“What do you mean by that, Miss Yun?” Ning Wang looked at Fuyi and noticed the slight curve of her lips. He knew this look well—the same kind she used to wear in the past whenever she was up to screw over somebody.
“This subject daughter means nothing by it, Ning Wangye. Please don’t overthink it.” Fuyi rubbed her chin. “After the bailiff mentioned that the assailant was a eunuch, I’ve been trying to remember where I’ve seen him. Thanks to Ning Wangye’s presence, I finally recalled.”
At her words, several officials were reminded of how close Ning Wang and Yun Fuyi had once been, and how there had even been talk of her becoming his wife.
“Even if Ning Wangye has forgotten, luckily, this subject daughter remembers. Back then, there was a eunuch in the Xiangkun Palace with a mole on his forehead, and this man was his apprentice.” Fuyi walked over to the gray-robed man and squatted down to examine his face closely. “You made a mistake back then, and I pleaded on your behalf. Why would you want to kill me now?”
“Mmm! Mmm!” The gray-robed man was stunned for a moment, then looked toward Ning Wang. But with his mouth stuffed with cloth, he couldn’t say a word.
Ning Wang’s expression remained impassive. “This Wang doesn’t recall this person. However, assassinating a member of the imperial family is a grave crime. If he is the criminal, he and his entire family should be executed.”
The officials’ faces showed mixed expressions. Xiangkun Palace was where the former residence of Ning Wang’s birth mother, the late Noble Consort Zeng. How could it be that Miss Yun recognized the man, yet Ning Wang had no recollection of him?
Just a few days ago, Her Majesty had encountered an assassination attempt, and the mastermind turned out to be an old eunuch from the palace. Now, the man who tried to kill Miss Yun was a former Xiangkun Palace eunuch. Could such a coincidence truly exist?
“What else do you have to say?” Fuyi removed the cloth from the gray-robed man’s mouth.
“Was it really you who pleaded for me back then?” The gray-robed man still vividly remembered the incident that happened when he had just entered the palace. He had accidentally broken an incense burner and was punished by the head eunuch to kneel in the snow. The snow was so heavy that day, and the wind stung his entire body. Just when he thought he was about to die, someone pulled him up and draped a thick cloak over him.
Later, he was sent to Xiangkun Palace, where he was taken as a godson by a senior eunuch who directly served Noble Consort Zeng. Only then did he learn that the person who had pleaded for him was the son of the noble consort.
He followed his godfather diligently, determined to repay His Imperial Highness’ kindness. He hated the current emperor, who had stolen the throne from its rightful owner, and hated Yun Fuyi even more for breaking His Highness’ heart. Yet now, the person he despised was telling him that she had been his savior.
“Oh?” Fuyi raised an eyebrow. “My reputation isn’t the best, but I never claim credit for someone else’s deeds. If I hadn’t seen you that day in the snow, how would I have noticed you later becoming an apprentice to another eunuch?”
Wang San stared at Fuyi in shock, and after a long pause, he finally said, “Miss Yun, this lowly servant has committed a grave mistake.”
His years of dedication and gratitude now seemed like a joke. He tried to kowtow to Fuyi, but couldn’t move due to being tied up. “Please allow me to repay your kindness in my next life.”
“No need to wait for the next life. You can repay me right now.” Fuyi grabbed Wang San’s chin, preventing him from biting his tongue. “Tell us—who ordered you and why you tried to kill me?”
“It was my mistake. This servant foolishly believed other people’s gossip and misunderstood you, Miss Yun,” Wang San confessed without hesitation.
“And who were these people gossiping with you?” Sui Tingheng stood up and walked over to Fuyi’s side, his expression grim.
“They were… some old acquaintances from Xiangkun Palace,” Wang San answered honestly. “After Noble Consort Zeng passed, this servant was reassigned to the Court of Imperial Armament, but this servant still kept in contact with the other eunuchs who used to work at Xiangkun Palace.”
He had always regarded Ning Wang as his benefactor. Lately, he had often heard his former colleagues grumble about Yun Fuyi, complaining how heartless she had been to His Imperial Highness and how deeply she had hurt him.
He didn’t have work yesterday and met up with a eunuch from Ning Wang Manor for some drinks. Seeing that Yun Fuyi was dining in the same restaurant, he wanted to teach her a lesson.
Luckily, Wangye had shown up in time, preventing him from accidentally harming the benefactor he wished to protect.
After hearing Wang San’s account, the magistrate asked curiously, “If you were only out of the palace for a drink with a friend, where did you get the bow and arrows?”
“I retrieved them from a private residence I owned. The residence was an inheritance left to me by my godfather before he passed,” like a dam opening up, Wang San confessed everything, revealing not only the address of his private residence but also the identities of his former colleagues who had maintained contact with him.
“Mo Wen, send an order to the Jinwu Guards to arrest all these individuals and conduct a thorough investigation,” Sui Tingheng commanded before turning to Ning Wang. “Imperial Uncle, these were all people who once served Noble Consort Zeng. Do you mind?”
“Of course not.” Ning Wang smiled, “This Wang shares the same sentiment. We must apprehend those disrespectful, treacherous servants at once.”
“This nephew glads you don’t mind, Imperial Uncle.” Sui Tingheng nodded. “I’ll ensure the Jinwu Guards thoroughly inspect Ning Wang Manor. We cannot allow any malicious individuals to remain hidden and pose a threat to you.”
“Your Imperial Highness is truly thoughtful. You must care a lot about Ning Wangye.” Fuyi chimed in, her smile as bright as the morning sun as she made a curtsy. “No wonder everyone holds you in such high esteem.”
Sui Tingheng’s gaze softened. “Miss Yun, you flatter me.”
The officials: “…”
Indeed, it’s very ‘thoughtful’ for His Imperial Highness to seize the opportunity to inspect every inch of Ning Wang Manor.
Fuyi straightened her posture and turned to meet Ning Wang’s gaze. She tilted her head slightly; her smile growing even more radiant. ‘It’s not too late for a gentleman to take his revenge within ten years—but I, Yun Fuyi, am no gentleman, so I take my revenge swiftly and relentlessly.’1
“Your Imperial Highness, although this man intended to assassinate me, he has shown remorse, so could you spare his life and allow him to assist the Jinwu Guard in apprehending the others?”
“As it’s Miss Yun’s request, let’s give him a chance to atone for his crimes,” Sui Tingheng said, signaling for the Jinwu Guard to take Wang San away. “Miss Yun has been through a fright and stayed awake all night. Allow me to escort you home to rest.”
Yun Zhaobai: “…”
‘Excuse me, Your Imperial Highness, but I, her brother, am still standing right here.’
“And Young Master Yun, too, let us go together,” Sui Tingheng nodded slightly at Yun Zhaobai before addressing the officials. “Thank you all for your efforts in this case.”
“It’s our absolute honor to serve the court and people, Your Imperial Highness!” the officials responded as they watched the Prince leave with the Yun siblings. They couldn’t help but marvel once again—what a benevolent prince, treating his mother’s savior with such care, truly a gentleman of virtue!
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Author’s Note:
Fuyi: “I will keep an eye on my enemies and seek revenge… forever.”
Translator’s Note:
Maintain a perfect image, and people will fill in the blank for your actions haha
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