The Chattering Maid of a Treacherous Official

[Polished revision, with plot changes. Pirated copies may differ]

My new neighboring novel, A Concubine’s Daily Life of Slacking Off, is a super-sweet childhood-friends romance. Come check it out!

(A talkative maid who knows when to back down and when to stand her ground, and only wants to make money × a ruthless, quiet man who’s a doting, double-standard romantic and a beautiful, tragic madman)

Pei Yuanzhen is a powerful villainous minister. He toys with political power, is ruthless and vicious, and has countless deaths on his hands. Even the young emperor on the Dragon Throne is completely at his mercy.

From the court to the streets, everyone trembles at the mention of “Pei” and avoids speaking of him.

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Shen Zhizhi is a kitchen maid who was just sold into the Pei residence. All she wanted was to save enough money to buy her freedom and marry an honest man.

One day, Pei Yuanzhen was in a foul mood, and all the maids serving him were too terrified to go near him.

In a panic, the cook in charge of the meals grabbed Shen Zhizhi and coaxed her, “Girl, if you can make sure the master enjoys his meal, the steward will reward you with two taels of silver.”

Shen Zhizhi’s eyes lit up, and she headed straight in for the reward.

She looked at the man sitting in the grand chair, his face dark with displeasure, and said softly, “My lord, dinner is ready.”

Pei Yuanzhen gave her a cold glance.

Shen Zhizhi shrank her neck. After a moment’s thought, she worked up her courage and recited a verse about not getting angry:

“My lord, don’t be angry. Anger will make you sick, and no one can take your place. If you make yourself ill, who benefits? It only hurts you and wears you out. Slamming tables and chairs in a fit of rage will make you wrong even when you’re right. Life is hard enough as it is; what a shame to make things harder for yourself... My lord, it’s time for dinner.”

Pei Yuanzhen: “…”

Outside the door, the steward, cook, and maids were all kneeling in terror. They were sure the girl was about to be killed on the spot.

But Shen Zhizhi not only escaped with her life, she rose from kitchen maid to become the apple of the villainous minister Pei’s eye.

.

He spent his life swallowing sorrow and bitterness, willingly sinking into darkness. Later, she stayed by his side through muddy roads, dark nights, and countless storms.

Only then did Pei Yuanzhen understand that the world held more than hatred and vengeance. There was also the warmth of everyday life.

A little bonus scene:

Recently, the civil and military officials at court had noticed that the Grand Secretary’s moods were becoming increasingly unpredictable. Everyone was on edge.

Someone made discreet inquiries and finally learned the reason.

Apparently, it was because a little maid had gone missing from his residence.

The officials: ???

At the corner of the city wall, Pei Yuanzhen sat on horseback, staring sharply at the audacious woman.

Shen Zhizhi, who had only been free for two days: QAQ I just wanted to go marry an honest man.

This novel is entered in the Growth and Comeback writing contest.

Reason for entry: The heroine is a kitchen maid who dreams of buying her freedom and living an independent life. She works hard to save money, and while accompanying the hero south to investigate a case, she uses her intelligence to offer him advice. In doing so, she earns his trust and admiration. In the end, she and the hero join forces to fight their enemies, fall in love, and spend their lives together.

The heroine grows from a maid into someone who stands shoulder to shoulder with the hero, turning her life around.

"Reader’s guide"

1. The hero and heroine have no past relationships, and it’s a one-on-one romance.

2. The heroine is goofy, but the story itself is fairly serious. No angst, just super sweet romance.

3. The characters aren’t perfect, and some plot points may make readers uncomfortable, so please read with care.

----------The following is my new novel------------

Reborn: A Life of Favor

Sweet, gentle girl × doting, fatherly husband

When A Li was born, the Prince Rui’s household took her in to be their future daughter-in-law. In other words, she was betrothed as a baby. They say the heir to Prince Rui’s household attended her first-birthday banquet, thought she was as lovely as a little jade doll, and begged his mother to ask for her hand in marriage.

The adults laughed, then went ahead and arranged the match.

A Li didn’t think it was a bad thing.

Brother Rong Ci was handsome and capable. He taught her to read and write, gave her beautiful dresses, and sometimes even secretly slipped her snacks.

Later, the emperor died without an heir, and Prince Rui ascended the throne. Brother Rong Ci became the Crown Prince. Everyone said A Li was lucky to have landed a Crown Princess consort’s position so easily.

A Li wasn’t happy with that. How could she have gotten it so easily? Just yesterday, the Crown Prince had bullied her in his carriage until she cried.

.

Everyone said Crown Prince Rong Ci was elegant and exceptionally handsome, gentle as jade. But only Rong Ci knew the truth: he was a ghost who had crawled out of a mountain of corpses.

Rong Ci and A Li had been husband and wife in two lifetimes, but in their previous life, he had been obsessed with power and left her neglected in the back courtyard. His A Li had managed the household without complaint or resentment, and when he was framed, she died a tragic death in a foreign land alongside him.

After he was reborn, he took careful steps to eliminate his enemies and finally seized absolute power. But when he turned around and wanted to treat A Li well, it was too late. She was gravely ill, and her life had already faded away.

In this life, he was reborn once more, and he arranged his betrothal to A Li early. He would have both power and A Li!

He would give her a lifetime of luxury and devotion!

"Reader’s guide"

A Li’s full name is Song Jinning.

The hero is reborn and has memories of three lifetimes.

He appears refined and gentle, but is ruthless at heart and loves his wife above all else.

The heroine is sweet, lovable, gentle, and understanding.

The hero is eight years older than the heroine. The story begins with their childhood friendship.

Theme: Even if you fall into the mud, never forget your responsibilities and beliefs.