Chapter 110 List

Desheng's voice trembled as he suddenly realized what this list meant!

This is absolute trust! And boundless authority!

"You did a good job this time, delivering the message in time to save me from being trapped in the side hall. I always reward and punish fairly. This list is the authority you deserve. With it, you should know how to handle Consort Ru's matter."

Desheng was instantly overwhelmed with ecstasy!

Permissions!

The young lady herself acknowledged the authority!

What does this mean?

The young lady completely regarded him as her core confidant!

This signifies that his position on the young lady's side is unshakeable!

"Ouch! Ouch!"

Desheng's face trembled with excitement, his cheeks flushed, and he almost knelt down and kowtowed to Xie Sangning on the spot. "This servant understands! This servant understands! Miss, please rest assured! With this list in hand, if this servant still fails to do this job well, I will offer my head to you! This servant guarantees that Consort Ru's courtyard will be sifted cleaner than a sieve! Not even a fly from outside can get in!"

He patted his chest and made his promise, spitting as he spoke.

He glanced smugly at De Cai, who was craning his neck and staring longingly at the list.

That look in his eyes seemed to say: See? Kid! This is status! This is seniority! You're still too green!

De Cai was so angry at his master's smugness that he gritted his teeth. He clenched his little fists tightly and shouted with his neck stiff, "Young Miss! You're being unfair! I... I'll get on this list someday! I'll make a great contribution too!"

He looked just like a child whose candy had been taken away.

Xie Sangning smiled: "Work hard, and you'll all have a chance. Now, memorize every name and position on this list, word for word. Once you've memorized it—"

She pointed to the small, exquisite brass brass brazier next to her, "Burn it."

"yes!"

Desheng's expression hardened, his smugness vanished instantly, and his expression became serious.

He knew the significance of this substance; if it were leaked, the consequences would be unimaginable.

He immediately moved to a well-lit spot by the window, widened his eyes, and began to memorize the words one by one with extreme focus.

De Cai also crowded around, trying to peek, but De Sheng rudely pushed him away with his chubby bottom: "Go away! Little brat, get out of here! Is this something you can see? Wait until you climb up to my position!"

De Cai was so angry that he stomped his feet in anger, but De Sheng kicked him out of the house. De Cai was not allowed to know any information about the list!

He's not good enough for the position yet!

Clearly, the shock of this list far exceeded Desheng's expectations.

"This...this Eunuch Qi is actually one of our men? Good heavens! He's the most lucrative position in the Imperial Household Department!"

"Hiss... Eunuch Hai?! Even the nanny by the Empress's side has to give him some face!"

"Good heavens! There's even Granny Zhou here! She's in charge of the entire Imperial Wardrobe!"

"My goodness... Miss, you're... amazing! You're incredible!"

As Desheng recited the name, he couldn't help but exclaim in amazement. Each time he confirmed a name, it was like a bombshell being dropped into his heart, making his scalp tingle and his awe of Xie Sangning soar!

Finally, Desheng closed his eyes, quickly recited the mantra three times in his mind, and after confirming that it was correct, he let out a long breath.

He walked to the brazier and threw the envelope in.

"puff--"

The pale blue flame licked the edge of the paper.

The orange-red flames spread rapidly, greedily devouring each name that carried a secret.

The firelight illuminated Desheng's incredibly solemn, chubby face, as if he were performing some kind of sacred ritual.

Until the very last bit of ash turned to dust.

Then, he picked up the small silver hairpin next to him and carefully and repeatedly stirred and dispersed the ashes in the basin until no trace of paper could be seen at all.

The fire went out, leaving only a pile of charred powder in the basin.

Desheng let out a long sigh of relief, as if he had completed an extremely difficult task; his back was soaked with sweat.

Having resolved Consort Ru's security issue, Xie Sangning changed the subject: "Has there been any unusual activity from the Emperor's side lately?"

Desheng, though still somewhat flustered, quickly replied, "Your Highness, His Majesty seems to be doing as usual lately. He's reviewing memorials and meeting with ministers, but there's just one thing..."

He hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice, “Every day after dinner, His Majesty will definitely kick everyone inside and outside the Imperial Study, including the servants, out! The doors and windows will be tightly closed, and one person will be inside for at least half an hour, and sometimes almost two hours! No one is allowed to come near! Even the guards on night duty are driven far away.”

Alone? And everyone else has been wiped out?

This habit... is rather strange.

Seeing through her expression, Desheng immediately took a step closer and lowered his voice obsequiously: "Young Miss, what do you think... should I think of a way... to sneak in and scout it out? Or should I have that brat Decai pretend to be stupid and get a closer look?"

Eager to make a name for himself, he tried to seize the opportunity to boost his performance score once again.

"Smack!"

A slap landed precisely on the back of Desheng's head! Decai had returned to his room after burning the list. Now, withdrawing his hand, he glared at his master with a "Are you stupid?" expression: "Master! Are you senile? What kind of place is His Majesty's? Everyone was cleared out! And his trusted confidants were assigned to guard the gate! Do you want me to go and die, or do you want to reincarnate yourself?"

Although he also wanted to make a contribution, he valued his life even more!

Desheng was taken aback by the slap, but then he realized that his suggestion had indeed been a bit too impulsive, and his face flushed red.

Xie Sangning waved his hand: "No need. This matter is too risky, and the returns are uncertain. Besides..."

She paused for a moment, then said, "This level of secrecy is not something you should confront head-on. Just focus on doing your jobs well, and when the time comes to investigate, I will arrange for the right people to go."

"The right person?" Desheng and Decai were both taken aback.

Xie Sangning smiled slightly: "Naturally... it's that newly promoted Consort Ru in the palace. Wouldn't it be perfectly justified to have her show concern for His Majesty?"

Desheng suddenly realized!

Yes! Consort Ru!

Her face is the best passport!

It's perfectly normal for her to run into him or show concern!

I only hope that Consort Ru will soon gain favor with the emperor so that she can uncover this secret as soon as possible.

"Alright, one last thing." Xie Sangning's smile faded, and her tone became serious. "The Empress's side, Fengzao Palace."

"I need you to find a way to place people around the Empress! They don't need to be high-ranking; even lowly palace maids or eunuchs who are responsible for sweeping corners or delivering messages will do!"

Xie Sangning's eyes sharpened. "The key is to find a way to get close to those old nannies around the Empress! In particular... find out if there used to be a Granny Qiu in the Empress's palace? If so, when did she leave? Where did she go? What does she know?"

Granny Qiu?

Desheng and Decai exchanged a glance. Anyone who could be specifically mentioned by the young lady must be no ordinary person!

"Don't worry, young lady! This servant understands!"

Desheng immediately patted his chest, "It's not difficult for me to get one or two people in! As for getting close to those old nannies..." His beady eyes darted around, revealing a shrewd smile, "Those old, blind women love to take advantage of small things, hear new stories, and are most easily moved by filial younger generations... I know what to do!"

"Hmm." Xie Sangning nodded slightly. "The rules in the Empress's palace are very strict, so you must be careful in your actions. It's better to be slow than to rush. It's better not to do something than to expose yourself."

"Yes!" Desheng and Decai replied in unison.

The aroma of tea in the warm pavilion gradually faded.

The sun's shadow was slanting westward outside the window.

Xie Sangning picked up the teacup, which had long since gone cold, and took a small sip.

"It's getting late."

This sound was like a signal that the show was over.

Desheng and Decai immediately suppressed their emotions and resumed their respectful and obedient eunuch demeanor, bowing deeply to Xie Sangning.

"This servant takes her leave."