Chapter 37: Schemes Among Many Factions, Perils Begin to Emerge

My money-grubbing radar was blaring like a fire alarm. Ever since Pavilion Master Qin discovered I possessed a fragment of the treasure map, I had felt like a plump sheep being stalked by a pack of wolves, with the words "come and rob me" practically tattooed all over me.

Was I a coward?

Who am I? I am Lu Wan'er, a master of palace survival!

When soldiers come, use generals to block; when water comes, use earth to cover. It’s just a treasure map—who’s afraid of whom?

And right on cue, trouble arrived.

Noble Consort Li, notorious in the palace for being someone you simply do not provoke, had set her sights on the treasure I was clutching. She sent her chief sycophant, Advisor Zhao, to persuade—or rather, intimidate—me into handing over the fragment.

The old fox, Advisor Zhao, started right off with a classic gaslighting routine: "Palace Maid Lu, a wise person submits to circumstances! Noble Consort Li rules this palace with an iron fist. As a mere palace maid, why bother playing the mantis trying to stop a chariot? Hand over the fragment obediently, and you’ll keep your life and enjoy endless riches!"

I sneered inwardly, but on the surface, I put on an innocent, naive face. "Advisor Zhao, what are you saying? This treasure map belongs to the palace; it is not my private property. How could I possibly have the authority to hand it over to Noble Consort Li?"

Seeing that soft tactics weren't working, Advisor Zhao immediately changed his tune and began threatening me. "If you refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit, don't blame me! A mere palace maid like you dares to be so bold? I advise you to listen, or I shall spread rumors throughout the palace that you have stolen the treasure and intend to commit treason!"

Good heavens, this old fox was playing dirty!

My heart skipped a beat. If word of that got out, I wouldn't be able to clear my name even if I jumped into the Yellow River!

What to do?

In a flash of inspiration, I remembered the saying: of the thirty-six stratagems, fleeing is the best.

I feigned terror, my voice trembling. "Spare me, Advisor Zhao! I... I will go get the fragment right now!"

I pretended to return to my room to retrieve the piece, while my mind raced with ways to escape.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck. I had it!

I took out a mysterious package I had received earlier, which contained...

Just as I was about to execute my plan, the door was suddenly pushed open.

I jumped in fright and looked up to see—of all people—Pavilion Master Qin!

He was followed by a group of men in black, all looking fierce and menacing.

Pavilion Master Qin gave a cold laugh. "Palace Maid Lu, it seems you have no intention of cooperating?"

Before I could even speak, another voice chimed in. "Pavilion Master Qin, long time no see." I turned to see that Advisor Zhao had followed me inside!

He looked at Pavilion Master Qin with a mocking smile, flicking his folding fan as if he were settling in to watch a show.

My internal monologue: Good grief, are they planning to wrap me up like a dumpling? When did I, Lu Wan'er, become so popular?

I snuck a glance at He Yunsheng. He looked worried, his small hands clutching my sleeve tightly like a frightened little rabbit.

*Sigh, don't worry, big sister will protect you!*

Pavilion Master Qin said with a forced, mirthless smile, "Advisor Zhao, it seems you are also quite interested in this treasure map fragment? What is this, trying to snatch it from me?"

Advisor Zhao kept fanning himself, drawling, "Pavilion Master Qin jests. I am merely following orders to persuade Palace Maid Lu to hand over the fragment."

On the surface, they exchanged pleasantries, but beneath the veneer, daggers were drawn. The air was thick with the scent of gunpowder.

Just then, I had a brainwave. I screamed at the top of my lungs, "Help! Assassins!"

Both Pavilion Master Qin and Advisor Zhao froze, staring at me in complete bewilderment.

I pointed at the men in black behind the Pavilion Master and wailed, "Your Majesty! Save me! These people are trying to kill me!"

In this palace, the word "assassin" was the ultimate taboo.

My cry immediately drew the nearby guards. They swarmed in, surrounding Pavilion Master Qin and Advisor Zhao’s men.

Pavilion Master Qin’s face turned livid. He gritted his teeth and hissed, "Lu Wan'er! You dare to play me!"

I put on a terrified performance, hiding behind He Yunsheng and trembling like a leaf. "I didn't! They are the ones who want to kill me!"

Advisor Zhao snapped out of it and pointed at me. "Palace Maid Lu, this is a frame-up! What evidence do you have that we are assassins?"

I burst into tears, "Waah! You just said you wanted to rob me of my treasure map fragment! And that you'd kill me to silence me! Wuu wuu wuu..."

I wept like a rain-drenched flower, looking utterly pitiful.

The guards were skeptical; after all, Pavilion Master Qin and Advisor Zhao were men of status, and it was unlikely they would assassinate a lowly palace maid for no reason.

At that moment, He Yunsheng stepped forward. He said with righteous indignation, "Honorable guards, I saw these men with my own eyes acting suspiciously, tracking us, and I heard them say they wanted to rob us! You must arrest them and hand them over to the Emperor for judgment!"

He Yunsheng was, after all, a young prince; his words carried significant weight.

The guards dared not hesitate and immediately took Pavilion Master Qin, Advisor Zhao, and their men into custody.

Watching them being dragged away, I felt a surge of secret satisfaction. *Little ones, you're still too green to play games with me!*

I turned to He Yunsheng and smiled brilliantly. "Little brother Yunsheng, thank you!"

He Yunsheng smiled shyly. "Big sister Wan'er, I'm just glad you're safe."

I touched the mysterious package hidden in my sleeve, the corner of my mouth curling upward.

The moon tonight was truly bright...

Suddenly, I felt an icy gaze on my back.

I whipped around, but saw nothing at all.

Was it just my imagination?

I shook my head and turned to leave, clutching the package tightly in my hand.