A coveted treasure sought by all

Because the weather had turned cold, and we slept in such a place, every night we curled up tightly, shivering against the chill. The wounds on my body had lingered for days without healing; whenever they touched water, the pain cut to the bone.

These hardships, I could only endure in silence. I told myself I must walk out of here alive and well.

That day, I was chopping firewood in the courtyard. My frail body struggled with each swing of the axe, every movement exhausting. As I placed a log on the block and raised the axe, my hands suddenly gave out; the axe slipped from my grasp and was about to come down on my foot. If it landed, my foot would surely be split.

But just then, a swift shadow snatched the axe away.

Startled, I looked up—it was Long Zhan!

“Well, if it isn’t Lord Long! What a rare guest,” the stewardess of the punishment quarters greeted him with a fawning smile. “Is there some task from His Majesty?”

Long Zhan set the axe aside, clapped his hands, and stood tall, his expression inscrutable. “I was merely passing by and thought to take a look.”

The stewardess’s eyes flickered. Smiling, she said, “If Lord Long needs anything, just ask. If this old woman can manage it, I certainly will.”

Long Zhan glanced at her, then at me. “In that case, I advise you to treat this eunuch well.”

The old woman seemed to think of something, her smile deepening. “I understand Lord Long’s meaning. I will do as you say.”

Long Zhan replied, “Don’t overthink it. This little eunuch will surely be leaving soon. I’m only reminding you out of kindness.”

“Of course, thank you, Lord Long!”

“Go on with your work. There’s nothing more here—I’ll be on my way soon.”

“Yes, yes.” The old woman retreated, though I saw her still watching us from the corner of her eye.

“I brought you medicine,” Long Zhan said, pressing a bottle into my hand.

“Thank you, Lord Long. But you should leave quickly. It’s not good to be seen here.”

“I’m not concerned about that. You’ll be out soon enough. With your wit and resourcefulness, I’m sure you’ve already found a way.”

“I have no way out,” I replied.

“Mei Changzai and Zhang Zhaoyi—both won the Emperor’s favor thanks to your schemes, and you’re but a lowly eunuch. Little Xiao, I wasn’t wrong about you!”

So even Long Zhan had heard. Heaven forbid this reached the Emperor’s ears, or my life as a little eunuch would be forfeit.

“I’ll go now. When you get out, bring me a meal,” Long Zhan said, then turned and departed, his bearing dashing and unrestrained.

“Do you know Lord Long?” As soon as he left, the old woman sidled up, probing.

“I only met him a few times on Her Ladyship’s orders. After all, Lord Long is the commander of the Imperial Guards.”

“Is that so?” She remained unconvinced.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll get back to work.”

“Go on, then!”

Barely a moment had passed before Cui’er entered.

“Stewardess, is Xiao Xiao here?”

The old woman walked over. “What business do you have with Xiao Xiao? He’s being punished with labor, not just anyone can see him.”

Cui’er replied, “I’m a maid from Xiyu Pavilion, here on my mistress’s orders to fetch Xiao Xiao.”

“So you’re from Lady Tan’s quarters. What does Her Ladyship want with him?”

“That’s not for you to ask. Just tell me where he is. Stewardess, you ought to know—the Emperor favored our mistress again yesterday. There will be greater days ahead for her. Surely you know what you should do?”

“I know. Xiao Xiao, come here!”

At her call, I could only approach.

To be honest, I hadn’t expected Cui’er. Even though Zhang Bitong hadn’t protected me, I couldn’t let myself be branded disloyal. That would mean no master would ever truly trust me. All the effort I’d invested in Zhang Bitong could not be wasted.

Was Zhang Bitong really not coming for me?

“Oh, poor Xiao Xiao, you’ve grown so thin since you came to the punishment ward. Our mistress is compassionate—she wants you to return to Xiyu Pavilion and serve her. Come with me.”

“I am being punished here. I cannot leave.”

“Are you addled?” the old woman snapped at me. “This is a golden chance to get out. Look at those others—wouldn’t you want to leave?”

“That’s right. Our mistress values you—don’t throw this away. If you stay and work yourself to death, don’t blame anyone else. Look at your wounds, your filthy clothes. If you don’t go now, you’ll never get another chance.”

“Servants of Cuiwei Palace are looked after by their own people. Miss Cui’er, you needn’t worry further!” At the sound of that familiar voice, joy welled up in me—Yun Qing had finally come.

Zhang Bitong might be muddled, but Yun Qing was not. She was here at last.

As soon as I saw Yun Qing, I shed tears. Whether my feelings were real or feigned, I needed to weep now—for the suffering I’d endured, and to show Yun Qing how deeply I longed for my old mistress at Cuiwei Palace.

“So it’s you, Aunt Yun Qing. What’s this? After so long, you remember you have a servant here? When the trouble with Mei Changzai happened, I never saw your mistress come to speak up for her own servant!” Cui’er, emboldened by Lin Tanwei’s favor, showed no respect for Yun Qing.

But Yun Qing had been in the palace for over a decade; she knew far more than Cui’er ever could.

“Because of the Mei affair, my lady was implicated and couldn’t spare herself to rescue Xiao Xiao. As for your Lady Tan, always favored by the Emperor—she didn’t speak up for him, either. I wonder, what has brought Lady Tan to seek out Xiao Xiao today? Surely it’s not because of the rumors swirling in the palace recently?”

“You—” Cui’er was no match for Yun Qing.

Yun Qing turned to me. “Xiao Xiao, you’ve suffered. I’m here to take you home.”

I must admit, the word “home” struck a chord in my heart. Perhaps I was deluded, thinking I could truly return home. But who there would show me warmth?

Zhang Bitong had abandoned me; Lan Yan and Xiao Lu only watched the show; and Hong Xiu—her single word had sent me to this fate. As for Yun Qing, was she powerless, or simply indifferent like the others?

Was there anyone in that house I could trust?

No matter. Mei Changzai’s death and Hong Xiu’s betrayal should have taught me the ways of this palace long ago.

From the moment I entered the palace, I should have cast aside sentiment and chivalry. Here, survival is all that matters. Just as I once escaped that other home.

Before I could answer Yun Qing, another figure arrived—Ming He, from the Empress’s side.

“Well, well, the punishment ward, usually so deserted, is quite lively today!” Ming He approached, smiling at Cui’er and Yun Qing. “Yun Qing, you’re here too? Ah, I forgot—Xiao Xiao is one of yours. So, has your mistress only now remembered her own servant?”

Every word from Ming He was barbed.

Yun Qing inclined her head slightly. “Xiao Xiao suffered here through no fault of his own. My lady grieved, but her status is low. It’s no surprise you find it amusing, Aunt Ming He. But surely you didn’t come only for Xiao Xiao?”

With someone from the Empress’s household present, Cui’er dared not speak further. She quietly withdrew, likely to report to Lin Tanwei.

“To be frank, Yun Qing, I’m here on Her Majesty’s orders to summon Xiao Xiao. Xiao Xiao, come with me.”

“If the Empress wishes to keep him at Kunning Palace, I’m afraid that’s not proper. He is, after all, a servant of Cuiwei Palace. Unless His Majesty or my lady grants permission, he cannot go.”

Ming He smirked. “So you think I can’t take a mere eunuch? Whether or not he serves your mistress, do you mean to compete with the Empress for a servant?”

Yun Qing replied calmly, “It seems the Empress is the one taking our palace’s servant.”

“You—” Ming He raised her hand to strike Yun Qing, but I was quick enough to block it. Her slap landed squarely on my face.

“Xiao Xiao!” Yun Qing cried out.

Ming He, surprised, withdrew her hand with a cold laugh. “So your heart still lies with Cuiwei Palace. But to offend the Empress—do you know the consequences?”

I bowed. “I am but a lowly eunuch, unworthy of causing discord between you two. I have always served Cuiwei Palace, and as Chief Steward Qiu said, if a mistress comes to fetch us, we may return. I’ve longed for my lady’s visit, and now that she has come, I am deeply grateful. Surely the Empress only wishes to question me, not keep me. Aunt Yun Qing, do not worry. As long as my lady wants me, I shall serve her until death.”

Yun Qing nodded and turned to Ming He. “Perhaps I spoke too harshly earlier. Xiao Xiao is right—Her Majesty, as mother of the realm, would never quarrel over a servant. Surely she only wishes to speak with him. Aunt Ming He, please take him. Xiao Xiao, return as soon as you’re done.”

“Yes, I understand!”

Ming He glanced at me, then waved a hand. “Her Majesty said there’s no need to question those who don’t know their place.”

She cast us a glare and left.

The stewardess, watching all this, was bewildered. “So who will Xiao Xiao go with?”

Yun Qing replied, “Whoever he goes with, he certainly won’t stay here.”

“Indeed, Lord Long was right.”

“Lord Long?”

“Yes, he came earlier, told me to treat Xiao Xiao well, said he’d be leaving soon. And look, now all these ladies have come.”

“Well then, Xiao Xiao, have you anything to pack?”

“No.”

“Then come with me back to Cuiwei Palace.”

“Yes!”