Divorced woman with child travels through time

"Eunuch Wan! Little Eunuch Wan died so tragically!" Xi Lu cried, tears streaming down her face, running over like a little beggar.

"Oh dear, don't even mention it!" The thought of Eunuch Wan brought tears to his eyes. Wan Changlu had practically grown up with him since childhood, but as he grew older, he couldn't stay in the palace any longer and wanted to be transferred to a post outside the palace. So, Eunuch Wan found him an official position and sent him a lot of money every year. It's such a pity that he died like this.

"Tell me the details~ What exactly happened?" Although Eunuch Wan had received Xi Lu's letter, he still didn't understand why Wang Erniu was so determined to kill him. Even if he had embezzled some money, it didn't warrant the death penalty, did it? And with such a powerful backer, shouldn't he at least show some respect for Buddha? He didn't understand.

Xilu wiped away her tears and sat down, carefully recounting the whole story to him.

"Isn't this ridiculous? Kidnapping someone?" Eunuch Wan was furious, his beard bristling. "He even caused someone's death! No wonder people won't let him go. What a tragedy! Why don't they just throw money at him? Is there anyone who doesn't care about money?"

“That’s true. Take Eunuch Wan for example, he’s been offering a lot of money to Yu Lang, but he’s not willing to do it, let alone want to take a liking to General Wang.” Xi Lu said with a bitter face, her voice getting softer and softer.

"Who? Who are you talking about? He dares to take a fancy to General Wang? This is outrageous!" Eunuch Wan slammed his fist on the table. "He deserves it!"

"Actually, it's not his fault. He originally had his eye on that Yu Lang. He invited him to the inn that day, but unexpectedly took a liking to General Wang. In fact, Eunuch Wan didn't do anything to General Wang. He just wanted to get close to him, and that's when he was arrested." Xi Lu was still thinking about Wan Changlu's miserable state in prison, and couldn't help but defend him.

"Hmph, although my godson is a bit of a scoundrel, he doesn't deserve to die. I can't handle General Wang. Who is this Yu Lang?" Eunuch Wan seemed to have heard of this Yu Lang somewhere.

"Yu Lang's surname is Yu, and his given name is Long. He was originally a student from Quanzhou City. I heard that the government had held a special imperial examination this year, so I came to the capital to take the exam. As soon as I got out of prison, I rushed to the capital."

"Oh my! It's him!" Eunuch Wan slapped his thigh. Isn't this the third-ranked scholar that Princess Anning mentioned?

Yesterday, Princess Anning came to see the Emperor to strengthen their relationship. She brought up the topic of the higher-ups, though she didn't say it explicitly. It was obvious that she was afraid of missing out on the chance to win the top scholar position. She even brought up the story of how she and the Emperor sneaked out to play when they were children and got into a fight.

He only just learned that although the Emperor and the Princess were of the same generation, there were seven or eight princes and princesses between them. So when the Emperor was a child, he was about the same age as the Princess. They would often run into each other while walking the cat and dog. The Emperor was thin and not favored, while the Princess was the eldest sister since childhood and had saved him from fighting several times.

Moreover, the eldest princess married down. After marrying Duke Wen of Cao Xiangru, she did not have children for three years. Later, after Duke Wen of Cao took a concubine, she became pregnant with a son, Cao Jun, which was considered lucky. After the concubine gave birth to a son, Cao Cheng, she became pregnant with Princess Anning. She defied public opinion and took the surname Zhao, thus gaining the favor of the emperor.

"What's wrong with him?" Xilu exclaimed in surprise.

"He's currently a third-ranked scholar! And he's very likely to marry a princess! Don't cause him any trouble, you better watch out." Eunuch Wan's attitude made a complete 180-degree turn, his face revealing a fierce expression. Although he was living a somewhat humble life now, he still had everything he wanted. If Wan Changlu was gone, so be it. But those masters were not people he could afford to offend.

Xi Lu's eyes changed slightly, and she said pitifully, "Then what should we do? Did Eunuch Wan die in vain? He was your godson! Who will take care of you in your old age and see you off in your final days?"

Eunuch Wan composed himself, took his hand, and smiled kindly, "I will get an explanation for him, so don't worry. Since you've gone through so much and done so much for him, you can stay by my side in his place from now on. I won't treat you unfairly."

Xi Lu nodded silently and knelt down to kowtow.

"Eunuch Wan, the Emperor is calling for you!" a young eunuch reported.

"Sigh, I'll go right now. The Emperor is really something, he's such a grown man, yet he can't be without someone by his side." Eunuch Wan smugly mocked, then happily walked away.

Xi Lu raised his head, smiled coldly, and thought to himself, "These little eunuchs are truly pathetic. According to the account book Wan Changlu left him, he had amassed at least hundreds of thousands of taels of silver for this eunuch, yet in the end, he died such a miserable death, unable even to take revenge."

He sat there on the ground for a long time, until the setting sun shone through, casting light on his face, one side dark and the other bright...

The next day.

An extravagantly luxurious carriage, exuding a fragrant aroma, pulled up in front of the inn, attracting attention.

Princess Anning alighted from the carriage with the same elegance, but this time, Wang Feng was there to greet her at the door.

"Well? Is your master ready?" Princess Anning's melodious voice rang out, and the inn became so quiet that even breathing seemed to slow down.

"He'll be down soon. He was going to wait for the princess here, but there were just too many onlookers, so he had to go upstairs to wait."

"Yes." Princess Anning nodded slightly, understanding his meaning. When she returned yesterday, the inn was blocked for several hours, and she had arranged for many people to disperse the crowd.

A noise is heard.

"Princess!" Yu Long opened the door with a smile, causing a stir downstairs.

"Yes." Princess Anning was only wearing a veil today, and as their eyes met, their feelings deepened.

Yu Long blushed slightly, but immediately regained her serious expression and went downstairs.

"There are so many people!" Princess Anning blushed as well, trying to make conversation.

"Yes." Yu Long's tone rose slightly; she was in a good mood with someone by her side.

The two boarded the carriage one after the other. Princess Anning ushered him out, removed her veil, and glanced at him.

Yu Long looked back, and the two of them simultaneously looked away, somewhat awkwardly. It seemed that something had secretly changed.

"Hmm~ Hmm!" Princess Anning cleared her throat and said, "When we get to the Prince's mansion, just follow me. He knows you're one of my people, so he won't dare to do anything to you."

Upon hearing the line "You are mine," Yu Long's entire face turned red, and even the roots of her ears burned red.

"I understand," Yu Long replied softly, glancing casually out the window. Wang Feng and the others were riding alongside the horses.

Princess Anning smiled and followed his gaze.

"Your guards are all very protective of you; they seem very loyal."

“They are not my guards, they are my brothers.” Yu Long turned to look at her and said gently but firmly, “I was born into a poor family. If General Wang had not saved me from dire straits and sent them to take care of me along the way, I would not have been able to reach the capital, nor would I have been able to pass the imperial examination! I would not have been able to meet the princess.”

Princess Anning was taken aback, then smiled and nodded, saying that he was a rare gentleman who knew how to repay kindness.

"Don't worry, I will treat them well too."

Yu Long was even more pleased to see that she did not show any disdain.