Chapter 142

Chapter 142: Valued

Though merely a junior eunuch in the Imperial Pastry Bureau, Baoquan had thoroughly mastered the art of speech and conduct from his mentor. His seamless flattery of Liang Fu left the latter feeling utterly content.

When the head pastry chef deemed the time right, he presented the Ruyi Peaches, retrieved from the ice chest. He artfully arranged several slices of fresh peaches around the five large, exquisite Ruyi Peaches on the platter.

The platter was then carefully placed into a vermilion-lacquered rosewood food box. Considering the distance between the imperial princes' residences and the Pastry Bureau, the chef instructed his apprentice to add more ice from the ice chest along the edges of the food box. Afterward, he personally carried the box to the chief eunuch.

Liang Fu, in high spirits upon receiving the food box, remarked, "I never realized your Pastry Bureau had so many rules."

Baoquan smiled, "Indeed. After all, our pastries are destined for noble palates, so we must exercise utmost caution."

The chief eunuch, with an ingratiating smile, handed over the food box. "Eunuch Liang, sorry to keep you waiting. The Ruyi Peaches are ready."

Liang Fu touched the box; its icy coolness, emanating a distinct chill, brought a satisfied smile to his face. He replied, "No rush, no rush, Grandfather Yang. I'll take it to my master now."

The chief eunuch, being more senior in the palace, was indeed worthy of the respectful address "Grandfather."

Yang Xiang glanced at his apprentice, surmising that Baoquan's pleasantries had delighted Liang Fu, thus earning him this deference. He didn't dwell on the form of address, thinking, *to each his own*.

The chief eunuch and his apprentice watched Liang Fu depart with the food box before returning to the tea room.

Should an influential figure from a noble's inner circle arrive, he would naturally be informed. As for others, whether he would grant them an audience depended entirely on his mood.

Baoquan poured his master a refreshing cup of iced plum drink, which the chief eunuch sipped slowly.

Being advanced in years, downing a whole bowl of cold liquid would give him a splitting headache, so he had to savor it.

"What did you and Liang Fu discuss just now?" the chief eunuch inquired, patting the long bench beside him. "Sit down."

Baoquan settled down and recounted his entire conversation with Liang Fu.

As he observed his master's brow furrowing deeper, his voice grew softer, eventually trailing off as he watched his master lost in thought.

"That Liang Fu is quite tight-lipped," the chief eunuch grumbled indignantly.

Baoquan quickly interjected, "Don't be angry, Master. In my humble opinion, Liang Fu is simply not familiar enough with us, which is why he's reluctant to share anything and remains guarded. Once he visits a few more times, I guarantee he'll trust me."

"How confident are you?"

Baoquan, steeling himself, replied, "Seventy percent."

The chief eunuch smiled upon hearing this. "Then I'll entrust this matter to you. If he doesn't work out, don't put all your eggs in one basket. The Sixteenth and Seventeenth Princes will also be leaving the palace soon. It wouldn't hurt to cultivate connections with them." He reluctantly conceded.

"Rest assured, Master, I will certainly secure a favorable position for you before the princes depart the palace," Baoquan declared with unwavering confidence.

The chief eunuch's eyes welled up.

Eunuchs who entered the palace were destined to spend their entire lives within its walls. Nearing death, they would be transported to the eunuchs' charitable cemetery outside the palace, a place they privately referred to as the "village of the dead."

Yang Baosheng wished to avoid such a fate, so he sought connections with the three princes, hoping they would take him along when they left the palace.

While a prince's residence might not compare to the imperial palace, his youthful ambitions had long faded. Instead, he yearned for the world beyond.

Having spent decades in the palace, it was time for him to depart.

Baoquan, however, was different—young and vibrant, like a tender sprout vigorously reaching for the sun.

Helping Yang Baosheng served two purposes: first, to repay his master's patronage, and second, to secure his own future as the chief eunuch of the Pastry Bureau.

If Yang Baosheng were to leave, his network of connections would remain, to be inherited by Baoquan. Naturally, Baoquan would spare no effort in helping Yang Baosheng achieve his goal.

Liang Fu, accompanied by a young eunuch carrying the food box, returned to Qianjiao Pavilion. Along the way, he pondered his conversation with Baoquan, realizing he hadn't extracted a single piece of useful information.

Was Baoquan deliberately evasive, or genuinely ignorant?

*Baoquan is young; he probably doesn't know anything...* Liang Fu mused as he stepped into Qianjiao Pavilion.

This was the residence of the imperial princes, where all the buildings looked identical and were closely spaced. As Liang Fu entered, he spotted the eunuch serving the Sixteenth Prince in the courtyard. He immediately lifted his head, strutting past him with the food box, as if to flaunt it.

The eunuch, far from being angered, even managed a smile. Only after Liang Fu's figure vanished did he spit on the ground and mutter, "That cur!"

The saying, "When one person gains power, even their dogs and chickens rise to heaven," was indeed true. The servants of Prince Qihui were becoming increasingly arrogant.

The eunuch thought with a pang of jealousy: *One day, when Prince Qihui falls out of favor with the Emperor, they'll get what's coming to them!*

As soon as Liang Fu entered the room, his expression shifted. He placed the food box on the table, retrieved the platter, and observed that the Ruyi Peaches, having been chilled in the ice chest and carried all the way, were still beaded with moisture.

"Godfather, I've brought the Ruyi Peaches that the master requested," Liang Fu said, his eyes crinkling into slits as he smiled.

He had originally been called Xiaofuzi, but after acknowledging Liang Zhong as his Godfather, he changed his name to Liang Fu.

Liang Zhong was sprawled on a daybed, attended by four young eunuchs—two fanning him from behind, and two kneeling, massaging his legs.

"What took you so long?" Liang Zhong asked, rising from the daybed. The eunuchs massaging his legs immediately stopped.

Liang Fu quickly deflected blame. "The Ruyi Peaches weren't prepared in advance; they had to be made fresh. Look, they're still covered in ice beads."

Liang Zhong cast a sidelong glance and grunted noncommittally, saying nothing more. He picked up the platter and headed to the main room to see Prince Qihui.

Although he had brought the Ruyi Peaches, he couldn't present them to the master himself—that would be seen as taking credit.

He knew his Godfather, despite his amiable appearance, was as petty as they come.

When Liang Zhong presented the Ruyi Peaches to Prince Qihui, the prince was engrossed in his studies.

"Master, please take a break. You barely ate anything at dinner," Liang Zhong said with concern.

Prince Qihui looked up, rubbing his eyes. "There are books everywhere here. Move them to the anteroom."

Liang Zhong dutifully carried the platter and placed it on the table in the anteroom. He then summoned the eunuchs outside, instructing them to move the ice chest from the study to the anteroom.

Prince Qihui had a peculiar habit when studying: the room had to be utterly silent, without even the sound of breathing. This meant he couldn't enjoy the cool air from the ice chest.

Though resentful, Liang Zhong dared not complain. He obediently retreated to the antechamber, waiting for the prince's orders. If needed, the eunuchs outside would notify him.

Prince Qihui picked up a Ruyi Peach with his chopsticks. With little effort, the white pastry and peach filling inside nearly burst out. He took a bite and said contentedly, "Chilled desserts are still the best. I really have no appetite for soups and porridges."

Liang Zhong chuckled ingratiatingly. "Indeed, the weather is hot now, and nothing seems appetizing... Master, should I inform the kitchen tomorrow to prepare cold noodles for you?"

He knew there were other reasons but didn't dare elaborate.

Prince Qihui chewed on the Ruyi Peach, mumbling, "Tell them to also make cold shredded chicken, vegetables pickled in mountain spring water, crystal shrimp..."

Prince Qihui rattled off several dishes in one breath, all suitable for the season.

He had become quite adept at ordering dishes now.

"Understood, I'll remember that," Liang Zhong made a mental note of each item.

Seeing Prince Qihui enjoying his meal, he finally broke into a smile and voiced the thoughts he had been rehearsing. "Your Highness, I heard that His Majesty has asked Princess Yongtai to help choose your princess consort," Liang Zhong said with a grin.

All the princes were aware of this matter.

Prince Qihui, rarely one to blush, coughed lightly into his fist.

Lowering his voice, Liang Zhong continued, "I heard the princess personally gifted Grand Tutor Song's granddaughter and the daughter of Minister Xue with woven gold brocade—such expensive fabric. Don't you think His Majesty intends to match you with one of them?"

"Don't talk nonsense," Prince Qihui scolded in a low voice, though his heart felt light, as if floating on clouds.

Grand Tutor Song was the emperor's teacher, with numerous disciples and immense influence among scholars in Jiangnan. Minister Xue, needless to say, came from a powerful family and was an influential minister at court.

Whichever one became his princess consort would be a great asset.

The thought thrilled Prince Qihui.

He felt that compared to his brothers, he only lacked maternal family support.

He was no less clever than they were; with such backing, wouldn't he be like a tiger that grew wings?

Was His Majesty hinting at something with this move?

He wouldn't disappoint his father...

Seeing his reaction, Liang Zhong, with a knowing smile in his eyes, grew bolder. "I'm not speaking nonsense, Your Highness. His Majesty's fondness for you is plain to see. These noble ladies must be chosen for you—which other prince would be worthy?"

The "which other prince" he referred to were the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Princes next door.

Though they all resided in Qianjiao Pavilion, their treatment was poles apart.

Prince Qihui felt increasingly pleased, his heart sweeter than the Ruyi Peach he had just eaten.

White pastry crumbs clung to the corners of his mouth as he ate three of the pastries in one go before feeling full. Though he hadn't eaten much for dinner, his stomach was satisfied, and the Ruyi Peaches were too rich to eat too many.

"Take the rest and eat them," he said. The eunuchs in the room, who had been enjoying the cool air, quickly got to work, fetching water to help him clean up. "All of you, leave now. I need to study."

Liang Zhong kowtowed in gratitude, took the plate of Ruyi Peaches, and left the room.

The younger eunuchs departed reluctantly.

Seeing him, Liang Fu hurried over with a smile, his eyes drifting to the loosely covered food box in Liang Zhong's hand, where two Ruyi Peaches gleamed. "Godfather, did the master reward you with these?"

When he had fetched the pastries, he had figured Prince Qihui might not finish them and might give the leftovers to him.

But since Liang Zhong hadn't mentioned it, he didn't dare ask outright.

"Look at that greedy look!" Liang Zhong scolded jokingly, though Liang Fu's behavior put him at ease. It was enough to have only one clever person by the master's side; the others were unnecessary.

"Here, take it and eat."

Liang Fu accepted it joyfully, while Liang Zhong slowly ate one himself. The Ruyi Peach was sweet, soft, and melted in your mouth, still a little cold—but there were too few to share with others.

Liang Fu wolfed his down in two bites, still craving more. He eyed the pastry in Liang Zhong's hand, swallowed saliva. He'd gulped it down without really tasting it and longed for another.

Noticing his gaze, Liang Zhong scolded, "What are you staring at? Go return these things!"

The food box and platter still sat on the table, waiting to be taken back. Liang Fu was reluctant, but since Liang Zhong had given the order, he nodded with a smile.

Liang Fu took another young eunuch with him. Now representing Prince Qihui, he had to maintain appearances when outside the palace, and for servants, having many attendants showed importance.

Once Liang Fu left, the remaining eunuchs eagerly came to massage his legs and fan him.

"All of you, leave now. I'm going to take a nap. Don't disturb me—come wake me in half an hour." After finishing the Ruyi Peach, Liang Zhong wiped his mouth, leaned back on the couch, and closed his eyes.

Though Prince Qihui studied diligently, Liang Zhong made sure to remind him to take care of his health. But today, he was too tired and decided to nap briefly, planning to have the eunuchs wake him later so he could check on the prince.

The two eunuchs bit back their words, leaving reluctantly, dragging their feet.

Liang Zhong was now Prince Qihui's favorite, and everyone curried favor with him. But Liang Fu, with his sharp eyes, had already boarded this ship early and even acknowledged Liang Zhong as his godfather—so shameless! Never mind their age difference.

Truthfully, their criticism of Liang Fu was mixed with envy. With Liang Fu always by Liang Zhong's side, their efforts to please went unnoticed.

It was already dark, and lanterns hung along the corridors in the courtyard.

The princes in Qianjiao Pavilion shared a courtyard, connected by a long corridor. Behind the main halls were the servants' quarters, which were numerous and cramped since all the princes' attendants lived there. The servants here were constantly running into each other.

Liang Zhong woke up shortly after lying down, put on his shoes, and stepped outside. He called over the nearest eunuch and pressed a money pouch into his hand.

"What can I do for you, Elder Liang?"

"Go fetch a jar of plum beverage," Liang Zhong said.

Given his status, he could simply stroll over, and the kitchen would deliver snacks and drinks without him asking. But after a slip of the tongue once earned him a scolding from Prince Qihui, Liang Zhong didn't dare do so again.

Using Prince Qihui's name to order the plum beverage was out of the question—the prince disliked subordinates who acted on their own.

Palace servants occasionally got cravings, but since they couldn't leave the palace, they had to pay the kitchen staff from their own pockets.

The kitchen staff were happy to earn extra money, as the ingredients cost them nothing—they just sold leftover ingredients.

The eunuch bowed and scraped. "Yes, I'll go right away."

Liang Zhong called after him, "And make sure it's iced!"

"Understood," the eunuch replied from a distance.

Two other eunuchs, catching the breeze nearby, noticed Liang Zhong emerge. They hurried over but saw him turn back into his room. To their regret, they'd seen under the corridor lanterns that Liang Zhong had given the eunuch a pouch—likely filled with silver.

"Who was that? Is he from our quarters?"

"Seems like he's one of the courtyard sweepers."

So he wasn't a prince's personal attendant. The two grew even more resentful, sure the eunuch had been waiting outside specifically for Liang Zhong's commands.