112 Self-Inflicted Misfortune: No Escape (Part 3)

“Alright, you speak.” Zhang Bitong sat on the cushioned couch, still somewhat impatient. “If it’s just some trivial matter, I won’t spare you.”

“Yes, this matter is of great importance, I swear I won’t disappoint Your Highness.”

Zhang Bitong waved her hand. “Speak quickly.”

Hong Xiu glanced at me. At that moment, I wished I could step forward and silence her, but what could I do now?

“Your Highness, actually—”

“Your Highness, Your Highness!” Hong Xiu’s words were abruptly cut off by Lan Yan and Xiao Yunzi, who hurried in.

Zhang Bitong immediately stood and asked, “Lan Yan, is there news from the Emperor?”

“Your High—”

Before Lan Yan could finish, a sharp voice announced, “Imperial edict has arrived!”

“Ah?” Zhang Bitong quickly rose, and everyone in Cuiwei Palace immediately knelt.

Qiu Ronghai held the imperial edict aloft and approached. “Consort Tong, receive the edict.”

“I am here.”

“Consort Tong has lost her grace, abusing her power to intimidate others. I have decided to punish her. From now on, Consort Tong is demoted to Changzai and must relearn the palace rules as an example. By imperial decree!”

“What?” Zhang Bitong was stunned and collapsed to the ground.

“Changzai Tong, receive the edict!”

“No, I don’t believe it. The Emperor wouldn’t treat me like this. Eunuch Qiu, I must see the Emperor. Eunuch Qiu!”

Qiu Ronghai looked down at Zhang Bitong. “Your Highness, the Emperor has said he does not wish to see you for now. It’s best not to meet him, lest you anger His Majesty further. The consequences would be more severe than merely a demotion.”

“You’re lying! The Emperor would never do this to me! I must go see him—”

“Your Highness.” Yun Qing helped Zhang Bitong up and then said to Lan Yan, “Lan Yan, please assist the Consort back to her chambers.”

“Yes.”

Lan Yan and Xiao Yunzi almost dragged Zhang Bitong inside.

Yun Qing pulled Qiu Ronghai aside and asked, “Eunuch Qiu, you have served the Emperor for so many years. Could you enlighten me? Is there any hope for this situation?”

Qiu Ronghai replied, “What the Emperor means, this humble servant dares not guess.”

Yun Qing slipped some silver coins into Qiu Ronghai’s sleeve and said kindly, “Normally, no one would dare speculate, but you have served His Majesty for so long and know his temper well. I hope you can offer some guidance. If the Consort regains her status one day, she will surely remember your kindness.”

Qiu Ronghai pocketed the silver. “Madam Yun Qing, you flatter me. The Consort’s restoration is only a matter of time. But right now, the Emperor is still angry. He also wants to appease Noble Lady Ya and maintain order, so the Consort must suffer this grievance. After some time has passed and the matter calms down, the Consort can petition the Emperor again, and it will be as if nothing happened.”

Yun Qing bowed quickly. “Thank you, Eunuch Qiu. I understand.”

“I will report back now. You should also advise the Consort not to do anything to anger the Emperor at this critical moment.”

“Thank you for your advice, Eunuch. I will escort Madam Yun Qing.”

“No need, you should go check on the Consort first.”

“Very well.”

After Qiu Ronghai left, Madam Yun Qing approached me, sighing. At that moment, Hong Xiu stepped forward. “Madam Yun Qing, I truly have urgent matters to report to the Consort.”

Yun Qing snapped sharply, “At a time like this? Does the Consort have the heart to listen to you? Hurry to the small kitchen and make some almond dew for the Consort to calm her anger.”

“But—”

“If you don’t go, shall I punish you?”

“I dare not.”

Hong Xiu still looked resentful and cast a hateful glance at me before turning toward the small kitchen in the side courtyard.

“Madam, let me help,” I said.

“Hmm, go ahead.”

I followed Hong Xiu slowly. This time, I was lucky that the imperial edict arrived just in time to silence her. But once she found another chance, she would still tell Zhang Bitong. Then I would surely be doomed.

I must find a way to deal with Hong Xiu. The most effective method was to exploit her weakness—Long Zhan. Yet I felt guilty using Long Zhan to restrain Hong Xiu. Long Zhan had treated me so well; how could I use him for my own ends? But if I didn’t use Long Zhan to keep Hong Xiu in check, what else could I do? Should I handle her like with Xiao Luzi?

I looked at my hands and silently asked myself if I was about to stain them with blood again for my own sake.

But Hong Xiu was different from Xiao Luzi. Even if Xiao Luzi died after betraying Zhang Bitong, no one would investigate. But what pretext could Hong Xiu have to die?

Moreover, though she tried repeatedly to harm me, I remembered how kind she had been when I first arrived and couldn’t bear to see her dead.

After some thought, I decided to destroy the binding cloth that proved I was a woman, then negotiate with her one more time. If she could be reasoned with, all the better. If she remained stubborn, I would make other plans.

With that, I hurried after her.

Hong Xiu didn’t return to her room to secure the binding cloth but went straight to the small kitchen. After she lit the fire, I entered and said, “Sister Hong Xiu, let me help you.”

“No need.” She ignored me and began preparations.

I saw her hide the binding cloth in her arms, a corner exposed. When she went to fetch more firewood, I pretended to stumble, deliberately pushed her, and snatched the cloth, then feigned accident and touched it to the flames.

“Ah! What are you doing?” Hong Xiu rushed to grab it. I was even more anxious and quickly said, “Be careful, Sister Hong Xiu, it might burn you.” Then I threw the cloth into the stove.

Within moments, the binding cloth turned to ashes.

Hong Xiu glared at me fiercely. “You did this on purpose.”

I looked at her innocently. “I really didn’t know what it was. I only wanted to keep Sister Hong Xiu from getting burned. If you’re truly angry, tell me, and I’ll make it up to you.”

Hong Xiu sneered coldly. “How long will you keep pretending, Xiao Xiaozi? You clearly saw what I wanted to tell the Consort, so you took the chance to destroy my evidence. Do you think that’s the end? You’re right here—I could expose your identity to the Consort at any time.”

As I suspected, Hong Xiu really intended to reveal my secret to Zhang Bitong.

I stopped pretending and smiled. “And then? You’ll get rid of me and get close to Lord Long?”

The moment I mentioned Long Zhan, Hong Xiu’s expression tightened. “How do you know?”

“I not only know you’ve admired Lord Long for a long time but also that the handkerchief you treasure belongs to him. I know you hold a grudge against me because of Lord Long.”

Hong Xiu pursed her lips and said, “You know quite a bit. If you know all this, so what? There are plenty of palace maids who adore Lord Long. I haven’t done anything wrong. But you—concealing your gender and hiding in the harem—have committed the crime of deceiving the Emperor. If I expose you, it will be your death sentence.”

I countered, “The Consort keeps me by her side because I’m useful to her, as you can see. Besides, the Consort is fallen now and needs my counsel to regain favor. Don’t think she won’t listen to you now. Even if you reveal me publicly, do you think she’ll punish me? First, she knows I still have value. Second, if this matter surfaces suddenly, it will implicate the Consort, adding to her guilt. Weighing the benefits, do you think the Consort will deal with me or blame you, the servant who only causes trouble for her?”

Hong Xiu snapped, “I don’t care about any of that. I just want to make your life miserable.”

“Actually, there’s nothing between Lord Long and me. Why harbor such hatred? Lord Long doesn’t even know I’m a woman. Do you want this secret to be revealed and then have Lord Long truly fall for me? Hong Xiu, right now, Lord Long would never allow himself to love a eunuch. At most, we’re friends. If you expose me, how will Lord Long view you?”

Hong Xiu hesitated, seemingly swayed by my words.

I said, “To be honest, I didn’t come to this palace with any ulterior motive. It was all a chance occurrence. I can’t say more. But you and I both know how hard it is to be a servant in the harem. Since I came to Cuiwei Palace, you’ve seen the hardships I’ve endured. We both have it tough; why make enemies? We should work together to protect our mistress so we can live peacefully. Infighting will only lead to tragedies like Xiao Luzi’s again.”

“But Xiao Luzi was clearly you.”

“Whether I killed Xiao Luzi is no longer important. The important thing is his fate. Would you rather die quietly in this harem? I won’t. Even if I’m like an ant, I will survive. Only by living is there hope. You have your hopes, and so does Lord Long, don’t you?”

Hong Xiu pondered for a moment and said, “Xiao Xiaozi, your sweet talk has indeed moved me. I won’t expose you for now. But don’t think you’re safe. I can find you, and so can others. Sooner or later, hiding your gender will cost you your life.”

I smiled. “As long as I don’t die because of you, I have no complaints.”

Hong Xiu glanced at me coldly. “Enough. Move aside. I still have to make almond dew for the Consort.”

“Thank you, Sister Hong Xiu.”

She bent to add more firewood, then warned, “I may not expose you, but you’d better stay away from Long Zhan. Even if you’re a eunuch now, you can’t get close to him. If you do, don’t blame me for telling the Emperor. What I can’t have, you can’t touch either.”

I looked down at her, the firelight illuminating her face, revealing a ruthless glint.

I knew Hong Xiu was a hidden danger that would eventually cause trouble. I must carefully consider how to resolve this.