Chapter Three: A Moment of Crisis, the Young Prince Emerges

I slipped quietly into the storeroom. Luckily, the eunuch on duty today was a young one; he yawned, handed me a set of new clothes, and promptly went back to dozing off.

Just as I was about to make my escape, a sharp voice rang out behind me: “Lu Wan’er, stop right there!”

My heart skipped a beat. Damn it, it was that old eunuch Wang!

He twisted his waist as he approached, wearing a false smile. “Last time you took some clothes, you were missing one piece. We need to settle that account.”

A thousand curses raced through my mind. Missing one piece? I clearly remembered taking every single item!

“Eunuch, are you mistaken? I truly didn’t take anything else!”

“Mistaken? I’ve been in the palace for so many years, handling more clothes than you’ve eaten meals. When have I ever been wrong?” he sneered, giving a signal to several young eunuchs nearby.

Those eunuchs immediately surrounded me, their faces fierce, as if ready to tear me apart alive.

Wang rubbed his hands together with a sinister grin. “Missing one item means you owe ten. If you can’t pay, don’t blame me for selling you off to human traffickers outside the palace!”

Sold to traffickers?

I gasped inwardly. That old fiend was truly ruthless!

I wasn’t the type to whimper and beg. I had to find a way to save myself.

My eyes scanned the storeroom. In the corner, some old, worn boxes were piled up. Maybe something valuable was hidden inside!

Feigning fear, I shrank back to the corner, pretending to organize the boxes but secretly rummaging through them.

Seeing this, Wang thought I was scared stiff and laughed loudly. “Oh? Looking for some treasure, are you? Don’t bother. Just admit your fault obediently!”

I sneered silently. Old man, just wait!

My hand brushed against something hard. Excited, I tugged hard…

“What’s that?!” Wang shrieked.

I pulled out a bolt of bright yellow silk from the box!

Wang’s eyes widened. This was tribute-level fabric, priceless!

He snatched it and examined it carefully, his face draining of color.

“This… this is…” he stammered, unable to speak.

I smirked inwardly. Old man, you’re speechless now, aren’t you?

Feigning surprise, I said, “Oh my, how did something like this end up in this box? Could it be… a relic from the previous dynasty?”

At the mention of “relic from the previous dynasty,” Wang paled in terror. That was a capital offense!

He hastily stuffed the silk back into the box and shot me a fierce glare.

“This time I’ll let you off! But if you do this again, I won’t be so lenient,” he threatened, then slunk away with the other eunuchs.

I watched their retreating backs and couldn’t help but laugh aloud. Even Heaven seems to be on my side!

Growing impatient, Wang began to grab at me roughly. His grip on my arm was painfully tight, and it looked like he was about to drag me off.

Just at the critical moment, a clear voice rang out: “Stop! In broad daylight, how can a senior eunuch bully a young palace maid? What kind of conduct is this?”

I looked up to see He Yunsheng standing there, resplendent in splendid robes, commanding and dignified as if a deity had descended.

The moment Wang saw him, his face changed instantly. Bowing and kowtowing, he said, “It’s the young prince! The servant deserves death, the servant deserves death!”

He Yunsheng snorted coldly. “Deserve death? I think you’re tired of living! Let her go immediately!”

Wang loosened his grip at once. I rubbed my sore arm and thanked He Yunsheng.

He tossed a silver ingot to Wang and said, “This is compensation. Don’t trouble her again.”

Wang accepted the silver, nodding repeatedly in agreement.

He Yunsheng’s eyes held a curious gaze as they met mine.

After thanking him, I hurried away.

I didn’t know why this young prince had helped me, nor whether his involvement would bring new changes.

For now, the most important thing was to hide that bolt of yellow silk quickly!

Back in my quarters, I carefully concealed the silk beneath my bed.

Just then, someone knocked on the door. When I opened it, a palace maid from Consort Xiao’s entourage stood there, holding a brocade box.

“Lu Wan’er, this is a gift from Consort Noble.”

I took the box and opened it. Inside were sparkling jewels…

I smiled.