The Eunuch's Declaration of Loyalty

Chapter 48

Liu Qingtang waited at Cining Palace for her nephew, the Emperor, to question the Imperial Household Department about their handling of the matter. However, he didn't come by evening, and she couldn't help but sigh that she had underestimated her nephew; he was truly composed.

The next morning at court, Liu Qingtang brought up the matter, ordering the list of crimes committed by some officials of the Imperial Household Department for causing trouble outside the palace and accepting bribes to be read out one by one. Finally, he made the decision that all guilty servants within the palace would be handed over to the palace prison for punishment, thus openly stripping the Imperial Household Department of some of its power. Even then, Liu Qingtang didn't see any unusual expression on the emperor's face.

If something is too normal, then it's abnormal. He's the emperor; how could he be indifferent to her power-grabbing behavior? He simply calmly understands that he needs to be patient at this time.

Liu Qingtang felt that she had been stupid in her past life. Why couldn't she see that he was a capable person? She always thought that he was naive and needed protection. She worried day and night about whether he could handle the burden of national affairs.

The feeling of being deceived is truly unpleasant. Even though she had spent more than a decade in the harem in her previous life, which had almost worn away the original sharp edges of the Liu family's young lady, Liu Qingtang, upon being reborn and returning to the present, her long-dormant bad habits showed signs of resurfacing.

Fifteen-year-old Liu Qingtang was a lively, cheerful, and straightforward girl who hated evil. Her current body was nearly twenty-one, and she felt like she was growing back. In her previous life, she felt her teenage years weren't good, but now she felt that was when she lived the most authentic life. Perhaps in a few years, her mindset and behavior would revert to that of fifteen-year-old Liu Qingtang.

When the court session ended, Liu Qingtang inadvertently saw Wei Zheng shamelessly chasing after his father-in-law, Minister Wu, saying something that made Minister Wu glare and bristle. Liu Qingtang couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

Wei Zheng always manages to anger his future father-in-law no matter what he says. However, since Minister Wu dotes on his daughter, even if Wei Zheng is good at talking, he probably won't give him a pleasant look. Being eloquent is seen as glib and unreliable, while being inarticulate is seen as dull, rigid, and ignorant.

Every time she went to court, she would see Minister Wu's disdainful look and Wei Zheng's inability to please him, which was quite amusing. Liu Qingtang felt a mixture of schadenfreude and relief for Wei Zheng, as he and Miss Wu were getting married in July, and the two would finally be able to be together.

With a quick glance, Liu Qingtang saw her brother looking at her from afar, and even waving at her. She instinctively glared at him. He had indeed entered the Ministry of Revenue and become friends with the third-ranked scholar, Jing Chuyan, but if Liu Qingtang had any complaints about him, it was that he hadn't found her a sister-in-law.

Perhaps the fact that the Liu family line ended in her previous life has traumatized her, and now she desperately wants to see the next generation of the Liu family born. Perhaps only the new life can calm her inexplicable anxiety.

Liu Qingtang subconsciously forgot about Xiao Huaixu, who had Liu family blood. Perhaps in her heart, this was no longer the little nephew for whom she had strived to be strong.

Her father had been a bachelor ever since her mother died, showing no intention of remarrying. He had no concubines, so there was no hope that he would be old enough to give her another brother or sister. Given her status, she couldn't have children, and Qin Shu couldn't either... Come to think of it, if she could, she might actually disregard her status and have a child with Qin Shu.

In short, they had no choice but to rely on her brother. But her brother, despite his advanced age, still couldn't find someone he liked. Yet he had the nerve to grin at her all the time, making her look like she deserved to be bullied!

Just a few days ago, her father claimed to be ill and stopped attending court, saying he was preparing for war a year from now. He spent his days at home exercising and teaching his newly accepted, highly talented apprentice, Xi Lan. Liu Qingtang understood that her father didn't want to see his daughter and grandson being outwardly harmonious but inwardly at odds, so he simply chose to avoid seeing them.

She could only see her family when she went to court, and all she could see was her brother. She couldn't help but glare at him, thinking that at her age, he still wouldn't let her settle down and start a family.

Just as she finished reminiscing about her brother and returned to Cixi Palace, Liu Qingtang received a reply from Yang Sushu.

"I'm worried about him, I need to take care of him... Should we postpone our discussion?" Liu Qingtang revealed a knowing look. Su Shu really did have some feelings for Xiao Huaiyu. It was good that there was that trend; she was just afraid that Su Shu would remain indifferent and unimpressed as before. Xiao Huaiyu was foolish, but at least Su Shu would have someone by her side now.

Regarding the matter that Su Shu mentioned postponing the discussion, she suggested yesterday that Su Shu resume her original identity as Miss Yang Su Jin, and rightfully marry Prince Chun as Princess Chun. She could then continue to present herself as Yang Su Shu in public. To the outside world, they could simply say that Yang Su Jin didn't die young, but rather returned to her hometown of Luyang due to poor health, and was now being brought back for marriage.

Anyway, no one would pay special attention to a young lady from a royal physician's family from many years ago. The pampered young lady who couldn't meet outsiders and the clueless prince were conveniently spared from being disturbed, and there was less interaction between them, which was probably the most suitable for Su Shu.

Liu Qingtang stroked her chin and thought for a while, feeling that Su Shu's situation made sense, and the more she thought about it, the more suitable it seemed. She had worried about her friend's marriage for so many years, both in her past and present lives, and it was finally about to be resolved, which made her feel relieved. Her friend's tragedy in her past life was a knot in Liu Qingtang's heart; if they could find happiness and live well this time, that knot would be untied.

As time passed, Liu Qingtang increasingly felt that this reborn life wasn't for her to dwell on hatred; its most important purpose was to resolve those regrets. Although she still harbored hatred in her heart, it was no longer just hatred. She also had people she couldn't let down, people she cared about, loved, and wanted to make amends to and accompany.

The death of Consort Lien came to an end with a funeral that, at least outwardly, appeared to be quite grand.

Those who attended the funeral with somber expressions were not truly grieving. The only ones who were genuinely saddened were Yang Sushu, who had spent some time with Consort Lian, and Xiao Huaiyu, who was considered a fool by the world and knew nothing.

Yang Sushu had been helping out at the Prince Chun's residence these past few days. She witnessed the passing of Consort Lian, who, before her death, pleaded with her to take better care of her son, like countless mothers who love their children and are always worried about them. Consort Lian disregarded the fact that Yang Sushu was not actually related to them, and disregarded the abruptness of her request. She ultimately passed away with unconcealed deep worry and reluctance.

After Consort Lian closed her eyes, Xiao Huaiyu held her hand, stunned, and remained motionless for a long time. Yang Sushu gently touched his shoulder, only to see his gaze fixed on Consort Lian's face. Suddenly, tears welled up in his clear eyes, rolling down his cheeks like beads. His face remained expressionless, and his crying was silent, but just looking at his eyes was heartbreaking; the sorrow within them was so intense it seemed to overflow. The contrast between that profound pain and the blankness on his face was all the more shocking.

Everyone thought this foolish prince knew nothing, couldn't speak, and rarely even made any "ah" sounds; he just stared blankly. He was indeed slow to react to many things, but Yang Sushu felt he was more sentimental than many others. If one observed and understood him carefully, one would know that beneath his dull exterior lay a pure and innocent heart. He might not know how to express his feelings, but he wasn't without emotions.

Yang Sushu always remembered the way Xiao Huaiyu held the medicine she had prepared for him and handed it to Consort Lian at her sickbed.

Yang Sushu didn't know how to comfort the stunned and tearful Xiao Huaiyu, so she could only sit beside him. When it was time for Consort Lian to be placed in the coffin, Yang Sushu was worried about how to get Xiao Huaiyu to let go of Consort Lian's hand, but she saw him seem to understand and gently release that already cold hand himself. Then he stood there, guarding the coffin, as if he had become a bodhisattva in a temple—nothing but an empty shell.

It wasn't until the day of Consort Lian's burial that everyone dispersed. Yang Sushu was worried about Xiao Huaiyu, so she followed him. Then she watched him silently return to the Prince Chun's residence, and as every day before, she stood at the door looking at the bed where Consort Lian slept, as if there still lay there, looking haggard but gently beckoning to him.

He stood there for a long time, as if he had forgotten the time, or had turned into a stone.

Not far away, Yang Sushu turned her gaze away from Xiao Huaiyu's back and looked at the stars that were gradually appearing in the sky, revealing a bitter smile of resignation. Then, she walked to Xiao Huaiyu's side, took his hand, and, just as Consort Lian had done in the past, pressed her forehead against his.

"Huaiyu, the Dowager Consort asked me to take care of you, and I have agreed. I will take good care of you in the future."

For the past few days, Yang Sushu had been addressing him as His Highness Prince Chun. Although they had spent a lot of time together, they weren't particularly close. But at this moment, she took the initiative to approach him and uttered words that were tantamount to a vow to her.

There's always an instinct to seek advantage and avoid harm. The reason we deliberately try to keep our distance is probably because we're afraid that one day we might actually leave. But sometimes, and in some things, we can't control what we want to do.

"Huaiyu, don't worry the Dowager. Take good care of yourself and come home, okay?" Yang Sushu looked earnestly into Xiao Huaiyu's eyes and spoke slowly. After waiting for a long time... or maybe just a moment, she held his hand and felt a slight tightening of his grip.

Yang Sushu took Xiao Huaiyu's hand and led him back to the Yang family.

The next day, Liu Qingtang received a letter from Yang Sushu.

"Haha~ Su Shu figured it out so quickly~" Liu Qingtang laughed happily while holding the letter, and pounced on Qin Shu's back, pressing him down so that he was using a small hammer to crack nuts for her.

"Qin Shu, Qin Shu, I'm so happy right now~" Liu Qingtang rested her face on Qin Shu's shoulder, wrapped her arms around his neck, and laughed heartily. Her best friend, the friend she worried about the most, had finally accepted one of them. How could she not be happy for her?

Seeing her like this, Qin Shu felt his heart soften completely. He hummed in agreement and stared at her intently, unable to look away.

"If you look again, we'll kiss!"

No sooner had Liu Qingtang finished speaking than Qin Shu, with lightning speed, kissed her cheek, which revealed her dimples as she smiled, then immediately turned away, pretending to be nonchalant as he continued cracking nuts. And then… he smashed his own hand.

Author's Note: A truly lazy person threw a landmine.

Canghai Yueming threw a landmine x3

Ada threw a landmine

The Ming Dynasty threw a landmine x3

The spoon threw a landmine

You Jinyu threw a landmine x9

You Jinyu threw a grenade

Halfway through, Chuan threw two landmines.

Uncle Lou threw a landmine

Coco then threw two landmines.

[A lot of new girls have appeared, but I've already run out of thank-you quotes. What should I do? I'll just put together a few lines anyway, but is it really appropriate to just throw something together? Saying thank you and throwing bombs every day is too boring, but if I don't say anything, what should I say? Long and complicated quotes are tedious to read. So this should be fine. Hey, no girl will seriously read this sentence, right? Anyway, it's meaningless. No way, you actually read it all? I didn't even use punctuation. Can you understand it? You're really good at punctuation, hahaha. That's right, I didn't take my meds today. I feel great~]