Chapter 33
The next day, Li Yin knelt outside the Palace of Heavenly Purity and said, "Your Majesty, the envoy was disrespectful first, and I am also at fault. Why punish the innocent eunuch? If there is any guilt, it is the fault of me and you. I beg you to examine it carefully."
"I beg you to revoke my order. I will bear all the blame."
After saying this, Li Yin bowed his head to the ground.
The sound of a green jade paperweight clapping against the table was heard from inside the hall, and the vermilion lacquer door suddenly opened.
The person who came out was not His Majesty, but Lord Shang who was beside His Majesty. Lord Shang walked up to Li Yin with a look of pity. In his opinion, this child was still too soft-hearted. Little did he know that being soft-hearted was a taboo for a king.
"Your Highness, please go back. His Majesty will not come out to see you. His Majesty has asked this old minister to tell you that before the envoy leaves, Your Highness, please reflect on your actions in the East Palace!"
"Reflection, I don't understand, it's obviously...it's obviously not his fault..." In front of Shang Gong, whom he had watched grow up, Li Yin was like a confused child.
Shang Gong sighed, helped Li Yin up, and said earnestly, "Child, come back!"
Li Yin was taken back to the Eastern Palace by soldiers to reflect on his mistakes.
Eunuch Ma was feeling rather down in the inner chambers. He felt that the prince was now confined to reflect on his mistakes and that he was also responsible. If he hadn't told His Majesty...
"Some people think that if the crown prince can successfully take charge of government affairs, they will become the Duke of Shang. Why are they so proud?" An eunuch made sarcastic remarks.
"When will I?" Eunuch Ma asked back.
"What should we do now? Not to mention acting as the judge, if we are deposed..." the eunuch continued.
"What do you mean by dethroning? What are you talking about, you jinx?" Eunuch Ma shouted angrily.
"Why are you yelling at me? It's your master's fault, not mine." The eunuch was also a little angry. He usually yelled at them, and now he was yelling at him. He muttered, "Maybe the rumor is true."
The eunuch's words brought Eunuch Ma back to his senses, and he asked, "What rumors? What rumors?"
"Your master...is fond of men." The eunuch approached Eunuch Ma and whispered.
"Who? Who spread this ridiculous rumor? I won't let him go!" Eunuch Ma's face flushed and he warned loudly.
The eunuch snorted and laughed, "Originally, the rumor was only spread among the eunuchs, but now that you've made it known to everyone in the palace."
“You…you…”
At this time, Sun, who was dozing off with his eyes closed, said, "I believe, Your Highness, you are not a homosexual..."
As if he had found a kindred spirit, Eunuch Ma said to the eunuch, "Only a brainless person like you would believe such a ridiculous rumor."
Sun Neiguan changed the subject and continued, "Perhaps the person Your Highness likes is a woman!"
"What did you say?" This shocked him more than hearing that His Highness was fond of men.
"I really don't want to talk about this." Eunuch Sun approached Eunuch Ma and was about to continue when he was interrupted by a shout from outside the door, "Eunuch Sun——"
Sun Neiguan looked up and saw that it was the Prime Minister's son Ji Zeming. He didn't have time to continue talking. If the prince was deposed in the future, the Prime Minister's son would be his big leg to cling to.
He ran over quickly and said in a flattering voice, "Master Ji, what do you want from me?"
"Come with me."
Ji Zeming took Eunuch Sun to a side hall next to the Eunuch Palace, took a box from the cabinet at the back, and asked casually, "Last time, were you the one who took Eunuch Luo to the Taihua Palace where the envoys were staying?"
"Yes, it was me. The eunuch on duty that night had something urgent to do, so he replaced Eunuch Luo."
Ji Zeming slowly opened the box. Neiguan Sun took a closer look and saw a strange-shaped object inside. He asked curiously, "What is this?"
"This is something I accidentally acquired while studying abroad. It's said that if you press this thing and aim it at the person you want to kill, they'll be killed instantly."
Ji Zeming took out this thing and aimed it at Sun Neiguan. Sun Neiguan was frightened and said in panic: "Sir, have I offended you in any way? Please tell me clearly."
Ji Zeming's posture remained unchanged. "Don't touch Eunuch Luo."
"Sir, why are you so concerned about Eunuch Luo's affairs? Is it because of the secret I know?"
"Bang--"
There was a loud bang, as if something brushed past Sun Neiguan's head and hit the bookshelf behind him, and the place that was hit exploded instantly.
Only then did Sun Neiguan feel truly frightened. He checked his head and knelt down in front of Ji Zeming, "Sir, please spare my life, sir, please spare my life..."
Ji Zeming walked up to Eunuch Sun, squatted down, and said in a voice that was neither happy nor angry, "Don't be curious, and don't ask around. If I hear anyone talking about Eunuch Luo again, no matter who that person is, I will kill that person. Do you understand?"
"Now I'll give you a chance. If I hear it again, you know the consequences." Ji Zeming stood up and looked down at him condescendingly.
"I understand, I understand." Nei Guan Sun was extremely frightened. She didn't expect that a small eunuch like her would be protected by the prince and the prime minister's son.
"Get out!" Ji Zeming put the weapons into the box and said to Sun Neiguan.
"I'm leaving, I'm leaving." Eunuch Sun crawled out of the side hall.
"Hurry up, you only have half an incense stick of time to visit." The jailer guarding the cell said to the two eunuchs.
When Luo Sanrong heard the voice, he stood up. Seeing the familiar people, he felt a little uncomfortable. "Why are you here?"
These two eunuchs were Xiaopang and Xiaogao, the eunuchs who entered the palace with Luo Sanrong and were assigned to the same group.
Xiaopang and Xiaogao were nicknames given to them by Luo Sanrong based on their appearance, which sounded more intimate. After passing the eunuch examination, Xiaopang and Xiaogao were assigned to different palaces, and the three of them did not lose contact. He just didn't expect that they were the only ones who came to see him now.
"Look, you've lost weight." said Xiaopang.
"What's the situation outside now? Is Your Highness okay?" Luo Sanrong couldn't help but ask.
"It's already this late, and you still have time to worry about His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?" Xiao Gao couldn't help but scold him.
Luo Sanrong was silent for a moment. Yes, now everyone is in a difficult situation and can hardly save themselves.
Seeing his dejected look, Xiao Gao told him about the recent situation in the Eastern Palace. "The Eastern Palace is in turmoil right now." After hesitating for a moment, he mentioned the latest rumors, "The Crown Prince... may... be deposed..."
When Luo Sanrong heard the word "abolished", his head buzzed and he could no longer hear the rest of the words.
"Eat well and take care of yourself..." Xiaopang urged. Seeing Luo Sanrong in a daze, Xiaopang was furious. "Are you even listening to me?"
Luo Sanrong walked to the corner of the cell in a daze and hugged himself into a ball.
Seeing Luo Sanrong's distraught look, Xiaopang and Xiaogao felt distressed and couldn't bear to blame him anymore. The three of them remained silent.
The jailer reminded them that the time was up, and Xiaopang and Xiaogao left, looking back every few steps. This half incense stick of time almost used up all the savings they had accumulated since entering the palace, but it seemed to be of no use.
The bright moon hung high in the sky, and the moonlight sprinkled on a corner of the cell. Luo Sanrong looked at the moon tonight through the window of the cell.
When she was a child, her mother held her in her arms and said gently: "If you are separated from me in the future, look up at the moon when you miss me. You must remember that we are looking at the same moon."
At this moment, Luo Sanrong looked at the moon, but thought of the arrogant and poisonous Li Yin. He had made so many efforts to act as the agent of the dynasty, but he seemed to have ruined it all.
Here, Li Yin was also looking at the moon and said to Wei Dao behind him, "Have you found evidence of Beining's guilt?"
Weidao was silent for a moment, thinking of an account book he had found in the Prime Minister's Mansion. He did not give all of it to the leader at that time. Now... Weidao hesitated whether to give it to him.
If I hand it over to him, my identity will most likely be exposed, and then...
"Your Highness, we are still searching."
Li Yin said in a cold voice, "The envoys will leave at noon the day after tomorrow. The Qiping Kingdom's envoy supervisor will meet them on the way. We must find evidence of Beining's guilt by then."
"yes."
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