Chapter 4: The Banquet

Ye Cheng cast a cold glance at the eunuch in the red robe.

This was Steward Qiu, an attendant of Chief Steward Li, accompanied by two other eunuch underlings.

Qiu was a petty scoundrel, who flattered the powerful and bullied his peers, constantly making life miserable for other eunuchs and palace maids. Previously, it was he who arranged for Ye Cheng’s predecessor to wash Chief Steward Li’s feet. Proud by nature and the former crown prince of the previous dynasty, how could Ye Cheng’s predecessor endure such humiliation? His refusal infuriated Chief Steward Li, who ordered his men to beat him with fifty strokes of the rod.

With the martial skills of a second-rank warrior, Ye Cheng's predecessor could have dispatched several eunuchs with ease. Yet, to avoid exposing his true identity, he chose to endure, believing he could tough it out. Who would have thought that, in the end, it would cost him his life?

Ye Cheng suspected his predecessor died from sheer indignation.

This was a debt Ye Cheng was determined to settle—but not now. At present, he was in no position to challenge Chief Steward Li. He was no longer the headstrong youth of before, but someone tempered by the hardships of life. In the blink of an eye, Ye Cheng replaced his cold expression with a smile. “It’s all thanks to your good fortune, Steward Qiu.”

Qiu was taken aback by Ye Cheng’s sudden change in demeanor. Had this boy really turned over a new leaf? In the past, Ye Cheng was known for his stubborn and surly temper—he’d never have shown him such respect.

“Ye Cheng, about last time, it wasn’t my intention to make things hard for you. I was giving you an opportunity to move up. At last, you’ve come to your senses. In this palace, we must learn to submit. I heard you received a reward?”

Steward Qiu crooked a finger at him, his meaning obvious—he wanted a cut.

Seeking to avoid trouble, Ye Cheng handed over a banknote for one hundred taels, smiling as he said, “I’ll be counting on your guidance in the future, Steward Qiu.”

But Qiu, unsatisfied after pocketing the note, demanded, “Only a hundred taels? That’s far too little. Where in the palace doesn’t Chief Steward Li deserve his due?”

Ye Cheng’s temper flared.

He only received three taels a month in salary—enough for a modest living in the capital. A hundred taels would support a family of three for a year. Yet this gelded dog was still not content?

Did they really think he was made of clay, to be molded and trampled as they pleased?

Without hesitation, Ye Cheng snatched back the banknote from Qiu’s hand and spat, “You greedy cur, are you never satisfied?”

Qiu had thought Ye Cheng had changed his ways, but now the boy was even bolder, daring to insult him to his face.

“Ye Cheng, you must be tired of living! Slap his mouth!” Qiu’s eyes bulged with rage as he turned to the two eunuch attendants behind him and barked the command.

“You blind mongrel, daring to insult Steward Qiu—let’s see how you like this!” The two eunuchs jeered, rushing forward to grab Ye Cheng by the collar and deliver a beating.

“Let’s see who ends up learning a lesson!” Ye Cheng was no pushover. In his college days, he’d trained in boxing and was quick on his feet. Now, with the physique of a second-rank warrior, he was stronger than ever—stronger, he suspected, than a professional boxer in his previous life.

With a single punch, he shattered the nose of one eunuch, sending blood gushing. The other eunuch’s hand bones were crushed in Ye Cheng’s grasp. The two of them tumbled to the ground, wailing, and scrambled away in terror.

Witnessing Ye Cheng’s ferocity, Qiu was paralyzed with fear, as if he no longer recognized him. He collapsed onto the floor in shock.

Even Ye Cheng was surprised by the raw power of his new body—two casual blows had sent the eunuchs fleeing in disarray. If his predecessor had possessed such ability, he could have done as he pleased in the prince’s residence—but, alas, he’d lacked the wit.

“Ye Cheng, don’t come any closer. I serve Chief Steward Li!” Qiu pleaded, voice trembling with fear.

“I’m beating you precisely because you serve Chief Steward Li,” Ye Cheng replied, stepping forward and unleashing a flurry of blows that left Qiu battered and bruised, howling for mercy.

The palace maids and eunuchs who’d gathered to watch were stunned.

“My goodness, Ye Cheng is something else—he even dares to strike Steward Qiu!”

“So he knows martial arts after all!”

“He’ll be in for it later.”

The crowd buzzed with gossip.

Ordinarily, Ye Cheng was a timid little eunuch, so meek that anyone could bully him. Who would have thought he’d turn out to be so ruthless, daring to lay hands on Steward Qiu?

“Greetings, Master Ye!” Suddenly, Ye Rou approached, followed by a chorus of respectful greetings from the palace staff.

Ye Rou saw Ye Cheng straddling Qiu, pummeling him mercilessly, and was taken aback. This was not the meek, submissive boy she remembered.

“That’s enough. If you keep going, you’ll kill him—and then you’ll have to answer for it,” Ye Rou called out, putting a stop to the beating.

Ye Cheng looked up at the cool, aloof woman and grinned. “Master Ye, are you looking for me?”

He’d heard from Eunuch Wang earlier that the lady-in-waiting beside the Crown Princess was named Ye Rou, currently serving as the master of ceremonies in the prince’s residence.

“Come with me,” Ye Rou said coolly, her face expressionless.

The two of them once more made their way to the Palace of Auspicious Prosperity.

The Crown Princess, Lin Yaoxue, reclined elegantly on the couch in a purple gown, eyes half-closed. At the sound of footsteps, she lifted her gaze, her clear, luminous eyes settling on Ye Cheng.

Ye Cheng’s attention was drawn irresistibly to the graceful curves of the princess’s figure—the slender waist and delicate lines were a feast for the eyes.

“Your humble servant greets Your Highness,” Ye Cheng said, stepping forward hurriedly, catching the faint fragrance of maidenhood wafting from the young princess.

“That’s enough—there’s no one else here, let’s dispense with the formalities. What did the prince want from you today?” Lin Yaoxue asked, her eyes narrowed in a languid, bewitching manner.

“Nothing much—just wanted a massage,” Ye Cheng replied.

“A massage again? Are your hands really so skilled?” Lin Yaoxue exclaimed in surprise.

Even she was tempted to try, but Ye Cheng was, after all, a man—was she really comfortable letting a man’s hands roam over her body? Then again, he was a eunuch; what was there to fear?

Noticing her interest, Ye Cheng ventured, “Does Your Highness wish to experience my humble skills as well?”

“Nonsense!” Lin Yaoxue suddenly sat upright, her eyes flashing coldly.

She was the Crown Princess—how could she allow a mere eunuch to speak to her so familiarly?

Seeing her stormy expression, Ye Cheng hurriedly bowed. “Forgive your servant’s insolence, Your Highness.”

This little princess was truly hard to please—her mood turned at the drop of a hat.

“Though you were once the crown prince of the previous dynasty, you are now just a lowly eunuch. In the future, you are not to speak in such a manner. I’ve summoned you because I have a task for you. Do it well, and you shall be handsomely rewarded.”

Lin Yaoxue suddenly smiled—a smile so dazzling it seemed to steal all light from the room.

“What is the task?” Ye Cheng asked.

“Tonight, I am hosting a banquet in the palace for the prince. Go and invite him on my behalf,” Lin Yaoxue replied coolly.