Chapter 472: 472
Chapter 472: Oh, Tears
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Qing Kingdom's royal family had always managed the eunuchs strictly . Among the many rules, there was an immovable one that strictly forbade the eunuchs purchasing homes outside the Palace . For one, this was to ensure the privacy and safety of the nobles living inside the Royal Palace and made it more convenient for the imperial guards to control them . For two, it was to prevent the major eunuchs, who had the wealth to purchase homes, from colluding with court officials .
However, the important eunuchs never had a lack of funds at hand . Since they were unable to purchase manors and homes outside, they could only put their efforts into where they lived now . Therefore, around this laundry workshop, which looked like the slums, one could still find a dozen ostentatious mansions .
The powerful eunuchs' single-doored yards stood proudly and quietly within the ruckus around the laundry workshop .
The night was already late as Hong Zhu settled the matters in the Eastern Palace . He knelt in farewell separately to the empress and the Crown Prince then, leading a few trusted young eunuchs, he headed to the laundry workshop .
Not long after leaving the internal palace, his trusted aides brought out a bamboo sedan chair from somewhere and invited him to sit in it .
Within the inner palace, Hong Zhu didn't have the boldness to put on airs . But, after leaving the internal palace, he would not reject these kinds of luxuries . However, sitting in the swaying sedan chair tonight, the color of his face was not very good . The eye-piercing red spots shrunk in the icy cold, and his mood was also rather gloomy .
He forcefully hid the fear and unease in his eyes and talked a bit with the eunuchs beside him as well as scolded them a little, asking them to make sure they serve the two in the Eastern Palace well . The fear in his heart subsided slightly because of his scolding, which made him feel slightly more at ease .
Entering his own little courtyard, he muttered something and then entered his room . He sat down on the woven chair beside the fire . This woven chair was of the same style as the one old Eunuch Hong sunbathed on in Hanguang Palace . He had had it specially made .
Every time a eunuch came into this courtyard to handle some business, they would see this woven chair and think of the connection between young Eunuch Hong and old Eunuch Hong and feel fear and respect in their hearts .
Hong Zhu was very proud of this idea of his . He sat in his woven chair with his left hand wrapped around a hot teapot, which he sipped at slowly, while a 13 or 14-year-old eunuch respectfully knelt on the ground and helped him take off his boots and brought him hot water to soak his feet in .
Feeling the small hands rubbing carefully over his feet in the wooden tub, Hong Zhu felt a very strange feeling . It was somewhat content, somewhat proud, and a bit sad . In the past, his family had been a gentry family and produced a number of successful examination candidates . However, they were ruined by that official, which resulted in his later life becoming like what it was now . If it weren't for that tragedy, given his age, he would probably have passed the spring examinations and began his official career .
Every time he thought of this matter, he couldn't help feeling gloomy, then anger, and then sincere gratitude toward Sir Fan junior outside of the Palace .
Hong Zhu was not one to be ungrateful to a friend . As they say, a gentleman will die for their friend . He had always thought, although he no longer had that thing between his legs, his heart was still that of a gentleman .
His finger slowly rubbed across the rough surface of his yixing clay teapot, but his mind was not on this amazing texture . He thought of the matter he had taken a risk to tell Sir Fan junior . He didn't know what disaster this matter would bring him . He had been frightened for many days . It was not until Sir Fan junior had returned to the capital that he felt slightly more confident . He would just hand this terrifying thing to Sir Fan junior to deal with . Perhaps he could obtain some benefits from within it or it could be considered that he had returned some of his debt . Everything would be fine, as long as it didn't implicate him .
Hong Zhu's finger suddenly shook . He extended his tongue to wet his lips that were dry because of his nervousness . In a dry voice, he said, "You can go . I'm a bit tired . If there isn't any trouble, don't disturb me . "
After the 13- or 14-year-old little eunuch with delicate brows took out a dry cloth and helped little Eunuch Hong dry his feet, he chuckled and said, "Sir, do you want me to call Xiu'er to come give you a massage?"
Hearing these words, Hong Zhu started slightly . He immediately thought of the serving girl's soft body and fragrant tongue . A warmth began to flow through his lower abdomen . As it was unable to flow anywhere, his face grew dark . Additionally, he was also afraid that these words would be heard by that person in the room, so he scolded in embarrassment and anger, "Get out! What Xiu'er and Xing'er are you talking about?"
The little eunuch didn't understand why he was angry . With a sorrowful expression, he left the room and carefully closed both the room door and courtyard door then went to his own room to sleep .
…
…
"Xing'er…that is Yi Guipin's personal serving girl, you even dare to think about her?" Fan Xian walked out from inside and laughingly scolded . "Look at the life you're having . It's even more comfortable than mine . You are also gradually becoming more daring . "
Hong Zhu wore a pained expression and said, "Don't shame me . I'm really not very brave…" He glanced at Fan Xian probingly and smiled . "Besides, isn't Xing'er one of yours?"
Fan Xian jumped in shock and scolded him in a low voice, "Go die! How are you say such absurd things . "
Hong Zhu smiled apologetically and closed his mouth .
This little courtyard was to the southwest of the laundry workshop . The area was relatively peaceful . Earlier, Fan Xian had circulated his zhenqi and listened, so there shouldn't be anyone around listening in . It should be quite safe and convenient to talk . He was afraid that Hong Zhu might be too frightened of that matter, so the first time he spoke, he opened with a mischievous joke .
He sat at the corner of the fire pit . At this angle, the light in the room wouldn't be able to cast his shadow to the outside of the room .
Hong Zhu carefully looked around . Pitching his voice low, he said, "Sir, I knew you were staying in the Palace tonight so I guessed you would come . However…it isn't safe here either . You should leave quickly . "
Fan Xian nodded and glanced at him . In a low voice, he asked, "Are you sure?"
The color of Hong Zhu's face changed immediately, and his lips shook for a while . He glanced around fearfully and nodded after a while .
"Keep this matter to yourself, and don't tell anymore . " Although Fan Xian knew that Hong Zhu wouldn't be so stupid, he still reminded him worriedly . He furrowed his brows and said, "Even if it burns in your heart, don't say anything . When you're sleeping, it's best if there is no one next to you…not even that Xiu'er . "
Hong Zhu shivered and thought, F*ck, isn't this too extreme? Who can control what they say in their dreams?
Actually, at this moment, Fan Xian was also a bit annoyed about how to change this hot potato that was burning his hand to a rock that could hit others . There were just too many things to consider in between . His visit to Hong Zhu tonight was mainly to confirm the matter in person . As for the later plans, he could not act rashly immediately .
After being silent for a while, he said, in a low voice, "No matter what we do, you have to remember one thing . You must first remove yourself from this matter . Don't let anyone notice that you are related to this matter . "
"This is the first condition . " Fan Xian said seriously . "If there is even a glimmer of possibility that it could implicate you, then we won't act . "
Hong Zhu nodded silently . He had long been aware that having passed this information to Sir Fan junior, he would certainly use this importation and be an important part of the other party's plan . From the very beginning, he had given his meager life to Fan Xian . To use his life to return to favor of a dozen lives in his tribe, it was worth it . Hearing Fan Xian being considerate of his safety, he felt very moved .
The candlelight in the room swayed, and the shadows blurred .
Fan Xian called Hong Zhu to his side and quietly said something into his ear . The longer Hong Zhu listened, the brighter his eyes grew . However, that brightness still could not hide his fear and terror, except this fear and terror could not overwhelm the beneficial returns in the future .
Just like court officials, the eunuchs in the Palace had to secretly place their bets with a family, particularly eunuchs like Hong Zhu who had already risen to a certain station .
From over a year ago, because of Fan Xian's actions in secret, Hong Zhu had already, without any other choice, come down on his side, on the side of Shufang Palace .
"Right now, the communication between us is not convenient . We have to find another way . " After delegating some matters, he furrowed his brows and said, "We can't go through a middle person . There are also some details I have to go back and think about carefully . Before I return to Jiangnan, we have to meet up again . Which day can you leave the Palace in the first month?"
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