Chapter 63 - 3#
Jing Zhe looked at Rong Jiu blankly, feeling a bit confused.
Shen Yu won’t live long?
What does this mean?
Could it be that Rong Jiu wants to kill him?
Just as he was thinking wildly, Rong Jiu suddenly pulled his hand: “Follow me.”
Jing Zhe staggered and was dragged away by Rong Jiu.
“Where are we going?” Jing Zhe asked.
“Qianming Palace.” Rong Jiu said without looking back.
Qianming Palace?
Wasn’t that where Emperor Jing Yuan was?
Jing Zhe’s heart tightened suddenly.
Was Rong Jiu going to give the notes to Emperor Jing Yuan?
Thinking of the contents of the notes, Jing Zhe couldn’t help but feel scared.
If Emperor Jing Yuan knew…
He didn’t dare to think further.
Along the way, neither of them spoke. The atmosphere was strangely depressing.
Jing Zhe looked at Rong Jiu’s back and felt extremely complicated.
He knew that Rong Jiu was doing this for his own good, but…
Soon, they arrived outside Qianming Palace.
The lights in Qianming Palace were still on, indicating that Emperor Jing Yuan hadn’t rested yet.
Rong Jiu let go of Jing Zhe’s hand and turned to him: “Wait for me here. Don’t go anywhere.”
Jing Zhe nodded obediently: “Okay.”
Rong Jiu glanced at him deeply, then turned and walked into the hall.
Jing Zhe stood alone in the cold wind, feeling extremely anxious.
He didn’t know what would happen inside, nor what fate awaited him.
Time passed by bit by bit, every minute and second was torture.
Finally, after what seemed like a century, Rong Jiu walked out.
His face was calm, and no emotions could be seen.
“Let’s go.” Rong Jiu said lightly.
“Where to?” Jing Zhe asked subconsciously.
“Go back to sleep.”
“Ah?” Jing Zhe was stunned, “Just… go back to sleep like this?”
“Otherwise?” Rong Jiu raised an eyebrow, “Do you want to stay here for supper?”
Jing Zhe shook his head quickly: “No, no…”
He carefully glanced at Rong Jiu’s expression and asked tentatively: “That… thing…”
“His Majesty has kept it.” Rong Jiu said lightly.
“His Majesty… didn’t say anything?”
“He said you did a good job.”
Jing Zhe breathed a sigh of relief, the stone in his heart finally fell to the ground.
It seemed that Emperor Jing Yuan was not angry.
“Let’s go.” Rong Jiu took his hand again, “I’ll take you back.”
Under the moonlight, the two walked side by side on the long palace road.
Jing Zhe looked at Rong Jiu’s side face and suddenly felt very relieved.
No matter what happened in the future, as long as Rong Jiu was by his side, he would not be afraid.
…
The next day, news came from the palace again.
Vice Commander of the Imperial Guard, Shen Yu, was arrested and imprisoned for plotting rebellion.
It is said that conclusive evidence was found in his home.
When Jing Zhe heard the news, he was sweeping the floor in the Palace Sanitation Department.
He stopped his movements and looked in the direction of the prison, feeling shocked.
Shen Yu… really fell?
Thinking of what Rong Jiu said last night, “He won’t live long”, Jing Zhe felt a chill on his back.
Rong Jiu… really did what he said.
“Jing Zhe, what are you dazing for again?” A colleague next to him poked him, “Hurry up and work.”
Jing Zhe came back to his senses and quickly lowered his head to continue sweeping.
But his heart couldn’t calm down for a long time.
In this deep palace, human life was really as cheap as grass.
One second he was a high-ranking Vice Commander, the next second he became a prisoner.
This change was too fast.
And he, a small eunuch, could survive in such an environment, it was really… lucky.
Or rather, it was because of Rong Jiu’s protection.
Jing Zhe looked up at the sky, silently grateful in his heart.
At this moment, a familiar figure appeared at the door.
It was Rong Jiu.
He was wearing a dark purple official robe, looking even more handsome and tall.
Jing Zhe’s eyes lit up, put down the broom and ran over.
“Rong Jiu!”
Rong Jiu looked at him, a faint smile appearing in his eyes: “Are you busy?”
“Not busy, not busy.” Jing Zhe shook his head quickly, “Why are you here?”
“I came to see you.” Rong Jiu reached out and rubbed his head, “Are you used to it?”
“Used to what?”
“Used to… the bloody storm in this palace.”
Jing Zhe was stunned for a moment, then nodded firmly: “Used to it.”
As long as you are here, I can get used to anything.
Rong Jiu smiled, looking at him with endless tenderness in his eyes.
“Silly boy.”
He whispered.
“Let’s go, I’ll take you somewhere.”
“Where?”
“You’ll know when we get there.”
Rong Jiu took Jing Zhe’s hand and walked out of the Palace Sanitation Department.
The two walked through the long palace road and came to a secluded garden.
This place was located in a remote corner of the palace, rarely visited by people.
But the scenery inside was surprisingly beautiful.
Flowers were blooming, trees were shady, and there was a clear small lake.
“Wow, so beautiful!” Jing Zhe exclaimed.
He didn’t expect such a paradise to exist in the palace.
“Do you like it?” Rong Jiu asked.
“I like it!” Jing Zhe nodded vigorously.
“This used to be the residence of a favorite concubine of the late Emperor.” Rong Jiu introduced, “Later, after that concubine passed away, this place was abandoned.”
“Favorite concubine?” Jing Zhe asked curiously, “Who is it?”
“Concubine Zhen.”
Concubine Zhen?
Jing Zhe felt the name was a bit familiar, but he couldn’t recall where he heard it.
“She was very favored back then.” Rong Jiu continued, “Unfortunately, beautiful women suffer unhappy fates. She died of illness not long after entering the palace.”
Jing Zhe sighed: “What a pity.”
“However, she left something behind.”
“What?”
Rong Jiu walked to a huge rockery, reached out and pressed a hidden mechanism.
“Click—”
A dull sound was heard, and a hidden door slowly opened on the rockery.
Jing Zhe widened his eyes in surprise: “This… this is…”
“Go in and take a look.” Rong Jiu signaled him.
Jing Zhe walked in carefully.
Inside was a secret room.
The secret room was filled with gold, silver, jewelry, and various rare treasures.
Jing Zhe was dazzled: “So many treasures!”
“These were all left by Concubine Zhen.” Rong Jiu said, “She knew she wouldn’t live long, so she hid all the rewards from the Emperor here.”
“Then why did you bring me here?” Jing Zhe asked puzzledly.
“To give them to you.” Rong Jiu said lightly.
“Give them to me?!” Jing Zhe was shocked, “Are you kidding? How can I take so many things?”
“I’m not kidding.” Rong Jiu looked at him seriously, “Take these things and leave the palace.”
“Leave the palace?” Jing Zhe was stunned, “Why?”
“Because it’s not safe here.” Rong Jiu said, “Shen Yu’s downfall is just the beginning. The struggle in the palace will only become more and more intense. I don’t want you to be involved anymore.”
“But… what about you?” Jing Zhe looked at him worriedly, “If I leave, what will you do?”
“I have my own way to protect myself.” Rong Jiu said, “You don’t have to worry about me.”
“No!” Jing Zhe refused flatly, “I won’t leave! I want to be with you!”
“Jing Zhe!” Rong Jiu frowned, “Don’t be willful! Do you know how dangerous your situation is now?”
“I know!” Jing Zhe shouted, “But I’m not afraid! As long as I can be with you, I’m not afraid of anything!”
Rong Jiu looked at his stubborn eyes and felt a sharp pain in his heart.
He knew he couldn’t persuade Jing Zhe.
This silly boy, once he decided on something, ten cows couldn’t pull him back.
“Sigh…” Rong Jiu sighed helplessly, “Whatever.”
He walked over and hugged Jing Zhe tightly in his arms.
“Since you don’t want to leave, then stay.”
“But you must promise me one thing.”
“What is it?” Jing Zhe asked, burying his head in his chest.
“No matter what happens, protect yourself.” Rong Jiu said word by word, “Don’t let me worry.”
“En!” Jing Zhe nodded vigorously, “I promise you!”
Rong Jiu hugged him tighter, wishing to rub him into his own bones and blood.
In this cold palace, only this embrace could give him a trace of warmth.
…
Time flew by, and another month passed.
The turmoil in the palace gradually subsided.
Shen Yu was executed, and his remaining party was also purged.
The power of the Imperial Guard was completely controlled by Wei Haidong.
And Rong Jiu, because of his merit in uncovering the rebellion, was promoted to Vice Commander of the Imperial Guard, becoming Wei Haidong’s right-hand man.
Jing Zhe was also happy for him.
However, he knew that this was just superficial peace.
Undercurrents were still surging in the dark.
One day, Jing Zhe was cleaning the room in the Palace Sanitation Department when he suddenly found a note under his pillow.
He opened it and saw a line of small words written on it:
“Tonight at midnight, meet at the old place.”
There was no signature, but Jing Zhe recognized the handwriting at a glance.
It was Rong Jiu!
Jing Zhe’s heart skipped a beat. Meet at the old place?
Where was the old place?
He thought for a moment and immediately understood.
It was the secret garden!
Jing Zhe put away the note and waited anxiously for nightfall.
Finally, midnight arrived.
Jing Zhe quietly slipped out of the Palace Sanitation Department and came to the secret garden.
From a distance, he saw a figure standing by the lake.
Under the moonlight, that figure looked particularly lonely.
“Rong Jiu!” Jing Zhe called out softly.
The figure turned around, revealing a familiar face.
“You’re here.” Rong Jiu smiled slightly.
“What’s the matter? Why did you ask me to meet so late?” Jing Zhe walked over and asked.
Rong Jiu didn’t answer directly, but pointed to the lake: “Look.”
Jing Zhe looked in the direction he pointed and saw countless lotus lanterns floating on the lake.
The faint candlelight flickered on the water, like stars in the sky falling into the mortal world.
“So beautiful!” Jing Zhe exclaimed.
“Do you like it?”
“I like it!”
Rong Jiu smiled, reached into his sleeve, and took out a delicate jade pendant.
“This is for you.”
Jing Zhe took the jade pendant and saw the word “Safe” carved on it.
“This is…”
“I carved it myself.” Rong Jiu said softly, “I hope it can protect you and keep you safe forever.”
Jing Zhe held the jade pendant tightly, his eyes slightly moist.
He looked at Rong Jiu and choked up: “Rong Jiu, thank you.”
“Fool.” Rong Jiu reached out and wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, “Between us, there is no need to say thank you.”
Jing Zhe nodded heavily and threw himself into Rong Jiu’s arms.
The two hugged tightly under the moonlight, enjoying this rare warm moment.
They knew that the road ahead was still long and full of unknowns.
But as long as they had each other, they were fearless.
The moon was like water, and the years were quiet.
In this deep palace full of calculations and dangers, their love was like the lotus lanterns on the lake, although small, it emitted an inextinguishable light.
Illuminating each other, warming each other.
Forever and ever.