Chapter 473: No Wandering Allowed

Imperial Eunuch Bureau,

Xu Sanyan stood rigidly at the entrance, his peripheral vision taking in the room’s pungent, foul odor. Yuan Shuting was engaged in polite conversation with an old eunuch, his demeanor respectful despite his own high status.

Even Yuan Shuting, a man of considerable rank, dared not act superior before this old eunuch. These aged eunuchs were like certain officials in some regions—they might not help you succeed, but they could certainly ruin your plans.

“Now that Commander Yuan has come personally, this old servant will ensure everything is taken care of,” the old eunuch said with a smile so wide his wrinkled face could have trapped a fly.

“Then I thank you, Chief Eunuch. I have other matters to attend to, so I won’t trouble you further. Farewell.”

Yuan Shuting rose to take his leave, casting a brief glance at Xu Sanyan as he departed. His part was done; the rest was up to Xu Sanyan now.

“Commander Yuan, safe travels.”

After seeing Yuan Shuting off, the old eunuch slowly circled Xu Sanyan twice, his nose twitching. When he detected no foul odor, he frowned.

After castration, eunuchs typically lose control of their bladder, requiring them to stuff a cloth between their legs to absorb urine. This often resulted in a foul odor, but this man carried no such stench.

“What’s your name?”

“Lin Fan.”

“Oh~ From now on, you’ll be called Xiao Fanzi. Forget your old name as soon as possible. In this palace, you’re not to think of yourself as human, so you can’t have a human name.”

The old eunuch adopted a theatrical tone, his cloudy eyes half-closed as he took a small sip from his teacup. “Even though Deputy Commander Yuan sent you, the proper rules must still be followed…”

Xu Sanyan curled his lip. When Yuan Shuting was alive, the eunuch had called him “Commander.” Now that Yuan Shuting was dead, he immediately switched to “Deputy Commander.” Such two-faced behavior was despicable, and Xu Sanyan despised people like him more than anything.

The old eunuch lifted his eyelids, revealing his murky eyeballs. “Drop your pants. Let’s see if you were castrated properly.”

Xu Sanyan rolled his eyes. His precious treasure wasn’t something anyone could just look at! If he dropped his pants, the old man would be scared to death!

A thought struck Xu Sanyan. He once again focused his mind and imprinted the Demonic Seed onto the old eunuch’s forehead. Then, he casually sat down in a chair. “What kind of work are you planning to assign me?”

The Old Eunuch’s demeanor instantly transformed. He prostrated himself obediently on the ground. “Wherever you wish to go, this old servant will arrange it immediately.”

The Old Eunuch wasn’t the Chief Eunuch of the Imperial Eunuch Bureau; he was merely a minor steward responsible for management and coordination, wielding some authority but not much.

“Hmm… I’ll go serve Consort Xiang.”

Xu Sanyan had already planned this. Consort Xiang’s courtyard was closer to the location where the Dragon Vein was suppressed, making it easier for him to investigate.

“Yes, this old servant will take you there at once.”

The Old Eunuch scrambled to his feet and led the way, his movements stiff and restrained. Xu Sanyan frowned. “Relax.”

“This old servant understands.”

The pair proceeded through narrow alleys, one behind the other. Their lowly status forbade them from using the main roads, lest they offend the eyes of Noble Ladies. They were confined to the labyrinthine alleys.

After a short while, a small courtyard came into view. It was smaller than an ordinary three-courtyard residence. Though these consorts appeared noble, those out of favor received meager treatment, their personal freedom severely restricted, like caged canaries.

Along the way, the Old Eunuch had provided a brief overview of Consort Xiang’s situation. She had entered the palace through the imperial selection process. Her father was a County Magistrate of a small town, wielding little influence, which meant Consort Xiang received little favor after entering the palace.

Consort Xiang had originally been attended by two eunuchs and two palace maids, but Xu Sanyan’s arrival meant he could only fill one eunuch’s position.

Everything in the palace was governed by strict rules. Consort Xiang’s status only entitled her to two eunuchs—it was simply unavoidable.

“Chief Eunuch Wang, you’ve arrived,” the young eunuch at the gate said, his expression becoming utterly obsequious, even more deferential than when addressing his own father.

“Yes. You’ll come with me in a moment. He’ll stay here.”

“Understood.” The young eunuch glanced at Xu Sanyan, inwardly wondering which unfortunate soul had been assigned to this place.

No one wanted to come here. Consort Xiang lacked influence, so her attendants lived poorly. After all, the reason eunuchs endured castration to enter the palace was to seek wealth and status.

“Xiao Fanzi, you’ll stay here. Be sharp and don’t make any mistakes. Even if the Noble Lady forgives you, I won’t let you off,” Chief Eunuch Wang said, his heart trembling as he forced himself to deliver the line to maintain the act.

“This humble servant understands,” Xu Sanyan replied with a respectful nod.

“Let’s go.”

Only after Chief Eunuch Wang had disappeared into the distance did a maid emerge from the courtyard. “Come here. Your Highness wishes to see you.”

“Yes,” Xu Sanyan replied, keeping his head bowed as he followed the maid into the room. The interior was surprisingly spacious and filled with a faint, pleasant fragrance.

“This servant, Xiao Fanzi, greets Your Highness,” Xu Sanyan announced, catching a glimpse of a woman reclining on the bed, seemingly reading. The rustling of pages filled the air.

“Come closer,” the woman said languidly, tossing the book onto the kang table.

Xu Sanyan bowed deeply as he approached, his gaze falling directly upon the woman’s bare legs. Her calves were smooth and slender, adorned with a golden anklet that accentuated their pale, delicate beauty.

Her five toes were exquisitely plump, their slight curvature revealing the tendons beneath. The arch of her foot, with its subtle creases, added to its lifelike quality. A small, bean-sized mole on the side of her sole only enhanced its allure. Her unpolished nails gleamed like polished jade, translucent and flawless.

Gulp. Xu Sanyan swallowed hard, his mouth watering.

He was hungry.

The foot on the bed lifted slowly, drawing closer to his face. The woman’s big toe gently tilted Xu Sanyan’s chin upward as she studied his features. She nodded slightly. “You do have a handsome face…”

Only then did Xu Sanyan get a clear look at Consort Xiang. She appeared to be around twenty-five years old, with a slightly round face that gave her a hint of girlish charm, yet her demeanor was undeniably dignified. A thin blanket draped over her lower abdomen, while her outer robe had slipped off her shoulders, revealing her fragrant shoulders.

Consort Xiang was dressed casually, showing no intention of tidying up even for Xu Sanyan’s audience. She and her attendants didn’t regard eunuchs as human beings, let alone as men.

As Consort Xiang’s gaze swept up and down Xu Sanyan, her eyes suddenly froze, fixing on his crotch. A hint of confusion flickered in her eyes.

What’s that bulge? she wondered. Was he not properly castrated?

Dismissing the thought, Consort Xiang waved her hand. “You may leave now. Ling’er will instruct you on your duties.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Xu Sanyan replied, turning to leave. He suddenly felt a pang of envy for the Emperor. If even a woman of Consort Xiang’s beauty was not favored, how stunning must the Emperor’s favored concubines be?

That dog Emperor is living the high life!

As soon as they exited the room, the young maid’s demeanor grew haughty. Perhaps impressed by Xu Sanyan’s decent looks, she refrained from mistreating him, merely instructing, “Your Highness values tranquility. Do not disturb her unless necessary, and absolutely no loud noises.”

She then detailed Xu Sanyan’s duties one by one before leading him to his quarters, pointing to a low, squat building. “You’ll stay here at night. No wandering allowed.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Xu Sanyan replied obediently. Only then did Ling’er turn and leave.

That night,

Consort Xiang was sound asleep when she suddenly sensed someone at the edge of her bed. Before she could fully awaken, a hand clamped over her mouth and nose.

(End of the Chapter)