PQE Chapter 6

Under the scorching sun, a small, thin figure knelt, his cheeks flushed red and his face covered in sweat.

His body swayed slightly, but he remained upright.

An elderly palace maid, Biqing, came to check on him and reported the situation to the Seventh Prince.

Biqing was a loyal servant brought by Concubine Li from her family. Even after Concubine Li and her son fell out of favor, she continued to serve the Seventh Prince.

She had always thought it inappropriate for the Second Prince to take the Seventh Prince out for a lake excursion, especially since Concubine Li had just been confined to the Cold Palace. The Seventh Prince was in no mood for such outings, but they couldn’t refuse the powerful Second Prince.

She anxiously waited outside the palace gates and was horrified to see the Seventh Prince stumbling back, drenched and burning with fever.

She went to the Imperial Hospital for help but was told that all the doctors were attending to the Empress and couldn’t come.

In reality, it was just a convenient excuse.

Shaohua Chi was high with fever, refusing food and drink.

Suddenly, he ordered Biqing to go to Yetting Lake to check on a young eunuch.

Biqing was reluctant but couldn’t refuse. The task seemed inexplicable.

When Shaohua Chi heard that the person was still kneeling there, he inexplicably smiled, “Though he is cold-hearted, he is not hypocritical.”

A glimmer of light appeared in his previously dull eyes.

Shao Huachi, who had become disillusioned with the palace’s sycophantic ways, found a bit of comfort in this.

He curled up in his blanket and fainted again.

Hours later, the twilight glow enveloped the earth, and the distant palace under the evening mist seemed warm.

The prolonged kneeling made Fu Chen’s knees stiff and sore, causing him great discomfort.

When he stood up too quickly, blood rushed to his head, and he fell, hitting the ground hard.

Dizziness from lack of oxygen made him sit and wait for the feeling to pass. He sat cross-legged for a while, watching the lotus buds bloom on the lake, their petals opening gracefully in the sunset. The gentle breeze carried the refreshing scent of the lake, easing the day’s fatigue. The serene beauty of Yetting Lake brought Fu Chen a moment of relaxation.

Once he was sure he could move again, Fu Chen cleaned the three palaces. Thanks to his usual diligence, they were relatively clean, and he completed the task efficiently.

It was late when he returned to the eunuch quarters. On the palace path from Yetting Lake, he encountered Mo Hua from Fuxi Palace. Fuxi Palace housed Consort De, and Mo Hua was one of her closest maids, rarely seen. Fu Chen had seen her earlier that morning when escorting the Empress and the four consorts.

These close maids were exceptional, not just in appearance but in their graceful demeanor, akin to noble ladies.

“Good day, Miss Mo Hua.” Naturally, he greeted her.

Mo Hua was surprised that the young eunuch recognized her, saving her the trouble of introducing herself. “How do you know me?”

“I saw you and Consort De outside Fuxi Palace this morning.” He had no previous opportunity, but now he made sure to remember everyone to avoid offending any nobles.

“You’re quite perceptive. This food box was made by the small kitchen. Since you helped escort our lady back to Fuxi Palace this morning, I brought it for you to try.” Mo Hua smiled, handing over the food box.

To avoid suspicion, Mo Hua used a common bamboo basket style for lower-ranking eunuchs, making it inconspicuous for Fu Chen to carry.

“This is too much. It’s my duty.” He accepted the task without question.

But the task was not something he could refuse.

Mo Hua’s smile faded slightly, and Fu Chen, understanding the situation, accepted the food box, knowing refusal would offend her.

“Miss, I truly don’t know anything about this morning’s events.” The emperor’s household affairs were beyond his meddling.

Even if Consort De offered more benefits, he couldn’t disclose anything.

Mo Hua’s smile was radiant, “You’re quite amusing. Don’t worry, I won’t ask anything.”

“Does Consort De have any instructions?” Fu Chen cautiously asked.

“Just take it. Or do you find it unworthy?”

“You misunderstand. I was just amazed by the beautiful pastries.”

Fu Chen’s innocent expression and genuine smile made him endearing, appearing sincere.

Mo Hua appreciated his tactfulness, preferring such understanding individuals. “No more questions. Take it. I’ll be on my way.”

After Mo Hua left, Fu Chen was puzzled, recalling the morning when he escorted Consort De. He was still shaken by the maid’s dying gaze and wasn’t fully aware of his surroundings. He vaguely remembered Consort De being kind, asking about his hometown, family, and how he entered the palace. Such information wasn’t secret, as the Internal Affairs Office had records. With Consort De’s influence, she could easily access it.

Coming just to deliver a food box? It seemed unlikely without a purpose.

Fu Chen couldn’t believe Consort De had no ulterior motive.

He couldn’t fathom the deeper intentions of those in power.

As a low-ranking eunuch with no backing, he couldn’t understand what Consort De, a high-ranking consort, needed from him.

Since he couldn’t avoid it, Fu Chen decided not to worry and continued with his day.

Just as he was about to move, he winced in pain.

His knees still hurt.

In the Jin Dynasty, palace maids and eunuchs below the third rank weren’t entitled to medical treatment from the Imperial Hospital. They could get herbs from the pharmacy and make their own medicine, but most palace staff were illiterate and didn’t know what herbs to use.

Illness had always been a privilege of the wealthy.

Carrying the food box, Fu Chen returned to the eunuch quarters, sensing something was off.

He grabbed a young eunuch to ask what was happening and was told that Li Xiangying had ordered everyone to stay in their rooms after their shift and gather in the courtyard at dusk. The courtyard was large, with lush greenery, used for monthly teachings by the head eunuch. Such orders were rare unless someone had committed an offense.

Fu Chen planned to share the food with the other eunuchs. He was starving after hours in the sun and felt weak, though his secret exercises kept him relatively fit.

Gathering his strength, he entered the room to find the young eunuchs huddled together, discussing something seriously.

Seeing Fu Chen, Wang Fugui approached.

“Chenzi, something’s happened.”

“What is it?” Fu Chen opened the food box on the mat. “This is from the dining room, left by the nobles.”

The palace, with its accumulated wealth, never lacked food. Even if it did, it wouldn’t show. Emperor Jin Cheng loved grand displays and extravagance, and the consorts were the same, wasting food daily. Some dishes were given to favored eunuchs, and if not, they were sent back to the dining room. With connections, one could occasionally get some food.

So no one doubted the origin of the pastries.

The tense atmosphere among the young eunuchs eased slightly.

A young eunuch named Ji Ke exclaimed, “Wow, peach pastry! You’re amazing, Chenzi!”

He quickly grabbed a piece and stuffed it into his mouth, not caring about the taste.

For them, tasting the nobles’ food was a rare treat.

“Eat slowly, there’s more…” Fu Chen patted Ji Ke’s back.

Ji Ke, who had entered the palace last year and was close to Fu Chen, offered him a piece.

Fu Chen tasted it, finding it too sweet for his liking, but the warmth it brought to his stomach was comforting.

Seeing the six-year-old, he thought of his own family’s parting before he entered the palace. His mother must have given birth by now, and he doesn’t know whether it is a brother or a sister.

“What’s with your head? Come here quickly.”

Wang Fugui, seeing Fu Chen’s injury, pulled him aside to apply medicine. He didn’t ask about the cause, knowing any noble could punish them for any reason.

The faint herbal scent from the ointment made Fu Chen smile. “Where did you get this?”

“From Xiao Yang. You know Aunt Mei is kind.” Wang Fugui smiled sweetly at the mention of Xiao Yang.

Wang Fugui was deeply grateful and guilty towards the woman who followed him to the palace.

Fu Chen whispered, “I heard you two are planning to become ‘Cai Hu’ in private?”

If “Dui Shi” means finding a bed partner, then “Cai Hu” represents a more formal marriage contract. Cai Hu, as recorded in the Palace records of the previous dynasty, roughly means to make a marriage contract with each other and swear to be together for life and not to have an affair. It is a more formal form of marriage in the palace, just like ordinary civilian couples.

The tall man Wang Fugui’s face suddenly turned red, and he stammered and said “hmm”.

“Congratulations!” Fu Chen was also very happy for this pair of lovers who had gone through so many twists and turns. Even in modern times, it is rare for couples to depend on each other for life and death, not to mention that Wang Fugui had no roots.

Seeing beautiful emotions always makes people who are watching feel happy.

“What were you going to say earlier?”

Ji Ke, still eating, offered Fu Chen another piece. The peach pastries were filling, easing Fu Chen’s hunger.

Wang Fugui explained that due to a shortage of staff, Chen Zuoren and others were sent to the Internal Affairs Office. After the morning court session, Emperor Jin Cheng ordered lychees from the South Sea to be distributed to the consorts. The pregnant Empress and the favored Concubine Qi received the most. Due to a timing error, the lychees were not fresh when delivered, angering Concubine Qi, who wanted to execute the negligent eunuchs. Fortunately, Chief Eunuch An Zhonghai intervened, reminding her of the Empress’s pregnancy and the need to avoid bloodshed.

People in the palace called him Master Hai and Eunuch Hai. He was not the most respected among the six eunuchs in charge, but he was the kindest to his subordinates. Concubine Qi also gave An Zhonghai face. Although he was spared the death penalty, he was bound to be beaten with a stick.

“What do you think we should do? After fifty strokes of the board, Renzi will be dead!” Wang Fugui and others were so anxious that sweat broke out on their foreheads.

Fu Chen touched his chest, as if searching for something.

At that moment, the sound of a gathering was heard outside.