Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 1036 - 1034_1

Chapter 1036: Chapter 1034_1

Although today was the first day of the month, there was not a single worshipper in sight. Then Xiao’er noticed a signboard standing by the mountain trail, reading that the Guanyin Temple was closed to the public today due to the visit of an honored guest.

It seemed that the Empress Dowager had arranged everything well in advance.

Indeed, when nobles venture out, what a crowd they draw! It’s better for a person of such high status and position as the Empress Dowager to stay inside more often! Otherwise, the common people won’t have a day of peace! They’ll only be busy avoiding any improprieties! Xiao’er couldn’t help but vent her feelings silently.

The Empress Dowager, having injured her foot and thus unable to walk, was carried up to the Guanyin Temple in a sedan chair by two eunuchs.

Xiao’er glanced at the only two slim eunuchs the Empress Dowager brought with her and couldn’t help cocking an eyebrow: could it be that the Empress Dowager was planning on having Du Yijin and her carry her when the two eunuchs could no longer support her weight?

She herself didn’t care; after all, she was skilled in martial arts, and while she may not be invincible, her strength was certainly formidable! But at first glance, Yijin was petite and delicate, with not a lick of strength in her arms. Could the Empress Dowager seriously consider having her carry her up the mountain?

Keep in mind the weight of the Empress Dowager - no, that’s not quite right. The Empress Dowager, who has lived a life of luxury and elegance, is not exactly lightweight; how else could she have broken Fang Wanping’s ribs with just one fall!

"Move out!" Once the Empress Dowager sat in the sedan chair, the two eunuchs strained to lift her. The sudden movement nearly threw the Empress Dowager off balance, as she grabbed tightly onto the handrails. Fortunately, the eunuchs quickly steadied themselves and barely managed to lift her up.

Du Yijin nervously wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead and suggested, "Your Majesty, the mountain trail is treacherous, perhaps it’s better not to go. It’s too dangerous!"

The Empress Dowager had already begun to regret treating her own life as a joke, but after hearing Du Yijin’s words, she instantly became angry, "How can I show my sincere wish for the royal family to prosper and multiply if I do not go? If you two could be a bit more competent, would it be necessary for me to risk my life to worship at the Guanyin Temple?"

Du Yijin was speechless after hearing this. She was right, Xiao’er had warned her earlier - when you have the ability to keep quiet, you should absolutely stay quiet!

As for Xiao’er herself, she had no intention of persuading the Empress Dowager in the first place. If the Dowager wanted to cause mischief, let her bring it on! If enemies are near, fight; if floods come, build dams!

Once the two eunuchs had managed to carry the Empress Dowager away for about ten meters, Xiao’er then said to Yijin, "Let’s go!"

A ten-meter distance should be safe enough!

And sure enough, halfway up the mountain, the steps of the two eunuchs started to falter.

Seeing this, the nanny beside the Empress Dowager became frightened and quickly shouted, "Stop, stop quickly, let the Empress Dowager down!"

The Empress Dowager herself was frightened and turned pale.

The two eunuchs were also aware that if anything were to happen to the Empress Dowager, even if they had nine lives like a cat, it would not be enough to save them!

The maids and nannies following the Empress Dowager also quickly came up to help support the sedan chair, worrying that if the Empress Dowager accidentally fell off, she might roll down the mountain!

Together they managed to let the Empress Dowager down.

The Empress Dowager was frightened by the experience, breaking out in a cold sweat despite the hot weather!

Seeing this, Xiao’er and Du Yijin hurried up to her, "Your Majesty, are you alright?"

"Can you not see I’m not alright?" Scared senseless, she was far from alright!

Xiao’er offered her a pot of water, "Your Majesty, have some water to calm your nerves!"

The Empress Dowager glanced at Xiao’er and retorted, "I’ve weathered much worse than this paltry scare!"

Hearing this, Xiao’er decided not to argue any further, she just retracted her outstretched hand. Some people apparently prefer to suffer in dignity!

Despite saying this, the Empress Dowager still gave the nanny next to her a look, indicated that she wanted some water.

Thankfully, the nanny understood the Empress Dowager’s wishes. She quickly brought over a water pot and personally poured a cup for the Empress Dowager, "Your Majesty, please drink some water. The weather is hot, and without adequate hydration, it’s easy to get heatstroke!"

"Is that so? Then I suppose I’ll have some!" The Empress Dowager reluctantly accepted the cup and took a sip.

What about principles! Xiao’er couldn’t help but comment silently in her mind.

After finishing her water, the Empress Dowager finally recovered. She then began berating the two eunuchs. Once she had finished, she turned to the maids and the nanny next to her and said, "These two eunuchs are useless, their arms and legs are probably already out of strength. Perhaps the two of you should carry me up to the Guanyin Temple instead!"

The two maids and the nanny were shocked at this request! They were the ones that had to carry her up to the Guanyin temple?

The two nannies were already quite old, and the fact that they could climb up to the temple by themselves was already impressive. Let alone carrying the Empress Dowager up!

The two maids were not laborers and lacked the necessary strength. They wanted to refuse but dared not, so they had no choice but to comply.

Fortunately, the mountain trail was fairly wide. Each of them lifted a corner of the bamboo pole, then strained as they started to lift the Empress Dowager together. However, given the differences in their strengths, the chair was askew, causing the Empress Dowager to almost fall off.

Luckily, Xiao’er’s quick reflexes saved her.

This time, the Empress Dowager screamed out loud in fear!

Once the Empress Dowager was on solid ground. Xiao’er said, "Your Majesty, they are all weak maids, I’m afraid they’re not strong enough to carry you up the mountain. What should we do?"

She was quite curious to see whether the Empress Dowager, who had nearly fallen off her chair, would dare to joke about her own life again!

"Why did I come to this Guanyin Temple in the first place? If it weren’t for your incompetence, would I risk my life to come here? Therefore, I must go and pay my respects at the Guanyin Temple. What do you think?" The Empress Dowager looked at both Xiao’er and Du Yijin, waiting for their response.

Xiao’er silently scoffed at this in her heart. Since the Empress Dowager wasn’t backing down, she decided to play along. After all, none of the eunuchs and maids were likely to react as quickly as she in case of an emergency!

Xiao’er was extremely annoyed by those who treated their own lives so lightly, and she felt that the Empress Dowager understandably deserved some sort of lesson.

"If that is the case, then Yijin and I can give it a try! Your Majesty knows that I’ve grown up doing farm work since I was a child, so I’m stronger than the average person."

Du Yijin looked at Xiao’er in surprise: How could this work? If they weren’t strong enough and accidentally made the Empress Dowager fall down the mountain, what would they do?

However, after hearing Xiao’er’s words, the Empress Dowager’s face lightened slightly and she said: "Then I’ll have to trouble you both!"

Du Yijin felt a headache coming on after hearing this!

But since the Empress Dowager had said so, she had no choice but to accept her fate.

Each of them grabbed one end of the sedan chair.

"One, two, three, lift!" Xiao’er shouted loudly.

Then, with a slight effort, she lifted the Empress Dowager up.

Xiao’er and Du Yijin had a considerable difference in strength, so Xiao’er’s side of the sedan chair was lifted up high.

Yijin obviously couldn’t match Xiao’er’s strength.

Consequently, there was a severe tilt on one side of the sedan chair!

"Your Majesty!"

"Ah!" The Empress Dowager flipped out of the chair!