Imperial Female Official

Zhao Changning entered the palace at the age of eight and began serving the emperor at twelve. Eight years have passed since then.

Before her, imperial female officials were replaced every te...

Chapter 7: I'm furious and tell you something I don't know

Chapter 7: I'm furious and tell you something I don't know

When Zhao Changning heard the shouting, he immediately looked through the window.

Xiao Zhi reacted the fastest, raising his leg and rushing forward. He ran so fast that he tripped the person in a few steps.

Yunsheng's mind was full of the image of Xiaowei picking up fermented bean curd for him. He didn't know where he got the courage from, but he rushed over without thinking to help hold it down and complained to Zhao Changning.

"Aunt, it was him. He was the one who tipped off today. He was the only one who went out."

The young eunuch knew he was exposed, and was so frightened that his face was covered with tears and snot. "Auntie, it was Eunuch Hu who forced me to do this. He forced me. Auntie, please spare my life..."

Zhao Changning looked at him coldly, the coldness in his eyes as if it were real. He looked around and found no one around before saying, "Bring him in."

She opened the lunch box, took out a dish of braised white eel, poured the broth into the tea bowl, and said, "Give him some water."

The young eunuch was so frightened when he saw Xiaowei lying on the side with her eyes open and tears and blood all over her face that he kowtowed continuously until his forehead swelled up instantly.

"Aunt, I was wrong. I won't dare to do that again. It was Eunuch Hu, not me..."

Zhao Changning sneered, slowly sat down in the armchair, and tapped his fingers on the armrest, again and again, like a death curse.

"Tell me something I don't know."

The young eunuch kowtowed continuously, not daring to stop even when his head was broken. "Auntie, I'm just a small fry. How could I know about Eunuch Hu's affairs? Auntie, please spare my life. I won't dare to do that again..."

Xiao Zhi kicked him and said, "You killed Miss Xiaowei, and you still want to spare my life?"

The young eunuch looked up at his aunt and saw that her eyes were cold, completely different from her usual cold and distant look, but she still held a glimmer of expectation.

"Aunt, I dare not disobey Eunuch Hu. Aunt, please understand. Eunuch Hu said that if I don't listen to him, I won't have a good life..."

When Zhao Changning heard this, his face turned pale and he was burning with anger.

Everyone is afraid of Hu Gou'er, not her, and thinks they can escape by begging her. Is it because Hu Gou'er is more vicious than her?

She couldn't help but sneer, and her eyes caught sight of Xiaowei's body. Her open eyes seemed to be mocking her previous hypocrisy. She couldn't control her laughter, and then laughed so hard that tears came out.

Yunsheng looked at her blankly, not understanding what was going on. Seeing her laughing so hard that she bent over and even cried, he felt that everyone was right when they said she was cold-blooded.

Even Xiaozhi and the others shed tears, but she was still able to smile.

Zhao Changning laughed so hard that her breath became unstable. She raised her hand to wipe away the tears on her cheek. Feeling that tears were about to well up in her eyes again, she raised her head high and ordered, "Xiaozhi, take Yunsheng and go and invite Eunuch Hu in person."

Xiao Zhi wiped away his tears and asked, "What if he doesn't come?"

"The Emperor hates anything to do with the food in the palace..." Zhao Changning showed no anger, but said coldly, "If he doesn't come, I will go to the Emperor and expose it. Then we can investigate thoroughly and no one will be alive."

Yunsheng didn't want to go, but he couldn't open his mouth at the moment, so he could only follow Xiaozhi to find Hu Gouer.

"Aunt is really sad this time. Sister Xiaowei is the person who has been with her the longest." Xiaozhi wiped away his tears again.

Yunsheng thought of Zhao Changning's constant laughter and couldn't tell that she was sad at all. She was as cold as usual, and distant and indifferent to everyone.

When they came back, they saw another person lying on the ground, and his death was exactly the same as Xiaowei's.

Yunsheng's legs were no longer weak, and his hands didn't even shake when he lifted the corpse.

In just two days, three people died in this house, and it seemed even more eerie.

Xiao Shun lay on the couch, wiping her tears silently. When she saw them come back, she immediately stood up.

Zhao Changning sat in the armchair and said in a hoarse voice, "He didn't come?"

Xiao Zhi quickly said, "Eunuch Hu said he really can't get away, so please wait for him, Auntie."

Everyone fell silent for a moment. The sun rose, and golden light shone through the gaps between the drooping willow branches, revealing mottled light and shadows. The carved windows also revealed the shape of light. Dust danced in the air, and the room was brightly lit.

Zhao Changning read the memorial this morning and learned about the major events in Zhejiang. The court meeting would not be dismissed for a while. Hu Gouer did not lie, so he nodded and calmly gave instructions on what to do next.

"Xiao Shun, go get some ingredients. We'll cook it ourselves. If you're worried, ask someone to buy it outside the palace. Buy more charcoal and coal. Don't worry about the price."

She felt the room was too cramped, and staring into Xiaowei's bloodshot eyes left her exposed.

"Yunsheng, aren't you going to see Yunpei?"

The topic changed too quickly, and there were two bodies lying in the room. It was so horrifying that Yunsheng couldn't react for a while.

"ah?"

Zhao Changning had already regained his usual composure, as if what had just happened was just a puff of smoke. "Aren't you going to see Yun Pei?"

"Oh, go, I'll go." Yunsheng nodded quickly.

Zhao Changning got up and walked away.

Yunsheng followed behind, wanting to ask but not daring to.

Zhao Changning knew about his little tricks and ignored them, only reminding him, "You'd better keep your mouth shut about what happened just now."

"Aunt, don't worry, I won't tell anyone." Yunsheng said affirmatively, "Not even Yunpei."

Silence followed again.

The two passed through the long corridor between Taiji Palace, Qingyu Pavilion, and Cining Palace. There was a corner gate that led directly to the Jingshan Palace, where lived the palace maids and eunuchs who could not be accommodated in the magnificent imperial city.

Spring has not yet arrived, the ice and snow have not melted, the ground is dry and yellow, and it is desolate. But when spring comes, this place will be completely renewed and become a place for princes and grandchildren to go for an outing. In summer, it is a good place to escape the heat.

The palace is majestic, with flying eaves and brackets, and is as magnificent as the imperial city.

In the palace, there are side rooms in front, behind, and on both sides of the main seat, and behind the side rooms are scattered small and simple rooms. This is their residence.

Most of those who come to live here are of low status, or palace maids or eunuchs who have made mistakes or are sick. Those who serve their masters personally will not come here.

When Zhao Changning comes, there will naturally be someone to lead the way.

"Aunt, Yun Yao is over there." The little palace maid said with red eyes, "She, she is dying."

Zhao Changning took out a silver ingot from his sleeve and handed it to the maid, "Go buy some of Yun Yao's favorite food, and keep the rest of the money for yourself."

The little palace maid thanked him with sobs and turned to go buy things.

Yunsheng originally wanted to go see Yunpei directly, but since his aunt didn't say anything, he didn't dare to leave, so he could only follow her.

Before Zhao Changning got close, he heard a sharp scream.

"...Useless thing, you should just die sooner rather than later. I sent you to serve the emperor so you could live a good life, but you cut off your nose and then your hands. Oh my, you've ruined several of my best quilts. Look at this mat..."

The nanny spat a few times as she spoke, full of disgust.

There were also palace maids washing, hanging clothes and quilts around, but they all looked numb and let the scolding go on.

Human life here is worthless.

Zhao Changning and Yunsheng also went through the same process before being sent to the imperial court. The scene seemed like a lifetime ago. The two of them stopped in tacit understanding and watched silently.

The nanny cursed louder and louder, "What are you still alive for? What's the point of living when you're already in this state? You don't need to go to the palace anymore. There's no one at home, so who can support you? It's a waste of money, just die..."

Finally, someone couldn't stand it anymore and rushed out, "Mammy, Yun Yao gave you a lot of money. Even after all this, why are you still scolding her? What good will it do you if she dies?"

The nanny raised her hand and slapped her, "Bitch, you want to die? If you say another word, I'll send you to serve me. Let's see whether your hands or feet are chopped off. If you can get a master, I..."

"Madam Qian." Zhao Changning interrupted her raised hand and said loudly, "It's been many years since we last met, and you're still so majestic."

When Nanny Qian turned her head, she was stunned for a moment, then immediately became flattering, with a smile on her chubby face.

"Changning? It's Changning, right? You have to save face in front of the emperor now. You must remember the nanny. If it weren't for the nanny to send you in, how could you serve in front of the emperor? How could you have the glory you have now? By the way, why are you here? Oh, is there someone who needs to serve the emperor?"

She dragged the beaten maid over and said to herself, "This girl is very useful, her hands and feet are nimble. Changning, why did you come to see me after all these years? Did you forget about Nanny?"

Zhao Changning glanced at the little palace maid who was shrinking her head, and said indifferently, "Madam, you are joking. I will never forget the kindness you showed me back then."

Nanny Qian looked at Zhao Changning, who was now so powerful, with envy and pride. She shouted at the top of her voice, "Come and see! This is Aunt Changning, who served the emperor. I was the one who brought her into the palace. What a blessing! Come and learn from her..."

When everyone heard that it was Aunt Changning who served in the imperial court, they all looked over curiously. Being able to serve the emperor and being afraid of losing one's life was one thing, but it did not stop people from being envious.

Zhao Changning didn't want to waste time with this woman, so he glanced at Yunsheng behind him.

Yunsheng blinked in confusion, not knowing what was going on.

Zhao Changning remembered that it wasn't Xiaoshun who came with him, and seeing Yunsheng's dullness, he spoke up himself, "I should thank Madam for your daily slaps and encouragement. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here today. But I'm not here to see Madam today. I'm here to see Yunyao."

Faced with a group of people surrounding her, Nanny Qian looked a little embarrassed, but she was flexible and moved closer with a thick face.

"Okay, okay, Yun Yao is inside, I'll take you in..."

Zhao Changning waved his hand, his expression cold, "We'll go in by ourselves so as not to waste Madam's time."

Nanny Qian wanted to follow him and get closer to him, but she couldn't move her feet. Zhao Changning now had a kind of majesty around him that she dared not challenge.

The low shed had only two windows, and the room was very dark even during the day.

On both sides of the wall are simple earthen kangs, where many people live, and the smell is not very pleasant.

Yunsheng saw Zhao Changning come in and look at her for a long time without moving, so he pointed to the innermost bed and said, "Aunt, Yunyao is there."

Zhao Changning ignored him and walked over.

The room fell silent for a moment.

Yun Yao huddled in the thin blanket for a long time before she said in a hoarse and trembling voice, "Auntie, I don't want to live."

Zhao Changning looked at the bloodstains on the quilt. Even in the dim light, he could see the quilt shaking. It must be because he couldn't bear the pain.

She didn't ask any more questions, but just said gently: "Okay, I'll help you."

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Babies, after seeing this, please remember to collect it [Come on][Cat head]