Chapter 108 Virtue Surpasses Talent

He abruptly threw off the tattered quilt and rummaged through drawers and cabinets like a madman, finally pulling out an old robe that was barely clean from a corner and haphazardly putting it on.

In stark contrast to the dark woodshed, the front courtyard of the General Zhenguo's Mansion was warm and inviting.

A row of palace servants dressed as eunuchs carried and lifted various trays and boxes, all neatly arranged.

Grand Steward Desheng smiled broadly as he unfurled a bright yellow scroll, his voice loud and cheerful:

"...In recognition of the County Princess's profound understanding of righteousness and consideration for the greater good, the following gifts are hereby bestowed: a pair of coral trees from the East Sea, eight red gold ruyi scepters, twenty bolts of Shu brocade, ten catties of imperial tribute tea, and five thousand taels of silver... This is the imperial decree!"

The rewards were so generous that they were astonishing, and each one seemed to have the meaning of appeasement and silencing.

This is to prevent Xie Sangning from reporting this.

Xie Sangning, dressed in a plain-colored ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with a perfectly measured smile on her face, gracefully bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I, Xie Sangning, thank you for your great kindness! Your Majesty's favor makes me feel humbled."

She gestured to Ruchun to have people move the rewards into the storeroom.

After the palace servants left, only Desheng and his apprentice Decai, whose eyes were darting around, remained in the courtyard.

Xie Sangning's gaze fell on Desheng's chubby face, which was beaming with a wide smile. The corners of her lips curved slightly: "Eunuch Desheng, I've heard so much about you. I'm sorry to trouble you to make this trip today. If you don't mind, why don't you come in for a cup of tea and rest your feet?"

Desheng's beady eyes suddenly lit up with an astonishing light!

His face was all wrinkled with laughter, and his chubby body involuntarily took two steps forward, his voice filled with boundless enthusiasm.

"Oh dear! Your Highness, you flatter me! I've long heard of your private collection of fine tea! To be able to taste it today is a blessing I've accumulated over many lifetimes! I couldn't ask for more! I couldn't ask for more!"

He rubbed his hands together, looking like he was drooling.

When De Cai, who was standing behind him, saw his master's posture, he was so anxious that he almost jumped up!

Miss, is this really an invitation to tea?

This is clearly a way to get rid of everyone else and make contact with me, the "secret agent," to arrange a new task!

Master, what are you doing getting involved in this mess?! What are we going to do now?!

In desperation, De Cai disregarded the rules and secretly reached out to grab De Sheng's robe from the back, pulling it back forcefully as a frantic signal: Master! It's time to leave!

Desheng was happily imagining how the young lady would praise his previous performance, while guessing what kind of work she would assign him later.

I've met my performance targets this month, but what about next month?

The oxen and horses never stop!

Desheng always remembered the nicknames the young lady gave them: Niu Ma (牛马)!

Work hard like an ox, and you'll be as free as a horse!

Just as he was having a wonderful day, his apprentice suddenly pulled him so hard he stumbled!

He whirled around and glared at De Cai: "You stupid apprentice! Don't you know anything?! Miss clearly wants to have a private chat with me, the mole, alone! What are you doing here, an outsider?!"

The master and apprentice stared at each other, one scratching his head in frustration, the other glaring angrily, the air thick with the silent tension of swords clashing.

But this truth must never be spoken aloud, for I am an inside agent!

Even if you are a master (or apprentice), you must not reveal yourself!

Just when things were at a tense stalemate.

Xie Sangning's voice, tinged with amusement, rang out:

"Gentlemen, please don't stand there. Come in and have a cup of tea."

Upon hearing this, Desheng and Decai were both stunned!

This won't do!

How can I catch up with the young lady when there are outsiders around!

How would outsiders know about the new tasks assigned to the cattle and horses?

Desheng roared inwardly. He was still hoping to make new contributions with the young lady's guidance and solidify his position as the number one villain... no, the number one loyal servant!

No way! We absolutely can't let Decai in! That kid... he's getting more and more of an eyesore! How could I have taken in such a clueless idiot in the first place!

De Cai was also wailing inwardly!

Master! Your disciple begs you! Please, have mercy and leave now!

I'm so glad to finally see you, Miss! I have so much to say to you!

What should we do if Miss has any instructions?

In such a short time, if we stay any longer, people will become suspicious and wonder why our master has suddenly become so insensible!

What should we do? Should we... just go all out and drug our master into unconsciousness?

The moment this thought popped into his head, De Cai was startled and quickly muttered to himself: "Forgive me, forgive me!"

Deceiving one's teacher and betraying one's ancestors is unacceptable...

The master and apprentice glared at each other with disdain, their eyes clashing in the air, but their feet seemed rooted to the spot, refusing to move an inch.

The warm pavilion is just a stone's throw away, wafting a delicate aroma of tea.

But the master and disciple, each with their own ulterior motives, stood at the door like two guardian deities, staging a silent yet intense drama.

How to shake off the other party? This has become the ultimate problem facing them, even more difficult than guessing the emperor's will.

Xie Sangning, who was inside the house, was happy to watch the show and didn't say anything. These two had been together day and night, yet they didn't even know that the other was one of their own. It was quite a funny situation.

The two finally couldn't hold back any longer and stepped into the warm pavilion together. Both of them were filled with anger and had never resented each other so much before!

If I miss this opportunity, when will I be able to see you again and speak to you alone?

Next year? Or a few years from now?

Desheng and Decai, this pair of seemingly disingenuous master and apprentice, sat down on the rosewood armchairs with a mixture of mutual disdain and wariness.

Ru Xia entered carrying a mahogany tray, placed three thin-walled white porcelain covered bowls on it, and lifted the lids. A rich and elegant orchid fragrance, accompanied by wisps of steam, rose and instantly filled the room.

"You two have worked hard," Xie Sangning said casually, picking up his cup. "It's just a little tea, nothing special. Please try it, is it to your liking?"

Desheng grinned from ear to ear and downed the whole thing in one gulp!

Ouch...it's so hot!

When De Cai saw his master drinking tea like that, he looked disgusted.

What a waste of the young lady's fine tea!

Xie Sangning took in all the subtle actions of the master and apprentice, a faint smile playing on her lips.

She slowly sipped her tea, waiting for the refreshing sweetness to melt on her tongue, before speaking as if in casual conversation:

"Speaking of which... you two eunuchs often serve before the Emperor, I wonder if His Majesty has been behaving in any unusual way lately?"

"puff--!"

The words had barely left his mouth!

Two earth-shattering sprays of water rang out simultaneously!

Desheng sprayed the tea he hadn't even swallowed all over his robe!

De Cai was choked and coughed, almost dropping the covered bowl in his hand!

The two seemed to be frozen in place, their hands holding the teacups trembling like leaves in the autumn wind!

Only one thought was flashing through my mind:

Holy crap!!!

How could one say such a thing in front of De Cai (De Sheng)?!

Good heavens, this is a matter of life and death!

Desheng, as expected of a seasoned veteran, reacted even faster. After the initial shock, his adrenaline surged instantly!

His reaction was astonishingly fast! He had only one thought in his mind—to protect the young lady!

We absolutely cannot let that brat Decai spread the word!

His chubby body burst forth with agility beyond his size, like a cannonball, he sprang up from the chair with a "whoosh" and pounced on De Cai, who was still coughing!

Using his weight advantage, he precisely tackled the still-dazed De Cai, chair and all, to the ground with a heavy thud!

Once Decai was under control, Desheng howled:

"Young Miss! You've lost your mind—!"

"Ugh!" De Cai was so shocked by the sudden, overwhelming force that his vision went black and his internal organs felt like they were about to shift!

Desheng tightly covered Decai's mouth, which was still trying to struggle and shout, and pressed him firmly to the ground with his full weight. His fat face was flushed red with excitement and force. He turned his head to face Xie Sangning, and his voice changed, filled with loyalty and ruthlessness:

"How can you say such things in front of outsiders! This is..."

He abruptly stopped speaking, glanced warily at the door, and then said, "This is a matter of life and death, Miss!!"

He glanced down at his apprentice Decai, who was being pressed down so hard that his eyes rolled back and he was struggling in vain. A hint of struggle and reluctance flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by ruthlessness!

This child... has been with me for so long... what a pity!

He steeled his resolve, straightened his neck, and gritted his teeth as he looked at Xie Sangning:

"Miss! Don't worry! This...this boy! I'll handle him personally! I'll make sure he leaves cleanly and neatly! I won't leave him any future troubles for you!!"

Upon hearing these words, De Cai knew that they were both the young lady's people!

Although I was shocked, saving my life was the priority right now!

His master's words nearly scared the soul out of him!

Master! Didn't you always teach me to be faithful to the Lord?! We share the same Lord!!

I am the most loyal servant!

We're on the same side! We're on the same side!

He tried to shout, but his mouth was tightly covered by that fat hand, and he could only whimper "mmmmmm". He struggled frantically with his hands and feet, his face covered with tears and snot!

Help! Miss! Tell him quickly! I'm one of our own!

Inside the warm pavilion, everything was in a mess.

A loyal old eunuch is riding on his apprentice, preparing to kill his own relative for the greater good.

A promising young eunuch is experiencing suffocating despair beneath his master.

The instigator of all this chaos—Xie Sangning—remained seated in the main seat.

Seeing the chaotic scene on the ground, I finally couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Xie Sangning, that's just how wicked she is.