The Night Before Leaving the Palace, Reduced to the Tyrant's Plaything - Chapter 21

Lai Sanchun was startled and quickly explained, “Chief Steward, you overestimate me. I can hardly say I know Gugu Wanyu-I’ve only seen her twice from afar. I heard from others that she is His Majesty’s Sleeping Attendant, but I don’t know what crime she committed, how she ended up…”

“What crime she committed is not for you to worry about, Lai Gonggong. Out of kindness, let me remind you: don’t go poking your nose into affairs related to Qianqing Palace. Knowing too much does you no good.” Sun Liangyan interrupted him before he could finish.

Being reprimanded in public, Lai Sanchun’s old face flushed with embarrassment, and he fell silent awkwardly.

Wu Shuzhen quickly tried to smooth things over. “Chief Steward, please don’t be offended. Lai Gonggong meant nothing by it. When Palace Maids are sent to the Lateral Courts, we assign them tasks according to the severity of their crimes. If it involves Qianqing Palace and is inconvenient to disclose, it’s the same if you say nothing.”

Sun Liangyan’s expression softened a little, but he replied coldly, “His Majesty said she is to be assigned to the Laundry Office to wash clothes. Do not ask any further.”

“Yes, yes, of course,” Wu Shuzhen replied repeatedly. “I will strictly obey His Majesty’s decree.”

Sun Liangyan turned to glance at Wanyu. With so many people present, it was inconvenient to say much, so he spoke in an official tone, “Miss Wanyu, I have delivered you safely as ordered, and now I must return to report to His Majesty. Someone will bring your belongings later. As for the rest, it depends on your own fortune.”

Wanyu quietly bowed to him and took off the cloak, handing it back to him.

Only then did everyone realize that she was wearing Chief Steward Sun’s cloak.

For Chief Steward Sun to care for a convict slave in such a way-could this represent His Majesty’s attitude?

Could it be that this criminal slave might have a chance to return to serve before the throne?

Everyone began to wonder in their hearts and no longer dared to look down on her.

Sun Liangyan did not take back the cloak, but deliberately said in a loud voice, “The cloak is dirty. Please, Miss Wanyu, wash it clean for me. I’ll come to fetch it in a couple of days.”

These words made it clear to everyone that he did not intend to leave the girl unattended; he would return to see her in a few days, and others had best not bully her.

Wanyu, keen and perceptive, naturally understood his intention and bowed in silent thanks.

Sun Liangyan could not linger any longer. After giving Wu Shuzhen a few more instructions, he took his leave.

By now the snow was falling even harder. Without the cloak to keep him warm, he walked straight into the wind and snow, gradually disappearing from sight.

Wanyu stood in place, clutching the cloak, her heart growing colder as he walked away, as if the last warmth in her life was leaving with him.

From now on, was she to remain in this sunless place forever?

Would she ever have a chance to leave?

Was her life truly to be buried in the Forbidden City?

“Miss Wanyu, don’t look any longer. Let’s settle you in first,” Wu Shuzhen said, still unable to fathom Sun Liangyan’s intentions, and so she treated Wanyu with great caution.

Wanyu snapped out of her daze, forced down the ache in her heart, and knelt in salute, indicating her willingness to accept whatever arrangements were made.

Wu Shuzhen was just considering where Wanyu should stay when a Palace Maid stepped out from behind the crowd. “Gugu Zhen, there happens to be an empty bed in my room. Why not let Miss Wanyu stay with us?”

The voice was very familiar to Wanyu. She looked closely and recognized Meishuang, the young Palace Maid who had previously served in Qianqing Palace.

Back then, both Meishuang and another Palace Maid named Zisu had followed her. When Wanyu was set to leave the palace, the two vied fiercely to take her place, which angered Qi Rang and led to Sun Liangyan banishing them to the Lateral Courts to become the lowest-ranked laundry maids.

Wanyu suddenly found it all so ironic: after all their scheming and struggling, they had ended up here, just as she herself had, without scheming or fighting.

It was clear that, in the palace, no woman could decide her own fate.
A mere snap of the superior’s fingers could cause their entire world to collapse.

And that superior possessed not a shred of humanity.

Still, it was always good to have an acquaintance looking out for you, so Wanyu expressed her willingness to share a room with Meishuang.

Wu Shuzhen didn’t care where Wanyu lived; after all, she was now a convict slave. Even considering the face of Chief Steward Sun, there was no better treatment for her-otherwise others would see it as unfair.

Just as Wu Shuzhen was about to agree, Lai Sanchun suddenly pulled her aside and whispered, “This one is, after all, a Sleeping Attendant from Qianqing Palace and was looked after by Chief Steward Sun. We still don’t know the situation, so let’s give her a single room for now and see what those above intend. If, after ten days or half a month, no one comes to check on her, then we can let her move out. It’s not too late.”

Wu Shuzhen shot Lai Sanchun a look. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re scheming. You’re like a teapot with a chipped spout, where do you get such a craving? Don’t blame me for not warning you-this one, I’m afraid you shouldn’t touch.”

Lai Sanchun chuckled and stuffed a silver ingot into her hand. “Whether I can or not, I’ll observe first. It’s not like I want her tonight. Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. Once things work out, your benefits won’t be lacking.”

“Like hell you know!” Wu Shuzhen spat at him, but quietly accepted the silver. “I’ve warned you. If something goes wrong, don’t blame me.”

“Relax, I’m always careful. When have I ever slipped up all these years? Those women would give anything for me to look after them!” Lai Sanchun winked and bumped her. “And you can’t do without me, can you?”

“Get lost!”

Wu Shuzhen shoved him away in disgust and returned to Wanyu, changing her tone as expected: “Since you were sent here personally by Chief Steward Sun, I’ll make an exception today and arrange a single room for you. After some time, we’ll reconsider.”

Wanyu wasn’t aware of the scheming between the two, but Meishuang’s face changed, and she mustered her courage to plead for her:

“Gugu Zhen, with the weather so cold, wouldn’t it be warmer for a few of us to stay together? If you really want to honor Chief Steward Sun, why not let Miss Wanyu stay with me…”

Before she could finish, Lai Sanchun slapped her across the face. “Little Bitch, who said you could talk here? Get lost and get to work.”

Meishuang staggered from the blow and nearly fell.

Wanyu reached out to steady her and shielded her, gesturing to Wu Shuzhen that she was willing to follow her arrangements.

Wu Shuzhen said nothing more. She beckoned a Palace Maid over, gave her a few instructions, and had Wanyu follow her.

“Gugu Wanyu…” Meishuang tugged at her sleeve.

Wanyu looked at the five bright red fingerprints on the left side of the girl’s face, shook her head gently, and motioned for her not to make another sound.

Meishuang had no choice but to let go and could only watch as she walked away.

Everyone in the Lateral Courts knew Lai Sanchun was a lustful fiend. Any Palace Maid with a bit of beauty who ended up here would be placed in a single room, with the inevitable outcome of being abused by him or, unable to bear the humiliation, choosing to end her own life.

If a lady as bright and pure as the moon like Gugu Wanyu were to suffer under Lai Sanchun’s predation…

She dared not imagine it.

Wanyu knew nothing of this, and followed the Palace Maid to a secluded quarters.

The Lateral Courts were already the most remote place in the Forbidden City, and this room was the most remote within the Lateral Courts.

Wanyu did not mind the isolation-she preferred quiet anyway. Still, thinking of Meishuang’s hesitant expression, she felt uneasy. What awaited her next, she did not know.