Chapter 692 - 654: Humbly Seeking Guidance

Chapter 692: Chapter 654: Humbly Seeking Guidance

The two little eunuchs on duty were utterly terrified, their round-faced colleague fell to the ground in shock, his face as pale as could be, "Impossible, this is impossible!"

Eunuch Sanbao closed the partition, "It seems there’s a traitor in your Cleansing Room."

"What traitor?" The round-faced eunuch was in a panic. Seeing that Eunuch Sanbao was about to leave, he quickly grabbed his leg, "Grandpa, you have to testify for us. We didn’t steal anything; it’s got nothing to do with us."

"Alright, let go!"

Eunuch Sanbao lightly tapped him away.

"Then... then where did these things go?" The round-faced eunuch released his grip and asked, though he really wanted to express his disgust at whoever would steal from eunuchs of all people.

"Where they went, you should ask Eunuch Hai."

With that, Eunuch Sanbao shook his horsetail whisk and left, leaving the two little eunuchs staring at each other in disbelief.

When he returned to the Eastern Palace, Zhao Xi was still not asleep and asked how the investigation was going.

Eunuch Sanbao reported honestly, "Your Highness, the servants learned from those eunuchs that someone had taken their treasures from the Cleansing Room as a threat. I went to the Cleansing Room, and it was indeed the case; their belongings were gone."

"Who took them?"

Eunuch Sanbao responded, "It’s obvious. Without the permission of Eunuch Hai, no one could take things away under everyone’s watch without being noticed. But if you think about it, if it was just to threaten them, why bother stealing? They could hide the items elsewhere, and it would still throw those old eunuchs into disarray. They are at the end of their lives and care about preserving their bodies after death. If someone uses that as leverage, they would naturally agree to anything."

Zhao Xi replied, "Even if your deduction is correct, why would Eunuch Hai want to harm Wan Qiu?"

Eunuch Sanbao confessed, "The servant will find out as soon as possible."

"Unless... unless the culprit is closely associated with Eunuch Hai and bribed him," Eunuch Sanbao speculated, suddenly brightening up, "It must be so, the servant knows how to investigate now."

——

The next morning, after having breakfast, Song Yuanbao headed to the Imperial City straight to the Eastern Palace. After hearing Eunuch Sanbao’s progress in the investigation, he frowned, "At this rate, the progress is too slow. I’ll help you investigate."

Eunuch Sanbao did not agree, "This matter is full of oddities; it’s best for Young Master Song to stay out of it, lest you catch the scent of trouble."

Song Yuanbao sneered, "Wasn’t the blood on me strong enough when I carried Wan Qiu out yesterday?"

Eunuch Sanbao was taken aback.

Song Yuanbao turned to Zhao Xi, "I believe, like me, Your Highness not only wants to uncover the truth and seek justice for Wan Qiu, but also wishes to rectify this unspeakable culture in the palace lest these eunuchs become too arrogant in the future."

Realizing something, he quickly coughed twice, "Of course, excluding Eunuch Sanbao. You are an upright, kind, and lovely little eunuch, unlike that mob."

Eunuch Sanbao looked at him, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

——

Among the entire case, Gu Yu was the most suspicious, yet so far no incriminating evidence against her could be found.

The Crown Prince had to consider her ties with the Empress, and without evidence, he couldn’t interrogate her lightly. Eunuch Sanbao shared the same concern.

Song Yuanbao, on the other hand, was different. He was notoriously shameless, and even feared his own antics. After snacking at Chengming Hall, he swaggered over to the West Courtyard.

The palace attendants and eunuchs in charge of various affairs of the Eastern Palace were lined up outside, waiting to report to Gu Yu. Some were there to match pairs; some were there to collect silver.

The unexpected arrival of Song Yuanbao startled everyone.

Gu Yu frowned at him, "Why has Young Master Song come?"

"Call me Sir," Song Yuanbao sat down beside Gu Yu, crossing his leg and raising an eyebrow at her, "The Emperor’s appointed."

So Gu Yu had to awkwardly change her address, "What brings you to wander around my little courtyard today, Sir?"

"Bored, came to play with you." Song Yuanbao said, flipping through the account books piled on her desk.

Gu Yu quickly snatched them back, "You won’t understand this; you should be reading the Four Books and Five Classics."

"I don’t understand, but you can teach me, then I’ll know," Song Yuanbao snatched the ledger back from her. As he casually flipped through it, it was just procurement records that usually bored him to sleep, a list of items and prices that seemed dull and tasteless.

Gu Yu really didn’t understand why this guy suddenly visited. If she tried to chase him away, he might claim to be the Emperor’s appointed Sir. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t be able to conduct her affairs properly today.

While she was thinking this, Song Yuanbao’s voice came from the side, "There are so many people waiting outside; why did you stop? It’s cold out, don’t let those lovely sisters freeze. Cold damaged faces wouldn’t look good."

Gu Yu’s mouth twitched. She had no choice but to temporarily ignore Song Yuanbao’s presence and let the people outside continue to come in and report.

The first person to come in was the gardener. He reported that with spring approaching, they planned to plant some seasonal flowers in the Eastern Palace garden and needed to withdraw some silver.

Song Yuanbao said, "Planting flowers is great, plant some in Aunt’s courtyard too."

Gu Yu said, "I already have flowers in my courtyard; I don’t need more."

"If not flowers, then plant grass!" Song Yuanbao smiled at her, "What do you think about sword grass?"

Gu Yu’s face darkened.

Song Yuanbao, as if oblivious to her reaction, continued, "Don’t look down on it because it doesn’t look like much when young. Once it grows, it’ll look like dozens of swords have grown in a pot, quite a spectacle. Oh right, sword grass can also cure ailments like forgetfulness, mental sluggishness, ear closure, and emotional distress. You’re always busy with Eastern Palace affairs, prone to illness, you definitely need it. Hey, you, when planting flowers, remember to plant some sword grass in Aunt’s courtyard, plant ten or eight pots; it’s good for her."

Insulting someone in such a roundabout way—no one does it quite like this.

Those outside who understood were holding back their laughter, faces turning red with strain.

Starting with the word "cheap" and not letting it go, Gu Yu was nearly driven to fury. But now she managed the Eastern Palace’s servants and affairs; if she lost her temper, it would make her seem unstable and unsteady, losing face as well as composure.

Taking a deep breath, Gu Yu forced a smile, "I’m only in my twenties; where’s this illness coming from. Sir must have drunk too much and come here to talk nonsense, no?"

"Twenty-something what?" Song Yuanbao asked earnestly, "Aunt, you need to be clear; twenty-one is more, and twenty-eight is also more. But more of one year and more of seven or eight years are completely different matters."

Gu Yu had mentioned her age inadvertently, never expecting Song Yuanbao to seize on it. She was so angry her lips trembled, "Sir is knowledgeable and reasonable; surely you understand that casually asking a young woman’s age is impolite."

"Oh no, oh no!" Song Yuanbao tossed the ledger aside, hugging her arm and acting coquettishly, "I’m the younger generation; you’re the aunt. If I ask you, it’s not an offense, but rather humbly seeking knowledge. Not telling me is bullying the child."

Gu Yu: "..."

"Aunt..." Song Yuanbao’s eyes blinked with curiosity.

A master at playing innocent and charming to deceive women, Song Yuanbao acted so petulantly that even Gu Yu couldn’t quite handle it. She shook off his hand, "Stop it. So many people are waiting for me to handle matters. If you keep acting up, I’ll tell the Prince and have him throw you out."

Song Yuanbao pouted, "It’s not the first time he’s thrown me out; I’d get used to it after a few more times."

Gu Yu looked at him speechlessly.

Song Yuanbao stretched and yawned, "Aunt, I’m tired; I want to sleep in your room for a while."

"Nonsense!" Gu Yu frowned, "How can you enter a young woman’s boudoir?"

Song Yuanbao huffed, "My Aunt Jia is only seventeen, and when I visited their home, she would let me sleep in her room if I was tired. Why can’t I do the same with you? Do you have something to hide in your room?"

Gu Yu was truly getting annoyed by him, "Fine, fine, here’s the key. Go, go, stop bothering me."

With the key in hand, Song Yuanbao chuckled, "Thank you, Aunt."

He then walked casually towards Gu Yu’s room.

Despite being eight to nine years older than those in the East Courtyard, her room was still decorated like a young girl’s, full of pink hues everywhere.

On the three-legged table in the interior, stood an incense burner with an auspicious beast design, burning incense with a strong fragrance. Song Yuanbao nearly fled from the scent, but he scrunched his nose and, taking advantage of Gu Yu not being there yet, started searching around, thoroughly turning the room upside down, yet he found no clue at all.