Eunuch Quan has been following the Emperor since childhood, witnessing him marry and take concubines.

Back then, the Rong Family, mere merchants, seeking protection from Prince Kang, sent their daughter of stunning beauty to the backyard of Prince Kang, not daring to ask for any title.

Prince Kang, seeing the extraordinary beauty of the Rong Family’s daughter, accepted her.

At that time, Eunuch Quan was not yet the Chief Eunuch overseeing punishments; he had once passed messages for Prince Kang to Consort Rong’s family, so he knew where Consort Rong’s family used to live.

Eunuch Quan, holding this stack of papers, was unusually nervous. If it were concerning someone else, he could just go and bluff Commander Zhu, and perhaps within no time, extract his innermost thoughts.

But as it involved Consort Rong, he didn’t dare.

Consort Rong was favored and had borne two Princes, firmly establishing her position in the palace.

If he rashly involved her but failed to topple her immediately, Consort Rong would undoubtedly retaliate against him.

Eunuch Quan pondered for a long time, but his loyalty to the Emperor prevailed, and he took the stack of papers to Sicui Palace to seek an audience with the Emperor.

The Emperor carefully looked through them and didn’t see any problems. However, he knew that if these items were of no value, Eunuch Quan wouldn’t present them to him.

Looking at Eunuch Quan, the Emperor slowly said, "What have you discerned from these? Speak honestly."

Eunuch Quan hesitated repeatedly, "Your servant recalls that Consort Rong’s family used to reside near Commander Zhu’s home."

The Emperor’s expression immediately changed.

Eunuch Quan promptly added, "Your servant thinks, when Consort Rong married into Prince Kang Mansion, she brought two maids, both of whom are now Chief Aunts in the palace. Could it be—"

He dared not suggest any suspicion between Consort Rong and Commander Zhu, only dared to mention Consort Rong’s maids.

The Emperor squinted his eyes, standing up, "You go interrogate Commander Zhu first."

"I will be listening from next door."

Eunuch Quan bowed, taking the lead.

Once the Emperor was settled, Eunuch Quan had Commander Zhu brought to the adjacent room.

He had the cloth stuffed in Commander Zhu’s mouth removed, then slowly said, "Commander Zhu, do you know why you’ve been kept so long without interrogation?"

"I sent people back to Xiang City to inquire about your past, and I also know about your previous affairs with that person."

Commander Zhu was startled internally and heard Eunuch Quan continue, "Speak, how many times have you rendezvoused with that person, and why did you plot to assassinate the Second Prince?"

Eunuch Quan, mindful that the Emperor was next door, avoided some direct words, resorting to vague expressions.

Commander Zhu, uncertain if Consort Rong had truly been exposed, gritted his teeth and said, "I don’t know what Eunuch is talking about."

"My intention was not to assassinate the Second Prince, only because he is arrogant and ignores others, I wanted to teach him a lesson."

"I have never rendezvoused with anyone, as for the person the Eunuch mentioned, I am completely unaware."

Eunuch Quan shook his head, "It seems you refuse to confess. I advise Commander Zhu to cooperate well and end this swiftly, otherwise, you might regret being born into this world."

Commander Zhu gritted his teeth in silence.

Eunuch Quan coolly said, "Then let’s start with a little appetizer."

After he spoke, several eunuchs pinned Commander Zhu to the ground, and a board one foot wide landed "slap" on Commander Zhu’s backside.

Commander Zhu endured it, not daring to struggle recklessly, fearful of injuring vital parts with his struggles.