Chapter 8: The Young Eunuch, Yan Chen
Chapter 8: The Little Eunuch, Yan Chen
Aunt Lin watched Ye Wanwan diligently copying the palace rules with a sense of satisfaction. The emperor, seeing the consort’s attitude, might no longer dwell on the previous incident.
Yet, whether it was because Ye Wanwan had suddenly been too willful that day, her unusually quiet demeanor always made Aunt Lin feel something was amiss, as if she were hiding some dark secret.
But the Noble Consort was a girl she had seen grow up—always the most obedient and well-mannered. What ill intentions could she possibly harbor?
Yes, that day must have been an outburst born from unbearable frustration over the infertility tonic—there was no other explanation.
Aunt Lin asked no questions and convinced herself of this.
Aunt Lin was a distant relative from Ye Wanwan’s maternal family, the Lin clan. Not a servant, she had come to the Ye household following Ye Wanwan’s mother and was a trusted confidante of Lady Ye. After Lady Ye’s passing, she remained by Ye Wanwan’s side, managing her dowry and social affairs.
Neither loyal to the Empress Dowager nor to Zhao Yi, Aunt Lin was unquestionably trustworthy. Yet Ye Wanwan had no intention of confiding in her.
No matter how loyal Aunt Lin was, she would never allow Ye Wanwan to act so recklessly.
Only Ye Wanwan knew the torment and suffering she endured. If she told Aunt Lin, she might think Ye Wanwan had gone mad.
Aunt Lin was of no use in this matter. Ye Wanwan raised her eyes, glancing at a potted plant on the windowsill.
“Hm? Since when was there a pot here?”
Aunt Lin glanced over. “It must have been Little Chenzi who put it there. I saw him carrying it this morning.”
“Little Chenzi?”
“That’s the little eunuch the consort wanted the other day. I checked—he’s an orphan who entered the palace at five. He was raised by an old eunuch in the Imperial Household Department, whose surname is Yan. The boy took the same surname and is called Yan Chen. His family background is clean; he’s literate, knows some martial arts, and is skilled at gardening. The old eunuch passed away a year ago, so now he’s alone. I thought he was quite decent, so I personally made inquiries. The supervising eunuch didn’t object and allowed him to be sent here.”
“Yan Chen,” Ye Wanwan murmured, “Quite a good name.”
Her gaze rested on the pot by the bed—a small and exquisite butterfly orchid, in full bloom and exquisitely cared for.
“Summon him here to see me.”
“As you command.”
The little eunuch was the same one from that day. Upon closer look, he was indeed quite handsome.
Around sixteen or seventeen years old, his youthful features fresh and unformed, but already hinting at the stunning beauty he might become—if only he weren’t a eunuch.
Ye Wanwan tugged at the corner of her mouth. Not bad. Such a handsome little eunuch would be quite a pleasing sight to keep nearby.
“Yan Chen.”
The little eunuch stood respectfully. “Your servant is here.”
Leaning her head on one hand, Ye Wanwan sat lazily, casually curling a finger. “Come here.”
He hesitated briefly before stepping closer. “Please give your orders, Consort.”
She beckoned him over, her mind suddenly blank. She didn’t even know what she wanted to say. After a few moments of silence, she took out the Empress Dowager’s token.
“I want to eat steamed buns from Tianyi Tower. Go buy some for me—one meat-filled, one vegetarian, and three assorted. Remember?”
Yan Chen was taken aback, not expecting the consort to send him out of the palace. But as a running errands eunuch, he naturally obeyed.
Aunt Lin disapproved. “Consort, that is the Empress Dowager’s token.”
Ye Wanwan replied, “If I weren’t the Empress Dowager, would I need it?”
After all, it wasn’t hers. If anything went wrong, the Empress Dowager would bear the responsibility.
Aunt Lin said, “So many people line up to buy Tianyi Tower’s buns. By this hour, they’re surely sold out.”
Ye Wanwan smiled. “Then guess if he can bring some back.”
Aunt Lin shook her head, clearly thinking it impossible.
Ye Wanwan said, “Then I’ll bet he can. If I win, Aunt Lin will cook me a good meal.”
Aunt Lin smiled warmly. “Alright, it’s rare to have you thinking of my cooking.”
Ye Wanwan had been propped up sitting, but after speaking, she nearly lay down, her languid pose lacking any trace of dignity.
Before, she had died miserably, filled with hatred and resentment. After rebirth, though her killing intent and bitterness remained, she found herself smiling more and more.
No matter what she thought of, it seemed to lift her spirits.
But after feeling good, the mood would gradually cool, leaving only numbness. Even the smile was only superficial, never reaching her eyes. That fleeting happiness deceived both others and herself, until she became clearer and clearer.
—
(End of chapter)