This Eunuch Isn't Cold - Chapter 2

Chapter 2
I was an unfavored little Noble Lady.

A year ago, because I wore a dress the same color as the Imperial Noble Consort’s, she punished me for disrespect and ordered me to kneel for six hours.

As luck would have it, Wei Qing had come by to deliver chilled fruit. With just a few words, he coaxed the Imperial Noble Consort into such a good mood that he casually got me out of the predicament and spared me the punishment.

I went to find him, intending to reward him a little.

But unexpectedly, I stumbled upon him being punished by an old eunuch.

In the scorching heat of summer, the young man had been splashed all over with hot tea, yet he knelt there straight-backed, as upright as a pine.

He had none of the usual eunuch’s fawning manner.

Instead, there was something unyielding about him.

Later, I accidentally ran into him being punished by that old eunuch a few more times.

He was a lowly young eunuch anyone could bully.

I was a consort whose life was hardly different from being cast into the cold palace.

After enough of these encounters, I began to feel that we were fellow sufferers.

And I felt a little more sympathy for him.

So I sent someone to ask him privately whether he would be willing to come serve in my palace.

“It may not offer the same future as serving under His Majesty, but the work would at least be easier.

“Although my rank is not high, my family does have a little money.

“If you follow me, I won’t treat you poorly!”

I spoke with complete sincerity.

Wei Qing froze.

In those near-perfect beautiful eyes of his, like the sky after a heavy rain, a genuine smile appeared.

“Thank you for your appreciation, Noble Lady Ming, but this servant has been fortunate enough to serve before His Majesty. It would not be easy for me to leave.”

He refused me with perfect propriety.

That day, the sunlight was just right.

His long, slender eyes tilted upward slightly, yet he did not overstep by meeting my gaze.

His eyes rested on the willow tree behind me, courteous and restrained.

He possessed a bearing unlike any ordinary eunuch.

My heart gave a start-

Eunuch Wei Qing was truly beautiful.

My parents had always said that although I looked as timid as a quail on the surface, I was in fact daring enough to defy the heavens.

Before I entered the palace, they gave me plenty of gold, silver, and jewels to rely on, telling me that if I ever needed help in the palace, I should spend generously to smooth the way.

My family was not short on money.

So even though I was out of favor, my life in the palace was still quite comfortable.

But once one is well fed and warm, the mind begins to wander. Gradually, I found myself growing attached to Wei Qing, this young eunuch.

Who told him to be so excessively good-looking?

I spent money generously to help Wei Qing make connections and sent him food as gifts.

Perhaps because money had been spent,

from then on, I no longer saw him standing guard outdoors under the blazing sun, drenched in sweat.

Nor did I see his hands and feet cracked raw by the bitter wind.

But I never imagined that my good intentions would make other eunuchs jealous. They set a trap, causing him to be punished before His Majesty.

It was a flogging.

Right now,

there was not a patch of uninjured skin left on his body, yet he was the one gently comforting me. “This servant is fine.”

I felt even guiltier.

My eyes reddened, my heart softened, and before I could think, the words slipped out.

“Eunuch Wei Qing, why don’t you follow me instead?”

The moment I finished speaking, I froze.

Because the “follow” I meant this time was not like before, when I had asked him to serve in my palace, but…

The kind that could never see the light of day.

Follow.

My cheeks instantly flushed crimson, and I was filled with regret.

Had he heard the hidden meaning in my words?

This was a crime punishable by death. I should not have been so impulsive!

Admiring a flower did not mean one had to pluck it.

I kept warning myself, only to see Wei Qing, covered in bloody welts, kneel devoutly at my feet. With humble tenderness, he lifted my dainty foot and brought it to his lips, kissing it softly.

“This servant begs for Your Highness’s affection…”

I was clearly wearing embroidered shoes, and yet the skin across the top of my foot felt as if it had turned hot and taken root there.

“Th-then be more obedient from now on.”

After saying that, I fled at once.