Chapter 79: Seeking Help

Lan Wu forced a faint smile onto her face, speaking evasively: “Zhaorong, you must be exhausted lately. You should have the palace maids by your side take good care of your health.”

As she spoke, she noticed Yue Zhaorong’s expression growing even more strained, tears welling up in her eyes, on the verge of falling. Yet, in front of the palace maids, she held them back with effort.

Her eyes appeared somewhat vacant as she lowered her head and murmured a soft “Yes.”

“Lian Qiao, go and hurry the small kitchen. Have them prepare the lotus flower pastry I had the other day… Let Zhaorong also taste the pastries of Yilan Hall.”

As she spoke, Lan Wu blinked at Lian Qiao behind her, signaling her to quickly lead everyone out.

Having served her for some time now, Lian Qiao understood the situation and immediately responded with a “Yes,” ushering out the palace maids in the hall along with her. The palace maids by Yue Zhaorong’s side also withdrew, though the hall door remained open. If even the door were closed, it would be far too conspicuous.

With only the two of them left in the hall, Lan Wu clearly knew her purpose for coming but did not take the initiative to speak. She wanted to know how Yue Zhaorong intended to ask for her help. Matters concerning court affairs were something she dared not bring up lightly in Chu Mingheng’s ear.

If Yue Zhaorong were to outright ask her to plead with Chu Mingheng to spare the Yue family, then she might as well return early and prepare for the aftermath. As a mere Shuyi, albeit somewhat favored, if she were to truly plead with Chu Mingheng, she would only invite trouble upon herself. Moreover, the Yue family had nothing to do with her. She would have to be mad to help with such a matter.

Thinking this, Lan Wu instinctively glanced cautiously at Yue Zhaorong. In her previous life, Yue Zhaorong had spoken up for her in her final moments, though it had been of little use. Still, Lan Wu remembered this kindness.

However, one thing was one thing, and this kindness was not significant enough for her to take on such a major task. She would not do it.

Neither of them spoke, leaving the hall in silence.

It was Yue Zhaorong who, finally recalling the purpose of her visit, looked up and caught Lan Wu’s gaze. She couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, thinking: She really wears her thoughts on her face.

Among the imperial concubines in the palace, everyone schemes and calculates. Yet, Your Majesty happened to encounter a girl like Lan Wu, whose thoughts are so transparent—no wonder he favors her so…

No wonder he favors her so.

She sighed inwardly, gathering her spirits as she said: “I suppose you know why I’ve come. To be honest, coming to you for help is truly my last resort…”

“Your Majesty has now imprisoned my entire clan. The daily punishments in that prison are severe. My father and mother are both elderly—how could they endure such suffering?”

It seemed she had already cried her fill, as no tears fell from Yue Zhaorong’s face now. Clenching her hands, she thought of her young siblings at home. Such a large family had now become criminals, their lives hanging by the whim of the one seated on the dragon throne.

“My father may have been somewhat greedy for wealth, but he would never have had the courage to commit such a grave offense. I pleaded to see Your Majesty, sought help from others to speak on my behalf, but everyone avoided me like the plague. Your Majesty refused to see me…”

She looked up, her eyes fixed on Lan Wu, holding onto a faint glimmer of hope: “Lan Wu, I beg you, help me, please help me—”

“You don’t need to speak well of the Yue family. Just… just let me see His Majesty. I will speak for myself. Whether it leads to life or death, I only beg for a clear answer from His Majesty, so my heart won’t hang in suspense, tormented by worry night after day…”

Her eyes grew somewhat vacant, then she stood up, pushed back her chair, and knelt directly before Lan Wu.

Lan Wu was still pondering whether she could help with this matter. Seeing her like this, she hurried forward to pull her up, but Yue Zhaorong refused to rise.

Her words carried a tone of weariness and hope, as if she had pinned her last shred of expectation on Lan Wu. If Lan Wu refused, that tiny hope would vanish.

“I know it is shameless of me to come begging you like this. We have never interacted before, and yet I suddenly come asking for your help. But if you can assist me, I—not just me, but my entire Yue family—will owe you a debt of gratitude. In the future, no matter what you ask me to do, even if it’s to kill someone, I will agree.”

What… what is she saying?

Lan Wu looked utterly shocked, quickly waving her hands and shaking her head at Yue Zhaorong. Finally, she closed her eyes and said, “Please get up first. Let’s talk standing up.”

This time, Yue Zhaorong hesitated for a moment but eventually rose.

Even though Chu Mingheng visited her from time to time, he had never mentioned a single word about court affairs. Seeing Yue Zhaorong so anxious and worried, Lan Wu frowned, feeling somewhat troubled.

If it was just about arranging a meeting between Chu Mingheng and Yue Zhaorong, perhaps it wasn’t entirely impossible. But would Chu Mingheng really agree to see her?

Moreover, if she brought this up with Chu Mingheng, he would surely know that Yue Zhaorong had come to her.

She couldn’t gauge whether Chu Mingheng would be angry, but it wouldn’t be difficult for her to try some pillow talk.

“I don’t need you to kill anyone for me. I can help you bring this up with His Majesty, but I don’t know if he will agree to see you.”

She was telling the truth. If Chu Mingheng refused to see Yue Zhaorong, it wouldn’t be her fault.

Yue Zhaorong nodded repeatedly, a trace of relief finally appearing in her eyes. Her eyes reddened as she looked at Lan Wu and whispered her thanks: “What I said to you earlier was no joke. Today, you are helping me with this, and the Yue family will remember your kindness. In the future, whatever you ask me to do, I will help you.”

Lan Wu pursed her lips and gently shook her head at her. “I’m helping you because…”

She trailed off, unable to say it was because Yue Zhaorong had spoken up for her in her past life. Changing the subject, she continued, “It’s because I sympathize with your worry for your family. I have no parents or siblings, so I wanted to speak up for you.”

After saying this, Lan Wu felt somewhat uneasy. She chatted with Yue Zhaorong about other matters before finally asking her to return to her palace.

By then, it was already late afternoon, and dinner would be served in about an hour.

Lan Wu quietly pondered how to bring up the matter with Chu Mingheng through pillow talk. Thinking about it, this was the first time she had ever done something like this in this lifetime, and she felt somewhat nervous.

She recalled reading in those storybooks that those who used pillow talk were often seductive figures, not good people. Now, she was about to play the role of a “seductress” herself.

Yue Zhaorong had gone to Yilan Hall and stayed for a long time before returning to her own palace. Everyone in the rear palace witnessed this, speculating whether Yue Zhaorong had abandoned all dignity to seek help from an imperial concubine who had risen from the ranks of a courtesan.

What exactly was going on would depend on His Majesty’s reaction in the coming days.

That night, Chu Mingheng still came to Yilan Hall.

Lan Wu had just finished bathing and washing up, lying on the bed while staring blankly at the canopy above. Hearing heavy footsteps approaching, she turned her head and saw Chu Mingheng entering the hall, already standing before the rack and removing his outer robe.

He glanced sideways at Lan Wu, his gaze casual yet tinged with a faint hint of inquiry, as if he already knew everything and was waiting to see her reaction.