Chapter 37: Song Gu's Past Life Memories - Killing the Master...
"I've...received it." Song Gu said dryly, his eyes lowered, falling on the bluestone floor.
This square tile has a really beautiful pattern.
His Highness somehow learned that he had been secretly bribing and subsidizing the Imperial Guards in the capital, spending several taels of silver, and now he was compensating him. This was because Song Gu, out of loyalty to the new emperor, tirelessly wanted to handle every aspect of His Highness's travels meticulously, which is why he went to such lengths.
He didn't intend for His Highness to know when he did it, and he won't say anything about it later.
But His Highness's reaction now... how should he explain it if asked?
There must be a reason for such an overly loyal and considerate attitude, right?
Song was somewhat at a loss.
Sure enough, the next moment, he heard the young prince's voice, which had been a little hoarse during his childhood, now tinged with the immaturity of someone who had lost their childishness. His words were filled with pure doubt and emotion: "When I was ordered by my father to come to Liuzhou, I was thinking, Chief Steward Song, you actually came along... or rather, you had no choice but to come along, but you did it willingly."
The difference between the two is quite significant.
Perhaps Chief Steward Song is the kind of person who, once he pledges his loyalty, is completely devoted and loyal.
Qi Chengming didn't know.
Manager Song was too quiet, yet extremely useful; he was always there wherever needed. Qi Chengming only realized these past two days that he had neglected him and hadn't even asked Manager Song what he was thinking.
Song Gu stared at the floor tile, feeling as if the empty courtyard was filled with the whispers of the breeze. One wisp was saying, "You can pledge your loyalty," while another was saying, "It's not wrong to reveal the reasons from your past life."
Song Gu slowly moved his lips slightly: "...Because Your Highness is kind and forgiving, a rare good person in the palace."
He did not use words like "treat subordinates with leniency" or "good master".
Because His Highness the Second Prince has always been like this, not only towards the eunuchs and palace maids, but also towards the imperial guards, the villagers on the road, and the merchants—he treats them all with the same attitude, except when he has to put on airs. Song Gu had the privilege of having seen His Highness when he was the Crown Prince; he treated his other brothers and even the current Emperor Hongren the same way.
It's deeply hidden, but it can't be completely transformed.
Song Gu couldn't explain what it was; he just felt goosebumps on his skin and his soul tremble whenever he thought about it.
It's as if the Second Prince lives alone in a world, while everyone else lives in reality. His thoughts and actions won't change; he has his own strange convictions. But he doesn't expect others to understand him or become like him.
—And Song Gu, just so happens to be able to resonate with such a prince, which is how they first met.
“Speaking of which, you seem to be quite different from other eunuchs.” Qi Chengming suddenly remembered something and looked at the young eunuch thoughtfully. “At first, I thought it was because you worked in the Imperial Clan Court, but then I found out… well, how should I put it, I always felt that your… personality is very well-rounded.”
Qi Chengming suddenly uttered something that the ancients couldn't understand, but he wasn't flustered; it sounded like a compliment.
His knowledge of eunuchs came entirely from his surroundings.
Even Xiao Dezi and Xiao Chengzi followed the unspoken rules of eunuchs. They often hunched over, appearing submissive, and would conceal their eunuch characteristics, such as their high-pitched voices, when going out. They were very concerned about money and food because they could not have offspring. Occasionally, they would express a hint of inferiority about their eunuch status when speaking.
For example, Qi Chengming never dared to discuss issues like height development with Xiao Dezi and Xiao Chengzi.
But Chief Eunuch Song never seemed to give him that impression—the young eunuch stood upright and straight, with a humble yet dignified attitude. He never felt inferior or overly sensitive because he was a eunuch, which instead gave rise to arrogance. Communicating with him was no different from talking to other able-bodied people. You would often forget that he was also a eunuch, and he did not have the various psychological problems that come with being a eunuch.
He treated the Imperial Guards and everyone else relatively equally. He didn't act arrogantly because of his position as the chief steward, nor did he become angry or obsequious because of his status as a eunuch.
This actually proves that Steward Song never thought he was anything special, and he didn't care at all.
This is very strange.
His body was disabled, but his personality was sound.
"...Is Your Highness saying I'm an oddball?" Song Gu wasn't angry, but a warm, reminiscent look gradually appeared in his eyes as he asked.
I miss it.
The newly enthroned prince met him in the palace and chatted for a few moments, saying the same thing: he felt that Song Gu was very different from the other eunuchs. But at that time, Song Gu did not understand exactly what made him different.
It was also night.
It was the first night of the Crown Prince's ascension to the throne as the new emperor. After the grand banquet, all that remained was exhaustion. Everyone had gone to rest, but the new emperor only allowed his personal eunuch to follow him at a distance as he went out for a low-key stroll.
Due to a shortage of manpower, Song Gu was also working in the palace for the past two days. He was calculating the list by moonlight until his eyes were dizzy when a thin young man walked by under the moonlight. The young man wearing a dragon robe was easy to identify. He was calm and quiet, without any imposing manner. He quietly gazed at the night and walked alone.
That figure looked so forlorn... as if he had just ascended the throne today, but rather as if he were the loser in the struggle for succession.
Song Gu was very curious at the time: why was His Majesty unhappy?
When the new emperor turned around and noticed him, he spoke to him casually for a few words in a gentle tone, and then suddenly said with satisfaction, "You are quite different from the other eunuchs. What is your name?"
"Song Lian." Song Gu, who hadn't changed his name yet, gave his real name.
Although he was no longer young, Song Gu still lost his composure and boldly asked, "Your Majesty... how am I different?"
He was genuinely curious.
“You remind me of someone I used to know.” His Majesty’s lips curved slightly, his eyes softened, and he finally showed his first faint smile of the evening, saying frankly, “...I miss them a little.”
Under the same moonlight, similar yet different.
Qi Chengming gave a gentle, nostalgic smile and corrected Steward Song's words: "No, you're not an anomaly... You feel a lot like someone I used to know."
Song Gu suddenly looked up.
He felt as if he had returned to that night before his rebirth, facing a new emperor filled with loneliness. What did he say back then?
Song Gu suddenly felt excited, as if his blood was boiling.
He stared disrespectfully at the Second Prince's still youthful and immature face, repeatedly asking, "Are they important old friends of Your Highness? I... look a lot like those people?"
"Yes." Qi Chengming didn't say anything more; saying more would be a slip of the tongue.
Since transmigrating into the ancient world of a succession struggle novel, Qi Chengming had never given much thought to modern society, at most constantly recalling that knowledge. He thought he would bury these feelings forever. But tonight, he only felt a touch of warmth from Steward Song—
A well-rounded personality, free from inferiority and self-loathing, is more likely to understand equality.
This tiny, insignificant thing, which could barely be considered a connection, suddenly pierced through him.
He missed it terribly.
Ultimately, after arriving in ancient times, Qi Chengming had no friends at all. Only a clearly defined class system of rulers, subjects, and servants—wasn't all of this terrifying? To modern people with well-established values, the ancient world seemed like a bizarre and surreal tale.
Therefore, there was one thing Qi Chengming didn't say aloud.
He missed his hometown.
"...I miss my hometown." The emperor in my previous life's memories said this out of the blue.
That night, Song Gu, who was no longer young, was both excited and apprehensive.
His Majesty's... hometown? Where could it be? Didn't the Second Prince grow up in the palace?
Song Gu thought of how this legendary new emperor had spent his life developing in remote vassal states before becoming crown prince. Perhaps he had developed a deep affection for that land and regarded it as his hometown? He quickly accepted this guess, after all, the coldness and complexity of the palace could indeed not compare to the simple and warm life of guarding a corner outside the palace.
But none of this stopped Song Gu from clenching his fists nervously and excitedly, like a young boy, his palms warm and sweaty. And with a surge of courage that seemed to come from nowhere, he sincerely requested:
"If seeing me reminds Your Majesty of your hometown, please change my name!"
Yes.
He finally realized why the newly enthroned emperor was so unhappy; that melancholy was clearly an unspeakable loneliness. He neither understood nor could he intervene in that longing.
Song Gu had originally wanted to be noticed by the new emperor, hoping to gain this important position. Tonight, an unexpected opportunity arose, fueling his desire. But in that instant, he was moved. He felt genuine sympathy for the young man and instinctively didn't want to see the emperor's quiet and desolate eyes. He wanted to do his part, even though he was just a eunuch and had no right to sympathize.
However, driven by the impulse in his heart, Song Gu still did it.
If Your Majesty misses your 'hometown' so much, please rename it.
He only hoped that every time the new emperor saw him, he would find some solace.
...
Song Gu snapped out of his reverie and finally got the chance to officially change his name in this life.
He suppressed his excitement, mimicking his words as he had in his previous life, afraid of any change. But there was one thing: because His Highness hadn't uttered "hometown" this time, Song Gu could only use "old friends" as an excuse.
Hopefully, it's not a big problem.
Qi Chengming frowned and refused decisively: "Steward Song, I cannot use you as a shadow of others."
He originally admired Chief Steward Song because of his sound character, so how could he possibly use him as a substitute for a meal? Well... while the logic is correct—seeing Chief Steward Song reminds him of his beloved motherland and an entire era of rise—changing his name for this was never part of his plans.
There's no other way.
Song Gu gritted his teeth, knowing he had no choice but to reveal his true identity as he had in his previous life. In his previous life, he had poured out his heart to try and move the Emperor; this time, he would resort to a self-inflicted injury and play the victim.
The young eunuch lowered his eyes and softened his voice: "My name is actually the 'lian' in 'lianlei' (meaning 'to implicate'). My parents had seven children in a row, and I was the fifth. That year... my family was so poor that we couldn't afford to eat, and I was just the right age. So my parents sold me into the palace to get money."
"Your Highness." Song Gu knelt upright in the courtyard, his straight back bearing the weight of the night. He pleaded earnestly, his face filled with longing, "Please change my name. The memory you yearn for must be beautiful, and I want to become that beautiful too. I don't ask to bear the same meaning, I just want... um, I can..."
His voice suddenly softened, and he asked cautiously, "...May I participate?"
"..." He saw the boy resignedly look away after a long silence, and sighed, "That's really unfair."
Song Gu's mood suddenly soared.
It was a success!
He can finally use the name "Song Gu" openly in this life.
The joy on the young eunuch's face was hard to ignore. Song Gu was about to say something with satisfaction when he suddenly froze halfway up his feet, as if he had been doused with a bucket of cold water.
……etc.
He suddenly thought of something.
In this life, they had only been in Liuzhou for a few days.
...So, where exactly is the hometown and the people Your Highness longs for?
In that instant, Song Gu clenched his fists tightly, and a cold sweat broke out on his back.
He suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
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Author's Note: First update!
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