Upon hearing Liang Zhu recite his poem, everyone present was first filled with immense admiration, then burst into collective laughter.
Even the several popular singers accompanying them could not help laughing.
Wu Shixiong was actually quite impressed. “Eunuch Xiao Zhuzi’s literary talent is extraordinary, and his magnanimity in self-mockery is even more remarkable. In the future, he will certainly become the Chief Eunuch.”
Liang Zhu said with a sorrowful expression, “a lifetime as a eunuch—what is there to boast about?”
Wu Shixiong said with a smile, “Eunuch Xiao Zhuzi is already an imperial eunuch at such a young age. In the future, you might even preside over the Directorate of Ceremonial and participate in state affairs.”
Liang Zhu gave a bitter smile. “Drink, drink!”
As expected, those words were the perfect method for easing awkwardness.
Everyone sat around the round table drinking, while singers and dancers nearby fed them meat.
With an arm around each side, drinking wine and eating meat, Liang Zhu was having the time of his life.
Wu Shixiong and the Four Great Talents were all dumbfounded.
Was this bastard really a eunuch?
Why did he seem even more lecherous than them, despite being a man?
Watching Liang Zhu drink wine as fiercely as if it were water, Wu Shixiong thought that he had better get to the serious business quickly.
Otherwise, if this bastard deliberately got drunk, they would not be able to get anything out of him.
Wu Shixiong pulled Liang Zhu aside and asked him in a low voice, “Eunuch Xiao Zhuzi, how did you escape from the assassin that day?”
Chu Xiaoxiang had specifically named Wu Shixiong as the person she wanted to kill. To be honest, Wu Shixiong was extremely frightened.
Liang Zhu let out a long sigh and said, “Ah, that is a long story... That day, the female assassin charged at me and struck with her sword. I barely survived by resisting with all my might, but that woman captured me. Later, the female assassin did not escape to the capital city. Instead, she secretly returned to the Imperial Palace... If Master had not saved me, I would have been certain to die.”
Wu Shixiong asked in surprise, “Who is your honored Master?”
Liang Zhu wore a smug expression. “The Chief Eunuch of the Imperial Palace, Wei Jiuxian.”
Wu Shixiong solemnly expressed his respect. “So Eunuch Xiao Zhuzi is manager Wei’s disciple. No wonder you excel in both civil and martial arts.”
“That day, that crazy woman abducted me to the Cold Palace, intending to wait for things to calm down before leaving.” Liang Zhu said through gritted teeth, “Fortunately, my Master discovered that woman’s scheme and personally came to rescue me.”
Wu Shixiong appeared to understand, but he did not believe it at all.
First, the assassin had not been captured. They had escaped.
Second, Little Pillar was still alive. They had not died.
If Wei Jiuxian had truly gone to capture the assassin, he would have had to bring three to five hundred Imperial Forest Army soldiers to besiege them.
After such a bloody battle, whether the assassin would die would be uncertain, but Little Pillar would have been certain to die.
Yet Little Pillar was still alive and well.
Liang Zhu was an extremely clever man. Wu Shixiong’s little looks could not fool him.
“My Master did not attack that day!” Liang Zhu said with a sigh. “My Master let the assassin leave, exchanging her life for mine.”
Wu Shixiong was greatly shocked and gained a new understanding of Liang Zhu’s importance.
Without the Empress’s approval, Wei Jiuxian absolutely would not have dared to release the assassin on his own.
This showed that, in the Empress’s heart, she placed considerable value on this obscure little eunuch!
Looking at Wu Shixiong’s complexion, Liang Zhu knew that the man already believed his words.
In truth, Liang Zhu’s words this time were half true and half false. Even if Wu Shixiong went to the Imperial Palace to verify them, he would be completely unable to find any flaw.
Wu Shixiong rubbed his sack and thought that if he brought out the jewels inside, it would be rather embarrassing.
Originally, Wu Shixiong had prepared one hundred taels of gold and a luminous pearl as a welcome gift for Liang Zhu.
But now Liang Zhu had transformed into Wei Jiuxian’s disciple and was highly favored by the Empress. Giving him one hundred taels of gold would simply be humiliating himself.
Wu Shixiong gritted his teeth and thought, If he was going to give a gift, he might as well give a big one!
He called his attendant over and gave a few instructions, then said with a smile, “Come, Eunuch Xiao Zhuzi, drink, drink!” Tianlai Novel Network
For a time, host and guests alike enjoyed themselves.
Considering that Liang Zhu was a eunuch, Wu Shixiong had arranged only singing and dancing performances.
As for the Four Great Talents, they could not endure the loneliness and had already gone inside to indulge themselves with the singing and dancing girls.
The attendant who had previously welcomed Liang Zhu came over with servants carrying a heavy box.
When the box was opened, the sight nearly blinded Liang Zhu’s eyes.
It was filled to the brim with a boxful of gold bars.
Wu Shixiong said with a smile, “Eunuch Xiao Zhuzi, I came all the way to Tai'an City and did not bring anything particularly valuable. Consider this one thousand taels of gold a vulgar gift, for Eunuch Xiao Zhuzi to spend as you please.”
Liang Zhu’s eyes lit up brightly, and his gaze was filled with undisguised greed.
Wu Shixiong saw that appearance of someone who valued wealth as dearly as his life.
Wu Shixiong gave a secret cold laugh. A little eunuch this greedy and lecherous was truly an ideal target for the Prince of Zhenxi's Residence to buy off.
Liang Zhu greedily stroked the gold. Only after a long while did he wipe away his drool and say, “Your Highness gives one thousand taels of gold with a single gesture. How could I accept this?”
Wu Shixiong laughed heartily. “It is only a small sum... Eunuch Xiao Zhuzi, would you like me to have someone help deliver it for you?”
Liang Zhu shook his head. While repeatedly saying his farewells, he hoisted the box onto his shoulder and slipped away.
Wu Shixiong watched Liang Zhu’s figure from behind, narrowing his eyes.
This little eunuch carried something weighing over one hundred catties yet moved as swiftly as if he were flying, proving that his strength was indeed not weak!
Wu Shixiong said to his attendant, “follow him and see whether he is inspected or stopped when he enters the palace.”
The attendant nodded and followed Liang Zhu.
After more than half a shichen, the attendant returned to report, “Heir Apparent, Eunuch Xiao Zhuzi carried the gold and entered the palace without obstruction the entire way.”
Wu Shixiong’s expression changed slightly.
The Imperial Palace—and one where an assassin had just caused trouble at that—needed no explanation as to how strict the inspections inside were.
Yet Xiao Zhuzi was wearing casual clothes and carrying a box, and no one had stopped or inspected him.
This showed that Xiao Zhuzi possessed overwhelming power and influence.
Wu Shixiong slapped his head and said regretfully, “No, I have to offer more money!”