Eunuch Su, Eunuch Su!

Eunuch Su's face changed so suddenly that Hui Ming was surprised. But since Eunuch Su had already asked her to leave, she naturally had to stand up. After thinking for a while, she still put on a brave face and said helplessly, "Then, I won't bother you with your meal, Eunuch Su. How about… I come back tomorrow?"

Saying these words, Hui Ming felt embarrassed, as if she had really become the shameless person in others' mouths, clinging to Eunuch Su for companionship.

It's just that the Mid-Yuan rebellion was imminent, and there was still no clue about Eunuch Su's situation. No matter how embarrassed she was, when she thought about Eunuch Su's kindness to her, Hui Ming could ignore it. As long as Eunuch Su didn't find her annoying and completely shut her out, it would be fine.

Su Jin heard Hui Ming's plea, but only felt bitter. He had also noticed Hui Ming's hesitation and worry these past few days. It was just that the sudden surprise was so beautiful, so good that he would rather deceive himself and believe that Hui Ming was really concerned about him, rather than afraid and disgusted, and had to force herself to be perfunctory and flattering.

His hand tightly gripped the Ruyi knot at his waist. Su Jin originally wanted to tell her that she didn't need to come over and bother him in the future, but when he looked up and saw Hui Ming, the words stuck in his throat. He thought about how he had been counting the days, looking forward to her arrival more and more every day, and how excited and happy he was when Hui Ming actually arrived. He just couldn't bring himself to say the words of refusal.

Otherwise… wait another two days? After all, there should be no such opportunity in the future… Su Jin clenched his palms even tighter, lowered his eyes to hide the self-loathing on his face, stood up and bowed his head, "Alright, I'll trouble you then."

Seeing that Eunuch Su did not directly refuse her, Hui Ming breathed a long sigh of relief. Afraid that Eunuch Su would go back on his word, she hurriedly agreed and immediately turned to leave.

After Hui Ming left for a quarter of an hour, Yuan Bao, who had been wandering around the tea room, slowly returned to the house. He had thought that after returning, he would first go in to serve a cup of tea and see, if his master had not finished his meal, he would immediately come out to avoid being an eyesore. Unexpectedly, as soon as he entered the door, he saw his master sitting upright at the desk, his face expressionless.

Yuan Bao was a little surprised: "Aunt Hui Ming is gone?" The words had just left his mouth when he was met with a cold look from Eunuch Su, making him realize that he had said the wrong thing. He quickly lowered his head, not daring to say another word.

Eunuch Su lowered his eyes and took out a handkerchief, slowly pressing it to the corner of his mouth, his expression cold: "Take it away."

Watching his master's back disappear behind the curtain, Yuan Bao shrank his neck. Looking closer, today's lunch was almost untouched again. The dishes and soup were all full, only a plate of bamboo shoots in clear water was eaten clean.

When did Master start to like bamboo shoots… Yuan Bao wondered secretly. But thinking of Eunuch Su's attitude when he left, he did not dare to delay. He quickly cleaned up the dishes and hurriedly followed his master.

His Majesty had invited Prince Xin, who was at Kunhe Palace, to speak after his afternoon nap and meal. Calculating the time, it was about time. Yuan Bao hurried back to the front hall and saw his master guarding the door. After seeing him come over, he slightly raised his head, signaling him to go in and serve.

Knowing that his master had always disliked the two princes, Yuan Bao was not surprised. He bowed in response and asked the little eunuch below. He learned that Prince Xin had just arrived and had not had time to drink tea, so he hurriedly brought it himself, went inside and respectfully placed it on the nanmu table beside Prince Xin's hand, then bowed and retreated, standing by the Ruyao celadon vase, waiting for orders.

His Majesty had not yet woken up, and Prince Xin had come early to wait out of respect. In fact, there was nothing important, he just sat in the chair and casually brushed the tea lid a few times. After a while, he seemed bored and turned his gaze to Yuan Bao, who was standing on the side, and said casually, "You look familiar. How long have you been serving in front of His Majesty?"

Even when the servants in the palace were standing with their heads down, they still had to keep an eye on the top of their heads to listen for orders. Upon hearing this, Yuan Bao did not delay for a moment and stepped forward a few steps to respectfully reply, "Replying to Your Highness, it has not been a year yet."

Prince Xin lowered his head slightly and took a sip of tea, looking as if he knew the inside of the palace very well: "Oh? So young… Who are you following?"

Yuan Bao replied, "My master is Eunuch Su from His Majesty's side."

Hearing the three words "Eunuch Su," Prince Xin's casual and comfortable movements paused, and he said with a hint of inexplicable emotion, "Su Jin?"

Not knowing why, Yuan Bao felt a panic in his heart. He bowed down and replied even more carefully, "Yes."

Only then did Prince Xin lower his head and really look at him, resuming his usual gentle and polite demeanor: "To be able to be kept in Eunuch Su's eyes, you must be very good."

He was clearly Prince Xin, who was known throughout the palace for his good temper, and these were words of gentle praise. However, Yuan Bao's knees went weak and he couldn't help but kneel down, saying uneasily, "This servant thanks Your Highness."

Fortunately, Yuan Bao's unease did not last long. Just as Prince Xin was about to speak, another eunuch came in from outside and said that His Majesty had woken up and summoned Prince Xin to enter.

Yuan Bao breathed a sigh of relief, quickly got up and respectfully led Prince Xin into the inner hall.

His Majesty had indeed woken up. At this moment, he was standing in front of the mirror, having his hair done by the eunuch who combed his hair. Seeing Prince Xin kneeling down to greet him from the mirror, he called out "Rise" without turning his head.

Hui Ming, holding a lacquer tray, stood quietly to the side, but seven parts of her mind were paying attention to the father and son in front of her.

In her previous life, it was Prince Rui who had launched the rebellion, which meant that His Majesty ultimately favored passing the throne to Prince Xin. Otherwise, Prince Rui would not have taken such a risk.

However, after observing these past few days, Hui Ming realized that for some reason, although His Majesty was indifferent to Prince Rui, he did not seem to be close to Prince Xin, his future chosen successor.

Just like at this moment, although he had summoned Prince Xin, His Majesty did not show any fatherly love towards this legitimate son born to the Empress. He only asked slowly, "How is the Empress?"

The Empress had been in poor health ever since she gave birth to Prince Xin. She was often bedridden. Prince Xin had entered the palace today because the Kunhe Palace had urgently summoned the imperial physician yesterday, and he had come specifically to inquire about her health. His Majesty had also ordered Prince Xin to come over after Eunuch Su reported the matter this morning.

Prince Xin replied respectfully, "It is still the old illness. She is much better after taking the medicine. Mother was worried about Father's health and specifically told me not to tell you. I didn't expect Father to know. If Mother knew, she would definitely blame herself."

It just so happened that it was time for His Majesty to put on his hair crown. Hui Ming respectfully stepped forward and presented the gold hair crown with filigree on the plate with both hands. She happened to see His Majesty close his eyes slightly, but a hint of undisguised sarcasm appeared on the corner of his mouth: "She is always so considerate."

Hui Ming did not dare to look any further. When the eunuch who was doing His Majesty's hair took the crown, she retreated again and heard Prince Xin say below, "Mother often laments with this son, saying that her body is useless and that she cannot serve Father and share his worries. She feels that she has failed Father's grace."

Hearing this, His Majesty only replied calmly, "Since she is weak, she should stop thinking too much and just rest peacefully."

"Yes."

Seeing this, the details that Hui Ming had not paid attention to before surfaced one by one.

Indeed, although she was the Empress of the Middle Palace, His Majesty rarely visited the Kunhe Palace personally. Even on the first and fifteenth day of the month, because the Empress was "weak," he mostly rested in the Yangqian Palace. It was Concubine Xian who often visited the Empress to inquire about her health and sent soup, medicine, and food. As for the Kunhe Palace, let alone showing up, even sending someone to deliver something had never been seen!

From this point of view, the current Empress was practically unfavored.

Hui Ming did not show it on her face, but she secretly noted this point in her heart. She had been doing this ever since she returned to the palace. It was just a pity that time was too short. Even if she came back again, she could not see anything in a short period of time.

In her previous life, she was muddleheaded and never paid attention to these details that were right in front of her. Now that she thought about it, she did not know why the two princes fought for the throne, why Prince Rui rebelled, what signs there were, how many twists and turns there were, and how much danger Eunuch Su had gone through. She did not know anything, as if everything was fine one day, and Prince Rui suddenly rebelled the next. Then, she spent a night in fear and trepidation, guarding the Seventh Prince, and everything was settled. Both princes were dead, and His Majesty even sent someone to check on the Seventh Prince's condition.

By the time she came to her senses, Eunuch Su's ashes had already been swept into the old well by the eunuch who had burned the furnace. It was already too late.

Thinking of this, Hui Ming couldn't help but look up slightly and glance at Eunuch Su, who was standing quietly by the side. He was dressed in a long robe of dark purple satin, tall and straight, with an air of elegance and refinement—

Most importantly, he was still alive.

As if he had sensed Hui Ming's gaze, Su Jin, who had been standing with his eyes lowered, suddenly looked over at her.

Hui Ming was startled and quickly lowered her head. She stepped forward again to present the rings, jade pendants, and other accessories, and then heard His Majesty say slowly to Prince Xin, "Next month is the anniversary of Empress Qishengchun's death. Since the Empress is ill, you will preside over the sacrificial ceremony on her behalf."

The current Empress was the second wife, and Empress Qishengchun was His Majesty's first wife. The Crown Prince, who had passed away a few years ago, was the legitimate son of the late Empress. Even Hui Ming, who had never been interested in gossip, had heard that His Majesty and the late Empress were childhood sweethearts and had a deep love for each other. None of the current beauties and concubines could compare to His Majesty's love for the late Empress.

It was a pity that both mother and son were not fated to live long lives. Otherwise, there would not be a fight for the throne today.

As expected, upon hearing such an order, Prince Xin knelt down and replied respectfully and humbly, "This son obeys the decree."

His Majesty nodded slightly, turned around, and his gaze swept past Eunuch Su, who was standing at the side. It was as if he had thought of something. He paused for a moment and then said casually, "If you have any inconvenience outside the palace, leave it to Su Jin."

This kind of sacrificial ceremony in the palace was usually handled by the Empress. Now that it was handed over to the Prince was already rare, not to mention that he even asked a eunuch from the imperial court to handle it. Everyone was stunned.

In the silence, only Eunuch Su's voice, as clear as jade, replied calmly, "Yes."

Author's Note:

Thank you to [117766399575] for throwing 1 landmine and [Qī Miǎo] for throwing 1 landmine! Thank you so much! Big hugs and kisses~

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