Eunuch Su, Eunuch Su!

Unexpectedly touched by Hui Ming, Su Jin's whole body stiffened. Hui Ming was clearly grabbing his arm, but it felt like a wave of heat rushed straight into his head. Although he heard her words clearly, he couldn't understand what she was saying for a moment.

Hui Ming noticed Eunuch Su's silence and realized her own disrespect. She quickly let go of his arm and took a step back. After a pause, she called out again, "Eunuch Su."

His tightly gripped arm suddenly loosened, and Su Jin came back to his senses. Feeling a sense of loss, he clasped his hands behind his back, pressing the spot where Hui Ming had grabbed tightly against his body. He lowered his head, carefully looking at the person close at hand, and responded softly, "Yes."

Eunuch Su's silent reaction just now made Hui Ming feel that she had been too disrespectful. Seeing him respond now, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. But remembering Eunuch Su's untimely death in her previous life, her expression became even more serious. She spoke again, "There is nothing more important than being alive. Only if you live well in the future, Eunuch, will there be hope for everything, isn't that right?"

Hui Ming had never spoken to him so seriously. Su Jin listened quietly, wanting to answer, but when he opened his mouth, his throat was so tight that he could barely make a sound.

Only when he was gone would everything truly be gone. As long as one lived, there would be hope?

Su Jin lowered his eyes. What was the use of him living? The dignified Duke Protectorate Manor, passed down through generations, now only had him, a eunuch, left. He had painstakingly sought the "dignity" of being a slave in front of his enemy every day, discarding the face of his ancestors. Was this considered living? Was this considered hope?

Su Jin raised the corners of his mouth bitterly. From the moment he waited for the Crown Prince to "die of illness" and decisively used the Emperor's guilt to climb to his side, he had never thought about his own life. The Royal Family, the fight for the throne, for thousands of years, how many noble families had been swallowed whole in this whirlpool, let alone him, a mere servant now? From the moment he stepped into this muddy water, he knew that no matter the outcome, he was destined for an unfortunate end.

If he could avenge the extermination of his Su family's 163 lives with his own life, it would be a blessing from heaven. If he couldn't even do that after exhausting all his efforts, his cheap life would be as worthless as grass, scattering without a sound. It would be his fate to be burned to ashes like ordinary eunuchs, poured into a dry well.

But looking at Hui Ming's clear eyes that seemed to see through everything, Su Jin found that he couldn't bring himself to refuse. His heart felt like it was falling into a bottomless abyss, but he only showed the gentlest smile on his face, "You are right."

Eunuch Su's gentle attitude was like a spring breeze brushing past her face, making Hui Ming relax unconsciously. She suddenly felt that it was unreasonable for her to say all this out of the blue and even grab Eunuch Su's arm. She lowered her head in embarrassment, "I was being disrespectful. Please forgive me, Eunuch."

"How could I?" Su Jin's expression softened even more. Seeing that Hui Ming had nothing else to say, he took a step back considerately, "It's getting late. I'll have someone bring you some hot water. You should rest early."

"Yes, Eunuch Su, you should also rest early."

After leaving the room, Su Jin stopped at the door. He couldn't help but grasp the arm that Hui Ming had held with his left hand, his fingertips gently rubbing the spot as if the warmth of her touch still lingered, burning him with a tingling sensation. It was a little itchy, but he couldn't bear to let go.

If this went on, he was afraid that he would really not be willing to die. Su Jin tightly clutched this warmth, as if the cold wind would blow it away if he loosened his grip.

If he continued like this by Hui Ming's side, what revenge, what clearing of the Duke Protectorate Manor's name, he was afraid that he would really throw it all behind him. As long as he could stay with Hui Ming like this, be able to see her and hear her talk at any time, he would really disregard everything and live a humble life by her side for the rest of his life…

However, if he really lived like that, Hui Ming would feel troubled, wouldn't she?

Away from Hui Ming's side, Su Jin's shaken emotions gradually calmed down, and finally, became as hard as ice.

He had always been self-aware and knew that his feelings for Hui Ming were bordering on obsession. If he hadn't known that he wouldn't die a natural death, if he continued to live like this, he was afraid that one day, he would lose control of himself, not content with just watching from afar, until he couldn't help but reach out and entangle her, until he ruined her.

That wouldn't do. Su Jin's eyes darkened. Why? Hui Ming was a pure and innocent girl with both parents, relatives, and friends. What right did he, a man who was already half-buried in the mud, have to drag Hui Ming down with him?

Hui Ming was his only piece of clean land. He hoped that his love could make Hui Ming live a good life, make her happy, instead of being wishful thinking and dragging her down with him.

Su Jin walked down the steps step by step, as if leaving the warmth behind him, walking towards the darkness and coldness outside the house.

—————

Watching Eunuch Su leave, Hui Ming suppressed her worries and turned to the east bedroom.

The bedroom was bright and airy. Against the east wall was a nanmu canopy bed with two small stools underneath. On the other side was a long table with inkstones, brush holders, water droppers, and paperweights neatly arranged on it. They were also mainly made of solid-colored jade, looking refreshing and simple. There were no chairs, only a Xiangfei long couch by the window.

Although the furnishings were simple, the details were exceptionally refined. On the small window sill was a Ruyao celadon lotus-shaped vase with a few thumb-sized bright red goldfish swimming leisurely inside. On the headboard, a bronze crane-shaped vase with nine cranes held two blooming plum blossoms. In the corner of the wall, a cloisonné incense burner with emerald green leaves emitted wisps of green smoke. A "Ninety-Nine Cold Dispelling Chart" hung squarely on the wall, with more than ten days already filled in according to the date. There was even her half-finished embroidery hoop beside it.

Compared to the richness of the main hall, this bedroom appeared casual and cozy. It didn't look like a place where someone had just moved in; instead, it seemed like the owner had lived here for a long time and had just returned after a long absence.

Hui Ming pursed her lips and gently touched the emerald green brocade bed curtain that was hung according to her preferences. She had spent almost all her life in the palace, both in this life and the previous one. Although she had never lacked food, clothing, or shelter, and even had a small courtyard to herself in the western wing after becoming the Chief Palace Maid in the Emperor's presence, Hui Ming had always known that it was only a temporary residence, a place to rest for the convenience of serving. It did not belong to her. She had never felt the same way living in those places as she did at this moment. This small bedroom belonged to her. It was arranged and decorated according to her wishes. All of this gave her an indescribable feeling, as if… she finally had a home of her own?

Hui Ming shook her head, suppressing this inexplicable delusion, and rolled up her sleeves, quickly tidying up the bedding.

Both she and Eunuch Su were servants in the palace, so naturally, it was not appropriate to openly transfer palace maids from the palace to serve them. A few days ago, Yuan Bao told her that Eunuch Su had taken in some elderly people in this residence. They were too old to stay in the palace, but they had no relatives or friends to rely on outside the palace. They usually did some light work like guarding the gate and sweeping the floor. It was just a place for them to live.

Because of this, she didn't have to do rough work like fetching water and making fire herself. After washing and getting ready for bed, Hui Ming blew out the candle and lay in bed, thinking about Eunuch Su. She tossed and turned for a while before slowly falling asleep.

Perhaps because Eunuch Su had arranged everything in this bedroom so meticulously, Hui Ming slept very soundly even though it was her first night here. When she woke up at her usual time, got dressed, and was about to greet Eunuch Su, she learned from Yuan Bao that Eunuch Su had left about a quarter of an hour ago and had instructed someone to prepare breakfast for her before he left.

Hearing this, Hui Ming lowered her head and calculated the time. She immediately remembered that today was the day of the Grand Court Meeting. As the Head Eunuch in the Emperor's presence, Eunuch Su did have to enter the palace earlier today. It was her fault. She had only been away from the Emperor's presence for ten days, and she had already forgotten all about it!

Hui Ming felt rather regretful and secretly made a note of the time Eunuch Su got up. She resolved to get up and have breakfast with Eunuch Su in the future. She also thought that if she could leave work early today, she must prepare dinner for Eunuch Su in advance so they could eat together and have a chat.

But it was already too late today. Hui Ming could only eat half a bowl of porridge by herself and hurriedly entered the palace.

Hui Ming entered the palace early in the morning, just in time for Consort Kang's waking hour. Although the Consort only treated her as an idler, Hui Ming had been in the palace for decades and was not the kind of person who acted recklessly and muddled through her days just because others didn't pay attention to her. She couldn't interfere with what her master thought, but since she had been given the position of personal maid last year, even if she wasn't given any tasks, she still waited on time and never slacked off.

After waiting for Consort Kang to finish her meal and have some free time, Hui Ming went to the Quiet Fragrance Hall at the back. As soon as she reached the door, she saw Nanny Wang anxiously coming up to her. Nanny Wang took her hand and said hurriedly, "Oh, you're finally here. Please go and persuade His Highness. He hasn't seen you all morning and refuses to get up. He won't even drink a sip of water or move an inch!"

Hearing Nanny Wang's words, Hui Ming was stunned for a moment before she immediately understood the reason.

Although the Little Highness's temperament was different from ordinary people, he was most accustomed to order and routine. As long as no one or nothing hindered him, his daily life, food, clothing, shelter, and daily routine would be carried out at a fixed time. The same went for the people serving around him. It was best if they appeared according to the Little Highness's habits. If there was something or if she needed a break, even though the Little Highness might seem indifferent, she still needed to report to him in advance. Otherwise, on the second day, she would be able to tell from his behavior and details that he was displeased. And because he wouldn't say it out loud and would only keep it bottled up inside, it would actually be even harder for him.

A few days ago, Eunuch Su had sent a chessboard and chess manual to the Quiet Fragrance Hall in the morning. The Little Highness had been immersed in the black and white squares for several days in a row. In addition, Hui Ming had been preoccupied with Eunuch Su because of Yu Gan's words yesterday. When she left the palace yesterday, she didn't specifically say goodbye to the Little Highness or explain why she wouldn't be there for most of the day.

Hui Ming shook her head inwardly and agreed. She continued walking towards the side room, thinking about how to coax the Little Highness into a good mood. When she finally looked up and saw the Little Highness on the bed, she was stunned.

Her fox fur coat, although initially given to Nanny Wang for warmth because of her illness, how could Nanny Wang bear to use such a thing with her personality? As soon as she felt a little better, she cleaned it and spread it on the Little Highness's bed.

Since Eunuch Su's care, there had never been a shortage of charcoal fire in the Quiet Fragrance Hall. The room was not cold, and with the warm blanket, the Little Highness was now dressed in thin, plain undergarments, looking somewhat delicate as he knelt on the snow-white fox fur, his hair uncombed. Fortunately, the Little Highness had always been a well-behaved sleeper, so it didn't look messy but draped smoothly on the fur. His black hair contrasted with the white fur.

He was a small figure, sitting on the white fur, looking up at her in the morning light. His lips were red, his teeth were white, and his black hair was like a waterfall. Because his appearance was too beautiful, for a moment, it seemed as if the white fox fur beneath him had come to life.

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