Chapter 7: A Fight to the Bitter End

“Crown Princess, this is just a regular massage; please don’t be nervous.” Yecheng remained calm, but his hands continued their gentle work, warm palms kneading Lin Yaoxue’s delicate skin.

A blush colored Lin Yaoxue’s cheeks, vivid and alluring. She had intended to resist Yecheng’s novel massage technique, but her body betrayed her—her eyes half-closed, lost in the sensation.

This strange feeling seemed to lift her from the mortal world, as if she had discovered the true delight of being a woman.

The Crown Princess’s body was as warm and fragrant as jade, her skin exquisitely soft and luminous, and her expression of tender rapture nearly made Yecheng lose control.

But now was not the time—if he truly took liberties with the Crown Princess, the Crown Prince would surely end his life.

If only he became the most powerful grand eunuch in the realm, perhaps it would be possible. Suddenly, Yecheng set himself a modest goal.

For now, he would simply enjoy what benefits he could.

His hands traced the softness and supple curves of Lin Yaoxue’s body, but even that was no longer enough. Leaning down, the alluring fragrance overwhelmed him, and he pressed a kiss to her lips.

“You insolent dog, how dare you? Even the Crown Prince has never tasted what you just have,” Lin Yaoxue, still half-sober, pinched Yecheng’s handsome cheek and let out a cold laugh.

“Then tonight, allow me to sample on His Highness’s behalf,” Yecheng replied with a smile.

The sensation was so intoxicating that Lin Yaoxue could no longer resist. She said nothing, simply closed her eyes, as if giving silent consent.

…

The commotion inside the room made the palace maids and eunuchs outside uneasy.

Why did the Crown Princess’s cries sound so anguished, almost as if she were in childbirth?

Still, each time the Crown Prince failed to visit, the Crown Princess would throw a fit. No one dared interfere, for fear of incurring her wrath.

The poor little eunuch Yecheng must be suffering the Crown Princess’s torment.

An hour later.

Lin Yaoxue composed herself, her dark hair damp, her exquisite face still flushed with lingering traces of passion.

The shameful scene just now left her mind in turmoil. Looking at the handsome eunuch before her, she felt a strange stirring in her heart.

What a pity he was only a eunuch—if he were a real man, she might have given herself to him.

The Crown Prince treated her as nothing; why should she remain faithful to him?

She had invited him several times, yet he always refused to come.

Then let her give her body to another man.

Let the Crown Prince of Zhou become the greatest laughingstock in the world!

Though her decision to let Yecheng massage her was partly an act of spite and revenge against the Crown Prince, Lin Yaoxue felt no regret at all.

She had always been decisive—she meant what she said, and she always followed through.

The wretched servant’s massage skills were indeed remarkable—no wonder the Crown Prince sought him out.

Lin Yaoxue arched her brow, but her expression suddenly turned cold as she warned sharply, “If you dare breathe a word of tonight, you will not live to see another day.”

Just moments before, her face had been as gentle as spring; now it was as harsh as winter, leaving Yecheng speechless.

She was certainly not easy to serve.

“I wouldn’t dare say a word,” Yecheng replied hurriedly.

Lin Yaoxue pressed her red lips together, a sly smile lifting the corners of her mouth. She reached out, pinching Yecheng’s chin. “You are now the one closest to me. From now on, if there is any news from the Crown Prince’s side, you must report to me immediately.”

“I understand what to do,” Yecheng nodded, gazing at her breathtakingly beautiful face so close to his own. His hand, unable to restrain itself, caressed the Crown Princess’s supple waist.

“That’s enough for today—don’t get carried away. What a shame you’re only a eunuch. If you were a real man, I wouldn’t mind making the Crown Prince a cuckold,” Lin Yaoxue said, her gaze lingering on his handsome features, her heart racing despite herself.

Yecheng was secretly overjoyed, longing to reveal his true identity as a false eunuch then and there.

But he held back.

“That’s enough for today. Leave me—I’m tired and wish to rest,” Lin Yaoxue said, waving her slender fingers and letting out a soft laugh.

Seeing he was being dismissed, Yecheng could only pat himself off and take his leave.

…

Yecheng returned to his own small courtyard.

His status had changed, and he had been assigned a private courtyard.

It was quiet there, with a single parasol tree in the yard. Moonlight poured down like liquid silver, casting the tree’s shadow on the ground.

But as soon as he entered, Yecheng felt uneasy, as if someone was secretly watching him.

He looked all around but saw no one. Scratching his head, he thought, “Perhaps I’m just imagining things.”

He went inside, stripped, and climbed into the bath.

Recalling the Crown Princess’s alluring figure, Yecheng’s heart stirred.

What a pity that in the palace, he was nothing but a lowly eunuch.

He dared not cross any lines—at least, not yet.

Suddenly!

A slender figure leapt down from the parasol tree.

A young woman crept to the window, poked a hole in the paper, and peered coldly through the small opening, spying on the scene inside.

Yecheng, meanwhile, was oblivious to the watcher outside.

Though he was a second-rank martial artist, with senses keener than most, he was completely relaxed and paid no attention to what lay beyond.

He finished bathing, humming a tune, and stood up from the tub.

The cold gaze outside swept over Yecheng’s body, and the watcher’s lips parted in silent shock.

“This man... he really is a fake eunuch...”

Shangguan Feiyan’s cheeks burned as her thoughts turned to chaos.

Inside such a heavily guarded palace, a false eunuch had managed to infiltrate. If word of this spread, it would be the greatest disgrace under heaven!

Yecheng had just dressed and was preparing for bed when—

Bang!

The door shattered with a crash, blasted open from outside. Shangguan Feiyan entered, her face cold as ice, biting her lip with delicate white teeth, murder flashing in her eyes.

Yecheng was completely bewildered. “Lord Shangguan, what is the meaning of this...?”

“You imposter! Plotting debauchery in the harem, are you? Come with me to see His Majesty,” Shangguan Feiyan spat.

Yecheng felt his heart seize with terror.

His secret had been discovered.

Had Shangguan Feiyan seen everything just now?

No wonder he’d felt something was off, as though someone were watching him.

So it was this woman spying on him all along.

With his secret exposed, Yecheng felt a chill of doom. He clenched his fists, ready to fight Shangguan Feiyan to the death.

Clang!

But Shangguan Feiyan’s reflexes were sharp—her sword flashed out, its blade pressed coldly to Yecheng’s throat. “Let’s see if your hands are faster than my sword,” she sneered.

“Lord Shangguan, let’s discuss this rationally,” Yecheng pleaded, his mind racing for a solution.

“There’s nothing to discuss. Hurry up—come with me to see His Highness,” Shangguan Feiyan snapped, forcing Yecheng toward the Crown Prince’s chambers.