Eunuch Su, Eunuch Su!

"What's going on here?"

Hui Ming turned towards the voice and saw Eunuch Su standing quietly in front of the curtain. He looked a little haggard, probably from overwork. His fair skin made the dark circles under his eyes particularly noticeable. However, handsome people always had an advantage. Dressed in a long, dark red robe, even his exhaustion seemed to possess a unique charm.

Hui Ming looked up slightly, but before she could speak, Governess Wei stepped forward with a gentle smile and shook her head slightly at Eunuch Su, saying, "It's just a small matter. I'll explain it to His Majesty later and make it clear that it was just Hui Ming's attentiveness and eagerness to learn."

Eunuch Su glanced down at the headband with the missing jade pendant. Assuming he understood the situation, he didn't look at Hui Ming but took a step forward and bowed slightly to Governess Wei, almost apologetically. "She's new and doesn't know any better. I've troubled you with this."

Although palace maids like Hui Ming who served the Emperor seemed to have a prestigious position, if they were in a wealthy household outside, they would be nothing more than second-class maids who could only stand in front of their masters. The "head maids" who could actually serve their masters directly were Governess Wei and Nanny Xu, both of whom were in charge of the palace maids serving the Emperor.

These two were Hui Ming's direct superiors. However, because Governess Wei had been promised the rank of Noble Consort by the Emperor, she was considered more prestigious. Therefore, if the most senior palace maid in Qiande Hall deliberately targeted her, Hui Ming's life would be difficult.

However, to these palace maids, Eunuch Su, as the Chief Eunuch who served the Emperor daily, held even more power than Governess Wei. As the saying went, "A seventh-rank official at the Prime Minister's gate is worth more than a commoner." Even though Wei was not yet a Noble Consort, even if she were to be granted the rank of Consort in the future, she would still have to be very polite to Eunuch Su, the Emperor's most trusted confidant.

As expected, facing Su Jin's attitude, Governess Wei quickly returned the bow, her voice and demeanor even more gentle and humble. "It's my duty. Not to mention you've spoken, I would naturally take it to heart."

Seeing Governess Wei being so courteous, Eunuch Su smiled and thanked her politely again. This behavior was completely different from his usual taciturn and aloof demeanor.

Clearly, Eunuch Su was doing this for her.

Facing Governess Wei's deliberate fault-finding, Hui Ming felt more puzzled than upset. After all, she had lived through this life once before. The isolation and cold treatment from her colleagues no longer bothered her. Thinking about how the Emperor would pass away in a year and Governess Wei would be buried alive with him, Hui Ming felt completely indifferent to Governess Wei's current actions.

After all, who would bother with someone who was about to die?

However, seeing Eunuch Su's gratitude towards Wei, Hui Ming was stunned. She couldn't help but feel a surge of anger towards Governess Wei for deliberately making things difficult for her.

Had Eunuch Su stood up for her like this in her previous life? She hadn't cared back then, but now that she thought about it, she had often "made mistakes" in her previous life. Such scenes had obviously happened more than once. Moreover, listening to Wei's tone, it was clear that Eunuch Su had previously asked Wei to take care of her when she first started serving the Emperor.

But what about Governess Wei? On the one hand, she agreed and accepted Eunuch Su's gratitude and favor. On the other hand, she took advantage of Eunuch Su's lack of time to secretly set traps and make things difficult for her. On the surface, it seemed like she was the one who was stupid and kept making mistakes, requiring Governess Wei to be so forgiving for Eunuch Su's sake. In reality, she was making Eunuch Su even more grateful to her! This kind of despicable behavior not only made her, Song Hui Ming, seem like a useless burden, but also put the kind and upright Eunuch Su in a difficult position!

"It was Governess Wei who instructed me not to use anything too extravagant for His Majesty since he's unwell. I didn't expect to misunderstand her meaning. Thank you for reminding me, Governess Wei. I'm just stupid. Please be more explicit with your instructions in the future." Thinking of this, Hui Ming, who had originally planned to let it go, couldn't help but speak up. She didn't care about her own reputation, but she had to let Eunuch Su know about Governess Wei's hypocrisy. One of the main reasons why Eunuch Su had been kept in the dark for so long in her previous life was that she had been worried about his "ulterior motives" and had never spoken up.

As expected, upon hearing her words, Eunuch Su's expression turned serious. He glanced at her, a thoughtful look on his face.

Governess Wei frowned instantly, a look of panic flashing across her face as she looked at Eunuch Su. However, before she could explain, the two palace maids serving in the bedchamber came out and said that it was time to help His Majesty wash and change.

With the Emperor present, even the most important matters had to be put aside for the time being. Governess Wei forced a smile and waved her hand. Hui Ming stepped back and, along with the two sisters, Kukou and Yugan, entered the bedchamber with their heads bowed. This time, since Consort Xian was personally serving the Emperor, even Governess Wei couldn't intervene. Hui Ming retreated to the furthest corner, observing the Emperor and Consort Xian, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, from the corner of her eye.

"Thank heavens, he's finally getting better." Consort Xian's eyes welled up with tears as she watched the Emperor get out of bed and wash up.

The Emperor was already in his fifties. After this illness, he looked even older. Especially compared to Eunuch Su, who was standing beside him, he looked even more potbellied, with sagging features. He was like a fruit that had started to rot from the inside, emanating an air of decline.

Consort Xian, on the other hand, was different. Although she was also middle-aged, her figure was still graceful. There were a few wrinkles on her face, but they only added to her charm, a kind of allure that young girls lacked.

Such a woman, still looking at the Emperor with such tenderness… How much of it was real and how much was an act?

Realizing that she was actually slandering the Emperor in her heart, Hui Ming was stunned. In her previous life, the Emperor had been a god-like figure to her. Even when he was seriously ill and bedridden, she had still been filled with respect and fear, never daring to overstep her boundaries, let alone harbor such disrespectful thoughts.

So, after reliving her life, not only had her perspective and experience changed, but even her courage had grown?

While Hui Ming was lost in her thoughts, the Emperor had finished washing up and was helped to the warm couch by Consort Xian. Eunuch Su bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty, now that you're feeling better, the other consorts must be very worried. Would you like to see them?"

The weak Emperor waved his hand, his voice still hoarse and unclear, "Tell them to go back. Have a few of the younger ones come."

After being ill for so long, he wanted to see his sons as soon as he felt better? Consort Xian's eyes lit up. However, the Emperor's words "tell them to go back" obviously included her. No matter what she was thinking, she could only carefully instruct the palace maids and excuse herself.

Hui Ming followed the other palace maids and curtsied as Consort Xian left. Then, they all retreated outside the hall. The Emperor didn't need them for the time being, but they still had to be on standby in case he needed to eat, rest, or change clothes to summon his officials.

Just now, in the Emperor's presence, no one dared to act rashly. But now that they were outside, the palace maids from the Bureau of Food and the Bureau of Imperial Wardrobe gathered together and chatted in hushed tones. Hui Ming was left standing alone. Kukou and Yugan, who had still smiled at her earlier, were now avoiding her like the plague, as if afraid that she would approach them.

Clearly, even with her explanation earlier, they still didn't dare to associate with her after she had offended their superior, Governess Wei.

Hui Ming wasn't surprised. She didn't want to stay here and be a nuisance, so she returned to the side chamber, put away the lacquered tray, and looked for a small, round, celadon porcelain jar in the designated cabinet. She planned to go out and get some warm water to wash the jade pendant. Just as she found the ice-crackled celadon jar with a chrysanthemum pattern and turned around, she bumped into a dark figure.

Hui Ming was startled. She almost dropped the jar in her arms. She managed to hold onto it at the last moment, but at the same time, a strong hand reached out and supported the bottom of the jar. Hui Ming sighed in relief and looked up to see Eunuch Su, who should have been serving in the warm room.

"You… Are you going to wash the jade ornaments?" Seeing that Hui Ming had a good grip on the porcelain jar, Eunuch Su took a step back, a hint of hesitation in his voice.

Hui Ming instantly understood what he meant. She was naturally familiar with this task now, but according to her memories of this life, she shouldn't have learned how to clean and care for jade when she first started serving the Emperor!

"Yes, I learned a little from Qiu Ya a few days ago. I have some free time today, so I thought I'd give it a try." Hui Ming's grip on the jar tightened, and even she couldn't help but lower her head after saying those words. Give it a try? Every piece of jewelry worn by the Emperor was worth a fortune. How could she, a palace maid with little experience, use them for practice?

Eunuch Su's expression turned strange. After a moment of silence, he brought up what had happened earlier. "About Governess Wei… It was my negligence that got you into trouble. I…"

"It's nothing!"

Hearing the apology in Eunuch Su's tone, Hui Ming quickly interrupted him. She had just returned to this life, and she hadn't even begun to repay Eunuch Su's kindness. How could she let him apologize to her?

Thinking of Eunuch Su's "kindness" in her previous life, Hui Ming's expression became even more sincere. "Governess Wei is being two-faced and deceitful. How can I blame you? In fact, I'm grateful that you helped me get this position serving the Emperor. I was ignorant before and never thanked you properly. Please don't blame me."

Seeing Hui Ming bowing to him, Su Jin was taken aback. He reached out as if to help her up, but for some reason, he withdrew his hand the moment it touched her arm.

A few days ago, she had been cold and distant towards him, but now she had learned to be tactful? A flicker of bitterness flashed across Su Jin's eyes. Forget it. He was already in a precarious position, with a dangerous future ahead of him. Why should he make her worry?

Noticing Su Jin's hesitation, Hui Ming couldn't help but look up, her eyes meeting his deep, bottomless gaze.

Under Hui Ming's bright gaze, Su Jin's eyes darkened. He gripped the jade pendant on his waist tightly and took a few steps back almost instinctively. He had wanted to tell her that she shouldn't be cleaning the jade ornaments, but now he couldn't bring himself to say it. Just then, Yuan Bao's voice calling for him came from outside. Su Jin let out a sigh of relief and turned to disappear behind the curtain.

"Master, Prince Xin and Prince Rui have arrived." Yuan Bao reported respectfully.

Eunuch Su nodded slightly and instructed calmly, "Go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and have them send over a few more sets of His Majesty's accessories. They need to be ready immediately."

"Ah? But that's Governess Wei's job…" Yuan Bao stopped mid-sentence when he saw the coldness in Su Jin's eyes. He quickly lowered his head and replied, "Yes, Master."

Author's Note:

Eunuch Su, his heart pounding after being looked at by the person he admired: Go ahead, try it. If you break it, there are more!

ʕ•́ᴥ•̀ʔっ

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