Volume 1 Chapter 114

Volume 1 + Chapter 114: Death Sentence

“I see, thank you.”

Eve nodded, looking at the barely-contained smile on Qianzhi’s face before her, feeling genuinely grateful from the bottom of her heart.

After all, if she relied only on herself, Eve probably wouldn’t even have found out about Pipim’s mother’s scheduled execution in a week.

She might have muddled through and missed some crucial matters.

After all, this wasn’t something Eve could bring up with Alice or Her Majesty the Empress.

Pipim’s mother was a prisoner in custody. What crime she committed and the severity of her sentence were unclear to Eve.

Bringing it up arbitrarily might draw their attention and potentially interfere with the normal procedures.

What if Pipim’s mother truly committed unforgivable sins? Then wouldn’t Eve become her protector?

That wouldn’t be good. Eve could still distinguish between right and wrong.

“I’ve already sent people to investigate for you. To be honest, more than half of those locked in the death row cells shouldn’t be sentenced to death.”

“But because the charges are established and the procedures are complete, it wouldn’t be strange even if an eighty-year-old elder was sentenced to death.”

“I don’t know where they get those documents from—black ink on white paper stamped with the imperial seal. If you could get a copy and fill in a name, that person would die.”

Qianzhi frowned deeply. To be honest, the requirements for imperial execution documents were very strict and required a long review process.

But ever since the incident of the red-haired witch being executed by hanging, the number of death row inmates had gradually increased.

Normally, the number of death row inmates within a year or two could be counted on two hands.

Now, one was basically being sent to the imperial capital every few days.

Although this situation was strange, Qianzhi didn’t think too much about it. After all, it wasn’t her concern. The imperial machine was so vast; naturally, someone would notice this issue.

It’s just that those sentenced to death died so inexplicably, which was somewhat concerning.

“If it’s too troublesome, then forget it.”

Since she was a death row inmate, Eve considered whether to use imperial royal connections to arrange a meeting with Pipim’s mother.

If the worst came to worst, Pipim could stay by her side. Although this child’s magical talent was a bit lacking, with some teaching, she could still enter a decent magic academy.

After some advanced study and graduation in a few years, she would have the ability to establish herself in society.

At the very least, a child taught by Eve could easily become a magic teacher in a city with slightly lower educational standards.

Eve still had that much confidence.

But putting aside Pipim’s issue for now, Eve was very curious about what crime Pipim’s mother had actually committed.

After all, in the empire, the death penalty was the ultimate punishment, reserved for the most heinous crimes.

Eve couldn’t believe how a single mother, raising a young child, could possibly commit such unforgivable acts.

“Miss Eve?”

Eve was so lost in thought that she didn’t notice Qianzhi calling her.

Unbeknownst to her, Qianzhi had already pulled her stool close to Eve’s side.

Her petite shoulder pressed softly against Eve, like a cat seeking affection.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, it’s just… My ankles are a bit sore. You have no idea how much walking I did to help you investigate this.”

Baby Zhizhi’s tone carried a hint of calculation, even sounding somewhat performatively sweet.

No, not performatively sweet—she was just a good younger sister who knew how to feel for Eve.

Ever since returning from the church academy graduation ceremony, Qianzhi had started acting a bit more coquettishly.

After all, she realized she had a formidable rival. If she continued being lackadaisical, she feared she would be eliminated.

“I see, you’ve really worked hard, Baby Zhizhi.”

“Hehe.”

Hearing Eve call her “Baby,” Zhizhi, who had intended to maintain a somewhat calculated, sweet facade, immediately broke into a radiant smile, her pretty eyes curving into crescents.

Simultaneously, she instinctively slipped her jade-like foot, encased in black sheer over-the-knee socks, onto Eve’s lap.

Her toes, sheathed in the thin black stockings, were specially painted with a lotus-root-pink nail polish. Against the black sheer fabric and under the light, they shimmered with a lustrous glow, like exquisite delicacies that would melt in your mouth.

As if sensing Eve’s gaze, she even playfully wiggled them.

“Let me massage them for you. Which foot is sore?”

Eve flexed her fingers slightly and asked Qianzhi quietly.

Qianzhi, of course, answered without hesitation: “Both.”

In the past, she might have been shy, but now she carried no reservations whatsoever.

She even wished that as Eve massaged, her fingers would gradually move higher, and higher, until finally…

Thinking this far, Qianzhi still instinctively shivered. Even though she was willing, she ultimately wasn’t psychologically prepared for that step yet.

“Mom! I want a massage too! I’ve been cooking for half the day, and my ankles feel uncomfortable too.”

“Little sister Leah, wait a moment. I’m monopolizing Miss Eve right now.”

Qianzhi certainly wasn’t willing. Originally, Eve would be using both hands to caress her ankles—double the happiness.

But if Leah joined in, that would only leave single happiness.

That wouldn’t do!

“How long do I have to wait?”

“Very soon.”

Qianzhi pursed her lips as if coaxing a child.

While the two were arguing, Pipim nearby curiously climbed onto a chair by the dining table. Looking at the black, unidentifiable object on the plate, somehow, after staring at it for a long time, that black lump started to look rather… presentable.

It looked somewhat tasty.

At least compared to the leftover scraps in the trash can, this was freshly made.

Thinking this, Pipim couldn’t help but try a little bit.

It was indeed unpalatable, and tasted weird. But barely acceptable. Since it would be such a pity to throw it away in the end, I might as well eat it while it was still warm.

Thinking this, and ignoring Qianzhi and Leah who were still vying for attention, Pipim started eating on her own.

She even remembered to share a little bit with the little black cat Maodou.

Although Maodou was also scared at first, seeing Pipim eat so heartily, it couldn’t resist going up for a taste.

These two kids, having never eaten anything truly good, actually finished all that indescribable substance Leah made.

And they still weren’t full…

By the time both Qianzhi and Leah were contentedly massaged by Eve’s fingers, Pipim was already standing on a stool, tiptoeing to wash all the dishes.

“Pipim… where are those dishes from the table?”

Eve looked around. She didn’t see those hazardous items, nor were they in the trash can, but there were some black smudges on Pipim’s face.

This gave Eve a bad premonition.

“You didn’t… eat them, did you?”

Hearing Eve’s words, Pipim instinctively shivered.

“I thought you weren’t going to eat them. I’m sorry, I was hungry, so I accidentally ate them all. I’ll wash the plates for you as an apology.”

“But those things…”

Eve almost blurted out that they were inedible, but the words got stuck in her throat.

After all, Leah was listening.

“Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”

“Hmm… does still being hungry count?”

“Still hungry?”

Eve frowned slightly. After eating so many strange, unidentified foods, she didn’t feel uncomfortable at all?

This girl definitely had some special ability.