Lady Chu never expected that Eunuch Ruan Ming, who usually seemed so unremarkable, could be such a formidable person. Before her shock had settled, her neck was ruthlessly gripped by him. As Ruan Ming’s grip tightened, Lady Chu’s complexion turned glaringly red. Veins bulged and speech became slurred. Her whole body was lifted like a helpless chick. Her eyes were filled with terror as she begged Ruan Ming to spare her. Unfortunately, Ruan Ming was not a man to pity beauty. He scoffed coldly, devoid of any emotion as he spoke. "Daring to threaten the Lady and the Liu Family, you’re not the first, but those before you have all met grim ends! Lady Chu, if you had come with me today, you might have retained your life, but now, I’ve changed my mind. Leaving you alive is a peril; I’ll just send you off." Having said this, he exerted force, and a cracking sound was heard. Lady Chu, who had been struggling bitterly, went completely limp like a kite with its string cut. His hand released, and she slipped from Ruan Ming’s grasp. She had no breath left. Even in death, she didn’t understand why she had to die. Sadly, her time living was abruptly ended. The little eunuchs present were Ruan Ming’s trusted confidants. They saw clearly how she died. Yet none felt the slightest pity; instead, they shared a sense of gratification. When a wall collapses, everyone pushes. When a tree falls, the monkeys scatter. Here, it was just too fitting a description. Huang Boli, perceptive as he was, called some people over to lift Lady Chu’s corpse and slammed it against a pillar. This collision naturally covered her head and face with blood. The bluish-purple bruising on Lady Chu’s neck no longer mattered. "Lady Chu had high ambitions, and Eunuch Ruan merely wanted to take her back for questioning. She stubbornly insisted on her innocence and died by throwing herself against a pillar, a real pity." Huang Boli’s words even found an excuse for her death. Poor Lady Chu lived these few years without truly understanding anything, and now she was gone. Ruan Ming glanced at Huang Boli with approval. "You did well. I’ll inform Her Majesty to bring you forward for service." Huang Boli kneeled in gratitude while Ruan Ming did not idle. He spoke immediately. "Gather the body properly. There’s no need for me to tell you what to do, right?" "Rest assured, Eunuch. Suicide within the palace is a grave sin and will put their family in jeopardy. Therefore, Lady Chu’s actions put the Chu Family in danger. I’ll have this courtyard burnt, leaving not a trace." "Good, go do your work." Fortuitously, the heavens assisted with a heavy rain that night. The way lightning and thunder came down looked as though heaven intended to punish some great evil. In Princess Consort Yi’s courtyard, the lights were dim and sparse. Ruan Ming didn’t hide anything from Princess Consort Yi, for indeed they were on the same boat. "Your servant took personal action, and she’s thoroughly dead." "Dead is dead, saving us the trouble of her living, making the palace uneasy. Do not let the news spread, lest it be known by those who might exploit it, causing unnecessary trouble." "Yes, Your Majesty, rest assured. I will personally handle Lady Chu’s corpse, leaving no evidence." Back when Third Young Master Liu escaped from prison, Ruan Ming was the one to settle the matter. His methods were clean and precise, leaving no trace. So Princess Consort Yi felt assured with him handling this matter. The only displeasure was these two occurrences colliding. It wasn’t impossible that the Emperor would take away her Authority of Palace. Ruan Ming discerned Princess Consort Yi’s concerns and immediately reassured her. "Rest assured, Your Majesty, the Marquis will arrive in Shengjing City in a few days, and once he’s back, you’ll secure your position within the harem." At this, Princess Consort Yi found reason and felt less irritation. Compared to before, her impatience diminished significantly. Overnight, Bai Pin and Lady Chu’s courtyard burnt until no blade of grass remained. Lightning struck there, and even amidst heavy rain, it burned fiercely. Huang Boli had drenched the place with kerosene, ensuring the fire wouldn’t stop. It spread to the two adjoining courtyards, nearly causing Ming’s untimely death as she peacefully sought to retreat there. When she was rescued from the flames, her body bore many injuries. Her left cheek and neck were in utter disarray. Even with careful treatment, scars were inevitable. Everyone present understood at that moment that Ming had lost favor. Pitifully, she hadn’t regained consciousness yet, or she might prefer death over such disgrace. Within the Imperial Palace, Qian’an Hall. Geng Caiyou from the Classical Examination Department delivered the news before the Emperor, and he felt faint. Bai Pin was dead, as was Lady Chu. For origınal chapters go to 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝕟𝕖𝕥 Yi Changzai was captured, likely anticipating severe torture. Ming was injured, still undergoing treatment. Four people suffered misfortune at once, not to mention Princess Consort Ying’s worsening condition. As he knelt, he feared like a drumbeat in his heart. Unfortunately, the Emperor’s concern differed from his. "Eunuch Ruan Ming dared to lethally harm a noble in the traveling palace directly. It reveals the belligerence of those from the Northwest Marquis Mansion." Remembering the impending encounter with the Marquis of Northwest, the Emperor felt deep aversion. Old, stubborn, tyrannical. Such were his vivid impressions of the Marquis of Northwest. Following the military restructuring, he hadn’t seen the Marquis of Northwest since. Counting the years, several had passed. Thus, a cunning smile appeared on his lips. Previously, he was weak and couldn’t withstand the Marquis of Northwest’s dominance, but now he wanted the world to see who was the true enlightened monarch! "Keep the news sealed, and at the opportune moment, let the Marquis hear of it, showing him how the Liu Family defies palace rules." "Yes, I understand, Your Majesty." Their Classical Examination Department specialized in such clandestine matters; thus, if they could discover it, they could certainly preserve evidence. Only after withdrawing did the Emperor summon Dong Yuzhong. "Convey my decree: bury Bai Pin and Lady Chu properly. As for Yi Changzai, demote her to Lady, confine her within the traveling palace, and cease further harsh interrogations." The Emperor knew Yi Changzai was falsely accused, but under current circumstances, investigating further would only reveal more royal scandals. Hence, he let it pass. Three deaths, one disgrace, one demotion—this August was far from peaceful. Fortunately, occurring within the traveling palace, people like Lin Wanyi, in confinement, remained ignorant. On this day, the Emperor came to see Lin Wanyi. Openly entering through the main gate of Yihua Palace.