Xiao Qianyu had never considered himself a good person. In past quick-transmigration missions, he had played vicious villainous supporting men, yandere supporting men, villainous boss-type supporting men, and scheming, ambitious supporting men.
Among those supporting men were plenty of evildoers who killed and set fires, burned mountains and massacred cities, and slaughtered people by the thousands.
With the system controlling him, faced with a choice between refusing to follow the plot and being erased, he had chosen to stay alive.
Since he had made that choice, he accepted whatever consequences came with it.
Even now, to win when he went up against the protagonist and become the victor who lived to the end, he wouldn't rule out using any means necessary, no matter how unscrupulous.
But beyond that, he had never forgotten where he came from. He was just an ordinary person among the countless multitudes.
As long as his own survival wasn't at stake, he didn't mind lending a hand to the innocent, the sorrowful, and the weak.
Because beneath the powerful and those in high positions, you and I were all ordinary people.
When the hare died, the fox grieved; when one's own kind suffered, one felt their pain. There was nothing more fitting.
Xiao Qianyu gripped the paper in his hand and stood. "Come with me to the Grand Princess and the Third Prince's palaces."
Shumo was excited, but worried too. Of course he wanted to help Huaying and Qiyu avenge themselves, but if it brought trouble to His Highness the Crown Prince, then...!
He was torn.
"What is it? Is there a problem?" Xiao Qianyu gazed at him calmly.
Shumo drew a deep breath. His Highness the Crown Prince had changed a great deal, and he was also one favored and protected by Heaven. Perhaps he could trust His Highness.
He fell to his knees and knocked his head heavily against the ground. Earnestly, he said, "This servant wouldn't dare. This servant knows Your Highness is furious over Huaying and the others' deaths, but Your Highness is precious beyond measure. This servant begs Your Highness to take care of yourself and not get hurt over this matter. Otherwise, this servant thinks Huaying and the others would be uneasy even in the underworld."
Xiao Qianyu smiled. Just as in the story, Shumo was indeed loyal.
His expression softened a little. "Don't worry. There's nothing in this world that can hurt me. Lead the way."
Now that he had finally escaped the system's control, he wouldn't allow himself to founder in this world.
A look of genuine delight appeared on Shumo's face. He rose happily at once. "Yes, this servant will lead the way."
Eunuch Hai ordered people to fetch those from the Grand Princess and Third Prince's palaces, while he stayed outside the Eastern Palace, not daring to leave for even a moment.
The Crown Prince still had to review how those who had violated the Palace Rules were dealt with. If he was dissatisfied, Eunuch Hai would have to stay and handle the situation.
Clearly, Heaven wasn't looking out for him.
He had only waited a little while when Shumo came out after reporting the results to the Crown Prince. The moment he emerged, he hurried to arrange the palanquin and its attendants.
The Crown Prince was going out.
Eunuch Hai cried, "This is bad!" in his heart. Surely the Crown Prince wasn't planning to go confront the Grand Princess and the Third Prince in person?
His head began to ache. He hurried forward and grabbed Shumo. "Eunuch Yu, tell me—what's going on?"
Shumo glanced at him and said haughtily, "His Highness the Crown Prince is going to Qionghua Palace. If you have business, Eunuch Hai, please go ahead."
How could Eunuch Hai dare leave?
He put on a smile. "Was His Highness dissatisfied with how those who violated the Palace Rules were dealt with? If so, just tell me. We can discuss it and make changes."
Shumo curled his lips in a faintly mocking smile. "Oh? Can you make decisions for the Grand Princess and the Third Prince?"
Eunuch Hai's heart gave a thump. His Highness the Crown Prince really was going after the Grand Princess and the Third Prince.
His loyal master was Emperor Yongchang, and he knew the emperor didn't want any more trouble in the palace right now. If this blew up, the emperor would surely be enraged.
He tried to persuade Shumo to get His Highness the Crown Prince to change his mind, while secretly sending someone to inform Emperor Yongchang.
Shumo had no patience for him. He shoved him aside, turned around, and helped Xiao Qianyu onto the shoulder palanquin.
As for why he didn't find it strange that the Crown Prince, who had always refused a palanquin, now accepted one without hesitation, that was because he was the Crown Prince's utterly devoted lackey.
Whatever His Highness the Crown Prince did was right; even when it was wrong, it was right.
Before, His Highness had been considerate of his subordinates and the weak. Now he was simply enjoying the privileges that had always belonged to him. Shumo even thought the Crown Prince had been too hard on himself before and should have done this long ago!
Eunuch Hai only dared steal a glance at the Crown Prince's back. He didn't make a sound, and even bent his back lower.
The Crown Prince of old had been as gentle as a spring breeze, someone you felt close to at a glance. The Crown Prince now was like ice and snow made flesh; just looking at him sent a chill through you.
He had changed far too much.
Shumo gave a cold laugh and called out loudly, "Set out for Qionghua Palace!"
The procession swept toward Qionghua Palace in a grand, rolling stream.
Eunuch Hai stamped his foot and followed.
Qionghua Palace.
The Grand Princess, Xiao Yuan, had been restless all day.
First, she had stayed in her palace, eagerly awaiting the good news that Xiao Qianyu had been beheaded. She had even prepared peach-blossom wine to celebrate.
That's right—she resented Xiao Qianyu. She hated him for making her lose face over a lowly palace maid.
She hated him for forcing her to kowtow and apologize to a servant.
She hated him for calling her unfit to be human. He had also caused Father Emperor to reprimand her, confine her to the palace, and make her copy scriptures for months, nearly writing her hand off.
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