Chapter 2
Ji Qingzhou was taken by Tu Dayou to a secluded little courtyard.
The courtyard was located in the northeast corner of the palace. Though it was remote, it was well-maintained and tidy.
“Typically, newly entered eunuchs stay in Yan Courtyard. Only after gaining rank or becoming part of a palace where they can serve inside, are they assigned rooms in various palaces,” Tu Dayou explained as he led Ji Qingzhou into a room on the west side of the courtyard. “Though this courtyard is small and unremarkable in the palace, everyone in the eunuch department would love to live here.”
This was because among all the eunuchs in the palace, only Chief Eunuch Yao had been granted a small courtyard to live in, and only Tu Dayou, Yao’s most trusted disciple, could get a room in this courtyard.
“From now on, you’ll stay in this room, and I’ll be in the room across,” Tu Dayou said, pointing to the room on the east side of the courtyard.
Ji Qingzhou was surprised to find that he was receiving such treatment on his first day in the palace. It seemed that his role in the story was indeed significant. At this rate, moving into the main house of this courtyard and replacing Chief Eunuch Yao might just be a matter of time.
“My master intends to promote you. This is a rare opportunity that many people would envy. Don’t disappoint him,” Tu Dayou continued, noticing Ji Qingzhou’s stunned expression. Assuming he was disheartened about becoming an eunuch, Tu Dayou added, “Everyone has their fate… Don’t get too discouraged. As long as you’re alive, there’s always hope, right?”
Ji Qingzhou came to his senses and asked, “Where is Chief Eunuch Yao?”
“Master is getting older and doesn’t serve daily anymore. He only attends to duties at court during the day,” Tu Dayou glanced at the sky and said, “He should be back after dark. You should go take a bath and change your clothes.”
Tu Dayou handed Ji Qingzhou a stack of clothes that had been prepared earlier. Ji Qingzhou took the clothes and nodded. He was still in prison garb, carrying the dampness and discomfort from the dungeon.
In the bathhouse, while Ji Qingzhou bathed, he took the time to organize his thoughts.
It seemed clear now that he had indeed entered the book’s world. Though he was still shocked, Ji Qingzhou knew he needed to focus on more pressing matters rather than dwelling on his emotions.
Given this second chance at life, he wanted to make the most of it and not squander this opportunity.
The only solace was that he had read the book and knew how events were supposed to unfold. As long as he avoided the original characters’ paths, didn’t replace Chief Eunuch Yao, and didn’t stir up trouble, he might be able to change the original character’s fate and live peacefully.
Perhaps… as Tu Dayou suggested, one day he might even escape the palace and live as an ordinary man.
With this resolve, Ji Qingzhou felt much more at ease. Climbing the ranks in the palace might be difficult, but simply staying as an inconspicuous minor eunuch shouldn’t be too hard.
“My, my… this robe didn’t seem particularly impressive before, but on you, it looks quite elegant,” Tu Dayou remarked when Ji Qingzhou came out of the bathhouse.
Ji Qingzhou wore a blue eunuch’s robe, a rank below Tu Dayou’s red one. Compared to the gray-robed eunuchs, his status was already significantly higher.
“Behave well, and when you switch to a red robe, you’ll look even better,” Tu Dayou encouraged.
Ji Qingzhou replied, “I don’t have a rank yet; wearing this robe is already stepping out of line.”
Although the youth spoke modestly, his tone held a calmness beyond his years. Tu Dayou, used to dealing with more deferential eunuchs, found Ji Qingzhou’s demeanor impressive. He placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder and guided him into the room.
“As long as you follow me—no, follow my master—it’s only a matter of time before you wear a red robe,” Tu Dayou said, seating Ji Qingzhou at a table and opening a food box. “You look pale; I imagine you’ve suffered a lot in the prison. With the medicine you took, things must be even worse….”
He began taking out the dishes from the box and handed Ji Qingzhou a pair of chopsticks. “I’m familiar with the kitchen staff. I’ll make sure you’re well taken care of these days. In less than half a month, you’ll be healthy and plump.”
“Thank you,” Ji Qingzhou replied, taking the chopsticks but not eating.
Even though he wasn’t overly sensitive, he could sense that Tu Dayou was being a bit too familiar with him.
Unfortunately, Tu Dayou died too early in the original book, and there were only a few brief mentions of him. Ji Qingzhou didn’t even know if he was a good or bad person. But as the saying goes… “No good deed goes unpunished,” suggesting ulterior motives for excessive kindness. Considering this, Ji Qingzhou couldn’t eat the meal with ease.
“Tu Gonggong…” Ji Qingzhou carefully chose his words and asked tentatively, “Did we know each other before?”
“As a mere eunuch, how would I have had the opportunity to befriend Young Master Ji?” Tu Dayou’s expression became slightly unnatural, but before Ji Qingzhou could ask more, he said he had to return to his duties, advised Ji Qingzhou to eat more, and then left the courtyard.
Ji Qingzhou watched his retreating figure with deepening eyes. Fortunately, Tu Dayou was about to die soon. Even if he had ulterior motives, he probably wouldn’t have the chance to act on them. After all, Ji Qingzhou still had the villain’s halo protecting him, so he didn’t need to worry too much about his safety.
Perhaps due to the lingering effects of the medicine he had taken earlier, Ji Qingzhou soon felt weak. After hastily eating a little to fill his stomach, he lay down on the couch still in his clothes and fell asleep.
When Ji Qingzhou awoke, the night had deepened.
He noticed an oil lamp burning softly in the room and, upon sitting up, saw an elderly man in his sixties seated inside. The man wore a dragon-patterned robe, indicating a high rank.
“You seem quite at ease, sleeping so soundly,” the elder said, his tone neither warm nor cold.
Ji Qingzhou quickly deduced that this was likely the current Chief Eunuch Yao Chang’an.
“Yao Gonggong,” Ji Qingzhou greeted, rising to offer a bow.
Yao Chang’an’s demeanor remained indifferent. “Since Tu Dayou brought you here, I won’t send you away. However, life in the palace is not as relaxed as it is in your scholarly family. If you want to stay in this courtyard, you’ll need to rely on yourself.”
Ji Qingzhou was taken aback. Yao Chang’an’s reception seemed less cordial than expected, even somewhat unkind. Tu Dayou’s comments had led Ji Qingzhou to believe that Yao Chang’an highly valued him.
Could it be….that the original Ji Qingzhou’s rise was not due to Yao Chang’an’s support but had other reasons?
“For the next few days, you should familiarize yourself with the palace rules,” Yao Chang’an continued. “I can offer you a chance. The regent will return to the capital soon. In addition to holding court in the Imperial Study, he will also attend a palace banquet.”
Ji Qingzhou felt a jolt at the mention of the regent.
“Since the regent has taken on the role, he has not had a personal attendant. This opportunity is yours to seize. Whether you can remain by his side will depend on your own abilities,” Yao Chang’an said, glancing at Ji Qingzhou. “The regent is known for his kindness. Serving him is much easier than serving at court. This opportunity was originally meant for Tu Dayou…”
Yao Chang’an sighed, seemingly with regret.
Ji Qingzhou sensed something was amiss. In the book, the regent was depicted as harsh and ruthless, known for executing numerous palace servants after a banquet. How could both Tu Dayou and Yao Chang’an describe the regent as benevolent?
Was there a discrepancy in the book?
Or was something else going on?
Moreover, Ji Qingzhou recalled that the regent was known to despise eunuchs.
In the book, no one dared to position an eunuch as his personal attendant…
Ji Qingzhou stole a glance at Yao Chang’an and thought that perhaps the chief eunuch knew he was going to replace him and was thus trying to trap him. But as a mere new eunuch, if Yao Chang’an wanted to suppress him, wouldn’t it be more straightforward to demote him to the lowest rank and assign him to menial tasks?
Ji Qingzhou realized there must be some hidden agenda, but he couldn’t figure it out immediately, so he refrained from acting recklessly.
In the following days, his health improved significantly, though he still occasionally felt drowsy. During this time, he had learned the palace rules fairly well by following Tu Dayou. Tu Dayou seemed either genuinely naive or was putting on an act, as he shared everything with Ji Qingzhou and didn’t exhibit the cunning one would expect from Yao Chang’an’s prized disciple.
If Tu Dayou hadn’t died so early in the book, Ji Qingzhou would almost suspect him of being insincere.
Meanwhile, Ji Qingzhou confirmed that the regent’s reputation differed from what was described in the book. At least so far, everyone seemed to view the regent as a kind and approachable figure.
Given this, Ji Qingzhou could only think of one explanation: the banquet might mark the beginning of a drastic change in the regent’s demeanor. The regent had appeared rarely in the book before the banquet, so the author might have glossed over the details.
“Wang Ye will return to the capital tomorrow, and the banquet is set for the day after,” Tu Dayou said to Ji Qingzhou. “Being able to serve him is something many people would crave, so make sure you seize the opportunity.”
Ji Qingzhou looked at Tu Dayou and asked, “Master said…. this position was originally meant for you. Why are you giving it to me?”
“Oh,” Tu Dayou scratched his head and said, “I’m rough and tough; it doesn’t matter who I serve…..You, on the other hand, are more suited to handling the regent’s writings.”
Ji Qingzhou was surprised and felt that Tu Dayou’s intentions towards him seemed genuine.
If that were the case, he felt reluctant to see Tu Dayou be executed.
“Do you…have any plans for the banquet tomorrow?” Ji Qingzhou asked.
“What plans could there be?” Tu Dayou chuckled and avoided Ji Qingzhou’s gaze.
Ji Qingzhou noticed a hint of unease in Tu Dayou’s avoidance.
As expected, those who were executed did not die for no reason; they must have done something to deserve it!
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