Yin Xun found himself somewhat dazed. On one hand, he wondered why she was so concerned for him; on the other, he suspected that she might have discovered his true intentions and was merely putting on a show.
Yin Xun could not find the answer. He could not read her at all.
However, his illness today was certainly not feigned. He had stepped out last night and had likely caught a chill. Furthermore, there were indeed some matters that needed to be put on the agenda.
A Ruo watched his master, who was lost in his own thoughts. He privately reflected that his master, such a gentle soul, must not be beguiled by the seemingly kind Fourth Miss Jiang. Gritting his teeth, he poured out everything he had recently heard: how she frequented brothels, tossed gold about as if it were nothing, and kept company with both men and women!
Yin Xun seemed stunned for a moment. It took him a long time to look at A Ruo with a troubled expression. "Say no more."
...
Perhaps influenced by his master's honesty, A Ruo noticed that Yin Xun had become increasingly silent of late. He would often sit at the table for an entire day, staring at the paper before him without writing a single word.
A Ruo began to regret his words. "His Highness has never met many people willing to treat him well. Fourth Miss Jiang has saved him time and again; it is only natural for His Highness to have grown fond of her... yet I have..." He had shattered the admiration of such a pitiable master. "I am truly wretched."
A Ruo silently gave himself a slap. After thinking for a long while, he delivered another.
Inside the palace hall, Yin Xun finally set his brush down. He folded the letter and sealed it, then produced a dagger from somewhere, carefully hiding it in his sleeve.
The deep palace at night was like a hungry demon, its maw forever open, swallowing the offerings of the nobility without ever being sated.
A Ruo carried a lantern, walking the stone path with practiced ease. Passing through several main gates, he entered a courtyard and lowered his voice to meet his contact.
It was a sharp-featured, hook-nosed little eunuch with drooping eyelids, who didn't even bother to look him in the eye. Seeing A Ruo arrive, a sneering smile appeared on his face. "Oh, isn't this the favorite in front of the Seventh Prince? How touching, that you still remember us!"
The flame in the paper lantern flickered. A Ruo, unable to withstand the cold, huddled in the shadows. Soon, however, his tone turned ingratiating. "How could I ever forget you, Gonggong? That I have managed to survive in the Cold Palace until now is all thanks to your care."
"As for the items from these past few days, I have troubled you once more..." The youth ingratiatingly pressed a small silver ingot into the man's palm. His back was slightly hunched, but his eyes remained fixed on the eunuch, not wanting to miss a single change in his expression.
As expected, he saw the man sneer. "I hear the Seventh Prince has received quite a few benefits from Fourth Miss Jiang. You try to fob me off with this little bit? You take me too cheaply." Despite his words, the silver was already tucked into his sleeve. Only his shrewd, cloudy eyes remained exposed, filled with obvious greed.
A Ruo’s body trembled even more violently. But this time, he did not back away; he merely clenched his fists and lowered his head.
When the little eunuch waited a long time for more and still received nothing, he grew annoyed. He reached out to pinch A Ruo, not forgetting to hiss and curse, "What? Has your master climbed to the top of a branch, and you want to follow him and enjoy the good life? Hah! Don't forget whose side you're on! If your master knew what you've been doing all these years, would he still keep you around?"
A Ruo instinctively wanted to dodge, but forced himself to stand still.
As the pain landed on him, the paper lantern caught fire. The bright flame surged, leaping onto the eunuch in an instant. The little eunuch didn't notice at first, until he felt the burning on his legs. He cursed his bad luck and scrambled to swat at the fire climbing up his body.
But the fire grew larger, and his flailing seemed only to provide a ladder for the flames, spreading the brightness everywhere. It grew so large that the unbearable heat scorched his skin. Just as he opened his thin throat to scream, the person before him finally dropped the lantern handle and the oil bottle. With his hand hidden in his sleeve, he lunged forward.
The white blade went in, and the red blade came out.
"Didn't you ask me if I would keep him around? Let me tell you: I will."
The youth looked up. His face was finally clear under the glare of the fire—no longer the soft, easily bullied servant, but a thinner, colder countenance. The grayish-blue circles under his eyes, filled with an indelible sickness, made him look like a demon from the underworld.
Yin Xun looked at the look of disbelief on the man's face and finally allowed a trace of pity to touch his lips. He said, "Thank you, Gonggong, for your care over the years."
...
At Yin Xun's request, A Ruo used the silver to seek out an elder palace matron.
"I will be leaving the palace with my master in a few days. I have a younger brother at home, and I want to send some money for him to buy food and clothing. I ask for your help, Matron." A Ruo handed her the letter along with a small piece of silver as payment.
The matron accepted it with a look of distaste but said nothing, merely waving her hand to signify she understood. A Ruo withdrew.
Once he had completely vanished from sight, the matron raised an eyebrow and opened the letter. Confirming it was indeed about returning home, she felt relieved. She pocketed most of the money from the envelope and muttered under her breath.
"Tsk, a pauper."
A Ruo, hiding around the corner, knew the deed was done. He finally let out a sigh of relief and ran back, holding up his robes.
But before he reached the palace gate, he saw someone else leaning against the wall, hunched over and struggling to walk inside, coughing as if he wanted to cough his very lungs out.
A Ruo was startled and rushed forward to support him. "Your Highness, why are you here?"
"The imperial physician said you caught a chill these past few days and shouldn't be out in the wind!"
"Wait, Your Highness, why are you wearing my clothes..."
Chattering away, the two supported each other into the courtyard. The palace lights burned as usual, yet something seemed to be changing quietly.
The next day, A Ruo finally heard the strange news. He sat opposite Yin Xun with the meal provided by the palace maids, his expression a mixture of relief and fear.
"Your Highness, do you think there are ghosts in this world?"
Yin Xun coughed a few times, as if he didn't want to hear it. "Why the sudden question?"
A Ruo lowered his voice. "Well, I went to fetch your clothes today, and the palace maids passing by were saying a fire broke out for no reason in a servant's quarters last night. A eunuch died in the flames—the one who used to provide our food."
"He usually waited for me in the corridor, but I didn't go last night. He ended up burned to death on the spot, without even a struggle."
"Everyone in the palace is saying he offended the spirits and was struck down by divine fire!" As he spoke, his body trembled.
"So, are you afraid?" Yin Xun paused with his chopsticks.
A Ruo nodded, but a second later, he scratched his head sheepishly. "At first, a little... but to be honest, I think it's a good thing. I was worried that my ruse of pretending to side with him to get food would be discovered."
A Ruo looked quite embarrassed. Then, as if remembering something, he hurried outside.
When he returned, he was holding a simple wooden box. Upon opening it, one could see several new garments inside, the fabric of which looked quite luxurious.
"These are spring clothes sent by the maid from the Fourth Miss's side. The material is a bit thicker, and there is a cloak underneath... The weather hasn't warmed up yet, and it isn't proper for you to keep wearing my clothes when you go out."
"It doesn't matter what others think, but you must not let the Fourth Miss see. She hates losing face the most!"
Yin Xun gave a soft grunt of acknowledgment. His gaze remained somewhat vacant, as if unfocused, resting subconsciously on the empty air.
Hates... it?