I was in the palace's library, and it was almost midnight. I am so sleepy as this work must be finished and submitted to the assistant secretary tomorrow. I'm a technical writer, and I've also written so many books that have been published by people outside the palace. People in the cities are reading my novels, and I see it whenever I go.

My new published story has been known to people, and they have been reading it. No one knows who's the writer; my name as a writer is different from my personal name.

My author's name is Yan Yuan, but hey! I'm quite famous by that name. However, I live in this palace as a technical writer, and I cannot go outside as much as I want to. I was being appointed by the Queen Dowager as the Director of the Auditing Team, but I refused that work, which disappointed my family and made everyone else hate me too. I refuse her majesty's request because that's not my passion and I want to be free from my worries. I don't want to get involved in politics.

My father was the General, a prime minister in the palace; his surname is Jian. My mom was a not-favored concubine, and she also died when giving birth to me. In this era, some of the things in the palace change, such as the carriage and many more. but the tradition still remains.

My grandfather was the former Grand Secretary, and my grandmother is the former assistant of the Great Grand Empress Dowager. I sang a song and will keep doing my job. I was busy until I heard footsteps.

Is it my sister's paid assassin? Nah, I'm used to it. Yes, I do have a sister, but they treated me like I was not their sister; instead, they treated me like a punching bag.

They always bully me, but I just ignore them. I'm the concubine's daughter; that's why they treated me like this. I stopped singing when I didn't hear any footsteps. I rushed out to see what was outside, but I saw nothing. So I go back inside. Well, I'm almost finished. I have to submit this tomorrow early in the morning because it will be needed by the prime minister.

When I finish the task, I put it in the brown folder to make sure it is safe. I should bring it with me. 

I walk towards the door, open it, and walk outside. I locked the library, and then after that, I left.

I'm in my room, or should I say chamber for me? This chamber is far from the main mansion of the palace. This is in the garden and I almost forgot that tomorrow is my grandmother and grandfather's anniversary and that they will be holding a banquet. Sure enough, lots of people will go there. I have to prepare a gift for tomorrow after the submission of this project.

"My lady, please wake up as you have an important appointment this day." eyes are shut but ears are listening; I'm still sleepy. I got up and stared blankly at the floor.

"What time is it?" I ask my servants.  "It's almost 7:00 a.m., and you have to report and submit the project this morning at 9:00 o'clock, and after that, you have to go to the banquet this morning at 10:00 a.m. in the Jian Manor for the anniversary of your grandma and grandpa," said my assistant.

"Okay," I said. This is okay because I have to buy a gift this morning and then go to the office to report and handle the project. I wash and then do my routines. After that, I do my morning rituals in the ancestral hall to pray. After that I looked at my watch and saw that the time was 7:45 a.m., so I hurriedly left the ancestral hall and then went to the imperial shopping mall. I have access because the Queen Dowager gave me a VIP card.

My driver drove me to the mall, and as soon as I reached the mall, I hurriedly left the car.

I know my grandparents' favorites. So I went to the ancient things. I bought a high-quality jade pendant and a ruby set with a satin-cloth foam pillow. a high-quality Chinese herbal medicine and also Chinese purple acupuncture needles; a high-quality piece of jade jewelry; a high-quality blue jade vase; and a high-quality Chinese fan from the Xuanyuan dynasty. Borrey's high-end jade porcelain cup White porcelain tea coffee cup Traditional Chinese tea set Jade article:    A Kung Fu tea cup is a high-quality emerald teapot. satin cloth and a high-quality, thick satin blanket; and last, a high-quality jade dinner set, 

So I paid for that and walked out of the mall. 

I just had a discount of 100%, so I didn't pay much.

As I walked outside to the mall, my assistant saw me and the driver, so they helped me out. though it's in the cart, but heavy as we reach our car. We put it in the trunk and then left after we settled.

The driver slowly drives as I remind him about the things I brought. I checked the time, and it's already 8:25 a.m. as we arrive inside the palace's parking lot. I take the stuff outside and bring it into the room with me with care. Of course!     I can't afford to see any cracks, or I'll be doomed if my grandparents see the cracks, and they will be disappointed in me. As I reached my room, I put it in the corner of the floor to make sure that nothing would happen.

I open my drawer and get the brown folder to submit, but unexpectedly, I feel dizzy, and my eyes are blurry. Something isn't right. I need to deliver the folder. If I can't do that, I'll lose my job. So, even if I'm sick, I need to work hard for my living and support myself financially. As I found my folder, my eyes went black, and there was nothing. I don't know what's next..

I woke up and slowly opened my eyes but what i was saw is the decoration of my room. Am i here in my room and no one helped me?. but i feel comfy behind my back.

i slowly touched the surface and i thought i was in the cold floor lying but fortunately i was being held here in my bed.

i heard footsteps coming near me. i closed my eyes because it hurts. i was just listening around. i heard another footsteps coming through.

" how was the patient, doc? " a woman ask. i think that's my assistant.

" she's fine but she needs to rest for a few days " i heard the doctor sigh.

" what was the results? "

" she's having a fever and also an exhaustion to work. suffering from fatigue. Working overtime for her isn't good. you need to look out for her. if she continue working like that, i must say she's slowly destroying herself " the doctor explained. is that so? so all this time i was suffering from this work and that cause my illness.

" what are the medications she needs to intake? "

" the nurse will give you the list of her medication that i prescribed and go get it to the royal pharmacy later. the dosage are also indicated. i will send it to you later for now let her rest "

" okay doc. "

" excuse i need to leave " and there the doctor is walking away. i slowly opened my eyes and my assistant suddenly came to me holding my palm.

" how are you, my lady? are you okay? you fainted earlier " she asked. the worried tone is visible. i smiled and look at her.

" i'm fine, just a bit dizzy and yeah tired " i said.

" good, you have to rest for a few more days so that you can fast recover. don't worry the other matters, i'll handle it " she said. oh yeah! i almost forgot.

" by the way, did you send the files? what happened to the banquet? did you also send my gifts? " i asked. she looks worried.

" t-the files..... i'm afraid it was stolen and t-the gifts are.... broken " she said. WHAT?! who did it?

" what? who did that? that gifts cost more than one million and the files i worked out last night was stolen? who did that? i was just fainted and now what?! is this what the terrible news that would welcome me? " i said in a furious.

" I-i think your sister did that " she said. yeah, maybe it was lan. that woman has no mercy for all the things i've done.

" she's so... sigh..

forget it. i need to worked now " i said and get out of the bed but the assistant stopped me.

" but miss you are not recovered yet " she said.

" it's fine. work comes fi--- "

The phone was suddenly ringing that made me cut my words. i reached my phone and receive the call from the secretary.

" thank you for sending the files lady hesia, sorry for disturbing your rest " the secretary said.

" no, it's fine. you're welcome " i said and hang up. confused is written in my face.

" what was that? " i asked my assistant.

" i-i don't know miss.. " uhmm.. well she looks pretty guilty.

" well, i should get going " i was about to leave after tidying myself when my phone suddenly rings.

i answered it.

" hello? " i greeted.

" you unfilial kid! thank you for sending this wonderful gifts. where did you buy it? it's quite expensive and with a high quality. thank you, lady hesia "

???

even if i was confused i still say my welcome. that's strange.

" tell me honestly, what is really happening? " i asked calmly.

" uhmm... i-i " before she could speak a loud voice of the eunuch reached in my room.

" HERE COMES THE EMPEROR!!! " he said. i heard so many footsteps and said their greetings to the emperor.

well, i can see people from the outside and it's infront of my door.

i rushed out to open the door and greeted the emperor.

" long live your majesty, long live the emperor " i said and kneel.

" at ease " his cold voice run down through my shoulders. i didn't see my assistant in my side and it so strange. i stood up and i met his majesty's eyes. i-its kinda scary...

" a delicate woman like you shouldn't keep a bargage in your side " he said that made me confused.

" uhm.. your majesty what are you tal---- " his majesty cut my words.

" arrest her and whip her 50 times and then fired her. i should not see her wandering in this palace. do you understand?! " his majesty said and my heartbeat run so fast that i could only hear my heartbeat. am i going to get arrested and get whipped for 50 times?! what did i do?

i couldn't make any move and i feel like i'm being paralyzed.

" my lady! my lady, please help me! i didn't do it! please help me!! " and that made me snap from the reality.

" assistant xiao... why.. why did you get arrested? " i asked out of the blue but assistant xiao was dragged out with the guards.

" she comitted a serious crime " that's the only thing i heard.

all this time, the people around me are the traitors. they betray me and what i did for them was to treat them fairly like a sisters. but in the end this is how i got.

" i assigned a newly employed servants for you. this time, you can trust them " the emperor said. i look at him but his face, his posture nothing change.

" don't get the wrong idea, mother asked me to bring you a newly servant and catch the crime. my mother dotes on you, so you should not let her down. " he said and take his leave.

but before he could walk away i said my thanks to him.

" thank you for everything your majesty " i said and kneel.

i couldn't believe everything.

i get up from kneeling but i can't. my head is dizzy and i don't have strength..

i was about to crawl but the two servants closed the door and helped me walk to my bed.

" rest my lady, you shall not walk around " they said.

two of them are pretty. i should asked their names.

" uhmm.. thank you, what should i call you by the way? " i asked. they look at each other and smiled.

" don't you remember us, lady hexia? we're the kids you always give a gifts everyday, you supported us and that's why we are here to apply and got accepted. luckily the empress dowager asked us to be your new servants. we can be your assistant, double agent, and all! now do you remember us? " a servant in a color red dress said.

" is that so? i... still can't remember. " i said trying to recalling everything.

" we're the kids that we always steal things and we also steal your things but you still choose to forgive us and helped us out. " the servant in blue dress said.

steal things... giving gifts...

oh!! now i remember!

" i remember now! you're meng meng the one who wears a color red dress and you're shan the one who wears a color blue dress! now i remember "

the both smiling.

" you two grown up now, just treat me as your sister and tell me all your worries, i may help you. " i said.

" well.. we worked hard just to repay you for the kindness you did to us. we will never forget all your kindness to us, my lady " meng and shan said.

" come here you both let me hug you! i missed you two!! " i said and hug them.

i somehow feel happy and sad. i hope that they won't betray me.

I woke up because of the sunlight hitting my face. I stretched my body. I noticed mengmeng came in carrying the food prepared for me, I smiled at her and stood up on the bed.

" good morning, you're awake, my lady, Here's your breakfast " mengmeng said and put the food on the mini table in my living room.

" good morning too, please prepare me a set of working suites, i need them today and prepare my files and working materials, thank you " i said and smiled and then went to the bathroom to take a bath first.

this chamber is quite big, and complete in house holds materials. i can say that this room is second large to the empress's chamber.

speaking of empress, i haven't heard that the emperor didn't choose an empress but has a son and and a concubine. that concubine didn't have any title. i wonder why she didn't became the wife of the emperor. she also hates me too... why is it like that? did i offend her? but i remember clearly that i have no conversation or attachment with her... hmmm.. that's strange.

after i take a bath i imediately wear the bathrobe and went out of the bathroom.

i walk towards to the living room and ate my breakfast.

i should buy some clothes for meng meng and shan. a different kinds of clothes so that they are different from the other servants here.

every servants here are treated as sisters here. that's why everyone around them is envious. they can hide it but i can sense it.

" meng meng, shan come here i have something to talk to you " i said after i'm done eating.

they imediately come to me.

" what is it my lady? " they both said.

" let's go shopping " i said in a wide smile.

" okay, my lady " they said.

" get changed. we're going this morning " i said and then stood up, meng meng cleaned the mini table and then left.

after a minutes of preparation, i get out of the walk in closet and then grab my bag that has a working materials.

meng meng and shan are waiting for me at the door. clearly, they don't have any clothes to change but only a servants clothes.

well, they can wear it for now. i'll buy them more clothes today.

" let's go!! " i said cheerfully.

" here we are " i said and then get down in the car. they also get down too.

" wow! i've never been here before. this is my first time coming from this luxurious mall! " meng meng complimented.

" meng meng, lower your voice " shan lectured her.

" tsk. why are you so killjoy? shan... are you excited to see what's inside? hmmm??? " meng ment tease her.

" shut up " said shan and she got blushed. i just chuckled. these two are so cute hahaha.

" enough guys. let's go " i said and drag them together with me.

as we get inside, we walked towards to the escalator instead of using the elevator. some people gossips about us. i can almost hear them too.

" *why is that woman bringing a two slaves here in imperial mall? is she showing that she's a rich and arrogant woman? "

" yeah, no wonder people who are rich and wealthy are able to enslave those poor people when in fact the poor ones was the one who are working for them to make them wealthy "

" that's right* "

well... people who don't know me would made a gossip. i'm not that kind of woman.

" these... " shan stopped her younger sister.

" you don't have to confront them. wise people would not believe it. only fools would do " she stated referring to those two young girls behind them.

" you!! what did you say? " a girl in a red flower dress shouted.

i can say she's a scandalous woman. well.. it's their nature.

" shh.. guys don't make any more trouble here in the mall. many people will see. let them be " I said and walked away from the escalator first. the two followed. it's a good thing they didn't retaliate against the two women.

there might be more trouble. there are still a lot of people here in the mall and maybe tomorrow in the online news I'll be talking about me. its embarrasing! lest the imperial family punish me.

we go to women stuffs. this store is also complete. there are clothes, underwears, bras, and any girls stuff as well as makeup.

I chose selectively and the two followed me. so I faced them and smiled.

"choose whatever you want. its on me." I said smiling at them. they couldn't believe what I said so they blinked and asked me.

"my lady, maybe you're just kidding, don't, it's embarrassing for us"

"yes, my lady. maybe the dear queen mother will be angry with us. maybe we will be punished" they complained so I laughed softly.

"The dear queen mother is used to me and that wasn't before with her. I treat you as my sisters so you should accept whatever I gave to you both. treat me as your sister. don't hesitate to ask me whenever you have problems, okay? maybe I can help you "I said smiling at them.

"the rumors are true. it's true that you're very kind to the maids in the palace. you give gifts even if it's not Christmas. thank you, my lady" said meng meng.

"thank you, my lady. I will never forget this even if I die. I will serve you for the rest of my life. I owe you my life, my lady" said shan. I cried at what they said. that touched me with what they were saying.

"Okay! You choose, we're still crying here. I still have a job. Go ahead and enjoy this day, buy as much as you want. I'll buy them for you. Take your time" I said. these two are entertaining.

they immediately choose whatever they want. I may not be able to enter now. i'd better text the secretary first.

----

as expected, the night did catch up with us. the shopping was delicious. we had our bonding, we eat our lunch at the restaurants. eating street foods and many more! good thing i texted the secretary.

we got home at 7:59 p.m one minute before 8:00 p.m the chamber is dark so shan opened the lights on, we went inside and put in the living room the things we bought.

shan and meng meng's room is separated and just in the living room. shan is at the end of the living room comfort room and meng meng is at the side of the window.

this chamber is not just any chamber. many say that servants are not allowed inside their master's chamber.

they had no place for them in the chamber because they were only servants. but I'm different. I get sick easily and I am also weak. the grand empress allowed me to let the servants live inside my chamber.

so she herself customized my room. if it's outside i'm sure it's like a nice house. next day I will do charity.

I also asked for the permission of the grand empress and she allowed me. that's all the emperor will also participate. moreover, next time I will give a gift to the servants here.

I will bring good things if there are people who need it. so I will give to others. its my happiness to help others at my own will.

I was brought back to reality when shan suddenly spoke to my side.

"my lady, are you okay? sit down, I know you're tired. just wait I'll get you something to drink" she said and left. I sat down.

"my lady, I've fixed the bath tub, you can go in there. I've also prepared your sleeping gear. The ones you need to use." Meng Meng said so she just nodded and smiled.

i can't believe i enjoyed this day. and I'm tired but its worth it.