Chapter 27: Chapter 27

It was already the depths of winter in the Capital.

Snowflakes as large as mats filled the air. The yellow roof tiles and blue-gray walls had vanished beneath an endless expanse of white.

The snow outside the Duty Room of the Directorate of Ceremonial had already accumulated to a considerable depth. Several eunuchs in blue-green robes stood on either side of the entrance, cupping their hands and shivering. Inside, however, the brazier burned fiercely, and three Red-Robed Eunuchs sat beside a square table drinking tea.

The glowing coals filled the entire room with warmth. None of the three men wore their official robes. They were dressed only in thin casual garments, yet they did not feel the slightest chill.

Steam curled from their cups, carrying a rich fragrance. The tea was this year’s freshly harvested First-Spring Jade Bud Tea. Throughout Great Qi, only tea produced by the Three Gardens of Jiangnan could be called Jade Bud Tea. It was Imperial Tea reserved for the palace.

The fact that these three eunuchs could drink the first spring harvest revealed the immense power they wielded.

They were Eunuch Feng, the Seal-Holding Eunuch, and Eunuchs He and Li, the two Pen-Holding Eunuchs.

Eunuch He was somewhat stouter than the other two. Although he was already over fifty, he showed no sign of age and remained full of vigor. He slowly sipped his tea, set down the cup, and closed his eyes to savor the aftertaste before speaking with a smile.

“Godfather, the Jade Bud Tea has already been brought out of storage, but Third still has not returned. It seems he will not have the good fortune to taste this first-spring Jade Bud Tea. .”

“Heh heh. Third has no luck when it comes to fine things,” Eunuch Feng said leisurely as he set down his cup from the seat of honor.

Eunuch Li, sitting on the other side, was thin and gaunt. His graying hair was combed meticulously into place. He had hawklike eyes, a hooked nose, thin lips, a long face, and hollow cheeks. One glance was enough to tell that he was a treacherous and ruthless man.

Like the other two, Eunuch Li took a sip of tea. He blew gently across the surface, let out a long breath, then leaned over to light his pipe from the brazier.

“Second, do not be impatient. The journey from Chang’an to the Capital normally takes more than a month. Even traveling at full speed would still require ten days to half a month. He will be here soon.”

In stark contrast to his appearance, Eunuch Li’s voice was gentle and resonant.

“Mengde once wrote, ‘Fresh-plucked from fragrant thickets, the hawk-beak buds; an old friend sealed them and sent them to this banished immortal. Tonight, beneath the moon over the Xiang River, the bowl blooms with a flurry of flowers.’ Fine tea is scarce. Let us enjoy it and wait patiently for news of the Third.”

Eunuch Feng closed his eyes, his expression serene, as though he were savoring the fragrance lingering in his mouth.

Eunuchs, He and Li murmured their agreement and said nothing more. Each lifted his cup and continued drinking. For a time, the Duty Room held nothing but the delicate clinking of porcelain and the fragrance of tea.

“Eunuch Chen, you have returned.”

The voice of a eunuch on duty outside interrupted their refined tranquility.

“Damn fool!” Eunuch He was the first to speak, and the smile vanished from his face.

The expressions of the other two eunuchs also darkened.

“Is the Old Ancestor in the Duty Room?” a deep voice asked from outside.

“He is. The Old Ancestor was just speaking about you, Eunuch Chen!” another attendant eunuch replied cheerfully.

Hearing the voice, Eunuch Feng smiled faintly.

“Second, is that your godson Xu Ling outside?”

“Godfather, it is indeed Xu Ling. That boy is exceptionally quick-witted.” Eunuch He’s gloomy expression immediately brightened.

Eunuch Feng nodded with a smile. “Being clever is good. A clever man knows how to get things done.”

Only after draining the tea in his cup did he continue, “Third has returned. Let us go out and welcome him.”

The three men had only just opened the door when the exhausted Eunuch Chen arrived at the foot of the steps.

Seeing them emerge, his eyes lit up. He hurriedly lifted the hem of his official robe and dropped to his knees.

“Godfather!”

“Good child. It is enough that you have returned safely. It is cold outside. Let us speak indoors.” Eunuch Feng hurried forward and pulled Eunuch Chen to his feet. “Second, dismiss the attendants.”

“Did you not hear the Old Ancestor? All of you, leave!”

“Yes,” the attendant eunuchs replied.

Back inside the Duty Room, Eunuch Chen did not even have time to change into his casual robes before speaking.

“Godfather, your son failed in his duty. Please punish me!”

“You did not bring him back?”

“No.”

Eunuch Feng’s expression grew solemn. The two eunuchs beside him also remained silent, their faces grim.

“Zen Master Baoshu did not act?” Eunuch Feng asked slowly after sitting down.

“No. That old bald donkey wanted to wager on both sides. Forget acting personally—the only people he sent were four Buddha-Serving Vajra Guardians. They became four corpses before they even saw the target.”

Anger showed on Eunuch Chen’s face, though he struggled to keep his voice calm.

“Afterward, Zhou Zhiyang made his move, and there was a Cavalry behind him. Your son truly did not dare pursue them any farther…”

With that, Eunuch Chen knelt again and lowered his head with an aggrieved expression.

Eunuch Feng closed his eyes, seemingly deep in thought. The stout Eunuch He, meanwhile, reached out and hauled Eunuch Chen back to his feet.

“Third, this was not your fault. No one could have predicted such a thing. The Godfather is not an unreasonable man. Get up, and we will discuss it properly.”

Eunuch Feng opened his eyes and drew a breath.

“An Imperial Envoy died under mysterious circumstances in Jiangnan, and now we have failed to keep our target in Chang’an. These are troubled times.”

“Banditry is rampant in Shu, Hexi is growing increasingly disloyal, the Northern Hu repeatedly raid the border, and even Annan is restless. Among all the hardships in the realm, His Majesty bears the greatest burden. As servants, our most important duty is to ease His Majesty’s worries.”

“Third, now that you are back, do not leave again. Take over Second’s duties.”

“Second, I must trouble you to make a journey to Jiangnan. The New Year is approaching. We will have to slaughter a few fattened pigs.”

“Eldest, yours will be the hardest task. Take the Jade-Carving Gentlemen and Golden-Thread Ladies from the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Then select more people from the Eastern and Western Depots and make a tour through Jianghu.”

“The people of Jianghu have grown accustomed to behaving recklessly over the years. Every one of them obeys us to our faces while defying us behind our backs. Anyone who did not know better might think people like us were already dead and buried!”

“Heh heh heh. It is time to let Jianghu see some blood and behold the edge of our blades!”

After listening, the three eunuchs replied, “Yes, Godfather.”

Eunuch Feng nodded, his face betraying neither joy nor anger.

“Begin preparing immediately. Third, remain here for a while.”

“Yes, Godfather. Your sons will take their leave,” Eunuchs He and Li said together.

After the door closed, Eunuch Feng rose, picked up the kettle, and personally brewed a fresh pot of tea. He pushed it toward Eunuch Chen.

“Third, before I realized it, you had already reached this age. When all of you first entered the Eastern Palace, you were still half-grown children. In the blink of an eye, nearly forty years have passed. Heh heh.”

“For the past thirty-eight years, I have depended entirely upon Godfather’s care and guidance.”

“Heh. Whether those words are sincere or merely flattery, your Godfather will accept them.”

Eunuch Feng raised a hand to stop Eunuch Chen from speaking and continued, “I do not know whether any of you truly regard me as family, but I have always regarded the four of you as my own sons. What parent does not hope for his sons to prosper?”

“I sent Eldest on this journey precisely to clean up after you. Third, you did not handle this matter well…”

“Godfather…”

Eunuch Chen nearly cried out. His voice was choked with emotion, and tears had already gathered in his eyes.

Eunuch Feng patted him on the shoulder and wiped away his tears.

“Third, rest your eyes for a while. You understand the reasoning, so I will not lecture you further. You need only serve with a sincere heart.”

“I must change into my official robes. It is time for me to attend His Majesty.”