slums

The next morning, Guo Shu was summoned to Chengqian Palace and received a bunch of rewards for no reason. The reason given by Yan Zhi was that he had made a good report on Cui Shenzhi's visit to the Cold Palace last time.

Upon hearing this reason, a hint of guilt flashed across Guo Shu's face. After all, he hadn't told Shen Meiwu the most important part, about Ping An, nor had he mentioned that he was planning to change course.

Rouge didn't know much, and only assumed that Guo Shu's change in expression was because he felt guilty for scolding Shen Meiwu but receiving a reward. She believed Qi Kang's statement even more.

As evening fell, a group of menacing palace servants burst into Guo Shu's residence and searched through the drawers and hidden compartments in Guo Shu's room, finding the imperial gifts that Cui Su had bestowed upon the other concubines.

Guo Shuyi immediately realized that someone was trying to frame him, but he wasn't too worried. After all, who was behind him? Behind him was Shen Meiwu, who held absolute power in the harem! Would the people of the Censorate dare to torture him and force a confession from him?

However, shortly after entering the Censorate, Guo Shu realized something was wrong, because the people in the Censorate were actually torturing him, and each torture was more severe than the last, clearly intending to kill him.

Guo Shu panicked. He shouted that he was innocent and warned the executioners that Shen Meiwu was behind him and that she would not let them get away with it if they tried to force a confession.

He thought this would save him from physical pain, but all he got in return was a mocking smile from the executioner.

It was only at this point that Guo Shu realized that Shen Meiwu was the one who wanted him dead.

In his panic, he started shouting Cui Shenzhi's name, completely forgetting that Ping An had only been in the East Palace for less than half a month. He fantasized that Ping An had already gained Cui Shenzhi's favor and could persuade Cui Shenzhi to come and save him.

When Rouge heard this, she snorted coldly, thinking to herself, "Just as I thought."

Guo Shu felt that everyone around him was Cui Shenzhi's man, and that even if someone overheard him, he could just go to Cui Shenzhi, cry, apologize, and get scolded, and that would be the end of it. That's why he spoke so recklessly.

Then Rouge ordered the people of the Censorate to ruin Guo Shu's voice, and then subjected him to various tortures in turn, so that no matter how much pain he was in, he could not make a sound and could only endure it.

And so, Guo Shu died in the Imperial Prison.

Although Guo Shu could no longer speak, he kept his eyes fixed on the direction of Chengqian Palace during the torture, and he did not close his eyes even after he died, as if to say that he would become a vengeful ghost after his death and seek revenge on Shen Meiwu.

Neither Shen Meiwu nor Yanzhi took this to heart. After all, over the years, countless people had threatened them in the name of ghosts and gods. If ghosts and gods were truly powerful, the two of them, mistress and servant, should have died long ago. How could they still be alive today?

There are no ghosts or gods in this world, only the human heart, which is more evil than ghosts and gods.

Rouge sneered as she watched the people from the Censorate tremble before Guo Shu's unseeing corpse.

"He's just an incompetent old eunuch. Even if he becomes a ghost, he'll still be a useless piece of trash. What are you all so afraid of? You're so scared that you come here to ask me what to do with him... What else can I do with him? Of course, I'll just throw him into the mass grave and feed him to the dogs, just like always."

*****

Ping An learned of Guo Shu's death the next day while having breakfast with Si Wei, overhearing the whispers of the palace servants.

Upon hearing that Guo Shu had lost his life in the Imperial Prison for audaciously stealing a gift bestowed by the emperor, Ping An grinned from ear to ear.

That's settled. The biggest problem is solved. The only thing left is the group of palace servants in the Cold Palace. However, those people are all useless and lack ambition. They are unlikely to jump out and ruin her plans. She can just leave them alone.

When Siwei saw Ping'an's radiant smile, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness as he thought about her past experiences.

She stroked Ping An's soft hair and asked curiously, "Ping An, did something good happen?"

Ping An nodded.

"This porridge is so delicious! I've never had such good porridge before!"

"Peace, this is millet porridge."

"Sister Siwei, you're lying to me! Millet porridge isn't like that. It's green, smells weird, and makes you get diarrhea!"

Siwei felt even more heartbroken, so much so that he couldn't help but pull Ping'an into his arms. It took him a while to calm down before he gently rubbed Ping'an's head and let go of her.

"Ping An, this is millet porridge. If you like it, I'll ask them to make millet porridge tomorrow, okay?"

"Really?"

Ping An looked at Ju An with shining eyes, and cheered even more after receiving an affirmative answer. Ju An could only laugh and cry at the same time as he hurriedly pulled her away amidst the curious gazes of the crowd.

Upon arriving at the study, Ping An, as usual, immediately jumped into Cui Shenzhi's arms without saying a word, tilting her head up and smiling brightly, saying, "Shenzhi, Shenzhi, let me tell you, Sister Siwei treated me to some really delicious millet porridge! Have you ever had it? Sister Siwei said it'll be millet porridge again tomorrow, shall I bring you a bowl?"

Cui Shenzhi felt somewhat helpless and at a loss. He had told Ping An about the strict separation between men and women, but Ping An just wouldn't listen and did whatever he wanted. However, considering that Ping An's behavior was the result of Guo Shu's ill-intentioned teaching, he couldn't bring himself to correct her. He could only let it go and perhaps Ping An would become more sensible in time.

*****

Time flies, and half a month has passed since Ping An arrived at the East Palace. During these two weeks, her life has been very easy and regular. However, things changed on this day.

Siwei told her that she had to follow Ju'an all day because Cui Shenzhi needed to leave the palace on business, and Siwei and Qi Kang had to go with him.

Is he leaving the palace on official business?

Ping An recalled the information she had previously gathered about Cui Shenzhi.

Every month, Cui Shenzhi and Cui Lingxian would visit the people in the slums, giving them porridge and clothes, and they would also bring their friend Lu Fengping to provide free medical consultations and medicine.

Ping An scoffed at this.

Cui Shenzhi, Cui Lingxian, and Lu Fengping are all born into royalty or prestigious families. Their talk of doing good deeds is nothing more than a fig leaf for a group of high-ranking people who want to openly enjoy the feeling of the lower classes kneeling on the ground and worshipping them, while fearing criticism.

What a disgusting and perverse sense of humor.

But it doesn't matter, it has nothing to do with her anyway.

*****

Perhaps because of the 'Fairy Sister', Ping An showed an extraordinary dependence on Cui Shenzhi after arriving at the East Palace.

Every day, the first thing he does when he sees Choi Shin-ji is to rush over without fail, and he also doesn't stop when he's writing calligraphy.

Every time she wrote something, she would show it to Cui Shenzhi for his comments. If Cui Shenzhi praised her writing, she would cheer with joy and give him a big hug. If Cui Shenzhi said her writing was just so-so, she would tug at his sleeve, pretending to complain but actually just being affectionate.

Therefore, Cui Shenzhi was slightly uneasy after boarding the carriage leaving the palace. After all, this was the first time he had left Ping An behind since she came to his side, and he was really worried, since Ping An depended on him so much.

Cui Lingxian noticed Cui Shenzhi's unease and asked with concern, "Shenzhi, what's wrong? Has something gone wrong with the task Father Emperor entrusted to you? Or have you encountered a problem? Is there anything I can do to help you?"

Choi Shin-ji smiled and shook his head.

"No, I have completed the task that my father entrusted to me, and I did not encounter any difficulties. I do not need help. There is just one small matter that I am a little worried about."

“A trivial matter?” Cui Lingxian smiled slyly. “I don’t think it’s a trivial matter at all. After all, what trivial matter could make our dignified and upright Crown Prince take it to heart and wear it on his face? If it’s this serious, then it can’t be considered a trivial matter.”

Looking at Cui Lingxian's lively appearance, Cui Shenzhi's heart stirred.

The palace servants in the East Palace are all older, and he is the closest to Ping An in age. Is it possible that Ping An is so dependent on him for this reason? But this can't go on. It's fine if he's a man, but Ping An is a girl, and people will definitely gossip. So the best solution is to find a playmate of similar age for Ping An in the palace. Isn't Ling Xian a very good candidate?

Lingxian is innocent and kind, while Ping'an is naive and ignorant of the ways of the world. The two are only one year apart in age. Lingxian is not one to care about one's background, so she will not look down on Ping'an, nor will she care about Ping'an's various rudenesses. Moreover, Lingxian has always been saying that there are no playmates of the same age in the palace. Isn't this killing two birds with one stone?

However, it would be best to ask Ling Xian's opinion first.

“Ling Xian,” Cui Shenzhi said cautiously, “this matter is neither a big deal nor a small one, but it has some twists and turns. Do you still remember the jade pendant you gave me?”

Cui Lingxian nodded.

"I accidentally lost it a while ago. While searching, I came to the vicinity of the Cold Palace and unexpectedly found a girl who was as blank as a sheet of paper, the kind who didn't know many common sense things. I found it strange, so I sent someone to inquire. I learned that the child was secretly born in the palace due to someone's debauchery, and the mother even... suffered a difficult childbirth. She only barely survived thanks to the pity of the palace servants in the Cold Palace, and then..."

“Shen Zhi, is this the little thing you’re talking about?” Cui Lingxian interrupted.

"Yes, but I haven't..."

“This is no small matter! It concerns a life, this is clearly the most important thing. Although it is wrong to defile the palace, this child is innocent. She should not have to bear such a life. You should not stand idly by. You are the Crown Prince, the future emperor of all the people. You should not just watch. You should help her.” Cui Lingxian said anxiously.

“Lingxian, don’t be anxious, let me finish speaking first.” Cui Shenzhi continued, “I did not stand idly by in the face of Ping’an’s plight. I brought her out of the Cold Palace and temporarily placed her in the East Palace as a palace servant. I plan to send her out of the palace to be properly settled after she has learned to read and write and has at least understood some principles.”

"That's good... But isn't this good enough? Is there anything else you're worried about?"

"That child seems to have never met anyone her age and doesn't even have any friends. After meeting me, she became very dependent on me. This is the first time I've left her in the East Palace, so naturally I'm a little worried."

Cui Lingxian nodded.

“That’s true. She has no parents and only me as her friend. I would worry about her too. Wait, Shenzhi, since that’s the case, why don’t we take her with us? Although from your description, she can’t leave the palace to live right now, it wouldn’t be a bad thing to let her see the outside world first, would it?”

So the carriage that had left the palace turned back to the East Palace and picked up the bewildered Ping An.