Chapter 14: Give This Palace a Smile

Chapter 14: Give This Palace a Smile

The next day, Yan Chen arrived punctually to report to Ye Wanwan. He was a eunuch messenger, primarily responsible for running errands to buy things outside the palace on her behalf.

Qingsha called him in and, as usual, handed him a food box and a token. Today, the token was present, but it wasn’t the usual token granting permission to leave the palace issued by the Empress Dowager. Instead of a food box, there was a tray holding a set of dark blue eunuch robes.

Eunuchs in the palace had ranks. The chief eunuch wore deep purple robes—for example, Wang Wei, the chief eunuch serving the Empress Dowager. The senior eunuchs wore dark red, overseeing all internal palace affairs. The dark blue robes belonged to eunuchs in charge of affairs, like the one who often bullied Yan Chen, Eunuch Lu.

Below them were the attending eunuchs, such as Yan Chen himself, and beneath them were the lowest-ranking eunuchs assigned to miscellaneous duties.

The hierarchy was clear, but status was less so, depending largely on whether one served a favored master.

Qingsha waved her hand in front of Yan Chen’s face. “What are you dazing for? Thank the Empress! She has promoted you to an eunuch in charge. From now on, you will serve here in this hall.”

Yan Chen lowered his head. “I am deeply grateful, Your Highness. How could I feel aggrieved?”

Ye Wanwan frowned as she watched Yan Chen bowing his head, sensing something was off.

She stood and walked over, stopping in front of him, then tapped his head with her fan. “Have I wronged you by making you an eunuch in charge?”

Yan Chen hurriedly replied, “Your servant is most thankful and could never feel wronged.”

Ye Wanwan crouched down, pressing her fan against his chin, forcing him to look up. “Then give this palace a smile.”

Qingsha was stunned—her jaw almost dropped in disbelief. What was the Empress doing?

Fortunately, those attending were at a distance, just her and Nurse Lin present. If others had seen this and rumors spread, what would happen?

Ye Wanwan’s eyes shone brightly, captivating and radiant. Yan Chen dared not meet her gaze. When asked for a smile, he simply couldn’t produce one.

His face was expressionless yet filled with sorrow. Even the eyes that once had a striking brilliance now appeared dull and lifeless, reflecting nothing at all.

He resembled a weary old man at dusk, devoid of desires, free from sorrow or joy.

But how old was he? He had entered the palace at five years old—over ten years ago. This imperial palace was truly a place that devoured the heart.

Ye Wanwan thought of herself years from now—would all her innocence and kindness also be swallowed up by this harem?

She withdrew the fan, cupped his chin in her hands, and with her thumb, lifted the corners of his lips. This ‘smile’ was truly ugly.

She released him and sighed with a wry smile. “Such a wasted appearance.”

Tilting her head as she smiled, she said, “Your indifferent demeanor truly saddens me. It seems my face isn’t so charming after all.”

Yan Chen glanced at her from the corner of his eye and quickly restrained himself. “Your servant dares not disrespect Your Highness.”

Ye Wanwan sneered. “A face exists to be looked at, doesn’t it?”

With that, she stood slowly. “Enough, I won’t force you. But now that you are by my side, you must have some backbone. Don’t be a soft target for anyone to squeeze. Remember that?”

The scent of her perfume lingered at his nose, the warmth of her cheek still felt on his skin. Yan Chen bowed his head even lower. “Your servant remembers.”

——

It had been five or six days since Yan Chen was promoted to eunuch in charge, and all had been calm. Those who had bullied him were still intact, occasionally swaggering past Ye Wanwan.

She found it strange—did this man truly have no temper at all?

But within a few days, Yan Chen surprised her—he had gotten into a fight and actually injured someone.

Today, Yan Chen wasn’t out buying things but had gone to the Internal Affairs Office to retrieve some old belongings. Unexpectedly, trouble arose.

“Really?”

Ye Wanwan was quite surprised. How surprised? Just look at her lifting her skirts to go see the commotion.

Qingsha cautioned, “Your Highness, please slow down. You are still under house arrest and cannot go out.”

But Ye Wanwan paid no mind to the restrictions and dashed out the door. Those guarding the entrance dared not stop her.

Nurse Lin sighed helplessly, already anticipating the trouble about to unfold.

Yet, in less than a moment, Ye Wanwan returned, her steps light and graceful, demeanor dignified and elegant, as if the person who had just left was someone else entirely.

“What happened, Your Highness?”

Qingsha shook her head, equally perplexed.

She hadn’t been able to restrain the Empress before, and now she hadn’t reacted to her sudden return.

Ye Wanwan stopped at the front and said, “Nurse Lin, please go to the Guan Ju Palace. Someone from there has to be taught a lesson. We can’t let them bully someone from this palace.”

Nurse Lin was greatly relieved. Finally, the Empress recognized her status as Noble Consort.

As a Noble Consort, she must hold her head high. To stand up personally for a lowly eunuch—if word got out, who knew what rumors would spread.

“I’ll go at once.”

(End of chapter)