Eunuch Yan rarely left the palace.
Whenever he did go out, he brought many people with him.
He also carried many items.
When the Emperor favored someone, he would send Eunuch Yan to deliver an imperial edict, along with various rewards and gifts.
Meanwhile, Eunuch Liu would always deliver edicts of reprimand when he left the palace, with a gloomy face.
Old Liu felt the Emperor was biased.
Why should Eunuch Yan get to do the good deeds while he was only fit for the bad?
However, this was how the Emperor arranged things, so he only dared to grumble inwardly. After all, if he angered the Emperor, he might lose even the chance to be the bad guy.
Who knows how much effort goes on behind the scenes for a simple appearance?
Eunuch Yan led a grand procession to the Meng Family.
He bestowed many gifts, an impressive sight to behold.
Princess Caiyi received the imperial edict, her head spinning from all she heard.
However, Aunt Yin told her that the Emperor's rewards were because her husband and grandfather were on the battlefield, needing them to risk their lives, so the favors kept coming. It actually had little to do with her, and she shouldn't become arrogant.
Jiang Yu said she understood. In town, big shopkeepers would occasionally send things to their workers' parents as a show of generosity, then make the workers labor harder. Even if a worker died accidentally, their parents couldn't say anything, only cry – that was just fate.
The imperial court and those small shops were actually the same, just on different scales.
Aunt Yin was taken aback by her words, unsure whether this young lady was clever or not, as she seemed to alternate between moments of insight and naivety.
After receiving many rewards, Meng Qingshe learned that Eunuch Yan was his daughter-in-law's godfather and didn't avoid him.
Although he had cursed "dog eunuchs" along with others in the past, that was before he knew any eunuchs personally.
Now that he knew one, he wouldn't curse like that anymore.
He invited the man to stay for a meal.
Eunuch Yan had rarely been outside since entering the palace.
He didn't refuse.
After all, he was following the Emperor's orders to observe more.
He also wanted to see how Miss Yu was faring.
And he wished to lend her some support, if he could.
His reputation outside the palace wasn't good, but everyone had to show him respect and be polite, not daring to offend him.
Power unused is power wasted.
After all the hard work to climb to the Emperor's side, it couldn't just be to please the Emperor, could it?
Eunuch Yan displayed appropriate haughtiness, yet stayed.
Others found it slightly strange.
Miss Yu didn't think so.
She excitedly chattered away with her godfather.
"Godfather, last time in the palace, I didn't dare speak much. At home, Great-aunt kept telling me to speak less and less, which scared me. It's good to see you; I'm not afraid anymore. It feels like coming home."
"Godfather, the Emperor eats so well every day, how come he doesn't get fat? Did the Emperor eat the roast chicken I sent last time?"
Eunuch Yan: ...He didn't eat it. The Emperor is very cautious about food, only showing favor. Other eunuchs and palace maids ate it. I ate some too. It was very good.
Eunuch Yan nodded.
"I worked so hard to make it, roasting it in clay to lock in the aroma. I didn't dare open it, but I guess it was cold by the time it arrived. What would you like to eat today, Godfather? I'll cook myself. I'm really good now, I can make many dishes."
Eunuch Yan smiled.
In his mind, he often thought of the most delicious thing he'd ever eaten: the wild vegetable porridge from Kan'er Village.
Though he'd tasted all sorts of delicacies now, it probably wouldn't taste as good anymore. But in his memories, that was still the most fragrant.
"Oh right, Godfather, my mother is here with me. You haven't seen her in a long time. I'll call her over."
Eunuch Yan's smile suddenly froze, and his hands trembled slightly inside his large sleeves.
Qin Luoxia had come early.
She hadn't expected visitors from the palace.
Nor had she expected it to be San'er.
She was looking after the two children.
Coming to see the children today, she had deliberately dressed more plainly, in a navy blue cloth dress.
Of course, it was different from the old navy blue homespun cloth. Though the same color, the quality of the fabric was worlds apart. The intricate patterns on the skirt and the crispness of the fabric were completely different.
Money breeds beauty.
For a woman of Qin Luoxia's age in the village, no matter how pretty she had been, she would now be an old woman. Endless farm work, housework, serving children and husband, exposure to wind and sun, constant childbearing – each time aging dramatically.
"Poverty is the root of all evil, wealth is the foundation of all virtue." Affluence made one's face appear kind, without deep wrinkles carved by the years, only gentle laugh lines at the corners of the eyes.
Because life was comfortable and financial conditions good, Qin Luoxia hadn't aged these years, but seemed to grow younger.
Eunuch Yan didn't let Jiang Yu call her. He wanted to go meet her himself.
Seeing Qin Luoxia again, Eunuch Yan felt as if time had stopped.
Just like years ago.
Things had changed, but people remained the same.
Eunuch Yan, who smiled obsequiously at everyone, teared up instantly upon seeing Qin Luoxia sitting by the window.
Now he wore fine silks and brocades, now he was high and mighty, now he could parade through the streets, now he could bully anyone in the world.
Now, no matter what crude tune he sang, people would praise it as elegant, truly elegant, good, truly good.
Now he had everything.
Now he also had nothing.
He even wanted to turn and flee.
But in the end, he didn't dare run.
He feared if he ran, he'd never have the chance to see her again.
He stepped over the threshold and softly called to the woman sitting there, "Sister."
