Chapter Fourteen: The Truth Unveiled, a Desperate Counterstrike

The hood fell back, revealing a young face—sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, defined features, and surprisingly handsome.

Wait, this is no time to be swooning!

I sneaked a glance at He Yunsheng; fortunately, he was staring seriously at the man in black, seemingly unaware of my momentary lapse.

Phew~

The man in black spoke, his voice clear like a mountain spring: “I am the guardian of the treasure, sworn to protect this secret for generations.”

A guardian of treasure?

Could he be the legendary…

Embroidered Uniform Guard?

No, that can’t be—it doesn’t fit his appearance.

My mind was full of question marks; this plot twist was getting confusing.

“This treasure is not gold or jewels,” the man in black continued, capturing everyone’s attention. “It is a source of power that maintains the balance of the palace.”

What?

Maintains palace balance?

This development is unexpectedly grand and sophisticated!

I pinched myself discreetly—this can’t be a dream, right?

“If it falls into the hands of villains, the consequences would be unimaginable.” The man in black cast a cold glance at the trembling Eunuch Li and Noble Consort Zhou, who cowered in a corner.

Well, well, calling them out directly!

I was secretly delighted—love this kind of domineering confidence!

Eunuch Li and Noble Consort Zhou’s faces turned ashen, anger simmering but words failing them. Such a satisfying scene!

Suddenly, He Yunsheng gripped my hand firmly, his eyes resolute. “Wan’er, we must protect the treasure at all costs!”

His sudden move startled me, but feeling the warmth of his palm, a wave of warmth surged through my heart.

I squeezed his hand tightly in return and nodded solemnly.

The man in black looked at us, a faint smile playing at his lips. “The secret of the treasure can only be known by those pure of heart…”

Before he could finish, a chill wind swept through—

The gust lifted the man’s hood and shattered my daydream.

Wait, that hood looks strangely familiar…

My heart skipped a beat. Could it be…

Eunuch Li?

!

Before I could react, Eunuch Li and Noble Consort Zhou suddenly sprang into action—they had been pretending all along!

I had been too careless!

Those two were indeed cunning old foxes, even playing dead to deceive!

Eunuch Li let out a fierce yell: “Get them! Seize the treasure!” And he had brought reinforcements!

These men, clad in black and masked, clearly meant no good.

I cursed inwardly: what rotten luck! This plot is getting ridiculously dramatic!

He Yunsheng drew his sword and stood before me like a gallant protector.

I must admit, in moments like this, my little brother is quite reliable.

The man in black—no, Eunuch Li—also brandished a weapon, a gleaming golden dagger.

Seems this old fox had planned this well in advance!

Just as the fight was about to break out, I thought quickly and shouted, “Wait! I have something to say!”

Everyone paused, looking at me in confusion.

Clearing my throat, I pointed at Eunuch Li. “Eunuch Li, did you really think I didn’t know your secret?”

His face changed, but he forced calm. “You… what nonsense are you talking about?”

I sneered and leaned close to his ear, whispering, “The stash of gold bars you hid—I’ve already found them…”

Eunuch Li’s face paled instantly, his eyes darting nervously.

Seizing the moment, I pressed on, “And your… ahem… private dealings with Noble Consort Zhou—I know everything about those too.”

Noble Consort Zhou’s expression darkened as she glared fiercely at Eunuch Li.

The two started snarling at each other—dog-eat-dog, truly entertaining!

I quietly stepped back and took cover behind He Yunsheng, watching the drama unfold.

Suddenly, a shadow flashed past; I looked closely—a real man in black had appeared!

Agile and swift, he took down the black-clad men Eunuch Li had brought in no time.

Now that’s a true expert!

Seeing this, Eunuch Li and Noble Consort Zhou were terrified, turning to flee.

“Trying to run? Not so easy!” I shouted, pulling out a handful of…

Sunflower seeds.

Crunching on them, I smiled wryly at the farce before me and said to He Yunsheng, “Little brother Yunsheng, enjoy the show!”

Eunuch Li and Noble Consort Zhou hadn’t gotten far when palace guards suddenly surrounded them.

Apparently, the real man in black had anticipated everything.

I nodded in satisfaction and tapped the empty sunflower seed shells in my hand.

At that moment, the real man in black stepped before me, removed his hood, revealing a familiar face…

I widened my eyes in shock…

It was him?

!