As long as someone competes for it, even dog shit becomes fragrant. A romance between two people can be dull, but adding a third person makes it thrilling.
What she wanted was for the Chongwen Emperor to experience “love”—to taste its sweetness and bitterness, its highs and lows.
She wanted him to feel anxious, resentful, jealous, and willing to sacrifice. She wanted him to endure eighty-one hardships, only achieving his desire at the very last moment.
Things obtained too easily are often taken for granted, handled carelessly.
Only what one has fought for is cherished. Even if the object itself isn’t treasured, the effort invested in obtaining it will be mourned.
But this couldn’t be done too blatantly.
During the Chongwen Emperor’s pursuit, he would naturally hope for his “prey” to abandon her beloved and run into his arms, declaring his victory.
Yet once successful, his desire to conquer satisfied, he would begin to doubt—why was her heart so fickle? Would she one day discard him as she had her former lover?
Therefore, she couldn’t be the “fickle” one. She had to remain steadfastly loyal to her love.
For this play to be compelling, the most crucial part was ensuring everyone stayed in character without “breaking character.”
If someone uncovered her scheme, countless unpredictable variables would arise. How could a mere maidservant like her manipulate the situation so precisely among so many powerful figures?
So, what should she do now?
In an instant, Xi Hongrui replayed all the sorrows of her two lifetimes in her mind.
She turned her head, sobbing uncontrollably, and cried out to De Ren, “I… I wasn’t trying to jump into the river… I… I just wanted to cry for a while… Waa…”
When De Ren rushed over, this was the scene that greeted him.
Under the willow-lined bank, a beauty in light, gauzy robes wept in the night mist. Her fair, delicate cheeks were streaked with tears, glistening like pearls under the moonlight. Yet, a true beauty remains a beauty—even with tears streaming down her face, she resembled dew on a flower, each drop evoking greater pity.
De Ren scurried over with mincing steps, offering a clean handkerchief and pressing it toward her face. With a captivated sigh, he lamented, “Oh dear, Miss Hong, whatever troubles you have, you can confide in this old servant. Please don’t ruin that lovely face with tears! Otherwise, not only would our master be heartbroken, but even this old servant would find it unbearable!”
Xi Hongrui lifted her tear-filled, petal-like eyes, her fingers clutching the handkerchief he offered.
But instead of taking it, she let out a loud “Waa!” and leaned against his left shoulder, propping herself up with her arms as she wept.
Oh dear!
That single lean sent a shiver through De Ren’s old bones, melting half of him on the spot.
Unable to resist, he stretched out his plump, wrinkle-free hands, intending to embrace the fragrant beauty. But at that very moment, the Chongwen Emperor arrived.
De Ren’s hands froze mid-air. Forcing out two fat tears, he wailed in a shrill voice to the Chongwen Emperor, “Master Huang! What are we to do? Miss Hong is crying so bitterly, and this old servant simply can’t console her!”
The Chongwen Emperor took one look at De Ren’s weeping, effeminate display and felt a wave of disgust. Truly, a eunuch without his manhood was useless in critical moments—just like a hysterical woman, utterly incompetent…The true man, Chongwen Emperor, summoned a bit of masculine courage, strode over with measured steps, calmed his panting breath, and looked steadily at this “mother and daughter pair.”
“What’s going on? Quickly tell Master Huang!”
“Hmm hmm hmm~”
But Xi Hongrui only buried herself deeper into De Ren’s shoulder, crying even more intensely, until she had completely melted the bones of the two-and-a-half men present.
In her previous life, she had been just a young maid, confined from the palm-sized land of the Prime Minister’s residence to the palm-sized land of the Prince’s Residence, like a frog at the bottom of a well who could only see the patch of sky above her head.
Only after being reborn did she realize how vast the world beyond that sky truly was, how many mountains lay beyond each peak.
She could no longer remain as ignorant and unaware of the world as before, so much so that when utter disaster struck, she didn’t even know which powerful figure she had offended.
Therefore, whether selling goods at Linglong Pavilion or helping Widow Song, she was constantly extending her reach further, learning more about the world.
Thus she knew that Chief Eunuch De Ren, the most trusted eunuch by the emperor’s side, owned countless mansions, immense wealth, and numerous young, beautiful women throughout Daliang City.
What use does a man without that thing down below have for women?
It’s simply like Pei San from her previous life—when dignity is lost in one area, one seeks compensation elsewhere.
That thing he lost below could never be recovered, no matter how hard he tried, so he could only throw himself at young girls, using their vibrant bodies to make himself feel like he still possessed that missing part.
How could such an incomplete man restrain himself from developing improper fantasies about a young, beautiful, pure woman who belonged to the emperor?
Xi Hongrui cried for a long time before finally pulling away, raising her tear-streaked face to look at the two-and-a-half men before her: “He… he’s been fooling around with other women…”
De Ren’s thick, triangular eyes fixed intently on her, immediately joining in her lament: “Oh dear me!”
“And he yelled at me…”
“Oh dear! How utterly unreasonable!”
“And he drove me away!”
“Oh dear me! This is too much! Even this old servant can’t bear to hear it!”
“Wahhh! I don’t want to live anymore! Don’t try to stop me!”
“Oh dear, little ancestor, you mustn’t say such things!”
“Don’t hold me back!”
…
Chongwen Emperor watched this chaotic scene, his head spinning. Though he had numerous concubines, none had ever caused such a scene before him.
De Ren’s address of “little ancestor” truly struck a chord in his heart—wasn’t she exactly that!
The two-and-a-half men spent quite some time coaxing this little ancestor before finally managing to get her into the carriage.
In the carriage, Xi Hongrui cried the entire way, only stopping her sobs when she was nearly out of breath.
Seeing her finally stop crying, the men couldn’t help but feel they had escaped certain doom.
De Ren lifted the curtain and said sympathetically: “Since things have come to this, Miss Hong, why don’t you stay tonight at our master’s place in Huojia Lane?”
Chongwen Emperor immediately nodded in agreement, thinking how De Ren was truly the worm in his belly, always knowing exactly what he was thinking!
Xi Hongrui continued to sob, her shoulders shaking, but she spoke with determination: “No… I don’t want to…”
The others: …
“Why not?”Xi Hongrui looked on the verge of tears again, sobbing uncontrollably as she said, “I… I want to go back to Linglong Pavilion… and wait for Pei San to apologize to me!”
The others: Huh?
Qin Xingchao, who had remained silent until now, finally couldn’t hold back: “Miss Hong, after all this, are you still waiting for his apology?”
Xi Hongrui immediately gritted her teeth in anger: “Of course! He did something wrong, why shouldn’t he apologize to me!”
Qin Xingchao: …
He tentatively asked: “What if he doesn’t apologize?”
Upon hearing this, Xi Hongrui became even angrier: “How dare he! If he doesn’t apologize to me, I’ll never forgive him for the rest of my life!”
The others: …
So… you’re still planning to forgive him, is that it?
Then, young lady, what have you been crying about all this way!
The others were completely stunned, but Xi Hongrui paid no heed to their attempts to dissuade her, insisting on returning to Linglong Pavilion.
The Chongwen Emperor watched as Xi Hongrui went upstairs, and only when her figure had completely disappeared did he angrily flick his sleeve: “Return to the palace!”
After taking a few steps, he turned back and expressionlessly looked at Qin Xingchao: “Have someone follow her.”
“Yes!”
Once seated in the carriage, De Ren respectfully prepared a cup of tea and presented it to the Chongwen Emperor. After taking a sip to calm his anger, the emperor finally felt somewhat better.
Why did today’s events feel so frustrating!
De Ren, observing the emperor’s expression, suddenly covered his sleeve and chuckled.
The Chongwen Emperor glanced at him and narrowed his eyes: “Old fool, what are you laughing at?”
De Ren quickly lowered his sleeve and bowed respectfully, but looking at the emperor’s face, he couldn’t help laughing again: “Master, this servant is laughing at you—the exalted Son of Heaven, actually being controlled by a young girl. For no reason at all, you’re competing for favor and getting jealous with a common man~”
The Chongwen Emperor threw his teacup next to De Ren, angrily scolding: “What nonsense are you spouting!”
De Ren pretended to dodge, pleading with his words but still smiling: “Alright, alright, this servant has spoken out of turn. So, how do you plan to arrange for Imperial Concubine Hong?”
The Chongwen Emperor glared at him but didn’t refute, after all, what he wanted, he had never failed to obtain.
“Regarding today’s events, not a single word should be spoken, whether inside or outside the palace. If any of you ruin my plans, I’ll have your heads!”
De Ren quickly responded with fear and trepidation: “Yes, Master, leave everything to this servant!”
The Chongwen Emperor nodded in satisfaction and leaned against the pillow, feigning sleep.
Only then did he realize how much walking he had done today, but amid all the commotion, he hadn’t felt tired at all—it was just like being a young lad full of energy again.
Thinking of this, the Chongwen Emperor couldn’t help but smile knowingly. Amid his annoyance, a faint, indescribable sweetness emerged.
“When we return, distribute the things from the carriage among the various imperial concubines. I won’t be visiting them these days. Really, that little girl tricked me into buying so many useless things…”
“Yes~”
De Ren flatteringly agreed, then tightly closed his mouth, giving the Chongwen Emperor a quiet environment to fully savor his thoughts.
Yet, in the quiet moments, his lowered plump face also couldn’t help but reveal the same intoxicated expression as the Chongwen Emperor.
…
A small sedan chair landed softly. First, a young eunuch lay on the ground to serve as a human stepping stool, while several others hastily lifted the curtain and placed a white silk handkerchief on their arms, fawning: “Godfather~ we’ve arrived~”De Ren opened his eyes, glanced at the young eunuch holding a clean silk handkerchief, placed his hand on it, and stepped down from the sedan chair using the servant as a footstool.
Several people crowded around, supporting De Ren as he entered the house. From behind the door emerged a line of young, beautiful women who curtsied in unison, their voices soft as they called out, “Master~”
“Mmm…” De Ren responded lazily, allowing them to escort him inside.
A group of maidservants attended to him—some undressing him, others washing his hands, and still others serving tea. Finally, a graceful maid entered carrying a foot bath, knelt obediently, and extended her slender, pale fingers to place his feet in the basin, gently massaging them.
After sipping the fragrant tea, De Ren lowered his gaze and reached out to pinch the maid’s chin.
The woman was exceptionally beautiful, delicate as a willow in the wind, yet when she lifted her eyes, they held a natural allure.
De Ren’s large hand lecherously stroked her fair cheek. Blushing, she showed a hint of shyness and turned her head timidly, saying, “Master, while you were away today, many distinguished guests came looking for you. The Shizi of Rui Wang, grateful for your kindness, sent several land deeds. This servant didn’t know how to handle them—what should we do?”
Hearing this, De Ren’s eyes narrowed to slits. His eyes were naturally small and droopy, leaving no glint visible.
Though his face appeared kind and benevolent like a bodhisattva’s, a single glance sent chills down one’s spine. The woman, seeing this, immediately cut herself off and looked up in terror.
De Ren stroked the corner of her eye, his tone neither light nor heavy: “Are you afraid of me?”
The woman hurriedly shook her head, her gaze panicked: “This servant wouldn’t dare!”
“Hehe~”
De Ren let out a shrill laugh, his thick face creasing: “Good that you’re afraid!”
The woman: …
De Ren picked at his well-manicured nail and pressed it against her cheek, his voice icy: “Once you enter my household, you belong to me. If you keep thinking of your former master or set your heart elsewhere, I’ll make sure you cease to be human~”
Tears welled up in the woman’s eyes, but she dared not even cry, only shaking her head desperately: “This servant wouldn’t dare… I wouldn’t dare… My heart belongs only to you, Master!”
“Hmph~”
Only then did De Ren push her aside, leaving her to weep on the floor.
Picking up his teacup again, he sneered, “Who is this Shizi of Rui Wang? Even if he were a descendant of dragons, he’d have to smell the soles of my feet. A few land deeds—like tossing scraps to a beggar. From now on, no one in my household is to mention him.”
Several of De Ren’s newly favored attendants had been gifts from the Shizi of Rui Wang. Hearing this, they trembled and knelt: “We understand!”
“Rise~”
De Ren spoke leisurely, set down his teacup, and beckoned to a pretty maid nearby: “Massage my shoulders~”
“Yes!”
The maidservant quickly stood and extended her slender fingers, applying just the right pressure to his shoulders.
De Ren closed his eyes, swaying his head as he enjoyed the moment of comfort.
At one point, his heavy eyelids slowly opened, settling on the maid’s fair, delicate fingers.
Suddenly, he grabbed her hand and, like a pig rooting for food, sniffed vigorously at her pale wrist.
The woman, caught off guard, couldn’t suppress her trembling but still clung to him, calling out repeatedly, “Master~”
After sniffing for a long time without finding the scent he desired, De Ren grew somewhat disinterested.
Releasing her hand, he pulled a handkerchief from his bosom, took a deep inhale, and instantly felt as if his soul were about to take flight.Crushing the handkerchief into a ball, he pressed it against his chest, lost in blissful recollection of the maiden dancing gracefully in the night mist.
How could she be so fragrant~