Chapter 541: Indistinguishable
Shen Ruojing gave Shen Qianhui some calming medicine, and after the latter fell asleep, she left the palace.
Her father, Jing Zhen, was probably still busy dealing with some matters and hadn’t returned yet.
Hence, she went out to look for Song Chen.
As she left, she took out her phone and sent a WeChat message to Chu Cichen: “Have you had dinner yet?”
Country A was close to China, and there was no time difference between the two countries.
After sending the message, Chu Cichen did not reply.
Shen Ruojing stared at her phone for a while, sighed silently, and when she looked up, she saw Song Chen standing outside the palace.
He was wearing the unique uniform of the Royal Guard of Country A, belonging to the ground forces. The uniform had white and yellow crossed stripes, and the waist belt was tightly fastened. A pair of black leather boots tightly wrapped around his calves.
Because he was standing at attention, his posture was straight, and his originally thin figure now appeared broad- shouldered and narrow-waisted. The uniform made him look less youthful, and except for his slightly pale face, his demeanor actually resembled Chu Cichen’s to some extent. For a moment, she became confused and couldn’t tell the two apart.
Shen Ruojing shook her head.
Six years later, when they met again, she could always tell the difference between the two, just by noticing the subtle differences with one glance. Why was she getting confused again now?
Was it because Song Chen, wearing this military uniform, had gained a bit of the tough demeanor similar to Chu Cichen’s?
As she was pondering, Song Chen seemed to have noticed her as well. His eyes lit up slightly, and he walked over quickly. “Ruojing… I don’t know how a royal guard should behave, but I’ve seen Mr. Chu usually keeping a straight face and looking very serious. Do I imitate him well?”
Shen Ruojing looked at him, feeling at a loss for words.
So it was Song Chen imitating Chu Cichen again. No wonder they looked so similar.
She lowered her eyes. “Don’t imitate him, just be yourself.”
A trace of laughter flashed in Song Chen’s eyes. He lowered his head and said softly, “Alright.’
Shen Ruojing looked at him. “Have you discovered anything through your contacts?”
Shen Ruojing was asking whether he had seen any familiar faces here.
However, Song Chen shook his head. “No.”
After saying that, he hurriedly looked at Shen Ruojing in panic. “I’m sorry, I haven’t been able to help you.”
Shen Ruojing:
In the past, whenever Song Chen showed weakness in front of her, she had never been soft-hearted. But today, seeing him like this, she couldn’t help but feel a little sad.
She pondered for a moment, perhaps it was because the other party had traveled a long way to be with her without any complaints and was even worried about not being helpful. This was why she felt soft-hearted.
So she sighed and said, “It’s okay. After all, it’s only the first day. Just observe more, and they will eventually reveal their flaws.”
“Alright,” Song Chen replied weakly. “As long as you don’t mind me, that’s good.”
Shen Ruojing’s mouth twitched.
Just as she was about to say something, a low voice came from the side. Song Chen seemed to want to say something, but Shen Ruojing immediately glanced at him. Seeing her gaze, he seemed to understand her meaning and closed his mouth.
After that, the two walked to the side, hiding around a corner. They saw in the garden ahead, by a fake rock, Luo Sha was scolding a girl wearing a pink maid’s outfit.
Shen Ruojing understood that the palace servants were divided into several levels, distinguished by their clothing.
Pink outfits were for the lowest-ranking female servants, and Nanny Rong’s blue servant dress was the highest ranking.
The little girl being scolded by Luo Sha was the maid who was cleaning the courtyard outside their room when they had just entered the palace.
At this moment, the little maid knelt on the ground, both hands facing up.
Luo Sha was scolding her, ” ..I didn’t ask you to spy on Princess Shen, nor did I have any other intentions. I won’t harm her. I just want you to report her movements to me! If you come and tell me every day, I can give you a generous bonus. I heard your brother is about to go to college soon, and your family can’t afford the tuition, right? Why not do it?!”
The twenty-year-old little maid buried her head in the ground, but her voice was very determined. “Your Highness, the first rule when we start working is not to disclose any information about our masters. I am a maid assigned to Princess Shen by Nanny Rong, and I cannot betray her.”
Hearing this, Luo Sha became furious and stepped on the girl’s hand with her foot!
Luo Sha was wearing a pair of gold high heels today, and the slender heel directly stepped on the little maid’s palm. With a little force, the little maid’s tears immediately flowed out.
She wanted to pull back her hand but didn’t dare to.
The butler next to Luo Sha then scolded, “Do you know why the princess is punishing you? Who allowed you to be careless and sweep dust onto the princess?
The little maid dared not resist and lay flat on the ground. “I’m sorry, it was my fault. Please, Princess Luo Sha, spare me this time…”
Luo Sha sneered. “If you want me to spare you, you can agree to the request I just made. Otherwise, I’ll tell the steward and have you driven out of the palace! It’s not easy for a girl to find a job outside, right? Then your brother won’t be able to go to college…”
In Country A, women’s status was quite low. Even though it was somewhat better now, and they could go to school, girls still faced discrimination when looking for jobs. Also, most of them would stay home to take care of their husbands and teach their children.
The little maid obviously came from a poor family, and staying in the palace to earn a salary every month was the best choice.
The butler next to Luo Sha immediately said, “Princess Luo Sha is giving you another chance, don’t be ungrateful! Isn’t working for someone just working?
The King has just returned, and Princess Shen has no foundation in the palace. Working for Princess Luo Sha not only allows you to earn a large sum of money, but after the King’s enthronement ceremony, Princess Luo Sha can also ask for you to be transferred…”
The little maid raised her head, her round face stained with tears. She then looked at Luo Sha for a while and finally said, “Princess Luo Sha, I cannot violate the employment rules…”
Upon hearing this, Luo Sha’s face changed dramatically. “Alright, then I’ll scratch your face today!”
When she released her foot, the little maid’s palm was already bloody.
She took a step back and said to the people behind her, “Catch her!”
Two guards stepped forward and grabbed the little maid.
Seeing this, Luo Sha sneered and raised her hand.
At this moment, her butler handed her a fruit knife. Luo Sha then took the fruit knife, slowly approached the little maid, and squatted down. She said, “I’m giving you one last chance. Who will you choose?
The little maid clenched her teeth, her eyes full of fear, but she stubbornly remained silent.
A fierce look flashed in Luo Sha’s eyes, and she raised the knife, slashing it across the little maid’s face!