Eunuch Su, Eunuch Su!

"Have you made up your mind?"

Inside the Baojie Residence, the old Prince Regent squinted slightly in the twilight, looking at his favorite grandson before him. His voice, though inevitably tinged with the hoarseness of age, was still full of vigor.

This was also because, although the old man was over sixty, he had always been healthy and energetic. If not for the Su family's downfall and execution, it wouldn't have been difficult for him to live to a ripe old age.

Facing his grandfather, Su Jin didn't hide anything. He simply raised his head and said earnestly, "Yes, Grandfather, you know about the past. Besides Huiming, I have no other desires in this life. I have already decided to marry her and be faithful to her forever."

The old Prince Regent sighed. As he lived longer, he became more open-minded about these matters of social status than when he was young. Moreover, he was facing his eldest grandson, whom he had raised single-handedly. After the Su family's tragedy, Jin'er had gone through so much hardship, even finding a trace of the Su family's bloodline and continuing the ancestral sacrifices.

Indeed, although unwilling to believe it at first, ever since Jin'er had that serious illness at the age of six and came to him in the middle of the night after waking up, the old Prince Regent had no choice but to believe everything Su Jin said.

After all, everything Su Jin said, and everything that happened afterward, was not something a six-year-old child could make up. The maturity and sorrow on his face couldn't deceive anyone. Moreover, at that time, the old Prince Regent had already vaguely sensed something between the Crown Prince and the Emperor. He just didn't expect that after the Empress passed away, the aftermath would be so severe.

It was the adults who didn't think things through and acted improperly, yet it was Jin'er who had to shoulder the burden of the family at such a young age and live such a miserable life. In the old Prince Regent’s heart, the entire Su family was indebted to him. Precisely because of this, as long as it was Su Jin's wish, the old Prince Regent was willing to fulfill it for his grandson.

But this one thing…

"It's not impossible for you to marry Miss Song, but…" The old Prince Regent frowned with difficulty and said persuasively, "You are not young anymore. I was thinking that in a few years, I would hand over the entire residence to you. People will gossip. I can find you a virtuous and sensible wife, and you can marry her and keep her at home. You can still be with Miss Song."

The Su family might be able to accept a grandson-in-law from a humble background, but the dignified Prince Regent’s residence couldn’t have a mistress who was born a slave.

Su Jin shook his head with a light smile and said politely but firmly, "Grandfather, I am no longer a real ten-year-old boy. To be honest, although I was a eunuch before, I was also a powerful figure, second only to one person in the world. I am tired of these things. After Huiming grows up and we get married, I plan to prepare enough money and servants, travel the world with her, and live a carefree life as a wealthy couple. As for the Prince Regent’s residence, my brothers are all intelligent. Please continue to teach them."

Hearing the straightforward word "eunuch," the old Prince Regent felt another pang in his heart. However, he was also open-minded. After pondering for a while, he agreed, "Alright, alright, it's our family that has wronged you. Since you want this, I will help you. As for Miss Song, when she grows older, I will swallow my pride and find a family for her, even if it's just to recognize her as a goddaughter. That way, it will sound better when she visits."

"Thank you, Grandfather!" Su Jin's face lit up with joy, and he knelt down and bowed deeply. He then added, "Grandfather, I was insensible and caused you trouble. Please take care of my father and mother!"

There was no need to worry about his mother. Because she was his stepmother and Su Jin had grown up with his grandparents since childhood, his mother had always been more polite than close to him and never interfered too much. However, his father was somewhat stubborn and might not agree with his unconventional future.

"No need to mention it! Your mother is fine. As for your father… Forget it, I will talk to him clearly in a few days." Speaking of which, since Su Jin was six years old, the old Prince Regent hadn't seen such a pure expression of joy on his grandson's face. After saying that, he also revealed a gratified smile. "That's enough. This time, don't just count on your brothers. After you marry your wife, and you two go traveling, you must bring back a few great-grandchildren for me and your grandmother!"

Hearing this, Su Jin lowered his head slightly, his face showing a hint of excitement or shyness. After chatting with his grandfather for a while longer, seeing that it was getting late, Su Jin bid farewell and hurried back to his courtyard, thinking of Huiming, whom he had just brought back.

"The young master hasn't had dinner yet. How can a servant eat first? Is there no sense of propriety!"

As soon as Su Jin entered the courtyard, he faintly heard some arguments. Several maids who were supposed to be guarding the door were peeking through the window like they were watching a good show. The sky had also darkened, so they didn't notice him for a while.

"The young master has always been kind. Huiming is still young. It's nothing for her to have a little something to eat first. Weizi, you are being too cautious. Besides, the young master said that she is Miss Huiming, not a maid like us."

Su Jin slowed down his pace and took a few steps closer. The voice became clearer. It was Bailan's voice, and he even vaguely heard Huiming's name. He became even more careful with his steps.

"Oh, only you, Bailan, are so sensible. The young master hasn't said anything yet, and you are already acting like this. She is a palace maid bestowed by the Empress. If not a maid, what is she? Look at her, even maids can't compare to her. She'll have to wait a long time outside before she can become a senior maid!"

Hearing this, Su Jin's brows furrowed even more. He no longer had the mood to listen further and quickened his pace, passing by the maids outside. Amidst a flurry of panicked greetings of "Young Master," he went straight into the house.

It was dinner time. The round table behind the screen was filled with all kinds of dishes and soups according to his taste and habits. His personal maids were standing by the table, while little Huiming stood at the back, leaning against a wooden pillar, half of her body hidden, her face showing panic.

However, upon seeing Su Jin, little Huiming immediately smiled, walked out from behind the pillar, and reached out her small hand towards him.

Seeing Huiming like this, Su Jin no longer cared about anything else. His face instantly softened, and he walked over in a few strides. In front of Huiming, he knelt down on one knee, picked her up in his arms, and placed her on the nearby Arhat bed.

After putting her down, Su Jin wanted to get up, but little Huiming, who had been standing there helplessly during the argument, was scared and didn't want to let go, so she hugged his neck tightly.

The little girl in his arms was soft, fragrant, and warm. Her freshly shaved head rubbed against his neck, the slightly prickly stubble tickling him, making his whole body tingle.

After all this time, Su Jin finally held Huiming in his arms again. He was already reluctant to let go, not to mention Huiming's warm little hands hugging him like this.

Su Jin felt his whole body soften. He gritted his teeth and sat down next to Huiming, one hand gently stroking her back, his touch gentle and meticulous. However, when he looked at the maids below, his eyes were filled with a chilling authority.

"Young Master…"

"Young Master."

Seeing Su Jin's displeasure, the maids became somewhat cautious. Bailan took the initiative to step forward and explained, half apologizing, "Young Master, you left in a hurry. They didn't know about Miss Huiming's situation…"

"Enough." Su Jin's voice was flat as he looked at the maid he had just heard outside, the one who said Huiming was a maid. "Weizi, go to the housekeeper and tell him that these are my words: I will find you another position."

After saying that, Su Jin paused and looked at the yellow-dressed maid beside him. "Yaohuang, you go with Weizi."

As soon as he said this, Weizi was still fine, but Yaohuang was truly shocked. For a moment, she even forgot her manners and cried out, "Young Master!"

Su Jin frowned, and Bailan immediately and tactfully pulled Weizi and Yaohuang out.

Yaohuang didn't say anything excessive, but Weizi and Yaohuang had always been close. He had driven Weizi away, so there was no guarantee that Yaohuang wouldn't harbor any resentment and take it out on Huiming. It was better to drive them both away for peace of mind. He would find her a good place later.

Thinking this, Su Jin ordered everyone else in the room to leave. Then, he looked down at little Huiming seriously. "Did anyone bully you today?"

Huiming bit her lip and shook her head.

Su Jin reached out and gently opened her mouth. "Besides Weizi just now, did anyone else say anything about you?"

Little Huiming raised her head and looked carefully at the gentle and handsome face of the young man in front of her. Perhaps because of the inexplicable closeness in her heart towards him, she spoke the truth directly. "No, only Weizi doesn't like me."

Hearing this, Su Jin's hand on her back became even gentler. "I'm sorry, it's my fault for not making it clear to them. It won't happen again."

"Why does she hate me?" Little Huiming was a little sad. In fact, it wasn't just Weizi. The four senior maids and eight second-class maids in Su Jin's courtyard seemed to have some hidden dissatisfaction towards her. Although Huiming was young, she could sense it.

Su Jin felt even more guilty and quickly explained, "It's not your fault. It's because I care too much about Huiming, and Weizi doesn't understand…"

"Does Weizi like Young Master?" Huiming tilted her head. Although she didn't quite understand, her tone was very certain.

Huiming's words were actually correct. Su Jin had lived two lives and later became the Commander of the Directorate of Internal Affairs. He naturally possessed an air of authority and charisma. Moreover, because he had been a slave himself, he knew the hardships involved. Therefore, he treated the servants around him with exceptional kindness and generosity. Coupled with his status and age, it was inevitable that some of the maids around him would develop certain feelings over time, and Weizi was the most obvious one.

Although Su Jin was aware of this, he didn't take it seriously at all. Firstly, he was worried about the lives of his entire family, and secondly, his heart was filled with thoughts of Huiming. But now, hearing little Huiming point it out so bluntly, he felt inexplicably flustered, as if his secret had been exposed. His face even flushed with embarrassment, and he could only stammer out a "Yes."

Huiming was stunned for a moment, as if she had remembered something. She couldn't help but blurt out, "Why is it another person surnamed Wei? Eunuch, you… Huh? Ah?"

Why did I say "another"? And why did I call Young Master "Eunuch"? Huiming came to her senses halfway through her sentence and quickly covered her mouth, her bright eyes blinking in confusion.

Su Jin was taken aback for a moment, then seemed to realize something. His eyes widened in an instant.

ʕ•́ᴥ•̀ʔっ

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