I've Decided To Be This Tyrant's Dark Moonlight - Chapter 42

Ming Beinu let out a loud wail: “Everyone, move aside! Let me through!”

“You bunch of dog servants! Ahhh, don’t push me, my hair is all messy!”

“Move out of the way, I—I can’t breathe! Don’t crowd me! Let me in!”

However, Anle Hall was filled with laughter and joy, and her voice, like a small pebble thrown into the sea, sank without causing a ripple.

Wei Ying sat on a lounge chair, raising her hand to shield the pale golden sunlight. The light filtered through her fingers, casting delicate, creamy shadows over her skin; her brows and eyes were soft and picturesque.

She inadvertently noticed Ming Beinu stamping her feet in frustration and couldn’t help but smile. She greeted her lightly: “Jieyu.”

The palace maids and eunuchs turned their heads in unison following Wei Ying’s gaze, like a field of sunflowers turning toward the sun, all looking at Ming Beinu.

Ming Beinu, standing amid this field of sunflowers, was at a loss. After a moment, she finally remembered her status, her small face drooping as she scolded: “Move out of my way immediately!”

The palace maids and eunuchs obediently stepped aside.

Unfortunately, the Anle Hall courtyard was small and already crowded. As people moved, it caused a second wave of chaos. Ming Beinu was jostled into the crowd, calling out “aiya, ouch” as she was shoved around. She tripped over something and fell with a thud. Her carefully styled hair became messy, and her jeweled golden peacock hairpin fell beside her with a clear clink.

Her palms burned, her eyes slowly reddened.

She had been born into wealth and privilege—how could this happen to her?

Her knees hurt, her palms burned, and she sniffled, unable to get up for a while.

A pair of hands appeared before her.

They were beautiful hands, pale and slender, fingers long like scallions, nails rounded like new moons, colored a faint pink nearly white.

Ming Beinu thought: This person’s heart is really kind, willing to help me up. Once I’m up, I’ll make her my personal attendant. Thinking this, she looked up, her vision blurred with tears, vaguely seeing someone in a lotus-colored dress standing gracefully, reaching out a hand.

A golden light seemed to surround this person, who bent slightly and grasped her hand, pulling her up firmly.

Like a deity descending from the heavens, merciful and compassionate.

Ming Beinu’s little heart pounded, holding tightly to this hand, thinking how soft it was, like it had no bones. She decided that from now on, she would have this person comb her hair. Such a soft hand could surely style hair beautifully.

She blinked as her vision gradually cleared and tilted her head: “Th-thank—”

Wei Ying smiled, her brows curved: “No need to thank me.”

Ming Beinu gaped, shocked, forgetting what to say. After a long pause, she finally spoke: “Why is it you?”

She had already planned for this person to be her servant, but how did she end up becoming her rival?

Xiao Qianxue looked at the hand that had been grabbed and snorted: “Yingying helped you up, and you’re still being fierce? Hmph, how long do you plan to hold someone’s hand? Are you stuck to her like glue?”

Ming Beinu quickly let go, retreating in fear.

Wei Ying smiled kindly, not taking offense, and asked, “Jieyu, did you come here for something?”

Ming Beinu looked down at her hand. The palm had rubbed against the ground, turning faintly red and burning, but thankfully it wasn’t broken. She pouted in grievance. She had come intending to mock these two fallen girls, but unexpectedly, they were living so prosperously.

Now she herself had disheveled hair and messy clothes, more like the one who had fallen from grace.

Wei Ying smiled and picked up the fallen peacock hairpin, returning it to the girl.

Ming Beinu was momentarily captivated by her smile and, as if by instinct, almost said “thank you,” but suddenly remembered her purpose. She snatched the hairpin fiercely: “The Emperor wants you to reflect well in Anle Hall. Why are you all gathering here instead of reflecting?”

Wei Ying bowed her head, pretending to be contrite.

Ming Beinu felt slightly relieved and continued: “I’ll report back to the Empress Dowager; you’ll have to stay here for a few more months.”

The other girl immediately lifted her head, her peach-blossom eyes slightly reddened, long lashes trembling, eyes misty with emotion.

Seeing her like this, Ming Beinu snorted coldly: “Even if you beg me, I won’t help you plead for mercy.”

Wei Ying laughed: “Is that even a thing?”

Ming Beinu: ???

Xiao Qianxue hurriedly approached, anxious: “Jieyu, are you serious?”

Ming Beinu: “Hah, of course I’m serious. But if you beg earnestly, I might kindly plead for you…”

Xiao Qianxue interrupted: “No need to plead! Let us stay here a bit longer!”

The surrounding palace maids, upon hearing this, turned pale with delight: “Jieyu is such a kind person!”

“This is wonderful! The two noble ladies can stay here for months longer. Thank you, Jieyu!”

“Jieyu’s heart is so kind.”

…

Having never been praised for doing good deeds, Ming Beinu was stunned. Soon, she was immersed in a flurry of compliments, feeling dizzy. It was such a good feeling to be praised for doing good, so…

She pinched her own palm, wincing in pain, and came back to her senses.

What the heck? She had come here to be the villain! … Ah, no, not a villain, but also not the “good person” they called her.

Why was everyone in Anle Hall acting so strangely?

How could she proceed according to her original plan, mocking them, making them kneel and beg for mercy?

Ming Beinu’s eyes sharpened. She glared around at the palace maids: “Dog servants! Who pushed me just now? I’ll have the Empress Dowager punish you and have you flogged!”

The maids instantly turned pale, terrified.

Ming Beinu might have no power over Wei Ying and the others, but punishing lowly palace maids and eunuchs was a simple matter for her.

Xiao Qianxue angrily said: “Why are you doing this? They did nothing wrong! If you have the guts, come at me!”

Seeing her care about this, Ming Beinu became even more smug, raising her chin: “If you want me not to punish them, then kneel and beg me!”

Xiao Qianxue, flustered: “You—”

Wei Ying stood beside them, cracking sunflower seeds.

In the original story, this scene also appears: the antagonist comes dressed in gold and jewels to humiliate the heroine and comes into conflict with her, and then the Emperor… the Emperor doesn’t appear, but the Emperor’s messenger does.

At the moment Ming Beinu wanted to punish the two girls serving the heroine, Fushou coincidentally arrived, protecting Hongzhu and Lüzha. He also brought the heroine a box of pastries and told her the Emperor was thinking of her and that she should endure patiently.

Fushou returned to the palace and reported the heroine’s situation to the Emperor, who felt deep sympathy for her.

This event increased the heroine’s favor toward the Emperor and laid the groundwork for the Emperor visiting her on a snowy night at Zhaixing Tower later.

She discreetly glanced outside. A flash of vermillion appeared at the door.

It was Fushou.

A key plot trigger occurred, and the system immediately issued a task: “Prevent Eunuch Fushou from helping the heroine, to avoid triggering the snow-night visit event with the Emperor. Reward: one random card draw (guaranteed at least a green card).”

Oh no, time to work.

Wei Ying tossed her sunflower seeds aside: “Use a card: ‘two-faced’.”

Ming Beinu: “Not only do I want them punished, I also want…” She shivered, unable to control herself, blurting out: “I also want to treat them to delicious food and drinks, dress them in silk and brocade, let them stay in Nonghua Hall, while my sister and I move out, and stay in the Cold Palace!”

Xiao Qianxue’s eyes widened: “You…”

Ming Beinu continued babbling: “What? I just want to do good, so what? I just want to elevate them, so what? What can you do about it? Don’t want this? Then kneel and beg me!”

Xiao Qianxue hastily waved her hands: “That’s not necessary, you’re too polite.”

The surrounding palace maids also shook their heads in alarm: “No need, no need, Jieyu, you’re too kind.”

Realizing what she had said, Ming Beinu quickly covered her mouth, her mind blank again, shame and anger burning her face bright red.

Xiao Qianxue sighed: “Why do you all want to come to the Cold Palace too? You said you’d line up, remember?”

Ming Beinu trembled in frustration: “You, you, I… Damn it!”

She stamped her foot, both embarrassed and angry, and ran off.

Xiao Qianxue muttered behind her: “What a strange person.”

Wei Ying smiled silently.

Fushou, who had been watching the whole scene, was also shocked. After standing at the door for a while, he calmed himself and walked into Anle Hall, smiling.

As a high-ranking eunuch, people in the palace greeted him with respect.

Fushou waved and walked up to the two girls, bowing politely: “The Emperor sent me to check on the two noble ladies.”

Xiao Qianxue quickly took the food box, smiling: “The Emperor is so kind, thank you, Eunuch.”

Fushou examined the two girls. Their faces were rosy, in good spirits, even appearing a little plumper than before. He was surprised to see someone living so well in the Cold Palace.

This surprise lingered until he returned late at night to grind ink for the Emperor.

Yun Shao set down her memorial and tilted her head, her sharp features softened by the lamp light: “Fushou, you seem distracted all afternoon. Is something wrong?”

Fushou shook his head: “Your Majesty, nothing at all.”

Yun Shao lowered her gaze, long lashes trembling slightly, hinting at some inner turmoil. She sat at the dragon throne, her hand on the table, thumb rubbing her middle finger unconsciously, brows furrowed. She opened her mouth but stopped, finally covering her lips with a light cough.

Fushou wondered: Is His Majesty concerned about them?

But the Emperor’s mind was hard to read, and he did not want to overstep by speaking unnecessarily, so he pretended ignorance: “Your Majesty, are you hungry? Please eat these red bean dumplings. Don’t overwork yourself.”

Yun Shao picked up a dumpling but had little appetite. She said softly: “But there are still people with insufficient clothing and food, starving, even without fire—truly pitiful.”

Fushou blinked: “Your Majesty is truly a benevolent ruler, caring for the suffering!”

Yun Shao stiffened, placing the dumpling on the table, slumping in her chair. After a long pause, she hoarsely asked: “How is Anle Hall?”

She was anxious to the point of madness.

Fushou nodded, corner of his mouth raised: “Your Majesty, it’s very good. The two noble ladies are also well, eating well, dressed warmly, even gaining a little weight.”

Yun Shao blinked, looking at the flower-and-bird patterned palace lantern on the table. Her beautiful eyes reflected the brilliant lights, sparkling.

“You lied to keep me from worrying, didn’t you?”

Even in the Cold Palace, resources were limited; even with help from virtuous consorts, how could they have gained weight?

Her gaze clouded with worry, deciding she would personally visit soon to see them again.

Perhaps seeing her, the girl would feel grateful and not reject her as before.

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