After retiring, sister palace maids could choose to be honorably supported within the palace, or they could opt to leave the palace. Not only did they retain their rank, but also received a stipulated amount of silver every month until their death; from time to time, they were even invited back to the Imperial Palace.

Although being a sister palace maid was not an official title that conferred power, apart from members of the royal family, sister palace maids did not need to kneel before high-ranking officials.

Most importantly, as the sister palace maids held a close relationship with their former masters, naturally, everyone would give them some level of respect. Famous aristocratic families even vied to employ retired sister palace maids as either a Sister of Penitentiary or Sister Steward for their household's daughters, hence raising the girls' statuses.

The remuneration for sister palace maids was also quite high.

Of course, there were very few who could become sister palace maids, with only one or two emerging every few years.

During Sister Jin's last visit to see the Old Duchess, the Old Duchess casually mentioned sister palace maids, bringing up the Pine and Cypress Pattern Jade Hairpin that signified their identity, as well as Sister Jin's favors owed to the Empress Dowager and the present Emperor. It was for this reason that she was so well-informed.

Could it be that Sister Jin had retired, and that was why Prince Chen arranged for her to take care of Ms. Yang?

Ms. Yang was just a common girl from a farming family. Why would Mr. Song praise her so highly in his letters? Even the Duchess of Zhenguo Mansion agreed immediately to her resignation upon hearing she was coming to Yangliu village and repeatedly urged Madam Xu to treat Ms. Yang well.

Now, Prince Chen had arranged for Sister Jin to come here, and Sister Jin did not seem unwilling in the slightest. Wasn't this all too strange?

Ignoring the puzzled Madam Xu, Sister Jin looked at Yang Mengchen with a smile and said, "This old servant has seen Ms. Yang."

She had just heard Uncle Heng address the young lady before her as "Miss," and Prince had mentioned there was only one Miss in the Yang family.

"Good to see you, sister!" Yang Mengchen curtsied and performed a salute, "You can just call me Mengchen, sister. You must have had a hard journey."

Hai Tang and her four companions also curtsied and saluted.

"Miss, there is no need for such formality." Sister Jin extended her hand to help Yang Mengchen up,

**

The first seven who arrived from Youming Palace bowed and said, "Subordinates have seen Third Young Master Yang (as stated in the confidential letter from the Palace Master, before the Young Palace Master inherits Youming Palace, they shall be addressed as Third Young Master Yang in front of others, while in private, they shall be referred to with the honor of Young Palace Master), and have seen Ms.

Yang."

"You are subordinates to Grandpa Kong, not to my family," Yang Mengchen corrected them with a smile. "From now on, just refer to yourself as 'I'."

"Yes, Ms. Yang." Seeing that the Young Palace Master next to them did not object, all seven respectfully complied.

Yang Mengchen continued, "Grandpa Kong and Old Hai have gone fishing by the river and won't be back until near midday. Brother, why don't you take them to the Academy's dormitory to rest for a while first?"

Yang Chengxuan promptly led the seven people toward the Academy.

Weichi Kong and Old Hai had an old grudge. Even though they both stayed in the East Wing Room, it was rare for them to encounter each other, and even when they did, they ignored each other. More precisely, Old Hai wanted to talk to Weichi Kong, but Weichi Kong ignored him completely.

That's why Yang Mengchen didn't ask Old Hai to examine the scholarly abilities of the seven people—and besides, she also trusted that the individuals Grandpa Kong had brought in were not mediocrities.

"Miss, there are more than ten people outside asking to see Mr. Song," Ma Liang reported respectfully as he stepped inside.

Presumably, it was Song Bochao's friends and students who had arrived. As Yang Mengchen gave instructions to Ma Liang, she headed towards the reception hall, "Please guide them to the outer reception hall and send someone to the family temple to ask Mr. Song to come back immediately."

Ma Liang followed the order and left.

Upon arriving at the guest hall of the outer courtyard, he saw various individuals sitting or standing, sipping tea or chatting, each of them exuding a scholarly aura from their eyes and expressions.

Seeing Yang Mengchen walk in with five maids, the crowd paused and turned to look at her, their eyes filled with inquisitiveness and curiosity.

"Our esteemed guests must have had a long journey," Yang Mengchen said, facing the scrutinizing gaze of the crowd with a slight smile on her face. "I have already sent someone to invite Mr. Song. Please wait for a moment."

The crowd inwardly nodded in approval, recognizing the young lady as Ms. Yang, who Brother Song Bochao (teacher) had mentioned in his letter, indeed dignified and gracious, well-read and rational.

While Song Bochao had not yet returned, Uncle Heng had already led the person sent by Long Xuanmo into the guest hall.

The woman leading the group was in her thirties, with a simple hairstyle adorned with a pine and cypress pattern jade hairpin, her tall and slender figure exuding a graceful presence. Her beautiful face, serious and without frivolity, showed no traces of severity. Dressed in plain green clothing, she radiated an air of dignified authority, clearly of no ordinary standing.

Long Xuanmo had mentioned in his letter that he would send a sister maid, as the young maids by her side were inexperienced and some matters were inconvenient for them to handle. Understanding Long Xuanmo's good intentions, Yang Mengchen didn't refuse. The middle-aged woman before her must be Sister Jin, whom Long Xuanmo had referred to.

Indeed, one of the women who had arrived earlier approached the middle-aged woman warmly, asking, "Sister Jin, how come you're here? How could the Empress Dowager bear to let you leave the palace?"

Before coming here, she had been teaching at the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion, and on two occasions, she happened to meet Sister Jin visiting the mansion under the Empress Dowager's command. The Duke's household showed Sister Jin great respect, so she naturally took a closer look and heard that Sister Jin was deeply favored by the Empress Dowager and even the Emperor allowed her some leeway.

"Madam Xu is here, too," Sister Jin said, having a good memory and recognizing that this person was a tutor from the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion. "Prince Chen trusts this old servant, so he has arranged for me to serve Ms. Yang closely."

Was Prince Chen actually acquainted with Ms. Yang? And he had even arranged for a maid from the Empress Dowager's palace to serve Ms. Yang?

The crowd was immensely shocked, especially Madam Xu, who couldn't help but be surprised when she noticed the jade hairpin in Sister Jin's hair.

A sister palace maid?

Within the Imperial Palace, there was a type of maid known as 'sister palace maid.' Generally, they were those who had made outstanding contributions and were of Fifth Rank or above, having served many years by the side of the Emperor, Empress Dowager, and Empress.

After retiring, sister palace maids could choose to live in honor within the palace or leave. They retained their rank and received a monthly allowance of silver until death, and were occasionally invited back to the Imperial Palace.

Although sister palace maids held no official titles and wielded no power, they didn't need to kneel before high-ranking officials, except members of the imperial family.

Most importantly, sister palace maids had a close relationship with their former masters, so naturally, everyone would give them some face. Famous aristocratic families even competed to employ retired sister palace maids as Sisters of Penitentiary or Sister Stewards for their daughters, to elevate the girls' status. Sister palace maids also received high treatment.

Of course, those who became sister palace maids were very few, with only one or two appearing every few years.

After Sister Jin had visited the Dowager Duchess on that occasion, the latter had mentioned the sister palace maid in passing.

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