Chapter 7: Killing Wang Qin

After taking only a few steps, Zhang Lingyang turned around again and knelt before Zhao Chenxi, saying: "Your Majesty, there is one matter that I have concealed from Your Majesty."

He drew out the sword and severed the rope from the hook, then Zhang Lingyang took the severed rope to the unconscious Wang Qin.

The wicked old society, where emperors truly enjoyed themselves; not to mention the concubines in the harem, even the young palace maids were remarkably beautiful.

Upon entering the Yangxin Hall, Zhang Lingyang quietly said to Wang Qin: "Master Wang, please let them leave first, I have something to discuss with you"

Within the Hall of Nourishing the Heart, there is certainly no shortage of sharp weapons such as swords and daggers

Furthermore, if it truly is just one night, I fear that tomorrow Zhang Lingyang will indeed be unable to complete his plans

After all, only the Chief Eunuch of the Imperial Sacrificial Office is qualified to attend court with the Emperor

Zhang Lingyang did not even know what the Xianfei looked like, so he could only fabricate a story: "Last night, as soon as the Xianfei entered the Yangxin Hall, she lunged into the arms of a commoner. Fortunately, the commoner dodged in time, thus preventing any dishonor to the lady!"

After dealing with a multitude of ministers, it was already an hour later

Upon hearing Zhao Chenxi's words, Zhang Lingyang's previously settled heart was once again filled with anxiety

Looking at Wang Qin's expression, it is evident that he is still unaware of the chaos he caused last night involving a certain Zhao Chenxi concubine

Zhao Chenxi noncommittally nodded and then asked: "Why haven't we seen Wang Qin?"

"Go ahead and speak!" Zhao Chenxi said calmly

It would be false to say that at this moment Zhang Lingyang is not feeling nervous

After searching extensively, as time passed second by second, Wang Qin still had not found anything like a rope, causing beads of sweat to form on his forehead due to anxiety

"Yes, yes, yes, this commoner will explain. " Zhang Lingyang then kowtowed and said: "Last night, the noble consort came to the Yangxin Hall, this commoner... this commoner accidentally touched the noble consort's hand, this commoner has committed an offense against the noble consort, this commoner knows his crime, I beg the Emperor for forgiveness, I beg the Emperor for forgiveness!"

"Ha, I have not yet asked, yet you have already revealed everything!" Zhao Chenxi scoffed, but then his tone shifted as he continued, "After all, you did this for me, so I shall grant you a pardon and declare you innocent!"

Outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Grand Eunuch Wang Qin had long been waiting there

This is not fatigue, but rather a result of excessive tension

Upon seeing the hook on the canopy above the bed, Zhang Lingyang suddenly realized: "Isn't there a rope on the hook?"

However, upon seeing Zhao Chenxi, Zhang Lingyang felt extremely nervous and cautiously knelt before Zhao Chenxi, saying: "Commoner Zhang Lingyang pays his respects to Your Majesty"

In my heart, I thought: "I was right in my guess, Zhao Chenxi has long had the intention to kill me!"

When the Emperor has grown tired of playing outside, he will naturally allow you to leave the palace

Suddenly, something caught Zhang Lingyang's eye, and he couldn't help but feel a spark of interest.

Zhang Lingyang smiled and said: "When will you be able to let the little person out of the palace? The little person is almost suffocating here!"

Upon seeing Wang Qin drink the tea, Zhang Lingyang's heart began to thump vigorously

Yet Wang Qin did not move a muscle and simply passed away like this

At this moment, seeing Wang Qin still speaking to him as if nothing had happened, Zhang Lingyang shouted in his heart: "It's over, completely over!"

It is best not to know forever! With this thought in mind, Zhang Lingyang walked into the main hall with Wang Qin's support

It was not until Zhang Lingyang felt a tingling sensation in his hands that the rope was finally delivered to him

After all, this is his first time committing murder, isn't it

"You may go and rest; I shall call Li Yu to attend to me!" Zhao Chenxi declared

As he spoke, Zhang Lingyang intended to step forward to change the tea for Zhao Chenxi, but Zhao Chenxi said, "No need, the hot tea is too scalding, this cup of water is just right!"

It was not until Wang Qin suddenly collapsed onto the table that he was awakened

Without daring to hesitate, Zhang Lingyang hurriedly dragged Wang Qin's body and pulled him to the front of the bed. With a strong effort from both hands, he pushed Wang Qin down to the floor beneath the bed

Nevertheless, Zhao Chenxi's gaze was icy, as if he were looking at a corpse when he looked at Zhang Lingyang

After Lady Li left, Zhang Lingyang bathed and changed clothes again under the service of the palace maids

Saying this, Zhao Chenxi picked up the teacup and drank it all in one go

It is important to note that once blood is seen, regardless of whether Zhao Chenxi will discover it upon his return, the palace maids and eunuchs outside will certainly notice it as well

Upon seeing this, Zhang Lingyang stood up, took the teapot, and filled the teacup with water, then carefully stepped aside to wait.

However, at this moment, Wang Qin was still speaking to himself as if nothing had happened, which indicated that this sleeping drug was fake

Zhao Chenxi, with eyes sharp as blades, directed a piercing gaze at Zhang Lingyang, slowly setting down the teacup, remaining silent...

Upon returning, Zhang Lingyang poured the remaining sleeping powder into the teapot that had just steeped the tea leaves, then let out a long breath and collapsed onto the bed, utterly exhausted.

It is indeed quite mysterious; if only a little earlier in the morning, Zhao Chenxi would have discovered Wang Qin's body

"I, a commoner, acknowledge my crime. I beseech Your Majesty for mercy!" Zhang Lingyang knelt down on the ground, crying out, "Spare my life!"

Wang Qin picked up the teacup on the table and, without the slightest hesitation, drank from it

Seeing that Zhao Chenxi had not yet drunk the tea, Zhang Lingyang cautiously said: "Your Majesty, the tea has cooled down; may I replace it with a fresh one for you"

Because Zhang Lingyang knew that once Li Yu entered, he would ultimately be doomed.

I hope this anesthetic is fine, otherwise I will really be in trouble today

He extended his fingers and placed them in front of Wang Qin's nose, testing Wang Qin's breath. Upon seeing that he had completely ceased to breathe, Zhang Lingyang finally felt relieved

Oh! Without giving it much thought, Zhao Chenxi sat down on the bed and picked up the teacup from the table

After the recent activities, Zhang Lingyang also felt tired and fell into a deep sleep shortly after getting into bed

As Zhao Chenxi picked up the teacup again, Zhang Lingyang felt an extreme sense of tension in his heart, his eyes fixed intently on the teacup in Zhao Chenxi's hand, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, silently urging: "Drink it, hurry up and drink it!"

At this moment, Zhang Lingyang did not dare to defy Zhao Chenxi and could only follow suit, walking towards the 'small black room' inside.

At the moment when Wang Qin went out to dismiss the palace maids and eunuchs, Zhang Lingyang had already poured the soporific drug into the teapot

Having finished all of this, Zhang Lingyang was already drenched in sweat

After all, in the films and television dramas I have watched before, once people drink tea laced with a soporific drug, they immediately fall into a deep sleep

Zhang Lingyang made up his mind and said: "In fact, it was not only Noble Consort Gao who visited the Yangxin Hall last night, but Consort Xian also came!"

After all, based on the time estimate from yesterday, Zhao Chenxi should be returning at this time

With a rope looped around Wang Qin's neck, Zhang Lingyang pulled down hard with both hands

As for what to seek

While speaking, Zhang Lingyang picked up the teapot from the table and poured tea into the cup next to Wang Qin, although his palm was faintly sweating

After dismissing the group of palace maids and eunuchs from the hall, Wang Qin returned and asked, "What is the matter?"

As expected, in the blink of an eye, Zhao Chenxi appeared in the Yangxin Hall

However, Zhang Lingyang soon became anxious again

Zhang Lingyang, preoccupied with his thoughts, did not pay attention to Wang Qin's words and actions

At that moment, Zhang Lingyang heard a commotion coming from inside the room and immediately woke up in alarm

Then, it was back to the Heart Nurturing Palace

However, when Zhang Lingyang thought about the possibility that if Wang Qin and Zhao Chenxi did not die, it would ultimately be himself who perished, he resolutely steeled his heart.

Of course, it is something like a rope; could it possibly be something like a sword?

This is certainly not due to Zhao Chenxi's martial arts skills, but rather because it is purely a mere decoration

Putting down the teacup, Zhao Chenxi inquired, "Who is serving outside now?"

Oh? You actually have something to hide from me? At this moment, Zhao Chenxi's expression was extremely unpleasant

Early the next morning, Zhang Lingyang was called up by Li Yu, and after getting up and grooming himself, he went to court again

Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Your Majesty..." Zhang Lingyang once again bowed repeatedly.

"So what has she told you or done for you?" Zhao Chenxi instinctively asked, as it was Xianfei, the consort whom Zhao Chenxi valued the most after Empress Wang.

Zhang Lingyang replied: "In response to Your Majesty, it is the Chief Eunuch Li Yu of the Palace of Ceremonial Affairs!"

"Get up, or you will knock your head again. Who will attend court for me tomorrow?" Upon hearing Zhao Chenxi say this, Zhang Lingyang finally got up.

Zhang Lingyang could not help but exclaim in his heart: "How profound!"

Upon seeing Wang Qin faint, Zhang Lingyang couldn't help but let out a long sigh

Then, not daring to hesitate, Zhang Lingyang hurriedly got up and began searching for things in the room

Upon seeing this, Zhang Lingyang felt completely at ease with his choice.

After glancing at the empty cup, Zhao Chenxi set it down.

Zhang Lingyang replied: "Your Majesty, today is Eunuch Wang's day off"

Hearing this sound, I fear that Zhao Chenxi has returned