The Succession Struggle in the Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 26 Chengyu's Arrogance Leads to Beating of the Eunuch

Whether it was sheer stupidity or sheer greed, Eunuch Zhou actually accepted the silver notes right in front of Tu Chengyu.

Tu Chengyu sneered inwardly. He had originally planned to cause a little trouble on his way back to scare Eunuch Zhou and give the Crown Prince an explanation.

It seems that's not going to work now. If he doesn't teach this old guy a lesson today, who knows how arrogant this damned eunuch will become in the future.

Besides, the Crown Prince also said that he wasn't afraid of things getting out of hand, so what did Tu Chengyu have to worry about?

As he walked, Tu Chengyu pondered how to deal with Eunuch Zhou. Before he even left the Jia family residence, a brilliant idea had already formed in his mind.

He quietly beckoned the guards who were with him to come closer and whispered some instructions to them. The guards, having received their orders, slowly dispersed and acted according to Tu Chengyu's arrangements.

They followed behind Eunuch Zhou, returning to the Jia family's residence via the same route. The guards dispersed, subtly blending into the group of eunuchs accompanying Eunuch Zhou, intentionally separating them from him.

Although the eunuchs who were following them were very angry at being pushed aside, none of them dared to utter a sound when they saw Tu Chengyu staring at them menacingly from behind.

And so, as they left the Jia family mansion and Zhou the eunuch was about to reach his horse, only two junior eunuchs remained behind him.

Seeing this, Tu Chengyu gave a wink to the two guards following closely behind. The two nodded in agreement, exchanged a glance, and then worked together, each grabbing one of the eunuchs by the collar and pulling the two men behind them.

At this moment, Tu Chengyu hurried forward a few steps and walked behind Eunuch Zhou. Just as Eunuch Zhou turned around to check what had happened, Tu Chengyu aimed and kicked him in the back of the knee.

Caught completely off guard, Eunuch Zhou was kicked to his knees by Tu Chengyu. He lost his balance and fell forward, landing hard with bruises and a nearly knocked-out tooth.

Eunuch Zhou fell rather abruptly, landing right under the horses' feet, startling them so much that they jumped up. If these horses hadn't been well-trained in the palace and calmed down after only a couple of jumps, Eunuch Zhou might have ended up with several bumps on his head.

Tu Chengyu acted too quickly, and the eunuch following Zhou did not react in time. When he saw Zhou fall to the ground, he hurriedly tried to rush forward to help him up, but was blocked by the guards.

Later, the Jia family masters and servants also witnessed this unbelievable event. They couldn't understand why these people who came together to read the imperial edict had quarreled and fought amongst themselves. Could it be that they hadn't received their share of the silver?
Thinking of this possibility, Jia Lian was a little worried. If he didn't give the money properly and offended that fierce-looking child, it would be a loss that didn't outweigh the gain.

Tu Chengyu didn't care what these people thought. He looked at Eunuch Zhou, whose face was contorted with rage but who had to swallow his curses. He walked over leisurely, kicked Eunuch Zhou, who had just sat up, over again, and pulled out a stack of silver notes from Eunuch Zhou's sleeve.

After glancing at it briefly, Tu Chengyu was shocked to find that there were as many as two thousand taels of silver. He had to reassess Zhou the eunuch's greed and the Jia family's extravagance.

Eunuch Zhou hated Tu Chengyu to the core, but he could only try to resolve the situation. When he saw Tu Chengyu staring at the silver notes, he thought that this Prince Su liked silver and thought that his chance had come. So he said.
"Fifth Master, if you want money, just say so. Why make things difficult for me? If this isn't enough, I'll borrow some more and send it to you."

Tu Chengyu glanced at Eunuch Zhou with disdain, said nothing, turned to look at Jia Lian not far away, and beckoned him over.

Although Jia Lian still couldn't discern Tu Chengyu's identity, seeing how domineering this person acted, and how Eunuch Zhou dared not speak out after being beaten, made Jia Lian realize that this child was not to be trifled with.

So when Tu Chengyu waved, he didn't hesitate for a moment and walked over in a few steps.

Jia Lian, unsure how to address Tu Chengyu, cautiously asked, "Sir, is there something you wish to discuss with me?"

Tu Chengyu looked at Jia Lian and asked, "Did you give these silver notes to Eunuch Zhou?"

Jia Lian didn't know why Tu Chengyu asked this question, so he could only guess and reply, "Do you feel it's not enough? I'll go back and have the accountant give me some more."

Tu Chengyu stared speechlessly at Jia Lian, experiencing for the first time the feeling of being pelted with money. He said, "You've got some nerve!"

Jia Lian was puzzled by Tu Chengyu's words and looked somewhat flustered, unsure how to respond. Tu Chengyu pointed at Eunuch Zhou and asked, "Do you know who this person is?"

Jia Lian replied, "It is Chief Eunuch Zhou, who serves the Empress Dowager."

Tu Chengyu said, "Since you know he is the Grand Steward of the Palace, why did you still dare to give him silver notes?"

After listening, Jia Lian looked completely bewildered, as if to say, "Isn't it normal to give money to the palace eunuchs?"

Tu Chengyu, unaware of his confusion, continued, "You bribed Eunuch Zhou and talked closely with him along the way. Were you trying to spy on the inner palace, or did you want to hear about the royal family's secrets and strange tales?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian was startled. He dared not answer this question carelessly. As a member of the Jia family, although young, he knew the consequences of such a statement and quickly replied:

"My lord, I am innocent. Giving money to Steward Zhou at home is a normal act of filial piety. I would never dare to have any improper thoughts."

At this moment, Eunuch Zhou hurriedly stood up and explained, "Fifth Master, this servant only took some money, but did not spread even a single word about the palace."

Ignoring their explanations, Tu Chengyu said, "You two, one from a noble family and the other the chief steward of the palace, have actually been exchanging money privately. Can you say there's nothing shady going on between you?"

When Jia Lian and Zhou Tai heard this, they were speechless with grief.

These days, which eunuch going out of the palace on business doesn't accept money? Which noble family doesn't pay money to support their eunuchs? This is common practice, so why is this person so fixated on this matter?

Having no other choice, Jia Lian had to pull Tu Chengyu aside and quietly explain the hidden reasons behind it.

Upon hearing this, Tu Chengyu seemed to realize something and said with a sudden understanding, "I see."

Just as Jia Lian and Eunuch Zhou thought that the man had understood and were relieved, Tu Chengyu said, "Young Master Jia, you should take your family's silver notes back."

Jia Lian stared at the silver notes that had been forcibly shoved back into his hand, at a loss for words: "This...this..."

After handing over the silver notes, Tu Chengyu continued, "If you dare to give silver notes to the palace eunuchs again, I'll break your legs."

After saying this, Tu Chengyu called to his guards, mounted his horse, and rode away.

Jia Lian and Eunuch Zhou were left looking at each other in bewilderment.

For the first time, Jia Lian felt the silver notes in his hand were burning hot. He looked at Eunuch Zhou and said, "Chief Eunuch Zhou, these silver notes..."

Eunuch Zhou dared not accept these silver notes now, and said angrily, "You should keep your money for yourselves."

After saying this, he called to the eunuchs who were following him and left.

Jia Lian watched the two groups of people leave one after the other, and muttered to himself incredulously, "I've really seen something amazing today. The silver I gave to the eunuch was actually returned."

After saying that, he turned and ran home, wanting to hurry back to his family to get advice from the adults.

(End of this chapter)