Those eyes were as dark as ink, beautiful but with an inherent sharpness of a ruler.
Meeting those eyes, Xueya suddenly realized he was being foolish and quickly knelt down, too nervous even to greet properly, curling up silently on the ground. His hat inadvertently rolled off again, this time rolling even farther than when he met Cui Lingjing.
Xueya glanced at the hat rolling far away, bit his lip, wanting to retrieve it but fearing more attention. He was more afraid of He Xulan than Cui Lingjing, even though He Xulan had neither hit nor scolded him.
Hearing footsteps approaching, Xueya quickly retracted his gaze, holding his breath, waiting for He Xulan’s group to pass. But he heard a deep, pleasant male voice.
“Your hat fell. Aren’t you going to pick it up?”
Xueya’s back stiffened. After a moment’s hesitation, he set down the red lacquered tray he was holding and crawled two steps toward the hat. Seeing the spotless embroidered shoes beside the hat, he held his breath again, stretched out his hand, and tried to grab the hat’s brim.
But his fingers were weak, and after two attempts, the hat slipped away again, even rolling a bit closer to the embroidered shoes. The shoes’ owner took a step back just in time.
Feeling embarrassed, Xueya’s face flushed red. He silently crawled forward another step, using both hands to tightly grasp the disobedient hat this time.
As soon as he retrieved the hat, the embroidered shoes began to move away.
He Xulan and his group left. Hearing their footsteps fade away, Xueya let out a long sigh of relief. Then he was scolded by the leading palace servant for not greeting the Empress Dowager properly, losing his manners, and was punished with no dinner that night.
Hearing he wouldn’t get dinner, Xueya became utterly dejected.
Since entering the palace, he hadn’t had a proper meal. The servants at Fengrui Palace, where the new Emperor resided, ostracized him. He could only eat after everyone else had finished, leaving behind unappetizing leftovers. This was why he wanted to serve Cui Lingjing closely, to be seen by him.
But now, even the leftovers were denied, and he would go hungry again.
Knowing he would go hungry, Xueya felt disheartened while delivering items to the consorts’ palaces. But upon reaching Consort Shu’s palace, the smell of food made him suddenly lift his head.
Consort Shu was talking to the leading palace servant, her charming eyes glancing over and pausing when she saw someone lift their head.
Xueya didn’t realize his small action was noticed. He stared at the freshly placed pastries, swallowing hard. However, he remembered where he was, reluctantly glanced at the pastries a few more times, and then lowered his head.
The pastries must have just been made, their aroma was mouth-watering.
But no matter how enticing, they had nothing to do with him.
Returning to Fengrui Palace, as expected, he had no dinner. Rubbing his stomach, which was almost touching his back, Xueya thought that if he could rise in rank, he would make these people pay.
Having no hope in Xu Pingnan, Xueya turned his attention to the chief eunuch beside Cui Lingjing. This eunuch, around forty years old, had a pale, beardless, round face. He smiled like a dog to Cui Lingjing but was fierce like a wolf to the rest of them.
Xueya secretly observed the chief eunuch, hoping to find any peculiar habits. However, to his disappointment, the chief eunuch seemed to have no such habits, not even drinking.
Thus, Xueya continued doing menial tasks, either wiping tables, sweeping floors, or catching insects with a net. One day, he was sent to deliver something again.
A young eunuch accompanied him, but halfway through, the young eunuch suddenly had a stomachache and said he needed to go to the restroom. Since they were delivering food, they couldn’t delay.
Seeing this, Xueya offered to go alone. This time, he was delivering to Consort Shu’s palace. Xueya had an excellent memory for directions; after visiting a place once, he could remember how to get there the second time.
These past few days had been oppressively hot, and the late afternoon sun was still scorching. By the time Xueya reached Consort Shu’s palace, his cheeks were slightly sunburned. Consort Shu was trimming flower branches. Seeing someone delivering items, she casually said, “Just leave it there.”
“Yes.” Xueya carefully stepped forward and placed the food box down. As he was about to leave, he was called back.
“Wait, what did you bring?” Consort Shu put down her flower shears and fixed her gaze on Xueya’s lowered face.
Xueya replied, “It’s hibiscus sesame cakes. His Majesty said they tasted good and wanted the whole palace to try them.”
Hearing this, Xueya couldn’t help but think that Cui Lingjing really respected He Xulan, the Empress Dowager. For the other consorts, he sent servants, but he personally delivered items to He Xulan.
Consort Shu stood up and slowly walked to the table. She glanced at Xueya. “Help me open it.”
Xueya complied and opened the food box. As soon as it was opened, the aroma wafted out. He gripped the red lacquered lid tightly but quickly set it down and stepped back two paces, knowing it wasn’t for him to eat.
“What should I do? I’m quite full right now and can’t eat this,” Consort Shu sighed, her eyes drifting to Xueya and then to the palace maids before settling back on Xueya. “What’s your name?”
“Servant Xueya,” Xueya replied.
Consort Shu hummed, “I’m too full to eat. How about I bestow it to you?”
Xueya was stunned. He glanced at the pastries in the box, then quickly looked at Consort Shu. Having been in the palace for a short time, he often forgot proper etiquette.
After one look, he lowered his eyes and shook his head. “This servant doesn’t dare.”
“Are you afraid His Majesty will punish you? Don’t worry. In my palace, if I don’t let them speak out, they wouldn’t dare. Besides, it’s just a plate of pastries. Why be so anxious? Eat.” Seeing Xueya still unmoving, Consort Shu’s voice deepened, “What? Are you waiting for me to give you chopsticks?”
Xueya hesitated, but Consort Shu turned away and continued trimming the flower branches by the window, seemingly having forgotten about Xueya’s presence.
***
When he returned to Fengrui Palace, it was already dark. As soon as Xueya arrived, someone told him, “Today’s food is all gone.”
The person didn’t leave after speaking, seemingly waiting for Xueya to show his usual disappointed reaction to missing a meal. But Xueya just replied, “Oh.”
The person frowned, about to say more, when a eunuch hurried over. “Xueya, His Majesty summons you.”
Hearing this, Xueya’s face lit up with joy. “Really?” He wanted to say he needed to freshen up but remembered he was half a eunuch, only having eunuch clothes, and his face fell again.
These shabby clothes couldn’t look good no matter what.
Feeling disdainful, he followed the eunuch to Cui Lingjing’s bedchamber, asking along the way, “Why does His Majesty want to see me?”
“Who knows? You’ll find out when you get there.” The eunuch didn’t say much more. When they arrived, he stopped at the door. “Go in. His Majesty is inside.”
Looking at the illuminated palace, Xueya’s initial joy diminished. He recalled Cui Lingjing’s unpredictable temper. He desired wealth but also valued his life.
Thinking this, his steps faltered. The eunuch beside him urged impatiently, “Do you want to keep His Majesty waiting? Go in!”
Xueya glanced at the palace servants. When their eyes met his, they quickly lowered their heads. He felt like he was being sent in to appease Cui Lingjing’s anger.
In other words, he was walking to his death.
With this thought, Xueya took a deep breath and walked inside. Disobeying an imperial order meant death. Going in might not result in death, so he decided to take the gamble.
The hall was brightly lit, the fragrance from the incense burner winding like threads. After court, Cui Lingjing changed into comfortable casual robes. At sixteen, his face still had a boyish look. One might mistake him for a wealthy young master rather than a king.
Hearing the noise, Cui Lingjing slowly looked up. His almond-shaped eyes narrowed slightly upon seeing the kneeling figure.
“Your servant greets His Majesty. Long live the Emperor,” Xueya said, trying to remain calm.
Cui Lingjing lounged leisurely on his chair. “Come here.”
Without hesitation, Xueya crawled forward until he saw Cui Lingjing’s boots and stopped. As soon as he halted, a hand grabbed his chin, forcing him to look up.
Meeting Cui Lingjing’s shadowed eyes, Xueya’s body trembled slightly. But he knew this was an opportunity. Who knew when he would get another chance to speak with Cui Lingjing? If he missed this chance, he would forever be bullied by the palace servants.
Therefore, he suppressed his fear and put on a smile that he had practiced for a long time in the training yard. But just as he smiled, the hand under his chin suddenly increased its grip.
Cui Lingjing’s tone was harsh, “No smiling allowed.”
Instantly, Xueya wiped away his smile completely.
Author’s note:
Xueya: Serving that dog emperor is too difficult. I want to change jobs!
He Xulan: There’s a vacancy for a personal attendant in the palace, with full benefits and a monthly salary of fifty thousand gold after taxes.
