Returning to Funing Hall, Zhang Maoze vividly described to Guanjia how delighted Lady Xue was with the gifts. "As soon as Guanjia’s greetings arrived, this servant saw Lady Xue overjoyed, especially by the variety of fresh fruits. Truly, only Guanjia knows how to read people—these fruits struck right at Lady Xue’s heart. This servant finally understands what it means to have hearts that beat as one."
Even Zhao Zhen, who had been sitting upright and solemnly reviewing memorials, couldn’t help but chuckle at Zhang Maoze’s words. "You old rascal, you’ve even learned to quote Li Shangyin’s poetry now. Consider this errand well done. You may leave." He pointed at Zhang Maoze with a finger, a lingering smile on his face.
Zhang Maoze, a master at reading expressions, knew he had pleased Guanjia. In his heart, he now regarded Xue Dongyu as a significant figure among the masters.
Exiting the hall, he strolled leisurely toward the tea room, in no hurry to attend to duties. When Guanjia dismissed him, it meant he wished to be alone, and no one was to enter for at least half an hour. Though this had never happened before, Zhang Maoze had gradually grown accustomed to it recently. Seizing the opportunity, he found a place to rest and recharge.
In the tea room, there was a clean, well-kept room reserved for him. As soon as he sat down, a familiar young eunuch came forward to fawn over him, kneading his shoulders and back with just the right pressure. A perfectly brewed eight-treasure tea was handed to him the moment he reached out.
Taking a sip of the sweet, fragrant tea, Zhang Maoze felt comfort seep into every limb and joint. He couldn’t help but sigh contentedly, "What a pleasure."
The young eunuch massaging his feet spoke up, "Grandfather Zhang is so highly regarded by Guanjia. Right after court, Guanjia entrusted you with an errand. But delivering rewards to a mere Cairen—Grandfather, you could have just ordered us to do it. Why trouble yourself to make the trip?"
The speaker was Xiao Guizi, Zhang Maoze’s fellow townsman. Upon entering the palace, he had recognized Zhang Maoze as his adoptive grandfather and had never suffered much hardship, always skilled at flattery.
Another eunuch, loosening his hair to cool off, refused to be outdone and chimed in, "Grandfather Zhang has his reasons for everything. We little monkeys should just watch and learn. Who are you to question him?" He shot Xiao Guizi a smug look.
Watching his subordinates bicker, Zhang Maoze felt his mood lift and decided to offer them some guidance. Clearing his throat, he said, "Enough quarreling. Xiao Guizi, you little pup, what nonsense are you spouting? Guanjia specifically assigned me because he values my loyalty. How could I pass it off to someone else?"
He clicked his tongue and continued with a smile, "You still lack insight. After serving in the imperial presence for so long, you still don’t understand how things work. Cairen Xue may not hold a high rank, but she has the emperor’s favor. In this palace, even if you were a dog, if Guanjia liked you, we’d have to call you ‘Grandfather Dog.’ Let alone a living, breathing beauty who can speak!"
The attending eunuchs listened, some deep in thought, others superficially respectful but secretly disdainful, and most simply bewildered. Zhang Maoze paid them no mind. Offering advice was a rare act of kindness on his part, and he didn’t expect many to take it to heart.
After all, he had already risen to prominence. Every year, a new crop of young eunuchs emerged, and there were always useful ones among them.
The tea room curtain was pushed aside, revealing a round, smiling face with plump eyes and nose—a naturally auspicious appearance that brought joy to anyone who saw it. The newcomer entered and bowed deeply. "A thousand blessings to my adoptive father!"
Seeing him, Zhang Maoze’s smile grew more genuine. The visitor was Sun Xi, his fellow townsman and former childhood playmate, who had entered the palace a few years after him. Calling him "adoptive father" was merely a pretext to protect Sun Xi under his wing.
Zhang Maoze was not very old now, a few years younger than the Guanjia. His genuine smile gave him a somewhat youthful air.
"Get up, stop making such a fuss. Since when have you been so polite?" Sun Xi rose cheerfully, his eyes sweeping over the other young eunuchs.
Understanding the hint, Zhang Maoze waved them away and asked, "What's the urgent matter?"
Sun Xi mysteriously pulled out a pouch. "Godfather, look—Aunt Jia from Consort Zhang's side gave this as a tribute this morning." Inside the pouch was a small, exquisitely carved jade Buddha, its texture warm and smooth, clearly a fine piece.
After speaking, Sun Xi tried to stuff the jade Buddha into Zhang Maoze's arms, but Zhang Maoze grabbed his hand. "Shameless! You'll take anything from anyone without considering whether you can actually help. Be careful not to ruin your reputation."
It was common for eunuchs to accept bribes, but such a large gift usually meant there was a favor to be asked. If the favor couldn't be granted, the gift wouldn't be returned, but it would still tarnish the eunuch's reputation and make him lose face.
Sun Xi was puzzled. "Aunt Jia asked us to mention Consort Zhang in front of the Guanjia. It's not a difficult request. Consort Zhang has been favored for so long and is now pregnant—the Guanjia must still think of her."
Zhang Maoze sneered. "Is your head just for decoration? Consort Zhang is already out of favor. Count how many times the Guanjia has visited the rear palace this month. He saw the Empress once and left; the rest of his visits were all to Cairen Xue. What use is Consort Zhang's past favor? If the Guanjia doesn't want to see her, she's nothing. We can't mention her."
"Consort Zhang may have been favored before, but now it's Cairen Xue who's in favor. And didn't Cairen Xue suffer three months of neglect because of Consort Zhang's rise? Who knows how much resentment Cairen Xue harbors. With a little pillow talk, if you speak up for Consort Zhang, do you think you'll have a good ending? Our lives as servants may be cheap, but we shouldn't throw them away like this."
Sun Xi's face lit up with understanding, having learned his lesson. He was about to return the jade Buddha when Zhang Maoze smacked him on the head. "Return it? Once you've taken it, you can't give it back. Do you think Aunt Jia would dare ask for it back? A plucked phoenix isn't even as good as a chicken, let alone an old crow like her."
Sun Xi happily pocketed the item, muttering about how much land he could buy for his family with the money from selling it. Zhang Maoze looked down on Sun Xi's attitude—castrated and still thinking of his family—but said nothing. Sooner or later, Sun Xi would have his heart broken.
As for Xue Dongyu, two amateurs still couldn't match a master strategist. After much deliberation, they decided to proceed with caution.
Xue Dongyu racked her brains and decided to copy a love poem to present.
Wispy clouds craft artful forms,
Flying stars convey silent grief.
Across the vast Milky Way,
Stealthily they meet in the night.
When golden winds and jade-like dew unite,
Their single encounter outshines countless mortal meetings.
Tender as water, sweet dreams of reunion,
How can they bear to turn back on the magpie bridge's path?
If love endures through time and space,
Need they cling to dawn and dusk, day after day?
The poem was filled with genuine emotion, and anyone reading it would think it expressed the deep love of a palace consort, Xue Dongyu, for the Emperor. After all, this exquisite poem had never appeared before. But if Zhao Zhen truly was the ghost of an emperor from centuries past and still retained knowledge of the mortal world after all these years, he would recognize it at once as a timeless work by the great poet Qin Guan, who wouldn't be born for another nine years.
Then she realized that Xue Dongyu was definitely not the same Hong Xiapei from before, and might even have knowledge of the future of the Song Dynasty. Thinking further, it became clear that since Xue Dongyu had submitted this future poem, she might not know that the current Guanjia had been replaced by a different soul. She might simply be a plagiarist vying for favor, but she was still a variable and a potential threat.
Regardless, Zhao Zhen would definitely come to confront Xue Dongyu. When that happened, if Xue Dongyu could seize the initiative first, things would be easier to handle.
Xue Dongyu truly admired her own cleverness. Beside her, the small light sphere System flashed rhythmically in celebration, showering her with a stream of flattery.
"Host truly possesses a heart of orchids and a mind of wisdom, absolutely brilliant," "As expected of the chosen daughter of heaven selected by This System from among billions of people…"
The two reveled in their excitement for quite some time. Xue Dongyu pondered how to find an opportunity to submit the love poem—there had to be someone to pass it along.
Coincidentally, Bai Xing had finished organizing the rewards and was reporting outside the door. Xue Dongyu called her in. Bai Xing’s small face was flushed, and even the few little freckles looked charming.
She replied briskly, "Mother, all the rewards from Guanjia have been sorted and stored properly. However, there are several baskets of fresh fruit. Although half are still unripe, the rest are fully ripe and likely won’t last more than a few days. Does Mother have any thoughts on this?"