Palace maid Shuoning

(Up)

When Suihe saw the two coral earrings prominently displayed on the white handkerchief, her face turned deathly pale. She immediately knelt down:

"Your Majesty, please forgive me, these earrings were a gift from Her Majesty to me on my birthday this year. However, they went missing on New Year's Eve, and I didn't have a chance to inform Her Majesty before they appeared in Eunuch Baozhong's hands today..."

The Emperor glanced lazily at the pair of pendants and waved his hand:

"It's common for the master to reward his servants. Baozhong, there's no need to report such a trivial matter. As for theft, just deal with it according to palace rules."

Bao Zhong responded with a "Yes," but didn't get up immediately. He lowered his head, as if he was hesitating about something.

"But... this pendant was found in the possession of a eunuch named Xiao Shunzi in Changmen Palace."

"This young Shunzi had committed treachery two years ago when he was in the Imperial Wardrobe, and was punished according to palace rules, which led to his relegation to Changmen Palace."

He stopped there and didn't continue.

The color drained from Consort Rong's face. She hurriedly got off the soft couch, knelt on the ground, and tears streamed down her face.

"Your Majesty, this pendant was indeed a gift from me to Suihe. As for why it ended up in Xiaoshunzi's hands, I truly have no idea. This matter must be thoroughly investigated."

She knew in her heart that the Nagato Palace was a place for punishing criminals, but there was still someone living there.

The Emperor's greatest taboo was any connection between the harem and that person. Even the mere sight of that earring there was enough to leave her speechless.

This matter could be a big deal or a small deal; it all depends on what the Emperor thinks.

The Emperor's face darkened. He sat cross-legged on the soft couch, watching Consort Rong's flustered state, and extended his hand:

"Get up. We haven't even investigated properly, what are you afraid of?"

Consort Rong placed her hand in his palm, used the leverage to stand up, stepped aside, and pierced Bao Zhong with sharp eyes:

"That little Shunzi, we must make him explain himself. How did Suihe's earring end up in his hands?"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a crisp sound of porcelain shattering rang out.

The Emperor, Consort Rong, Baozhong, and Suihe all looked over at the same time.

Jiang Shuoning knelt on the ground, in front of him was a broken teacup, shards scattered all over the floor.

"This servant deserves to die for breaking the teacup. Please punish me, Your Majesty and Your Highness."

Consort Rong stared at her, her nails digging into her palms. Ever since the winter solstice, whether the Emperor came to Yihua Palace or she attended a palace banquet, she would not allow Jiang Shuoning to appear before the Emperor.

But she just wouldn't stay put, and she came again.

The Emperor glanced at Jiang Shuoning and said in a calm tone, "Come here."

Jiang Shuoning stiffened, then moved her knees and knelt before the soft couch, kowtowing heavily: "This servant greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings."

Bao Zhong stood to the side and glanced at Jiang Shuoning without making a sound.

Her sudden entrance—has the plan changed?

(under)

The Emperor's deep eyes fell on the exposed, pale nape of her neck, his voice devoid of emotion: "What's your name?"

"Your Majesty, my name is Jiang Shuoning." She pressed her forehead against the wool blanket, not daring to lift it.

The Emperor looked at her slightly trembling shoulders, paused, and asked, "Are you very afraid of me?"

Jiang Shuoning stiffened. After a moment, she spoke in a low voice, her tone trembling slightly, "This servant was afraid that His Majesty would ask me questions I couldn't answer."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

The Emperor put down his teacup, his gaze returning to her and not looking away. She kept her head down, the cinnabar mole between her brows making her face appear even paler.

Bao Zhong glanced at the man's face and his heart skipped a beat.

He recognized that look; it was the same look the Emperor gave Consort Liu when she wore a flower in her hair last time.

After a long pause, the Emperor slowly spoke, a hint of amused smile in his voice: "Can't answer? You've certainly thought of everything for me." He paused again, his voice softening: "Then let me ask you, have you seen this pendant before?"

Jiang Shuoning slowly raised her head, glanced at the earring in Bao Zhong's hand, and then quickly lowered her eyes again. There was panic and hesitation in that glance.

"This servant greets you."

Consort Rong and Suihe's expressions changed simultaneously.

The Emperor didn't look at Consort Rong, but stared at Jiang Shuoning: "Where did you meet her?"

Jiang Shuoning bit her lip, her voice trembling: "At Changmen Palace."

The atmosphere in the hall became tense once again.

The Emperor's brows furrowed slightly: "Continue!"

Jiang Shuoning knelt on the ground, his shoulders trembling slightly, as if he had been forced into a corner and had no choice but to tell the truth:

"I often go to Changmen Palace to deliver medicine and food to the mute servant. Once, I saw these pendants at Xiaoshunzi's place. Xiaoshunzi said he found them, but I dared not make a sound or tell Your Highness, for fear that Your Highness would blame me for meddling."

She then kowtowed deeply, saying, "It is my fault, Your Majesty. Please punish me. This matter has nothing to do with Her Highness or Sister Suihe."

The Emperor did not respond immediately. He picked up his teacup, gently skimming the foam off the surface with the lid, once, twice; the sound of the porcelain jingling was exceptionally clear in the quiet hall.

Everyone in the hall held their breath.

She secretly raised her eyes and quickly glanced at the emperor's face from under her eyelashes.

There was no aversion.

There wasn't even a trace of extra expression.

The emperor simply picked up his teacup, gently skimming the foam off the surface with the lid, as if listening to something trivial.

The words "dumb slave" fell into his ears like a pebble sinking into deep water, without even making a ripple.

Jiang Shuoning's fingers gradually loosened.

She lowered her eyes, her heart still beating fast.

The Emperor took a sip of tea, put down the teacup, turned his face, and glanced at Consort Rong.

"Consort Rong, you need to keep a close eye on your people. They're overstepping their bounds."

Consort Rong immediately knelt down: "Yes, Your Majesty, I have remembered."

The Emperor didn't look at her, but raised his chin and said to Bao Zhong, "Go to the Imperial Household Department and tell Feng Xi to thoroughly investigate this matter. Once you've found out the details, deal with it accordingly."

Bao Zhong bowed and replied, "Yes, this servant will go immediately."

He turned to leave, but the emperor added, "A question is a question; don't kill him."

Bao Zhong paused, replied "Yes," and left. As he reached the door, he glanced back at Jiang Shuoning.

There was doubt, confusion, and a hint of unease in his eyes.

He didn't linger; he turned and disappeared through the door.

The Emperor stood up, pointed at Jiang Shuoning who was kneeling on the ground, and said in a calm voice, "I will remember you."

Five words, neither too light nor too heavy. Everyone in the hall could hear the weight of those words.

Rongfei stood to the side, her nails digging into her palms. She glanced at Jiang Shuoning. Jiang Shuoning instantly felt a chill run down the back of his neck.

Just as the Emperor was about to step out the door, Consort Rong followed, her voice softening and tinged with caution, as if testing the waters:

"Is Your Majesty... coming again tonight?"

The Emperor stopped and glanced at her. It wasn't a deep glance, but Consort Rong's heart leaped into her throat.

"What I promised you, I will naturally do."

Consort Rong's lips curved slightly, and she bent her knees:

"Your Majesty, I await your arrival."

The Emperor said nothing more and walked away. His footsteps faded into the distance, and the hall remained quiet for a long time, with only the crackling of charcoal fire remaining.