Chapter 275: The Regent King’s Spoiled Little Eunuch (2)

Chapter 275: The Regent King's Spoiled Little Eunuch (2)

Song Chuyi couldn't quite grasp what Ying Chengan was getting at.

Logically, Ying Chengan should have a distaste for those associated with the little emperor.

Wait, Ying Chengan had been given the wrong backstory by Xiaotong.

That made the situation even more confusing.

Even without the full backstory, given the antagonist's nature, he would naturally clash with the little emperor.

If that was the case, why was Ying Chengan asking for his opinion?

A flurry of thoughts raced through Song Chuyi's mind. He lowered his head and quickly responded, "My lord, I am but a humble servant; I cannot make decisions."

Ying Chengan observed the little eunuch with keen interest.

He called himself a lowly servant, yet had the audacity to use "I" in his presence. Clearly spoiled.

No wonder, in that peculiar "tale," his young nephew had stirred up so much trouble in Tai'an Mansion over a mere eunuch.

Ying Chengan's eyes narrowed, his commanding presence bearing down heavily on Song Chuyi.

Song Chuyi's face paled instantly.

"Can't make decisions?" Ying Chengan chuckled. "What a fine excuse."

"In that case, return and inform your master that the winter hunt..."

Before he could finish, the little eunuch, with his rosy lips and pearly teeth, suddenly looked up at him.

His beautiful eyes were tinged with a hint of pleading.

For some reason, the words that escaped his lips were, "I will attend."

After uttering those words, Ying Chengan realized what he had just committed to. His eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flashing within them.

"But there's a catch."

Song Chuyi's eyes lit up slightly. "What catch?"

Ying Chengan tapped his index finger on the warm stove in his palm, pondered for a moment, and then, as if struck by an amusing thought, a faint smile played on his lips.

"Starting today, you must come to my Tai'an Mansion daily to pay your respects. How does that sound?"

Song Chuyi hesitated...

Though the condition was demanding, it actually played right into his hands!

He had been fretting over how to get closer to the antagonist, and now, just when he needed it, the perfect opportunity had fallen into his lap.

Song Chuyi stifled his excitement and feigned apprehension as he replied, "Yes, my lord."

Ying Chengan, satisfied, waved his hand dismissively. "Go and report back."

Song Chuyi gave a bow and turned to take his leave.

The pain in his ankle made him instinctively avoid putting weight on his left foot, resulting in a slight limp as he walked.

He had only taken two steps when Ying Chengan called out to him.

"Stop."

Song Chuyi turned to look at him, his small face showing a hint of confusion.

"Is there anything else, sir?"

Ying Chengan's gaze fell on Song Chuyi's left calf. "What happened to your leg?"

"I accidentally twisted it on the way here," Song Chuyi explained.

Ying Chengan's eyes swept over the eunuch's disheveled appearance. "The little emperor is so fond of you, yet he couldn't even provide a sedan chair for you?"

The Hall of Mental Cultivation was quite far from his Tai'an Mansion. Making the eunuch walk all the way here, no wonder something happened to him in that storybook.

Song Chuyi's long eyelashes fluttered slightly as he whispered, "After all, I'm just a servant."

In truth, the little emperor simply had no money!

Everything in the palace was kept modest. Although there were sedan chair bearers, there were no sedan chairs available.

The only sedan chair was the emperor's exclusive one used for ancestral worship. Given the host body's status, it was impossible for him to ride in that sedan chair.

Hearing this, a sudden wave of displeasure washed over Ying Chengan.

"You plan to walk back with an injured foot?"

He summoned his subordinates. "Fetch Xiao Chu some bruise ointment and ensure he returns safely in a sedan chair."

The subordinates quickly complied, gesturing for Song Chuyi to proceed.

Relieved that he didn't have to walk, Song Chuyi flashed a bright smile at Ying Chengan.

"Thank you, sir."

With that, he turned and left with Ying Chengan's subordinates.

Ying Chengan sat alone in the study, his fingertips idly tapping on the warming stove.

After a moment, he suddenly chuckled.

"His smile is quite charming."

————

As the sedan chair carried him back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Song Chuyi applied the bruise ointment to himself.

To his surprise, the medicine worked wonders. The pain vanished almost instantly.

He stashed the remaining ointment and arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the sedan chair jolting slightly.

Only two guards were on duty outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Upon seeing him return, they saluted.

Being the little emperor's most favored eunuch, the guards naturally treated him with respect.

This was Song Chuyi's first time as a eunuch, and he was still getting used to his new role.

Seeing the guards salute, he nodded in acknowledgment and returned the gesture.

The two guards were visibly taken aback for a moment.

Song Chuyi paid them no mind, pushed open the door to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and stepped inside.

Once the door was closed, the little emperor hurried over, his face filled with anxiety.

"How did it go?"

Song Chuyi flashed him an "OK" sign.

The little emperor copied him, forming the "OK" sign with his fingers, "Xiao Chu, what does this mean?"

Song Chuyi cleared his throat and said, "The lord has agreed."

The little emperor heaved a huge sigh of relief.

"Xiao Chu is as good as two men!"

"I'll treat you to a midnight snack."

The little emperor was delighted and instructed the imperial kitchen to prepare a midnight snack for tonight.

Song Chuyi studied the little emperor before him—his sharp eyebrows and starry eyes made him a strikingly handsome young man.

Though still young, the little emperor's face bore a hint of childishness, yet his high position lent him a maturity beyond his years.

Compared to the enigmatic and reserved Ying Chengan, the little emperor was far more transparent.

The court officials were all cunning, and who knew what schemes they might be plotting against the little emperor behind closed doors.

"Xiao Chu, why are you staring at me like that?"

The little emperor asked, puzzled, "Did the regent say something to you?"

As he spoke, his face showed clear concern.

The little emperor knew full well the regent's power in the court.

He had no one dependable by his side, save for Xiao Chu, who had grown up with him and could be trusted to some extent.

If even Xiao Chu were to side with the regent, he would truly be left with no one to rely on.

At this thought, the little emperor's eyes grew slightly dim.

Song Chuyi noted the little emperor's expression.

"The regent has agreed to attend the winter hunt, but he has one condition."

The little emperor was startled and asked hastily, "What condition?"

"He wants me to pay my respects at Tai'an Mansion every day," Song Chuyi revealed Ying Chengan's condition.

The little emperor's face paled, "Xiao Chu, even you..."

Song Chuyi quickly reassured him, "Your Majesty, I will never betray you."

"I think the regent is just bored and looking to toy with me."

"Don't worry, I'll just pay my respects to him daily."

"After all, I am your man, Your Majesty. He wouldn't dare to do anything to me openly."

The little emperor felt comforted, and his expression softened.

"Xiao Chu, you've done well."

He knew the regent was ruthless and feared how he might torment Xiao Chu.

"Xiao Chu, if the regent goes too far, just drop my name."

"It might give him pause for a moment."

Song Chuyi chuckled, "Alright."