Chapter Thirty-Nine: Seeking Verification

"Who?" He Chong'an asked indifferently. "How many people in this world share the surname Zheng? The Zheng family of the South Sea."

"Could it be Master Zheng, the Commander of the Imperial Guard?" Qin Shouzhong’s backside lifted off his chair.

"Yes," He Chong'an said, sipping his tea calmly.

"Oh, Master He, why are you drinking that? I have some top-grade Dahongpao from Fujian here. I don’t even let outsiders catch a glimpse of it." Qin Shouzhong’s face beamed with fervor as he rose immediately to brew the tea himself, pulling the so-called top-grade Fujian Dahongpao from his cabinet.

After a long, elaborate brewing ritual, he finally produced a single cup.

He Chong'an took a gentle sip. He didn't find it particularly good. Perhaps his own taste buds had long been ruined by cola; in any case, he felt it wasn't as tasty as cola.

"Not bad," He Chong'an said dismissively.

Qin Shouzhong asked cautiously, "Master He, I wonder if there is anything I can help you with?" He then patted his chest and added, "Rest assured, Master He, whatever it is, I will handle it perfectly for you."

"You should know why I came here," He Chong'an said, his expression cooling. "Do I have to spell it out?"

"Master He, Master He, I’m just a small fry in the palace. The matter of the blueprints—the palace bypassed me and handled it directly. I have no say in it, what could I possibly do?"

"Is that so?" He Chong'an’s gaze was filled with suspicion as he looked Qin Shouzhong up and down.

"Master He, my dear Master He. Regarding Princess Changle, I cannot function without you. If there were truly such a matter, I wouldn't dare refuse you, nor would I fail to give you a heads-up, right?" Qin Shouzhong said anxiously.

He Chong'an believed seven-tenths of what Qin Shouzhong said.

Qin Shouzhong was no saint, but he wouldn't do anything that would work against his own interests. If he had acted personally, he would have deeply offended He Chong'an, making it difficult to seek his help in the future. This could also be corroborated by the information He Chong'an had received from Lei Cao’er.

"Then who did it? You only need to tell me who handled this, and everything that happened before will be wiped clean."

This was He Chong'an’s true objective.

Lei Cao’er didn't know who that eunuch was. But Qin Shouzhong was part of the eunuch circle. If he didn't know who had bypassed him to meddle in his affairs, he would be far too incompetent.

Qin Shouzhong avoided He Chong'an’s eyes and said, "Master He, it’s best to ask less about palace matters."

"Fine," He Chong'an replied. "Then let’s assume I said nothing and asked nothing. Eunuch Qin, from this day forward, eat well and drink well; don't leave any regrets."

He Chong'an stood up, patted Qin Shouzhong on the shoulder, and said, "Your good days are..."

Qin Shouzhong’s face turned pale instantly.

***

Countless thoughts raced through Qin Shouzhong’s mind. He suddenly recalled that ten thousand taels from before.

His own ten thousand taels had passed through He Chong'an’s hands before reaching his own, yet he had actually felt grateful to He Chong'an. Qin Shouzhong knew he was no match for He Chong'an when it came to manipulating human nature.

There was another reason for his poor attitude earlier: the coal balls were making money—a lot of money—and Qin Shouzhong hadn't received a cut. Admittedly, he hadn't helped much, just a small favor that was cleared at the time. But for a petty man like Qin Shouzhong, that wasn't how accounts were settled. If he earned a little and his friend earned a lot, he felt he had lost out. That was why he felt cheated and harbored resentment.

However, he had ultimately decided to meet He Chong'an because, deep down, he believed that even though He Chong'an was in a tough spot, he would surely overcome it. This was an acknowledgment of He Chong'an’s capability.

Now, He Chong'an said nothing more, merely acting as if his good days were numbered. If anyone else had said this, Qin Shouzhong would have made them pay the price. But now, Qin Shouzhong immediately reviewed his various liabilities—if you’re out to make money, how can you not leave a trail?

He then thought of Zheng Bangcheng’s position as Commander of the Imperial Guard. He was always in the Emperor’s presence. One word from him, and his life as a eunuch would be over.

Terrified, his soul nearly leaving his body, he knelt skillfully on the ground and clung to He Chong'an’s leg. "Master, Master, you are my master. I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you, won't that suffice?"

He Chong'an said solemnly, "Tell me, who is it?"

"It is Eunuch An from the Imperial Works Department."

He Chong'an was unfamiliar with the palace staff. "Who does this Eunuch An belong to?"

"Master, my dear master, how would I know? If I knew, why would I have been sent from the Inner Palace to do such menial work in the Imperial Household Department?"

"You really don't know?" He Chong'an’s tone grew heavier.

"I really don't know. I swear to heaven, may I die without heirs," Qin Shouzhong vowed.

"Heh..." He Chong'an chuckled softly, glancing at Qin Shouzhong’s crotch, implying: you already are.

"Master, I was planning to adopt a child," Qin Shouzhong said sheepishly.

***

"Enough," He Chong'an said, now believing him.

He thought to himself, "Eunuch An... who is behind him?"

He Chong'an wasn't well-versed in palace affairs. He wanted to find someone from his network who was familiar with the palace, but realized it was only this Eunuch Qin.

Suddenly, a candidate flashed through his mind. It was none other than Xueqing, or rather, Princess Changle.

Princess Changle was the Emperor’s most favored daughter, and her mother was the Imperial Noble Consort who managed the inner palace. If he could get Princess Changle to inquire, there was very little in the palace that could remain hidden.

But how could he gain access to Princess Changle?

An idea struck He Chong'an. He grabbed Qin Shouzhong’s shoulder and said, "Old Qin, there is one thing—if you can help me with this, you and I will remain good brothers."

"What is it?" Eunuch Qin asked, trembling with fear.

***

"Miss Xueqing, Eunuch Qin from the Imperial Works Department asks to see you," a eunuch reported.

Xueqing frowned.

She had grown up with the Princess; they were as close as sisters. She managed all matters in the Worry-Free Palace, and in terms of power, she was no less than some of the head eunuchs. Not to mention her bond with the Princess. To gain her favor was to gain the Princess’s favor, and to gain the Princess’s favor was to gain the Imperial Noble Consort’s.

Those wanting to see her were numerous. The Princess preferred peace and did not want to deal with the chaotic affairs of the outside world, so Xueqing had long since issued orders to close the doors to all outsiders.

Yet, he had come to report it.

Xueqing said angrily, "How much silver did you take from that man surnamed Qin to risk your life for him? Are you not afraid of death?"

The eunuch immediately knelt and said, "Please, Miss, I dare not lie. I did take his silver. But I wouldn't have dared to report it if he hadn't said it concerned the Princess. I didn't dare to neglect it, which is why I’m reporting it. If you don't believe me, I will send him away at once."

Xueqing frowned slightly. Since the Princess was involved, she naturally took it seriously. "Fine, let him in."