Chapter 24: Eunuch 24 (Palace Maid Afu)

Eunuch 24 (Palace Maid Afu)

Jiang He noticed that the Fourth Prince had been appearing frequently in the palace lately, as if he could be encountered anywhere.

For a straight-as-an-arrow straight man, some of the Fourth Prince's behaviors were so greasy that he wanted to buy a bottle of degreaser and scrub him from head to toe.

This paragraph is an image paragraph; please visit the correct website, disable ad-blocking, and exit reader mode.

Moreover, the system kept chirping, 'Host, be careful—men must uphold male virtue!'

Jiang He certainly knew it was hiding in the dark, peeking.

Now the system, relying on being little Character: Mingzhi's cat master, acts arrogantly; if the host dares to lock it in the little dark room and can't see it, little Character: Mingzhi will surely kick up a fuss.

The system-cat laughed, meowing nonstop, boldly uploading many pure-love eunuch stories, poisoning Jiang He's sea of consciousness.

Seeing the host unmoved, it couldn't help feeling satisfied, and went to the forum to show off a bit.

After the Main God Assembly's reform, many of the operators' golden fingers were banned; those not banned were exorbitantly priced, so the operators could only rely on themselves to complete tasks, and quite a few ended up capsizing.

Unlike its host, who actually blocked the original host's halo and relied on himself to do tasks—without a few tries it really wouldn't work.

Jiang He grew impatient from the Fourth Prince's harassment, had no mind to entangle with him, and couldn't help letting out a cry.

This paragraph is an image paragraph; please visit the correct website, disable ad-blocking, and exit reader mode.

The system, browsing the forum, jumped in fright, thinking something had happened to the host, and hurriedly asked, 'Host, what's wrong?'

Without Jiang He saying anything, the system discovered the Fourth Prince blocking the host again, and wondered what nonsense he was spouting.

Things like 'If you don't submit to this king, this king won't let you live past three days,' 'Go ahead and shout—shout till your throat's raw, no one will come,' 'Anyone who's served this king knows this king is very gentle,' 'This king just likes to play with the defective; the defective are fresh,' …

Seeing the host's expression, the system trembled with fear—the Fourth Prince is practically courting death.

Sure enough, the host said to it, 'Forget it, let's drug him—after all, the dog emperor has many sons; the tenth prince who died earlier might be lonely, and he wants a brother to keep him company down there.'

This paragraph is an image paragraph; please visit the correct website, disable ad-blocking, and exit reader mode.

The system hurriedly advised him, 'We've lain low for years; we can't ruin all these years of work over a mere Fourth Prince.'

It also reminded him of Jiang Yuner and her son in Lenggong, who still need his help to pave the way.

After much persuasion, the host was finally soothed; the system felt it really wasn't easy, and was also thoroughly sick of the Fourth Prince's two-faced plug.

Other princes use the Place: Inner Palace's connections to climb up, but this scoundrel actually uses it to sleep with palace people—whether maids or eunuchs, he's had plenty.

Fortunately, the old emperor, grieving the tenth prince's death, harbored some paternal affection for these princes; otherwise, the Fourth Prince would have been done away with long ago.

Jiang He calmed down and decided to give the Fourth Prince a halo.

Since he likes to swing both ways, let him enjoy the pleasure of being swung both ways by others.

"What, what halo?" the system's voice trembled.

Jiang He said meaningfully, "Isn't there a 'All Chrysanthemums Total Receiver' halo? Let's use that!"

Having been harassed by the Fourth Prince too many times, he was really furious; since he couldn't just kill him offhand, let him wish he were dead!

The system reminded him, 'Host, the items in the mall are expensive.'

This paragraph is an image paragraph; please visit the correct website, disable ad-blocking, and exit reader mode.

The system couldn't help but chirp with envy; it loves those who are wealthy and generous, as they can earn it a big share!

Just as Jiang He was about to knock the incoming strong Fourth Prince unconscious with a packet of medicine, a clear voice sounded from outside.

"Little He, are you in there? Who are you? Why are you blocking me? Virtuous Consort said she wanted a pot of orchids, to enjoy together with the emperor tonight…"

This paragraph is an image paragraph; please visit the correct website, disable ad-blocking, and exit reader mode.

Anyone in the palace with a bit of sense can see that the old emperor dislikes consorts who have borne children, or those who are old—meaning over twenty years old.

The Virtuous Consort is already twenty-five this year, yet she happens to be an exception.

The reason is simple: the Virtuous Consort has a youthful doll-like face; it's said she was frail and sickly as a child, poorly developed, making her petite and adorable like a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old girl.

This paragraph is an image paragraph; please visit the correct website, disable ad-blocking, and exit reader mode.

Jiang He's hand twitched slightly, and the medicine packet in his hand slipped back into his sleeve.

The Fourth Prince's outstretched hand likewise retracted; he was furious that his subordinates were useless, having failed to stop the person, unaware that he had fortunately escaped disaster, and could only reluctantly let go.

The Virtuous Consort is prosperous and enduring in the palace; the Fourth Prince dare not offend her for now.

Before leaving, the Fourth Prince couldn't help glancing at Jiang He again, then gave a greasy smile, making Jiang He want to degrease him once more.

"Can't take it—too greasy, my eyes are going blind." The system shouted, "Host, do you still want the halo?"

Unlike the usual soft-spoken manner of most palace folk, this palace maid named Afu always speaks with liveliness and vigor.

The little palace maid is simple and protective; she shields him openly and covertly, though it's unnecessary, yet quite moving.

"Little He, I'm Afu, come to fetch the orchids; the Noble Consort and the emperor are waiting to admire them."

After Jiang He finished eating and said something nice, Afu instantly beamed.

It was a pot of fragile clivia; when the flowerpot hit the ground it was already a mess, the half-open flower stalks snapped, the roots and stems were injured, and the tending gardeners all said it couldn't be kept alive.

Jiang He and Afu first formally met in the flower room.

The Noble Consort's family is illustrious, she is even more favored than the Virtuous Consort, and the emperor draws her name more often each month than he does the Virtuous Consort's.

In the Place: Inner Palace, those of higher status than her master aren't favored by their master, while those of lower status than her master aren't highly regarded by their master; the master said, as long as she doesn't offend the emperor, she can swagger through the palace.

He deliberately said, "With Afu around, who dares to bully me?"

Really pretty—this little He indeed has a knack for tending flowers; she was about to step forward to carry the flowerpot away when a sound came from outside.

This paragraph is an image paragraph; please visit the correct website, disable ad-blocking, and exit reader mode.

Over there, the system had already started clamoring, "Oh my, host, this little palace maid has a luck halo on her head! Too bad it didn't form a carp halo; otherwise she'd surely get her wish."

When Jiang He moved the lotus-petal orchid over, Afu pulled him aside to sit and produced a lotus-leaf bundle.

Earlier he found Eunuch Wang and Character: Song Gonggong annoying, so he used this child to make Eunuch Wang trip, pitting Eunuch Wang against Character: Song Gonggong in a fight to the death.

However, the empress does not bear a grudge against the Noble Consort, since the Noble Consort supposedly cannot bear children; for the empress, the mothers of princes who oppose the Second Prince are her enemies.

Jiang He snorted, "Of course, I bought it all! Tonight I'll send it over to the Fourth Prince."

Afu was rubbing her eyes and crying at the time; during that period, the Noble Consort was in a bad mood. This flower was a birthday gift from the Noble Consort's mother. If it died, even Afu wouldn't get off easy.

Moreover, the Noble Consort had an open and cheerful personality, a broad mind; because she had borne no children, her natal family remained fiercely loyal to the emperor, who continually showed her favor, even surpassing the Empress.

Pingan could only grudgingly pick a pot of passable orchid and leave.

Pingan eyed the little eunuch with thick bangs, always hanging his head, looking respectful; just now the Fourth Prince had come out of the greenhouse, and she wondered what the Fourth Prince and such an ordinary, plain eunuch could be discussing in there, otherwise why would someone be posted to guard?

Jiang He couldn't help laughing; he really liked this sort of naturally intuitive, simple little palace maid, whose every little thought was about food, making her very endearing.

Consort Wan invited her sister consorts to her palace to view the flowers, which made the other consorts jealous.

Pingan's face sank instantly, realizing that this pot of lotus-petal orchid was clearly beyond Consort Shu's reach.

Jiang He sighed; favors are indeed not easy to owe, and they must be repaid sooner or later.

Afu indeed let out a breath, straining to tiptoe and pat his shoulder, saying, "Don't worry, Afu's got you; if anyone bullies you, just give my name." Her round little face broke into a double-chinned smile as she added, "Although Afu can't fight, Afu will tell on them!"

Favor is fleeting; the power in one's hand is what lasts.

Consort Wan had recently won the emperor's deep favor, so the other consorts dared not challenge her, but Consort Shu didn't care; she wanted an orchid more precious than the Plain Crown Lotus Cauldron.

This paragraph is an image paragraph; please visit the correct website, turn off ad-blocking, and exit reader mode.

"Xiaohez, I brought you something tasty—fried chicken legs made just the way you said." She furtively swallowed, "It's really delicious; even the Noble Consort likes it."

Upon hearing that, Jiang He was not surprised, saying, "There is indeed a pot of orchid more precious than the Plain Crown Lotus Cauldron, and it is this lotus-petal orchid..."

"By the way, who was that palace maid just now? Her face looked so awful—was she bullying you?"

"I never expected there to be someone who likes to walk sideways even more than she does."

After Pingan finished speculating, she said in a not-so-pleasant tone, "I heard that Consort Wan's rare Plain Crown Lotus Cauldron orchid was cultivated by you?"

The Noble Consort was very protective of her; anyone who had bullied her had been dealt with by the Noble Consort.

Pingan's eyes lit up as she examined that pot of orchid.

The Fourth Prince was born refined and elegant, with graceful manners, affable and approachable to the palace staff; everyone in the palace thought well of him, so having someone stop her on the road was likely just to avoid spoiling the flower-viewing mood.

At the time, the reckless Afu knocked over a pot of flower that the Noble Consort had been keeping in the greenhouse.

"A Noble Consort who can't bear children and is destined for a miserable old age is worth nothing!"

On the contrary, Jiang He was the first to greet, saying, "Isn't this Sister Pingan? What flower does Consort Shu want?"

He stepped in to save the flower; not only did he revive it, but later it sprouted new branches. Afu was immensely grateful, and thereafter a clingy little palace maid followed Jiang He wherever he went.

He continued, "Although Afu is fair and sweet, she's not stupid; she's naturally intuitive, and the people she befriends in the palace are all well-intentioned."

Jiang He and Afu sat on a small stool, sharing food; hearing that, he hummed in agreement, "Her ancestors must have done many good deeds, and of course she herself has always been doing good."

The plump palace maid Afu gave her a curious glance, feeling somewhat displeased—who is this? Acting so arrogantly, not even those in the Noble Consort's palace are that haughty.

For the original, unaltered content, please go to vinegar. liu'er, literature#official! website. If already there, please turn off ad-blocking and exit reader mode.