Chapter 8

Upon returning to the Chu Wang Mansion, Zhao Yougong was urged by Su Ying to go to the ancestral hall. The hall was not very large, and in the misty atmosphere, a few memorial tablets could be vaguely seen. After lighting a stick of incense, Zhao Yougong half-heartedly bowed a few times, then rolled his eyes and huffed, "I've bowed, can this prince go back to rest now?"

Without waiting for Su Ying's response, Zhao Yougong had already stepped out of the ancestral hall. The spring rain had not stopped, and the corridor was splashed with many puddles. Su Ying did not leave; she stubbornly looked at the memorial tablets, and before long, her beautiful face was covered with tears. She had many things she wanted to confide, but there was no one to turn to. She bent her legs and knelt on the soft cushion, and with a pained head, she said, "Madame, I have let you down!"

Su Ying's heart was filled with self-reproach. After the old Chu Wang passed away, the young Jun Wang became increasingly unruly, to the point of not recognizing his ancestors. Su Ying felt she had not disciplined the young Jun Wang well enough. If she had done better, the young Jun Wang would not have become like this.

For a long time, Su Ying did not get up. The incense in the incense burner burned out, and she replaced it with a new one. Today was the old Chu Wang's memorial day, and the young Jun Wang, being so unruly, was not in the ancestral hall. Someone had to do these things on behalf of the young Jun Wang. In the vast Chu Wang Mansion, there were many maids and servants, but how many truly cared for the young Jun Wang?

Time passed quickly, and the spring rain became lighter. Zhao Yougong leaned against the wall, sighing deeply. If there was anyone he felt most guilty towards, it was Su Ying. Over the years, if it weren't for Su Ying's efforts, he might have already fallen apart. He cherished this woman who had been with him for over a decade, but there were some things he dared not tell her, because only in her ignorance could she remain truly genuine. Over the years, due to his unruly behavior, Su Ying's pain was evident, and others could see it too, especially his royal uncle, Emperor Zhezong.

Su Ying was still kneeling in the ancestral hall. Her frail body, in the weather after the spring rain, was like a solitary boat in the vast ocean. She needed a warm and strong embrace, but Zhao Yougong could not give it to her, at least not now.

The next day, the sun was bright, a stark contrast to the previous day's spring rain. After the rain, Bianliang City was even more refreshing, and everywhere exuded a vibrant vitality.

Zhao Yougong planned to go out for a walk, hoping to find something interesting. He had made a promise at the De Yue Lou, and if Li Shishi became the flower queen again this year, it would be a slap in the face for him, the young Jun Wang. Although the young Jun Wang had no face to begin with, as a foolish and extravagant young man, he had to do something about his words.

Before he could leave, Su Ying blocked him in the room. Her face was pale, and her eyes were dark, clearly indicating she had not slept well the night before. Zhao Yougong thought Su Ying was going to stop him again, so he raised his eyebrows and said coldly, "Su Ying, today is not the memorial day, are you going to restrict this prince from going out?"

"Jun Wang, I do not want to stop you, but the emperor has sent someone to deliver an edict. You must wait to receive the edict before going out!" Su Ying frowned deeply. She was really exhausted, sometimes wishing she could just sleep and never wake up, to avoid seeing this unruly Jun Wang. But how could she face the deceased Madame if she did that?

Although it was spring, the weather in Bianliang was not very warm, and Su Ying was dressed too thinly. Her clothes were from last spring. Seeing this, Zhao Yougong felt a bit uncomfortable. Su Ying's frugality was due to the Chu Wang Mansion's financial difficulties, which he, Zhao Yougong, had caused. Feeling guilty, he could not tell her the truth. He frowned and pinched Su Ying's blue sleeve, "When you have time, make some new clothes. Your sleeve color is fading, and it's embarrassing to wear it out, isn't it?"

Hearing Zhao Yougong's words, Su Ying felt as if she were in a dream. Was the young Jun Wang really concerned about her, or was it just for the sake of the Chu Wang Mansion's reputation? Su Ying stood dazed by the door, and Zhao Yougong had already slipped past her.

In the front hall, a small eunuch was sitting on a side seat drinking tea, and behind him stood two young girls in emerald palace attire. Although he was used to seeing beautiful women, Zhao Yougong was still surprised by these two girls.

Both girls were around fifteen or sixteen years old, and the most remarkable thing was that they were twin sisters. They slightly raised their heads, and their features were identical: delicate willow-leaf eyebrows, charming almond eyes, and small cherry lips with a light touch of red. Their emerald palace gowns had sleeves that revealed their delicate hands. If one were to hold their slender waists, it would be an indescribable feeling.

Seemingly sensing the unusual gaze in the hall, the twin sisters curiously looked at the unexpected visitor. They both stared intently, their black eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief and a touch of playfulness.

The man in the brocade robe had a handsome face and arched eyebrows, truly charming, but his gaze was too direct, revealing a hint of lewdness, and a trace of evil on his lips. A handsome young man, but unfortunately, he looked like a lecher. The girl on the left did not react, but the girl on the right huffed softly and pouted her lips, clearly disliking this handsome lecher.

Zhao Yougong composed himself, trying to calm down. He recognized this small eunuch, whose name was Guo Huairen. He was a confidant of the Grand Eunuch Yang Jian, just like Li Yan. Despite his young age, Guo Huairen was a person of influence.

"Grand Eunuch Guo, what wind has brought you here today?" Flattery never fails. Guo Huairen followed Yang Jian, wasn't it for the position of Grand Eunuch? Although Guo Huairen was now just a minor official, calling him Grand Eunuch was not wrong.

Sure enough, Guo Huairen's eyebrows twitched, and he chuckled. The difference between Grand Eunuch and official was significant. Zhao Yougong's flattery was evident, but Guo Huairen was happy with it. Where there are people, there is competition, and the palace was the cruelest place of all. Guo Huairen was loyal to Yang Jian, but he was still under Li Yan and Liang Shicheng, especially Li Yan, who, as an old hand in Yang Jian's inner circle, did not take others seriously. A soldier who does not want to be a general is not a good soldier, and in the palace, a eunuch who does not want to be the Grand Eunuch is not a good eunuch.

To become the Grand Eunuch, one needed external help. Relying solely on the emperor's favor was not enough. Although the Chu Wang Mansion was in ruins and Zhao Yougong was a complete waste, as long as he was willing to spend money, Guo Huairen did not need to refuse. He stood up and bowed, "This humble servant, Guo Huairen, greets the Yongning Jun Wang. Ha, the young Jun Wang is truly fortunate. A few days ago, the emperor selected a batch of concubines, and he thought of you, so he had Grand Eunuch Yang pick two for you!"

After saying this, Guo Huairen lightly waved his duster and scolded the twin sisters, "You two, who don't know your place, come and greet the young Jun Wang!"

Frightened by Guo Huairen's scolding, the two girls quickly bowed, "This servant, Mu Chun and Mu Xue, greets the Jun Wang, may the Jun Wang be blessed!"

Zhao Yougong smiled happily. Getting a pair of beautiful twin sisters without any effort, how could he not be pleased? His face was beaming, and his hands trembled, unsure of whom to touch first. However, he was not truly happy. Would Emperor Zhezong send him two concubines out of kindness? Probably not; sending beauties was a cover, and the real intention was to closely monitor him, Zhao Yougong.

"Mu Chun and Mu Xue? Good names, good names, ha ha ha... Grand Eunuch Guo, you are truly this prince's lucky star!" As he spoke, Zhao Yougong fumbled in his chest and handed several banknotes to Guo Huairen. Guo Huairen lightly counted them and put them away, "Ha ha, the Jun Wang is too kind. Now that the emperor's task is completed, this humble servant must return to report."

"Grand Eunuch Guo, please walk slowly. When you return, tell the emperor that this prince will personally thank him in a few days!"

Zhao Yougong felt it necessary to thank Emperor Zhezong in person. Regardless of his intentions, to give away two beautiful women was not easy, as Emperor Zhezong himself was a lover of women, often frequenting the De Yue Lou. As he watched Guo Huairen leave, a cold smile rose in his heart. What a good uncle! If he did not treat Mu Chun and Mu Xue well, he would be letting down Emperor Zhezong's kindness.

A cool breeze blew through the courtyard. Su Ying, fearing that Zhao Yougong would cause trouble, hurried to the front hall. Just as she stepped out of the corridor, she stopped at the moon gate. Beside a few pomegranate trees, two maids in green dresses were whispering. Seeing their giggling, Su Ying coughed uncomfortably, "What are you two talking about?"

"Ah!" The two maids, seeing it was the mansion's manager, Su Ying, quickly reined in their smiles, "Manager Su, the emperor sent someone to deliver two maids to our young Jun Wang."

"Hmm?" Su Ying frowned. Over the years, the emperor had never sent women to the Chu Wang Mansion. For a moment, Su Ying did not know whether to be happy or angry. She could not refuse the emperor's gift, even if she wanted to.

"Alright, go back to work. The emperor's matters are not for you to gossip about."

The two maids mumbled and left. Once out of Su Ying's sight, they pouted, "What a pain, if it weren't for the wages, who would want to be a servant in the Chu Wang Mansion?"

The servants did not think too much. They only knew that their young Jun Wang was a useless waste, and they were often mocked by servants from other mansions. Over time, the servants of the Chu Wang Mansion lost their respect for the Yongning Jun Wang.

Su Ying knew the thoughts of the servants, but she could do nothing about it. Who could blame the young master for being so unambitious?

Having received a pair of twin sisters, Zhao Yougong did not want to leave the mansion. Seeing Su Ying approach, he called out impatiently, "Quickly, clean up a side room and let them stay there."

"Side room? Jun Wang, that is for..." Su Ying wanted to say that the side room was for concubines, but Zhao Yougong did not let her finish, "This prince says who stays there, and who stays there. Do you think my words are not effective in this mansion?"

Su Ying was really angry, but what could she do? The young Jun Wang had always been like this, acting on a whim.

The sun shone through the window, and Zhao Yougong walked out, looking at the flowers in the courtyard and chuckling. In the palace, the emperor was copying a calligraphy scroll, but his mind was not on the scroll.

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