Chapter 339

339 A Second Chance

Eunuch Lishi was shocked to hear what Zhu Liling told him. He was supposed to take the blame. Because he was loyal to the Queen, he gladly accepted it. “When I was going to be thrown out of the palace, Her Majesty showed kindness to me. This life is dedicated to Her Majesty,” Eunuch Lishi said, and assured the Queen that she didn’t need to worry. “I will be glad if my life proves useful to Her Majesty,” he said, and smiled at her.

“Eunuch Lishi, I will try my best to protect you,” Zhu Liling said.

Eunuch Lishi bowed before her and then he went out, where Huang Xi was waiting for him. Zhu Liling was scared, thinking about what would happen in the court. The most troubling thought for her was what if Lóng Wei exposed her. She paced in her chamber in nervousness and fear.

Lóng Wei was leaning against the door of the main entrance of the Queen’s manor. He waved at Eunuch Lishi, who had a grim look on his face. He stood straight and then hung his arm around Eunuch Lishi.

“Let’s go,” Lóng Wei said, and he took him out of the manor. Huang Xi walked next to Lóng Wei and heard him.

I told you there would come a time when you would have to come to me and beg for your life, Lishi. So, how are you feeling right now? Can you feel that death is ready to embrace you?” Lóng Wei asked him while keeping a grin on his face.

“Forgive this foolish Eunuch for always belittling His Highness. I am terrified because I will be brutally punished if I accept the truth in front of everyone,” Eunuch Lishi said as his hands turned sweaty.

“What will you do for me if I save your life?” Lóng Wei inquired.

“Anything His Highness will ask me to do,” Eunuch Lishi replied.

.....

“Lishi, but my master has taught me one important lesson. He told me that if a loyalist turned into a traitor, then he must not be trusted. It would be foolish to trust such a person,” Lóng Wei proclaimed as he recalled Yuze’s words.

“I will never betray His Highness. Please trust me, Your Highness,” Eunuch Lishi said in a low voice. Lóng Wei chuckled to see how terrified he was.

“My next question to you will decide if I should save your life or not,” Lóng Wei said. Eunuch Lishi tilted his head to look at him.

“Can you kill the Queen if I tell you?” Lóng Wei asked him, and they both halted at the same time in their places. Huang Xi wondered what was going on in Lóng Wei’s mind.

Eunuch Lishi gaped at Lóng Wei. “You are taking too long. I think I must not-” he was interrupted by Eunuch Lishi. He agreed to kill the Queen.

“I will do anything if he saves me today,” Eunuch Lishi stated. He was hoping that Lóng Wei would finally agree to help him, but he didn’t.

“Lishi, you should have answered ‘No’. Forgive me, but I will not help you anymore,” Lóng Wei said, pulling his hand away. He asked Huang Xi to bring Eunuch Lishi carefully to the court.

“Your Highness!” Eunuch Lishi grasped the hand of Lóng Wei tightly and asked him to give him another chance. “I will not disappoint His Highness. I promise,” Lishi pleaded with Lóng Wei.

“Lishi, you have forgotten that I hardly ever provide a second chance,” Lóng Wei said as he pushed him away. “I pray that His Majesty will not announce the harshest punishment for you, Lishi,” he said, and walked ahead.

Eunuch Lishi thought if he could somehow deceive Huang Xi, then he could save himself. Until he would admit the wrong he never committed, he would not be punished. But if he tried to run away, he might get accused. He asked Huang Xi to ask Lóng Wei to help him for once.

“Eunuch Lishi, Prince Lóng Wei is tough to please,” Huang Xi stated, and asked him to walk faster.

Eunuch Lishi found himself stuck. He decided to take the name of the Queen because she was the one who was behind all this. Why should he take the blame when he did nothing wrong? He told himself not to worry and soon they reached near the imperial court.

Hs ascended the stairs to reach the outside of the court with Huang Xi.

~~~~~

The court session resumed after the King got seated on the throne. He was surprised to see Lóng Wei in the court and asked him if he didn’t have work outside.

“I could not go because of the hearing. I want His Majesty to harshly punish the person who tried to kill my wife and also killed many of the servants,” Lóng Wei stated.

“General Hei Chengxi is still interrogating the matter thoroughly. Since Noble Consort Xiuying didn’t admit that she was behind this attack, I cannot punish her,” Qiu Zedong said.

“The royal family has been infiltrated by enemies recently,” Kang Xi remarked. “It is a concerning matter, Your Majesty. Last time the Crown Prince was attacked, and this time it was the wife of Prince Lóng Wei. Some strict measures should be taken,” Kang Xi opined.

“That’s why this time the punishment must be a death sentence by brutal means,” Lóng Wei suggested.

Qiu Mu was shocked to hear his statement.

“Indeed, a brutal death sentence is necessary to stop all such things from getting repeated,” Xiaoming agreed with Lóng Wei’s suggestion.

“Princess Consort Li Hua is safe, so the punishment surely will not be the death one,” Qiu Zedong asserted, and asked Hei Chengxi if he found anything on that matter.

At that moment, they all heard the shouts from outside. Everyone on the court was perplexed by what was happening outside. One of the ministers went out to check, and the scene before him completely shocked him. From his place, the minister shouted, “Your Majesty, a eunuch died outside.”

Qiu Zedong rose from the throne immediately, while Lóng Wei smiled.