Chapter 005: The Unfathomable Ninth Prince

The moment I saw him, I panicked, my gaze unexpectedly meeting his. I quickly looked away, not wanting him to realize I’d recognized him.

He shifted his gaze to Xiao Qingzi. “Where are you headed, Eunuch?”

Xiao Qingzi replied, “Back to Lord Long. I’m taking these two to the Cuiwei Palace! Since there was a murder last night and several eunuchs died, the Cuiwei Palace is short of attendants. I’m delivering replacements.”

“Have they caught the murderer yet?”

“Not yet! But with Lord Long commanding the Imperial Guard patrols inside the palace, I wonder if your men have heard any rumors about this matter…”

Before Xiao Qingzi could finish, he was interrupted. “My main duty is to protect His Majesty. As for the rest, Eunuch, you’re asking the wrong person.”

“Yes, of course. Then I’ll take my leave.”

“Very well.”

“Let’s go,” Xiao Qingzi said to us, and we continued forward.

After a while, I couldn’t help glancing back, only to find that man also turning his head to look at me. I hastily turned away, anxiety gripping me as I kept my head down, walking quickly.

I overheard Xiao Luzi asking Xiao Qingzi, “Eunuch, is that Lord Long really Long Zhan, the commander of the Imperial Guard?”

Xiao Qingzi nodded. “You’ve got a sharp eye. That’s right. Be alert when you get to Cuiwei Palace. That’s Lord Long Zhan, and in this palace, only His Majesty can give him orders.”

“No wonder he’s so arrogant, not giving you any face at all.”

Xiao Qingzi let out a laugh. “Why would he care about us? Even Eunuch Qiu doesn’t necessarily warrant his respect. And let me tell you something else—Lord Long is the younger brother of the Empress’s brother-in-law.”

Hearing this, I was stunned. So, he’s the commander of the Imperial Guard, theoretically only answering to the Emperor. I wondered if Eunuch He’s murder was commissioned by the Emperor. But then, if Long Zhan is related to the Empress, could she have been behind it? Yet Eunuch He was the Empress’s trusted aide—it’s unlikely she would harm her own confidant.

Palace intrigues were indeed complicated, and I couldn’t untangle them in that moment.

“Ouch…” Xiao Qingzi suddenly cried out. I’d been so lost in thought, I hadn’t noticed he’d stopped in front of a threshold. I bumped straight into him as he was about to step over it, causing him to exclaim.

“You careless dog—what were you thinking?” Xiao Qingzi raised his hand to strike me.

I instinctively tried to dodge, but then a woman approached with an elegant gait. “My, Eunuch, what a temper you have!”

“Oh, it’s Aunt Yunqing,” Xiao Qingzi said, lowering his hand.

The woman had a dignified and gentle demeanor, much more pleasant than that Aunt Minghe.

“These two are the ones assigned by the Service Bureau?” Yunqing glanced at me, then at Xiao Luzi.

Xiao Qingzi bowed. “Yes, Aunt. Eunuch Qiu specially selected two clever and youthful ones to serve Her Highness, so she’ll have capable hands at her disposal.”

“You’re thoughtful, Eunuch. Here’s a reward from Her Highness,” Yunqing said, slipping him a purse of money.

“Aunt Yunqing, you’re too kind. If Her Highness is inside, shall I announce myself?”

“Her Highness is still resting. But she asked me to inquire about something.”

“Please speak, Aunt.”

“I heard there was a murder last night. Eunuch He, who had just completed an errand for the Emperor, was killed.”

“So Her Highness heard of it as well?”

“Of course. She was so frightened she barely slept, and woke late this morning. Our Empress is timid—the incident has truly unsettled her.”

“Her Highness must take care of herself. The Emperor has always cherished her and she mustn’t let him down.”

“Well said, Eunuch. Do you know how the matter has been resolved?”

Xiao Qingzi replied, “It could have been solved quickly, but Aunt Minghe from the Empress’s side got involved. The Empress insists the murderer must be found. This morning, the matter even reached His Majesty’s ears. It probably won’t be resolved anytime soon.”

“So it was the Empress who brought it to the Emperor’s attention?”

“Of course. Eunuch Qiu hoped not to trouble His Majesty, but Aunt Minghe wouldn’t have it. That’s where your mistress and the Ninth Prince in Cuiwei Palace are different—they never trouble the Emperor.”

Yunqing smiled humbly. “That’s our duty, Eunuch. You flatter us. Thank you for making the trip. I won’t keep you.”

“I’ll be on my way, then. I should report to Eunuch Qiu. Aunt Yunqing, rest assured—these two are obedient. If one isn’t, discipline them as you see fit. As for Xiao Xiaozi, I think Eunuch He was his relative—he kept vigil all night for him.”

“Good, I understand.”

After Xiao Qingzi left, Yunqing led us into the courtyard. She studied me. “You’re the one accused of being the murderer last night, the one Aunt Minghe later rescued, aren’t you?”

I nodded.

“And it was Aunt Minghe who personally chose you to serve in Cuiwei Palace?” she asked.

“Yes, Aunt.”

Yunqing looked at me with a trace of compassion. “Child, you look awful. Didn’t sleep well last night? Why don’t you attend inside, where there’s less work?”

“Thank you, Aunt.”

“What’s your name?”

“I’m Xiao Luzi.”

“Xiao Luzi, clean the courtyard.”

“Aunt Yunqing, I’d like to serve Her Highness,” Xiao Luzi protested, unwilling to sweep.

“That’s for Her Highness to decide. Clean the courtyard first.”

Chastened, Xiao Luzi stopped arguing, though he shot me a resentful look.

Yunqing led me a few steps further. “Here—you can pour Her Highness some tea. If you’re unsure about anything, come ask me.”

“Thank you, Aunt.” Since entering the palace, she was the first person to treat me kindly. In all my years, few had ever spoken to me so gently. Moved, I made up my mind to do my work well.

But as I carried the hot tea into the room, my legs gave out. For some reason, there was a puddle on the floor—I slipped and the cup crashed to the ground, startling the elegant woman reclining on the couch.

“Where did this clumsy servant come from?” That must be Lady Zhang, the mistress of Cuiwei Palace.

Although there were traces of age on her face, she was still strikingly beautiful, evidently someone who cared about her appearance.

“What happened, Your Highness?” Yunqing hurried over to check if Lady Zhang had been burned. Taking in the scene, she quickly grasped what had happened.

I stood there, frozen, not knowing what to do or say.

“Yunqing, who is this?”

“Your Highness, this is Xiao Xiaozi, sent from the Service Bureau to serve you.”

Lady Zhang was still angry. “Are they deliberately sending me such a fool, just to spite me? Send him back, send him back—I don’t want him!”

Yunqing leaned in and whispered something to Lady Zhang, who then looked at me. “It’s him?”

Yunqing nodded.

“Very well. Let’s see how he does,” Lady Zhang relented.

At the doorway, Yunqing called, “Enough, Xiao Luzi, come in and serve inside. Xiao Xiaozi, you’ll be the courtyard sweeper.”

“Yes,” I replied, stepping out as Xiao Luzi, triumphant, tossed his broom at my feet.

I picked it up in silence and began sweeping the courtyard.

Not half a stick of incense later, a little eunuch hurried in. “A decree from the Empress: Xiao Xiaozi from Cuiwei Palace is to come to the Hall of Mental Cultivation for questioning.”

Yunqing replied, “Very well. Why don’t you go on ahead? I’ll send Xiao Xiaozi right over.”

“Thank you, Aunt.”

I looked to Yunqing, who beckoned me. I put down my broom, entered the room, and knelt before Lady Zhang.

But before Yunqing could explain, Lady Zhang was already furious.

“He’s my servant, and the Empress summons him at will? She says it’s to seek the truth, but really, she just disregards me! Outrageous!” Lady Zhang slammed the table, her beautiful face instantly losing its luster.

She pointed at me, her scarlet nail polish flashing before my eyes, as vivid as the makeup on her face. “Xiao Xiaozi, as long as I don’t allow it, you may not go.”

Damn it!

If I don’t go, the Empress will blame me. If I do, there’ll be trouble when I return. Servants like me, powerless and insignificant, truly have it the worst, caught in the middle.

“Mother, why won’t you let him go?”

A young man with hair tied back stepped into the room, his features sharp and cold, dressed in royal purple. Though young, he exuded the unmistakable aura of a king. His eyes were especially deep and intimidating—just meeting his gaze sent a shiver down my spine.