Chapter 15: Victory Achieved?

Chapter 15: Victory?

Ye Wanwan entered the room and took a sip of tea to calm her nerves. She had lost her composure earlier in the heat of the moment. If she had truly gone today, she might be looked down upon in the future.

Suppressing her curiosity, she waited for nearly half an hour before Aunt Lin finally brought the person back.

Yan Chen entered with her head lowered, hair somewhat disheveled. Although her clothes had been tidied, the creases were still obvious. Her face was obscured by her hair, making it hard to see clearly, but a bruise was visible on her chin.

The eunuchs in the Palace of Guan Ju, though they bullied Yan Chen, knew better than to strike the face. After all, she was to serve before the Imperial Consort, and a battered face would be unbecoming.

But the people from the Imperial Household Department were ruthless—they had directly struck her face.

Knowing full well she belonged to the Palace of Guan Ju, they still dared to hit her on the face. Did they not even respect the Imperial Consort?

“I, your servant, am guilty. Please punish me, Your Highness,” Yan Chen immediately knelt and kowtowed, begging for forgiveness.

Ye Wanwan swirled the tea lid leisurely in her hand. She had been anxious before, but now that Yan Chen stood before her, she felt calm—almost amused.

“Did you start the fight?”

Yan Chen replied softly, “Yes.”

“Did you win?”

Yan Chen: “...Yes.”

That focus was truly unexpected.

“Well, winning is good. Losing a fight you started is truly embarrassing.”

Then Ye Wanwan realized she had skipped over something important.

“Why did you fight?”

It was as if someone sighed.

Yan Chen snapped back to reality and stared at the floor. “Eunuch Li lost something of mine, and I couldn’t hold back.”

If anyone else had said that, Ye Wanwan might have believed it. “You’re not the type to lose your temper easily. I want the truth.”

Yan Chen fell silent, then looked up at Ye Wanwan after a long moment. “There’s a grudge. He killed my sworn father and wants me to hand over my father’s journal.”

Yan Chen’s sworn father had spent his life in the palace raising eunuchs. His journal contained all his secrets and knowledge—a lifetime of hard work. It was invaluable to those eunuchs raised in the palace.

Ye Wanwan twisted her lips. “Tsk, I thought you didn’t care about anything. So you do have some spirit.”

She took a sip of tea. “I will handle this matter for you. Now go change your clothes and wipe your face.”

Yan Chen did not move. “Your Highness, the eunuch Li I offended is the sworn son of Eunuch Yuan. I take full responsibility and will not implicate Your Highness.”

Ye Wanwan set down the teacup, still smiling faintly, but the warmth in her eyes darkened. She looked at Yan Chen. “I lack a obedient eunuch, and I must admit you appeal to me, but that doesn’t mean I have to have you.”

Yan Chen finally raised her head to look at Ye Wanwan. She moved her lips but said nothing, then turned and left.

Yan Chen had gone, and soon someone came to fetch her.

“Your Highness, this servant pays respects.”

It was Yuan De, the Chief Eunuch close to the Emperor. Not only in the harem, but even ministers from the previous court had to show him some respect. Yet he had come personally to fetch someone.

Ye Wanwan did not rise but remained polite. “What special occasion brings Chief Eunuch Yuan to the Palace of Guan Ju today?”

Yuan De narrowed his eyes and smiled. “Please don’t blame this servant. I come today because of my worthless godson, who was almost beaten to death by a foul brat. I had no choice but to inquire.”

“Oh? There’s such a matter?”

Yuan De sighed. “If the commotion hadn’t been so serious, I wouldn’t have bothered. But upon investigation, that brat is a cruel and cunning person. Though usually meek and silent, he harbors all sorts of wickedness. Many have suffered by his hand. Even Yan Lu, who raised him but has been bedridden and paralyzed for years, was neglected by him. He even placed poisonous seeds nearby to worsen Yan Lu’s condition, causing a silent death.”

“This servant was horrified to hear this and has already begun an inquiry. Answers should come soon. But now I hear that brat has somehow gained Your Highness’s favor and been transferred to this Palace of Guan Ju. I rushed over immediately.”

Cruel and cunning? Who in the palace isn’t? Especially this person here—whose methods have terrified countless people. What right did he have to judge others?

Ye Wanwan’s eyes narrowed sharply, a cold light flashing within. “Chief Eunuch Yuan, it seems you have come to arrest a criminal in my Palace of Guan Ju.”

Yuan De bowed respectfully. “This servant dares not. I only worry for Your Highness’s safety. Please do not be deceived by his harmless appearance. If Your Highness lacks attendants, I have many clever young eunuchs for Your Highness to choose from. Surely there are better ones than him.”

(End of Chapter)