The next morning, Zhong Li brought Xia Zhi to kowtow before the Empress. After receiving the exit token, the two walked openly out of the palace gates.
"Brother Zhong, I haven't been outside since I entered the palace," Xia Zhi whispered, his eyes wide with wonder at the street scenes beyond the walls.
Zhong Li listened to the street vendors' calls, children's laughter, and the rumble of carriage wheels, feeling strangely dazed. The ancient atmosphere was completely different from his previous life. Only now did he truly feel he had been given a second chance at life.
They passed through several districts before reaching Changle Ward. Located close to the palace, it was reserved for founding nobles, dukes, and high-ranking officials—commoners and wealthy merchants weren't even permitted to set foot here. A single misstep could mean death.
At Prince Huan's residence, the personal attendant Yang Chu approached with a hushed report: "Your Highness, two young eunuchs from the palace have arrived. They say you summoned them."
Shao Hong paused in turning his prayer beads, a frivolous smile tugging at his lips. "Show my 'concubine' in."
Yang Chu hesitated, suppressing a flicker of pity, and withdrew silently. He motioned for Zhong Li and Xia Zhi to enter.
He studied the two—dressed in faded coarse robes, one of them with well-proportioned, handsome features. A shame, he thought.
"This servant pays respect to Your Highness. May you enjoy peace and health," Zhong Li and Xia Zhi knelt together, faces pale—Xia Zhi from fear, Zhong Li from disgust at Shao Hong's implications the previous day.
"Rise," Shao Hong said lightly, resting his chin on his hand. His peach-blossom eyes lingered on Zhong Li, gaze unmistakably desirous.
Damn pervert, Zhong Li cursed inwardly, keeping his eyes lowered. He could feel the weight of that stare but had no choice but to avoid it.
"What's the name of the one behind you?" Shao Hong asked abruptly.
"Your Highness, this is Xia Zhi. I saved him in the palace. He is utterly loyal," Zhong Li replied, bending at the waist. He remembered Shao Hong was deeply suspicious, trusting those around him only halfway, and valued "loyalty" above all.
Shao Hong's expression darkened. "You saved someone in the palace? How is it I wasn't informed?"
"Your Highness, he has no connections. You can use him with confidence," Zhong Li remained bent at a sixty-degree angle, sweat dripping from his forehead. The summer heat and the strain of maintaining posture made his legs tremble, but he kept his eyes down, all pride suppressed.
"You may rise," Shao Hong finally relented.
Zhong Li straightened slowly, his neck prickling with pain.
"Since you're fond of him, he may stay. Prince Huan's residence can afford an extra servant." Shao Hong paused, then decreed, "Now that you've entered this household under such circumstances, you will wear women's attire from now on. Damage my reputation, and you'll regret it."
"This servant obeys Your Highness's command," Zhong Li responded promptly, though inwardly he was seething.
Following Yang Chu to a side chamber, Zhong Li saw a pink dress and undergarments laid on the bed. His face fell. This color is for young girls—how can I, a man, wear this?
"Eunuch Yang, could there be a mistake?" Zhong Li asked with a forced smile.
"No mistake. Concubine Zhong will wear this," Yang Chu corrected sternly. "And you will refer to yourself as 'this concubine'."
Damn it! Rage surged in Zhong Li's chest. He nearly snapped, but Xia Zhi tugged his sleeve urgently. "Brother Zhong, we have to bow under the eaves. We're in no position to resist."
Seeing the worry in Xia Zhi's eyes, Zhong Li bit back his anger. Through gritted teeth, he said, "This… concubine… is… very… pleased."
Satisfied, Yang Chu withdrew quickly, avoiding further displeasure.
"Xia Zhi, turn around. I'll dress myself," Zhong Li said numbly, stripping off the coarse robe and putting on the pink dress.
Xia Zhi turned away, upset. He had thought they would, at worst, be assigned cleaning duties—not that Zhong Li would be made a "concubine" who had to wear women's clothing. The humiliation was deep. His eyes reddened.
"What's wrong? Unhappy?" Zhong Li asked after changing, turning to see Xia Zhi's downcast expression.
"No," Xia Zhi wiped his tears quickly. "Brother Zhong, did you know it would be like this?"
Zhong Li's face shadowed. "I didn't. But we take one step at a time. I promise we won't be in life-threatening danger."
"Brother Zhong, I'm not afraid," Xia Zhi said firmly.
Zhong Li patted his head, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open.
Shao Hong's eyes lit up at the sight of Zhong Li in pink. "Excellent. I knew this color would suit you. You look even more delicate now."
Zhong Li forced a slight smile and said nothing.
"You'll be housed in the Lotus Pavilion. I will formally introduce you after my wedding," Shao Hong added.
"This concubine thanks Your Highness." Zhong Li offered a hollow smile of gratitude and followed a servant to the Lotus Pavilion. He knew the wedding was still half a month away. If he could protect his virtue until then, he could return to the palace.
[Host, should you warn Shao Hong about the Second Prince's poison?] the system suddenly asked.
"No," Zhong Li replied coldly. "After humiliating me like this, why should I help him?"
[What is the host's plan?]
"Let the scheme play out. What goes around comes around."
[Host, the system can help you avoid physical contact with Shao Hong, but you must agree to one condition: the mission is to prevent Ying Zheng from being poisoned. Do not disrupt the main plot. Major characters must not come to harm. Others are disposable.]
"Understood." Zhong Li nodded. That wasn't difficult.
That evening, Shao Hong arrived at the Lotus Pavilion on time.
"Your Highness, do you truly fancy this concubine?" Zhong Li's tone was laced with sarcasm.
"You belong to me. What's wrong with coming closer?" Shao Hong nodded.
Damn him! Zhong Li smiled on the surface. "This concubine will serve Your Highness well."
They dined, bathed separately, and then Shao Hong sat on the bed, watching Zhong Li approach in thin sleeping robes, barefoot. He found him unusually alluring tonight.
"Your Highness, let us rest," Zhong Li said sweetly—then struck Shao Hong's neck with a precise chop.
[He's unconscious. Host, activating Illusion Mode: he will believe he is sharing the bed with you and see only fantasies. Step away quickly.]
Zhong Li got off the bed, sat at the table drinking tea, and watched Shao Hong miming various indecent actions with empty air—tying up an invisible "person" with ropes that fell uselessly on the pillow. It was bizarrely entertaining. More interesting than modern videos, he mused, but also creepier, like a solo performance.
From then on, Shao Hong came to the Lotus Pavilion every night. Zhong Li was forced to "appreciate" a variety of positions, which at least enriched his evenings.
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. Prince Huan's residence was now decked in bright red decorations, and the servants were bustling with festive energy. Zhong Li stood by the window, calmly gazing at the sea of red.
Yang Chu approached and, seeing his expression, comforted him: "My lady, don't be sad. His Highness still dotes on you the most."
Zhong Li shuddered at the address "my lady"—even after two weeks, he couldn't get used to it. Since that first night, his status in the household had risen sharply. Shao Hong granted nearly every request he made.
"This concubine is fine. Did His Highness summon me?" Zhong Li asked.
Yang Chu smiled and nodded, eagerly leading him toward the main hall.