Chapter 228: Bishuo

Chapter 228: Bishuo

Cheng Yunshuo wasn’t paying attention to what these people were saying. He was feeling anxious and distracted. Upon hearing there was a task, he followed several others to the inner palace to help.

At the entrance of the inner palace, there were sixty or seventy large chests tied with red silk ribbons. A large group of eunuchs and a crowd of palace maids were chattering away.

“What’s inside these? Why are they making people carry them to the Imperial Treasury?”

“They’re betrothal gifts.”

“Betrothal gifts? Whose betrothal gifts?”

“You don’t know yet? A few days ago, forbidden items—items that were illegal or prohibited by imperial law—were found among the betrothal gifts for the Luo family’s betrothed. Everything was sent to the palace for inspection and seizure. These are those gifts.”

“To the Imperial Treasury? Isn’t the Luo family giving up on them?”

“Once things are sent to the palace, who would dare ask for them back? Especially when they’ve committed a crime. It’s lucky the Luo family can keep their lives!”

“That poor bride. She’s lost her betrothal gifts.”

“Don’t feel too bad for her. In this day and age, marrying without betrothal gifts, how is she supposed to live?”

“Don’t feel sorry for her. We, in our position, don’t even have betrothal gifts. We might not even find someone to marry in the future!”

These young palace maids were all of humble origins. They were selected from the folk at the age of twelve or thirteen. A few lucky ones were assigned to good palaces, serving favored masters, leading a good life with a bright future.

But most of the young palace maids were doing the lowest-level tasks, assigned to various departments in the palace, cleaning, doing laundry, embroidering, making clothes, and serving in different palaces. They would work for over a decade with almost no chance of rising in status.

Only when they reached the age of twenty-five were they allowed to leave the palace.

Even after leaving, they didn’t have many good options.

They were already of an older age, making marriage difficult. Some of the lucky and capable ones were hired by wealthy families to be etiquette instructors for young misses, which was considered a good path.

Others, with the silver they saved in the palace, would return to their hometowns hoping to buy property. If they were lucky and had reliable family support, they might find a decent man to marry as a live-in son-in-law or a widower of similar age, and live a fortunate life.

However, for most, their silver would be swindled by their family or husband. Their family members, especially greedy relatives, would be after their savings.

In this era, it was hard for an unmarried woman to keep her property.

In the eyes of their parents, they were considered part of the family property. Their parents would squeeze them dry, let alone outsiders.

Another path was to be taken in by a wealthy family as a concubine.

Comparatively, becoming a concubine in a wealthy family was actually the best option for these palace maids.

Because they were already too old and had been delayed too long. Most men of suitable age were already married. There was no chance to become a primary wife.

Since they couldn’t be the primary wife, becoming a concubine in a wealthy family was better than finding a poor son-in-law or marrying a widower!

Men who were still unmarried at this age were usually of poor character and ability, far below the average man.

Most of them came from extremely poor families or were lazy, irresponsible, and unscrupulous men. Finding a decent, reliable man among them was nearly impossible.

Therefore, the future for these lower-level palace maids was extremely difficult.

As they were talking, a group of impressive guards approached.

Seeing the guards, the young palace maids’ eyes lit up immediately. “Look, the guards are here!”

"These guards are so young!"

"They all look extraordinary!"

"Of course, the guards in our palace are all noble young masters from prominent families! Their families are incredibly prestigious!"

"What are you all chattering about!" At this moment, a slightly authoritative female voice rang out.

The chattering maids immediately fell silent, "Lady Bishuo."

The woman called Lady Bishuo glanced over the guards and then coldly swept her gaze over the maids in front of her, reprimanding them sternly, "Not doing your duties properly, looking around and gossiping. Do you know what you should be looking at and what you should be saying? Go back and copy the palace rules ten times!"

"Yes, ma'am."

The scolded maids all lowered their heads and obediently agreed.

At this moment, Cheng Yunshuo and the others arrived.

"Ma'am, we're here to deliver some supplies. Are these to be sent to the Imperial Household Department?" the head guard asked.

Lady Bishuo turned around upon hearing him, bowing to the guard captain, "Yes, sir."

Lady Bishuo lowered her gaze, and as she turned around, the guard captain was momentarily dazzled.

He saw that Lady Bishuo had very delicate features, fair skin, and petite red lips. Though she was in her mid-twenties and wore the hairstyle of a senior palace attendant, which looked a bit old-fashioned, she didn't look old at all. In fact, she exuded a mature charm compared to those young, inexperienced girls.

More than anything, she reminded him of someone he had once known.

The guard captain was momentarily confused upon seeing her. For some reason, he felt that this lady resembled someone he had seen before.

But he couldn't remember who.

"We don't want to trouble you, ma'am. Once we have the items, you ladies can return," the guard captain said.

Lady Bishuo half-lowered her eyes, "Yes."

Although they were called to move things, it wasn't like they had to do the heavy lifting.

The palace eunuchs handled the heavy lifting. They were just there to escort.

After agreeing, Lady Bishuo had the maids step back inside. A group of eunuchs hurried forward to lift the boxes.

One young eunuch seemed to be carrying an extremely heavy box, and his shoulder slipped, causing a large wedding gift to almost fall. Lady Bishuo's brow furrowed in concern. At that moment, a guard swiftly rushed forward and steadily caught the box.

"Be careful," Lady Bishuo sighed in relief and said to the young eunuch.

The weak eunuch looked distressed, "Lady Bishuo, this one is too heavy. I can't lift it."

Just as Lady Bishuo was about to get angry, the guard who had helped spoke up, "I'll carry it."

Lady Bishuo looked up and saw only his back.

He didn't look back or say much else, simply lifting the dowry and carrying it outside.

This person was Cheng Yunshuo. He had come with the guard team and hadn't expected that the wedding gifts were Jiang Qianzhu's.

The guard captain, seeing that everything was lifted and noting that some eunuchs were truly unable to manage, had others help before leading the wedding gifts to the Imperial Household Department.

"Lady, we are leaving."

"Thank you for your hard work, sir." Lady Bishuo bowed. Once they were out of sight, she lifted her head, searching for the guard who had helped, but Cheng Yunshuo was already gone.

At that moment, she noticed a small pouch lying on the ground where Cheng Yunshuo had helped.