As dusk fell that day, everything unfolded as Lin Qinghe had predicted.
Wang Wan, his face grim, berated the kneeling eunuchs in front of him with uncontrollable anger.
"You few! Why on earth did you provoke the Fifth Princess! Have you been working in Qianqing Palace for so long and don't know that this Fifth Princess is the Emperor's most cherished treasure!"
The little eunuch kneeling at the front trembled, his shoulders shaking, and he said in a low voice, "Godfather, it wasn't us who went to provoke the Fifth Princess. It was the Fifth Princess... She said her handkerchief fell outside and was missing, and asked us to find it. We couldn't find it, so the Fifth Princess got angry and ordered people to beat us..."
"You!" Wang Wan was furious and kicked the eunuch fiercely. "How dare you! I'm scolding you, and you dare to talk back, don't you?"
The eunuch was already injured. With this kick, he fell directly to the ground, unable to get up.
"Godfather, this humble one knows he was wrong, I dare not anymore, never again..."
Wang Wan cursed in a sharp voice, "Useless! A bunch of good-for-nothings! You're making me so angry!"
Another little eunuch behind Wang Wan said cautiously, "Godfather, these few cannot go to Qianqing Palace on duty tonight. What should we do? Should we find others?"
"You think you can just find others? These few have always served the Emperor. They understand his habits the best. If we bring someone who knows nothing and makes the Emperor unhappy, do you think I will get away with it?"
"Yes, Godfather is right. Then... what should we do now?"
Wang Wan pursed his lips, his gaze sharp. After a moment of silence, he said, "Go and get You Rong. And pick a few more clever ones. Let them be on duty at Qianqing Palace tonight!"
"Yes, Godfather, this humble one will go and do it now."
You Rong had just returned to his residence when he heard a knock on the door.
"You Rong, hurry and tidy yourself up, and come out for a bit."
You Rong opened the door and recognized the person as the most trusted eunuch by Wang Wan's side. His eyes flickered, and he asked, "Eunuch Li, may I ask why you called for this humble one?"
Eunuch Li glanced at You Rong, his tone slightly impatient as he admonished, "You will be on duty in the Emperor's sleeping quarters tonight. Remember, when you are on duty, be careful with everything. Otherwise, if you displease the Emperor, beware of losing your head!"
You Rong's thoughts stirred.
Just today, Lin Qinghe had given him a sachet and the Emperor's preferences. Now, tonight, he was to be on duty in the Emperor's sleeping quarters. Was this a coincidence?
Seeing You Rong standing there blankly, Eunuch Li grew more displeased. "You Rong! I'm talking to you! Did you hear me?"
You Rong snapped back to attention and quickly replied, "Yes, Eunuch Li, this humble one understands. I will certainly be careful and cautious. May I return to my room to change my clothes before I follow you? These clothes are a bit dirty and smelly, and this humble one fears it would be disrespectful in front of the Emperor."
"Alright, then be quick."
You Rong returned to his room, secretly hid the sachet given by Lin Qinghe in his wide sleeve, and then followed Eunuch Li to Qianqing Palace.
The Emperor had not yet returned from the imperial study. You Rong and the others needed to prepare the sleeping quarters. As soon as the Emperor returned, he would need to bathe and change before going to bed.
The few little eunuchs sat diligently and cautiously, engrossed in their tasks, fearing any slip-up that might displease the Emperor.
Late at night, the Emperor finally returned from the imperial study. You Rong quietly stepped forward to help him change and bathe. He didn't say a word during this time, and the Emperor didn't even notice that it was You Rong serving him tonight.
After the Emperor had gone to sleep, You Rong extinguished all but two candlesticks, leaving them lit. Having done this, he retreated to the side and stood silently on guard.
The other little eunuchs, serving the Emperor for the first time today, had pale faces, their heads bowed, and their hands trembling slightly. After all, they were truly in awe of the majesty of the reigning emperor.
After the Emperor fell asleep, his breathing soon became steady. You Rong felt a little uneasy, worrying that the sachet he had placed on the bed might displease the Emperor.
But as it turned out, his worry was in vain.
The night passed quietly. In the morning, as soon as dawn broke, the Emperor was to rise and prepare for the morning court.
Wang Wan had just drawn back the bed curtains and saw that the Emperor was already awake, holding a sachet and lost in thought. Wang Wan's heart skipped a beat. He immediately turned around and shouted, "You few! How dare you! Who put this thing on the Emperor's bed?"
You Rong's eyes flickered. He knelt down and said, "To Eunuch Wang, this humble one placed this sachet. I heard that placing it by the pillow can calm the nerves and aid sleep, so this humble one dared to place it on the Emperor's bed."
Wang Wan said in a sharp voice, "How presumptuous! You've rebelled! Guards! Drag this ignorant servant out and give him fifty heavy lashes..."
Before his words had fully finished, the Emperor interrupted, "Wait!"
Wang Wan looked at the Emperor nervously. "It is this humble one's negligence. You Rong is on duty for the first time and doesn't understand the rules. This humble one will surely punish him severely. I beg Your Majesty to forgive him..." Su Dan Novel Network
The Emperor shook his head, his gaze falling on You Rong, his eyes deep and unfathomable.
"You Rong, this sachet... where did you get it?"
Wang Wan found it strange.
Why didn't the Emperor seem angry?
You Rong followed the pre-arranged explanation and said, "My sister gave it to me. This humble one heard that Your Majesty has difficulty sleeping every night, so I dared to place the sleep-aiding sachet on Your Majesty's bed. It was this humble one's fault, please punish me!"
The Emperor remained silent, his gaze returning to the sachet. After a long while, he murmured in a low voice, "It's like... this scent is too familiar. After eighteen years, I almost couldn't remember this scent..."
Wang Wan, puzzled by the Emperor's strange behavior, tentatively asked, "Your Majesty? Your Majesty... what is this..."
The Emperor regained his composure, his emotions completely concealed. He said in a deep voice, "It's nothing. Thanks to You Rong's sachet, I slept soundly last night. I must reward You Rong handsomely!"
You Rong remained composed, straightening his back. "It is this humble one's duty to share Your Majesty's burdens and help Your Majesty rest well!"
"Excellent!" The Emperor nodded with satisfaction. "Wang Wan, issue an order. Reward You Rong with five hundred taels of gold and promote him to Chief Eunuch of the seventh rank. From now on, You Rong will be on duty at Qianqing Palace."
Wang Wan was startled, but outwardly dared not say a word. He quickly replied, "Yes, this humble one obeys. This humble one will attend to it immediately."
Next, the Emperor had his morning meal, and You Rong served him. The lotus leaf tea he brewed for the Emperor, and the sugar he added to the white porridge, all pleased the Emperor greatly. Not only did he bestow more gifts upon him, but he also specifically requested that he accompany him to the imperial study to serve.
Wang Wan listened to the Emperor's instructions, his face somewhat grim, and he clenched his fists tightly.
Only after the Emperor and You Rong disappeared from the palace gate did Wang Wan lift his head, gritting his teeth, a sinister glint in his eyes.
He never expected this young fellow You Rong to be so cunning. But this just happened to give him an opportunity to curry favor with the Emperor like this!