Be Modest,My Master of Imperial Guards

Snow-white glutinous rice flour was sieved into a bright basin with some white oil dripped in. Adding in warm water and a little milk, a girl stirred with her full strength using her fine and slim hands. A few moments later, a round white fat dough began to form in her hands.

Her slim fingers landed on the smooth surface of the dough. She nipped off the dough bit by bit. She kneaded the smaller bits repeatedly in her hands and then gently pressed them. All the smaller bits then each turned into flat cakes.

She held the flat cake in one hand and quickly added in the filling made with peanuts, sesame, preserved sweet oranges, and sugar. Her fingers danced on the cake and skillfully closed the cake and made it round. In no time, a tiny crystal glutinous sweet dumpling was made.

Gu Yunxi had just made the tenth sweet dumplings when she got whacked in the back of her head.

Nanny Sun, who was in charge of the kitchen, squeezed a towel in her hand and yelled at Gu Yunxi rudely,

"You useless piece of sh*t! What took you so long to make some sweet dumplings? The wok on the stove has been heating forever! Move your ass and go check on it!"

"Yes, yes. Don't get mad, Nanny Sun. I'll go now. I'll go now."

Gu Yunxi bowed repeatedly, apologizing to the clamoring Nanny Sun.

"This woman is big and tall, so strong and so short-tempered. If she got mad, she would really beat me up," Gu Yunxi thought.

Running to the stove in haste, Gu Yunxi rolled up her selves. She grabbed and lifted the heavy wood wok lid with both of her hands using her full strength.

The hot wave blew on her face, making her cough.

"Crap, the water has dried out! I'll definitely get punished by Nanny Sun now!" Gu Yunxi thought.

Gu Yunxi ran to the water vat in a panic to scoop up some water and again ran back to the wok to pour in the water. All of a sudden, the cold water reached the scalding wok and set off rounds of harsh sounds. A gust of white smoke rose from the wok and scattered around the kitchen.

"You little sh*t! Can't do anything right!"

Nanny Sun became furious as Gu Yunxi expected. She raised her iron-like hand that was rougher than a washboard and gave Gu Yunxi's ear a hard twist.

"You useless are sabotaging us on purpose, aren't you?! We are all busy working inside and outside here. Yet you just keep creating messes. Are you looking for trouble?"

"Nanny Sun, I didn't mean it! I'm not sabotaging. Please let me go. I beg you."

Gu Yunxi's ear was in grave pain because of the twist. She couldn't help but cried and begged while stepping back, trying to escape the hand.

Nanny Sun was not letting go but pushing forward. Looking at how Gu Yunxi cried in pain, instead of feeling pity, she felt a great sense of satisfaction. She raised her other iron hand and whacked on Gu Yunxi's head in full strength.

While retreating, Gu Yunxi stepped on the feet of a cook who was killing a chicken. The cook howled in pain and let go of the chicken in his hand. The chicken that was half-dead and hadn't bled out flapped its wings and flew in the middle of this chaos. All the chicken blood just splattered on Gu Yunxi's dress.

Gu Yunxi opened her eyes wide in shock and stared at the bright red marks on her dress. She felt the sky spinning in front of her eyes and she passed out.

----Dividing Line----

An unfamiliar world, many unfamiliar faces. The snow blew...

Screams like thunder pound the eardrum. Red blood was everywhere the eyes could see. People around were waving the weapons and killing each other in frantic.

"Who am I? Who am I?"

A girl stood stiffly in this chaos. She was about five years old. Two buns on her head were already out of shape. She stared absently at all the bodies that collapsed around her. Her eyes were at a loss and full of fear.

The earth was tainted by blood. Its warmth melted the ice and snow. The girl stood in the middle of this hell-like blood pool. She cried and she prayed.

All these unfamiliar smells rushed into her nose. She was too young to know that was what the rust on the knives mixed with blood smelt like.

"Where am I? What are all the adults doing?"

The girl slowly opened up her mouth in fear. But looking at all these people with ferocious faces who were covered in blood, she couldn't get a single sound out. In her chest, the sound of something pounding was getting louder. She felt like something was about to jump out of her throat.

Her world suddenly changed. When she finally pulled herself together again, she found out she was being carried on the back of a tall and strong man.

She couldn't see his face clearly as it was half-covered by a bamboo hat. She could only hear his anxious voice,

"Don't be scared, Ruo. Hold on tight! You have to hold on tight!"

While he was speaking, he twisted his left arm back and held on to the girl. He waved the broadsword with golden rings using his right hand. The broadsword flew in the wind, killing countless people and horses that rushed forward.

"Who is he?"

The girl was confused, but her eyes were hurt by some cold glaring white lights soaring into the sky. She couldn't help but closed her eyes tightly.

After a violent bump and a faint hum, the girl felt like her body suddenly lost support and she fell slowly.

She looked on the ground and saw an amputated limb.

"Ah!"

She finally screamed out...

-

"Yunxi, Yunxi, wake up."

Gu Yunxi opened her eyes to the calling, with her forehead full of sweat.

Beside her bed, her elder sister, Gu Yunyao was holding the candlestick in her hands and looking at Gu Yunxi with worry.

"Sister..."

Gu Yunxi rolled over and sat up slowly.

The moon shone on Gu Yunxi's pale face. Her delicate face and her graceful body all looked sick and weak.

"Oh, it's good that you are awake. Don't catch a cold again. Look at all your sweat..."

While speaking, Gu Yunyao put the candlestick on the pedal under the bed and pulled up the quilt to cover Gu Yunxi.

Among the three sisters, Gu Yunyao was born with a round face. Her skin was white like the porcelain; her face was beautiful like the peach blossom; her posture was graceful like a goddess. Since little, she and Yunxi were the closest.

"Are you having a nightmare again?"

Picking up the handkerchief by the pillow, Gu Yunyao wiped the sweat off Gu Yunxi's forehead and asked.

"Yeah..." Gu Yunxi nodded.

"You are just too soft. Always accommodate yourself to others and never refuse. Any nanny and maid can give you a hard time. The Garden already has enough people, yet they have to get you to help in the kitchen. You always faint when you see blood. And they got you sick again! Speaking of which, this is really Nanny Gu and Yunjin's fault..."

"Sister, keep your voice down!"

Gu Yunxi stretched out her neck as usual and looked over at the bedroom in the inner room. There was no movement on the bed. Gu Yunxi felt relieved and looked back.

"Be careful with your words, sister. Yunjin won't be happy when she hears it."

Even though Gu Yunxi said this, deep down in her heart, she really appreciated Yunyao's care.

"You are just too nice. Always putting others before yourself."

"This is really what I think. The two of you study hard every day, practicing guqin (Chinese zither) and dance. But I don't do anything because of my sickness. Thanks to Nanny Gu and you two that I am still here. How can I complain?"

"You don't need to look down upon yourself. Take care of your health. That sickness would eventually go away."

Gu Yunxi's sincere words were making Gu Yunyao sorrowful. She quickly wiped her tears away. She smiled and said to Gu Yunxi,

"Enough talking. There's still sometime before dawn. Let's go back to bed and have some rest. Tomorrow is Yunjin's birthday and we'll have dinner in the Garden. It's gonna be busy. In the evening, the Lord will come. You have to pull it together."

While talking, Gu Yunyao pulled apart the quilt around Gu Yunxi's body and helped her lie down. She tucked Gu Yunxi up, picked up the candlestick, and went back to her bed.

It was just past 11 p.m. The Garden was all in silence. Without all the people coming back and forth and all the instruments performing, at this moment, with the quite moon shining, this mansion showed a unique elegance and beauty, just like its name – Youzhu (Tranquil Building).

Gu Yunxi couldn't fall asleep. She listened to the water dripping on the hourglass and reminisced the past.

Since she could remember, Yunyao, Yunjin, and she lived in "Youzhu", the Garden, which was managed by Nanny Gu. They studied guqin, Go chess, calligraphy, drawing, and etiquette from her. Among the three, Yunyao was the eldest, Yunjin was the youngest, and Yunxi was in the middle.

"Youzhu" was called the Garden. It was a mansion that was specifically used to cultivate young girls for the royalty of Dayi, who would serve in the Palace when they came of age. The manager of the Garden, Nanny Gu, used to be a maid who was the former rank five official of the Music Office in the Palace.

Yunyao, Yunxi, and Yunjin all took Nanny Gu's last name, but they were not her own blood. According to Nanny Gu, they were all orphans that stranded in the city during the famine years. They were brought to this peaceful and elegant Youzhu by that kind Lord and were given to Nanny Gu to raise. Just because of that, their statuses were higher than any other girl in the Garden.

In the future, like most of the girls here, among them, the ones who were talented and skillful would be taken to the inner Palace that was just over the wall. If they were lucky enough to get picked by the emperor and rose up to join the imperial harem, they could use this supreme glory to repay Nanny Gu and the Lord for bringing them up.

Gu Yunxi realized a long time ago that she was not going to get to the Palace.

She was born with sickness. When she saw blood, she passed out and then it led to a fever. Among all the suffering, the most painful one was her period every month.

Even if she was the stupidest person in the world, with all the hinting and sarcasm Nanny Gu dropped every day, Gu Yunxi knew that in other people's eyes, she was born useless.

Even if she could enter the door of the Palace, with her weak body, she would definitely be eliminated by the nannies in charge in the first round.

Every day, Nanny Gu put all her attention on Yunyao and Yunjin. She was extremely strict with their guqin and dancing skills. She counted on them to become something one day so that she would have someone to depend on when she got old.

But when she faced Yunxi, who was naturally useless, she just left her aside and ignored her.

Lying on the bed, thinking about all the unfair things that happened, Gu Yunxi stared at the top beam emptily and sighed in this quiet night of early autumn.

Today was the fourteenth birthday of Gu Yunjin, the third miss of the Garden. Nanny Gu specially prepared a banquet, waiting for the Lord to come and celebrate together in the evening. Since the morning, the whole Garden had been busy preparing for Yunjin's birthday. Everyone was cheerful and everything was perfect.

Among the three sisters, besides the eldest sister Yunyao was brought into the sub-residence when she was six and had memories, the other two were still four or five years old kid when they came. They didn't remember their birthdays, so Nanny Gu just made the days they came their birthdays.

Among the three, although Yunjin was the youngest, she was the prettiest, so she was Nanny Gu's favorite. Nanny Gu believed that if one day Yunjin was to enter the Palace, she would be the one that was most likely to get the emperor's affection and rise up in the Palace.

She was just fourteen, but she already built up a nice curve. Her tiny face was pink and lovely like a ripe peach. Below her curve and slim eyebrows were two clear and watery eyes that were charming and lively. A tiny red mole was just above her cherry-like mouth. She looked like a goddess from a beautiful painting. She was born with a smile on her face, yet you could sense the unruly and arrogant burst among her sexy charms.

"Eat faster, you guys. And practice the 'Wind Feather and Rainbow Skirt' dance prepared for the Lord again after you finish...Where were you, Ling? Quickly, eat your breakfast. If you miss the time, I'll strike you..."

Nanny Gu was busy working everywhere, wishing she could split up into more selves.

At such a time, Gu Yunxi didn't dare to bother Nanny Gu. She fainted for blood the other day. Now nobody dared to have her in the kitchen. Gu Yunxi knew she was an eyesore, so she stood up and decided to go back to her bedroom in the inner residence.

"I'll go with you. I need to grab a robe anyway."

Gu Yunyao stood up and said to Yunxi.

"You sit, sister. I'll go get it for you."

Gu Yunxi knew Gu Yunyao was afraid to catch a cold after dancing and sweating, so she needed a robe. Gu Yunxi was not doing anything, so she volunteered to help Gu Yunyao get the rope.

"Don't bother. Let's go together."

Gu Yunyao smiled at Gu Yunxi and held her hand. They walked together to the inner residence. Along the way, Gu Yunyao said to Yunxi,

"Silly girl, you're not my maid. Why trouble you to go and return?"

"I just thought it's probably not okay that I'm not doing anything. You can practice dancing, but I..."

Gu Yunxi stopped walking and looked sullen.

Gu Yunyao shook her head lightly and sighed bitterly,

"What's the point in learning all those things just to serve man? You are just worrying too much. Listen to me. It's best to be peaceful and quiet."

Gu Yunyao finished speaking, held Yunxi's hand, and continued walking. They walked past a parterre.

A young gardener was there, bending over and trimming a Chinese rose with scissors. Seeing the two sisters coming this way, he immediately dropped his work, stood up-right, and started looking at them.

Gu Yunyao seemed to slow down intentionally. She glanced at the gardener secretly and swiftly looked back on the road. Blushes quietly climbed on her checks.

Gu Yunxi had her head down and only focused on walking, so she didn't pay any attention to all this. She walked into her bedroom and saw Yunyao pick up her rope and leave.

----Dividing Line----

When the Country of Dayi was first established, the government set up a special political institution- Eastern Depot. It was led by the Seal Keeper and the emperor's trusted Inner Chief. It specialized in monitoring and inspecting all the officials in the government who had spread fallacies. Eastern Depot set up an independent Torture Hall to torture and interrogate the suspects. The emperor particularly gave Eastern Depot the power to act before asking.

In the second year of the Jingxiao emperor, Eastern Depot and the Imperial Guards merged. The public called it "Depot Guards". The current position of the Master was filled by the Eunuch of Stamp in Etiquette and Law Department. He had a quite elegant and special name- Leng Qingtang.

The sky had just turned dark when Youzhu Garden became lively. Big round lanterns were lit up inside and outside the garden. Soft carpets filled up the hallway, waiting for the important guest to come. Tonight, this guest they were waiting for was the current Master of Eastern Depot and the same "Lord" that Nanny Gu constantly talked about. He was also the one that secretly entrusted Yunyao, Yunxi, and Yunjin to Nanny Gu.

Nanny Gu and the crowd waited by the door of the sub-residence. Before long, they heard steps approaching the door from afar and stopped in front of the door.

"Halt the sedan. The Master has arrived!"

A loud voice came through the scarlet door. The crowd immediately rushed forward.

"My honorable Master, you finally came!"

Nanny Gu stepped over the threshold with big smiles on her face. Gu Yunyao and Yunjin followed her out.

At the same time, the curtain of the sedan was lifted. An armed guard hurriedly stepped forward and supported a man out of the sedan.

This man wore a light blue brocade robe. On the chest embroidered a sliver four-claw boa with scales like a flood dragon. He wore a tall black hat made by yarn with a curled-up dragon pattern and a pair of shoes with inlaid jade.

Looking at him, he had some strong features, a pale but smooth face; eyebrows that slightly went up by the end; sharp eyes with infolded eyelids. His high nose bridge was flawless and the corner of his mouth slightly went up. He looked indifferent yet gave people breathtaking pressures.

Most of the eunuchs in the Palace, because of the emasculation, their bodies and acts all turned feminine. But this was not the case for Leng Qingtang. His acts were elegant yet never feminine. He was not a young man, but his handsomeness and charm remained. Not only that, but he also had a unique temperament of calm and profound that only belonged to people who had a great experience in the world.

Seeing Leng Qingtang, Nanny Gu and Gu Yunjin approached him first.

"My Lord, you finally came. Come inside. I've been waiting for a long time..."

Nanny Gu was pretty when she was young. Yet time flies, now the marks of time had crawled over her face. When she put on a big smile, the wrinkles couldn't be hidden no matter how many layers of powder she put on her face.

"Master! I've missed you!"

Gu Yunjin held Leng Qingtang's arm.

"You girl, behave! All these people are watching!"

Nanny Gu scowled and scolded Gu Yunjin. She glanced at the guards standing behind the sedan and looked back to Yunjin, hinting her not to offend the guest.

Leng Qingtang's voice was not the kind that was feminine and sweet, making people question his gender, but clear and loud. He smiled and said,

"It's OK. I haven't seen you for some time. You've grown taller..."

While talking, he turned his head around and searched in the crowd, but he couldn't find Gu Yunxi.

"Where's Yunxi?" he paused and asked.

"This girl is a troublemaker! She fainted over blood yesterday again. Now she is having a fever and lying on her bed."

Nanny Gu answered with a look of dislike.

"Really? Did you get a doctor for her?" Leng Qingtang asked closely, showing quite an attention.

"Yes, of course! My Lord, you are the kindest. Rest assured with the girls in my hand. Let's not stand here and talk. Please go inside. I have prepared food and drinks. Let's talk inside."

Nanny Gu smiled obsequiously, leading Leng Qingtang into the sub-residence. Two guards with flat hats and purple suits followed. Other guards were led to another room to eat by other managers.

The East Hall, "Xianji Tower", was covered by embroidered carpets. When stepping on it, it felt exceptionally soft. Underneath the lights were blooming flowers. The fragrance of the flowers was mixed with the delicious smell of the food. It was even more intoxicating than the wine.

In the middle were two tables. Leng Qingtang, the Master of the Eastern Depot was in the master seat. Gun Yunjin sat with him and on the other side sat Nanny Gu. Gu Yunyao sat beneath them.

The other table sat Cheng Wanli who was a Chiliarch in the Eastern Depot, his apprentice, an armed close guard, Xiao Xiaoshen, and two maids and the male manager of the sub-residence.

Leng Qingtang was 27 years old, almost approaching his thirties. He had been the Eunuch of Stamp in Imperial Ceremony Office, Commander-in-chief of Depot Guards, and Commander-in-chief of Imperial Guards for ten years.

He was only 17 when he held the post of Eunuch of Stamp in Imperial Ceremony Office. He had enormous power in hand because he was decisive and resolute. He was versed in both civil and military affairs. He also solved multiple mysterious cases and made great contributions to the government. Then he secretly connected with the emperor's favorite concubine. He was now the second most powerful man after the emperor.

Depot Guards and the Palace had countless affairs. Leng Qingtang didn't have much time to come to the Garden. He mostly sent his trusted guard Xiao Xiaoshen to coordinate. Xiao Xiaoshen reported back to him if anything happened.

Xiao Xiaoshen was 18. He had a clean face, big eyes, bushy eyebrows, and a handsome look. He was favored by Leng Qingtang because he was quick and clever. Leng Qingtang promoted him to be his armed close guard. In the Garden, besides Gu Yunyao, the second person who treated Gu Yunxi kindly was Xiao Xiaoshen.

In the banquet, Leng Qingtang asked about Gu Yunyao and Gu Yunjin's study. Gu Yunjin was the most likable and glib. She couldn't answer Leng Qingtang's question every time, but her ability to improvise also made Leng Qingtang laugh.

Gu Yunyao sat quietly and restrainedly. She didn't like to speak too much to strive for Leng Qingtang's favor. She only answered when he asked.

----Dividing Line----

In the bedroom, Gu Yunxi sat by the table with her hands holding her chin. She looked at the porridge that was becoming cold without any expression.

"At this moment, everybody should be having fun in the front garden!" she thought.

Nanny Gu didn't allow Gu Yunxi to attend the dinner. She said it was because Yunxi was not feeling well and should rest in her room.

Looking at the shabby clothes on herself and the tasteless porridge on the table, Gu Yunxi sighed.

The servants in the Garden were particularly snobbish. Whomever Nanny Gu didn't like, they would purposely slight and make difficulties for that person.

Now Nanny Gu was having a feast with two of the girls in the front garden and leaving Gu Yunxi alone in the inner residence. A mean Nanny just gave left-over porridge to Yunxi as her dinner.

Gu Yunxi decided to go find some food in the kitchen.

Because of her sickness, Gu Yunxi could not learn guqin or Go chess, so Nanny Gu constantly sent her to the kitchen to help. Yet Gu Yunxi not only gradually grew an interest in cooking but could also cook many delicate dishes.

It was not a problem not to give her food. As long as there was material in the kitchen, she could make herself some warm and delicious food.

Walking out of the arch of the inner garden and through the parterre, Gu Yunxi suddenly heard an unusual noise.

She was startled and immediately stopped walking.

The sound clearly came from the other end of the artificial hill.

"Who? Who is there?!"

Even though she was terrified, Gu Yunxi still got up the courage and yelled while raising the lantern in her hand over her head.

In the light, Gu Yunxi saw Gu Yunyao slowly walked out of the artificial hill. Her clothes were all messy.

"Sister, what happened?"

Gu Yunxi was astounded. She ran to Yunyao and held her hand.

"Yunxi! Don't shout! I'm fine..."

Gu Yunyao covered Gu Yunxi's mouth with her hand. She looked embarrassed. When Yunxi stopped talking, Yunyao quietly said to the air,

"Come on out. Stop hiding!"

A person walked out of the artificial hill in embarrassment towards the sisters. It was the gardener, Zhao An.

Gu Yunxi stood in astonishment.

She was no longer a kid who didn't understand relationships or love. She just never thought Gu Yunyao, the sister that she respected and trusted, would do such an improper thing with a servant in the garden.

After sending the gardener Zhao An away and returning her room, Gu Yunxi couldn't wait to yell at Gu Yunyao,

"Sister, are you mad?!"

"Don't shout to me, my dearest sister."

Gu Yunyao closed the door hurriedly, turned back and looked at Gu Yunxi. Beholding some tears in her eyes, Gu Yunyao reached out her hand and touched Gu Yunxi's head gently. She explained to her amiably,

"I have been in love with him since a long time ago. He is loyal, kind and honest. And he treats me very well. Today... he didn't do anything excessive to me."

"It's fine for me to see what you did. But if it were discovered by Nanny Gu and the Master..."

"Take it easy. Shortly after the feast began, words came from the palace to summon all the men in the Eastern Depot. Yunjin lost her temper and was coaxed to roll the dice by Nanny Gu. That's why I can be free to..."

Gu Yunyao said, blushing.

Gu Yunxi fixed her eyes on Gu Yunyao. She felt that Gu Yunyao did not look as if she had been guilty, but as if she had been lingering in the aftertaste.

"Sister, don't you remember that you are about to enter the palace? Don't be silly at this crucial moment! "

"Do you...really think it's good to enter the palace?"

Gu Yunyao re-concentrated, reviewing Yunxi's impatience with a little surprise.

"Isn't it? We are girls who grow up in sub-residence. Aren't we aimed at entering the palace and accepting orders?"

Gu Yunxi was confused.

Gu Yunyao smiled at her, feeling pity yet helpless.

"My silly sister, for all those parents who really care for their children, nobody wants to throw them into the fiery pit? The Palace... is exactly a fiery pit with no return!"

"Sister...?"

Gu Yunxi was surprised. She looked up, puzzled by Gu Yunyao's dreary and gloomy look.

With a forced smile, Gu Yunyao said to her,

"My dearest sister, I tell you these secrets because I regard you as my full sister. Just keep them in your heart. Don't tell others casually. One day you will understand what I mean. Make plans for yourself as early as possible. The Garden is by no means our long-term shelter."

"Sister..."

Gu Yunxi felt the facial expression of Gu Yunyao, her eldest sister, was quite strange, as if in some inexplicable inner struggle.

Gu Yunyao merely smiled at her, without saying anything more,

"I believe you will understand sooner or later. Fine. It's late now. Let's go to sleep."

----I'm a hateful dividing line----

Summoned by the Imperial Noble Concubine, Leng Qingtang left Youzhu Garden in a hurry. It was already over 9 p.m. when he entered the palace and then was led by the servants to Yongning Palace.

He went through the Main Hall and reached the bedroom. As soon as he came in, he caught the sight of some wet stains in the red brocade carpet with golden phoenix patterns in the front of the road.

"She must have lost her temper again and broken the glass."

Leng Qingtang thought secretly. Not daring to delay, he followed a maid in the palace in a colorful silk skirt to the broad bed made of eaglewood.

A beauty was lying on the bed inside the silk and brocade draperies, which were embroidered with beads of golden hibiscus flowers. She didn't wear the red sleeved robe with golden dragon and phoenix patterns. Instead, she only draped herself with a red dress. Her white neck was exposed outside, and a furrow loomed in her purple tube top dotted with flowers.

It should be the sleep time for all the concubines in the imperial harem now. And she had removed those gorgeous and ornate headdresses long before. After she took the bun adorned with butterfly and cloud patterns from her head, her long black hair, wrapped in pear fragrant head oil, was like a black waterfall spreading on the brocade bedding embroidered with warm yellow phoenix design.

Judging from her face, she was undoubtedly a beauty.

The smooth white skin of her oval face reflected some ivory sheen under the candlelight of the jasper glass lamp beside. Under her slender eyebrows, a pair of enchanting peach-blossom-like eyes were filled with rage and wrath.

Named Wan Yuyao, she was the master of Yongning Palace and Emperor Jingxiao's favorite concubine.

"I send my best regards to Your Grace. Wish Your Grace a healthy body."

Leng Qingtang stopped in front of the bed, smiled gently and bowed as a sign of respect. His greetings were deliberately drawled, with a higher pitch at the end of his words, showing a tone of ridicule.

"Hmm..."

Without opening her mouth, the Imperial Noble Concubine Wan forced some voice out of her throat.

At the sight of Leng Qingtang, her rage diminished a little. Then she lazily moved her body and adjusted the sitting position, so as to make some room for him on her bed.

"Why do you come so late?"

"Pardon me, Your Grace."

She didn't blame him. Instead, she glanced at the empty place on her bed, eyes flickering. Understanding what she meant, Leng Qingtang stood up directly and sat on that place, regardless of the several maids present.

"Who dared to agitate you, Your Grace?"

Leng Qingtang approached her, asking with a flattering smile.

"Who else?"

Wan Yuyao sneered, tilting up her delicate chin and said with abhorrence,

"The lady in Chuxiu Palace...is pregnant again."

"Pregnant again?" Leng Qingtang was a little astonished.

Needless of further explanations, he knew the reason why such a superior Imperial Noble Concubine ran against the rules of the palace and summoned him, the Master of the Eastern Depot, into the imperial harem late at night.

Since Emperor Jingxiao ascended the throne, there had been three masters in his imperial harem. They were Empress Qian in Kunning Palace, the Imperial Noble Concubine Wan in Yongning Palace, and the Imperial Concubine Xu in Chuxiu Palace.

The lady in Chuxiu Palace, mentioned by Wan Yuyao just now, virtually referred to the Imperial Concubine Xu, whose full name was Xu Yuanjiao.

Wan served the emperor a few years earlier than Xu. Due to her beauteous appearance, she was much favored by the emperor. Within one year she was crowned the Imperial Concubine.

However, Leng Qingtang was clear that another reason for her high status, was her illustrious family background.

Her father, Wan Zongguan was crowned Great Conqueror of the West. He was not only an influential official in the court, but also a military general with pivotal armies in hand. His younger brother, Wan Li, was conferred a dukedom at a rather young age, fully demonstrating the emperor's high opinion on the Wan clan.

However, nothing was perfect.

Though Wan Yuyao was favored, she had only given birth to two princesses for the emperor in the past few years. But since the winter the year before last, Xu Yuanjiao, who had just entered the palace to serve the emperor, was said to have been pregnant.

Leng Qingtang also understood why the pregnancy of Xu could worry Wan so much.

Since the death of the emperor's legitimate prince five years ago, his mother, the Empress, had been much distressed. Now, she was paying homage to the Buddha all day long and had no interest in taking care of the imperial harem, leaving everything to the Imperial Concubine.

The Wans wielded the scepter now. The only problem was that the Imperial Concubine Wan hadn't born a son for the emperor to consolidate their position. The Imperial Concubine Xu, however, had been pregnant recently. It was widely acknowledged in the palace that mothers relied on their sons to improve status. Therefore, once Xu was successfully delivered, Wan's power would absolutely be diminished.

Leng Qingtang wouldn't forget that the year before last, Xu Yuanjiao suddenly miscarried due to an accident in April. She cried to the emperor, claiming that she lost her son as a result of others' evil schemes. The emperor was so furious that he asked the men in the Eastern Depot to investigate it for a rather long time.

He was clear. It must have been done by the Imperial Noble Concubine Wan, who bribed the servants to make Xu Yuanjiao miscarry. Then she just chose some maids randomly as the scapegoat. In this way, she succeeded in muddling through the case.

However, no one expected that Xu's belly could be such a piece of treasure. Only after one year, she was pregnant again!

No wonder Wan was so worried.

"Oh, women in the imperial harem... have never stopped intriguing against each other!"

Leng Qingtang thought secretly. Without showing any aversion on his face, he asked slowly,

"What's your plan this time?"

"I would like to ask you if there is a permanent solution."

Wan Yuyao asked coyly, approaching Leng Qingtang, with her rosy cheek touching his face and her slender arms hooking his neck like a pair of white snakes.

Knowing he couldn't avoid this, Leng Qingtang simply moved his fingers, picking up a strand of hair from Wan Yuyao's temple to play with in his palm.

Wan Yuyao couldn't help urging him,

"What? Even you, the Master in the Eastern Depot, cannot come up with any solution to deal with the lady in Chuxiu Palace?"

"You shouldn't frame Xu Yuanjiao!" He shook the green leather off his palm and answered quickly.

"Why?" She felt aghast.

"Your Grace, please think about it. Last year, Xu's miscarriage startled the whole imperial harem. This year, she has just been pregnant, but you can't wait to take actions. If anything happens and involves the Empress..."

"Bah! Why should I be afraid of that old woman?"

Wan Yuyao was very displeased. She let go of Leng Qingtang, but after rethinking for a while, she got closer to him again, unreconciled. Shaking his body slightly, she whined to him,

"I understand the pros and cons of this thing. That's why I hope you can come up with an idea for me. I need an idea that is thorough, impossible to detect, once for all!"

Xu Yuanjiao, daughter of Defense Minister Xu Langxuan.

Relying on his identity as the kindred of the emperor, Xu Langxuan submitted written statements to Emperor Jingxiao on many occasions in the court, asking for the cancellation of the Eastern Depot. He was indeed the political enemy of Leng Qingtang.

"Now the Imperial Concubine Wan wants to discomfit Xu desperately. If she succeeds in giving Xu some punishments, I can take advantage of this to give Xu Langxuan a blow.

But if the baby of the Imperial Concubine Xu is truly a boy, that will be helpful to me.

"I can put it on hold to see what will happen later," thought Leng Qingtang.

"As for solutions... there is one..."

Secretly weighing the pros and cons, Leng Qingtang's lips moved, with a spurious smile on his face.

"Just say it!"

Wan Yuyao was obviously impatient.

Seeing Leng Qingtang was still silent, Wan Yuyao hastily ordered the maids and servants in the palace,

"You all go out and wait."

"Yes."

After all the attendants retreated from the Bedroom of Yongning Palace, Leng Qingtang said to Wan Yuyao in a low voice,

"Recently, the western tribes have developed a chronic poison called 'One-Hundred-Day Killer'. It is odorless and colorless. Even the silver needle cannot detect its toxicity."

"Is the poison okay?" Wan Yuyao was doubting.

Leng Qingtang smiled cunningly,

"Your Grace, if you want to eliminate your worries thoroughly, you know the same method cannot be applied to Concubine Xu again. Please be patient. Leave her pregnant for a while. After the baby grows to certain months, feed her a small dose of 'One-Hundred-Day Killer' every day. At that time, even if she doesn't die, the baby in her belly cannot survive. As long as the baby dies, Your Grace, the emperor and empress will be..."

"Good! Wonderful!"

Wan Yuyao was so pleasant that she repeatedly applauded,

"The emperor and empress are eager to have a son. They will definitely vent their anger on Xu! At that time, we can ask Observatory Director to make up something. Master Leng, you choose to torture her heart rather than destroy her body. That's fantastic!"

Leng Qingtang stood up and knelt down at Wan Yuyao's feet,

"Your Grace, it is my duty to ease your worries. Your delight is also my delight."

"Stand up! You are really my placebo."

...

A soon as he walked out of the gate of Yongning Palace, Leng Qingtang stopped smiling and turned serious, without any facial expression, forming a sharp contrast with his blandishment just now.

Having a glance at Xiao Xiaoshen, the close guard waiting outside, he didn't say anything to him, but hurried towards the gate of the palace, feeling as if he were burdened with much distaste and anxiety, and no longer willing to stay in this world for another moment.

As he walked and thought, some fragrance made Leng Qingtang suddenly stop. Behind him, Xiao Xiaoshen and two guards he brought also stopped hastily, waiting for orders.

"Stay here and wait for me."

Leng Qingtang commanded them briefly, with his low voice showing tremendous fatigue.

Along the road to the west, a palace came into his sight. On the top of the red lacquer gate hung a party of black Nanmu plaque, engraved with two words: Concubinary Kitchen.

In the Palace of Dayi there were two kitchen divisions, the Concubinary Kitchen and the Imperial Kitchen. They were responsible for the diets of the concubines and the emperor respectively.

It was midnight now. The gate of Concubinary Kitchen was widely open. Inside it the candle flame was flickering. The servants should have been busy preparing midnight snacks for some masters in the imperial harem.

Leng Qingtang only glimpsed at Concubinary Kitchen. Without making any stop, he moved on straight to an Osmanthus tree out of the gate. It was rather old and leafy, with a thick trunk.

It was autumn. The Osmanthus flowers were in full blossom. Myriads of golden flowers interspersed in verdant leaves, exuding agreeable fragrance from time to time.

Leng Qingtang knew very well it was the special and familiar fragrance that led him here. He stood under the Osmanthus tree alone with his hands back. As the night breeze blew, countless yellow flowers fluttered down like raindrops. He closed his eyes wearily, letting these petals falling on him at random.

All of a sudden, a slender figure emerged from the depths of his memory and stood there, smiling at him in tenderness.

Leng Qingtang opened his eyes abruptly, heaved a sigh and looked up to the Osmanthus flowers on the tree.

Behind him, Xiao Xiaoshen came along the road, holding a black brocade cloak in hand. Seeing the Master standing under the Osmanthus tree alone, lost in thought, he didn't dare to ask more, and just came to him silently, draping the cloak around his body.

"Master, it is autumn now. Please be careful not to catch a cold."

Leng Qingtang still remained silent. He tied the cloak well and walked away. Under the chilly moonlight, his figure seemed to be wrapped in solitude.

"It is already ten years since then. The Osmanthus flowers are still here, yet you have vanished! Rushi, how are you doing now over there?" he thought quietly.