TCCRMMAICSTA Chapter 6

“Zhou Dezi! You’ve been using my name to throw your weight around in the palace. What do you think your crime is?” Liang Fei scolded angrily.

 

Today, she had to get rid of Zhou Dezi, or the consequences would be dire. Her whole family might pay with their lives.

 

Zhou Dezi continuously kowtowed. “Mercy, Your Grace! This servant was just momentarily confused and only touched Xiao Qing’s hand. I didn’t do anything else.”

 

Yu Wanwan fanned the flames, stirring up trouble. “Your Grace, just the fact that he used his so-called merit to deceive you is enough to warrant a hundred deaths.”

 

Zhou Dezi, dragging his crippled leg, crawled to Liang Feis feet. “Your Grace, while it’s true my leg wasn’t broken while saving you, the injury did worsen because I was trying to save you.”

 

“This servant hasn’t lied. You personally witnessed me jumping off the high platform.”

 

“It’s obvious that Yu Wanfu is jealous of my favour, so he’s slandering me.”

 

Yu Wanwan, as if hearing something laughable, let out a snort. “Pfft~ Zhou Dezi, did you say I’m jealous of you?”

 

“You must be joking! It’s like eunuchs holding a meeting—completely absurd!”

 

“By the way, I forgot to mention, the Empress Dowager has already appointed me as the chief eunuch of the Department of Internal Affairs. From now on, you’ll be taking orders from me. Do I really need to be jealous of you? You must still be dreaming!”

 

Zhou Dezi’s eyes widened. How could this be possible… How did this brat Yu Wanfu become the chief eunuch after just one visit to the Empress Dowager’s palace? What kind of bewitching spell did he cast on her?

 

Even Liang Fei was greatly shocked. The Empress Dowager rarely interacts with the imperial consorts, even excusing them from their daily morning greetings. Many consorts who tried to curry favour with the Empress Dowager ended up being snubbed.

 

For Yu Wanfu to win the Empress Dowager’s favour, he must have some talent.

 

Thankfully, she didn’t rashly punish Yu Wanfu without considering the situation, or she would’ve offended the Empress Dowager.

 

Liang Fei’s gaze toward Yu Wanwan became even more profound. Whether it was because of his ability to hear her inner thoughts, his advice that helped her uncover the Emperor’s plot against her, or his talent for gaining the Empress Dowager’s favour, she knew she needed to get on good terms with this little eunuch. Only then could she secure a better path in the palace.

 

Liang Fei cooperated, echoing Yu Wanwan’s words, “Anyone the Empress Dowager selects is sure to be trustworthy!”

 

Zhou Dezi stubbornly raised his neck. “Even if he isn’t jealous of me, he still needs to provide evidence. If he slanders me with empty words, this servant won’t die peacefully!”

 

He thought to himself that he had been very discreet. All the evidence had been destroyed, and even the silver was hidden near the latrines—no one would ever linger there.

 

So no matter what, Yu Wanfu wouldn’t be able to produce evidence. At that point, Zhou Dezi could even turn the tables and accuse Yu Wanfu of slandering him!

 

Yu Wanwan raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. “Evidence? I’ve turned over every inch of your evidence!”

 

“Do you think hiding silver near the latrines will keep it hidden from me?”

 

“Do you think no one knows about you sneaking into the imperial kitchen to steal wine and hiding the wine jug in the dog’s kennel?”

 

Yu Wanwan continued, bending forward slightly. “Your Grace, just send someone to look near the latrines and at the dog’s hole and kennel, and they’ll find the evidence.”

 

Liang Fei’s mouth twitched. Dog hole, dog kennel, latrines… What strange places are these?

 

Zhou Dezi was trembling with anxiety. He had been extremely careful to hide his actions—how did Yu Wanfu find out?

 

Meanwhile, Wang Cai, the dog, barked a few times and licked Yu Wanwan’s hand, as if asking for credit.

 

“Brother Wanwan! I found all these things, so you need to reward me with a big bone!”

 

Yu Wanwan blinked and reassured Wang Cai that once Zhou Dezi was dealt with, not only would there be bones, but also big chicken legs.

 

However… The wine jug hidden in the dog’s kennel was understandable, and the dog hole was also normal. But how did Wang Cai find the silver hidden near the latrines?

 

Yu Wanwan had a sudden ominous premonition.

 

Oh no! Wang Cai didn’t go and eat something disgusting, did he?

 

Yu Wanwan looked at her hand, which had just been licked, and it began to tremble uncontrollably…

 

Wang Cai whined a bit. “Brother Wanwan, did you guess? Don’t say… the taste was quite good, I’ll treat you to some next time.”

 

Yu Wanwan’s eyes widened, and she immediately took a step back.

 

During the time they were exchanging glances, Liang Fei’s people found the evidence at the latrines and in the dog’s kennel.

 

Seeing the evidence, Liang Fei breathed a sigh of relief. As long as she had these things, she could deal with Zhou Dezi!

 

“Now that we have both witnesses and evidence, Zhou Dezi! You have truly disappointed me,” Liang Fei said with a look of deep sorrow.

 

Yu Wanwan commented internally: 【Exactly, you actually schemed against Liang Fei. You really deserve to die!】

 

【But it would be better if Liang Fei didn’t do it personally. Zhou Dezi has offended many people in the Department of Internal Affairs. If he’s given a severe beating, the people in the Department will naturally make sure he dies!】

 

【This way, Zhou Dezi will suffer a bit more before dying, and the Emperor won’t be suspicious.】

 

Liang Fei’s eyes lit up; no wonder Yu Wanfu had won the Empress Dowager’s favour—he was truly clever.

 

So Liang Fei immediately followed Yu Wanwan’s advice, having Zhou Dezi beaten with fifty strokes and left to die in the Department of Internal Affairs. After dealing with Zhou Dezi, Liang Fei removed a bracelet from her wrist and personally handed it to Yu Wanwan.

 

“Without you today, I would still have been kept in the dark. This is a reward for you.”

 

What she referred to was not only Zhou Dezi using his injury to deceive her but also the Emperor’s ongoing schemes against her.

 

Yu Wanwan dusted off his sleeves and accepted the bracelet, saying, “Thank you, Liang Fei, for the reward.”

 

【Wow, a gift from the beautiful Consort! It must carry her fragrance; I’m going to hug it while I sleep.】

 

【In the future, if the Emperor tries to scheme against Liang Fei again, I’ll have to give her a discreet warning so no harm comes to my good sister.】

 

Liang Fei’s smile widened. This little eunuch was quite interesting. If someone else had received such a reward, they would have quickly taken it out of the palace to sell it. Yet he wanted to cuddle it while sleeping.

 

Moreover… he said he wanted to help her.

 

Before this, she had no interaction with him, yet he was so sincere. If these words had come from anyone else, she would have suspected flattery. But since they were his true feelings, they seemed more credible.

 

“Since there is still time and nothing urgent in the Department, Yu Wanfu should come with me to Liangchen Palace. There are still some details about Zhou Dezi’s case that need clarification.”

 

“You must report them to me in detail,” Liang Fei instructed.

 

Yu Wanwan immediately accepted the command. “Yes, Your Grace.”

 

He appeared calm on the surface, but internally, he was ecstatic.

 

【Ah, I love Liang Fei! The feeling of not having to work is just too delightful.】

 

Even though Yu Wanwan had become the Chief Eunuch of the Department of Internal Affairs, there was still work to be done. Today, with Liang Fei taking him away, he could avoid work for the whole day.

 

Being able to slack off was the ultimate joy for a worker.

 

Yu Wanwan had no particular hobbies, but he was especially fond of slacking off and admiring beautiful women.

 

“Your Grace, can I bring Xiao Qing and Wang Cai along?” Yu Wanwan asked, looking at the large yellow dog and Xiao Qing nearby.

 

【I wonder if Liang Fei will mind a dog that has eaten something unpleasant? But… there might be other issues in the Consort’s palace besides the incense. If Wang Cai detects any problems, I can deal with them while I’m at it.】

 

【Otherwise, these things will only make the Consort’s health worse. It’s not that I’m fickle, I just want to care for every sister in the palace.】

 

Liang Fei immediately nodded, “Bring them along. Zhou Dezi holds a grudge against you, and he might harm them later.”

 

Liang Fei thought to herself: Yu Wanfu truly brings her good fortune. If he cleans up Liangchen Palace, she can take her revenge more effectively.

 

With a smiling face, Liang Fei led the two people and one dog out of the Department of Internal Affairs. Soon, news of Zhou Dezi receiving fifty strokes and offending Liang Fei spread throughout the palace.

 

Those whom Zhou Dezi had offended in the past saw their opportunity for revenge.

 

Thus, within a quarter of an hour, Zhou Dezi was dead in the Department of Internal Affairs.

 

Inside Liangchen Palace.

 

When Liang Fei heard the news, the Emperor was already by her side. Her eyes darkened slightly. She had only ordered Zhou Dezi to be beaten with fifty strokes, and yet the Emperor had come. Fortunately, she had listened to Yu Wanwan’s advice and didn’t kill Zhou Dezi outright. Otherwise, the Emperor might have grown suspicious and would likely find other ways to deal with her family.

 

Liang Fei clutched her chest, her expression one of disbelief. “How could this happen… Although he committed many wrongs, he once risked his life for me.”

 

“That’s why I only gave him a small punishment. When I left, he was still fine.”

 

As she spoke, tears of sadness rolled down her face.

 

The Emperor gently patted her shoulder. “You have a kind heart; this was simply his fate.”

 

“Now that Zhou Dezi is dead, you must be feeling unsettled. This string of prayer beads was given to me by the Imperial Observatory. Take it,” the Emperor said, with a sympathetic expression, as he placed the prayer beads from his wrist onto Liang Fei’s.

 

Yu Wanwan, who had entered Liangchen Palace not long before, had been waiting outside the hall with Wang Cai and Xiao Qing ever since the Emperor arrived.

 

As soon as the Emperor took out the prayer beads, Wang Cai, who was by Yu Wanwan’s side, sniffed the air and immediately let out a soft whimper.

 

“Brother Wan! There’s something off about those prayer beads.”

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