Chapter 281: The Regent’s Spoiled Eunuch (8)

Chapter 281: The Regent's Spoiled Eunuch (8)

Outside Tai'an Mansion, Song Chuyi was checking with the coachman about local spots with good snacks, particularly those with regional specialties.

He especially wanted something uniquely local.

Ever since he had tasted the preserved vegetable pancake from Chef Wang's hometown last time, he had developed a real love for it.

Unlike the more refined flavors you'd find nowadays, the preserved vegetable pancakes of ancient times, though a little rougher in texture, were made the traditional way and had a distinct deliciousness.

Song Chuyi intended to find more delicious snacks so he could grab a bite with the antagonist later.

After thoroughly questioning the coachman, he jotted down all the places the coachman recommended, and only then did he get off the carriage, feeling reluctant.

Inside Tai'an Mansion, Ying Chengan had glanced towards the main entrance countless times.

The fish food in his hand was all gone, and it had been two hours, but he still hadn't come back.

Ying Chengan slightly narrowed his eyes, and he began to consider whether he should head to the palace to fetch him.

"Sir!"

The familiar voice and lean figure reached Ying Chengan's ears and eyes at the same time.

Letting his arms fall to his sides, Ying Chengan said indifferently, as though the long wait hadn't bothered him at all.

"You're back?"

Song Chuyi ran over to Ying Chengan, nodding repeatedly.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm back."

"The little emperor has already sent someone to get in touch with Minister Wen's son."

Ying Chengan's eyes turned cold, not interested in the matter.

However, another thing made him narrow his eyes and ask, "Did you have a nice chat with the little emperor?"

Song Chuyi responded honestly, "No, I just gave the information to His Majesty and came back."

Ying Chengan asked, "Did someone give you a hard time?"

Song Chuyi shook his head, "No."

After thinking for two seconds, he said, "Sir, do you think I came back too late?"

Ying Chengan didn't speak, but the gaze that fell on the eunuch's face seemed to say it all.

"I hung out with the coachman for a bit."

Song Chuyi grinned foolishly.

"The coachman said there's a shop on the next street that has particularly delicious pastries."

"And the lady's baked pancakes at the East Market have an exceptional taste too."

The eunuch excitedly told him about all the delicious food and fun things he'd heard about, as if he had gathered this information just to share it.

Ying Chengan lightly curled the corners of his mouth, his mood improving slightly.

"Want to go play?"

Song Chuyi nodded without hesitation.

"In half a month, it’ll be New Year’s Eve."

"If you behave, I might take you out for some fun."

Song Chuyi immediately straightened up and patted his chest.

"Don't worry, my lord, I’ll definitely behave!"

Ying Chengan replied with a smile.

Snowflakes drifted down from the sky, settling on their shoulders.

A small flake landed on Song Chuyi's face and quickly melted into a cool droplet that trickled down his cheek.

Ying Chengan raised his hand and gently wiped away the tear-like drop.

"It's cold outside, let's go inside."

His fingertips were slightly cold, even colder than the little eunuch’s cheeks.

Song Chuyi shivered from the cold and obediently replied, taking a step toward the house.

He planned to find Uncle Wang to make some pork belly buns with pickled vegetables. That’s what he’d have for dinner tonight!

Ying Chengan watched as Song Chuyi turned toward the east courtyard instead of heading to his own.

He was almost amused to laughter.

This little eunuch, who had obediently agreed to behave, actually?

All he did was run to the east courtyard every day.

He couldn’t figure out what in the east courtyard was so attractive to the little eunuch.

————

The east courtyard had recently been through a major overhaul.

It was said to be on the master’s orders. Not only were personnel thoroughly checked, but everything in each room of the east courtyard was inventoried.

The kitchen, in particular, required that even the extra eggs laid each day be recorded.

After several days of intense inspections, someone finally couldn’t take it anymore and secretly approached the little eunuch.

"Please ask the master if he can put an end to these inspections."

"I was in the middle of trying to get the hens to lay eggs. It’s fine if they scared me, but they scared the chickens."

"As a result, the hens I was watching haven’t laid eggs for two days now."

Knowing how much Xiao Qian valued the hens in the backyard, the little eunuch went to speak with the regent.

In the study, Ying Chengan was going through official documents.

The memorials from the court are screened before they reach him.

The more important ones are sent directly to him, while the rest of the unimportant ones are sent to the young emperor.

Ying Chengan was quite adept at reviewing the memorials and soon dealt with the stack on his desk.

Upon hearing the sound of footsteps, he spread out the completed memorials and placed them in front of him.

Soon after, there was a knock on the door.

"Sir."

The eunuch's voice carried a hint of caution, quite different from his usual self.

Ying Chengan was well aware of why the eunuch had come, and a smile curled at his lips.

"Enter."

The door of the study was pushed open, and light flooded in from outside.

Along with the light, the slender figure entered.

Ying Chengan's gaze lingered on him. "Come here."

Song Chuyi closed the door, blocking the outside light immediately.

The light that fell on him made his exposed skin appear snow-white, almost dazzling to Ying Chengan.

The young eunuch walked over, lowered his head, and cleared his throat.

"Sir, why have you been checking the eastern courtyard these past few days?"

"Is there something wrong over there?"

Ying Chengan leaned back in his chair, one hand on the armrest, the other lightly drumming his thigh.

The implication was obvious.

But Song Chuyi, seemingly unaware, took Ying Chengan's silence as tacit agreement.

"Could it be that there are other spies besides me?"

Seeing that the eunuch didn't understand the hint, Ying Chengan reached out and grabbed Song Chuyi's wrist, gently pulling him close.

"Other than you, who would dare to plant spies in my Tai'an Mansion?"

It was common knowledge, even among ordinary folks, that the current regent held sway over everything.

There were no spies in his Tai'an Mansion, except for the eunuch.

Song Chuyi became more intrigued. "Then why have you been investigating the eastern courtyard these past few days?"

With a half-smile, Ying Chengan replied, "I'm curious about what in the eastern courtyard has made a certain eunuch linger."

"I'm curious, what in the eastern courtyard is worth you lingering?"

Song Chuyi: "..."

He knew the enemy was targeting him!

He blinked lightly and tugged on Ying Chengan's sleeve.

"My lord, I'm just hungry for a bite."

"Why make such a big deal out of it?"

His softened tone sent a pleasant shiver down the spine.

Ying Chengan was pleased to see the little eunuch so obedient, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

"If you're hungry, just tell the kitchen to whip something up."

"No need to bother yourself."

His large hand settled on the little eunuch's slender waist, fingers finding the soft flesh.

He rubbed it for a moment.

"You said you'd behave a few days ago, so why haven't you even greeted me since then, hmm?"