Chapter 13: Su Qinhuai understood Cao Dewang – his unwavering loyalty meant he would also protect Su Yingxue.

Thus, when Su Qinhuai learned of this incident, he was utterly enraged and immediately ordered the Inner Service Directorate to conduct a thorough investigation! However, given the current situation, he never expected that Eunuch Shen, who held the position of Director of the Inner Eunuch Directorate, would dare to deceive him so brazenly. How could this not infuriate him!

“This time, I understand that Yingxue has suffered!” Su Qinhuai helped up the tearful Su Yingxue, comforting her gently, “Little sister, rest assured, this time I will definitely seek justice for you!”

“Brother, not only was Yingxue unable to identify who harmed her, but even the benefactor who saved Yingxue was subjected to a day and night of brutal interrogation without any investigation by the Inner Service Directorate guards,”

Su Yingxue wept pitifully, her tears falling like pear blossoms in the rain, sobbing uncontrollably as she played the victim according to her own reasoning.

After all, nowadays, only her elder brother would pity her tears. “If this matter spreads, who would dare rescue your younger sister if she gets pushed into the lake again? If brother doesn’t help me, then if I get pushed into the lake and drown in the future, no one would care.”

The moment Su Yingxue saw Su Qinhuai, she instantly burst into miserable tears, completely different from the sharp, reprimanding demeanor she had moments before. Even Qiushuang was astonished – what was the Eldest Princess’s face made of? Could it change so effortlessly?

Though Su Qinhuai saw through her act in his heart, being a devoted older brother, he still felt somewhat helpless, unsure how to comfort his crying younger sister.

Su Qinhuai could only take out a handkerchief from his sleeve, wiping her tears while soothing her gently, as if this was his natural duty as an elder brother – to unconditionally dote on and favor his youngest sister. “Then what does Yingxue want her brother to do?”

Su Yingxue continued crying without speaking, her sobs evoking pity in all who saw her.

Seeing that Su Yingxue’s crying had finally subsided slightly, Su Qinhuai turned his anger toward the kneeling crowd, “Shen Ruhai! I entrusted the Inner Eunuch Directorate to your management, and this is how you manage it!”

“This old servant is guilty, please punish me, Your Majesty!” Shen Ruhai knew that in the current situation, with the matter brought before the Emperor and given His Majesty’s doting affection for his sister, he and that palace maid would inevitably be punished.

At worst, he would only be charged with failure to supervise his subordinates properly. Even if found guilty, it wouldn’t be a serious offense. Even if he were convicted, suspended from duty pending disposition, or even suffered some physical punishment, as long as his powerful patron remained, though currently at a disadvantage, he would ultimately be fine.

“Since you admit your guilt, then Shen Ruhai shall be demoted two ranks, forfeit one year’s salary, and receive twenty military cane strikes as a warning to others.”

“As for that palace maid who dared to deceive and give false testimony, her heart deserves death. However, since this case remains unresolved, she shall be kept for separate judgment after autumn. Although the guards acted under your orders, involving the Hostage Prince of a neighboring country without seeking my approval first, they shall receive thirty military cane strikes and be demoted two ranks.”

With Emperor Su Qinhuai’s imperial decree spoken, everyone knelt and kowtowed. Both thunderous wrath and gentle rain were considered heavenly grace.

Thus, Su Yingxue understood that the position of Director of the Inner Eunuch Directorate would essentially change hands.

Through today’s commotion, from the Director of the Inner Eunuch Directorate down to the guards, these people who had beaten Chu Xingchen received military cane strikes and demotions – serving as a warning to all palace staff and nobles who might bully Chu Xingchen. From now on, Chu Xingchen would be under her protection. If anyone else thought to bully him even slightly, even if they didn’t respect the monk, they would still fear the Buddha’s face – meaning they would fear her to some extent.

“Cao Dewang, I have heard that you have always been by Her Highness the Eldest Princess’s side, handling affairs efficiently, working meticulously, and resolving cases swiftly.” Su Qinhuai pondered. The person who pushed Su Yingxue into the lake dared to act within the Dasheng palace. The Inner Eunuch Directorate had no knowledge of this and had found no clues whatsoever. He somewhat suspected that there might be a mole within the Inner Eunuch Directorate.

In his lifetime, Su Qinhuai had only one younger sister. If she were to pass away before him, he felt he would have no face to meet the late emperor after his own death a hundred years later. Therefore, Cao Dewang was the person he had assigned to protect the Eldest Princess. Having him thoroughly investigate the matter gave Su Qinhuai the greatest peace of mind.

Su Qinhuai understood Cao Dewang. He was utterly loyal to him and would be equally devoted to protecting Su Yingxue. With Cao Dewang in charge of the Inner Eunuch Directorate, perhaps no one could better protect Su Yingxue while thoroughly investigating this matter.

“Cao Dewang, hear your appointment. I hereby command you to immediately assume the position of Director of the Inner Eunuch Directorate. The case of the palace maid and the incident of Her Highness the Eldest Princess falling into the water—I entrust both to you along with the Inner Eunuch Directorate. Investigate thoroughly! You must ensure justice for Yingxue!”

“By the way, Yingxue, tomorrow I will personally select two highly skilled Shadow Guards from my side to protect you. Only then can I rest assured!” Su Qinhuai added after some thought.

“Brother, that would be excellent,” Su Yingxue replied, deeply moved. It must be said that whether in the Original Work or now, Su Qinhuai’s treatment of her, his younger sister, was truly beyond reproach.

In the original book, Cao Dewang had never held authority over the Inner Eunuch Directorate. He had always been Su Yingxue’s Shadow Guard. Cao Dewang was a guard personally assigned to her by His Majesty Su Qinhuai. He was loyal to the emperor but, entrusted by His Majesty, had always faithfully protected her.

Later, when the empress took control of the government, the various concubines and princes fought fiercely like immortals battling, yet no one protected her. In the end, it was unclear who harbored such deep hatred for Su Yingxue that they falsely accused her of treason and sentenced her, along with the four maids Chunfeng, Xiahe, Qiushuang, and Dongxue, to extreme punishment.

On the day Cao Dewang and the four maids died, the once noble and prosperous Eldest Princess was held down beneath the palace wall by several strong matrons, who forced her head to the ground, compelling Su Yingxue to witness the only people she cared for, who were like family to her, being sliced piece by piece by a group of executioners in front of her, subjected to extreme torture.

The one carrying out the execution was Shen Ruhai.

That day, Shen Ruhai walked behind Su Yingxue, stepped on her back, and ground his foot forcefully into her. Su Yingxue felt immense pain in her back, but her heart ached even more. That day, heavy rain fell in the Dasheng palace, washing over the execution ground ahead.

Su Yingxue had a cloth strip stuffed in her mouth by Shen, unable to make any sound except choked sobs. Her eyes were red as she watched the palace ground ahead turn crimson with fresh blood. Her heart burned with hatred, but she was utterly powerless. She could do nothing but witness the only people she cared for—the only ones besides her imperial brother who genuinely treated her well and protected her—being sliced apart amidst agonized screams, until the ground flowed with rivers of blood, until the living were reduced to bare white bones and wooden platters piled high with flesh and blood from their bodies.

But now, it seemed that due to Zhang Susu’s intervention, the plot of the original book had undergone some changes. Because at this moment, Cao Dewang had replaced Shen Ruhai as the Director of the Inner Eunuch Directorate.

Zhang Susu pondered, did that also mean that her own soul, having entered the body of Su Yingxue, this paper-thin supporting female character, could appropriately alter the original plot of the book through her different words and actions, just as she was doing now?

Perhaps she, Zhang Susu, could truly change those predetermined tragic and absurd, miserable and pitiful endings in the book?