Chapter 25
Inside the Palace of Eunuchs
The eunuchs ate at a separate table, while the palace maids ate at another, and each of them talked about things that interested them.
Suddenly, Eunuch Zhang asked, "Hey, have you found the dancer who performed at the envoy's banquet?"
"Don't mention it. I followed your highness's instructions and searched the palace from top to bottom, but I couldn't find it. I almost turned the palace upside down."
Another eunuch echoed: "Speaking of this, I've lost all interest in drinking tea. It's really awful."
Eunuch Zhang took a sip of tea thoughtfully, recalling the last time he saw Luo Sanrong wearing women's clothing when he happened to pass by the dancer's back hall. However, he was not sure now whether Luo Sanrong was a man dressed as a woman or was actually a woman.
In order to verify, Eunuch Zhang specially came to the palace where the records of eunuchs entering the palace at that time were stored. He found that in the physical examination item, most of the seals were on the passing part. How could it be possible?
However, he did not rashly tell others about his suspicions to avoid causing unnecessary misunderstandings.
In another courtyard, the Prime Minister and Benin were feasting, and Eunuch Zhang went over to serve them.
"What do you think about the Crown Prince participating in politics?" Benin put down his teacup and asked the Prime Minister.
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is an extremely outstanding person." The other court officials who supported the Prime Minister did not expect the Prime Minister to say this.
"What? Do you really recognize Li Yin's ability?" Benin called the prince's name directly, which was enough to show how much he did not take the prince seriously.
"Of course, but now is not the right time. It's too hasty for a child who hasn't even learned to walk to learn to run."
Hearing the prime minister say this, the other court officials felt relieved and echoed his words.
Benin murmured the prime minister's words "It's not the time yet...", then laughed out loud and promised to convey the prime minister's thoughts truthfully to the emperor of Qiping.
The Prime Minister and Benin understood each other tacitly, smiled at each other, and their anger became harmonious.
"The scenery in Cheyenne is beautiful, but what's more beautiful than the scenery are the women," said Benin.
A court official nearby began to ask, "Does the prince have a woman he likes?"
"The woman who danced solo at the banquet last time was exactly what I wanted. It would be great if I could see her dance again."
"That woman is the Crown Prince..."
"What? You won't even help with such a small favor?" Benin put the cup heavily on the table.
The other court officials all smiled apologetically, "No, no..."
Bening finally nodded in satisfaction and picked up his glass again, "Then I'll wait for your good news..."
*
Luo Sanrong was still wondering what Zhang Neiguan meant. Did he discover something?
So in order to verify her guess, she secretly followed Zhang Neiguan, but was discovered by Ji Zeming halfway through.
"What are you doing?" Ji Zeming curiously looked behind Luo Sanrong.
Luo Sanrong was afraid he might notice something, so she quickly said, "Nothing? What's the matter with you... coming to see me?"
"I heard Eunuch Ma say that you will have a holiday during the Mid-Autumn Festival?"
"Yes."
"So what are your plans?"
"Sorry, sir, I have something to do during the Mid-Autumn Festival..."
Ji Zeming leaned forward and said, "Then come to me when you're done. Can you give me half a day?"
"This..." Luo Sanrong hesitated.
"If you don't say anything, I'll take it as your agreement." Ji Zeming said in a somewhat forceful tone.
"By the way, I have something for you." Ji Zeming stood up and took out a box from the cabinet behind him. "Here, it's for you."
Luo Sanrong opened it and saw that it was exactly the same pill that Li Yin had given him to treat the cold. Ji Zeming returned the box and said, "I have taken this before. It was given to me by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
"Your Highness the Crown Prince?" Ji Zeming asked uncertainly.
Luo Sanrong nodded. In the end, Luo Sanrong still did not take Ji Zeming's medicine and promised him to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival together tonight.
The prime minister wanted to introduce a minister who had just been transferred back from Lingnan to him, so Ji Zeming had to accompany him.
"Ming'er, this is Lord Zhao Wanyong, who once served in Lingnan and is about to be promoted to Minister of War. Come and say hello." The prime minister greeted him warmly.
Ji Ze nodded in agreement and said in a humble tone: "Hello, Lord Zhao, I am Ji Zeming."
Zhao Wanyong was stunned and said, "You are indeed a modest gentleman, a handsome man. I have heard of your reputation in Lingnan..."
Ji Ke laughed heartily, stroked his beard, and said, "You're too kind. His reputation is not as great as your daughter's. Please take good care of our Zeming in the future."
"How can a villager who has just arrived in Beijing have this ability? If I want to adapt to life in the capital, I should rely on you more." Zhang Wanyong said modestly.
"Hahahaha..." The two smiled at each other.
From these few short sentences, he could tell that the other party was a friend, not an enemy.
Ji Zeming saw that there was nothing for him to do here, and he glanced at the clock and found that the time he had agreed to meet with someone was about to come, so he wanted to leave. He said tentatively: "I heard that you two haven't seen each other for many years. In order to allow you two to better reminisce, can I leave for a while?"
"Stay here." Ji Ke's eyes revealed a warning, and he whispered, "This is also an occasion prepared for you."
Helpless, Ji Zeming sat back down.
Night falls quietly, like a huge piece of black silk, gently covering the sky and the earth.
At this time, the bright moon was like a shining pearl, slowly rising from the eastern sky, casting silvery light, and dyeing everything in the world with a layer of dreamy colors.
The streets and alleys in the city are decorated with lights and are very lively.
The streets and alleys are filled with various kinds of lanterns, including palace lanterns depicting Chang'e flying to the moon, lively rabbit lanterns, and lotus lanterns that symbolize good luck. The lights sway, reflecting the moonlight, making it look like daytime.
Luo Sanrong stood in front of a lantern stall, watching the happy families on the street. Recalling the moment she and her mother separated, she couldn't help but daydream, imagining her mother suddenly appearing on the street and hugging her.
Suddenly, Luo Sanrong saw a familiar figure walking towards her slowly late at night with a smile on his face. At that moment, Luo Sanrong suddenly thought that Li Yin only had eyes for her.
"I thought you would have something interesting happen when you leave the palace, what are you doing here?" Sure enough, the tone of his voice made Luo Sanrong want to tease him as soon as he opened his mouth.
"I think it's very interesting now." Luo Sanrong retorted.
Li Yin: "Yes, my little pet loves shiny things like this the most."
Luo Sanrong didn't want to argue anymore and changed the subject, "Your Highness doesn't like to go out, right? Why are you here? You don't even have any companions?"
Li Yin: "Isn't the person right in front of you?"
Luo Sanrong said disdainfully, "I have an appointment."
Li Yin didn't take it seriously and said perfunctorily: "Okay, okay, just assume that you have it."
Luo Sanrong rolled his eyes silently.
Li Yin moved closer to Luo Sanrong, his hot breath spraying on her face. Seeing Li Yin suddenly approaching her, Luo Sanrong's heart skipped a beat. "Do I have to stand here forever?"
Luo Sanrong blushed, but it was dark at night and Li Yin didn't see anything. He just heard Luo Sanrong mutter.
Seeing that Luo Sanrong didn't answer, Li Yin took Luo Sanrong's hand and jogged, "Follow me."
Li Yin brought Luo Sanrong to a low city wall. Luo Sanrong still didn't understand what was going on until three quarters past ten o'clock. With the sound of a crisp clapper, a red light suddenly shot up into the sky from the city wall.
In an instant, thousands of sparks exploded from the night sky, layers of golden and red peony fireworks spread out, and petal-shaped sparks fell like a meteor shower, dyeing the moat into flowing molten gold.
The children clutched the rabbit lanterns and looked up, exclaiming in surprise. The women with flowers in their hair unconsciously let go of their fans and held their breath as they watched the blue phoenix fireworks blooming in the sky. When the fire phoenix flapped its wings, its tail feathers dragged peacock blue and rouge red light bands, drawing a burning trajectory on the inky sky.
Luo Sanrong stared at the gorgeous fireworks in a trance, an expression of amazement unconsciously appearing on his face, and he was immersed in it.
Little did they know that Luo Sanrong was watching the fireworks on the city wall, and Li Yin was watching Luo Sanrong who was immersed in the spectacular fireworks.
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