Even birds need to know how to build nests to mate. Palace maids didn't just take anyone. First, they had to be able to make a living. If they were too poor, they wouldn't be able to make a good living themselves, and they would only be asking for trouble if they were to find a partner. Then, they had to be pleasing to the eye.
Coincidentally, Qi Qi has all of these qualities. His status goes without saying, and his appearance... goes without saying.
The young eunuch, with his delicate features, became more and more likable as he grew up. He had a good personality, was lively and cheerful, and was a second-rank eunuch, second only to the chief eunuch. He never hit or scolded anyone, was very generous to his subordinates, and was also valued by his master.
With multiple buffs stacked up, even if he's a eunuch, his luck with women is still off the charts.
Unfortunately, like the Ninth Prince, Eunuch Laibao disliked being served closely. The same few people served in the side hall of Fengyi Palace all year round, so he couldn't get close to them even if he wanted to.
Take the palace maid Xiaodie, for example. She had already set her sights on the empress and used her connections beforehand. She waited two years before entering the side hall. Although she was working in the outer hall, she still had contact with people and could exchange a few words. The closer she got to him, the more she was moved. The young eunuch's eyebrows were curved, his gentle and soft-spoken manner and his considerate manner towards his servants, coupled with the time she accidentally scratched herself and he helped her up and gave her medicine, made her heart even more restless!
Qi Qi had no idea about this. He had never liked a girl before, but one day he was suddenly stopped under a tree and confessed to. The girl's face was flushed, and she held a purse she had embroidered herself, handing it to him with expectant eyes.
Qi Qi was trying to figure out how to refuse without hurting anyone's feelings when the Ninth Prince walked by quietly, leaving behind the words, "The embroidery is quite nice," before leaving.
Qi Qi didn't think much of it at the time, until that afternoon when Xiao Die came to Qi Qi with tears in her eyes, saying that she had been transferred back to the flower room to grow flowers, and then the Ninth Prince would bring it up from time to time.
During the meal, he said, "This peach blossom soup is quite good, with its red and pink hues, just like a woman's shyness. Here, I'll give it to you."
Qi Qi reached out and took the bowl, then slammed it down and left.
While taking a bath, he looked at Qi Qi's body and said, "You're so delicate and soft, with a slender waist and legs. You even have trouble carrying a bucket of water. How did your little sister, Xiao Die'er, fall for you?"
Qi Qi looked at himself in the mirror and said, "Damn it, it's all because I'm too good-looking!"
The Ninth Prince splashed a ladle of water on Qi Qi's face and left.
Qi Qi was secretly reading a storybook when, just as he reached an exciting part—the fox demon was about to make love to the scholar—the Ninth Prince reappeared from behind him, leaving behind the words, "You enjoy reading so much? Why don't you try it yourself? Oh, I forgot, you're a eunuch," before drifting away.
Qi Qi, who was terrified, was left furious and embarrassed.
The Ninth Prince's ugly behavior lasted for half a month, only ending when they arrived at the Summer Palace. Who knows, he's brought it up again now. Qi Qi is truly exasperated.
"I'm just admiring her, okay? And I really have nothing to do with Xiaodie, so please stop asking! Don't ruin her reputation, okay? I have absolutely no feelings for her."
The Ninth Prince said casually, "Look, he's using such an intimate term as 'Little Butterfly,' and he still says they're not close."
Qi Qi gritted his teeth: "That's enough, Your Highness. If you say another word, I'll tell the Empress everything about you later."
She pinched his waist again, and the Ninth Prince stopped talking nonsense and lazily watched the dance while propping himself up on his arms.
Qi Qi watched the song and dance for a while. The pastries were a bit dry and not as good as those made in the imperial kitchen. So he secretly poured himself two small glasses of sweet water. This stuff was so delicious, almost like a modern cocktail. Of course, his memories of the modern world were so distant that he had almost forgotten them, so Qi Qi couldn't be sure whether the other one was better or this one.
Hehe, it tastes good.
After finishing the third cup, the Ninth Prince snatched the cup away: "This is peach blossom wine. They say it has a strong aftereffect, so drink less."
Qi Qi: "Huh? Is it big?"
The lights were dim, and the Ninth Prince didn't see Qi Qi's watery eyes and his face that was already starting to turn red behind him: "I don't know, Your Highness hasn't tried it yet."
The Ninth Prince had hardly ever drunk alcohol.
As he spoke, he poured himself a glass, smelled it, and drank it: "Sweet?"
It collapsed again, and that was it.
"How can you only offer four cups? That's stingy. If you like them, go back and ask the manager for a few more pots to drink."
Qi Qi: "Hehe, Your Highness, you're so kind~"
Ninth Prince: "Heh, all you do is talk and no action. All you do is annoy people all day long."
Qi Qi felt like he was seeing the pretty girl twice. Damn it, could it be belated seasickness?! Seasickness, right, oranges! Oranges can relieve seasickness!
Qi Qi shook his head: "Your Highness, I want to eat oranges... Don't move around here, I'll go get you two oranges."
Ninth Prince: "Eat by yourself. Go on, and come back for me when you're full."
He was so bored he was almost drowsy: "It'll be over in a while. What a lousy banquet. My father told me to stay a little longer."
Qi Qi then stood up and walked outside.
In the dim light, there was no need for formalities; even if several people left, no one would notice, because everyone was watching the dance.
The banquet venue was located in a slightly secluded spot within the Summer Palace, but it offered a fairly good level of privacy, with artificial hills, trees, and stone-carved passageways.
Qi Qi needed to use the restroom. After thanking the palace servant who led the way, he went in to relieve himself and then left the restroom.
The shadows in front of the door were heavier, and it was a bit dark. How strange, there were streetlights on the way here, but they disappeared after I went out.
And why is this road getting narrower and narrower? Shouldn't it be getting wider as you walk on it?
Qi Qi belatedly realized he had gone the wrong way and slapped his forehead.
Oh right, I forgot the bathroom has two doors!
Just as I was about to turn back, a sound drifted into my ears from ahead.
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