Chapter 1: The Imperial Household Department's Opportunity to Change Fate

The winter wind was icy cold. Asakusa rubbed her red and swollen hands, then strained to draw water from the well.

Compared to the cold air, the well water was even considered 'warm', but he knew that warmth would dissipate in a moment.

Looking at the clothes that had been soaking overnight, he took a deep breath and quickly scooped them out. In that instant, he felt as if his bones had frozen.

...

After washing a basin of clothes, his hands were already burning hot, and the original pain was replaced by itching and numbness. But there were still more clothes to wash, and his already red eyes became even redder.

When will this ever end?!

"Ah Cao, come and pay your respects to Eunuch Cui!" The old maid from the laundry department smiled obsequiously at a male official in mending clothes.

Asakusa didn't know any eunuch Cui, but seeing his eighth-rank official robes, he knew he couldn't be disrespectful, so he quickly stepped forward to greet him: "This barbarian greets Your Excellency."

The boy's voice had just gone through puberty, and his tone was still a little hoarse, but it wasn't unpleasant to listen to. In fact, it had a unique charm to those who listened carefully.

The male official, who had initially paid no attention, became interested: "Raise your head, let me take a look."

Asakusa was filled with trepidation. He knew he was good-looking, but he was often ostracized in the laundry department. At this moment, he only hoped that he would not offend his superior.

He slowly raised his head, revealing his face to the male official, but his eyebrows and eyes remained docilely lowered.

"How about it? This kid's not bad, is he?" the old woman asked eagerly.

The male officer did not answer, but slowly examined his face, neck, Adam's apple, shoulders, and hands with his gaze.

Asakusa couldn't help but want to hide her swollen and painful hand, but she dared not move under Shangguan's gaze.

"Her appearance is alright, but her skin needs some care. However, her hands clearly indicate a lowly origin..."

Asakusa wished she could disappear into a crack in the ground.

The youngest sister knew that if he truly disliked someone, he wouldn't say so much, so she quickly smiled and said, "It's just that the environment in the laundry department is not good. If he were lucky enough to be trained by the master for a year or two, he would definitely be very different."

What does that mean?!

Asakusa's heart pounded. Could he possibly have a chance to leave the laundry department?!

"Ah Cao, this eunuch Cui is a palace attendant under the Director of the Imperial Bedchamber. You must seize this opportunity," the old woman said meaningfully.

Shangqin Bureau!!

Asakusa felt his soul dizzy for a moment: this was an opportunity to change his fate, and he had to seize it!

"I know that I am plain-looking and uncouth. If I can receive your guidance, I will remember your kindness and repay you with all my heart!" Before he could think it through, his instinct made him bow deeply.

The young man's bowing gesture was resolute and unwavering, and his voice was sincere and earnest, which moved Eunuch Cui.

"...Get up first, let me take a good look."

This means they're willing to give him a chance!

Asakusa was filled with excitement, but she was also afraid that her figure and appearance would not meet the eunuch's requirements.

He carefully stood up, presenting himself to the eunuch, hoping to pass the test.

The loose, coarse palace robe concealed his body lines, but his tall stature was still visible. Eunuch Cui nodded: "Turn around and let me see your side and back."

Asakusa, filled with trepidation, obediently showed her body as instructed.

Although the palace robe was large, it was still stretched out by the curves in the right places.

Feeling Cui's gaze fall on that spot, he felt hot all over and couldn't help but want to curl up and hide, but he had to maintain his posture, hoping to pass the test.

"Not bad." Eunuch Cui's sharp eyes noticed that his waist and hips were well-proportioned under his wide robe. "But these are all external factors. To serve the Emperor, one still needs to have ample 'capital'."

Ample capital?

Asakusa was puzzled, but when he saw Cui's gaze fall on his lower abdomen, he almost jumped up.

An ancient saying goes: "A man's nature is unrestrained; he must remain chaste, quiet, and self-disciplined, and suppress his desires."

Although he entered the palace at a young age, he still remembered his father's private teachings: chastity is extremely important for a man, and that thing must not be possessed before marriage...

No man would dare to mention that thing; he wouldn't even dare to touch it much while bathing, let alone be scrutinized like that.

"How big is your illegitimate penis?" Eunuch Cui asked directly.

Asakusa blushed, her head practically spinning. She wanted to describe it with embarrassment, but she hadn't compared it to anything else and didn't know if it was big or small, or if it met her requirements. She was flustered and confused.

Seeing that his eyes were watery and his face was as beautiful as a spring flower because of his anxiety, Cui, the eunuch, was even more satisfied. However, he still made up his mind to suppress his arrogance, which he did not have: "Since you don't know, then let's examine him."

A medical examination?!

How do I verify it?

Asakusa froze. His upbringing had taught him that a man's body should not be exposed easily, let alone be examined by others.

But this was the only way for him to change his fate.

"Pah! You're just a lowly palace servant, and you're acting all high and mighty?!" The old lady spat at him in exasperation. "Even daughters of noble families have to pass a physical examination before they can serve His Majesty. What are you?!"

Yes, he was nothing but a lowly palace servant, what did his self-esteem matter?

Having the opportunity to serve His Majesty is already an incredible stroke of luck; what right does he have to be reserved?

Asakusa's face flushed red and then turned pale. In the end, she trampled her pride underfoot and said, "Please allow me to examine...my body in the secret room, my lord."

"Of course." Eunuch Cui's expression was serious, but he was satisfied in his heart.

...

The youngest sister didn't go into the secret room; she stayed outside the door, listening carefully to what was happening inside, praying that the boy would pass.

"Have you touched it yourself?" Eunuch Cui asked coldly.

The boy's voice trembled slightly: "I have always upheld male virtues since childhood, how dare I..."

A rustling sound of clothes being undressed.

"Indeed, her skin is as white as jade, and she can be considered chaste and pure."

The old woman had just breathed a sigh of relief when she heard the eunuch say, "'Capital' is not bad. Now let's see what it's capable of. I can't touch it. You'll have to deal with it yourself."

Ability? Not to mention the young man from Asakusa, even the old woman outside the door blushed with embarrassment.

...

Soon, the sound of a boy crying strangely came from inside.

"Your abilities are too poor!" Eunuch Cui first sneered, then softened his voice and said, "But since you are docile and obedient, I will give you a chance."

When the old eunuch heard that Eunuch Cui was willing to take Asakusa to study at the Imperial Household Department, he was overjoyed. But as Asakusa came out with the eunuch, he put on a stern face and said, "Your aptitude is average. It's all thanks to Lord Cui for giving you this opportunity. You should be grateful and study hard, understand?!"

"Yes, I will always remember your kindness, sir and madam," Asakusa said, tears streaming down her face.

He knew how badly he had performed and thought his future was over and he would only be able to do laundry until he died. He never expected that the adults would still be willing to give him a chance.

Little did he know that this was a common occurrence among young men, and in some ordinary families, it was even a means of testing whether someone was a virgin.

Asakusa is now filled with gratitude and joy, and is determined to learn the skills of serving His Majesty so as not to waste this great opportunity. The shyness of the young men seems to have largely dissipated after the suppression.

As he walked out of the laundry department and headed towards the imperial bedchamber, his steps first became light and quick, then gradually became hesitant: Could he really be competent to serve His Majesty?

"Come, change this boy into some suitable clothes," Cui, the eunuch, ordered as he entered.

Soon, a young palace servant, filled with envy and jealousy, came over and grabbed a set of emerald green clothes.

"This dress... is for me?!" Asakusa exclaimed in disbelief.

Eleven years after entering the palace, he had only received three sets of coarse cloth clothes. He could only dream of wearing bright clothes that symbolized status and wealth.

Eunuch Cui nodded: "Wear this for now, and we'll have the knitting workshop come and make you a few sets tomorrow."

The knitting workshop makes custom-made products...

Upon hearing this, Asakusa felt a little dizzy.

Things are different now!

He's no longer that laundry servant whom everyone can step on!

Wearing warm and soft clothes, Asakusa's heart felt like it was floating on clouds.

It wasn't until the scrutinizing gaze of the previous male official in his official robes fell to the ground that he realized: he was not yet qualified and had no chance to appear before His Majesty.

Without daring to think further, he quickly bowed and greeted them.

"She's alright looking, but her skin is way too rough," Liu Shangqin frowned.

Eunuch Cui bowed and said, "There are still three months left; he should recover well."

"Her demeanor is also unacceptable."

Asakusa trembled and lowered her head even further, trying her best to appear submissive.

Shang Qin's brow furrowed even more deeply.

"I will certainly train him well!" Eunuch Cui quickly assured him.

Liu Shangqin patted his shoulder: "Although His Majesty is not fond of men, the Crown Prince attaches great importance to the palace men selected this time. We must all do our best."

"Your humble servant understands!"

A note from the author:

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