The emperor's voice, muffled by the curtains, was transformed into a hazy growl within the dimly lit bedchamber, reminiscent of a beast's roar, chilling to the core.
Eunuch Yuan bowed deeply to the ground.
"It is my incompetence; I deserve death," he uttered repeatedly.
The emperor rose and paced, his voluminous sleeves swaying with each step.
"I am not without compassion. Think about it—they have basked in prosperity and wealth for three generations already. Isn't that enough? How can one be so greedy?" he said.
"Yes, yes, Your Majesty is absolutely right," Eunuch Yuan responded promptly.
"I know the Fang Family has been dutiful and upright for many years, which is why I instructed you to assist them without interference," the emperor said. "Is that not sufficient?"
"More than enough," Eunuch Yuan replied earnestly, "Your Majesty has shown the Fang Family utmost grace and virtue."
With each step and exchange, the emperor's vexation gradually dissipated. He swept his sleeve and sat down once more, the faint morning light filtering through the curtains into the chamber.
"The Fang Family's business has been managed fairly well; there haven't been any significant mishaps over the years," he remarked in a low voice.
"But Your Majesty is not a merchant," Eunuch Yuan interjected.
Indeed, at this moment, he no longer needed that money.
More importantly, no one could ever know about the business he had conducted in the past.
"As long as they conduct business honestly, I can promise them a life free from trouble, filled with wealth and glory," the emperor stated.
"I have always followed Your Majesty's orders, ensuring neither harm to the Fang Family's business nor its women," Eunuch Yuan quickly declared, bowing.
All they sought was for the Fang Family to be cut off from descendants.
Unfortunately, the plan had gone awry by a single misstep.
"It was all due to my poor selection of people, which exposed flaws," Eunuch Yuan confessed, trembling in fear and bowing repeatedly. "I almost caused a disaster."
A flicker of anger flashed across the emperor's face, but he quickly masked it, casting a faint smile toward Eunuch Yuan.
"How could I blame you for that?" he said, gesturing for him to rise. "Perhaps it's just heaven's will."
Eunuch Yuan expressed gratitude profusely.
"To avoid alarming them, I will continue to look for an opportunity to arrange this," he said. "Please rest assured, Your Majesty."
"Old Yuan, rest assured, I trust you," the emperor remarked with a slight sigh. "You are, after all, my most reliable confidant. If not, I would have handed this matter over to Lu Yunqi."
Lu Yunqi's Jinyiwei had indeed been unaware of this matter. Eunuch Yuan, realizing this, felt deeply moved once again.
"I am unworthy of Your Majesty's trust," he said, bowing reverently.
"Once this matter is resolved, return immediately," the emperor instructed, leaning back against a cushion, his expression heavy with concern. "Ever since Gongzhu passed away, Lu Yunqi's intentions have become increasingly difficult for me to gauge. I want you back to assist me. By then, I'll assign you a position in the Ritual Department. You won't have to worry about other matters—just oversee the Jinyiwei and keep them in check."
Eunuch Yuan was overjoyed.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," he said, bowing low again. Then, with a flattering smile, he approached the emperor on his knees and gently massaged his legs. "Has Your Majesty's cold leg ailment improved?"
"Improved? Hardly. It may be warmer here than Shandong, but it's still damp and cold," the emperor replied, allowing Eunuch Yuan to serve him. He pinched the bridge of his nose and chuckled softly. "Though the ointment you sent back does work well. You never forget this old ailment of mine year after year."
Tears gleamed in Eunuch Yuan's eyes.
"From the time I was young, I've always served Your Majesty. There is no one else in my heart but Your Majesty," he choked out. "I understand better than anyone else the challenges Your Majesty faces. Those outsiders can't compare to us who know how to truly serve."
With a faint smile, the emperor nodded.
"Alright, go and rest now. After you've rested a bit, you'll have to leave again," he said.
Eunuch Yuan bowed deeply in response, lowered his head, and retreated.
The room grew brighter; the emperor, unable to sleep, reached out and rummaged through the desk until he found a memorial from Huang Cheng. Pulling it out, he glanced inside. The mention of "De Sheng Chang" caught his eye, prompting him to sit upright. As he read further, his expression turned darker and darker. With a loud smack, he tossed the memorial onto the desk.
"Summon someone," he barked.
The eunuchs outside rushed in at once, lifting the curtains as they entered to bow before the emperor, whose face had turned ominous.
"Summon Lord Huang..." the emperor commanded.
The eunuchs quickly acknowledged the order and hurried out, but within a few steps, the emperor called them back.
"On second thought, summon Lu Yunqi instead," he instructed.
......…
...…
Yuan Bao strode slowly through the imperial palace, leaving the emperor's presence behind. He no longer bore a hint of subservience in his posture. Occasionally, he glanced at the arrogant chief eunuchs in their crimson robes, his face betraying a touch of disdain.
Back when Prince Qi ascended the throne, none of the old servants from the secret mansion were brought to the capital. The palace staff remained as they were to honor the legacy of the first emperor.
Yuan Bao rarely visited this place. When he did, the chief eunuchs never failed to greet him with icy contempt, treating him like a discarded dog due to his status as a secret mansion eunuch.
A faint sneer appeared on Yuan Bao's face.
These fools had no idea how indispensable he truly was to the emperor or how much he had accomplished. Just wait—once he returned, they would all see who was the emperor's closest confidant.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps accompanied by chaotic greetings echoed ahead.
Yuan Bao looked up and saw the palace eunuchs, high and low, scrambling out of the way. A tall and slender figure in crimson robes was slowly approaching, backlit by the morning light.
Though he couldn't make out the face clearly, Yuan Bao instantly recognized the man as Lu Yunqi. Few individuals with such youth would wear those crimson robes, commanding both reverence and fear from the eunuchs.
Yuan Bao hesitated briefly, then stepped aside like the others, pressing himself against the edge of the path, though his gaze was drawn to secretly observe.
The young Jinyiwei Commander was strikingly handsome, yet his beauty carried a sense of foreboding. There was an unsettling coldness to his serpentine eyes that made one instinctively recoil.
Lu Yunqi walked straight ahead, his gaze unfaltering, as if the world around him were of no consequence.
Yuan Bao straightened his posture, watching the silhouette pass by, before curling his lips in disdain.
What is there to be proud of? After all, you're merely a wretched life that luck has favored.
By the time Yuan Bao stepped out of the palace gates, his attire had changed entirely. Sporting a neatly groomed mustache, dressed in plain robes with a modest cap, he now resembled an average servant accompanying an official. Riding a horse at a trot, he swiftly departed Imperial Street and turned into the bustling marketplace.
Though dawn had only recently arrived, the streets were already lively, with people moving about and shopkeepers busily removing shutters in anticipation of opening for business.
Yuan Bao wandered here and there before stopping at the entrance of the De Sheng Chang money business.
The shop's doors had only been partially opened. Nonetheless, as Yuan Bao stepped inside, a clerk promptly approached to serve him.
"I need to exchange some money," Yuan Bao said, producing a silver banknote while speaking in a thick Shandong accent, his tone anxious yet feigning calmness like any traveler from out of town.
Such behavior from outsiders often drew mocking smiles from capital locals.
As expected, Yuan Bao noticed the clerk took a second glance at him.
"Of course, please take a seat and wait for a moment," the clerk replied, accepting the banknote and heading toward the counter.
Through the wooden grille atop the platform, Yuan Bao spotted the clerk leaning over to whisper something to another employee, who in turn glanced in his direction.
The two spoke softly, but there was no smirk or laughter.
De Sheng Chang was, after all, a prominent establishment. If the clerks did not uphold proper conduct, they might as well shutter their doors.
Unbothered, Yuan Bao crossed his leg, lifted the tea served to him, and leisurely took a sip.
Soon, the clerk returned, carrying a heavy small chest.
"Here you are, honored guest. Please count the money carefully. Would you like us to deliver it to your residence?" he said respectfully.
Yuan Bao stood up.
"There's no need," he replied, taking the chest and heading toward the exit.
The clerks remained inside, bowing without escorting him outside for fear of making their guest uncomfortable.
After Yuan Bao left, the clerk straightened up. Instead of serving the next customer, he swiftly headed into the inner hall, passing through several doors to reach the rear courtyard.
Manager Liu sat near a stove, sipping tea.
"Manager," the clerk whispered, drawing closer, "The person in the portrait has appeared."