Chapter Fifty: Finally Gaining Freedom, A New Chapter Begins

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From his sleeve, the eunuch surprisingly pulled out an imperial edict! In a sharp, high-pitched voice, he read aloud: “By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees, Lu Wan’er and He Yunsheng have secretly hoarded treasures, a grave crime deserving immediate...” My heart instantly sank—this old dog was cutting off all escape routes!

Just as I was pondering how to turn the tide, the eunuch shifted tone: “Considering their meritorious service, they are hereby pardoned and banished from the palace, never to return!”

I was stunned. Banished? Never allowed back in? What kind of punishment was that?

Before I could fully grasp it, He Yunsheng whispered in my ear, “Sister, this is good news! We can be free!”

Free? Suddenly it dawned on me—yes, freedom! The freedom I had longed for in my dreams!

I leapt up excitedly, snatching the edict to verify its contents carefully. Indeed, it truly allowed us to leave the palace!

Clutching He Yunsheng, I planted a fierce kiss on his cheek. “Yunsheng, you’re truly my lucky star!” His face flushed instantly, as red and adorable as a ripe apple.

With the edict in hand, what came next was far simpler.

We began to execute our “Golden Cicada Shedding” plan.

First, I sought out a few ministers I was friendly with, slipping them heavy gold ingots to persuade them to speak well of us before the Emperor.

Once bribed, their efficiency was remarkable. The very next day, they jointly submitted a petition asserting that the palace should respect personal choices and allow us to live freely.

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The Emperor, already hesitant about our secret hoarding of treasures, was swayed by the ministers’ collective plea and went along with it.

However, Consort Xiao’s faction was unwilling to relent. They rushed to the Emperor, tearfully complaining that allowing us to take the treasures would damage palace interests.

The Emperor wavered again, and I felt the dawn of victory slipping further away.

No, I had to think of something!

Suddenly, I recalled the jade pendant I had picked up in the imperial garden…

Just then, Aunt Lin stepped forward. Calmly and deliberately, she approached the Emperor, bowed, and spoke.

“Your Majesty, though Lu Wan’er and He Yunsheng secretly kept some treasures, their contributions to the palace are indisputable!” Aunt Lin’s opening line made me laugh—when did she learn to use internet slang?

But I liked it!

She continued, recounting how I found countless lost treasures for the Emperor, saved the palace a fortune, and how He Yunsheng had solved numerous problems for him. She practically praised us to the skies.

The Emperor listened, visibly pleased, nodding repeatedly.

I silently gave Aunt Lin a mental thumbs-up for that powerful assist.

Seeing the tide turn, Consort Xiao immediately cried out, “Your Majesty, the treasures they’re taking are priceless! You cannot just let them go!” I cursed her silently—she was like a persistent ghost!

I glanced at the Emperor, an idea sparking in my mind.

I stepped forward and presented the jade pendant I had “found” in the imperial garden.

“Your Majesty, this pendant was found by me in the garden. I wonder which noble lady lost it?”

The Emperor’s face changed dramatically when he took the pendant.

“This… this is my personal jade pendant! I have searched long and hard to find it!” He clutched it excitedly, his eyes full of gratitude as they met mine.

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Feigning modesty, I said, “It was merely my good fortune, Your Majesty.” In truth, I had deliberately “discovered” the pendant, saving it for this crucial moment.

With that, Consort Xiao was utterly silenced, only able to glare helplessly.

The Emperor waved his hand grandly and declared that not only were we permitted to leave the palace, but we were also rewarded with a large sum of gold, silver, and jewels.

I truly hit the jackpot!

Hand in hand with He Yunsheng, we strode confidently out of the palace gates.

Glancing back at the towering palace walls, I couldn’t help but sigh—this palace life was finally over!

The outside world awaited our exploration!

Sunlight warmed us gently.

He Yunsheng looked at me, smiling like a child.

“Sister, we are finally free!”

I ruffled his hair and smiled back.

“Yes, from now on we can go wherever we want, do whatever we please! No more kowtowing to those old witches!”

Though the outside world was full of unknowns, I knew that as long as we were together, we had nothing to fear!