When Zhong Li found Ying Zheng, his tone was deliberately animated: "Your Highness, Her Majesty the Empress has ordered this servant to attend to Prince Huan. Starting tomorrow, I will no longer serve in this secluded courtyard."
Ying Zheng looked up, his voice laced with sarcasm: "Prince Huan's estate is quite the opportunity. It seems the Empress holds you in high regard."
Zhong Li's heart clenched—the moment Ying Zheng had glanced up, he thought he'd caught a flicker of killing intent. But when he looked closer, those eyes held nothing but "genuine happiness" for him. Remembering Ying Zheng's usual struggle to secure even one meal a day, he hesitated, then ventured carefully: "Your Highness, could it be… you don't want me to leave? Are you worried that once I'm gone, you won't get warm meals anymore?"
"How dare you say such a thing!" Ying Zheng's eyes widened instantly, his tone furious. "Do you take me for someone who cares only about filling his stomach?"
Seeing his anger, Zhong Li smiled and took two steps back: "Your Highness, just be patient. In half a month, Prince Huan will be married. Surely there will be good food to enjoy then."
Ying Zheng's expression visibly dimmed. He laughed at himself bitterly: "How would I ever be invited to such an event?"
Zhong Li sighed, his voice firm: "This servant promises you—you will attend."
"We shall see," Ying Zheng said, offering nothing more.
Seeing him like this, Zhong Li felt a pang in his heart. When he'd read about him in the book, he'd seemed like a bloodthirsty tyrant. But up close, he was just a helpless young man—a small, lonely figure in a palace full of dangers. Even his basic wariness was buried deep; if someone tried to harm him, he might even accept it foolishly.
"Your Highness, you must not trust anyone,"Zhong Li couldn't help urging him. "After I leave, if you lower your guard and believe the wrong person, who knows what might happen?"
Ying Zheng lowered his gaze. The words reminded him of the woman in the cold palace that morning—she had said the same thing. His response had been to break her neck. He lifted his eyes to Zhong Li's slender throat, a flash of amusement passing through his gaze before it stilled again. "Don't worry. I won't."
Zhong Li relaxed slightly. Not caring that the ground was dirty, he sat down right there and smiled at Ying Zheng. Ying Zheng's ears reddened under his gaze; he hurriedly looked away, staring silently beyond the courtyard.
That afternoon, Zhong Li returned to his quarters. The thought of going to Prince Huan's estate as a "spy" gave him a headache—the book hadn't mentioned the original owner being controlled by the crown prince. Originally, he had won the Virtuous Consort's favor, entered the Academy of Learning, became ambitious, and only then became a pawn used to control the emperor. He pondered and decided he must bring Xia Zhi along. The boy was loyal and could be his ally.
By evening, Xia Zhi finished his work and pushed the door open. Seeing Zhong Li waiting by the table, he rushed over: "Brother Zhong! Have you eaten? Were you waiting for me all day?"
"Sit," Zhong Li gestured to a chair nearby, then handed him a cup of warm water. He studied Xia Zhi carefully.
Xia Zhi blushed under his gaze, fidgeting with his clothes: "Brother Zhong, is there something on my face? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Zhong Li looked away and smiled: "Xia Zhi, do you like sweeping and cleaning?"
"What does it matter whether I like it or not? Servants like us don't get to choose," Xia Zhi replied bluntly.
Zhong Li nodded—this wasn't the modern world; you couldn't just quit if you didn't like your job. He softened his tone: "I've been transferred to Prince Huan's residence."
Xia Zhi shrieked and threw his arms around him: "Amazing! Brother Zhong, congratulations on your promotion!"
"Will you come with me?" Zhong Li patted his shoulder.
"Me?" Xia Zhi let go, pointing at himself, his eyes wide with disbelief.
He didn't respond for a long time, just stared blankly into space. Zhongli deliberately sighed, sounding disappointed: "It's alright if you don't want to. I'll go alone. I won't know anyone there… who knows, I might not last more than a few days. In the end, they'll probably toss my body into some unmarked grave…"
He lowered his head and rubbed his eyes, pretending to choke up.
"Don't say such things!" Xia Zhi suddenly covered Zhong Li's mouth, his tone uncharacteristically stern. "Life and death—that's bad luck!"
Zhong Li quickly nodded, signaling for him to let go.
"Brother Zhong, I'll go with you!" Xia Zhi said firmly.
"I knew you would," Zhong Li beamed.
Xia Zhi curled up in his chair, his voice somber: "Brother Zhong, you're the kindest person I've ever known. My mother died giving birth to me. My father called me a curse; my grandparents said I had a fate too harsh to bear. Then when the palace was recruiting eunuchs, they sold me for five taels of silver."
Zhong Li walked over in silence and hugged the trembling Xia Zhi. "It's all in the past," he repeated. "I'm here now. Don't be afraid."
"When I was castrated, I almost died," Xia Zhi continued. "It hurt so much I couldn't get out of bed, but I had to force myself to stretch my legs and back—I was afraid I'd become hunchbacked. Later, because of my looks, an old eunuch almost assaulted me… It was you, Brother Zhong, who saved me. You're like a second parent to me."
Zhong Li's heart ached. Holding him, he whispered: "I'm sorry."
"Brother Zhong, why are you apologizing?" Xia Zhi asked, confused.
Zhong Li didn't explain—he was apologizing on behalf of the original owner, the one who had used Xia Zhi as a bargaining chip. He patted Xia Zhi's back: "Don't just listen to my words. Watch what I do from now on. I'll protect you properly."
Xia Zhi, gloomy all evening, finally broke into a tearful smile: "Okay."