Establishing His Authority

Xiao Qianyu had always been a supporting character. He had watched the protagonists get whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted, under the Heavenly Dao's favor. With the protagonist halo on their heads, even a pig could trample him into the dirt. After years of it, he'd developed a certain affliction.

The affliction was that he'd become dark-hearted and twisted. Whenever he saw someone sailing smoothly through life, he suspected they were a protagonist, and couldn't help wishing to be rid of them.

That was why he liked every supporting character who could make trouble for the protagonist. He wanted nothing more than to recruit them and form a Villainous Heavenly Group to take the protagonist down together.

Shumo was such a dazzling, outstanding villain. The moment Xiao Qianyu saw him, he felt an instant kinship and affection. One of us!

If Heaven offered it and you didn't take it, disaster would follow. He wasn't the original owner, after all. He admired ruthless people like Shumo, who repaid grudges, remembered kindness, drew a clear line between right and wrong, and struck with bloodied hands.

What a fine ally.

After seeing Shumo's entire life, only a moment had passed. Xiao Qianyu's eyes held a quiet brilliance as he patted Shumo on the shoulder. "Shumo, you've suffered. I don't blame you!"

The genuine sorrow in his voice made Shumo's heart ache. Tears streamed down his face, and he wept so hard he could barely speak.

Heavens, how could there be such a good person as His Highness the Crown Prince in this world?

Kind and noble, when he was the one who had suffered most of all. As the Crown Prince of the realm, he'd been framed by villains, dragged into prison by a pack of incompetent, foolish ministers, and nearly died on the Execution Platform. What kind of tragedy was that?

And yet the moment the Crown Prince returned, he'd thought of finding them. His face was so pale and haggard, he'd lost so much weight, and still all he could think about was pitying others.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, this servant hasn't suffered. You're the one who's suffered most!" Shumo gazed up at him, eager to step forward and support him, yet afraid to.

The Crown Prince had never liked having him attend him at close quarters before. He'd preferred Huaying and Qiyu. How hateful that Shumo had been too useless even to protect the people the Crown Prince relied on.

A fierce hatred gleamed in Shumo's eyes.

A faint smile flickered in Xiao Qianyu's eyes. His frosty expression thawed, then quickly grew reserved again.

His gaze swept over the people still kneeling on the ground. Calmly, he said, "Everyone, rise. You suffered this ordeal because of me. I brought this trouble upon you. But from now on, I'm here. As long as you don't break the Palace Rules and do your work by the book, no one will make you suffer again."

"Your Highness!" Everyone looked at him with shining, tearful eyes. Their earlier grievances and resentment melted away in an instant, replaced by hope and expectation. "We're overwhelmed, Your Highness. Being able to see you again is already a blessing beyond our wildest hopes. We haven't suffered. We're all happy!"

Xiao Qianyu nodded. "Take a head count. Have the Imperial Physicians examine and prescribe medicine for anyone who's injured. They can return to work once they've recovered. From now on, their salaries will be doubled. As for those who died in the palace, investigate the cause of death. If they died of natural causes, give them a proper burial. If they were bullied without cause and died as a result, I'll see that justice is done for them. No one gets to bully my people so easily." His voice was sharp as a blade. Then he looked at Shumo. "I'm entrusting this matter to you. Can you handle it, Shumo?"

Shumo trembled. Was His Highness going to avenge Huaying and Qiyu, along with the other palace attendants who had been killed or injured?

He had always known that the Crown Prince was kind and compassionate, unable to bear seeing palace attendants suffer. The Crown Prince had even angered a great many masters in the palace to establish the Palace Rules, forbidding them from beating or killing attendants without cause.

Now the Crown Prince was going to stand against the masters of every palace for their sake, no matter the cost. After all, if the people who'd done it didn't have the permission of the masters behind them, they wouldn't have dared act with such impunity.

Shumo immediately knelt and said loudly, "This servant can do it."

Xiao Qianyu nodded in satisfaction. "Good. I'll have people from the Punishment Department assist you. If anyone dares to obstruct you, tell them to come to me."

With Shumo's methods, a storm of blood and fury was sure to sweep through the palace.

He was doing this, first, to win people's loyalty by combining kindness with authority.

Second, naturally, he wanted to settle accounts when the time came. If he didn't make a peep and just sat by while his own people were bullied, what authority would he have?

Why should he care how many people he offended? He was already the Crown Prince. He didn't need his brothers and sisters to feel close to him; he only needed them to fear him and know to bow their heads in submission.

Shumo knocked his head against the ground and said loudly, "Rest assured, Your Highness. This servant will see it done."

Like a hyena baring its fangs, he could hardly wait to lunge forward and tear into his enemies. He wouldn't spare a single person who had wronged the Crown Prince.

Shumo was even happier that the Crown Prince had begun to rely on him. This counted as relying on him, right? His Highness had handed him the task without a second thought.

He would do everything in his power and never disappoint the Crown Prince!

He got to his feet and cautiously suggested, "Then let Qinxin attend to you for now, Your Highness. This servant will go handle the matter."

Xiao Qianyu gave him a glance. He was all skin and bones, and the bruises on his face were still fresh. Rubbing his forehead, Xiao Qianyu said, "There's no rush. Have the Imperial Physician examine you and apply medicine before you go. Qinxin will take over the Eastern Palace's affairs for now. If you're short on staff, have the Imperial Household Department send someone over."

Qinxin was a neat, well-behaved eunuch. With his face streaming with tears and snot, he stepped forward and said respectfully, "This servant will obey."