Chapter 476: Xiao Caizi Gets Beaten

Suddenly, a knocking sound came from outside.

The three people inside the room exchanged glances, and no one spoke.

"Oh, isn't this Hong'er, the maid beside Consort Cao?"

"I don't know when a palace maid from Consort Cao's side could come to the Emperor's main hall."

The eunuch's voice was sharp; he first directly revealed the outsider's identity, then launched straight into a questioning.

"Xiao Caizi, you're just an outer-gate eunuch—who gave a lowly slave like you permission to enter the main hall?" the palace maid snapped, having received Consort Cao's order to secretly check on the Emperor's condition.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Caizi blocked her from outside.

Heh—

The little eunuch's voice carried a hint of charm compared to the palace maid's, showing no fear at all—he smiled instead of getting angry.

"Oh, Sister Hong'er, you're joking."

"I am a lowly slave, but I have a good foster father to back me up."

"I can come to this place, Sister Hong'er, but you cannot."

"Sister Hong'er, could it be you want to go in and have a look?"

Xiao Caizi stood firm at the main gate, guarding the door with a resounding presence.

Hong'er felt anxious; if she delayed any longer, Senior Eunuch Xi would return.

She dared to scold Xiao Caizi, but she did not dare to confront Senior Eunuch Xi.

"You dead slave, get out of my way." There was no time—if she didn't go in to look today, Consort Cao would not let her off.

This step, she had to take.

Jiang Yunchu's black silver needle had, at some point, already been gripped in her hand.

Once someone comes in, there's no going back.

Although it would alarm Consort Cao, she couldn't worry about that now.

Xiao Caizi gave a light laugh: "Sister Hong'er, you're joking—I'm a slave, and you're a servant too; let's not look down on each other."

"Sister Hong'er, throwing yourself into my arms like this—do you know my foster father went to fetch the meal and came specially to find me?"

"I, too, am itching for Sister Hong'er."

In that moment, Xiao Caizi outside had a sudden inspiration and changed his demeanor.

If he acted stiffly, it would likely arouse Hong'er's suspicion.

Now he just needed to stall, to stall until his foster father returned.

Back then, he was still a child, ignorant and naive, when his father sold him into the Palace; at that time he offended a noble lady and nearly got beaten to death—it was his foster father who saved him.

Then, with careful care, he was able to survive.

Now his foster father had business with him; he would risk his very life to not let anyone set foot inside the room.

"You dead slave, what nonsense are you spouting? I'll tear your skin off." Hong'er was a first-rank palace maid; having come of age, she could be assigned outside.

Hearing the lowly Xiao Caizi speak of himself like that, how could she bear it?

She raised her hand and struck straight out.

With a "pa" sound, not only those outside the courtyard, but even the people inside heard it clearly.

Jiang Yunchu's eyes narrowed slightly; she knew Xiao Caizi was stalling for time, but……

"Let your foul mouth teach you to know your place, you vile slave."

Hong'er looked triumphantly at the person before her, an air of superiority.

Just as Jiang Yunchu was about to move, Ning Chengyan grabbed her wrist and gently shook his head.

Even Fang Zi Lun on the side had a darkened expression at this moment.

"Miss Hong'er, you sure have a big attitude!"

"Coming to the Emperor's palace to discipline the godson of the Miscellaneous Family—is this Consort Cao's intention?"

Senior Eunuch Xi, after all, is a favored attendant beside the Emperor; those who could make him retreat are now in the Emperor's bedchamber.

Upon hearing Senior Eunuch Xi's voice, Hong'er's whole body went rigid.

"Senior Eunuch Xi, it's just that this slave won't listen; Hong'er is merely helping you discipline him a bit." Hong'er's face turned pale, and she hurriedly bowed.

Senior Eunuch Xi, however, is the Chief Eunuch; these palace maids and eunuchs are all under the Imperial Palace's charge.

That's also why she waited for Senior Eunuch Xi to leave before daring to come over.

Unexpectedly……

"Discipline?"

Senior Eunuch Xi gave a light chuckle: "How could I trouble Miss Hong'er with that?"

"Xiao Caizi."

"Foster father." Xiao Caizi let out a sigh of relief—his foster father had returned.

"First, take the Emperor's meal."

Speaking, Senior Eunuch Xi carefully placed the meal in Xiao Caizi's hands, then glanced up at his already swollen face.

"Thank Miss Hong'er for disciplining our foster son."

"But……

Before he could finish, a "pa" sound of a slap rang out from outside.

And it was accompanied by a woman's startled cry.

"This is the Miscellaneous Family's foster father giving the young lady an education."

"The Miscellaneous Family's foster son is not yet at the stage where a palace maid can educate him."

"If Consort Cao has any orders, the Miscellaneous Family stands ready at all times."

Xi Gonggong wore a gloomy face, staring at Hong'er's expression; his narrowed eyes seemed to carry a gaze full of killing intent.

"You, you guys..."

Hong'er covered her face, glared fiercely at the two people, then turned and left.

"Zajia won't see you out."

Xi Gonggong's voice was a bit cold; coming over at this time, you just want to check on Your Majesty's condition, right?

Really gave them the gall!

"Come in with Zajia." At the gate, Xi Gonggong held a tray and looked toward his adopted son behind him.

Xiao Caoji's brow twitched, but seeing his foster father's expression, he still cautiously asked, "May I?"

In this imperial palace, the only one he could rely on was his foster father.

As for the situation in the palace, more or less, he knows some of it.

Some of the information was also sent by him.

However……

Xi Gonggong gave him a deep look, "Just wait a moment."

It's not that I don't trust you, but in this deep palace, the less you know, the longer you live.

"Princess Consort, this servant begs you, do you have any wound medicine?"

Xi Gonggong knelt on the ground, head down, eyes fixed on the floor.

Now in the imperial palace, since His Majesty was poisoned and fell unconscious, many places have been controlled by Consort Cao, even the Empress's palace has been taken over by her.

Today he provoked Hong'er; he's fine on his side, but Xiao Caoji will probably have a rough time.

"Apply once a day." Jiang Yunchu handed him a white porcelain bottle, then said softly, "As for the news, let the prince handle it."

"Hurry and place the person before one's eyes."

"Consort Cao is not someone who can be easily tolerated."

A few words were also pointing at Xi Gonggong.

Consort Cao used to be arrogant and domineering; especially after giving birth to the Third Prince, she was on equal footing with the Empress.

Only after the Cao clan was beheaded did she realize everything was over, and then she agreed to the person behind the scenes, leading to the present situation.

If a person is let out again, they'll likely end up a corpse by then.