Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 135: It’s Not Easy Being a Eunuch

Chapter 135: Chapter 135: It’s Not Easy Being a Eunuch

Yin He’s eyes were cast down, as if everything before him had nothing to do with him, his hands skillfully applying pressure. It was not difficult; he had observed a few times and easily mastered the technique—after all, it wasn’t that hard.

Zheng Nianru felt the massage from those hands spreading relaxation from her waist, so comfortable that she closed her eyes.

Zheng Haoyuan wanted to speak but, upon seeing Zheng Nianru’s expression, he ultimately held his tongue and glanced at the eunuch on the floor. The eunuch immediately became terrified, his complexion pale, his kneeling body shimmering with a faint tremble.

The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of fruit and the refreshing scent of pastries—without any incense. The sunshine was blocked out by the fine bamboo curtain, a gentle breeze began to stir, and Zheng Nianru felt drowsy and ready to fall asleep.

Fu Dong, who came out carrying her painting supplies, saw this scene and lightened her steps. She quietly put her things down, casting an odd glance at Yin He, who continued his serious massage, and then lowered her head to occupy herself with other matters as if nothing unusual was happening.

Zheng Haoyuan instantly felt bored, reclining back on the couch. He glanced at Zheng Nianru, feigning sleep, and then at the eunuch Yin He, who was acting extremely tame and obedient.

Indeed, his cousin treated him as if he were a thing, the same as those eunuchs lying on the ground.

Thinking this way, he felt somewhat better inside.

Cang Er did not dare to offer advice. He waved away the palace maids standing before him, then had someone draw the curtains on both sides of the veranda, darkening the light even more. The occasional chirping of cicadas prompted Cang Er to immediately check on Wei Sheng.

Wei Hu promptly sent someone to find the annoying cicada.

Wei Hu was a recent addition to the Loyal Warriors of Wen Family; Yan Cheng, the leader of the Loyal Warriors, did not need to be on duty personally. He had brought Wei Hu before Zheng Haoyuan a while ago, and after a period, Zheng Haoyuan did not object to his presence.

So, Yan Cheng left Wei Hu there, assigning only two squads for him to command. The rest were taken back to the secret camp of the Loyal Warriors of Wen Family, to undergo rigorous training.

Wei Hu was even more different from Yan Cheng, having participated in the blood exchange at Chenhe Hall. Quicker, more ruthless, and accurate in his actions, without questioning reasons, his behavior garnered appreciation from Zheng Haoyuan.

Zheng Nianru gradually went from comfortably pretending to sleep to her body softening. Yin He slowly ceased his movements and gently supported her falling body. Fu Dong, somewhat nervous, wanted to step forward—the Commandery Princess was delicate, and waking her up with his clumsy touch at this moment would surely provoke her temper.

Although Yin He was not sure how to proceed and felt somewhat lost, the body in his hands was lighter than he expected. Through the layers of clothing, his palms could even trace the graceful curve of her waist.

Yin He slowly, following the movements of the waist’s owner, gently laid her down. Only when he felt the waist securely on the couch did he breathe a sigh of relief, realizing only then that his back was coated with a layer of fine sweat from the tension.

The eunuch fanning gently lessened his movements, and Zheng Haoyuan closed his eyes, turning over to sleep. Sleep, sleep; it was just as well since he hadn’t had a stable sleep the night before.

The eunuch quietly came over to offer a pounding massage, but Zheng Haoyuan kicked out, and the eunuch was silently knocked to the ground, crawling and not daring to move again.

...

Yin He felt he hadn’t done anything wrong. As a eunuch, this was his duty, but why, since the Commandery Princess woke up, even Fu Dong and Nian Xia’s group looked at him differently.

Even if Xing Yu said cryptically that he was not originally a eunuch.

But no matter what he originally was, now he was indeed a eunuch. Wasn’t he supposed to do what a eunuch should do?

Moreover, there were so many eunuchs around the Fourth Prince Zheng Haoyuan, yet the Commandery Princess only had him.

If it were said that the Commandery Princess disliked eunuch attendance, she did not seem particularly displeased when the Fourth Prince’s eunuchs approached her to serve. On the contrary...

Well, she seemed to like it very much.

Yin He didn’t understand where he went wrong. He had only done his duty, and furthermore, he had discovered that Qishun Building lacked such competent eunuchs, hence Fu Dong and Nian Xia’s hardship.

But ever since the Commandery Princess had awakened, Fu Dong and Nian Xia had joined forces, and they simply didn’t give him any opportunity to enter the room. Yin He couldn’t help but notice that they were angry.

Depressed, Yin He sat beside the small river in the garden, accompanied by a Little Eunuch from the outer court of Chenhe Hall.

The Little Eunuch was young, sitting on a floating bridge along the riverbank, idly stirring the water with a reed, creating ripples upon the surface.

"Hey, you don’t get it, do you? You’ve taken over their duties; no wonder they dislike you," the Little Eunuch stated matter-of-factly, cutting off Yin He’s words.

"What should I do then?" Yin He felt that the Little Eunuch made a lot of sense. These tasks had always been Sister Fu Dong’s responsibility. If it weren’t for the eunuchs by the Fourth Prince’s side making him feel worthless aside from just standing there, he wouldn’t have dared to take such a risk.

"What can you do? This is the inescapable fate of us servants—to vie for favor, to engage in intrigue. If you want to gain the master’s favor and make them like you, you have to act this way," the Little Eunuch sighed.

Yin He lowered his head, not wishing to have others speak out his thoughts.

The Little Eunuch heaved another long sigh, giving Yin He a sympathetic look, and patted him on the shoulder in a grown-up manner.

"We are all Little Eunuchs. It’s not easy to work our way up to a senior eunuch position. You must throw away your pride, shamelessly show your face before the master to get noticed, and gradually earn the master’s trust. It’s complicated. You must look after yourself, don’t get discouraged, and remember that gaining the master’s affection step by step is what’s most important."

Yin He nodded in agreement. Yes, he didn’t want to leave, nor did he wish to offend Fu Dong and the others.

Ah, indeed it was a complicated matter.

...

When Zheng Nianru visited the Crown Prince’s Mansion, it was rare to find Zheng Congyuan not buried in Memorials to the Throne or busy with endless imperial court affairs.

"Our Nanzheng State is suddenly enjoying fair weather and peace. Has this allowed you, the Crown Prince, to rule effortlessly with hands off?" Zheng Nianru asked, looking skeptically at Zheng Congyuan, who seemed a bit odd.

Such a demeanor in Zheng Congyuan wasn’t common; it meant he was preoccupied, that he had something on his mind.

"Tell me, what is it that I won’t like, but you have to do?" Zheng Nianru asked quizzically, circling around the desk, picking up a brush from the shelf, and pulling a piece of paper towards her to start doodling.

She hadn’t yet decided which Floral Design to choose for the fabric; her drawings always seemed to lack a certain natural essence and elegance.

Zheng Congyuan was slightly restless, unsure of his own feelings.

Reason told him that this was the best choice for Nian Ru, that this was the best outcome for her.

"Nian Ru, take a look at these," Zheng Congyuan said, pulling out several folded documents. Each document was neither too thin nor too thick, containing detailed background information, written work, and a very objective portrait.

"What’s this?" Without looking up, Nian Ru had already outlined several winding vines when Zheng Congyuan suddenly became irritable and grabbed the brush from her hand.

"Just take a look." He didn’t understand his own irritation—why he needed to know her opinion, what she could glean, when she didn’t care about poetry or letters and judged people entirely by mood.

Zheng Nianru turned her head with suspicion, not deliberately defiant, and picked up one of the documents. She flipped through a couple of pages, then picked up another and did the same, but by the time she reached for the third, she saw Zheng Congyuan’s face had already turned cold.

Zheng Nianru gave a slight smile and tossed the papers away carelessly.

"Why look at these? I’d rather look at you." Leaning on the desk edge, her waist gracefully tracing the contour of the table, she slowly inched closer to the man. Just before contact, when the man would normally reach out to stop her, she paused. Those bright, beautiful eyes gazed at Zheng Congyuan, tracing the contours that, even after so many years, still made her heart skip a beat.

Qi Ling set down the tea and refreshments and discreetly left the room without a word.

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