"Here's your meal!" The waiter put the dishes they ordered on their table.
The aroma comes from the hot bowls of Wonton Noodle Soup Lingers in their nose. The savory smell of chicken broth makes their stomachs even wilder, growling like an untamed animal.
After everything is set, he immediately leaves so that the customers can finally dig in.
Eunuch Xu, Sect Leader Zhao, Sect Elder Wang, the prince, princess, and the emperor all went inside a nearby restaurant. This isn't the most luxurious restaurant in town but it's the nearest. It's not a famous one too so their food must be not that good but not that it matters. Any food tastes good when you're hungry after all.
But before they go to the restaurant, they first stop in a nearby store that sells clothes. The triplets look so dirty and are still wearing the imperial chefs' uniform so they need to change into casual robes. They might draw too much attention from those uniforms.
They chose cheap ones to blend into the crowd. Also, Prince Yin Wenyan is running out of money. He's been bargaining just to enter the imperial palace after all. Princess Yin Xiulan lost her money purse during their fall. And Emperor Yin Renshu forgot to bring his before they head into the trap that the grand empress dowager prepared just for them. In fact, it's Wang Junjie who paid for their things.
Aside from the commoner's robes, they also purchased a cloak to somehow conceal their identity.
This time, it's Xu Zhengming's turn to pay for their meal. And since he doesn't want to say goodbye to his beloved money, he ordered the cheapest meal that the restaurant can offer for all of them which is Wonton Noodle Soup.
Even though it's the cheapest meal, no one complained. First of all, it's the Yin sibling's favorite dish. Second, Wang Junjie isn't a choosy person. Third, Zhao Yangguang doesn't care about the price and doesn't even know how much this dish costs. And lastly, just what is mentioned earlier, Xu Zhengming wants the cheapest meal.
Just like Emperor Yin Renshu, Zhao Yangguang left his money purse. Well, it's not that bringing his purse will change anything. He's penniless so he can't contribute to the payment. He may be wealthy as a child but after their sect faced their greatest downfall, their wealth disappeared along with their pride as the number one sect of the lower cultivation world.
Everyone is dining in except for Princess Yin Xiulan who is just staring at her bowl.
"Your highness, don't you like the food?" Xu Zhengming was the first one to notice. he hates to ask her this but he can't just let her eat nothing. "Would you like to order something else?"
Only by then did Princess Yin Xiulan notice that she's spacing out. "Ah? Oh, no. This is good. No need to order for another one."
Hearing this response from her highness, Eunuch Xu was able to let out a sigh of relief. Good thing, she's okay with it or else, he has to pay for another dish. A more expensive one on top of that.
She picks up her chopsticks and stirs the bowl of noodles to mix the ingredients. A little smile forms on her thin lips as she recalls some good memories that she's been keeping for some time now. It's just a weak smile she's showing, which is even rarer than the blue moon.
"It's just Wonton Noodle Soup reminds me of some of the significant people who I met. I remember, Lin-dage, your father, gave us this food before."
Emperor Yin Renshu slurped the noodles, quickly chew, and swallowed.
He remembers that too. In fact, that's one of his most cherished memories. "That's right! That was the first delicious meal we had."
Prince Yin Wenyan also recalls that good old times and can't help but to compare it with today. "And now, it's Eunuch Xu who treats us with the same dish."
Eunuch Xu laughs, "Don't mention it. It's just a small thing."
And besides, the money he used isn't really something he worked hard on. It's the money that Prince Yin Wenyan gave him before.
Princess Yin Xiulan picks up the dumpling using her chopsticks. "And this is what Liu Chen usually cooks when he wants to cheer me up."
She put the dumpling in her mouth. Savoring the taste of the shrimp. But Liu Chen's personally made wonton noodle soup tastes better.
Her chest aches. Her eyes start to get wet. But she must not cry now. She promised in front of Liu Chen's grave that she will keep herself collected until she finally avenged him. When that happens, she'll cry all the pain out until she feels better.
The clueless eunuch asked tactlessly. "Oh, that reminds me. Where's Lieutenant General Liu?"
Since he was isolated in the Lotus Hall when that happened, he really never heard about his downfall. After that, the prince took him into the Wan Moli Hua Palace to hide him there so there's no way he'll know about that tragedy.
"..."
"..."
The two emperors remained silent yet they are wearing complicated expressions on their faces.
Wang Junjie and Zhao Yangguang don't know about it either. They didn't even know who Liu Chen was. And so they didn't bother to include themselves in the conversation.
Princess Yin Xiulan is speechless for a while as well but she recovered and just gave the eunuch a lazy smile. "Wherever he is, I'm sure he's having a good rest now."
Moving forward, everyone sneaks into the imperial palace again. Since they are all cultivators, they did it singlehandedly all thanks to their swift moves. Well, except for Xu Zhengming so Emperor Yin Renshu has to carry him like a sack of rice. It brings back memories for both of them. How could they forget about how his majesty carried him back to the imperial palace?
Even though Xu Zhengming is kinda... dragging them down, they really can't leave him alone.
Of course, they didn't come back to the imperial palace without a plan. They have thought about this plan thoroughly, making sure that the grand empress dowager won't be able to call for backup.
Just as planned, once they crossed the high palace walls, they went on different ways.
Emperor Yin Renshu went straight to the Pavilion of Literary Glory with Eunuch Xu. Princess Yin Xiulan and Prince Yin Wenyan went to the Grand Empress Dowager's Hall. Sect Leader Zhao and Sect Elder Wang headed to Empress Dowager's Hall.
Xu Zhengming wanders his eyes around the Pavilion of Literary Glory. This is his first time to see its interior despite working in the imperial palace for some time now. It is because every time the emperor is having his scheduled conference with high-ranking eunuchs, his personal servants aren't allowed to come inside. This is why they always wait for him outside until the conference is over.
There's actually a spare robe and a coronet kept inside of the pavilion so there is no need for them to go to the Lotus Hall of Emperor's Hall just to get his majesty ready for official matters.
Out of habit, Xu Zhengming helped him put his usual black robe with gold patterns on it. "It's been a while since the last time I served you properly as the emperor."
"Mn." Emperor Yin Renshu nods as he let his eunuch do all the work.
He's just staring straight at this beau, and then everything seems to slow down. How he wishes the time will stop even just for a short while so that he can take a better look at this silly eunuch of his, and compliment him in silence. Praise how his eyes are comparable to the gentle moon in the night sky. Caress his porcelain white cheek, and touch the small mole under his left eye. The divine hands really spent more time molding this man's face.
The little smile on Xu Zhengming's lips makes him even more attractive. Well, even if he does nothing at all, he looks damn wonderful... at least in his majesty's eyes.
However, Emperor Yin Renshu is never good at complimenting others, unlike his brother. What comes out of his mouth is the complete opposite. "You're a terrible servant. Do you know that?"
Surprisingly, Eunuch Xu didn't get annoyed with his majesty's statement. In fact, he chuckled upon hearing it. "But you never dismissed me."
"I will." The emperor said which made Eunuch Xu pause from fixing his lapels.
Since Emperor Yin Renshu is taller than him, Xu Zhengming has to look up to him to meet his gaze. Those pair of phoenix eyes are serious, there's no hint of joking. Will he really dismiss him? Is he that bad of a servant?!
But now that he thinks about it, didn't he want to leave this place at first? He even tried to run away, only to get carried back by Emperor Yin Renshu like a sack of rice. Why does he want to stay here now despite the internal crisis that's happening?
The emperor pursed his lips before he parted them to speak again. "If I will dismiss you as my personal eunuch, will you become my empress instead?"
Eunuch Xu's world stops spinning. All he knows is that his heart starts to race. He heard him loud and clear but he can't believe it. "Your majesty... what..."
Hearing Xu Zhengming calls him like that, he suddenly lost his courage and retracted his words. "Just kidding."
"Oh, right." Xu Zhengming felt a little relief but his tone sounds a little disappointed. He could only hope that his majesty didn't notice. He fakes a laugh to get away from the awkward situation. "You really like making fun of me."
"..."
Xu Zhengming escorted his majesty to his throne on the elevated platform. In there, he puts the mian hat on the emperor's head carefully.
After securing it, Xu Zhengming took a couple of steps backward to check if it's properly worn. After confirming it, he smiles and clasps his hands as he bows his head. "Welcome back, your majesty."
Eunuch Xu being this respectful is a rare sight to see. It doesn't suit him at all! This action made the emperor laugh softly. "Just Renshu is fine."
He put his hands down and lifts his head, showing a bright smile. "I was just trying to pay my respects to you but it seems formalities aren't really my thing."
"It's fine if you don't like formalities. You don't have to get used to it. We'll leave this place after resolving this mess."
Emperor Yin Renshu already made up his mind the moment Xu Zhengming said that he will go with him when he leaves the palace. He wants to live a smile life, away from politics, and probably away from the cultivation world too. He wants to settle down and live the rest of his life as a civilian.
"Alright." Xu Zhengming replies casually just like how he usually does. "Well then, I think I need to do my part now." The eunuch was about to leave the pavilion but the emperor called out.
"Eunuch Xu."
"What?" Xu Zhengming turns his head to face him.
The emperor looks hesitating at first but speaks what he wanted to say eventually. "Be careful."
Xu Zhengming finds the emperor acting strange. He knows that his majesty is temperamental but he's unusually being nice when this emperor is the 'bad tempered' one.
He just gave him a reassuring smile and said before he leaves. "Of course."
Good thing, the provided clothes for sleeping are white robes so the plain white sect uniform that he is wearing now isn't getting much attention. In fact, there are servants outside that are already wearing their night robes.
Speaking of servants, he saw Court Lady Han and a maid that serves directly to the emperor. They just got back from the lake in the imperial garden where the 'emperor' used to spend his time alone. They burned joss paper for him.
The truth is, the one she saw that always spent his free time in the lake is actually Prince Yin Wenyan who is reminiscing the good memories that happened in the place. But not that it matters now. They are about to know that burned joss paper to no one.
"Court Lady Han!" Xu Zhengming runs closer to the two.
As he is approaching, her puffy eyes probably caused by so much crying, become more evident.
"Eunuch Xu... you're back!" The maid is surprised to see him after so many days of his absence.
And his charm is showing even more with his hair tied up in a high ponytail. He looks so beautiful in white... like an angel that sets his feet on the ground.
"So pretty..." She subconsciously let her thoughts out.
"Uh... pretty is not the right word to describe me but I'll take it as a compliment." His inner Casanova dominated again. He gives her his killer smile and even winks at the lady. "Did you miss me?"
The maid's heart skipped a beat. That wink is the most stunning of all! She can't utter a word out of delight but she managed to nod.
However, Court lady Han does not have the same reaction as this maid. In fact, it's the total opposite. "You... You still have the face to come back after you took advantage of the late emperor!"
The emperor being mentioned, the old lady can't help but get emotional again. Her anger towards Xu Zhengming turns into tears.
"Court Lady Han..." The maid is trying to comfort the court lady but even she starts crying again.
"..." Xu Zhengming got confused for a little while.
Take advantage? Did she find out that he's been asking for 15 gold coins from his majesty? Well, he wouldn't deny that. He's guilty.
But there's something that's more important now.
Xu Zhengming looks around. It seems no one is around and it's safe to say it now. But he couldn't be more careful. He said in a low voice, almost whispering. "Court Lady Han, don't cry. The emperor is still alive. And her highness too."
"What are you saying?! His majesty's body, and her highness' too... they're already buried!"
"What? Did you even see their faces? Did you confirm it was really them?" Because it's really impossible that they're dead when they're eating wontons just earlier. It's clearly not them who got buried. Who knows who are those?
The court lady shakes her head. She responds in between her sobs. "No, I haven't seen it. They said their bodies got brunt because his majesty lost control of his spiritual powers and overused it, causing them to get burned alive."
"What kind of story is that? Don't believe them, Court Lady Han. I am with them just now. Please believe me." Xu Zhengming knows that it's hard for them to believe what he's saying but this is the only thing he can do for now. "It's a long story but his majesty is still alive. He's in the Pavilion of Literary Glory. And I am tasked to gather all the high-ranking eunuchs of the two clans. Please help me."