Gu Siyan was smart. There were some things he was too lazy to think about, but as soon as he got serious and was about to think of something, the stable manager shooed a few stable boys aside and patted Gu Siyan's shoulder in a very friendly manner: "Little Gu, it really is you. I knew you were no ordinary kid."

Gu Siyan's eyebrows twitched slightly, but he asked without revealing his thoughts, "What's wrong, Steward Xu?"

The steward said, "If you don't mind, just call me 'brother.' Calling me 'steward' sounds too formal."

Gu Siyan: "...Brother."

The steward chuckled, his face full of gossip: "Hey, since that's the case, we're brothers, tell me, how did you get involved with Eunuch Laibao?"

Gu Siyan's mind raced, and all the fragmented information suddenly connected. He remembered what happened that morning and matched it up with the events.

He actually disliked eunuchs, who held a powerful position in the court and accelerated the corruption of the dynasty.

Gu Siyan recalled Qi Laibao's earlier words, "But for you, I will."

Without much hesitation, he said, "Is Eunuch Lai Bao's background... related to that person in the Imperial Kitchen?"

The steward grinned mischievously: "More than that, kid. I had to ask around to find out that Eunuch Qi Laibao is the adopted son of the head of the Imperial Kitchen, from his wife's family—the kind of family you can't be closer to!"

After saying that, he glanced at Gu Siyan with regret.

Unfortunately, slaves were all people who had committed crimes in their previous lives. No matter how capable they were, they could not get a good position if they could not get rid of their slave status.

Gu Siyan said calmly, "Mm."

The steward was not very satisfied with his attitude, feeling that the boy was putting on an act again, and had no desire to speak. He only said, "Have a good time with Eunuch Laibao. If he is in a good mood, he will use his connections to transfer you to the kitchen. Life will be much easier then. This time he provided food for everyone at the horse farm, and everyone is grateful to you."

He sighed: "Life outside is getting harder and harder. Even the servants in the palace are struggling. They're just trying to make a living. As long as they can eat their fill, there's still hope for the future."

Gu Siyan looked up at the steward again. In the past, he would see him carrying a whip, cursing and swearing everywhere. When he was in a bad mood, he would whip the slaves. Today, he was unusually peaceful, just because he had eaten a full meal.

You know, the manager gets a monthly salary, so this is how you bribe him?

Those were eunuchs; this was their due, and they were simply returning what they were entitled to. Why make such a fuss?

The foreman chuckled again as he spoke: "You rascal, how come you're so capable? Hahaha, you've actually managed to provide meals for the entire horse farm! Do you know how many people work at our inner horse farm each month, and how much they eat every day?"

This is truly bizarre. Even the Minister Qi is being favored; I've never heard of an official doing something like this, putting money out of his own pocket. Hahahaha…”

Gu Siyan: ...I can tell, it's really strange, look how happy this idiot is.

After the steward finished laughing, he patted Gu Siyan on the shoulder again: "Keep that little money-maker happy. If things continue like this, the slaves in the horse farm won't starve to death today. Don't think that just because I and those horsemen are doing well, we have families to support. They're not having an easy time either. If they're well-fed and can save a couple of copper coins, they'll all remember your kindness."

Gu Siyan: "..."

The job in the Imperial Study was actually easy, but dangerous, compared to the job in the horse farm. However, since the last time, the risk of being used as a punching bag for archery practice was gone, and the job became highly sought after again. Coming here for a few hours every day could save a lot of time cleaning the stables and sweeping up horse manure. Washing and feeding the horses were not easy jobs either. The slaves didn't care whether you were an adult or a child.

When we got back to the horse farm, it was time for dinner. It was porridge made with sweet potatoes and beans. Some of the beans were still shriveled, but it wasn't as clear. Each person got a spoonful.

At the age when he is growing, Gu Siyan would get hungry in the middle of the night. He also secretly practiced martial arts, and was actually thinner than others. Compared to two years ago, he could be called a stick now. Today, the eunuch who served him food gave him twice the amount, and Gu Siyan drank it all, feeling only half full.

Gu Siyan asked for another bowl without changing his expression. The eunuch serving the food gave him a smile and didn't refuse. This time, he was full.

After finishing their porridge, they continued working. The stable boy had a lot of work to do every day.

Before the age of ten, Gu Siyan had a mother, a grandmother, a father, and a grandfather. He found practicing martial arts and studying hard.

After he turned ten, he was often hungry and cold, had to do a lot of work, and was constantly surrounded by filth. Beatings and scoldings were commonplace, but he no longer felt bitter.

Today, fellow slaves came to help him with some work, and Gu Siyan realized that these people didn't just complain every day. They didn't tell jokes, but they would talk about their lives before they entered the palace. The topics were simple and unpretentious.

And those stable boys who had bullied him were severely beaten by several cavalrymen who didn't dare to resist. Gu Siyan also joined in the beating.

That night, by the moonlight, he opened the package of pastries. On top were a few small pastries with a rose scent, below were the flower cakes he hadn't eaten last time, and on the far side was a small package wrapped in oil paper containing a small box of ointment that smelled of medicine, and a piece of paper.

"Use this for sprains and bruises! Also, rose-flavored pastries are my favorite, you can't share them with anyone else!"

Below the crooked handwriting, there is a symbol that looks like a smiley face.

Gu Siyan felt a bit bitter again tonight, so he ate the overly sweet dessert.

Why is this little eunuch so kind to him? Is this kindness genuine?

With this question in mind, young Gu Siyan slowly fell asleep.