servant!"
"Ah. It's fine if you've never met the Dowager Empress. I can tell you what she likes. Listen carefully. The Dowager Empress likes Chinese opera related stuff. But the performers from the Capital keep playing the same tunes over and over again. I'm quite sure the Dowager Empress is bored of them. So, Xiao Zhu Zi, you have lots of ideas, why don't you pick some new tunes or something?!"
Astonishment appeared on Le Yao Yao's face, but she didn't directly refuse either.
For some reason, whenever she was in front of Dongfang Bai, she wanted to prove herself or her abilities. She wanted his praise
Also, Chinese opera wasn't actually new to her. After all, her father from the 21 century loved listening to those stuff. Each morning, he would listen to some Cantonese Chinese opera music.
"If it's related to Chinese opera, servant has some ideas. But servant needs a lot of time to prepare. Aiii…… but you know, this work is quite taxing on the mind and body. Out of curiosity, if servant does a good job, how would the 7th Prince reward servant?"
Although Le Yao Yao wanted to demonstrate her abilities to Dongfang Bai, she was also strongly driven by money! So, if she could achieve both, it would be ideal for her!
"Oh!? You little servant! You haven't even done anything yet and you're already asking for rewards? Aren't you too overly confident? What if you messed up and the Dowager Empress was not impressed? Then what?"
"What if the Dowager Empress is impressed?!" Le Yao Yao rebutted.
Seeing how confident Le Yao Yao was, Nangong Jun Xi was stunned. Then, he clapped his hands.
"Alright! If you're able to impress the Dowager Empress, this Prince will reward you heavily!"
"A hundred silver taels!" Le Yao Yao immediately negotiated.
It was a rare opportunity to cheat the 7th Prince. Plus, she was really in need of money!
After all, she will not remain as a servant at Prince Rui's residence for life. So, she must maximize her earning potential now!
As for Nangong Jun Xi, he was flabbergasted by Le Yao Yao's demand.
Although a hundred silver taels was not a big deal to him, it was not a small amount. For servants, this was a sky-high price!
"You little servant! You're like a lion opening its mouth!"
"Haha. Thanks for the compliment, 7th Prince. But if servant is able to make the Dowager Empress happy, then this amount is worth it, no?"