Palace Fighting Naive Concubines’ Ascent to Power
Chapter 545 Knocking on the Table

Chapter 545: Chapter 545 Knocking on the Table

Xiao Shunzi’s heart skipped a beat, fearing that his hatred had shown through. Controlling himself not to survey his surroundings, he started to ponder on countermeasures and escape plans. Yet he knew, with Xia Lei’s martial arts training, he stood no chance of winning.

As his thoughts raced, Xia Lei handed him a hefty silver ingot. "I told you, I wouldn’t let you down. Take this silver for now, do the job well and there will be plenty more rewards after."

Xiao Shunzi felt bewildered, staring incredulously at the silver in his hand. He had thought their relationship had soured beyond repair, but to his surprise, Xia Lei had stopped him to give him silver.

He didn’t trust Xia Lei’s words; he didn’t believe Xia Lei would let him live till the end. However, he was helpless and could only wait until he left this place to think of a solution.

Having been chosen by Xia Lei to handle such a critical task proved that he wasn’t foolish.

With the silver in hand, he feigned a joyous expression, appearing somewhat reassured amidst his fear. After struggling for a moment, he gritted his teeth, and his tone became firmer. "Brother Xia Lei, I trust you. Don’t worry, I will handle this matter meticulously. All I ask is that you spare my family."

Xia Lei missed none of his expressions, satisfied that his carrot-and-stick approach was working. "Of course. Go now, and be careful."

Xiao Shunzi stuffed the silver into his chest, nodded heavily, then slipped away as sneakily as he had arrived.

Once the man had gone, a hint of contempt flashed in Xia Lei’s eyes. He could certainly detect Xiao Shunzi’s initial resentment. Not hating him would have been abnormal. Offering the silver was merely to make Xiao Shunzi believe he would keep his word, giving him a glimmer of hope, making it easier to control him. Xia Lei never intended to let him survive the day.

A person like Xiao Shunzi might have a bit of cunning and be blinded by greed, which made him useful but also problematic. Unlike Xia Lei, who was not of the same heart, these people could easily betray him. So before using someone like Xiao Shunzi, he made sure to be well-prepared, holding his weaknesses and his family firmly in his grasp to ensure obedience.

Had it not been impossible to borrow the Noble Consort’s influence and if there had been a handyman in the Punishment Bureau, he wouldn’t have resorted to using a person like Xiao Shunzi.

The recent purges in the Harem had impacted those who had been lying low for years. If it had been during the Late Emperor’s reign, eliminating a consort would have been a trivial matter.

After waiting a while, seeing no commotion outside, Xia Lei straightened his clothes and strolled out as if nothing had happened.

The more noise in the palace, the more convincing the trouble at Canglan Court would seem. What did sacrificing a few people matter?

The message had been sent out, and with his cautiousness in handling matters, except for that girl who was too crucial, he personally took action; otherwise, he always manipulated from the shadows. Each person was controlled by a separate line to ensure nobody could betray another.

Once that girl was dead, he would be truly safe.

Amidst the Harem, a storm was brewing.

Along the palace path, Zhang Qing led a few Young Eunuchs, hurrying back at a brisk pace.

He wiped the sweat from his brow; the return journey had been anything but easy. Making his way through the crowded streets with a horse carriage had been painstaking, and he had only just made it back.

He knew something significant had happened, as everyone he passed seemed in a hurry. On the way, he questioned several members of the Punishment Bureau and learned that they had all been mobilized to arrest someone, which quickened his pace even more.

The Star Palace was now within sight. A Young Eunuch, one who had been on duty at Canglan Court today, rushed up to him.

After hearing what the Young Eunuch had to say, Zhang Qing narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp and ruthless. He addressed his companions, "You have the time it takes half an incense stick to burn to change out of these clothes and assemble here. Everyone else, secure all areas. Go."

"Yes."

Having given the command, Zhang Qing headed straight to his quarters without looking back, ready to change into the Imperial Chief Steward’s attire and carry out the task His Majesty had entrusted to him.

The eunuchs of the Star Palace sprang into action, each heading in different directions.

Inside Canglan Court.

After seeing Consort Xu De off, Lian Hua turned and walked back to the Side Hall.

Seeing the Emperor with an expressionless face, eyes closed in contemplation, tapping his fingers on the table as if lost in thought, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor.

She came to a halt, glanced around a few times, then thought better of it and tiptoed into the room.

She walked to the other side of the Emperor and sat down, propping her chin with her hands and watching him in silence. Not uttering a word, she just sat there, not feeling bored in the least.

After a while, seeing that the Emperor hadn’t reacted, her eyebrows seemed to twitch. Feeling mischievous, she couldn’t resist and waved her hand in front of his face.

Seeing still no reaction, she brazenly mimicked the Emperor’s rhythm of tapping on the desk, placing her hands on it and starting to knock, "tap, tap, tap, tap."

Inside the Side Hall, the sound of tapping on the table, "tap, tap, tap, tap," filled the room.

The corners of the Emperor’s mouth slowly curled up, and he continued to tap on the desk, thinking to himself that his little habit had been perfectly copied by Little Concubine.

He had noticed her presence as soon as she entered the room, but he just wanted to see how she would react.

After tapping for a while, Lian Hua cocked her head to one side and saw that the Emperor still hadn’t opened his eyes. She thought he should have noticed by now; she had been so deliberate, so why hadn’t he realized her presence?

Unable to resist, she stopped tapping and reached out to shake his hand again. Before she could retract her hand, it was caught in a firm grip, and at the same time, the Emperor opened his eyes and looked at her with a smile.

Lian Hua laughed, "Your Majesty, you noticed me coming in long ago, didn’t you?"

"Mmm," the Emperor responded as he kneaded her hand.

Lian Hua couldn’t help but tickle his palm, "Your Majesty, are you alright?" She noticed he looked a bit tired.

"I’m fine," he reassured her.

That was reassuring to her, and she asked another question, "How are things going?"

"All is well."

"Good," she replied, satisfied with his answers. Done with practical matters, she couldn’t resist sizing up the Emperor from head to toe.

Still feeling unsatisfied, she pulled her hand away, stood up, and stepped in front of him to take a closer look, unable to stop herself from saying, "Your Majesty, have I not mentioned how good you look in those clothes?"

She walked circles around him, touching here, examining there. She even fiddled with the amethyst crown on his head, full of curiosity and admiration, clicking her tongue in appreciation.

The Emperor found her actions amusing and was somewhat comforted. He sat upright, letting her look at him as she pleased.

He had originally thought she would ask a few more questions, but to his surprise, after that one serious question, she shifted her attention to other things.

He had been in a rush to come back, had not yet changed his clothes, had gone to uncover the full story, and had made arrangements one by one, and now, finally, he had some time to himself.

"How good looking?" he asked along with her line of thought.

Lian Hua touched her chin and appraised him, "Very good looking indeed, like a refined young master, giving off a completely different aura from usual. How does that saying go again? Uh, let me think..."

She rubbed her chin as she tried to remember, thinking the phrase was very fitting, although it was somewhat fuzzy in her memory.

The Emperor looked at her with indulgence, "Take your time."

Eager to see how she would compliment him.

Before leaving the palace, Hu Miaomiao had also commented that his attire made him look like a noble young master, predicting that his Little Concubine would be dazzled upon seeing him. At the time, he had been curious to show her, but after returning and getting busy, he had forgotten about it. Now that the important matters were settled, they finally had some free time to be alone together.