III. This Beau and the Empress

"Your majesty, her highness Princess Yin Xiulan has come."

The court lady outside the hall announced loud and clear.

"Come in." He answered.

The doors of the hall slid open and the princess general walks in with her chin up. Although she's the first princess of the eighth generation of the dynasty, she isn't wearing an elegant and luxurious hanfu nor headgears or headdress made up of expensive materials. Instead, she only wears her usual pink tai chi-fu, and a jade hairpin to keep her long hair into a bun. In her right hand, she holds her closed fan made up of bamboo and rice paper.

But what she saw made her eyebrows twitch.

The emperor and his newly hired eunuch are happily chatting as they have their morning meal. Xu Zhengming quickly put his chopsticks down and faced the princess with a bow.

"I was wondering what took you so long, and so I came here personally. It turns out you are still having your pleasant meal... with your servant."

She slightly raised her eyebrows as she continues, "It's not like you at all."

"My apologies, Xiulan. I didn't notice, the time flows fast." He was about to rise but the princess raised her hand.

"Come to Lotus Hall once you finish your meal." Princess Yin Xiulan didn't wait for a response and left the hall immediately together with her servants.

Xu Zhengming cleared his throat and said with a guilty tone. "Your majesty, I think I truly crossed the line. I should not have my meal with you."

In fact, he already ate his breakfast before coming into the emperor's hall. It's just he can't refuse these delicacies. And wouldn't it be rude to refuse his majesty's kindness? Well... he's not kind all day after all.

"What are you talking about? Don't mind her. She seems cold but I don't think she minds eating with our subordinates. In fact, she would love to have a banquet wherein her maids are the only guests." The emperor let out a sigh. "But then again, it's out of her reputation so she didn't dare to."

Despite being a princess, she's fierce and has a strong aura around her. Though she's elegant and graceful, the air that a warrior gives in the atmosphere dominates within her. So holding an exclusive banquet just for her maids is something one could call 'out of character'. Also, she doesn't want her authority over her people to decrease just because she showed her feminine side.

The two chatted for a meantime until they finished their meals. After that, Xu Zhengming assisted the emperor in getting dressed. He's his personal eunuch after all. Although he's exceptionally nice to him THIS TIME, he must still do his part as his servant.

After all the preparations, the emperor, his little eunuch, together with a number of maids, headed to the Lotus Hall where he and princess Yin Xiulan should meet.

By then, only the emperor entered, and the servants waited outside.

No one speaks for a while until the court lady clears her throat before asking, "Eunuch Xu, since the emperor has his personal eunuch now, you must memorize his fixed schedule and sort the activities he must attend. Make sure his schedule does not conflict."

"Yes, Court Lady Han." Xu Zhengming responded with his head bowed down.

She speaks again. This time, her voice has a hint of sadness. "The emperor must want me to retire already, and so he appointed a younger servant to be by his side. It must be for the best if this old woman would stop looking after his majesty sooner or later."

"I don't think that's the case, court lady Han." Xu Zhengming tried to comfort her.

"If not, then why would the emperor hire a new eunuch to serve him? Or could it be..." Court lady Han's eyes narrowed as she looks intently at the little eunuch. "Eunuch Xu, tell me the truth. What do you and his majesty's relationship?" With this topic being raised, the maids can't help themselves but look at him intently as well, waiting for his response.

Xu Zhengming gives them a puzzled look. "My relationship with his majesty? It's clear that we have a master-servant relationship."

"Nothing more?" The court lady still isn't satisfied.

"Nothing more, nothing less. Why did court lady Han ask?" His question made the old lady silent and the maids look at each other.

"..."

Just what are they thinking about? Is he the only one who doesn't know? Is he even supposed to know something?

Xu Zhengming realized something. His face's complicated.

"Could it be... you are referring to the rumor that I tried to seduce his majesty?"

"..."

"Okay? I guess I got it right." Xu Zhengming sighs. "What the royal concubines said is not true. I just happen to bump on his majesty. I'm straight, yes." He looks at the young maids with his killer smile on his lips one by one before he continues to speak, "In fact, I am more interested in beauties like yourselves."

The maids giggled and seemed to be interested in him as well. It almost seems like the mole under his left eye is a charm that could make ladies lift their feet from the ground towards cloud nine.

He winked at them and the maids almost lost it. They barely suppress their excitement. Like a mischievous butterfly that touches their hearts.

He faced them with his best angle. To the young ladies, it seems like this man is giving off a blinding light. A light that anyone wants to be enveloped by its warmth. Mingming then said in a husky voice, "Those who wish to go out with me, please fall in line."

To their ears, it's like an enchantment that makes them unconsciously obey his commands. This alluring voice that sounds so pleasant can actually control and order a lady around.

Court lady Han's eyebrows knitted and her lips twitched. "You cannot go out unless the emperor gives permission."

But then, no one paid attention to the salty old woman. She could only let out a sigh as she shakes her head slowly. "Youngsters these days."

"Do I have to fall in line as well?" A sweet voice of a lady's sounded behind them. Everyone turns their head towards the direction where it came from at almost the same time.

Once they confirmed who was it, they quickly bowed their heads and greeted. "Your highness."

It's actually the empress herself, her highness Xue Chi. Her maids following her as usual.

Xu Zhengming is the only one who didn't know who this lady is but he knows she is a noble of high status so he bowed as well. They call her 'her highness'. He thought, is she a princess? He only knows that Emperor Yin Renshu has only one sister which is the princess general. He didn't even have a child yet, much more a daughter of the same age as her.

Her court lady stepped beside her and whispers, "Your highness, you cannot go out with this man. You're married to the emperor."

Empress Xue Chi laughed softly. "I only wish to have a word with him." She faced Xu Zhengming and advanced nearer. "Can this woman have a moment with Eunuch Xu?"

"Yes... yes, your highness." He didn't know why but he got nervous all of a sudden. Did he offend this noble? If not, why would she want to talk to him?

The empress looks around and lowers her eyelashes as if embarrassed. "I wish for privacy. Can we talk somewhere else?"

Xu Zhemgming hesitated for a while. He looks at the door of the Lotus Hall. Court lady Han got it and said, "I will relay the message to the emperor if you can't make it back when he comes out."

He nods and replies, "Thank you court lady Han. Then I'll be troubling you."

The two walk shoulder to shoulder. The lady is walking too slow and Xu Zhengming matches her pace. The maids behind them are a little distant.

Although Xu Zhengming is a great womanizer, he still felt uncomfortable walking with this lady. No one speaks and the atmosphere around them is awkwardly quiet.

Fortunately, the uncomfortable feeling somehow dissipated when the empress finally speaks.

"The sun today is covered with thick clouds. I like this kind of weather. That is why I insisted to walk around on my own feet instead of riding a sedan. Does Eunuch Xu find the weather good today as well?"

"The weather? Yes, yes. It's good, quite good."

Xu Zhengming wants to slap himself. He sounded like an awkward lame man talking to his crush. How was it good? It looks like it would rain sooner or later.

Then the atmosphere became dead quiet once again.

He argued with himself if he should start a conversation or not. But if he did, what topic would it be? This lady... she didn't bring him for a walk to compliment the weather, did she? If this lady has something to say to him, she better say it now.

After a long walk, they arrived at the imperial garden. They headed to the lake-side and stared at the waters for a while.

Xu Zhengming is full of wild thoughts. Is it possible that this lady fancies him? He observed her for a long time. If he is to classify her, this lady is the Innocent Type.

Based on his gathered data as he was conducting his study, the Innocent Type believes in almost everything. She will be likely not realizing any hidden agenda of others, thus trust others very easily. This type is usually sweet, and in some cases gets embarrassed too quickly. She is usually quite slow in picking up new concepts, but that's what is unique about her.

This type of girl usually has many friends who love her and want to protect her from bastards that want to take advantage of her.

Xu Zhengming turns his head behind him. The maids are all looking at him with killing intent. His data seem accurate.

"Actually Eunuch Xu, I don't know where should I start." She looks at him with twinkling eyes. "I am still hesitant to ask this to you or not."

She played with her fingers as she tries to calm herself with a succession of deep breaths.

"Please... please keep it between us." Her cheeks burning, and her long eyelashes trembling.

Xu Zhengming wanted to hold her hands but he might end up floating in the lake if he does so. Her maids are just too overprotective.

"I will, your highness. Please speak your heart's content. I am listening intently."

Xu Zhengming's eyes filled with sincerity. But deep inside him, he is already thinking of a way in how to let her down without hurting her. He expects that this lady would confess to him. He doesn't want to hurt this lady. She's beautiful, graceful, elegant, and bashful at times. It's a shame he became a eunuch. The truth that he became one without being castrated might be revealed. This hurts him too much, but what can he do?

He could only offer a gentle smile to the lady to soothe the tension within her.

"The thing is..." She pressed her lips together before opening them to utter the next words.

"How did you capture his majesty's heart?"

Xu Zhengming's smile froze. "Pardon?"

The empress smiled bashfully and slightly pushed his arm. "Don't make me say it twice. It's too embarrassing." Her entire face turned somewhat red.

Xu Zhengming felt goosebumps as he noticed the ashen faces of her maids.

"Listen, Eunuch Xu..." The empress continued. "I'm asking you, how did you capture his majesty's heart?"

The thoughts he had in mind all shattered into pieces. So, it's not the case?

"Ha. Ha. Ha... what is her highness talking about? Did the rumors reach you as well? Please don't believe what they say, it's not true."

"Ah? It's not true?" The empress gives her a complicated look. "I do not know if I should be happy or upset knowing the truth."

"What does her highness mean? Do you fancy the emperor? I heard he's already married but if her highness doesn't mind, I think you would pass to become a royal noble consort or at the very least, a concubine."

The empress looks at her for a while and started to laugh. Xu Zhengming find it strange. Did he say something wrong?

Not having an idea, he continued to blabber nonsense. "Or her highness could choose to pour her love on me instead." He winked at her but for some reason, the lady laughed even hard.

"If I am not in love with his majesty, I might have taken a like to Eunuch Xu." She tried her best to suppress her laughter. "My bad, my bad. I did not introduce myself first. Please excuse my rudeness." She finally managed to gather her composure again and smiles at him sweetly. "I am Xue Chi. His majesty's empress."

Hearing this Xu Zhengming was caught off-guard and left speechless. It was really rude of him not to recognize a lady of high status. He even thought that this lady likes him, and even said shameful words to her.

"Please forgive this lowly one's ignorance, your highness." He was about to kowtow but the empress stopped him.

"I fancy the emperor but his majesty can't return the feelings I have. I thought the emperor likes you and I was hoping if you could help me but..." She can't help but sigh in disappointment.

Though he regrets that he had no chance to hit on her, he felt sorry for the empress.

"I might be not much of a help but I want to extend my hand to you, your highness." He looks at her with eagerness in his eyes. "I will find out what the emperor likes in a woman and will share my gathered information with you."

The empress' face brightens up and beamed a smile. She grabs both of his hands and held them tightly.

"Eunuch Xu, please do. I am willing to offer what you want in exchange. Jades? Gold bars? Silk? Anything!"

"I do not need anything for the meantime, your highness. Please take it as a servant complying to orders."

Actually, Xu Zhengming rarely asks nothing in return for a favor. The truth is, he wants what the empress offered. It's just he felt embarrassed for his actions earlier and expressing his gratitude for not punishing him. Aside from that, he can't assure if he really could get information due to the emperor's unpredictableness.

"No. No. That won't do. You are not my servant." The empress thinks for a while. "How about we become friends? Whenever you need help, I'll do anything in my power to help you." She smiled sweetly.

Xu Zhengming felt like he's being crushed by overwhelming pressure. "But... this lowly one doesn't deserve to be friends with her highness."

The empress laughed and even slaps Xu Zhengming's arm. "What are you saying? I make friends to anyone I'd like to."She giggled for quite some time before finally turned back to the little eunuch. "Well then... You should go back to the emperor as soon as possible." She tiptoed and leans near to his ear and whispers. "His majesty is temperamental after all."

She taps his shoulder before she walks further from him, back to her maids. She then cheerfully waved at him and Xu Zhengming could only bow his head as the empress and her maids slowly disappears in his sight.