After Being Reborn as the Chief Eunuch Chapter 1

In April, the capital city was bathed in warm sunlight.

But beyond the crimson palace walls, there was a corner that never saw the sun.

It was located in the northeastern corner of the imperial city of the Dayu Dynasty. To reach it, one had to pass through the Yan Court, where the lower-ranking eunuchs lived, and then walk to the innermost room. That room wasn’t very large; it only contained a few beds and a table, and was otherwise empty. Since it was perpetually shrouded in shadow and never touched by sunlight, even in the warm April, the area around the room remained chilly.

In the past, whenever the palace recruited new eunuchs at the end of the season, those who passed the initial selection were sent to that room. After taking a dose of medicine inside, those who survived would be assigned to palace duties, while those who died would be wrapped in straw mats and taken outside the city.

Today was not a day for recruiting eunuchs.

Yet, a newcomer had arrived in that room…

“Mm… ah…”

A muffled groan slipped through the crack of the slightly ajar door, echoing through the narrow and dim alley of the Yan Court from afar.

The sound’s owner seemed to be in excruciating pain, and the cry conveyed a deep, bone-chilling despair.

“Why is the room in use today? It’s not the day for administering the medicine!”

“Didn’t you see the officials from the Ministry of Justice standing at the door? I heard the person inside was brought from the Heavenly Prison!”

A few young eunuchs who had just returned from their duties gathered nearby and discussed among themselves. One of them, speaking with a serious tone, said, “When I glanced at the person being brought in, he looked to be about seventeen or eighteen. Do you think the medicine will still be effective at this age?”

“Whether it’s effective or not is another matter. The purpose of this medicine is to eliminate one’s desires, and its potency is severe. While it might be tolerable for a child of seven or eight, someone of seventeen or eighteen drinking it might not even survive,” another sighed, adding, “It’s a cruel fate!”

As soon as he finished speaking, someone slapped him heavily on the shoulder. Startled and about to get angry, he turned around and, upon recognizing the newcomer, quickly forced a smile and greeted, “Tu Gonggong*, what brings your old body here?”
Note: Gonggong is term used for eunuch.

“Who’s old? I’m only twenty-one this year, two years younger than you!” Tu Dayou said, lightly tapping the other’s head. He continued, “My master sent me to fetch Young Master Ji… I’m not sure if we’ll be able to bring him out today.”

Everyone froze at the mention of “Young Master Ji.”

The Ji family in the capital that was well-known was the one that had been punished last year—the former Grand Tutor Ji Wencheng’s entire household. Naturally, Young Master Ji referred to Ji Qingzhou, the youngest son of the former Grand Tutor, who was the most favored.

“Last year, the Ji family was punished, and the third young lady was sent to become a courtesan. The two young masters were both to be exiled. I wonder why Young Master Ji, despite knowing this, sought to serve in the palace instead of accepting his fate,” someone remarked. “Though exile is harsh, there is still a chance to leave a successor for the Ji family. Entering the palace… doesn’t that mean the family line is cut off?”

“You don’t understand! Young Master Ji has always been pampered. If he were to be exiled, he’d probably die on the way before even reaching the place of exile,” Tu Dayou explained. “Serving in the palace, though this medicine will end his lineage, at least he might be able to preserve his life.”

Moreover, this medicine only rendered men devoid of desire and unable to perform, which was far better than the methods used in the previous dynasty that involved directly removing vital organs. At least what should be there remained, though its function was lost.

However… since Young Master Ji was already seventeen or eighteen, whether the medicine would pose a threat to his life was uncertain. Considering this, Tu Dayou did not waste more words with the young eunuchs and proceeded towards the cold and dim room.

“Tu Gonggong, why did you come personally?” The guard outside was somewhat surprised to see Tu Dayou.

Tu Dayou nodded at the guard and said, “My master sent me to fetch someone.”

“Really? A young master raised in a prestigious family, now unable to do any manual work, might not even handle cleaning tasks. Is it really necessary for Chief Enuch Yao to personally oversee this?” the guard asked.

“There are plenty of cleaners in the palace, but there’s no one like him who’s been raised in ink from a young age,” Tu Dayou replied.

In essence, for someone like Young Master Ji to serve as an eunuch in the palace was indeed quite a come-down, so it was natural for someone to cherish him. If it had been during the previous emperor’s reign, others might not have dared to show any affection toward Young Master Ji, but now, with the previous emperor having passed away and the new emperor having ascended, who had the time to care about these matters?

Moreover, given Chief Enuch Yao’s status in the inner court, who would dare refuse his request?

“It’s still Chief Enuch Yao’s care for talent,” the guard said, then quickly led Tu Dayou into the room. The light inside was somewhat dim, but one could vaguely see a young man lying on a bed near the door. The young man lay still, and at first glance, it was unclear whether he was alive or dead.

Tu Dayou frowned at the damp and gloomy atmosphere inside and opened the door as wide as possible before approaching the bedside. When he clearly saw the young man’s face, he was stunned. Despite having seen more than half of the distinguished young men from the capital, including many of remarkable appearance, the sight of Young Master Ji today nearly left him breathless.

Perhaps due to his long stay in the Heavenly Prison, Young Master Ji appeared somewhat gaunt. His jawline was so sharp it looked sculpted, adding a touch of edge to his already delicate features. After being tortured by pain, Young Master Ji had bitten his lip in his delirium, leaving red blood smeared on his pale lips, which, against his fair complexion, looked almost burning red.

“Goodness…” Tu Dayou averted his gaze and coughed lightly, saying, “He is indeed… remarkably handsome.”

“What’s the use of being handsome? One dose of the medicine and it’s still…” The guard was about to continue but, realizing Tu Dayou was also an eunuch, stopped abruptly and instead said, “He was groaning before. Why is there no sound now?”

As he spoke, he instinctively reached out to check and his expression changed immediately.

Tu Dayou noticed the reaction and felt for a pulse in Young Master Ji’s neck, but found none.

“He’s… dead?” Tu Dayou was shocked.

“It’s all fate!” The guard, saying this, hurriedly ran to the door and called for the executioners from the Ministry of Justice. If the man had died in this room, there needed to be a conclusion from the Ministry of Justice since he had come from the Heavenly Prison.

The young eunuchs peeking outside knew something was wrong as soon as they saw the commotion and thought to themselves that Young Master Ji might have been better off being exiled, at least there was a slim chance of survival. Now, it seemed that he hadn’t even passed the first hurdle.

But things quickly took an unexpected turn.

Just as the people from the Ministry of Justice were about to inspect the “corpse,” Young Master Ji, who had seemingly lost his breath moments earlier, suddenly came back to life. The people in the room exchanged bewildered glances, their confusion palpable.

Young Master Ji, just “revived”, was even more bewildered than they were.

He had clearly died in a car accident in the modern world just moments ago, only to find himself alive in another world when he opened his eyes.

“Since the person is alive and the medicine was indeed administered under our watch, he can be taken away by Tu Gonggong,” the Ministry of Justice officials said to Tu Dayou, instructed the guard to fill out some paperwork, and then left.

Tu Dayou took another look at Young Master Ji while he had the chance. The youth wore a dazed expression, his clear eyes showing signs of unease, resembling a fawn that had wandered into a trap and didn’t know what to do. Noticing Tu Dayou’s gaze, Young Master Ji turned to him and asked, “Who are you?”

Tu Dayou, accustomed to being flattered as a court eunuch and being the disciple of Chief Eunuch Yao, was momentarily taken aback by the question. Fortunately, the guard, quick on his feet, spoke up, “This is Tu Gonggong, the disciple of Chief Eunuch Yao of the Inner Court.”

Chief Eunuch Yao? Tu Gonggong?

Young Master Ji’s mind raced, and he suddenly recalled a novel he had read not long ago…

He had been curious about the novel when he discovered that the villain in it shared his name. He vaguely remembered that in the novel, the villain Ji Qingzhou entered the palace as an eunuch after his family fell from grace, and through his own means, rose to become the chief eunuch of the Inner Court.

In the book, Chief Eunuch Yao would soon be replaced by Ji Qingzhou.

And the Tu Gonggong in the book had died even earlier than his master.

Ji Qingzhou:!

Had he… transmigrated into that novel?

“Can you walk now?” Tu Dayou asked.

Ji Qingzhou quickly snapped out of his daze and took a few steps. Although his body was somewhat weak due to the effects of the medicine, walking was manageable. The medicine, though fierce, seemed to wear off quickly. Seeing that he was fine, Tu Dayou said his goodbyes to the guard and led Ji Qingzhou out of the room.

Ji Qingzhou followed Tu Dayou through the narrow, dark alleys of the palace to the corner gate. As he walked, he showed no outward emotion, but internally he was a mix of shock, fear, and relief.

He was naturally pleased to have been granted a second chance at life.

Although the method was quite bizarre, he was not one to be ungrateful.

The only regret, perhaps, was that he had transmigrated into the body of an eunuch.

And not just any eunuch, but one who had stirred up trouble and met a tragic end!

“You don’t need to be too disheartened,” Tu Dayou said, seeing Ji Qingzhou’s worried expression and assuming it was due to his first day as an eunuch. “Your body has already matured, and the medicine will only prevent you from engaging in certain activities temporarily. If you’re granted mercy in the future and can leave the palace, there’s still a chance for you to recover…”

Unlike those of us who entered the palace as children, having taken the medicine before our bodies had fully developed, we can’t continue growing even if we stop taking it now.

Ji Qingzhou’s heart lifted upon hearing this, thinking that it meant he might have a chance to escape the eunuch’s fate in the future.

As they spoke, they reached the corner gate and saw several eunuchs pushing a wooden cart loaded with various items.

“What’s this for?” Tu Dayou casually asked.

“Tu Gonggong, the Regent is returning to the capital in a few days. We’re preparing a stage for the palace banquet,” a young eunuch replied.

The Regent returning to the capital?

A palace banquet?

Ji Qingzhou’s mind raced through the book’s contents. The Regent was known to be aloof and disdainful of palace banquets, so the book had only mentioned the first banquet.

If he remembered correctly, after that banquet, the Regent had carried out a brutal purge, ordering the beating to death of dozens of eunuchs and palace maids, including Tu Dayou, the disciple of Chief Eunuch Yao.

“Wang Ye* is finally returning to the capital,” Tu Dayou said, his tone surprisingly hopeful.
Note: Wang Ye is referred to the prince that been conferred title or vessel state to overlook. Could be translated to King or Prince but ill stick with the Pin Yin.

Ji Qingzhou looked at him with sympathy, thinking that the person you’re looking forward to returning to the capital would be the one who, upon arrival, would have you beaten to death…

“Once you’re familiar with the palace rules, my master will speak well of you and arrange for you to serve the Regent,” Tu Dayou continued. “You’re well-read, Wang Ye will surely value you.”

Ji Qingzhou:…

No, that’s not possible, nor is it necessary!