Chapter 35 Attendant Three
When people find themselves in an awkward situation, they will try to find something to do.
Shinju glanced sideways and saw King Zhen alone in the pool. King Zhen's face was cold and aloof, just like when they first met outside the sheepfold. He already had a high nose and deep-set eyes, and now with his head slightly lowered, the shadows cast by his brow bones and the bridge of his nose were even more intense, making him appear profound and solemn, as if keeping people at a distance.
The misty fog drew an invisible boundary between them. Even though he noticed Shinju's gaze, the King of Poison did not turn his face and remained motionless.
After much deliberation, the only thing he could do right now was to rub the King's back. However, the current atmosphere was far from suitable for approaching him.
Moreover, he was still wearing his outer clothes, and staying in the pool would only pollute the water. So, Shinjuku pushed himself up with his arms and left the pool.
Upon reaching the edge of the pool, the night wind blew, making the wet clothes clinging to his body feel heavy and cold, but this had no effect on Masakatsu.
However, at that moment, a subtle gaze swept over.
Shinjuku wrung out the water from his clothes without looking to the side, and that gaze vanished in an instant.
The scene seemed to freeze.
A moment later, a graceful figure entered the Bixiao Hall.
"Greetings, Your Majesty." Tang Quan's calm and even voice suddenly rang out.
The King of Zhen rose from the water, a curtain of water cascading down his well-defined back. He then took his clothes from Tang Quan, went behind the screen to change, and afterwards instructed Tang Quan, "I'm leaving. You are in charge of the rest."
"This servant understands." A trace of worry flashed in Tang Quan's eyes. She lowered her head in agreement and prepared to respectfully see the Prince of Zhen out of the palace.
But after taking only a few steps, the King of Zhen glanced back at her, signaling her to stay where she was, and then left Bixiao Hall without looking at Zhensu once.
After the poisoned king left, Tang Quan handed another set of clothes draped over his arm to Zhen Su.
"Hmm?" Shinju reached out and took it, wondering when it had been prepared for him.
Tang Quan didn't explain, only saying, "You are allowed to use the pool. Someone will come to add flowers and water fragrance later."
“Is it inappropriate for me to use His Majesty’s bath?” Shinjuku said.
Upon hearing this, Tang Quan looked him up and down, noticing the water still dripping from his clothes, and said, "Didn't you already use it?"
"Since you've already soiled the hot spring, why not wash it clean before you leave?" Tang Quan's words were as cold as ever, but Shinju inexplicably sensed the dejection within them.
"...Okay." Putting all that aside, he really wanted to take a bath. So, Masaya agreed.
Tang Quan blinked knowingly, then took out a jade waist token and a scroll of documents.
Shinjuku took it, and while looking at the appointment document, he rubbed the jade tablet with his fingertips. Then he suddenly noticed something and looked down at the gold-engraved characters on it: "Kei Shinjuku's Attendant".
That familiar, flowing calligraphy...
Seeing that Zhen Su was so engrossed in looking at the jade tablet, Tang Quan couldn't help but take another look at it. When she caught sight of the handwriting style of the King of Zhen, her breath hitched, and then she let out a soft sigh without leaving a trace before silently leaving.
.
The following day, the Bureau of Ceremonies sent an instructor to give the monks three days of training on serving the emperor, after which they would be able to serve him.
His hair, washed last night, still carried a faint, calming fragrance, but his dantian, riddled with damage, felt like it was burning with malevolent fire since last night. While his dantian sometimes felt uncomfortable, it was usually after forcefully channeling his internal energy, and the pain was usually within his tolerance level, barely enough to make him wince. But this time, it caused him extreme agitation.
Shinju couldn't figure it out, so he became somewhat distracted. The instructor spoke very quickly, but fortunately, Zifu once wrote everything down for him, so no problem arose.
In less than a quarter of an hour, the instructor finished explaining the palace rules and responsibilities, and then immediately began to put them into practice.
The tutor closed the booklet, crossed his legs in his chair, ordered the monk to pour him tea, then waved his handkerchief and said imperiously, "Go to the imperial kitchen and get some food. I like cherries, roasted bell peppers, or pine nut and lily bulb pastries. I'm not picky."
"..."
"What are you standing there for? Didn't you used to be a cook? You can't even handle something this simple?" the instructor said mockingly.
Shinjuku's already irritable mind became even more impatient.
However, this request wasn't unreasonable, and he wanted to see what the man intended. So, Shinju nodded and turned to leave.
As soon as he stepped outside, he caught a glimpse of Qing'e pruning asparagus ferns in the hall. She looked up at him with a slight smile, but her eyes remained closed.
Shinju bowed to her and said, "Sister Sei'a, I'm going out for a bit."
"Take care." Qing'e nodded and smiled gently.
Shinjuku withdrew his gaze and headed towards the imperial kitchen.
At this hour, Uncle Wu should have just entered the palace. Zhen Su waited for a moment in Uncle Wu's place, but unexpectedly, Xiao Jingzi, whom he hadn't seen for a long time, quickly clung to him.
"Congratulations, Lord Qing! Congratulations, Lord Qing! You've risen to such a high position! What brings you here today? Just give the order, and I'll do my utmost, even if it costs me my brains!" Although this scene happens often, no matter how many times you see it, Xiao Jingzi's obsequiousness still makes your teeth ache.
However, Shinjuku ignored him completely, as if he didn't exist. Kokeiko rambled on with a few more flattering words, but still received no response. The spectators in the imperial kitchen, watching like it was a show, made him feel uneasy. Coupled with the lack of response, Kokeiko finally had to retreat dejectedly, glancing resentfully at the emerald green attendant badge on Shinjuku's waist before leaving.
Such a shameless person is rare to see in Shinjuku. Keiko often takes advantage of Uncle Wu and Kodun, but Uncle Wu is unwilling to argue with him, and Kodun usually doesn't realize that he's being taken advantage of. But these are all minor squabbles, so Shinjuku doesn't bother with them.
He naturally didn't give this kind of person a friendly look.
Seeing that Uncle Wu had not arrived yet, and that if he waited for Uncle Wu to come before making the dish, he might not be able to return to the palace in time, and the head eunuch might make things difficult for him. Therefore, Masakuni had no choice but to turn to other imperial chefs for help. Unexpectedly, several chefs were very enthusiastic and shared a lot of the candied fruits they had already made with him.
"Thank you, masters." Shinju smiled broadly, his eyes full of sincerity.
The royal chefs were dazzled by Masakuni's smile, their hearts nearly skipping a beat. They hurriedly waved their hands and said, "It's nothing, it's nothing. When Brother Wu isn't around, just come find us old folks."
"I don't know how to cook anything else, but I do. Haha, just tell me what you want to eat, and I'll save it for you next time."
Mayuki's smile deepened. "Then I'll take it seriously. I'll come over for a free meal next time."
The chefs had felt a pang of sympathy when they saw how coldly he treated Keiko, but they never expected that Shinjuku would be so cheerful, so they all laughed heartily.
In the end, Shinju didn't wait for Uncle Wu, so he didn't linger any longer and hurried back to the Scorpion Shadow Palace.
"Where did you go? You didn't go shopping outside the palace, did you? Let me see what you bought." The tutor looked sleepy, whether he had really fallen asleep or was acting, his words were still sarcastic.
Shinju took out the candied fruits and snacks given to him by the royal chefs and placed them on the Eight Immortals Table.
At first glance, the instructor's father-in-law was about to get angry when he saw that none of the food was what he had ordered. But when he saw that the final dish was abalone and snails with a rich, milky aroma, he was immediately stunned.
Such delicacies, even thanks to the Empress Dowager's favor, he had never tasted them once in all these years. Who would have thought that a mere servant could obtain such fine things? Could it be that he tricked them into giving them away using the Emperor's name? This boy, so arrogant and spoiled, has truly audacious! The Empress Dowager is right, this brat should be taught a lesson.
But he couldn't resist his appetite, so the instructor grabbed abalone with butter and stuffed it into his mouth, gorging himself on it as if he were afraid that the master would snatch the food from his mouth.
Soon after, the tutor was satisfied and made a "rinse mouth" gesture.
Shinju thought about it carefully. This was indeed one of the duties of serving, although even the Emperor hadn't asked him to do so at the banquet. Shinju's golden eyes flickered slightly, and he went to fetch the spittoon and placed it on the shoulder of the eunuch instructor.
The eunuch instructor had a mouthful of tea in his mouth. Logically, he should have covered his mouth with his hand, but he didn't. Shinju's brow furrowed; he instinctively felt this man was up to something. The next moment, the eunuch instructor suddenly raised his head and spat out a mouthful of tea, aiming directly at Shinju's face—
However, just as the instructor pursed his lips, Shinjuku flicked his wrist holding the spittoon, and the spout of the spittoon drew a semi-circle in the air, instantly absorbing all the water that the instructor spat out.
The tutor was dumbfounded, and it took him a long time to come to his senses before he slammed his fist on the table and stood up abruptly, "Who taught you to answer like that?!"
Mayuki pretended to be startled, flicked his wrist, and pointed the spout at the instructor's face, splashing water all over him.
"Ouch!" The tutor's face immediately became wet and foamy. He angrily wiped his face with his sleeve, his face full of disgust.
Shinju put down the spittoon and wiped his hands with a handkerchief. "Of course, the instructor didn't teach. After all, not just any monster or demon can be considered an instructor just by talking."
"You!!" The tutor slammed his hand on the table again, wincing as he said, "Ouch, that hurts like hell!"
"Your face is dirty from rinsing your mouth, Master. You should wipe it." Shinju placed the handkerchief he had just used on the instructor's face. The movement was so swift that the instructor didn't even have time to react. When the instructor tried to remove the handkerchief, he felt a sharp pain in his chest and back, and then realized that he couldn't move anywhere except his head.
The tutor took a couple of deep breaths, then realized he couldn't speak anymore, and his legs trembled with fear.
"Now, I will wash your hands for you, Father-in-law."
Shinjuku picked up the teapot, and drops of tea fell onto the bamboo paper handkerchief. After the handkerchief became soaked with water, it stretched out and pressed tightly against his mouth and nose, making the old man's breathing even more rapid.
"Let me guess who sent you." Shinjuku held up the teapot and continued to pour the tea, drop by drop.
Shinju suddenly frowned, a complex look flashing in his golden eyes. "It's not the Emperor, is it?"
The tutor nodded without hesitation, "Mmm-hmm."
Masakatsu couldn't help but curl the corners of his lips. "Oh, I don't understand what your nod means, sir."
"Let me rephrase my question. Is that the Empress Dowager?"
The tutor was startled, then shook his head frantically, "Ugh ugh ugh."
"That's it."
The tutor was on the verge of tears, wondering how the other party had guessed it, but no matter what he said, the other party always did the opposite.
"Go ahead and file your complaint, sir." Shinju poured out the remaining water from the teapot. "But don't forget, you'll have to come back here in the next two days."
The tutor had been forced to hold his breath for quite some time, but now he couldn't hold it in any longer. His face turned a frightening red, so red that it even showed through the bamboo paper handkerchief. He couldn't help but cry, and the handkerchief became even wetter, making it impossible for him to breathe.
With the lack of air, the mind naturally couldn't think of anything. The instructor could only nod vigorously as if begging for mercy, and then shake his head vigorously from time to time for fear of angering Shinju.
Seeing that it was about time, Mayu removed the handkerchief.
The moment he regained his breath, tears streamed down the face of the old man, his mouth agape, his face a mixture of the joy of surviving a disaster and the deep-seated fear.
"That's enough for today." Shinjuku gave a harmless smile, then turned his back.
It took the old man a while to understand what Shinjuku was saying. He couldn't believe it, but then he realized he could move again. He quickly grabbed the edges of the tables and chairs and staggered out the door.
Shinju rubbed his fingertips together. He had just inhaled the poison into the instructor's throat; if the instructor found out and reported him, he wouldn't be blamed.
After standing there for a moment, Shinjuku walked towards the side room.
.
Recently, notices announcing the arrests of Master Fuyin and Master Wenbi have been posted all over the streets and alleys, causing the incense at Yunguang Taoist Temple to become increasingly deserted.
Once upon a time, the Taoist temple was very popular. Because of its close relationship with the government, it also enshrined the Empress Dowager's eternal lamp. As a result, countless people came to the temple to offer incense and sacrifices, and the offerings were never-ending.
However, rumors gradually spread that the Taoist priests of Yunguang looked down on ordinary pilgrims. Some even demanded that a man offer his daughter to the priests at the temple, otherwise he would not be allowed to come and offer incense.
Besides the brazen abduction of women in broad daylight, there were also reports of Taoist priests beating toddlers with tattered clothes, calling them beggars—a truly lawless act. After these acts of humiliation against ordinary people were reported one after another, many commoners dared not set foot in the Yunguang Taoist Temple again. Only the powerful and wealthy continued to follow in the Empress Dowager's footsteps, offering large sums of silver to the temple.
Now that the announcement of the execution of the two "masters" has been made, the people are mostly delighted and wish that Yun Guang would close down tomorrow.
However, proposals to renovate the former site of Yun Guang piled up on the emperor's desk like snowflakes.
This enraged the emperor.
-----------------------
Author's Note: [Revision] Several details in the second half have been revised, and a few new scenes have been added, but the overall plot remains unchanged.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
