Eunuch Xu, by the Empress Dowager's side, fell ill and stumbled on his way back at night, breaking his head. No one discovered him, and he eventually died from excessive bleeding.
The Empress Dowager was furious about this incident, yet there was no clue to be found. Even the coroner could find no fault, stating plainly that Eunuch Xu had indeed broken his head and died from excessive bleeding.
"Investigate, you must investigate for me. Xu Ruohai, a top-tier expert, capable of dying from a fall while walking? Who would believe such a story?" The Empress Dowager was so angry her heart ached. Eunuch Xu and Eunuch Li were her left and right hands. Now, without rhyme or reason, one arm had been severed, and she hadn't even seen the shadow of an enemy.
"Your servant has already begun the investigation, but despite changing coroners several times, all have declared accidental death. Our men have also found no trace," Eunuch Li said in a low voice. He naturally did not believe Eunuch Xu had simply fallen to his death due to carelessness. It was certain someone had deliberately murdered him. Recalling recent events, Eunuch Li felt this matter was more than likely related to the General's Mansion!
After all, in the Protector General's Mansion, apart from the old madam and a few concubine's daughters who were easily manipulated, who else was easy to handle? Xiao Zhen had always been iron-willed and preferred to meet force with force. Xiao Man, though seemingly arrogant and overbearing, had caused such a commotion in the palace for a few days that the entire harem was in disarray. Yet, she had also become the victim, leading to officials impeaching the Empress Dowager for malicious intent.
"Since returning to the Imperial Capital, the only person I've offended is the General's Mansion," the Empress Dowager gritted her teeth and said. "Xiao Zhen indeed has some skill to dare lay hands on my people."
Eunuch Li did not reply. The Empress Dowager had set her sights on Xiao Zhen; how could he tolerate it? If he endured it, he wouldn't be Xiao Zhen!
"Empress Dowager, your servant believes we should temporarily avoid direct confrontation. The General's Mansion has always been neutral and is highly trusted by His Majesty. They also hold military power. If pushed too far and they choose a side, it would be disadvantageous for us."
The Empress Dowager listened and rubbed her temples with a headache. "Why is this little girl so lucky? How can she not be killed!"
"Empress Dowager, please calm your anger. She is merely a woman of the inner quarters. If His Highness fancies her, why not offer her to His Highness openly? Why create such unpleasantness with His Highness over her, needlessly damaging your relationship."
The Empress Dowager sighed. "Little Li, you haven't understood. It's not that I don't want them together; it's that that vixen never even looked at him from the start!"
Eunuch Li lowered his head. After all, she was Xiao Zhen's cherished daughter. Naturally, she wouldn't look down on a dissolute young man. Prince Qin possessed peerless looks and outstanding strength. Anyone would choose Prince Qin over the dissolute Prince Qi.
"Enough, let's not concern ourselves with her for now. The pressing matter is to seize control of the Ministry of Personnel," the Empress Dowager said slowly. "Be careful lately, I fear the General's Mansion might pose a threat to you."
"Your servant obeys."
Because of Xiao Man's continuous troublemaking and the death of Xu Ruohai, even though she knew who the killer was, the Empress Dowager could only swallow her anger. This pent-up resentment caused her to fall ill, and she did not recover after several days of medication.
Upon hearing the news, Xiao Man couldn't help but click her tongue. "I truly underestimated him. He could eliminate even the Empress Dowager's top expert without anyone noticing, and the Empress Dowager couldn't find fault. If I didn't know Eunuch Xu was an expert, I would almost believe he really fell to his death."
"Miss, there's still one alive."
"He won't live long. Since he promised me, he will undoubtedly fulfill it. Just wait and see. I want to see what other tricks she can pull after losing these two top experts."
In Prince Qin's Mansion, Shan Yuyan watched the preoccupied Prince Qin and smiled faintly. She then put down the soup ladle and left. Liuzhu was somewhat confused by her young lady's attitude.
"Miss, why didn't you take the opportunity to get closer to His Highness Prince Qin?"
"His Highness let me stay in Prince Qin's Mansion because I am an orphan of his old comrades. That is already a great kindness. One cannot be too greedy, for the consequence of greed is losing everything."
"This servant doesn't understand. Miss was sent to Qiongzhou by the Empress Dowager and was bullied by the young ladies and masters of the Liu family there. Now that you finally have Prince Qin as a backer, why not hold on tightly?"
"Liuzhu, do not speak carelessly." Shan Yuyan gave her a warning glance. "The Liu family was kind enough to take in an orphan like me, and they treated me with immense grace. Disputes between young ladies are normal; there's no need to take it to heart."
"Miss, this is not a dispute; they were clearly bullying you on purpose."
"Alright, I don't wish to hear you speak of this anymore. If it were to reach the Empress Dowager's ears, it would inevitably displease her." Shan Yuyan, having lived under others' roofs since childhood, was adept at reading people's expressions. Her arrival in the capital was by the Empress Dowager's decree, and she also wished to uncover the truth behind her parents' deaths. Moreover, who could guarantee that Prince Qin's Mansion did not have the Empress Dowager's spies?
Liuzhu pouted. In her eyes, Prince Qin had always been aloof towards women, yet he personally welcomed her young lady into the mansion, prepared a separate courtyard for her, and assigned people to attend to her meticulously. It was clear he was fond of her. Yet, her young lady was indifferent to everything, even the divine Prince Qin.
"Miss, will we always live in Prince Qin's Mansion?" Su Dan Novel Network
"No," Shan Yuyan said with certainty. "Prince Qin's Mansion is merely a temporary lodging. Once the Empress Dowager selects a suitable husband for me, I will have to move out."
"This servant suspects the Empress Dowager will choose His Highness Prince Qin for Miss," Liuzhu whispered secretly after observing.
Shan Yuyan smiled and shook her head. Prince Qin was proud and arrogant; she had known this since childhood. Her father had been a comrade-in-arms with Protector General Xiao Zhen. When Prince Qin went to war, he went with her father. As a result, her father died on the battlefield, and her mother died in the palace. Her parents' deaths were mysterious, and she was too young to investigate the cause. For so many years, she had endured humiliation, not just to marry into a good family.
Furthermore, Prince Qin was someone she liked. How could she snatch a man from someone she liked?
"Miss Shan." The steward led someone inside. He met Shan Yuyan on the way and quickly bowed.
"Steward Ye." Shan Yuyan returned the bow. The steward of Prince Qin's Mansion was named Ye, and he was only twenty-four years old, a time of great achievement. Yet, he was content to be a steward in Prince Qin's Mansion. She did not believe he lacked ability; on the contrary, only someone capable could hold the position of steward in Prince Qin's Mansion.
"As beautiful as flowers, yet shaming them; as graceful as willows, yet provoking envy. The ancients did not deceive me." Wen Ruyu, shaking his jade fan, looked at Shan Yuyan with a smiling face and said, "Greetings, Miss. I am Wen Ruyu."
"It is said that the young master of the Wen family is as refined as jade, his appearance surpasses Pan An, and his words are as sweet as honey. Seeing you today, it is indeed as the rumors say," Shan Yuyan said slowly. Though her words were clearly teasing, they sounded like praise. The smile on Wen Ruyu's face couldn't help but freeze.