Chapter 15: Climbing Up to the Ruthless Corrupt Official

The corrupt official shook his feather fan. “Bai Huan, you’re bold indeed. I haven’t even settled the score for you dragging me into trouble. From this day forward, until our business is concluded, you’ll remain at my side at all times. That way, you’ll have no chance to sabotage me and force me to take the blame.”

At all times?
She wasn’t his servant!
Bai Huan could endure no longer and spoke forcefully, “I must enter the palace daily for forty-nine days to tend to Her Grace, the Consort’s, health. I’m afraid I cannot serve you, sir.”

The corrupt official replied idly, “I have to go to the palace every day anyway. I might as well bring a little dog along to avoid trouble coming my way.”

Bai Huan’s apricot eyes widened in disbelief.

His thin lips curled into an infuriating smirk. “Mmm, you can tend to the Consort by day, and by night, you’ll return to my residence to serve as maid or slave.”

Bai Huan struggled to contain her anger. “Sir, I am now newly wed into the Gu family. If I were to reside in your household, it could tarnish your reputation.”

He glanced at her sideways. “You escaped on your wedding night, already violating the seven grounds for divorce. You still dare call yourself the Gu family’s daughter-in-law? Still, I can play the good man to the end and inform the Marquis of Luyang’s household that his new daughter-in-law is temporarily in my service.”

Her hand itched to draw the dagger she gripped. How she longed to stab him.

So, all officials in this world were scoundrels!

Bai Huan knew she could not match his influence, but she was determined not to accept an unequal bargain.

She swallowed her resentment and steeled herself. “I am willing to risk my life to save my family. If you, sir, will save the entire Bai clan, I will willingly become your servant, attend to your needs. Otherwise—”

Her eyes, icy and resolute, met his. “I would rather die.”

The corrupt official paused, his dark brows arching, starlit eyes curving as if fragments of light glimmered within. His lips lifted in a half-smile, his jade-like features and peach-blossom beauty dazzling, as if the spring moon had melted a touch of frost and snow.

The little girl certainly had spirit.

Bai Huan felt his gaze unsettling and forced herself to look away.

Was this corrupt official so fond of flaunting his looks?

Dong Yi drawled, “Very well. For every life I save from your family, you’ll owe me a favor. Let’s see—your family must have at least a hundred members? You can repay me slowly. If you cannot, valuable items from your household may be accepted as payment.”

So that was it!

He only wanted to help her to get his hands on the Bai family treasures.

Bai Huan glared at him, her anger boiling with nowhere to go. Why must one so handsome have such a black heart?

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He was callous, opportunistic, and insatiably greedy.

As the Incense Commissioner, he could strangle any perfumer at will. She was no match for him right now.

Bai Huan forced her anger down and spoke with difficulty, “I will do the work of a servant, but I will never sell my body.”

“Heh.”

The corrupt official mocked, looking her up and down. “Every woman in Tiancheng dreams of sharing my bed. Look at you—I doubt I’d even have the stomach.”

Bai Huan’s anger soared. She blurted out, “I do not like men like you, either.”

Then, fearing he’d take offense, she hurried to add, “You are famed as the Jade-faced Lord in the chariot of sheep, adored by all. I’m too plain—I fear those beauties would strangle me in jealousy.”

He couldn’t help but laugh. “Hahaha! Little lass, at least you have some self-awareness.”

Bai Huan rolled her eyes inwardly. “I’m hardly any younger than you, sir. I am a married woman—and only thinking of your reputation.”

He grinned even brighter. “I do have a certain curiosity for married women. I’ve never tried one.”

Scoundrel!

Bai Huan dared not protest, shrinking quietly into the corner and turning her face away, not wishing to look at his infuriatingly handsome face.

The carriage fell silent for a moment before he spoke again. “Don’t you want to know the truth behind your family’s case?”

Since it concerned her family, Bai Huan could not help but turn back. “Sir, did you go to the Ministry of Justice and suppress the case against my family?”

She owed him thanks for that much.

But when she thought of his designs on their treasures, the gratitude vanished.

“The Ministry of War reported it, the Ministry of Justice filed the case. With the ledgers and evidence, falsification of military supplies and the Bai family’s incense deceiving the throne, it’s enough to warrant execution of the entire clan. I, as the Steward of the Imperial Workshops, have no authority to interfere.”

Bai Huan knew full well the Steward could not meddle in major cases of the Ministry of Justice or War.

But he was the only man she could hope to rely on.

“The Bai family would never deceive the sovereign. I can prove it. We have been the imperial incense merchants for five years, never once making a mistake, and would hardly risk our century-old foundation for a mere five thousand incense pellets, let alone hundreds of lives. Clearly, someone is framing us, aiming to seize our assets and treasures. The fall of the Bai family would also implicate the Incense Commissioner.”

She scrutinized his face for any telling sign. “Don’t you also desire the Bai family treasures?”

Dong Yi’s eyes flicked up to her, giving her a look. “If you’re this slow-witted, how can you avenge your family?”

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You’re the slow-witted one!

Bai Huan drew a deep breath. Don’t lose your temper—it serves no one.

But as she considered, she realized: if he truly coveted the Bai family’s treasures, he could have simply taken advantage of the family’s misfortune, used his office as Incense Commissioner, and appropriated whatever he wished. There was no need to send her into the palace, suppress the case at the Ministry of Justice, shelter her family, or save her life and give her a chance to fight back.

She kept puzzling over his true motives.

While her mind churned, the carriage rolled straight into the palace, stopping before the entrance to Chaohua Hall.

Zhi Yuan, seeing her arrive, hurried forward. Her gaze landed on the white silk wrapped around Bai Huan’s neck, fresh blood seeping through. She paused, but asked nothing, and led her to the side hall, where two palace maids were tending to various incense tools.

“These two are Yu Lu and Yu Zhu, incense maids of Chaohua Hall. You are in charge now; they will assist you in serving Her Grace.”

Bai Huan bowed her head. “Rest assured, Aunt. I will teach them with all my heart.”

Zhi Yuan was pleased—a sensible girl.

Bai Huan handed her two “Chongju Gui” pillows. “Aunt Zhi, let Her Grace use the one made of Shu brocade for now. When my father wakes, I will make a special herbal pillow just for Her Grace.”

She lowered her voice, “The other is for you. The fabrics are different; no one will notice.”

No matter how high a servant’s position, she could never use the same belongings as her mistress.

A flicker of surprise and delight crossed Zhi Yuan’s face as she accepted the pillows and quietly asked, “Is your father still unconscious?”

Bai Huan’s eyes reddened. “Physician Zheng says he was deliberately beaten, two vertebrae broken. If they cannot be mended, he may never walk again.”

Zhi Yuan was stunned and did not press further. “You have not slept all night and suffered much. You’ve done well.”

Bai Huan wiped away her tears. “Her Grace’s health is the priority; I am fine. May I ask, are there any undyed cotton or silk underskirts? I encountered an assassin and soiled mine. I must bathe and wear scentless, colorless garments before preparing incense, lest any odor disturb Her Grace’s fragrance.”

Only then did Zhi Yuan notice the torn sleeve, her eyes softening, though she said nothing.

She instructed Qing’er, “Help Lady Bai bathe and change. There is a new sleeping robe in my room—bring it for her.”

Bai Huan continued, “When will the palace staff from the Imperial Kitchen be on duty? I wish to consult with them and the imperial physicians, and review the recent records of pulse diagnoses and medicinal foods.”

With the Ministries of War and Justice circling like wolves, time was of the essence to clear her father’s name.