I woke up as the Villainous Empress

85 We’re not same.

“Here is your room Ms. Yu Ling. The water jug is on the table by your bedside. You can look for the other maids if you need anything.” Xing Bao showed Yu Ling around the guest room where she was supposed to sleep for tonight.

As ordered by Yang Luoyang, she cleaned the guest room and changed the bedsheets and blankets for Yu Ling to use. However, she didn’t torch the mosquito repellent incense since it was a request made by Yu Ling and she doesn’t follow orders from others.

She is the Head Maid of the Yang Household and doesn’t need to do such meager tasks. Since it was an order by Yang Luoyang, she cannot overlook it either. That’s why she did what she needed to as commanded by Yang Luoyang and nothing else.

She is the Head Maid of the Yang Household, meanwhile, Yu Ling is the Head of Court Ladies at the Royal palace. They hold the same title, just different places only. What gives her the right to look down on her and order her around as if she is any other maid?

Although Xing Bao lost her position for a while because of Yang Ning, however, now she is back at work again.

The last time when Yang Ning falsely accused her of stealing the gems from her dress, she was not only flogged hundred times as a punishment but was also disposed of her authority as the Head Maid of the Yang Household.

However, after accepting her punishment and showing her best behavior in the last few days, Chang Ah talked to Yang Luoyang and convinced him that other than Xing Bao, no one can manage the responsibilities of the Household and supervise the servants.

She is the senior of all the maids and has been working for them for so long. It would not be appropriate for them to dispose of Xing Bao from the position of the Head Maid for something so trivial.

Chang Ah persuaded Yang Luoyang by saying that Xing Bao even received the punishment without any whining and has been flogged hundred times already. It was more than enough for an insignificant mistake and in addition to that, it was her first offense.

.....

She should be pardoned for that.

Eventually, she was pardoned for her mistake and was given the title of the Head Maid of the Household once again.

___

Yu Ling looked around the guest room and pursed her lips in disdain. The guest room was well organized and decorated with beautiful paintings and sculptures, unlike the empty and gloomy chamber given to Lady Yang Ning.

Even the guest room in the Yang Household is more exquisite and systematized than the chamber of Lady Yang Ning.

It was as if she was thrown into any spare chamber and no one considered her status as the eldest daughter of the Yang family when allocating the chamber to her.

___

“Thank You. I will look for you if I need anything.” Yu Ling said, smiling at her.

Xing Bao: “...”

Xing Bao pursed her lips and wondered if Yu Ling was toying around with her deliberately. She just told her to look for other maids if she needs anything.

Did she not get the hint to not reach her even if she needs anything? She is the Head Maid of the Household who serves the Mistress and Lord of the Yang Household.

Does she look like a pushover to her who will serve a mere court lady like an esteemed guest?

Xing Bao took a deep breath and smiled forcefully at her words, ” Yes. Please do that. Since you are here to serve Lady Yang Ning, I will help you until you get familiar with the work at the Yang Household.”

She wanted Yu Ling to know that if she is here to serve Yang Ning, then act according to her work and not think of herself as someone significant just because Yang Luoyang allowed her to stay in the guest room and not the maid quarters.

He didn’t do that because Yu Ling deserves this much attention. Instead, it was because she used His Majesty’s name as her shield and tried to use her foxy actions to gain Yang Luoyang’s favor.

Yu Ling raised her brows upon noticing Xing Bao’s passive hostility toward her. She smiled at her and said, ” You do not need to worry about my work. I know how to serve the members of the royal family better than anyone. You can be at ease about it.”

Xing Bao clenched her fists but maintained a forced smile on her face. Why does it feel like she was looking down on her?

She didn’t say it outright but the way she looked and smiled at her made her feel offended. Her smile....why is her smile so offending to look at?

“I am sure you do. Then...I’ll take my leave.” Xing Bao bid goodbye to her and was about to leave the guest room when Yu Ling said, ” Head Maid Xing Bao.”

“Yes? Do you have any questions?” Xing Bao turned around and asked.

” I don’t have any questions. However, it feels like I forgot to introduce myself to you properly earlier.” Yu Ling said with a smile.

Xing Bao raised her brows and laughed awkwardly as she waited for Yu Ling to introduce herself. Why does she want to introduce herself so suddenly? She wondered.

She wanted to go back to her quarters and rest but because of Yu Ling, she is still awake, and assisting her to get familiar with the Yang Household.

“As you already know about it, my name is Yu Ling. I have served the Crown Prince since he was young and is currently assigned to the main palace, serving as His Majesty’s court lady.”

” I also hold the position of the Head of the Court ladies and am in charge of training and supervising the other court ladies to serve the Royal Family with proper respect and etiquette.” She said with a proud smile on her face.

“Ah, Yes. Nice...to meet you.” Xing Bao said hesitantly and was surprised by Yu Ling’s detailed introduction. What was the need for her to go to such lengths and give such a long introduction? She wondered.

” Nice to meet you too. Ah, I forgot to mention my age. I am 46 years old this year. How about you?” She asked.

Xing Bao frowned and was caught off guard by her unexpected question. “Ermm....I am 37 years old this year. But....why did you ask about my age?”

“Oh! So you’re almost 10 years younger than me? I couldn’t tell since you looked older than me. I almost called you elder sister. Haha. I am glad I asked your age before putting down the formalities.” Yu Ling laughed when she heard about her unexpectedly young age and joked about it.

Xing Bao’s face turned gloomy when Yu Ling laughed and said that she looks old compared to her age.

She looks old? Hah! Well, at least she is younger than her, whereas she is an old hag who is forcing her way into the Yang Household.

Why can’t she stay at the royal palace if she likes it that much? What was she trying to do by boosting so much in front of her? She wondered.

” That’s why one should never let go of the formalities easily. Who knows what mistake one might make unknowingly?” Yu Ling remarked.

Xing Bao frowned as she couldn’t understand her undeciphered words. What is she going on about? She wondered.

“What I am trying to say is, just like how we look of the same age but belong to different age groups, similar to that, even though we hold the same positions at work, the titles are very different.”

” I serve His Majesty and hold the position of the Head of the Court Ladies at the Royal Palace, whereas you work as the Head Maid of the Yang Household and serve Minister Yang, who works at the royal court.”

” The difference of scale between the two positions is larger than you expect it to be. So it would be better if you do not consider me at the same level as you. Because we’re not at the same level.”

” If you go outside, even the other court ladies will be considered above you in position. Hope you understand that difference and address me properly next time, using my titles.” Yu Ling’s blunt and straightforward words were like a warning bomb to Xing Bao and were telling her to act according to her status.

” If you cannot remember it all, you can call me by name as well, Lady Yu Ling. That’s how the other court ladies address me at the palace. You can also do the same as well.”

” However, do not call me Ms. Yu Ling ever again. I do not like when people let go of the formalities without taking consent from the other person and treat them like equals. It’s rude.”

“Do you understand what I mean?” After speaking her mind, Yu Ling smiled at her and ended her speech on a good note. However, Xing Bao wasn’t pleased about it.

Xing Bao: “.....”