“…We all grew up under Taifei Niangniang’s watch, why must you harm me like this!” Changfeng whispered.
But Baozhu sneered at him coldly, “If you hadn’t done those things, I wouldn’t have had the chance to report you.”
“And what about you? Don’t think I don’t know you also bet five taels of silver, wagering that Wangye would be the bottom!”
“You…”
The two knelt below whispering back and forth for a long time, completely unaware that their master’s face had already turned red then pale with anger, veins bulging on his forehead.
Only when they felt the surrounding temperature dropping and the air growing thinner did they gradually lower their voices, kowtowing repeatedly to beg for mercy.
“Wangye, your subordinate knows his wrongs!”
“This servant also knows her wrongs, please punish us, Wangye.”
They practically pressed their heads to the ground, bodies trembling slightly as they awaited their master’s thunderous wrath.
But Xiao Yuheng took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, “Does he know about this?”
“Ah? Who?”
Changfeng looked up with confusion, but quickly understood:
“Are you referring to Shen Er? Your subordinate only knows that he hasn’t left his quarters since returning to the Second Division yesterday.”
Xiao Yuheng’s hand holding the teacup tightened slightly.
Not daring to go out for two days meant he knew.
As a man, to be caught up in such rumors—Shen Er must be feeling very distressed, right?
As a prince himself, he could use his authority to silence his subordinates, but Shen Er was merely a minor Director—how could he face the gossip of the masses?
For some reason, he felt somewhat agitated.
“Wangye?” Changfeng’s call pulled him back from his thoughts.
“Wangye, should your subordinate go to the Second Division to understand the situation?”
“No need.”
Xiao Yuheng leaned back in his chair silently for a moment, then stood up and strode toward the door.
“All shadow guards who participated in gambling will receive ten strikes. You two will have half a year’s salary deducted.”
“Yes.”
They accepted the punishment respectfully, and only after their master had gone far away did they say in unison: “It’s all your fault!”
Shadow Guard Second Division.
Shen Yue returned to her room beaming with joy, sitting down eagerly at the table.
She unfolded the bundle in her hands, and shiny silver taels scattered out.
“Two hundred… three hundred… three eighty… four twenty… We’re rich! We’re rich! Haha!”
She was so focused on counting the silver that she didn’t notice the tall man who had appeared behind her.
“Four hundred… Hey, what number did I just count to?”
“Four twenty.”
“Oh, right, good thing you reminded me, A Fei.”
Shen Yue grinned cheerfully, about to continue counting, when she suddenly realized something was wrong.
When did A Fei come in? And that voice…
Damn, it’s not A Fei!
She hunched her shoulders, turned around, and looked up with a forced smile. “Wangye, when did you arrive?”
“Right when you counted to two hundred taels.”
The prince spoke without much expression, but Shen Yue could still sense an ominous aura.
He came while she was counting money—so he didn’t see them dividing the spoils?
Which meant she could make up another tall tale?
Shen Yue felt secretly delighted, but on the surface she sighed mournfully:
“Wangye, you wouldn’t know this, but when I was in the Netherworld Hall, I often went days without a meal. So now, whenever I get the chance, I save up my silver.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuheng’s brow furrowed slightly.
But soon, he regained his composure. “So you saved over four hundred taels in just three months?”
“Um.” Shen Yue nervously swallowed, “This subordinate also does some odd jobs, like copying books, flower arranging…”
Odd jobs naturally couldn’t earn much money, and Xiao Yuheng wasn’t foolish enough to believe her words. But so what? She would simply refuse to admit it no matter what.
“Not won from gambling?”
“No, of course not.” Shen Yue shook her head like a rattle-drum.
She roughly guessed that Xiao Yuheng already knew something, but getting her to admit it was absolutely impossible.
“Sophistry.”
The man snorted coldly and called toward the door, “You two, come in.”
“Yes.”
With the sound of footsteps, Zhang Dayong and Bai Yunfei entered with hunched shoulders, obediently kneeling not far away.
Xiao Yuheng sat directly beside Shen Yue, his jade-white fingers tapping on the table.
“Repeat what you just said.”
“Yes.”
The two slightly raised their heads and saw their Director glaring at them.
Shen Yue fiercely knitted her eyebrows, her face clearly displaying the words “how dare you,” but the kneeling pair could still distinguish who held real authority. They turned their heads away, completely ignoring her.
Zhang Dayong: “The Director first ordered this subordinate to spread rumors about his sore back, weak legs, and aching buttocks to lure the shadow guards into gambling. Then she had A Fei place bets.”
Shen Yue: …Damn, was it necessary to be so detailed?
Bai Yunfei: “We won six hundred taels in total. The Director provided more capital, so she received four hundred eighty taels.”
Shen Yue: Very well, if you’d said so earlier I wouldn’t have needed to count.
Zhang Dayong: “The Director said she was the one on top.”
Shen Yue: Well, obviously?
Bai Yunfei: “The Director also said she’s young and strong, capable of fighting three hundred more rounds without problem.”
Shen Yue: I meant actual combat, believe me?
While she was making exaggerated facial expressions, nearly popping her eyes out, the kneeling pair paid her no attention whatsoever.
Seeing Xiao Yuheng’s furious expression, she quietly left her seat and came to his side, extending her small fists to diligently massage his back.
“…Wangye, if I said I could explain, would you believe me?”
Xiao Yuheng waved his hand, signaling Zhang and Bai to withdraw, then raised an eyebrow at the pitiful figure beside him.
“Let’s hear it.”
Shen Yue put on a wronged expression:
“This subordinate’s back and leg soreness is entirely due to being exhausted from taking care of you that night. Do you know how heavy you are? I carried you and ran very, very far…”
The man was silent for a moment, “That’s somewhat believable. What about the buttock pain?”
Seeing he actually believed it, Shen Yue pressed her advantage, “That’s because this subordinate has hemorrhoids, as you know!”
“Ahem…” The man had clearly forgotten about this matter.
However, how could she so calmly disclose such private information?
“Then why did you say you were… on top of me?”
After some thought, he finally asked.
Shen Yue maintained her composure, “This subordinate has always been on top of you every time.”
Hearing this, the man’s brow twitched violently, “Nonsense!”
“This subordinate isn’t speaking nonsense. Every time I’m on duty, I’m on the roof above you, silently guarding Wangye. Regardless of weather, through moonlit nights and new moons…”
“Enough!”
Xiao Yuheng was so angry smoke nearly came out of his nose.
“What clever wordplay! Not only did you deceive the shadow guards out of their silver, but you also managed to avoid punishment. Shen Er, oh Shen Er, you actually dare use your petty cleverness on me!”
A certain Little Shadow Guard, like a dead pig unfazed by scalding water, began playing dumb. “Wangye, what are you talking about? This subordinate doesn’t understand.”
“You don’t understand, huh? Very well.”
Xiao Yuheng sneered, snatched the bundle from the table, and strode out of the room.
Shen Yue: “…” Am I about to go from riches to rags the moment I struck it rich?
Why doesn’t that man just drop dead!