Chapter 171 Yu Nianxi Becomes a Mother
Haiyan paused slightly, her tone somewhat subdued.
"This is the place where Lan is redeemed."
When eunuchs reached the age of fifty or rose to prominence through their connections, they would pay a large sum of money to redeem the parts of themselves that had been castrated. In the Great Zhao Dynasty, this was called "redeeming the orchid."
Yu Nian's heart sank. No wonder Chunyu Han would bring her to a place like this; it was something he avoided.
Haiyan didn't say much and walked ahead, while Yu Nian deliberately lagged behind by two steps and glanced into the doorway.
Upon seeing that it was Yu Nian, the guards at the gate immediately lowered their heads and bowed.
The spacious hall was filled with rows of shelves, each divided into several small compartments, in which black boxes wrapped in red cloth were neatly stacked.
So that's... the box where that thing was stored?
Yu Nian scanned the vast hall, looking around at the countless small boxes—these must have been the remains of countless people.
If they weren't forced into this situation, who would willingly choose this path?
When Yu Nian first met Chunyu Han, he was already a powerful, noble, and influential figure in the court.
Beneath the revered title of "Nine Thousand Years Old," only he himself knew how much suffering and hardship he endured.
No wonder Chunyu Han dislikes being called "Nine Thousand Years Old"; it's probably like hearing that title every time he hears it, it's like having his long-buried scars reopened.
However, not just anyone can get into the Eastern Depot. Whether it's a guard or a eunuch, there's a specific position for everyone.
Yu Nian heard that even the surname Chunyu came about because Chunyu Han had taken someone else's place when he first entered the Eastern Depot.
In the end, only the word "cold" truly belonged to him.
I have a dull ache in my chest.
Oh my, my granddaughter has learned to be considerate now; this trip wasn't a waste after all.
The sixth brother spoke in his mind, his tone somewhat sarcastic, but there was still a hint of relief in his voice. These two people had finally come to their senses.
"You've been eavesdropping on my thoughts again..."
How is this eavesdropping? I'm listening openly and honestly.
By the way, I'm not here to argue with you. I'm here to remind you that you're in for a big surprise; a huge opportunity to earn merit points is right in front of you.
The sixth brother doesn't care whether Yu Nian goes back or not. As long as she can complete her mission, his eldest grandson's performance will be up to standard, and he can retire smoothly.
Chunyu Han has two adopted sons who are raised in the Beast Garden. If you raise them properly, that'll earn you 200,000 merit points.
If Yu Nian hadn't come to the Beast Garden to deliver the Frost's Descent, she wouldn't have triggered this opportunity.
Yu Nian frowned slightly. That wasn't what she cared about; what she found inappropriate was...
Is the animal park a place to raise children...?
Yu Nian felt a little uneasy. Although Chunyu Han was a eunuch, she did not know that he had an adopted son.
Does this mean she became a mother unexpectedly?
When we first arrived, the little frost-covered creature was barking and whimpering restlessly.
Yu Nian patted its head, stroked its fur, and promised that they would meet in a few days.
After a while, Shuangjiang reluctantly wagged its tail and ran into the hollow of the artificial hill.
Yu Nian was also reluctant to part with it, but everyone and everything has its own path to follow.
After settling Shuangjiang in, Yu Nian began searching for Chunyu Han's adopted son.
The animal garden contained many wild animals raised by Chunyu Han, most of which were for the emperor's enjoyment; Chunyu Han himself did not come here often.
"Haiyan, can I look around?"
Yu Nian couldn't just reveal her purpose directly.
"Yes, but you can't cross the railing."
Haiyan spoke in a very businesslike tone, but Yu Nian could tell that this was much better than the disdain and contempt she had shown before.
Yu Nian quickened her pace, but after circling around for most of the way, she still couldn't find the half-grown child. Chunyu Han couldn't have adopted two babies, could he?
The animal park was very large, and the paths were mostly pebbly. Yu Nian's legs were sore from walking.
"Sixth Master, would you like to give me some pointers?"
The title "Sixth Master" pleased him greatly, and the Sixth Master spoke lazily.
You lower your head.
Looking down?
Outside the fence next to Yu Nian was a deep courtyard; if you didn't look closely, you would just think it was a fence.
Looking down, Yu Nian's pupils contracted slightly.
Don't tell her that the two thin figures surrounded by five or six hungry wolves are Chunyu Han's adopted sons.
Is he raising a child, or feeding wild animals?
"Haiyan, what's wrong with that child!"
Compared to Yu Nian's surprise, Hai Yan had seen this kind of scene many times before.
"Those are the rejected adopted sons. If they are unwilling to leave, they can stay with the wolf pack for a day. Those who survive will still be qualified to become an adult's adopted son."
Among the wolves, two little boys were back to back, or more precisely, one of them was huddled behind the boy in front.
The boy, who looked about six or seven years old, was already injured. His small hands could not hold the dagger, and he had a strip of cloth in his mouth, which he was using to tie the dagger to his hand.
Her little face, covered in mud, was tense, but there wasn't a trace of fear in her eyes.
When Hai Yan followed Yu Nian's gaze, he was also somewhat surprised.
"Why is he in there? Didn't he already pass the test?"
The "he" Haiyan was referring to was the boy in front of them holding the dagger.
"Replying to Lord Hai, the one behind him is his younger brother..."
The little boy behind him still had food to eat at the Eastern Depot. He was thin and frail, and with winter approaching, there was only one outcome awaiting him once he stepped out of that door.
Blood ties are inseparable, which is why the Imperial Guards and Secret Guards do not allow blood relatives to exist.
"Bring him out."
Yu Nian spoke with a firm and resolute tone.
"But what about the adults..."
"If he blames me, let him punish me."
Even without the mission, Yu Nian couldn't bear to watch her two children being torn apart by the wolves.
Chunyu Han might blame her for interfering too much, or for being too sentimental, but she had to save these two children for both reason and emotion.
The wolves were trained; Haiyan only needed to blow a whistle for them to disperse.
What seems like such a simple thing requires two children to risk their lives, and even then, they might not be able to do it.
"They're injured. Let's take them to the pharmacy to get their wounds bandaged."
Yu Nian looked at the two thin, malnourished children in front of her, their bodies covered in wounds, and her eyes narrowed slightly.
The accompanying official felt this was against the rules. Although the two children were nominally Chunyu Han's adopted sons, they had not yet been recognized by the adults.
Their current status in the Eastern Depot is even lower than that of those wild beasts.
"But the pharmacy is for treatment..."
Before the junior official could say anything more, Hai Yan's eyes flickered when he heard the words "Pharmacy," and he immediately spoke up.
"I'll deliver it myself."
He was worried about not having a chance to go to the pharmacy.
Yu Nian was somewhat surprised by Hai Yan's sudden and decisive change in attitude, which saved her from having to say anything more.
Did Haiyan injure his brain during the autumn hunt? Did they straighten out that misaligned tendon he had?
"Then I'll trouble you. Once their wounds are bandaged, just take them directly to the Regent's Palace."
Whether it's training or a test, you still need to live in a place where people can live.
When the official introduced the place, he said that there were only two rows of houses for night watchmen in the animal park, and the two children usually lived with the docile herbivores.
If this continues for a long time, it will be difficult for the child's personality to remain unchanged.
Raising children is not something that can be done overnight; it can't be rushed.
Yu Nian felt that she had taken on a big job this time, but she wondered if Chunyu Han would be unhappy when he returned from court.
Yu Nian returned to the Regent's Mansion by carriage, looking somewhat preoccupied. When she arrived at the gatehouse, she thought she had gone to the wrong place.
Did she arrive at the headquarters of the Embroidered Uniform Guard or the Regent's Residence? Why was the gate of the Regent's Residence surrounded by the Embroidered Uniform Guard?
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