Palace maid Shuoning

(Up)

A voice came from under the eaves, its tone cold and weathered:

"I trusted you before because I thought you still had some use. But you betrayed me for twenty taels of silver. Now you kneel here begging for my trust, Xin Damao, don't you find it laughable?"

Old Master Xin kowtowed repeatedly to the ground, and when he raised his head again, blood was seeping from his forehead. Tears streamed down his face as he gazed down the corridor.

"Your Majesty, it was all their fault that I was forced into this situation. Please, Your Majesty, consider that I even gave up the Imperial Household Department to go to that damned Changmen Palace so that I could take care of Song Zhang for you. I have done my part all these years, even if I haven't made any great contributions."

The woman in the corridor chuckled, her smile as thin as a razor blade:

"Three years ago, you knelt and begged me to give you this job, and now it's like I owe you? As for Song Zhang, you know better than I whether you did your job well or not. He died, and you just come over and cry a couple of times and that's it?"

Eunuch Xin was so flustered that he could barely speak:

"Your Majesty, I'm already mending it, I'm mending it. Tonight I sent someone to kill that mute servant, but Baozhong barged in halfway. Earlier, Baozhong had Xiaoluzi take me to the Imperial Household Department, but I pretended to have a stomachache to get away and come see you."

"Now Baozhong and Jiang Shuoning are both helping that good-for-nothing. This servant has come to inform you immediately, Your Majesty. Please give this servant another chance."

The corridor was quiet for a while.

When the woman's voice rang out again, it was unhurried and deliberate, as if she were giving instructions on a routine matter:

"Xin Damao, you made two mistakes. First, you betrayed me, and second, you botched things tonight. Now that Song Zhang is dead, you're useless. If you don't want your sister's family to go with you, at least make sure your death is somewhat useful."

Bao Zhong is a clever kid; you know better than I how far he'll go in the investigation and what the consequences will be. As for Jiang Shuoning and that good-for-nothing, I'll deal with them slowly."

As soon as he finished speaking, footsteps entered the room, and the door closed behind him with a soft thud.

Eunuch Xin knelt in the courtyard, blood streaming down his nose from his forehead. He opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.

Zhou Zhengyin stood frozen against the wall, his back pressed against the cold brick wall, his breathing disordered, and his whole body trembling uncontrollably.

The person who wants him dead tonight is actually Eunuch Xin?

During the six months he spent in Changmen Palace, when he was bullied, it was Eunuch Xin who came to his rescue, and when he was hungry, it was Eunuch Xin who gave him half a steamed bun.

It was all fake.

Although I had long suspected that Eunuch Xin didn't tell the truth, hearing it with my own ears still felt like being punched in the chest.

He forced a bitter smile.

Sure enough, there was no one in this palace who could be trusted.

Baozhong is right, don't easily sympathize with anyone.

My aunt also said that there are no innocent people or pitiful people in this palace.

He closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, his eyes darkened for a moment.

Tell yourself that now is not the time to think about these things. Since that woman said "take your time to clean up."

This means that her aunt hasn't fallen into her hands yet, but she's already been set up against her.

This woman also wanted to ensure that Eunuch Xin died a worthy death.

These things must be told to Baozhong immediately.

Without further hesitation, he quickly circled back to the backyard and climbed over the wall.

Yanxi Palace.

Bao Zhong had just stepped into the palace gate with his guards when he bumped into Feng Xi, who was coming out from inside.

He bowed and said, "Godfather."

Feng Xi smiled and said, "Alright, there's nothing wrong at Yanxi Palace. Consort Wei is pregnant, so let's not disturb the young lady."

Bao Zhong lowered his eyes and said respectfully:

"Godfather is right. But since I'm already here, I should go in and pay my respects to Consort Wei, so as not to be impolite."

Feng Xi frowned, his face showing impatience:

"It's not too late to invite him tomorrow. Go back now. With such a commotion tonight, if we don't catch the assassin, have you thought about how you'll explain it to the Emperor?"

"My godfather's reminder is correct. The assassins should certainly be caught, but when I led my men around just now, I spotted a few dark figures flashing by near Yanxi Palace. They seemed to be heading this way."

Bao Zhong slightly raised his eyes, his smile unchanged, and leaned closer to him, whispering:

"Godfather, think about it. Tonight's commotion was so big, and all the palaces were investigated, but Yanxi Palace was the only one missed. What if someone were to pass a word to the Emperor saying that you showed favoritism? Others might not say anything, but wouldn't all your lifelong caution in front of the Emperor be ruined by this one incident?"

"I'm just going in to make a show of things. Everyone outside will see how considerate you are, Godfather. If anything happens inside, I'll share the burden with you, Godfather. I won't let you get away with anything. Godfather, don't you agree?"

Feng Xi didn't speak, his lips pressed tightly together. After a long while, he finally let out a snort through his nose: "Fine, go in, but don't cause me any trouble."

"Yes, Godfather," Bao Zhong said with a smile.

Feng Xi then stepped aside to make way for him. Bao Zhong and his men leisurely stepped over the threshold and went inside.

(under)

Qingman was placing a plate of chilled grapes on the stone table in the courtyard when she looked up and saw Baozhong entering with his guards. She paused for a moment, then quickly lowered her eyes and said softly:

"My lord, Baozhong has arrived."

Upon hearing this, Consort Wei looked up, immediately stood up, and greeted him with a beaming smile:

"Manager Feng has already come by, why is Eunuch Baozhong making another trip?"

Bao Zhong smiled and said, "Greetings to Consort Wei."

Wei Xuan stepped forward, pinching an embroidered handkerchief to her lips, her voice so low that only the two of them could hear:

"We're all Godfather's people, we're family. I'll have someone send you some things later."

As Qingman listened to the conversation between the two, her gaze drifted toward the pond. She slowly walked over, picked up the fish food jar, and idly sprinkled the fish into it.

Bao Zhong subtly took half a step back, avoiding the cloying fragrance emanating from Wei Xuanshi, his smile remaining unchanged:

"What you just said, my lady, is unacceptable to us."

After saying that, he raised his hand and said, "Check."

The guards immediately dispersed.

Wei Xuanshi's smile froze. Staring at Bao Zhong's unyielding expression, she glared at him and gritted her teeth in a low voice, "Aren't you afraid I'll tell my godfather?"

"What are you complaining about? We're just following orders. If Your Highness is upright, what is there to fear?"

Bao Zhong didn't look at her again, his gaze sweeping across the courtyard.

He took a few steps forward. Wei Xuanshi's heart tightened, and she immediately followed behind him.

Bao Zhong glanced at the edge of the pond; Qing Man was still standing there, the fish food in her hand hanging in mid-air, her eyes fixed on him.

He glanced to the side, and Qingman suddenly snapped out of her daze, grabbing a handful of fish food and throwing it into the water.

With a splash, several koi carp darted over to fight for food, splashing a few drops of water onto the stone edge.

Bao Zhong looked away, but didn't stop walking. He knew there was something in the courtyard.

Wei Xuanshi immediately followed, forcing a smile:

"The carp in this pond are so beautiful. If you like them, Father-in-law, I'll have someone send you a few later."

Bao Zhong smiled, his gaze falling on the water: "You're too kind, young master. These fish are indeed well-raised, and the water is clear too."

As he spoke, he casually glanced at Wei Xuanshi.

She laughed so hard that her lips were stiff, but her eyes kept drifting to the left side of the pond.

He turned his head to look at Qingman, who was looking down, clutching the fish food container tightly in her hand, her eyes glancing in the same direction every now and then.

The master and servant, without prior arrangement, both looked at the pond.

Bao Zhong didn't speak, his gaze slowly following the direction they were looking.

The pond water was emerald green, with a few water lily leaves floating on the surface, and something vaguely sinking beneath.

Wei Xuanshi urged softly, "Eunuch Baozhong, it's getting late. You've finished your investigation; shouldn't you go back and report?"

Bao Zhong withdrew his gaze, glanced at her, and smiled slightly: "May I have a cup of tea, Your Highness?"