Chapter 9: The Uproar Escalates

Now, anyone with a discerning eye could see that Chief Steward Li was simply looking for a pretext to punish Ye Cheng and help Steward Qiu save face.

These four attendant eunuchs did not want Ye Cheng to fall afoul of Chief Steward Li and bring trouble upon himself, so they volunteered their service.

Hearing the four eunuchs offer themselves, Ye Cheng felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

Eunuchs, being men with defects, often developed certain psychological quirks. Most who ascended to positions of power would torment their subordinates and attendants to find solace for their own wounded pride.

But Ye Cheng had never treated his attendants this way; he was always fair and friendly, treating them as equals. Moreover, Ye Cheng was generous with his silver, never hesitating to spend on them, which had won the heartfelt loyalty of the four.

“None of you are to go,” Ye Cheng said calmly.

The four were startled by his words.

Li Guizhi wore a troubled expression. “Sir Ye, if you defy Chief Steward Li’s orders, I fear he will not let you off easily.”

“Unclogging the privy isn’t our job. Why should we bother with him?” Ye Cheng grinned.

...

When Chief Steward Li heard that Ye Cheng had not gone to clear the latrine, he was furious. His wrinkled old face twisted into a fearsome scowl.

“That Ye Cheng has only served the Crown Prince and Princess a handful of times, yet he already dares disregard me. If he serves them any longer, I fear he’ll sprout wings and fly.”

“Chief Steward Li, you must stand up for your loyal servants! Ye Cheng is clearly getting too bold, no longer showing you any respect,” Steward Qiu pleaded, kneeling before Chief Steward Li, tears streaming down his face as he kowtowed with the desperation of a man pounding garlic.

“It’s high time you taught this brat a lesson. Seems your last punishment was far too lenient—he hasn’t learned a thing.” The speaker was a portly, red-robed eunuch with a wide mouth stretched in a sinister grin.

This was Deputy Chief Eunuch Xu of the Crown Prince’s household, ranked just below Chief Steward Li. As the saying goes, a higher rank can crush a man—Eunuch Xu was one of Chief Steward Li’s most devoted subordinates.

“Eunuch Xu, bring Ye Cheng here at once. Today, I’ll make sure he learns his place,” Chief Steward Li snarled through gritted teeth.

“At your command,” replied Eunuch Xu with a bow, his demeanor obsequious.

...

Shortly after, Eunuch Xu led a group of men, storming toward Ye Cheng’s small courtyard with an air of menace.

At that moment, Ye Cheng lay reclining on a rocking chair. His attendant eunuchs fanned him, served tea, and waited on him as he read a book in leisure.

Seeing Ye Cheng so carefree and content, Eunuch Xu was incensed.

This little wretch thinks he’s something special, enjoying himself here and treating Chief Steward Li’s words as nothing but a passing breeze.

“Ye Cheng, don’t you see me here? Why aren’t you on your knees to greet your superior?” Eunuch Xu barked, hands on his hips, his voice booming like thunder.

The four attendants were startled, preparing to kneel in greeting.

But as they bent their knees, Ye Cheng raised a hand to stop them. “Hold on! Without my command, none of you are to kneel!”

The four hesitated in their crouches, caught between kneeling and standing, not knowing what to do.

Seeing Ye Cheng forbid his attendants to kneel, Eunuch Xu nearly exploded with rage. Did this brat really consider himself someone important?

“Ye Cheng, have you forgotten all sense of propriety? You refuse to kneel before me?” Eunuch Xu glared, his eyes wide with anger.

Ye Cheng, unperturbed, rose calmly to his feet, curled his lips in a smile, and said, “Chief Xu, is there any rule in the palace stating I must kneel when I see you? Why don’t you recite it for me?”

Eunuch Xu seethed. There was indeed no such written rule, but it was long-standing custom for a subordinate eunuch to pay respects to his superior.

He had intended to put Ye Cheng in his place, but the boy simply refused to play along.

“Outrageous! You’re getting too bold—disregarding even me! What are you all waiting for? Seize him! Today, I’ll open this brat’s eyes!” Eunuch Xu was beside himself with fury, ordering his attendants to grab Ye Cheng.

A dozen eunuchs surged toward Ye Cheng.

If the tiger does not show its might, do they take me for a sick cat?

Ye Cheng’s gaze sharpened. He moved at once, clenching his fist and landing a solid punch on the leading eunuch’s chest, sending him flying.

Ye Cheng knew the principle: capture the leader to subdue the followers.

He leapt forward, lunging straight at Eunuch Xu.

His fists rained down on Eunuch Xu’s pig-like, bloated face.

In an instant, Eunuch Xu’s face became a canvas of bruises, blood streaming from every orifice as he let out wails of agony.

The group of attendant eunuchs, about to act, were stunned into paralysis, too terrified to move.

Ye Cheng landed atop Eunuch Xu, pounding his corpulent frame with blow after blow.

After all, Ye Cheng was trained in martial arts, a second-rank fighter; the eunuchs were mere ordinary men. Eunuch Xu was no exception—his only distinction was his extra girth.

“Enough! Any more and you’ll kill him!” Li Guizhi cried, realizing the danger. If Ye Cheng killed Eunuch Xu, all the attendants would likely lose their heads as well.

At this, Ye Cheng finally stopped. He couldn’t very well kill Eunuch Xu—if he did, his own life would be forfeit.

Eunuch Xu was a bloodied mess, his face swollen and unrecognizable.

“Ye Cheng, Chief Steward Li will never forgive you for this! He’ll report you to the Crown Prince and see you punished! Just you wait!” Eunuch Xu shouted, supported by his attendants as he struggled to his feet.

“Let him report all he wants,” Ye Cheng replied with a shrug, utterly unconcerned.

Ling Xiaoyue knew perfectly well that he was a fake eunuch and hadn’t killed him for that; would she execute him over a mere brawl?

Hardly.

“You’re too arrogant! You’ll get what’s coming to you!” Eunuch Xu spat, then hurried away with his attendants.

Li Guizhi and the others exchanged nervous glances, but their eyes now held a new respect for Ye Cheng.

...

Half an hour later, Eunuch Wang arrived with a summons: “Little Cheng, the Crown Prince wishes to see you.”

“The Crown Prince has returned?” Ye Cheng smiled faintly.

Eunuch Wang’s gaze darkened. “You can still smile? You just beat up Eunuch Xu—this matter has gotten out of hand. Chief Steward Li was furious, and as soon as he heard the Crown Prince had returned, he rushed to make a complaint.”

“Let him complain all he wants,” Ye Cheng thought coldly.

When Ye Cheng arrived at the Crown Prince’s study, he immediately sensed a heavy, oppressive atmosphere.

He grew tense.

Ling Xiaoyue stood before four bronze Buddhas, her brows slightly furrowed, her expression grave as if pondering something weighty.

A white-haired, deeply wrinkled old eunuch spotted Ye Cheng and fixed him with a sinister glare, shrieking, “Ye Cheng, today you won’t leave here alive!”