Chapter 11: Promotion

A few days ago, Ye Cheng had just received a promotion, rising to the rank of seventh-grade supervisor. Now, in the blink of an eye, he had become a fifth-grade Deputy Chief Steward. The pace of his promotions was so swift, it was as if he were riding a rocket.

Lin Yaoxue’s brows knitted in a frown as she spoke to Ye Rou, “Could it be that he was promoted because he gave the Crown Prince a massage and was thus rewarded?”

Recalling the massage, a flush crept across Lin Yaoxue’s gentle face, a wave of heat stirring within her heart. These past two days, she’d longed to seek out Ye Cheng and experience once more the pleasure of his hands, yet she feared she would become entangled, unable to extricate herself.

So she had suppressed her desires, refusing to let herself dwell on it. But now, with Ye Rou mentioning Ye Cheng’s name, Lin Yaoxue found herself restless again, her heart itching with longing.

“Your Highness, it seems that’s not the reason. I’ve heard that an envoy from Jin presented the Crown Prince with a difficult riddle, which Ye Cheng managed to solve,” Ye Rou reported truthfully.

Lin Yaoxue’s eyes widened in surprise. “He actually possesses such intelligence?”

“It’s said the riddle was so challenging that not a single minister at court could solve it,” Ye Rou added.

“That makes me rather curious,” Lin Yaoxue replied, her gaze bright with intrigue.

...

“Congratulations, Eunuch Ye!”

“Congratulations on your promotion to Deputy Chief Steward! I’ve come especially to offer my good wishes.”

“Eunuch Ye, will you be hosting a banquet to share your good fortune with us?”

The usually quiet courtyard was suddenly abuzz with people. Eunuchs and palace maids, whether they held rank or not, flocked from all corners of the Crown Prince’s residence to congratulate Ye Cheng. Many brought gifts as well.

It was obvious to all that Ye Cheng was now favored. In just a few days, he had risen from a rankless eunuch to Deputy Chief Steward—a clear sign of his importance in the Crown Prince’s eyes.

Ye Cheng had become the Crown Prince’s trusted confidant; who wouldn’t seize the chance to curry favor with him?

He greeted the visitors with a polite smile and exchanged pleasantries in a harmonious atmosphere. The people of this palace were all opportunists; now that he was in favor, they scrambled to ingratiate themselves, and the stream of visitors was endless.

Just the silver notes he received amounted to over ten thousand taels. With that kind of money, one could buy a grand mansion outside, marry several concubines, and live as a wealthy gentleman.

Ye Cheng had truly witnessed the power of authority—when you hold power, what can’t you obtain?

If he were offered the chance to become a rich man outside the palace now, he wouldn’t even want it.

...

After nightfall, Ye Cheng was summoned by Ye Rou to Xing Sheng Palace.

Lin Yaoxue was dressed casually, her posture languid as she sat on her bed, revealing a pair of delicate, snow-white feet. Her long, dark hair tumbled over her shoulders, and the violet gauze draped over her body could barely conceal the lush curves beneath. Her perfect figure was outlined in tantalizing shadows, radiating a charm that seemed to enchant all who beheld her.

“A true enchantress! If the Crown Prince were a man, he’d surely be ruined by her,” Ye Cheng thought, startled.

“I heard you solved a riddle for the Crown Prince today,” Lin Yaoxue said with a soft laugh. “I’m quite interested—tell me about it.”

Ye Cheng recounted the events of the day.

When she finished listening, Lin Yaoxue’s face was filled with astonishment. She laughed, “You wretched servant, you’re actually so clever? Even such a difficult puzzle couldn’t stump you.”

If she herself had been presented with such a riddle, she likely wouldn’t have solved it in ten or fifteen days. But then she remembered Ye Cheng’s identity as the former Crown Prince of the previous dynasty, and her surprise lessened.

Given his background, it was no wonder he possessed some intelligence—a pity he was now just a eunuch.

“Your Highness, may I ask why you summoned me so late?” Ye Cheng inquired.

“Even if I have no business, can I not call for you?” Lin Yaoxue snorted softly, then continued, “Tomorrow, I will accompany the Crown Prince to court. You will attend me at my side.”

“To court?” Ye Cheng echoed, puzzled.

“There’s no one else here, so I might as well tell you,” Lin Yaoxue said coolly. “The Emperor of Great Zhou is gravely ill and will not last much longer. The Crown Prince is already acting as regent, and soon I too must attend court.”

Lin Yaoxue’s lips curved in a frosty smile. The Crown Prince was about to ascend the throne, and she, as the consort, would likely be named Empress. At such a critical time, it was only natural that she should make her presence known before the ministers.

“I see,” Ye Cheng nodded.

With the Crown Prince and his consort appearing together at court, it would surely reassure the officials.

“Ye Cheng, let me give you some advice: do not harbor any designs against the Crown Prince. His power is formidable—he once led troops against my own Yan Kingdom and struck down our greatest warrior, Chen Buyu, with a single palm.”

A veiled warning glimmered in Lin Yaoxue’s deep, tranquil eyes. She was about to become Empress of Great Zhou, the mother of the nation, and at this crucial moment, she could not afford any scandal.

“Your servant would never dare to do anything against the Crown Prince. I leave everything in your hands, Your Highness,” Ye Cheng hastily assured her.

Lin Yaoxue nodded in satisfaction. “I’m feeling rather weary. Come and help loosen my muscles.”

“By massage, Your Highness?” Ye Cheng smiled inwardly; evidently, the Crown Princess was growing addicted to this.

“Don’t play dumb,” Lin Yaoxue snapped, casting him a sidelong glance. The innocence of her features was tinged with a seductive charm.

“Very well,” Ye Cheng agreed, approaching with a smile. Soon, the chambers were filled with the melodious sounds of bliss, like celestial music.

Outside the bedchamber, Ye Rou, standing guard, heard the sounds within and frowned.

“Fortunately, he’s a eunuch. Otherwise, if they committed any impropriety, the Princess would become hopelessly ensnared. Still, he’s a menace.”

A glint of murderous intent flashed in Ye Rou’s eyes. She had already resolved to find an opportunity to get rid of Ye Cheng.

She could not allow the Princess to sink any deeper.

...

As Ye Cheng left Xing Sheng Palace, he ran straight into Shangguan Feiyan, dressed in a blue robe.

Seeing Ye Cheng emerge from the palace, Shangguan Feiyan’s delicate face twisted in scorn.

“That wanton woman called you in to... give her a massage again, didn’t she...” She found it difficult to say the words aloud but could not hold back.

“It’s perfectly normal for the Crown Princess to have certain needs. The Crown Prince never touches her—it’s been over a year—and she’s still a maiden despite being married. What woman could endure that?” Ye Cheng replied with a hint of annoyance.

He had little fondness for Shangguan Feiyan; she was always trying to kill him.

“If the Crown Prince were a man, what would she need you for? Tell me, what did the Crown Princess say to you?” Shangguan Feiyan demanded, biting her lip in frustration.

In the blink of an eye, this man’s rank had caught up with hers—they were both fifth-grade officials now. She found it hard to accept.

“Nothing much. She just told me to accompany her to court, that’s all,” Ye Cheng replied carelessly.

“That simple? Hmph! You’d better not be hiding anything, or you’ll regret it,” Shangguan Feiyan sneered.

“I did withhold some details about the massage—would you like to hear them? You must be eighteen by now. Outside the palace, you’d be of marrying age and probably have similar needs, wouldn’t you?” Ye Cheng teased with a wicked grin.

Shangguan Feiyan’s face flushed bright red. Stamping her foot in anger, she snapped, “Despicable, lecherous wretch! I’m done speaking to you.”

With that, she stormed off in a fury.