Chapter 42 - 1#

… “It’s so hot.”

Inside the silent palace walls, the scorching sun beat down, accompanied only by the few chirps of dying cicadas struggling in the heat.

Jingzhe guarded outside the door, boredly listening to a few young eunuchs talking. In and out of their words, they all felt the weather was too hot.

Several managing eunuchs were discussing inside, and these attendant young eunuchs could only wait outside.

Liao Jiang had already become familiar with the young eunuchs. He was no longer the rash young man he was before; he spoke with distinct logic and carried weight.

Jingzhe listened to him gesturing there, looking quite happy.

Everyone gathered around him to listen to him speak.

It was no wonder Liao Jiang performed so prominently this time. After all, among these people, only he knew why these managing eunuchs were gathered together this time.

“…Of course, they are going to select from us,” Liao Jiang said enthusiastically.

It was said that Emperor Jingyuan was going to the Shangyu Garden to escape the summer heat.

This had rarely happened in the past, but it was understandable that Emperor Jingyuan had this idea this year.

With such an incident just happening in the harem, and in the season when mosquitoes and insects were rampant, many people would probably remember the previous insect plague. Going to Shangyu Garden would be more relaxing.

However, this matter had nothing to do with them originally.

Even if people could follow out of the palace, it would be nothing more than those from the Qianming Palace. If there were concubines accompanying, then add their serving servants… it basically wouldn’t involve the Zhidian Jian (Department of Direct Palace Service).

But this time, perhaps the momentum was huge, and Emperor Jingyuan would stay for a longer time. A large number of people were needed, so the Zhidian Jian also had to provide a few people.

Once this news came out, it undoubtedly made people’s minds active.

Not to mention showing one’s face in front of the Emperor, even going out of the palace was rare for these young eunuchs.

Now that there was such an opportunity, naturally, every one of them yearned for it.

As for Jingzhe…

He yawned lazily.

If it weren’t for Rong Jiu being a generic attendant before the Emperor, and Emperor Jingyuan going to Shangyu Garden meant he would be left alone, otherwise Jingzhe wouldn’t have any interest.

Over there, Liao Jiang was talking while looking at Jingzhe. Seeing that he hadn’t spoken much, he took the initiative to ask, “Jingzhe, don’t you want to go?”

Jingzhe smiled, “Whether I can go or not doesn’t depend on my thoughts; it still depends on what the managing eunuch thinks.”

Jingzhe had been in the limelight in the Zhidian Jian these days.

Just a few days ago, rewards suddenly came from Qianming Palace.

Many palace servants carried a lot of things mightily into the gate of the Zhidian Si.

After they dispersed, the people of the Zhidian Jian knew that these things were all rewarded to Jingzhe!

It seemed that Jingzhe was involved in an old case of the Huang family. Now that something happened to the Huang family, many things were reckoned again, naturally including Jingzhe’s case.

Even Jingzhe’s status was raised. Now he was a second-rank eunuch, but his salary had risen to be the same as a chief eunuch, and so on… For the past few days, such rumors had been hot topics in the Zhidian Jian.

Jingzhe was not unaware that their gazes always contained a bit of curiosity. Many people even probed into Jingzhe’s family affairs in and out of their words because of this.

This was really annoying.

The people from Qianming Palace came unexpectedly to Jingzhe.

But he didn’t hate it.

Although this indeed brought some trouble to Jingzhe’s peaceful life, in those many compensatory rewards, Jingzhe saw the most important thing.

The new verdict concerning the Cen family was also sandwiched in it.

Including reburying Cen Xuanyin’s body, where the address was, and erecting cenotaphs for Lady Liu and Cen Liang who jumped into the water, etc. These were the real comforts for Jingzhe.

Those riches were just external things.

One does not bring them at birth, nor take them at death.

He didn’t know which official handled this matter. If Jingzhe knew in the future, he would definitely set up a longevity tablet for him.

Squeak—

Behind the door, several managing eunuchs filed out. The young eunuchs outside stopped talking one after another, lowered their heads, and followed their respective managing eunuchs.

Jingzhe followed behind Jiang Jinming and heard him instruct, “Three days later, the team going to Shangyu Garden will depart. Pack a few clothes and go along.”

Jingzhe looked up in surprise, “Manager, only I am going?”

Jiang Jinming laughed, “How is that possible? Each department sends two people. Just you and Shi’en go.”

Jingzhe blinked, a bit surprised.

He originally thought that if Jiang Jinming chose again, he might choose Huiping.

“I didn’t intend to let you go. Without you, I don’t know how much more troublesome doing things would be.” Jiang Jinming sighed, “But just now in the room, the Seal-holding Eunuch said we must send the smartest ones. In our place, aren’t there only you and Shi’en left?”

Shi’en was a bit jumpy and had a bit of a loose tongue, but in the Zhidian Jian, he had the most friends. With Jingzhe there, he probably wouldn’t mess around.

Compared to the somewhat dull and steady Huiping, Jiang Jinming still chose Shi’en, whose brain was more flexible.

Except for one point.

“Jingzhe, when you are out, keep a good eye on Shi’en’s mouth for me.” Jiang Jinming said seriously, “Don’t let any trouble arise.”

Jingzhe lowered his eyebrows, “Yes.”

Back at the Zhidian Si, this news indeed caused an uproar. However, Jiang Jinming urged them tightly. For the past two days, Jingzhe and Shi’en were called to listen to the rules, and others didn’t dare to ask around indiscriminately.

Jingzhe didn’t even have time to tell Rong Jiu.

After all, the next fifth day was still four or five days away.

However, when they met last time, Rong Jiu had already mentioned that he wouldn’t be free recently. Even if Jingzhe left a message for him, it wasn’t very necessary.

Anyway, they were all going to Shangyu Garden.

Amidst Shi’en’s somewhat excited chatter, in the early morning three days later, they and other palace servants from the Zhidian Jian followed the team heading to Shangyu Garden.

Originally, palace servants like them who were meant to be ordered around were not precious enough to ride in carriages. Most people had to walk on two legs. But this time, they were lucky. When counting the team, there was an extra spare carriage, so this group of people squeezed in.

Jingzhe rarely rode in carriages.

The few memories he had were vague dizziness when following his parents back to their hometown at a very young age.

Shi’en was excited at first, especially after luckily getting on the carriage, he was even happier, touching here and there in the carriage. There were several young eunuchs as excited as him; he didn’t stand out.

But as soon as the team set off and the carriage moved, their faces changed.

The carriages that palace servants could sit in were naturally not very refined. In this bumpy carriage, the faces of several young eunuchs who had never tried it turned green immediately.

…What a familiar feeling.

Jingzhe silently grabbed the window to avoid being thrown out.

During the rest on the way, the young eunuchs squeezed in the carriage scrambled to get down to breathe. Jingzhe looked at the pale-faced Shi’en, “Do you want to go down and walk too?”

Shi’en shook his head, “I’ve adapted, no need.”

The dry food they were gnawing on was prepared in advance. It had no taste, but it could satisfy hunger.

After the short break arrived, the young eunuchs who went to look out scrambled back. Even if the carriage was bumpy, there was a compartment that sheltered them from wind and rain, and could better block the high sun in summer.

Although it was crowded inside the carriage, the window could bring a little cool breeze, and they didn’t have to walk all day in hot sweat. They were too happy to complain, enduring even if it was uncomfortable.

In this way, after enduring for many days, Shangyu Garden finally arrived.

Jingzhe and others were brought here because of a shortage of manpower. Now, as soon as they arrived, they were led to work.

This was all familiar work.

Compared to being ordered around, what amazed these young eunuchs more was the style here, which was completely different from inside the imperial court.

The architectural complex of the Imperial Palace was mostly fine and chic, revealing beauty and exquisiteness everywhere, but the architectural style of Shangyu Garden carried a bit of roughness, prioritizing practicality and generosity.

Many furnishings and arrangements appeared arrogant compared to the palace.

Jingzhe and this group of young eunuchs were handed over to Shangyu Garden, managed by a chief eunuch named Hu Yue. Under him, there were also a dozen or twenty similar young eunuchs.

Knowing that Jingzhe was already a second-rank, he kept Jingzhe by his side to do some more delicate work.

After staying here for a few days, Jingzhe discovered that the reason why Shangyu Garden lacked manpower was somewhat related to Emperor Jingyuan’s purpose of coming to Shangyu Garden this time.

His Majesty the Emperor came to Shangyu Garden not only to escape the heat but also to receive foreign envoys who came from afar.

Otherwise, relying on the original manpower of Shangyu Garden, it would naturally be enough.

Jingzhe was so busy that his feet didn’t touch the ground. Together with several other second-rank eunuchs, he followed Hu Yue everywhere.

The residences for entertaining those envoys were all arranged by Hu Yue. This was naturally delicate work and no mistakes were allowed.

But because of this, shortly after arriving at Shangyu Garden, Jingzhe figured out the general layout.

Of course, it was limited to a few temporary palaces.

Jingzhe had never been to those gardens for horse racing and archery.

But although Jingzhe hadn’t been there, Shi’en had run all over.

People transferred from the palace like them all lived together. Although Jingzhe and the others didn’t work in the same place every day, they would still rest in the same place when they came back every night.

The accommodation arranged by Hu Yue was also generous. Although it was still two people per room, it was much larger than the place they lived in the palace.

Jingzhe and Shi’en naturally lived together.

Coming back at night, Shi’en went to fetch water to wash his feet, and incidentally fetched some for Jingzhe. The two sat side by side at the table, and Shi’en sighed.

“Life in this Shangyu Garden is much better than in the palace.”

He didn’t know if it was because they came from afar, or because Shangyu Garden was originally so undisciplined. There were not many rules here, not as strictly controlled as in the palace. As long as they did their own duties on time, Hu Yue rarely managed them.

In terms of food and accommodation, it was also very thoughtful.

Except that the work every day involved walking much more than in the palace.

After all, Shangyu Garden occupied too vast an area. Sometimes just walking over required a small half an hour. After coming here, Jingzhe ate more than before.

Jingzhe: “Then do you still want to go back?”

Hu Yue used him very smoothly. In addition to being pleasantly surprised, he also revealed to him that as long as Jingzhe was willing to stay, he would apply to the superiors.

This also let him know that these people who came to Shangyu Garden this time might stay.

Shi’en pondered for a while, but still shook his head, “It looks light and undisciplined here, and there are many people. But this is all because His Majesty is here. If His Majesty returns to the palace, it will be very deserted.”

Many monarchs in the past built many temporary palaces in various places. Even the late emperor was no exception. Every year, for a lot of time, he might not stay in Qianming Palace.

Emperor Jingyuan was one of those in history who didn’t like to move.

Since ascending the throne in these few years, the farthest he went was to Shangyu Garden. Although the inner treasury would continuously allocate funds to temporary palaces everywhere, the palace servants in these places might not see the Emperor once in their entire lives, living very leisurely.

With Shi’en’s character, one look and you knew he liked liveliness.

Thinking of living so coldly and cheerlessly, he couldn’t help shaking his head.

“It’s you, I see that Manager Hu is very satisfied with you.” Shi’en poked Jingzhe with his elbow, “You knowing this, surely it was him who revealed it to you…”

Jingzhe shook his head calmly.

After the Huang family’s matter ended, the certain pressure Jingzhe carried seemed to lighten for no reason, and his smiles every day were more than before.

According to his character, coming to a place like Shangyu Garden might not be bad.

It was relaxed and free here, and there were fewer troubles.

But thinking of Rong Jiu, and then thinking of those people in the Zhidian Si, and Mingyu, Jingzhe didn’t want to move.

He was a person, to be honest, somewhat lazy.

If there were no waves in the North Wing, and not so many messy things, with his character, he would probably take root in that cold place for a lifetime.

He always liked stability.

Liked living some ordinary days.

Falling in love with Rong Jiu was considered the most extraordinary and exciting thing he had ever done.

Speaking of Rong Jiu, Jingzhe’s thoughts inevitably drifted a bit far. Although they were both in Shangyu Garden, they hadn’t seen each other until now.

Firstly, Rong Jiu probably didn’t know he also came to Shangyu Garden. Secondly, after Emperor Jingyuan arrived at Shangyu Garden, he moved into the Taishi Palace, which was the largest palace complex in the entire Shangyu Garden.

Jingzhe only went there once with Hu Yue.

The Taishi Palace was so large, much larger than many palaces Jingzhe saw inside the imperial court. Just walking tired him to death, let alone finding Rong Jiu in such a big place.

While Jingzhe was contemplating, Shi’en chattered about the news he had pryed out. Even in Shangyu Garden, he didn’t lose this skill.

“…So the important ministers of the court also followed… living in… met the Grand Secretary…”

“Except for Virtuous Consort (Defei)… a concubine… heard that… managing…”

“…Envoys in a few days…”

“His Majesty likes riding horses, always in…”

As Jingzhe listened, he couldn’t help but admire endlessly.

How exactly did Shi’en know some secret things? Especially the one about when the envoys would come, he only knew clearly because he followed Hu Yue every day, but what about Shi’en?

Shi’en chuckled, “Jingzhe, if you want to, you can also learn.”

His feet played with the water; the temperature was already a bit cool.

Fingers pinched Jingzhe’s face, swinging left and right twice.

“Jingzhe, you look good, and your temperament is good. As long as you are willing to learn a few points from me, maybe the news you can pry out in the future will only be more than mine!”

Shi’en said grinningly.

Jingzhe slapped his hand away, lowered his head to wipe his feet, and bent down to pick up the basin, “Thanks, but no need.”

Shi’en followed him out to pour water. From a distance, they saw someone trotting over, still panting.

This person was Wu Feng, a second-rank eunuch.

One of the people working under Hu Yue.

“Jingzhe, come with me quickly, the Manager is looking for you.”

This anxious look showed time was tight, and didn’t know what happened.

Shi’en’s face changed slightly. He glanced at Jingzhe obscurely, subconsciously took a step forward, and said with a smile, “Wait a moment, the robe on his body is dirty and hasn’t been changed yet. He will go immediately after changing.”

After saying this, taking advantage of Wu Feng not reacting yet, he dragged Jingzhe into the room.

Jingzhe raised his eyebrows and looked at Shi’en. His reaction was a bit big.

However, Jingzhe indeed needed to change clothes.

Just as he pulled out new clothes, Shi’en, who was anxious for some reason, took a step forward, leaned close to him, and whispered quickly, “Later if Hu Yue asks you to keep vigil, absolutely don’t agree. Evade if you can, hear me!”

Jingzhe’s movement paused slightly. He looked at Shi’en, then looked outside the door.

Wu Feng was still waiting outside.

“…You mean, keep vigil for His Majesty?”

Jingzhe’s ending tone carried a little rising suspicion. He was very sharp. When Shi’en said the first half of the sentence, he guessed who this night “vigil” was for.

But this was too absurd.

Could a job like keeping vigil be done by someone like him? Shouldn’t it be the people close to the Emperor?

Shi’en said anxiously, “You don’t know, Shangyu Garden is different from the palace. After coming to Shangyu Garden, except for a few close palace servants, those who keep vigil are all people from Shangyu Garden.”

Jingzhe: “Is it because of insufficient manpower?”

“No, it’s because in this way, when His Majesty kills people, those close by are from Shangyu Garden. Naturally, he will prioritize killing those from Shangyu Garden, avoiding loss to Qianming Palace.”

Shi’en’s words revealed a bit of cruelty and heartlessness.

But such a thing, happening to Emperor Jingyuan, seemed common. Jingzhe didn’t even have a surprised expression, “So, once there is a situation where manpower needs to be supplemented, they will also prioritize selecting from Shangyu Garden.”

“And it can’t be ordinary young eunuchs.” Shi’en added, “Those who can keep vigil must be at least second-rank eunuchs.”

And Hu Yue, being able to take on heavy responsibilities, was originally a high-status chief eunuch in this Shangyu Garden. Although every time people came from Qianming Palace, Ning Hongru and others would take over the power, the scheduling of the palace servants below still relied on these original managers of Shangyu Garden.

Now that night had fallen, Wu Feng came suddenly, plus the restriction of second-rank eunuch, all of a sudden reminded Shi’en of this matter.

Jingzhe changed his clothes silently and quickly, patting Shi’en’s shoulder, “Don’t wait tonight, I will come back.”

After saying this, he hurriedly followed Wu Feng and left.

Shi’en wiped his face dejectedly, actually knowing that his words just now were just futile.

Hu Yue sending Wu Feng here was enough to show that he chose Jingzhe. Unless Jingzhe was so sick that he couldn’t get up and was about to die immediately, otherwise, it was impossible to escape.