Chapter 20: There’s Always A Supporting Role For Big Things.

Yan HeQing was about to leave the House of Internal Affairs, but it came to Eunuch Zhao’s knowledge half a day later.

Steward Feng finished reporting to Eunuch Zhao in a ruthless manner. He thought that Eunuch Zhao would be dissatisfied. Who would’ve known that he would just nod, and say in a disapproving tone: “It was a matter of time.”

Steward Feng scratched his head and said with embarrassment: “Eunuch Zhao, in case Yan HeQing becomes the next favorite of His Majesty, he will whisper sweet nothings to his ears. The life of this lowly servant, I’m afraid…haa, I’m afraid it’s hard to protect.”

Eunuch Zhao sneered: “What are you afraid of? Your head, even if he mentions a word about it to His Majesty, he would look petty.”

“Yes, yes.” Steward Feng nodded and bowed his waist. “This servant will be relying on Eunuch Zhao.”

Eunuch Zhao leisurely sipped his tea: “You must get ready and prepare beforehand. After two days, I will go and talk to the maidservant Hong Xiu.”

“The maidservant Hong Xiu?” Steward Feng’s heart jumped, the headmaster of Jing Yang Palace?

Eunuch Zhao glanced at Steward Feng and said, “What’s the matter? Aren’t you free? Would you refuse, even when you said you’re relying on me?”

“I’m not busy, not busy at all.” Steward Feng was a spirited man, then he quickly retreated.

Hong Xiu never imagined that Eunuch Zhao would actually come to find her.

Although they were both in charge of the same job, there was no interaction between them. One doesn’t visit a temple without a cause1. Hong Xiu could probably guess who Eunuch Zhao was coming for. She thought of what Xiao YuAn had said to her before, and became alert at once.

Eunuch Zhao saw the look on Hong Xiu’s face and smiled: “Maidservant Hong Xiu, won’t you invite me to take a seat?”

Hong Xiu quickly asked Eunuch Zhao to sit down and hurried the slaves to pour tea: “This maidservant was disrespectful, neglecting Eunuch Zhao. I ask Eunuch Zhao to forgive me.”

“Hong Xiu must be joking. It seems that my old face is still useful in other places besides the House of Internal Affairs.” Eunuch Zhao teased, lifting the lid of tea and blew on it, “I’ve heard that the favorite maidservant of His Majesty, Hong Xiu, will be coming here today. In fact, I want to become acquaintances with the maidservant Hong Xiu.”

It was a little unclear what Eunuch Zhao wanted to say. He was an old slave that served for three dynasties. He bathed in favor from generation to generation and took care of the House of Internal Affairs for more than 10 years; not to mention, the late Emperor regarded him like a relative.

Hong Xiu said: “Eunuch Zhao must be joking, this maidservant was just doing her job.”

Eunuch Zhao meaningfully said: “Yes, just doing things within your capabilities.”

Hong Xiu continued: “Eunuch Zhao, you’re also a very experienced person in the palace. We servants, what we should do and what we shouldn’t do, I believe, you should understand?”

Hong Xiu wanted to remind Eunuch Zhao that Yan HeQing was already in Jing Yang Palace, and he should stop any persecution plan.

However, Eunuch Zhao wasn’t annoyed when he heard this. He smiled and said: “Maidservant Hong Xiu truly deserves the favoritism of His Majesty. After all, this matter of doing things, oh yeah, it’s not good enough. What you’re afraid of, Hong Xiu, is not what you should do, but if you don’t do what you’re supposed to do. Aren’t we, the slaves, the biggest negligence?”

Hong Xiu was stunned: “…What does Eunuch Zhao mean?”

Eunuch Zhao took a sip of tea, and then continued: “I heard that the male concubines in Jing Yang Palace must go through the guidance of Maidservant Hong Xiu before they can serve His Majesty?”

Hong Xiu said: “That is natural, but the two of us, you and me, have it very clear in our hearts, that some of these people, and not us the slaves, can move as they please.”

Eunuch Zhao suddenly sneered: “Can’t I move? Maidservant Hong Xiu, there’s some people here, in the House of Internal Affairs, that are my slaves. All I need to do is to make them my slaves. What do I care? Maidservant Hong Xiu, you need to understand that the concubines at the Jing Yang Palace are going to be sent to His Majesty’s bedside. If you send a wolf, it will hurt His Majesty…”

Eunuch Zhao paused just right in time, and Hong Xiu was startled.

“Maidservant Hong Xiu, you don’t need to hurt his life. You just need to make those that should be forbidden to be forbidden. Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do? Yeah, we’re all slaves; isn’t the biggest part of our duties to worry about His Majesty’s business?”

Eunuch Zhao finished his speech slowly, got up, said goodbye, and then left. Leaving Hong Xiu at a loss.

Footnotes:

Footnotes

無事不登三寶殿 wú shì bù dēng sān bǎo diàn; it’s a Chinese idiom, refers to the Buddha Hall. It means to visit someone with an ulterior motive / To ask for something / Having a hidden agenda.