TCCRMMAICSTA Chapter 25

Yu Wanwan’s heart was drumming in panic, and just then, Chief Li began striding directly toward her.

 

“Since no one is willing to step forward, then I’ll have to point someone out myself.”

 

Chief Li approached Yu Wanwan, staring at her with piercing eyes.

 

Yu Wanwan clenched her fists tightly: 【No more pretending. Looks like I’ve been caught. Fine, let’s lay all the cards on the table.】

 

【After all, what’s the point of getting a day off if I have to deal with this crap? Whatever happens, happens. When the boat reaches the bridge, it’ll naturally straighten out. If not, well, I’ll just die then.】

 

Just as she was about to speak, Chief Li flicked his horsetail whisk and took dainty, sashaying steps right past her. “How could you be so blind? Blocking my path like that.”

 

Yu Wanwan let out a long sigh of relief and quickly stepped aside. Her racing heart slowly calmed down. 【Phew… Thank goodness it’s not me!】

 

She glared at Chief Li’s retreating figure, cursing under her breath: 【That stupid whisk of yours, one of these days I’m going to burn it to ashes.】

 

【Is this massive courtyard not big enough for you to walk through? I’ll sass you to death, you fool.】

 

【Who gave you the nerve to act so high and mighty? Believe me, one word from me, and your mom won’t even recognize you!】

 

But when she saw Chief Li stop in front of Xiao Qing, her stream of curses abruptly halted.

【No way! Is it really my dear sweet Xiao Qing?】

 

Just as the suspicion rose in her mind, Chief Li spoke, “Miss Qin, please come along. His Majesty will have to discuss this matter with you personally.”

 

Xiao Qing took a quiet step forward, saying, “I’ll go see the Emperor with you, but my presence here in the Service Office has nothing to do with anyone else. Don’t drag others into this.”

 

Chief Li waved his hand, “Miss Qin, that’s beyond me. I’m just a humble servant. If the Emperor decides to punish someone, what can I do to stop it?”

 

As he spoke, he cast a sidelong glance at Yu Wanfu, as if to say: You idiot, you’re the one who stood in the way. If anyone’s getting punished, it’s you.

 

Yu Wanwan’s eyes widened in shock—it really was Xiao Qing that the Internal Affairs Bureau was looking for!

 

And judging by the way Chief Li addressed her as “Miss Qin,” it seemed… her identity was far from ordinary.

 

Xiao Qing gazed deeply at Yu Wanwan. “Eunuch Yu… I never meant to deceive you.”

“Did you ever suspect that I…”

 

Chief Li hurried her along, “Miss Qin, His Majesty is still waiting.”

 

Xiao Qing furrowed her brows, “He’s already waited this long, what’s a little more? You spent plenty of time dilly-dallying earlier, so why didn’t you mention that?”

 

“Just wait until I tell His Majesty that it was you who caused the delay.”

 

Chief Li immediately caved, “Oh dear, Miss Qin, I was only reminding you, nothing more! If you have anything to say to Yu Wanfu, then please go ahead.”

 

Yu Wanwan stared at Xiao Qing and silently thought to herself: 【Once, I loved.】

 

Xiao Qing’s face lit up with a smile after hearing that. “Brother Yu, I was going to ask if you have time to go watch the excitement?”

 

“Huh?” Yu Wanwan was dumbfounded. She had thought that Xiao Qing’s exposed identity meant they were about to say their tearful goodbyes, but who would’ve guessed… Xiao Qing still had the time to ask if she was free to watch the drama unfold?

 

Xiao Qing nodded earnestly. In her mind, she thought: Eunuch Yu loves a good spectacle, and this one’s going to be huge. He’ll definitely enjoy it.

 

Yu Wanwan shook her head and made a dramatic gesture like Xi Shi cradling her heart:

【I could cry to death! Xiao Qing is in this situation and still thinking about me watching the drama?】

 

【Fine! I must watch this. I need to see how the Emperor plans to deal with Xiao Qing so that when he deals with me in the future, I’ll be a bit more prepared.】

 

Silently, Yu Wanwan followed Xiao Qing toward the Emperor’s Yangxin Hall.

 

Chief Li, leading the way, reminded them, “Miss Qin, don’t say I didn’t warn you. It would be best if you and Yu Wanfu… avoid seeing each other from now on.”

 

Upon hearing this, Yu Wanwan’s hair stood on end. “What do you mean by that, Chief Li?”

【Loose tongue, short life. Hard mouth, soft body. Since when do eunuchs manage everything?】

 

Chief Li shook his head. “I’ve said all I can. Take care of yourselves.”

 

“???” Yu Wanwan felt like slapping a hundred question marks on her face.

 

【Who understands this, honestly? It’s like I finally managed to marry someone off, only to find out my husband’s a zero!】

 

T/N 

 

【It feels like he said something, but also like he didn’t. I’m not sure… I’ll keep watching.】

 

Xiao Qing, however, remained calm and composed: “No need to say that to Brother Yu, Chief Li. I’ll explain everything to His Majesty.”

 

“Good. As long as Miss Qin knows what she’s doing,” Chief Li responded haughtily.

 

Their cryptic conversation left Yu Wanwan utterly baffled. 【What kind of coded language are you two speaking? If there’s something shady, just say it to my face. I don’t mind not being treated like a person for now!】

 

【Who is Xiao Qing really? A spy from an enemy country or an alien?】

 

While Yu Wanwan silently grumbled to herself, they soon arrived at Yangxin Hall.

 

Before they even had a chance to greet anyone, the Emperor’s furious voice boomed from above: “Qin Qingqing! How dare you!”

 

Yu Wanwan jumped as the voice boomed through the hall: 【Scared the hell out of me! What, trying to show off your vocal cords now?】

 

【Qin Qingqing? Qin-Qin-Qin? Who’s that? Sounds familiar… Xiaoqing? Oh crap!】

 

Yu Wanwan felt a wave of weakness wash over her. The name Qin Qingqing wasn’t unfamiliar—it was the same name as that palace maiden who “died” not long after being selected into the palace. Back then, Yu had even sighed over her tragic fate, lamenting how a beauty like her, just recently titled Daying, had died so quickly.

 

T/N Second Class Attendant (答應; dāyìng)

 

But now… she’s not dead. She’s standing right here in front of her. And just moments ago, she was calling her “brother”!

 

If it wasn’t broad daylight, Yu Wanwan might have fainted on the spot. 【I’m really sorry to be meeting you under these circumstances, Qin Qingqing.】

 

Xiao Qing knelt silently, “This servant admits her wrongs.”

 

The Emperor’s fury was palpable; his face was practically steaming. Things hadn’t been going his way lately, and this was just one more thing on the pile. “Why did you fake your death to stay in the palace? Do you realise that deceiving the Emperor is a crime punishable by death?”

 

Xiao Qing answered honestly, “I did not want to enter the harem. But I was forced to participate in the selection and then was made Daying, so I had no other choice but to do this…”

 

“This servant knows that deceiving the Emperor is a serious crime, but if I had to enter the harem, I would rather die.”

 

Hearing Xiao Qing’s words, Yu Wanwan silently gave her a thumbs up: 【That’s my Xiaoqing, alright—better to shatter like jade than live as pottery!】

 

T/N: This is a very famous idiom in Chinese culture, meaning it’s better to die with honour and integrity than live a dishonourable or humiliating life.

 

【But listen! Take some advice from your bro here. It’s better to live a lousy life than not live at all! Keep yourself alive first, for heaven’s sake!】

 

The Emperor’s face turned an alarming shade of blue upon hearing Xiaoqing’s reply: “Why don’t you want to enter the harem? Is it because of the palace intrigues, or is it… because you don’t want to be with me?”

 

The Emperor thought: If she says it’s because of the palace schemes, and apologises sincerely, I’ll let this whole deceiving-me thing slide. Women who don’t want to enter the palace are rare. She’s interesting. I’d feel reluctant to kill her.

 

Xiao Qing slowly raised her head and spoke, “I don’t want to be with you!”

 

As soon as she said this, the Yangxin Hall went dead silent. The only sound that could be heard was the Emperor’s heavy breathing.

 

The Emperor was furious! His nostrils flared wide like the Bull Demon King, and it looked like flames were about to burst from his head.

 

T/N: 牛魔王: This refers to the “Bull Demon King,” a famous character from the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. He’s known for his enormous strength, aggression, and hot temper. 

 

But he held back his rage, asking through clenched teeth, “Why? Is it because I’m too strict with you?”

 

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