Chapter 89: Unveiling Mysteries in the Accounting Room, The Heroine’s Ingenious Countermove

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Chapter 89: Unraveling Mysteries in the Treasury, the Heroine’s Brilliant Countermove

Lin Shiya’s steps were steady, each one seemingly treading upon Eunuch Chen’s very nerves. She paid no heed to his attempts to block her path, heading straight for the treasury room’s door. The heavy wooden door was tightly shut, a trace of chilling air seeping through its cracks, like a slumbering beast waiting for its prey in the abyss.

With a sharp creak, the hinges cried out as Eunuch Chen hastily reached to close the door. But Lin Shiya moved faster than lightning, pushing it open a crack before he could react.

Inside, the light was dim and the air was thick with the musty scent of decay, a stark contrast to the freshness outside. Through the narrow opening, Lin Shiya glimpsed several towering bookshelves crammed with ledgers, each one a puzzle waiting to be solved.

Eunuch Chen’s face turned ashen, sweat beading on his brow as he stammered, “Master Lin, you… you cannot go in!” His voice was sharp and grating, like sandpaper rasping against the ear.

But Lin Shiya did not force her way in. Instead, she let her gaze sweep over every corner by the treasury door, her eyes penetrating, as if nothing could escape her scrutiny.

Then, she suddenly let out a sigh, disappointment flickering across her features. “Very well. Since Eunuch Chen is so troubled, I shall not press the matter.” Her tone carried a trace of resignation, as though she had truly abandoned her investigation.

Turning on her heel, she walked away with deliberate slowness. Her tall figure and composed gait appeared somewhat forlorn to the onlookers.

A breeze brushed past, stirring the hem of her robe and bringing a soft rustling to the silent corridor.

Eunuch Chen watched her leave, secretly relieved; his tense body eased, and a barely perceptible smile of triumph played at his lips. He shut the treasury door with hurried hands, as though terrified Lin Shiya might come back on a whim.

From a shadowed corner by the palace wall, a pair of sharp eyes observed everything.

Lin Shiya had not gone far at all; she was hidden in darkness, quietly watching her surroundings. The corners of her lips lifted in a meaningful smile. She had seen the relief on Eunuch Chen’s face and sensed the atmosphere growing ever more lax.

She raised her hand, gently touching the tiny earring at her lobe, feeling its coldness as if communicating in silence. Drawing her gaze to the distance, a profound light flashed in her eyes.

Guard Xue hurried toward her, concern evident in his glance. “Master Lin, you…”

Inside the empress’s chambers, fragrant sandalwood smoke coiled from a gilded incense burner, its scent so rich as to be almost overpowering.

The empress reclined on her divan, idly twirling a ruby-studded ring between her fingers, a cold and self-satisfied smile on her lips.

“I thought this Lin Shiya would be more formidable, but she is nothing special,” she said with utter disdain.

Consort Li stood by her side, carefully echoing her words. Her eyes sparkled with cunning, and a seductive smile played about her lips. “Your Majesty is wise. How could a mere new laureate compare to your brilliance?” Her slender fingers traced her temple, every movement a study in allure.

“Hmph, she wants to check the accounts? Let her investigate to her heart’s content!” the empress sneered.

Consort Li received her orders and departed, her figure graceful and steps light, like a leopard stalking its prey. She knew the empress’s mind well, as well as her own place in the game of power.

Tension rose again in the court. Civil and military officials exchanged wary glances, whispering amongst themselves. They knew a new storm was gathering.

Just as Consort Li was about to reach Minister Zhou’s residence, Lin Shiya was already seated before the minister himself.

She placed a yellow-silk-wrapped document on the table with deliberate gentleness, but there was no mistaking her authority.

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Minister Zhou regarded Lin Shiya, at once familiar yet now a stranger, his heart in turmoil. He picked up the document with trembling hands. When he saw its contents, all color drained from his face.

It was evidence of the empress forcing him into corruption—each detail meticulously recorded, irrefutable proof.

“Minister Zhou, you are a learned man; you should know right from wrong.” Lin Shiya’s voice was calm and resolute, sharp as a sword piercing the soul. “I can pretend nothing has happened, but you must make your choice.”

Minister Zhou’s hand shook, and the document slipped to the floor. Overcome with shame, he fell to his knees before Lin Shiya. “Master Lin, I admit my wrongdoing. From now on, I will serve the court with utmost loyalty and never again consort with traitors.”

The next morning at court, Minister Zhou’s actions stunned everyone. Instead of his usual accusations against Lin Shiya, he confessed before all the officials, admitting to being coerced and revealing his past misdeeds.

His voice brimmed with remorse, and also admiration for Lin Shiya.

The court erupted in whispers. The look in the officials’ eyes shifted from suspicion and testing to respect and appreciation.

Lin Shiya stood quietly, her gaze calm as water, having anticipated such an outcome all along.

Collecting her thoughts, she turned to leave the hall, her cool voice echoing in the silence: “Eunuch Chen, is the treasury open?”

In the empress’s chambers, the sandalwood smoke thickened, casting an invisible net over the space.

The empress hurled the ruby ring to the floor, where it shattered with a sharp, brittle sound—just like her current mood.

She had thought victory certain, but never imagined Minister Zhou would betray her at the last moment—a flagrant challenge to her authority.

Her face twisted with rage, eyes burning with fury. “That wretched old Zhou—useless fool!”

Consort Li stood by, silent and cautious, sensing the empress’s wrath like a wounded beast poised to attack.

“Eunuch Chen!” the empress hissed, her voice as cold and venomous as a demon’s. “Go to the treasury. Bring that wretched Lin Shiya to me—now! Make sure she cannot defend herself, make her utterly disgraced!”

Eunuch Chen bowed and scrambled out, wiping cold sweat from his brow, cursing his luck but knowing there was no turning back.

He hurried toward the treasury, a sly smile curling his lips. This time, he was sure Lin Shiya would fall into his trap.

The treasury door creaked open again, and Eunuch Chen slipped inside like a wraith.

With practiced ease, he opened a hidden compartment behind the shelves and took out an inconspicuous wooden box.

He carefully placed it in a subtle spot and restored everything else to its original state, as though nothing had changed.

He grinned wickedly, already envisioning Lin Shiya’s disgrace.

Just then, the treasury door slowly opened. Lin Shiya appeared on the threshold, her gaze sharp as ever.

Behind her, Guard Xue followed closely, hand on his sword, eyes alert.

“Eunuch Chen, you seem nervous,” Lin Shiya said quietly, her words crashing into him like thunder, freezing his smug expression.

Eunuch Chen went pale, stammering, “Master Lin… you… why are you here again?” His voice trembled, his eyes darting.

Lin Shiya smiled faintly, ignoring his panic as she strode into the room, her eyes scanning the treasury.

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She was like a seasoned hunter, searching for the faintest trace of her prey.

Her gaze landed on that unremarkable corner. A knowing smile touched her lips.

“Eunuch Chen, is there something you wish to show me?” Her voice remained calm, but a nameless dread seized him.

He tried to move but found his legs leaden, unable to budge.

He could only watch as Lin Shiya walked to the corner, bent down, and retrieved the wooden box from behind the bookshelf.

At the sight of the box, Eunuch Chen’s face turned deathly pale, sweat pouring from his brow.

He cried out in terror, eyes wide as Lin Shiya opened the box.

She lifted its contents into the candlelight, which gleamed coldly. “Guard Xue, it seems there truly is a problem with this treasury.”

Guard Xue’s gaze lingered on Lin Shiya’s focused profile, the dim candlelight casting a gentle glow over her features, highlighting her striking beauty and commanding presence.

He could not help but say, “Master Lin, I truly admire your courage and wisdom.” He paused, a note of nervousness in his voice. “And I deeply respect your devotion to the country and its people.”

Lin Shiya looked up, meeting his gaze with a soft smile. Her eyes shone like a spring breeze, and even the cold air in the treasury seemed to grow warmer.

“You flatter me, Guard Xue. I am only doing my duty,” she replied, her voice clear and melodious, a pleasant sound in the silent treasury.

Touched by her kindness, Guard Xue felt his anxiety melt away. He gathered his courage. “Master Lin, I know my status is low, and I dare not hope for much, but… towards you, I…”

He blushed and averted his eyes, unable to finish his sentence.

Lin Shiya understood his unspoken words. She did not respond directly, but smiled gently and turned her attention back to the ledger in her hands.

Silence fell once more, broken only by the rustling of pages and the occasional crackle of the candle.

In the dim light, the yellowed ledgers exuded a musty air.

Lin Shiya’s slender fingers traced the neat handwriting line by line, her gaze growing ever more serious.

The records were meticulous and regular, but something felt amiss.

She examined the ledgers again, her fingertips gliding over the paper, sensing its texture and thickness.

Suddenly, her fingers paused at an inconspicuous corner. There, a small blot of ink, darker than the surrounding script, stood out in the faint light.

Her heart skipped a beat. She held her breath and gently touched the blot.

A sticky sensation greeted her touch—unlike ordinary ink.

She leaned in, and a faint odor of blood, mingled with ink, reached her nose.

“This…” Lin Shiya drew a sharp breath, shock flashing in her eyes.

She realized the treasury concealed a secret far greater than the empress’s corruption.

In the dimness, the script on the ledger twisted like mocking phantoms, as if ridiculing her ignorance.

She looked up at Guard Xue, her voice grave, “Guard Xue, come and look at this…”