My Darling, Coax Me.

CHAPTER 20: If There Is Any Punishment, She Will Bear It All.

　　The places that Nanny Jin listed, Yun Ling had people investigate them all. However, the palace servants on duty that day all said they had never seen Ru Dong.

　　A living person was tortured to death, yet no trace of the killer can be found.

　　Either the killer was extremely stealthy and no one noticed, but Yun Ling doesn't believe anyone can commit a crime without leaving any trace.

　　Or, it's someone high-ranking in the palace, and even if someone saw something, they wouldn't dare speak up.

　　But who would torture a palace maid like that?

　　Her master was killed by Wang Dade; he was silenced because he overheard some secret.

　　And Dongdong? Although she's carefree, she's always been careful and hasn't made a single mistake lately.

　　Could it be that she also stumbled upon some secret?

　　Yáo Nǚshǐ is a perceptive person. “I had people ask at three different locations, and no one said they'd seen her. Strangely though, the young palace maid surnamed Liu who was clearly on duty outside Changyin Pavilion that day said she hadn't, and when questioned further, said she'd made a mistake.”

　　“Maybe she really did make a mistake.”

　　Yun Ling pondered for a moment. “It's possible she made a mistake, but your first reaction when asked would be whether you saw her or not, not that you weren't on duty. This only means that she had already prepared this excuse.”

　　Yao Nushi said, “In that case, this palace maid must have done something to be so nervous!”

　　Yun Ling shook her head. “Not necessarily. From what you've said, she sounds timid. Perhaps she didn't do anything, but she saw something she doesn't dare speak of.”

　　Yao Nushi said, “If she's afraid to speak, it must be because she's afraid of the evildoer. How are we supposed to get her to open her mouth?”

　　Since she's timid and trying to cover things up, she won't easily speak. But they can't use torture.

　　“No need to pry,” Yun Ling said suddenly.

　　Even if they pry, she might not say anything.

　　Yao Nushi was puzzled. They'd finally gotten a lead; were they just going to abandon it?

　　Of course not.

　　Yao Nushi had helped Yun Ling with several matters and was considered meticulous and capable. Yun Ling beckoned her closer and whispered a few words in her ear.

　　A few days later, past the hour of Hai (9 pm-11 pm), deep into the night, Yao Nushi excitedly walked in. “Yun Shanggong, we've caught the person!”

　　“Following your instructions, Yun Shanggong, I made a big show of searching for that palace maid Liu every day, and acted as if I'd obtained crucial clues. It worked! Tonight, a eunuch snuck into Changyin Pavilion under the cover of darkness, attempting to silence her.”

　　“However…” she hesitated, a look of reluctance on her face. “It's best if Yun Shanggong hears this directly from me.”

　　Yun Ling's eyes darkened slightly. “Bring him in.”

　　A short while later, a young eunuch, unfamiliar and seemingly quite young, was brought in, bound tightly.

　　His face was ashen, and he trembled with fear. “Yun Shanggong, spare me! I truly didn't kill anyone!”

　　Yun Ling got straight to the point. “Who sent you?”

　　The young eunuch stammered, looking as if he dared not speak.

　　Yun Ling said calmly, “I was once a low-ranking servant myself. I know how it is in this palace—how one has no control over their own fate, how life is as cheap as grass. So, if you were merely coerced and didn't commit the murder, I will certainly save your life.”

　　“The person who died was my sister, and I'm searching for the truth to avenge her. If you don't speak, you'll be under suspicion here. If I suspect you killed her, then you won't be leaving this room tonight. Do you understand?”

　　She appealed to both his reason and his emotions, without raising her voice in anger.

　　Yao Nushi silently marveled. Yun Shanggong was beautiful and good-tempered, always gentle and considerate towards them. Even when they made mistakes, she would only softly tell them to correct themselves next time, never uttering a harsh word.

　　Moreover, she acted with principle and was fair in her rewards and punishments.

　　Even now, she hadn't raised her voice.

　　The young eunuch's face crumpled; his body shook, and tears streamed down his face. Then, he suddenly knocked his head heavily against the ground. “It was Wang Dade, the former Deputy Supervisor of the Imperial Academy of Rituals.”

　　“I heard that Changyin Pavilion found evidence. I was forced by Eunuch Li to come here. At that time, Ru Dong was originally going to another place, but as she passed by Changyin Pavilion, Wang Dade had someone deliberately say that Yun Shanggong was suffering in the cold palace, close to death and without medicine. Ru Dong believed it and immediately changed her route to the Imperial Hospital to buy medicine for Yun Shanggong. Then... she was seized by Wang Dade and had her mouth covered and was dragged away.”

　　“Wang Dade hated Yun Shanggong to the core but couldn't do anything to you, so he vented all his resentment on Ru Dong. She fought back desperately but was beaten to the point of severe injury and tortured beyond recognition. Before she died... she was still tightly holding onto two packets of medicine.”

　　Yun Ling closed her eyes tightly.

　　The candlelight in the room flickered violently in the draft, threatening to extinguish itself.

　　After a long silence, Yun Ling opened her eyes, gazing ahead with a calm expression. “Yao Nushi, tomorrow you will find two people for me. They must be strong.”

　　Yao Nushi hesitated for a moment. “Yes.”

　　——

　　Xiao Yingzi rushed into Wang Dade's courtyard in a panic. “Eunuch Wang, I've already tied up that little palace maid, but she said someone else saw it. I didn't dare hide it and hurried to report to you, Eunuch Wang. What should we do now?”

　　“Who is it?”

　　Xiao Yingzi shook his head. “She’s stubborn; I couldn't get an answer from her.”

　　Wang Dade's thick chin trembled, and he said angrily, “Useless trash! Where is the person bound?”

　　“I was afraid someone would hear, so I tied her up in Jingxiang Palace. It's secluded and no one will discover her there!”

　　“You still have some sense, then. Let's go!” said Wang Dade.

　　……

　　Everyone in the palace knows that the current Crown Prince was once imprisoned in Jingxiang Palace for a whole year. Jingxiang Palace is located in a remote area, and nowadays, very few people dare to come here. 

　　Wang Dade grumbled and cursed as he walked over. When he reached the door, he kicked Xiao Yingzi angrily, snarling, “If I wasn't so short-staffed, I wouldn't be using a useless thing like you!”

　　Xiao Yingzi stumbled from the kick but remained silent.

　　“Where is the person tied up?” Wang Dade impatiently demanded as he entered, but behind him, the two doors suddenly slammed shut with a resounding ‘bang.’

　　Wang Dade immediately sensed something was wrong and cautiously looked around.

　　A group of people slowly emerged from the corner of the wall to his left. Leading them was a young and beautiful woman dressed in the official robes of a fifth-rank female officer.

　　Wang Dade's legs momentarily weakened in fright, but a moment later, a greasy smile spread across his fat face. “So it's the beautiful Yun Shanggong,” he said. “It's been many days, and you've become even more captivating. A pity…”

　　Unfortunately, he can't touch her now. It was a huge mistake letting her join Ming Jin and be sent to Jingxiang Palace. Otherwise, he would have gotten her long ago.

　　Was that little palace maid who died her sister?

　　So what? His godfather is now a favorite in the East Palace. She's just the Head Palace Maid, what can she do to him? If she touches him, how will she explain it to his godfather?

　　Yao Nushi, found the words utterly repulsive and nauseating, rolling her eyes in disgust.

　　Yun Ling, however, didn't react much. “Eunuch Wang,” she said, “...long time no see.”

　　Wang Dade, seeing that Yun Ling didn't dare to react, became even more smug. “It seems that Yun Shanggong truly is a woman of good character.”

　　“I've got things to do, so I'll be going.”

　　He hadn't taken two steps when two strong-looking mamas quickly stepped forward, binding his hands behind his back. With a swift kick, they sent him sprawling to his knees, a searing pain shooting through his kneecaps. Wang Dade let out a pig-like squeal. “My godfather is Eunuch Li! Dare you touch me?!”

　　He glared furiously at Yun Ling as she approached, shouting, “You vile woman! You tricked me into coming here! What? Are you trying to avenge your dead sister or that useless master of yours? Hahahaha! Dare you? I still hold information about the Empress that would be useful to the Crown Prince. Dare you kill—”

　　Wang Dade's eyes widened, his shouting abruptly cut off.

　　Slowly, his gaze dropped. A dagger had been plunged straight into his chest. “You—”

　　Bright red, pungent blood flowed down the cold, sharp blade. Suddenly, the dagger was withdrawn, followed by another heavy blow.

　　Blood splattered the woman's gentle, beautiful face, but it didn't stop her. Her slender, pale wrist, delicate as bone, moved with deadly precision, the knife falling again and again.

　　Behind her, Yao Nushi cried out in terror, “Shanggong… Shanggong…”

　　This should be handed over to the Department of Punishments!

　　Yun Ling's hand, gripping the dagger's hilt, was stained crimson, the bright red a stark contrast against her pale skin—a horrifying sight.

　　“What is there to fear?”

　　Another blow. Yun Ling watched impassively as Wang Dade, writhing in agony, neared death. “Today, I kill you. Even the gods and Buddhas cannot stop me.”

　　“For every knife you plunged into them, I will return the favor twice over.”

　　“Spare...spare me…” Wang Dade croaked, struggling to beg for mercy. “Just spare my life, and I...I'll tell you why your master died…”

　　Yun Ling remained silent, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes. “Speak.”

　　Wang Dade whispered a few words in her ear. “I've told you, spare me now—”

　　But the next second, Yun Ling raised her hand and, without hesitation, plunged the knife deep into his heart.

　　“"You...you didn't keep your word…”

　　Wang Dade's hand fell limp, his breath gone.

　　Yun Ling spoke slowly,

　　“To let you live merely for a few words...that's far too easy. Many are like this, committing heinous crimes, yet escaping punishment with a few words, a few pieces of leverage. It's not justice for the victims.”

　　“But a life for a life is only right and just. No matter what conditions you offer, I will have your life today.”

　　What honor could there be in dealing with someone like him?

　　Yun Ling released her grip, and the blood-stained dagger fell to the ground.

　　It was as if a heavy stone, long pressing on her chest, had finally been lifted. She had finally avenged herself.

　　Her body trembled belatedly. Yun Ling seemed to be on the verge of tears, then slowly closed her eyes.

　　Tears of blood welled up in her eyes.

　　Seeing Wang Dade motionless, Yao Nushi stumbled to Yun Ling's side, knelt down, and used a finger to check his breath. Then she collapsed to the ground, panicking, “Yun Shanggong, he's dead!”

　　“Yes.”

　　Yao Nushi was terrified. Yesterday, she had thought they were merely going to bind Wang Dade and give him a lesson before handing him over to the Department of Justice. Yun Shanggong, gentle, graceful, and beautiful, had been so unexpectedly ruthless, so utterly merciless, that Yao Nushi could hardly believe what she had seen.

　　Suddenly, she felt like she had never truly known Yun Shanggong.

　　So beneath her gentle demeanor lay such unwavering resolve.

　　But what terrified her was, “If His Highness the Crown Prince blames us, what will we do?”

　　That was a prison superintendent, and his godfather was none other than Eunuch Li, who served the Crown Prince!

　　The Crown Prince was known for his violent and ruthless temper. If he were enraged, they would be finished!

　　Yun Ling stood up, took out a handkerchief to wipe her hands, and asked Xiao Yingzi, “Do you know the procedure for dealing with the sudden death of a palace servant?”

　　Xiao Yingzi lowered his head, “This servant knows.”

　　Yun Ling nodded. “Alright, go and handle it.” Then she turned to Yao Nushi and the two trembling elderly mamas, her voice calm. “Don't worry. As long as you keep your mouths shut, you won't be implicated. I will take care of things with His Highness.”

　　She would take full responsibility if punishment was to be meted out.

________________

Glossary:

• Nǚshǐ (女使): This term translates to “Lady-in-waiting” or “female attendant.” It refers to a woman who serves a noblewoman or a member of the royal family. Their duties can range from personal assistance to managing household affairs.

• The Nine Ranks System (九品): In the traditional hierarchy, Rank 1 was the highest and Rank 9 the lowest. Each rank was divided into upper (正, zhèng) and lower (从, cóng) levels, creating an intricate ladder of authority.

• Yun Ling’s status (novel context): Yun Ling currently holds a mid-to-high position within the palace. Though not a concubine, she is the highest-ranking woman in the harem under the so-called “Psycho Prince.” The Emperor’s concubines exist, but most have chosen to remain quiet, aware of the dangers of fighting for power. 😂

……………….

T/N: While translating this chapter, I actually felt ashamed of myself. I previously thought Dongdong was also a sneaky character who only used Yun Ling for her own gain. You know that in the palace it's hard to find a good person, and I thought Dongdong was like that too. Sigh, I'm embarrassed by my judgment. That poor little girl… 😭 

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