CHAPTER 28: CHAPTER 28: DON’T LET ANYONE DIE IN HER PALACE

Xie Zhixing was taken aback, then he couldn’t help but laugh.

It seems that even immortals are not completely devoid of desires.

He didn’t immediately grant Yun Jiao’s wish. After trying for a while, he found that she was relentless, as if determined to compete with the Empress. Initially, when Yun Jiao was asked to share the Emperor’s bed, she was reluctant and ignored him. However, once provoked by the Empress, she quickly turned to him with charm, much like a vengeful green tea kitten.

Little cats are always more adorable than turtles.

Unknown to Yun Jiao, Xie Zhixing had admired her tear-filled eyes several times. When she could no longer muster any tears and was left with a pair of red, rabbit-like eyes, he finally sighed and personally helped her up, his gentle movements surprising everyone.

Rumors had it that Attendant Lady Xi was deeply favored by the Emperor, but no one expected her to be this pampered.

"Hurry and help your mistress to sit down," he paused, "You too, Empress, please take a seat."

After Xie Zhixing gave his orders, he walked to the main seat. The Empress, who had stood to greet him, had already given up the highest seat for the Emperor and sat on a slightly lower chair, marking the difference in rank: "What exactly happened?"

The Empress briefly recounted the events and the account from Changle Palace: "The corpse of that little eunuch has been taken away for identification to see which palace he belonged to, daring to falsify the imperial edict and plot treason."

As soon as Yun Jiao sat down, her mind wandered.

There were certainly many who wanted to harm her; she was an easy target. However, the Imperial Palace wasn’t as safe as it seemed.

She recalled that in a notebook novel within "Qing Bai Lei Chao," it was mentioned that a hawker found a waist token and sold steamed buns in the Forbidden City for two years, only being kicked out when discovered by the Emperor. During the Qing Dynasty, there were twelve documented cases of people sneaking into the palace and being discovered.

After all, without an electrical grid and surveillance system, it wasn’t surprising for such people to slip through the cracks.

As for the Emperor’s fury when the matter was exposed, that was another matter entirely.

"Go investigate, I’ll wait here."

Xie Zhixing’s expression remained composed, showing no discernible emotion.

The identity of the leading eunuch was quickly discovered; he was a menial eunuch from Qixiang Palace.

The Empress asked, "Should we summon Princess Consort Jing?"

"Princess Consort Jing is frail, just send someone to inquire. There’s no need to inform her of the death."

Xie Zhixing said.

Princess Consort Jing was the Eldest Prince’s biological mother. She had a difficult childbirth which left her weak; she often suffered from headaches and fevers. When she came to Jianzhang Palace to pay her respects, she spoke even less than the self-assured Lady, behaving as if all her heart was set on raising her son. Yet despite this, the Eldest Prince still inherited many ailments from her womb, frequently needing to consult the Imperial Physician.

In the harem, anyone could have made a move against Attendant Lady Xi, but Princess Consort Jing was the least suspicious.

"This matter may not be easy to resolve. Fang Meng committed suicide in fear of punishment, so we can only start by investigating those he associated with before his death..."

Xie Zhixing quickly made a decision:

"All the palace maids and eunuchs who had contact with Fang Meng must be handed over to Wang Yishou for investigation."

Upon hearing Wang Yishou’s name, the palace maids present couldn’t help but show a slight change in their expression. Unlike eunuchs, palace maids were daughters of good families, and even concubines couldn’t easily punish them. Of course, countless strange methods of torment existed, but the older woman supervisors were generally measured; disciplining the palace maids shouldn’t impede their work. Sending them to the Imprisonment Department meant they would no longer be needed for work, their life and death irrelevant, as long as every truth was extracted from their heart and gut.

And Wang Yishou was the chief eunuch of the Imprisonment Department.

Why were the dirty jobs always given to the eunuchs? Having lost their root causes of trouble when they entered the palace, many had few ties outside, with some even disowned by their own parents.

Xie Zhixing’s gaze fell on Yun Jiao’s pale face, reminded of how the palace maid said she vomited all the way, and upon arriving at Jianzhang Palace, was further troubled by the Empress. When he spoke again, his tone was much gentler:

"Someone wanted to harm Attendant Lady Xi; she’s timid, so there’s no need to involve her in the subsequent matters. Ying Lu, escort Attendant Lady Xi back and assign two capable palace maids to care for her for the next few days."

Attendant Lady Xi was the victim; naturally, she couldn’t be interrogated as if she were a criminal.

Her Chief Palace Maid was present throughout; asking her would suffice.

The Emperor was also considerate; losing a trusted one, he provided her with two capable ones.

"Your Majesty, I have an unworthy request,"

With the Emperor’s consent, Yun Jiao continued the second half of her sentence: "When Fang Meng attacked me, Xue Ya risked her life to save me. I cannot bear to see her suffer because of me. I hope the Emperor shows mercy so she can continue serving by my side."

In just two simple sentences, Yun Jiao exhausted a month’s worth of emotional intelligence.

She didn’t dare expect the feudal Emperor to treat servants as people. If she hadn’t spoken up for Xue Ya, the eunuchs and old women supervisors, aiming for efficiency in solving the matter, might have inflicted great punishment. Who would care about the life and death of a mere battery?

Xue Ya cared, and so did she.

They loved to boast of their benevolence, and if Yun Jiao blatantly asked the Emperor to spare the rod, she might provoke his anger. Thus, she lowered her posture, utilizing her timid and delicate image—the words need not be too explicit. The interrogating eunuchs knew the palace maid had a favored master who cared, who had use for her, so they would return her safe and sound, with a polite demeanor and gentle hands.

In a flash, the Emperor understood her implicit message.

"Very well, I promise you, she will soon return to your side."

While pleading for her palace maid before the Emperor, Yun Jiao adopted an even lower stance than during her bedchamber duties. The Empress only saw her ostentatiously seeking favor and succeeding, but Xie Zhixing saw her compassion hidden beneath her seemingly careless exterior—it held a touch of divinity.

Unfortunately, when Yun Jiao was expressing gratitude, what she thought most of was—

Hehe, being a substitute for the White Moonlight feels great.

-----------------

After returning to Xianfu Palace, Yun Jiao saved her progress once again.

After all, no matter how well the Emperor promised, if a mistake occurred in the details and caused Xue Ya’s demise, she would have no place to seek justice. Yun Jiao didn’t have a large heart; those who treated her well, she cared for, and she would strive to look after them.

When the Imperial Physician sent by the Emperor came to diagnose her, Concubine Li was there to accompany her.

It wasn’t intentionally for an act of sisterly affection.

The genuine care in her eyes when looking at Yun Jiao couldn’t be faked, while also clearly expressing two things.

First, she must bring me along for Qiu Lie.

Second, she doesn’t want anyone to die in her palace.

...

"This is the first time I’ve seen an attack in broad daylight; you’re lucky to have encountered me by chance," Concubine Li said with lingering fear as she patted her chest. "The calming soup prescribed by the Imperial Physician, brew a cup for me as well later; it’s bad luck to encounter a corpse on an outing. The Empress will likely issue a gag order soon, so don’t talk recklessly about today’s events, or the Imprisonment Department wouldn’t mind taking one more person."

This threat was quite effective, and the palace staff obediently fell silent.

Yun Jiao looked up, "When the Lady was favored, she never experienced such a thing?"

"There are plenty of underhanded tricks. My family fixed things within the Imperial Household and had trusted, capable people; not just any eunuch could deceive them... On this, you were quite shrewd; hearing the name Changle Palace didn’t fool you. You’re a little smarter than I thought."

Yun Jiao understood.

It seemed the opposition dared to strike because they were certain she had no backing.