My Darling, Coax Me.

CHAPTER 17: Will The Prince Still Keep Your Position As A Shanggong?

　　A combination of reward and punishment is the most common tactic used by those in power.

　　Yun Ling rose from a lowly maid responsible for sweeping and cleaning to become the Crown Prince's personal attendant in just one year. She then ascended to the position of Head Palace Maid (Shanggong), a truly meteoric rise. Furthermore, the Crown Prince himself was her direct superior. As a result, no one in the entire Shanggong Bureau dared to raise an objection. They all treated her with the utmost respect, fearing even the slightest offense.

　　But in this palace, those who survive and even rise through the ranks are all cunning and shrewd. They may appear friendly and respectful on the surface, but their true intentions are far more calculating and devious, their minds filled with hidden agendas and schemes.

　　Looking at Yun Ling, so young, one might think her success is merely good luck—a fortunate gamble that paid off with the Crown Prince—and that she lacks genuine ability.

　　Everyone in this palace is incredibly cunning and scheming. Managing the six bureaus requires strategic planning, establishing authority, and dispensing rewards and punishments fairly—it's a complex and demanding art.

　　Yun Ling, at only seventeen years old, is in charge of the Six Bureaus, and the older officials are secretly waiting to see her fail.

　　They simply don't believe a former cleaning maid possesses such capabilities.

　　On the second day after Yun Ling assumed the position of Shanggong, she immediately summoned the four chief officials—the Chief of Ceremonies, the Chief Recorder, the Chief Accountant, and the Chief of the Inner Court—demanding the account books and registers. She gave them a day to prepare, and on the third day, all four presented the requested documents with utmost respect.

　　Yun Ling casually flipped through the documents, without examining them closely, and asked, “Where are the accounts from two years ago?”

　　The Chief Accountant, whose surname was Li, immediately responded, “Yun Shanggong, with respect, the previous accounts were destroyed in a fire and cannot be found.”

　　“I see,” Yun Ling nodded. “Understood.”

　　She didn't ask any further questions.

　　Li, the Chief Accountant, secretly exchanged glances with the other female officials, a smug smile playing on her lips. Seeing that Yun Ling didn't even glance at the piles of accounts, she kindly offered, “Yun Shanggong, please feel free to ask us if you have any questions.”

　　Yun Ling didn't hide her difficulties, replying, “I must admit, I find these accounts extremely difficult and quite perplexing. I will undoubtedly need your guidance. Thank you.”

　　As the officials left, Li, the Chief Accountant, couldn't help but sneer, “She said she found them difficult. I bet she couldn't even understand a single entry.”

　　Another one chimed in, “A mere cleaning maid, utterly stupid. Probably can't even recognize a few characters. She's just pretending.”

　　They already held Yun Ling in contempt. Therefore, when Yun Ling requested the palace maids' register the following day, they began to act perfunctorily, assuming Yun Ling wouldn't notice anything amiss.

　　Yun Ling still said nothing.

　　Li, the Chief Accountant, and her colleagues grew even bolder. When the inner palace accounts for the month were submitted, Yun Ling had just begun to review them when Li stepped forward and said, “The palace accounts are pretty much the same every month. I think you can just glance over them, Yun Shanggong.”

　　Yun Ling lowered her eyes, remaining silent, and continued to examine the account books.

　　Li, the Chief Accountant, glanced at her, secretly pursing her lips in disdain.

　　“Humph,” she thought, “Such a show. She can't understand a thing. Let's see what she can find.”

　　After a while, growing impatient with the wait, Li, the Chief Accountant, said with feigned respect, “Yun Shanggong, please continue your work. We'll take our leave now. We have a mountain of work to attend to.”

　　She then tried to leave.

　　She had just turned around…

　　“Wait,” Yun Ling closed the account book. “Chief Accountant Li, I haven't dismissed you yet.”

　　Li, the Chief Accountant, quickly turned around and responded, “Yes, yes, of course. I wonder what else Yun Shanggong needs?”

　　Yun Ling's tone was pleasant. “I just have one question.”

　　Li, the Chief Accountant, lifted her chin slightly, forcing a strained smile. “Please, ask.”

　　Yun Ling nodded, took out several account books from a few months ago, and walked to Li, the Chief Accountant, puzzled. “Chief Accountant Li, you said that the palace's monthly expenses are roughly the same. However, this month, there were no new palace women, and no extra purchases. Yet, the accounts are higher than last month. Furthermore, for the same expenses each month, the amount of silver differs. Last month it was recorded as ten taels, but this month it's twenty. The same expense is recorded in one place last month, but in another place this month.”

　　At this point, Yun Ling's expression remained calm and gentle, devoid of any harshness. “Could you please explain this in detail, Chief Accountant Li?”

　　The smile instantly vanished from Li's face, her complexion paling slightly. “This…”

　　After a moment, Li, the Chief Accountant, calmed herself down and explained, “Yun Shanggong, you probably don't know, but there are fluctuations in the prices of purchases. Different merchants, different materials, different times, all lead to price differences. It's only natural. Yun Shanggong doesn't understand these principles, which is why you're asking such simple questions.”

　　Yun Ling smiled gently, her voice soft. “But I already asked the palace servants in charge of procurement beforehand. They used the same supplier and the same materials.”

　　Li, the Chief Accountant's eyes widened, but she still forced an explanation. “It's probably because I've been mentally and physically exhausted this month. I must have made a mistake in recording it.”

　　Yun Ling: “Oh? Then from March to April last year, September to October, and November to February this year, I also had people check the prices, and there wasn't much change. Were all these instances also accidental mistakes, Chief Accountant Li?”

　　Li, the Chief Accountant, collapsed to the ground, her voice trembling. “I... I…”

　　Her face was now as pale as snow. She struggled to speak, ‘What do you want? Do you intend to remove me from my post? Do you know who my father is—”

　　Yun Ling interrupted directly, throwing the account books at Li's feet. Her tone was calm. “It wasn't just this month you made mistakes. I've reviewed all your accounts from previous years. You've been embezzling funds, hundreds of times over.”

　　“Neglect of duty, embezzlement, deception... it's more than just removing you from your post. Even if you were killed, I couldn't be faulted.”

　　Li, the Chief Accountant, was terrified. “You dare kill a female official?!?”

　　The remaining three people were trembling with fear, drenched in sweat, and dared not utter a sound.

　　Yun Ling's voice didn't raise. “Why wouldn't I dare? Have you forgotten that I am backed by His Highness the Crown Prince? I'm reporting this to His Highness, and he will order your execution,”

　　Looking down at Li, the Chief Accountant, who was collapsed on the ground, Yun Ling said each word slowly, “Is there anyone who could possibly save your life?”

　　At this point, the remaining three were trembling violently. They all knelt down simultaneously, “Yun Shanggong, spare our lives!”

　　Everyone in the palace knows the Crown Prince's way of doing things.

　　It's not just about killing one person; killing everyone present wouldn't be a problem for him.

　　They never imagined that this seemingly young and frail Lady-in-Waiting had such ability and skill.

　　Yun Ling didn't have the time to engage in their schemes and plots. They thought they could outsmart her, but she simply didn't bother to play their games.

　　All the twists and turns are less effective than the direct power of authority.

　　Removing Li, the Chief Accountant, from her position and making an example of her is enough.

　　——

　　Having dealt with the most rebellious individuals, Yun Ling's management of the Six Bureaus went smoothly, and she finally had time to do what she wanted.

　　For some time now, she'd asked Nanny Jin to think about the places Dongdong often visited before her death. Nanny Jin listed several places, and Yun Ling had been investigating whether anyone had seen Dongdong at those places on the day she died.

　　If they find something, they can follow the trail to find out who killed her.

　　Before that, the best she could do for Dongdong was to give her family more compensation.

　　Ru Dong’s family was poor; one sister was sold into the palace, and the other into a brothel.

　　Dongdong used to tell her that her older sister was very kind, and had voluntarily sold herself into a brothel to give money to their family, hoping Dongdong could live a good life at home. Unexpectedly, just three months later, Ru Dong was sold into the palace.

　　Dongdong, lonely and helpless in the palace, was saved once by Yun Ling and wholeheartedly depended on her like a real older sister.

　　Dongdong used to tell her that once she saved enough money and reached the age to leave the palace, she would redeem her sister. They would all live together peacefully until the end of their days.

　　But that wish could no longer be fulfilled; she was so young, only fourteen years old.

　　Perhaps her sister is still outside the palace, waiting for her to return.

　　She will keep Dongdong's compensation money, and use it to redeem her sister when the time comes, instead of giving it to Ru Dong's parents who prey on their daughters.

　　She will avenge Dongdong, and she will avenge her master.

　　Wang Dade, as a henchman of the late Empress, naturally met a bad end. His position as Deputy Supervisor was removed long ago. Although he's fallen on hard times now, he still has some connections from his past machinations. Furthermore, his godfather, Eunuch Li, immediately defected to the Crown Prince before the rebellion, and holds considerable compromising information about the late Empress. He's exposing many court officials secretly involved with the Empress' faction and is currently gathering evidence.

　　Li Youfu is still useful to the Crown Prince for now.

　　The revenge of a single palace maid is nothing compared to the Crown Prince's plans for the court. Until she devises a comprehensive plan, she can't touch Wang Dade yet.

　　She can only endure.

　　But it's a temporary endurance, not a lifetime of it.

　　As the Crown Prince said, fate isn't predetermined; effort is important, but choice is even more so. When she was with Lady Liu, she learned to serve with exceptional skill, surpassing even the senior palace maids in her quickness and efficiency, yet she never received any significant promotion.

　　Driven to desperation by Wang Dade's abuse, and unable to avenge her master's death at his hands, she once fell into despair.

　　And now, she is close to avenging her master and comforting his spirit in the heavens.

　　To a certain extent, she is truly grateful to the Crown Prince. And she wishes to serve him with utmost loyalty and dedication.

　　Keeping the affairs of the inner palace in perfect order is also a way of easing his burden.

　　Yun Ling had no prior experience with many of the tasks, and found it difficult at first. However, she was not afraid to ask questions, seeking guidance from the heads of each department. She worked late into the night every day to complete her duties.

　　She worked very hard and learned quickly. She didn't find this learning process tiring; instead, she was full of energy and enthusiasm.

　　Learning more skills is essential for her survival and future.

　　A Palace Attendant entered, carrying a list of palace maids who were due to be released from the palace, both those who had reached the age limit in previous years and those who would reach it next month. After setting it down, she didn't leave but hesitated in place.

　　Yun Ling looked up and asked, “Is there something else?”

　　The Palace Attendant stammered for a moment before approaching Yun Ling. “Yun Shanggong, please forgive me, but Ming Shanggong was kind to me in the past, and I'm only here to deliver a message for her. She said she has something she needs to see you about.”

　　Ming Jin Gugu, also known as Ming Shanggong, was the former Head Palace Maid, but was demoted to the Laundry Bureau due to her association with Zhang Guifei.

　　To be fair, even though Yun Ling took over for her niece who made a grave mistake, Ming Shanggong did help her out.

　　Yun Ling pondered for a moment, then smiled and said to the Palace Attendant, “It's alright.”

　　……

　　The palace maids in the Laundry Bureau worked tirelessly, their hands constantly wringing out heavy garments from the tubs. As the weather turned colder, their fingers began to crack from prolonged immersion in the icy water.

　　The hardship and suffering go without saying.

　　In just a short time, the once elegant Ming Jin Shanggong had become haggard and worn. Yun Ling couldn't do much for her, but she brought some hand balm.

　　“Thank you for thinking of me,” Ming Jin accepted the balm, pausing for a moment before giving a self-deprecating laugh. “Back then, getting you to replace my niece was just finding a scapegoat for her. I never imagined you'd achieve such a high position. It's kind of you to visit me even now.”

　　Yun Ling bowed to her and said, “Regardless, I must thank you, Ming Gugu, for saving my life back then.”

　　“Ming Gugu?” Ming Jin twitched the corner of her mouth. “Now you should be called Yun Shanggong. But—”

　　Her expression changed, and she said sharply, “If His Highness the Crown Prince knew that you were a spy planted beside him by Zhang Guifei, do you think he would let you keep your position as Shanggong?”

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