Chapter 45 The maid, Qian Yin

The Imperial Household Department is highly efficient. Just after lunch, the man in charge of the Imperial Household Department brought a maid to Yun Shang. "Your Highness, the Empress told me to pick someone smart and clever for you. Here is a new maid for you, Your Highness. Do you approve?"

Yun Shang took a close look at the maid. The maid was pretty. Just like Qin Meng, she seemed pure and innocent.

Yun Shang smiled, and asked her in a soft voice, "What's your name?"

The maid rolled her eyes and smiled, "Your Highness, my name is Qian Yin and I'm fourteen years old."

The man in charge looked at the maid. He seemed dissatisfied with her reaction. "Her Highness was just asking for your name, why did you tell her your age too?" Then he turned to Yun Shang. "Your Highness, will you take her as your maid? She may not be as experienced as your favorite maid, Qin Meng, but she serves people well."

Yun Shang nodded, "I'll keep her in Qingxin Palace. Thank you for your efforts."

Qin Yi stepped forward, slipped a money bag into the man's hand, and then stepped back. The man beamed with joy, "Thank you, Your Highness. If there's anything else that you need, let me know and I will assist you."

Yun Shang said "Well OK" as the man turned and left.

Yun Shang, Qin Yi, and Qian Yin stood in the room. Yun Shang waved at Qian Yin and smiled, "I haven't seen you in three years. You have grown up quite a lot."

Qian Yin grinned and approached Yun Shang. She stood beside the Princess and complimented, "You've changed too, Your Highness. You've become more beautiful."

Qin Yi was confused with their conversation. She thought for a while and then something dawned on her. Her eyes were filled with surprise, "Does Qian Yin work for Your Highness?"

Yun Shang and Qian Yin both laughed at this question. Qian Yin turned around and giggled, "Qin Yi, my name is Qian Yin and I work for Her Highness. Three years ago, I was sent to the Palace. I did a pretty good job, which earned me favor from the Minister of the Imperial Household Department and the Empress. I've been assigned some secret tasks for the Empress. When I heard that Her Highness needed a new maid, I signed up voluntarily."

Qin Yi studied Qian Yin from head to toe, then nodded, "Well, looks like Your Highness has learned a lot from her father, and has already made her preparations. Now with Qian Yin here, I feel quite reliev

wed, "Your Majesty. Have you came here to see the flowers with your ladies?"

The Empress nodded, "Yes, the weather is good today. I heard that the chrysanthemums in the Imperial Garden were blooming well. I wanted to take a look."

Yun Shang looked at all the concubines accompanying the Empress. Her eyes fixed on an inconspicuous figure. Mother...

Lady Jin was also looking at Yun Shang. Seeing that Yun Shang had spotted her, she smiled.

"Since you're here, let's take a walk together. You've kept yourself in Qingxin Palace all day. You'll be sick if you continue to do so." The Empress laughed as she put her hand on Yun Shang's arm.

Yun Shang smiled, "You're right."

They chatted while walking. Soon they approached Yanque Lake. "This is the best season for fish. I heard from His Majesty that a lot of Osmanthus fragrans were planted beside the lake. That's why the fish from this lake taste like the fragrans." One of the concubines said with joy.

"Really? I heard that eating this kind of fish is good for our skin. I wonder if it's true."

"Oh, come here. See there's a huge one in the lake..." One of the ladies exclaimed excitedly. The other ladies walked closer to the lake.

"Is it over there?" All eyes searched the surface of the lake for the big fish. Suddenly there was a white spray in the middle of the lake. Someone pointed to it, and shouted excitedly.

In all this excitement, one of the maids stepped too close to the lake bank. Her foot slipped.

"Watch out..." A sharp voice rang out. When everyone turned around, they saw the falling maid reaching for Yun Shang.