Chapter 155

Chapter 155: Confined to Quarters

The weather grew colder, and a biting wind howled. Master Weiyi's legs felt weak as he stepped out, but the thought of having fulfilled Prince Qihui's request filled him with joy. He yearned to deliver the news swiftly and share the good tidings.

Eunuch Huang was dragged out by the imperial guards and received ten strokes of the cane. The guards, being astute, knew Eunuch Huang had never troubled them, so they did not strike with full force. Still, Eunuch Huang was elderly, and even with lighter blows, he was in too much pain to walk. He had to be carried back.

Given his physical state, he wouldn't be able to serve the Emperor for at least ten days to half a month. Yet, he forced himself to go. His apprentice, watching with tears streaming down his face, couldn't dissuade him and could only support him. His demeanor, however, displeased Eunuch Huang, who scolded him, "All you know is crying—so unresourceful! Why can’t you learn from Lü Cai? See how he speaks? Because of him, your master got ten fewer strokes."

The young apprentice stopped crying. "Master, I was wrong."

Eunuch Lü happened to overhear this and strolled over leisurely, glancing back at them. "Huang Fushun, you’re such a clever man. How did you end up with such a foolish apprentice? If it weren’t for me, you’d have been beaten half to death."

Eunuch Huang forced a smile. "You really know how to pat yourself on the back, don’t you? Have you no shame? The Emperor is merciful. Even without your intervention, he would have told the imperial guards to go easier on me. You just had to claim the credit for yourself."

Eunuch Lü didn’t want to argue and tossed out, "Ungrateful wretch," before walking away smugly.

The young apprentice asked foolishly, "Master, if Eunuch Lü hadn’t spoken up, would the imperial guards really have given you twenty strokes?"

Eunuch Huang rapped him hard on the forehead. "If he didn’t say anything, wouldn’t you have? He was just quicker with his words, that’s all."

The apprentice chuckled. That was true—he had wanted to plead for mercy too but wasn’t as quick-witted as Eunuch Lü, who ended up taking the credit.

When Eunuch Huang struggled to appear before the Emperor to express his gratitude, the Emperor, seeing his condition, bestowed medicine upon him and instructed him to rest well before allowing him to leave.

Once outside the hall, the apprentice said, "Master, you were right. The Emperor truly cares for you."

No matter what Eunuch Huang truly thought, in front of others, it was best to play up the Emperor’s favor toward him.

"Of course. I’ve served the Emperor since I was young—it’s been over twenty years now..." Huang Fushun rambled on all the way back to his courtyard.

Given Eunuch Huang’s status, he no longer shared quarters with other eunuchs.

As soon as he entered his room, Eunuch Huang seemed to remember the pain again. He lay face down on the bed, waiting for his apprentice to remove his shoes and cover him with a blanket.

"Since I can’t serve the Emperor now, you must be even more attentive. Whether the Emperor is thirsty, hungry, or tired, you need to be sharp. Don’t let Lü Cai steal all the favor." After reminiscing about his past with the Emperor, Eunuch Huang grew worried about the days ahead. He pinched his apprentice’s ear, pulled him close, and repeated his instructions, making him recite them once before letting go. "From now on, no matter what happens, even what the Emperor eats, you must report everything to me."

The apprentice rubbed his reddened ear. "I understand, Master."

Eunuch Huang turned over, facedown on the pillow, and said in a muffled voice, "Alright, you don’t need to attend to me here. Hurry back to the Emperor’s side."

Given Eunuch Huang’s status, many eunuchs were eager to serve him. Although Huang Fushun couldn’t serve the Emperor these days, he needed to ensure the Emperor remembered him constantly, so he had to rely on his apprentice. But the apprentice, though loyal, was far from clever.

After the apprentice left, Eunuch Huang lay on the bed lost in thought.

These days, the Emperor was unpredictable and suspicious. Eunuch Huang had only acted in the Emperor’s best interest, yet he still got beaten. If no one had spoken up for him or given the Emperor a way to save face, wouldn’t he have taken all twenty strokes?

The thought angered him, making his hands and feet turn cold. He alternated between fury and sorrow.

Though he was a eunuch, he was still a living person, not some lowly creature who would offer his face after being beaten.

He thought of the princes. Usually, he avoided offending any of them, playing both sides, but this also meant the next emperor would unlikely reuse him.

Well, at his age, he wouldn’t be able to serve much longer anyway. He only hoped the new emperor would allow him to leave the palace and retire in peace.

As he pondered, Eunuch Huang drifted into a drowsy sleep.

***

Back at the Lin residence, the family remained anxious about the matter, but there was still no news. The husband and wife grew increasingly frantic.

"Sir, do you think Minister Li doesn’t want to help?" Madam Wang said. "Even though he’s observing mourning at home, with his status, a word from him could resolve our issue. It seems he doesn’t want to assist."

Lin Yixuan frowned. "Don’t talk nonsense. The Lin and Li families have been friends for generations. Minister Li wouldn’t leave us in the lurch. Otherwise, what would the other families in Danzhou think of them?"

Madam Wang also grew irritated and sneered, "I’m afraid the Li family no longer acknowledges the Lin family."

As they argued, Lin Qingxuan suddenly burst in. Lin Yixuan vented his anger on her. "Who said you could come in? No manners!"

Lin Qingxuan was stunned. In her childhood, Lin Yixuan had been busy with business, often traveling south and north, but he always brought back novel trinkets whenever he returned. Their father-daughter relationship had been decent, and such scolding was rare. Lin Qingxuan’s eyes instantly reddened.

Madam Wang, who maintained the image of a virtuous wife and mother in front of him, secretly smirked before saying, "Sir, don’t be angry. It’s my fault Xuan-jie is like this. I didn’t teach her well."

Lin Yixuan, still fuming, scolded, "What young lady in the capital barges into a room without announcing herself first? You’ve been at home all this time—haven’t you taught her any manners?"

Madam Wang said aggrievedly, "Xuan-jie is lively by nature, and there's distance between us. How could I discipline her?"

Lin Yixuan impatiently replied, "If you can’t manage her, hire a matron to teach her. I hear this is how young ladies in the capital learn manners. Save yourself the excuses."

Afraid the blame would shift to her, Madam Wang quickly agreed, though she inwardly resolved to find a strict matron to make Lin Qingxuan suffer.

Over the years, she had let Lin Qingxuan grow up freely, never teaching her any manners. Suddenly making her learn various rules—how to speak, stand, eat—would surely be a trial for her.

After venting, Lin Yixuan calmed down slightly and asked, "What did you come here for?"

Lin Qingxuan said aggrievedly, "I came to ask Father when we’re returning home? And before we leave, can we visit the Li family again? I want to play with Nianwei-jie and the others."

The Lin family had no roots in the capital, and Lin Qingxuan had no friends there. Her younger brother was too young, and her mother kept her at a distance.

Lin Yixuan thought for a moment, considering that using his daughter as an excuse to visit the Li family again might be a good idea.

Husband and wife exchanged a glance, their thoughts aligning.

The family hired a sedan chair, prepared gifts, and set off for the Li residence again.

Fuzhou wasn’t far from the capital, but Li Lingchuan still hadn’t received Tian Lin’s reply, so he hadn’t sent word to the Lin family. He didn’t expect the Lin family to grow so anxious that they would come unannounced.

Lin Yixuan spoke with Li Lingchuan, while Dong Yuting received Madam Wang and Lin Qingxuan. The last time Madam Wang visited, she hadn’t mentioned the Fuzhou matter, but today, perhaps out of urgency, she broached the subject indirectly.

Dong Yuting said calmly, "My husband never discusses his affairs with me. But I believe even if he doesn’t agree, he will give you a response. Please wait a little longer. Don’t you think so?"

Madam Wang smiled awkwardly. "You’re right, Madam."

Since the Lin family needed the Li family’s help, Madam Wang’s words were full of flattery, and she constantly tried to keep the conversation lively.

Lin Qingxuan, after paying her respects, went off to play with Li Nianyao and the others.

Madam Wang watched the poised and graceful Li Nianyao intently, her gaze following them even after they entered the courtyard.

Dong Yuting asked, "What is Madam Lin looking at?"

Madam Wang snapped back to attention and smiled apologetically. "You’ve raised your daughter so well, Madam Li. Such a daughter is truly worthy of being a noble lady of the capital. Compared to your daughter, my Xuan-jie is like heaven and earth. She’s already this age but still has no manners. Just before coming here, her father scolded her, and I was blamed too. I truly don’t know how you managed to raise her so well. Could you give me some advice?"

Madam Wang spoke earnestly, but Dong Yuting thought to herself: This is the result of your neglect. It’s a miracle Lin Qingxuan didn’t turn out worse.

Keeping this to herself, Dong Yuting replied honestly, "I’m not much of a teacher. It was all thanks to the matron the old lady hired."

Madam Wang asked, "What matron is so remarkable?" "She originally served imperial concubines in the palace. When she reached a certain age, she was released to enjoy her retirement, but her family was full of good-for-nothings who relied on her to support them. So she earns money by teaching etiquette to young ladies from noble families," Dong Yuting explained. "But she’s very capable. Every young lady she’s taught has admired her."

Madam Wang's eyes lit up, and she eagerly asked, "I wonder if she has any standards for a family's social status? Will she leave the capital? And what are her fees?"

Dong Yuting implied tactfully, "She previously served imperial consorts in the palace, after all, so she isn't willing to teach just anyone." At the very least, given the Lin family’s merchant background, this matron would certainly refuse.

"The most important thing is that she never leaves the capital, so you can set your mind at rest about that, Mrs. Lin," Dong Yuting said with a smile.

Madam Wang's face cleared again, and she sighed, "So that’s how it is. What a pity. I just hope that while Miss Xuan spends time with your daughter, she can learn a bit of decorum. I don’t expect perfection—even fifty or sixty percent would more than satisfy me."

Anyone unaware would truly think Wang was such a doting mother.

On the other side, Master Lin was also asking Li Lingchuan about the Fuzhou matter.

"Lord Li, the Zhang family is greedy and has colluded with officials. They even went so far as to kill an elderly man to frame our Lin family. If you don’t help, the Zhang family will surely grow even more rampant," Lin Yixuan said sorrowfully.

Li Lingchuan, who was based in the capital and rarely returned to Danzhou, was not familiar with Lin Yixuan. Seeing him like this, he remained completely unmoved and instead said, "The Lin family has also oppressed the Zhang family’s business and engaged in quite a few unjust practices, haven't they?"

Lin Yixuan’s expression shifted, realizing that Li Lingchuan knew far more than he had imagined. Yet, this also indicated that Li Lingchuan was investigating the matter and had not washed his hands of it entirely. For a moment, he didn’t know whether to feel relieved or disheartened. His face turned pale and flushed, and his voice suddenly softened. "Lord Li, these are just standard business practices. Although I may have done one or two unjust things, I never intended to harm anyone. The Zhang family, in their efforts to ruin our reputation, went so far as to kill someone. Compared to them, the Lin family is practically virtuous."

Moreover, the Li family had once been merchants themselves—could they truly claim they had never oppressed others in business?

Lin Yixuan didn’t dare voice this thought aloud, but his expression clearly implied it.

Li Lingchuan, after all, was still a member of the Li family and didn’t wish to dwell on the topic. He simply said, "I have already sent someone to investigate this matter thoroughly. If the death of that elderly man has no connection to the Lin family or the two princes, I will help."

Li Lingchuan’s assurance brought Lin Yixuan immense relief. He hurriedly vowed, "There is absolutely no connection, none at all. You have my word, Lord Li." Wiping sweat from his brow, he thought to himself that Lord Li was far more difficult to deal with than Li Lingchao.

Just then, Li Linghao entered the room calling for his elder brother. Noticing someone else in the study, he immediately fell silent and shot Li Lingchuan a meaningful glance.

"So it’s Brother Lin," Li Linghao said. He had met Lin Yixuan in Danzhou and was somewhat acquainted with him.

"Since you need to speak with Lord Li, I won’t disturb you further," Lin Yixuan said tactfully.

Li Lingchuan did not stop him. After Lin Yixuan left, he suddenly wondered if Li Linghao’s hurried arrival might mean there was news from Fuzhou. On a whim, he paused and decided to return later to inquire further.

"Elder brother, this is bad news! Prince Yongming has been reprimanded by the Emperor and confined to his palace under imperial order. He's forbidden to leave his residence without explicit permission!" Li Linghao exclaimed as soon as Lin Yixuan was gone.

The sudden news made Li Lingchuan frown. "What exactly happened? Explain clearly!"

Li Linghao said, "During court today, the Emperor proposed going to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to heaven. But due to the long distance, he appointed Prince Qihui to go in his place. Prince Yongming objected, saying Prince Qihui is neither the eldest nor the designated heir, so it was improper. The Emperor reprimanded him harshly, and even the officials who supported him were scolded."

Li Lingchuan fell into deep thought. Li Linghao anxiously asked, "Elder brother, what should we do?" In his heart, their family’s reliance was Prince Yongming. If Prince Yongming fell, their family would suffer as well.

"Wait."

"What?" Li Linghao didn’t understand.

"The prince is under house arrest, and I am still in mourning. Should I go to the palace to plead for him? That would clearly be unwise. For now, we wait." Li Lingchuan feigned calm, though he was far from it. There was little he could do at the moment.

He gazed outside. A cold wind blew, and a bamboo leaf drifted down in the courtyard. Dark clouds gathered on the horizon, pressing down heavily, so oppressive it was hard to breathe.