I have Immortality In The Cultivation World Chapter 522

Chapter 522: 382 Chapter Can Achieve Great Things

Guarding the Imperial Garden for two years.

Silently eavesdropping as various people spoke and went about their business.

Zhou Yi was no longer the innocent and naive of his early days; he had come to understand the matters of men and women.

Pallace maids, unable to bear the loneliness of the deep palace, would seek out companionships, and the eunuchs, though castrated, appeared as men on the surface and could somewhat fulfill the cravings of marriage.

Most just teamed up for meals, but then there were pairs like those in the artificial hill, rolling into a tangled mess together.

The eunuch named Xiao Lu Zi had been working in the Imperial Garden for years, while the palace maid Jin Xue served Noble Consort Hua in the Yaohua Palace.

Zhou Yi listened as Xiao Lu Zi spoke of love and affection, feeling a wave of disgust and silently cursed him for his ability to act and deceive.

Or perhaps, who in the palace does not know how to act?

A moment later, the palace maid let out a satisfied moan, rustled her clothes back on, and left. A little while later, Xiao Lu Zi emerged from the artificial hill.

Xiao Lu Zi did not return to his post, but went to Jiangxuexuan and reported to Eunuch Li.

“The day before yesterday, His Majesty visited Yaohua Palace. Noble Consort Hua sought the title of Prince Wei for the Fifth Prince, His Majesty neither agreed nor refused…”

This was the news Xiao Lu Zi had just obtained from the mouth of the palace maid Jin Xue. His purpose in joining meals with her was to get information from Yaohua Palace to tell to Eunuch Li.

Eunuch Li had once served in Kunning Palace, meaning he was one of the Empress's people!

“These palace affairs…”

Zhou Yi stood guard expressionlessly, silently reviewing the hundreds of codes of conduct for palace duty in his mind.

He also quietly noted down the news from Yaohua Palace; telling them later to his godfather Eunuch Xu would surely earn him a good reward. He had saved up more than a thousand silver over two years.

Thanks to another godson of Eunuch Xu, the Supply and Provisions Supervisor Eunuch Liu sent two hundred silver back to his family, and charged a fee of three hundred silver for the service!

“Earning silver in the palace is easy, but spending it is just as fast.”

Zhou Yi felt no guilt over betraying Xiao Lu Zi; nothing new happens in the palace, and news from Yaohua Palace would spread throughout the imperial palace within three days.

In another ten or fifteen days, everyone in the external court would also know.

Perhaps it was spread by Noble Consort Hua, or the Empress, or another consort, or maybe His Majesty had it leaked deliberately. Blurring truth with fiction, nobody could truly discern the reality.

“Noble Consort Hua's family controls the Northern Army; they must be putting in every effort to push for the title of Prince Wei for the Fifth Prince!”

“After all, to ascend to the throne, one must first be granted a princely title; this is the statute of the National Dynasty…”

With some thought, Zhou Yi deduced much of the news, and he knew which factions in the court supported Noble Consort Hua and which supported other princes.

The Breath Listening Technique had an impact on Zhou Yi no less profound than the Epiphyllum Treasure Tome.

The latter was about martial prowess; the former was about transformation of the soul.

Hearing His Majesty discussing the important matters of the National Dynasty, listening to consorts instructing princes and princesses, overhearing the honest front and deceitful back dealings of eunuchs and palace maids, comprehending plots and schemes, witnessing open conflict, and covert struggles…

An abundance of information converged, transforming Zhou Yi from a refugee with muddy legs to a little eunuch, and then to Eunuch Yi.

As for his so-called initial innocence, it was probably just sending money back to his dear mother that remained!

Shift finished.

Zhou Yi headed to the duty hall. He started kowtowing outside the door.

“Godfather, Little Yi greets you.”

“Mm, come in.”

The voice of Eunuch Xu came from inside the hall, somber and unyielding, betraying no hint of anger or pleasure.

Zhou Yi bowed as he entered, kowtowed again before Eunuch Xu, his face full of flattering obsequiousness.

“Greetings to godfather, may you enjoy immortal blessings and a lifespan as enduring as the heavens!”

These words carried a measure of sincerity. Eunuch Xu was Zhou Yi's main backer in the palace, and the respect the other eunuchs granted “Eunuch Yi” or “Brother Yi” was all on account of Eunuch Xu's influence.

If Eunuch Xu lived long, Zhou Yi could serve in security.

As for Little Xi's death, it had already been forgotten, or rather, it had been put aside.

In the palace where people died daily and injustice was common, it was already not easy for one to live a peaceful life!

“Hehehe.”

Eunuch Xu emitted a laugh like a night owl, “Your words are always pleasant to hear, young man. What brings you here today?”

Zhou Yi reported, “The day before yesterday, His Majesty visited the Yaohua Palace…”

“Humph humph!”

Eunuch Xu sneered twice, his face growing increasingly grim. He was a man of Noble Consort Yuan of the Zhongcui Palace.

Noble Consort Yuan's son was the Second Prince, currently the most likely successor to the throne. Hearing that Noble Consort Hua was paving the way for the Fifth Prince naturally filled him with disgust and wariness.

It would have been beneficial to know this information earlier to prepare accordingly.

“Little Yi, you've done well. This is a Southern Pearl awarded to you by Consort Yuan; take it, and continue to serve well in the future.”

Zhou Yi held the Southern Pearl with both hands, kowtowing repeatedly, “I thank you for your generous gift, godfather.”

“You may leave.”

Eunuch Xu nodded in satisfaction. The young man from the countryside, originally taken under his wing on the recommendation of Eunuch Wen, turned out to be quite clever and efficient in handling matters.

Zhou Yi bowed and exited the hall, then waited by the wall. After a moment, he saw Xiao Yunzi come out.

“Brother Yun, I've missed you greatly these past few days.”

Xiao Yunzi, who had been subservient in front of Eunuch Xu, came out with his head held high and a sense of arrogance. “You sure know how to please godfather, don't you?” he said, his voice tinged with a blend of reproach and jealousy.

“All thanks to Brother Yun's good guidance.”

Zhou Yi took out the Southern Pearl he had just received and asked, “Brother Yun, I'm just a simple country bumpkin, not someone who's ever seen treasures like the Southern Pearl. How many taels of silver is it worth?”

“A few taels? Hmph!”

Xiao Yunzi was about to scornfully scoff at the unsophisticated country boy, but seeing Zhou Yi's fawning demeanor, he suddenly felt a pang of inspiration and said,

“This is a token of favor from Consort Yuan; it must be worth at least a hundred and eighty taels!”

“That expensive, huh.”

Zhou Yi feigned amazement, then added, “A mountain pig like me has no taste for fine bran and wouldn't know how to appreciate pearls. I only care for gold and silver. Maybe Brother Yun would like to buy it?”

Xiao Yunzi's eyes gleamed with greed, “Then I'll take it off your hands.”

Zhou Yi presented it with both hands, “I'll trouble you then, Brother Yun.”

Xiao Yunzi skillfully took the Southern Pearl and fumbled in his sleeve, his face showing difficulty, “I didn't bring any silver notes with me when I left this morning. Why don't you come with me to my place to get your money?”

“There's no need to hassle yourself.”

A chill flickered in Zhou Yi's eyes, but his face remained smiling, “Just give it to me whenever you have the money, Brother Yun.”

“Yes, yes, yes!”

Xiao Yunzi chuckled weirdly, patting Zhou Yi's shoulder, “You lad, you can make something of yourself.”

“Thank you for your auspicious words, Brother Yun.”

Zhou Yi bowed repeatedly until Xiao Yunzi returned to the hall, then abruptly his expression turned dark.

His mental ledger added another entry–

–In the thirty-fourth year of the Grand Martial, on September 23, Xiao Yunzi extorted a Southern Pearl!

“These accounts, I will settle them all sooner or later.”

On the way back, Zhou Yi walked with his usual stooped posture, arms crossed in front of him. When encountering an unfamiliar palace eunuch, he stepped aside first; with familiar ones, he nodded in greeting.

Upon encountering nobles of the palace, he kneeled and kowtowed on the ground.

Passing through layers of palace walls, the night was like water, biting cold surrounding him, until he finally returned to his quarters in Bing 3 Lodge.

Xiao Zhengzi and Xiao Yuanzi were chatting, discussing the head of the Imperial Household Department, Master Chu Qiansui, who because of old age had requested to guard the Imperial Mausoleum, thus leaving his position vacant.

Zhou Yi had seen Master Chu Qiansui several times, mostly accompanying His Majesty.

Once, when he encountered him alone, Master Chu was surrounded by a dozen or more palace eunuchs, more imposing than any noble of the palace.

Rumors had it that even princes and princesses were obliged to address him warmly as “Master Chu” or “Chu Qiansui,” which served to illustrate his status within the palace–Even godfather Eunuch Xu was like a grandchild to him.

In the deepest corners of the night, Zhou Yi had once dreamed: I could replace him!

Of course, it was just a dream; he wouldn't even dare to utter it aloud…

Chapter end

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