That was no problem.
At most, it just meant lowering his own status to match hers, was that really such a big deal? If Xiao Yunting could do it for Qi Yuan, why couldn’t he?
Whatever Xiao Yunting could do, he could do too.
In the end, he still gathered up that pair of tiger fangs and handed them to Eunuch Xu. “Put them away. Once I kill Xiao Yunting, I’ll give them to Qi Yuan.”
When that time came, he’d learn how to win Qi Yuan’s favor.
…
Eunuch Xu also felt his prince was a little too obsessed.
How was this any different from the last lifetime, when the prince wiped out the entire Xie family, then tried to make Qi Yuan his noble consort?
In the previous life, Qi Yuan had endured humiliation for the sake of the Xie family, and in the end, she slaughtered everyone close to Qi Wang, leaving him only with Princess Mingcheng and his birth mother, Noble Consort Xiao Liu.
Did he really think that in this lifetime, just because he killed Xiao Yunting, Qi Yuan would resign herself to being his wangfei?
Dream on. She refused even the title of noble consort, would she agree to be a mere Wangfei?
But what could be done if Qi Wang insisted on dreaming?
If someone shattered his fantasy by force, even more people would die.
Eunuch Xu could only sigh inwardly. After leaving, he returned to his own chambers and called for his other godson, Little Dongzi: “Any word from Jinbao lately?”
The news coming from the capital was growing worse by the day. Qi Wang wasn’t the only one furious, Eunuch Xu’s mood was just as dark.
The network of contacts left behind by Duke Chu’s household and Noble Consort Xiao Liu was being used up, one by one. Sooner or later, it would be exhausted.
But that wasn’t even the most frustrating part.
The most frustrating thing was that they’d wasted all those resources in the wrong places, not only failing to harm the enemy in any real way, but even weakening their own forces.
Qi Wang didn’t know how to worry about these things. All he ever thought about was Qi Yuan, Qi Yuan, Qi Yuan!
But he, Eunuch Xu, did worry.
Little Dongzi, nimble as always, quickly knelt to help him wash his feet, all while replying, “Nothing lately. We got letters a few days ago, but it’s been ten days since the last one.”
As he spoke, he laid a cloth on his leg and gently dried Eunuch Xu’s feet with careful hands.
Trying to offer comfort, he said, “But Godfather, don’t worry too much. Brother Jinbao always handles things properly. I’m sure everything’s fine.”
Eunuch Xu’s face darkened, and he let out a cold snort before putting on his shoes and adjusting his robes, brows furrowed. “Don’t worry? How can I not worry? He’s probably already dead.”
Little Dongzi was startled. “Godfather? How could that be?!”
Eunuch Xu’s expression didn’t soften.
He wasn’t someone who lied to himself. He wasn’t like Qi Wang, indulging in delusions about Qi Yuan.
Qi Yuan was like a lone wolf, cold and ruthless. When she made her move, she never hesitated.
For Jinbao to go this long without a word… that likely meant failure.
Eunuch Xu closed his eyes, then threw a cup against the wall in fury.
To outsiders, he was always kind and pleasant.
When Qi Wang punished servants, he often stepped in to help smooth things over.
But this level of rage, this was truly the first time.
Little Dongzi panicked and dropped to his knees, kowtowing repeatedly: “Godfather, please calm your anger! Please calm down!”
He trembled with fear.
But Eunuch Xu’s anger vanished just as suddenly. It was as if he hadn’t been angry at all.
He even smiled at Little Dongzi. “It’s nothing. I was just impatient. You eat a meal one bite at a time. Walk a road one step at a time. It’s my fault.”
He raised his hand. “Get up.”
Little Dongzi let out a breath of relief and quickly stood, cleaning up the water basin.
He bit his lip and said, “Godfather, you’re really loyal to His Highness. Always thinking of him.”
Suddenly, Eunuch Xu felt a strange loneliness.
He gave a cold laugh. “I’m a eunuch. If I don’t think for His Highness, how could I ever make the people of this world listen to me?”
Huh?
Little Dongzi blinked in confusion. He didn’t understand.
Had he misheard?
Godfather said… only by helping His Highness could he make the world listen to him?
Why would Godfather want that?
He was just a eunuch…
But Eunuch Xu said nothing more. He only narrowed his eyes, cold and calculating.
Qi Wang was a useless fool.
But being useless made him easy to control.
So Eunuch Xu would continue to support him. He would help him kill Qi Yuan and Xiao Yunting. Then Qi Wang would be safe.
At worst, he’d still be a vassal prince.
And Eunuch Xu? He would be the man that prince trusted most, the one who had been at his side since childhood.
People saw him tremble every time Qi Wang flew into a rage, but really, it was just for show. He knew that was the performance Qi Wang needed to see.
He’d long since figured Qi Wang out.
Step by step.
He ordered Little Dongzi, “Keep a close eye on those officials. And have you found that Wan Fang from Wanzai County?”
Little Dongzi didn’t dare delay. “Yes. Wan Fang has been located. We’ve already recommended him to Lord Huang Hongzhong.”
Eunuch Xu asked no more, only narrowed his eyes. “The Wuchang officials won’t be able to stall Xiao Yunting much longer.”
Indeed, the Wuchang prefecture couldn’t hold him.
All the grand flower arches and welcoming processions had been set up to celebrate the arrival of the future ruler of the realm.
But unexpectedly, Xiao Yunting didn’t even give them a kind word.
In fact, he was thoroughly displeased. “Lord Lin, the Ministry of Appointments sent you to Wuchang to govern the people, to do your job, not to pave the roads with yellow earth!”
Lin Tong put on a dutiful face. “Your Highness, this wasn’t my idea… it was all the noise coming from the courier station that made people curious… Besides, by custom, when someone of your status arrives, we subjects are expected to pay our respects…”
Pay respects?
Xiao Yunting knew exactly what this was.
Many officials had tried to visit him or welcome him along the way.
He had never given them a kind reception, not even once.
He didn’t believe that the Wuchang prefect hadn’t heard.
So if the prefect knew and still chose to do this, risking offense to the future Imperial Grandson, what else could it be but an attempt to delay him?
He could wait.
But the people of Jiangxi couldn’t.
Xiao Yunting pointed at Prefect Lin. “Stand aside. I don’t need your greetings. Loyalty to your duty is the only greeting I ask of you!”
Lin Tong mumbled obediently but refused to move aside, gesturing toward the noisy crowd behind him. “Your Highness, the common people are all here for you, just to catch a glimpse of your noble face. Why must you hurt their hearts like this?”
Xiao Yunting sneered and, without a word, picked up the riding whip beside him and lashed it across Lin Tong’s body. “Out of my way!”
The blow landed hard, and Lin Tong was so shocked he fell to the ground, completely stunned that Xiao Yunting would actually strike him.
