The Night Before Leaving the Palace, Reduced to the Tyrant's Plaything - chapter 18

On her way over, Wanyu was still thinking that, no matter what, she must point out Hu Jinzhong and that old woman who searched her, and have them confront her in court.

But only now did she realize that Qi Rang never intended to interrogate her; he didn’t care whether she was innocent or not.

In his eyes, whether she stole the jade pendant was irrelevant-so long as she couldn’t leave, that was enough.

She recalled what Xu Qingzhan had said last night-

If he doesn’t want to let you go, even if you break your head begging, it’s useless.

So, it must have been Qi Rang who ordered Hu Jinzhong; otherwise, how would Hu Jinzhong dare touch the emperor’s belongings?

Wanyu gritted her teeth in hatred, knowing that begging for mercy was useless, explanations were useless, so she simply gave up all pointless resistance, determined to see how this heartless tyrant would deal with her.

Qi Rang waited a long time, seeing Wanyu remain silent, his patience gradually running out.

All she had to do was admit she admired him, and all punishment would be waived-wasn’t that the best way out?

Yet she would rather suffer, would rather remain trapped, than take the step he offered.

Why was she so stubborn?

Who did she think she was?

Just a lowly servant!

“I gave you a chance. You’re the one who refused it.” Qi Rang narrowed his eyes and called out, “Someone, come!”

The palace doors creaked open, letting in both light and chill.

“Your Majesty!”

Xu Qingzhan, Sun Liangyan, and Hu Jinzhong all appeared at the doorway.

Qi Rang’s gaze swept coldly over the three, finally pointing at Hu Jinzhong: “You, take her back to Shenxing Si for severe punishment. Release her only when she confesses.”

All three were shocked-even Hu Jinzhong found it unbelievable.

He had thought the emperor would use this as an excuse to keep her in Qianqing Palace.

Why was it so different from what he expected?

He looked in astonishment at Wanyu, kneeling on the floor.

Though he couldn’t see her face, her straight, stubborn back made it clear enough.

This girl was truly stubborn, not even giving the emperor face.

As the saying goes, a mute mosquito can kill-this Mute girl could truly drive one mad.

Hu Jinzhong felt a bit exasperated, stepping forward to pull Wanyu up.

“Miss Wanyu, why put yourself through this? Why not speak to His Majesty properly? You’ve served him for years-if you’d just yield a little, how could His Majesty bear to punish you?”

He’d made his meaning clear, but Wanyu remained unmoved.

Afraid to say more and risk angering the emperor, he could only take her away for now.

He just worried about how severe the punishment should be-how to strike the right balance?

If he went easy, the emperor might accuse him of slacking; if he was too harsh, the emperor might feel pity.

Sigh!

What a headache.

Xu Qingzhan stood at the door as Hu Jinzhong led Wanyu out. He quietly stepped aside, watching Hu Jinzhong take her away.

Sun Liangyan was also at a loss, whispering, “Seal Holder, look at the mess this has become…”

Xu Qingzhan glanced at him but didn’t respond, instead entering to ask Qi Rang, “Your Majesty, did you get anything from the interrogation?”

Qi Rang irritably pinched the bridge of his nose. “She’s just a Mute!”

Realizing he’d stated the obvious, he grew even more annoyed.

Xu Qingzhan laughed, “Your Majesty must be muddled with anger-she’s always been a Mute. If not for your mercy these years, with her stubbornness and silence, who knows if she’d have survived till now.”

Qi Rang sneered, “She doesn’t see it that way-treats me like a monster, can’t wait to leave.”

Xu Qingzhan laughed again, daring to say, “Your Majesty, why so resentful? Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for Little Mute.”
Qi Rang’s heart skipped a beat, and he unconsciously tightened his grip on the Bodhi Bead Bracelet in his hand. “What nonsense are you spouting? I’m not blind. I think you’re getting more and more unruly.”

Xu Qingzhan lightly slapped his own mouth. “I spoke out of turn, Your Majesty. But speaking of it, since Your Majesty has no such intention, why keep that stubborn girl in the palace and let her anger you for no reason?”

Qi Rang shot him a glance, displeased. “How is it that I’m keeping her? She stole my jade pendant and refuses to confess.”

Xu Qingzhan was about to speak again, but Qi Rang had already lost patience. “Enough, enough. Go mind your own business. You needn’t concern yourself with this matter-I have my own plans.”

Xu Qingzhan couldn’t see what plans he might have. Fearing that Wanyu would be punished, yet also afraid that saying too much would seem suspicious, he bowed and withdrew. At the door, he said to Sun Liangyan, “Chief Steward Sun, take good care of His Majesty. I’ll be leaving now.”

“Seal Holder, please.” Sun Liangyan bent slightly to him, then whispered, “Seal Holder, please do look after things at Shenxing Si, no matter what. I’ll come thank you later.”

Xu Qingzhan glanced at him again and left in silence.

Sun Liangyan was not his man, but he had always been attentive to Wanyu. Xu Qingzhan had privately asked Wanyu about it, but she didn’t know the reason either, saying perhaps Sun Liangyan was just kind-hearted.

Xu Qingzhan certainly didn’t believe it.

Sun Liangyan only looked kind on the surface; no one knew better than Xu Qingzhan how many people he had quietly disposed of for the emperor.

The position of Chief Steward before the emperor was not earned by kindness.

Leaving Qianqing Palace, Xu Qingzhan did not go to Shenxing Si, but returned directly to the Directorate of Ceremonial.

If he went himself, it would attract too much attention, so he had to arrange for someone else to handle it.

“Godfather, you’re back?”

Upon returning to the Directorate of Ceremonial, several godsons came forward, surrounding him as he entered the main hall. They helped him remove his thick cloak, invited him to take the seat of honor, handed him a fragrant hot towel to wash his hands and face, and served him steaming ginger jujube tea to drive away the cold.

Xu Qingzhan had no mind to enjoy these emperor-like comforts and directly instructed the one serving tea, “Lai Fu, go to Shenxing Si at once. Miss Wanyu has been punished by His Majesty and sent there. Tell them all to restrain themselves-if anyone harms her, I’ll wipe out his entire family.”

“Yes, Godfather. I’ll go right away.” Lai Fu answered, put down the teacup, and hurried off.

Xu Qingzhan called another, “Lai Xi, go find the Matron responsible for body searches at Shenwu Gate today. Use whatever means necessary to get her to tell the truth-find out who is framing Miss Wanyu.”

“Yes.” Lai Xi accepted the order and left.

The two remaining were Lai Lu and Lai Shou. They exchanged a glance, and Lai Lu asked Xu Qingzhan, “Godfather, what did His Majesty say?”

Xu Qingzhan sneered coldly. “What could he say? He’s probably delighted in his heart!”

“Then what should we do?” Lai Shou pointed outside. “That person is still waiting outside Shenwu Gate to pick her up!”

Xu Qingzhan raised his hand and patted his forehead. “Go tell him to head back first. I’ll go to the Eastern Depot later and have him wait for me there.”

“Yes.”

Lai Shou was about to leave when Xu Qingzhan called him back. “Forget it, I’d better go myself. He’s come all this way, and if he can’t see the one he wants, he’ll probably go mad.”

“But, in broad daylight, if people see you and him together, won’t they start gossiping?”

“No matter. I’ll pretend to run into him by chance and just exchange a few words.” Xu Qingzhan said as he walked out.

Lai Shou couldn’t stop him, so he called Lai Lu and followed out with his cloak.

Heaven above, what kind of sin is this?

Everything was arranged perfectly-how did it suddenly turn out like this?