Echoes of My Heart Throughout the Court

The little eunuchs huffed and puffed as they carried the boxes, their arms stiff and sore, crying and complaining all along the way.

They served people, sure, but generally, eunuchs weren’t asked to carry heavy objects!

“Shut up! Shut up!”

The head eunuch, in a fit of rage, shouted, “I haven’t complained yet!”

Wasn’t he tired too? He was about to collapse!

Looking up at the seemingly endless road, carrying the box, the head eunuch could almost hear his well-maintained arms, legs, and spine groaning in pain.

Master, instead of copper coins and cloth, could you give Xu Yanmiao a house instead!

＊

There was another knock at the door, and Xu Yanmiao sighed, “…”

The Ministry of War official swiftly grabbed the remaining fish meatballs from the red broth, his movements quicker than lightning. The air still carried the tempting scent of fish.

“Sounds like there are a lot of people outside. Xu Lang, since you don’t remember inviting anyone, could they be your enemies? Did someone send thugs?”

“How could that be! I’ve always been cautious and never had any disputes with anyone! How could I have enemies!”

Xu Yanmiao thought for a moment; it seemed like the original owner hadn’t offended anyone. Then… who could it be outside?

When Xu Yanmiao said he was cautious, he didn’t notice the complicated expression on the Ministry of War official’s face.

—Quick, eat some beef to calm yourself down!

The Ministry of War official shoved beef into his mouth while keeping an eye on the door. Seeing something was off, he quickly grabbed the small pot and splashed the scalding red broth out.

Xu Yanmiao opened the door.

He saw a man dressed as a eunuch standing at the doorstep, the soles of his shoes covered with mud and sewage, probably from stepping in a low-lying area.

The man greeted him warmly, “Xu Lang.”

Then he added, “The emperor has issued a decree, please accept it.”

“Oh, oh!”

Xu Yanmiao hurriedly followed the etiquette from his memory, awkwardly accepting the decree. The Ministry of War official also hurriedly came out of the house to pay his respects. The chief eunuch read the decree quickly, and as soon as Xu Yanmiao took it, the little eunuchs eagerly carried the boxes inside.

“Where should we put these gifts, official?”

Xu Yanmiao replied, “Just find a corner.”

The boxes quickly collided with the floor, and for some reason, the sound seemed to convey a sense of relief—”finally freed!”

The head eunuch suddenly said, “Xu Lang… this decree was personally written by the Emperor.”

“Ah, okay!” Xu Yanmiao quickly responded, sensing the surprise in the man’s expression, and hesitated, “Thank you, Your Majesty… thank you, Noble Eunuch?”

—Noble Eunuch is a respectful term for an emperor’s favored eunuch.

The head eunuch smiled kindly, “Xu Lang’s thanks will be reported to the Emperor.”

Then he led the little eunuchs away.

＊

The Ministry of War official craned his neck, waiting for them to disappear from sight. Once they were out of view, he quickly stood up and stretched. “Finally, they’re gone!”

Xu Yanmiao had already dashed into the house like a rabbit, his voice cheerful, “Wuhu! I have money now!”

What followed was the joyful sound of his thoughts.@@novelbin@@

[Did the old emperor reward me for helping him deal with that Lui prince consort?]

[Sorry, I won’t secretly call you stingy again!]

[Three hundred thousand coins!!!]

[I can rent a better house now!]

The Ministry of War official looked at Xu Yanmiao’s back with a thoughtful expression. Given the Emperor’s nature, it was unlikely that he would reward him with so much money for something so trivial—there must be another reason.

It must be that Xu Yanmiao solved some problem for the Emperor with his thoughts.

And the emperor’s close eunuch had shown such respect to Xu Yanmiao, calling him “Xu Lang” and referring to himself as a servant—this subtle display of closeness suggested that…

The Ministry of War official squinted and smiled, seemingly quite pleased.

Xu Lang must be winning the Emperor’s favor.

Xu Yanmiao picked up his chopsticks for the third time, just about to dip the food into the hot red oil…

“Dong, dong, dong.”

The door was knocked on for the third time.

The Ministry of War official: “…”

Xu Yanmiao: “…”

Xu Yanmiao threw down his chopsticks.

[Dammit! This is too much!]

[Can’t I just have a peaceful meal?]

But still, he had to go open the door.

Xu Yanmiao, with the Ministry of War official’s sympathetic gaze upon him, opened the door for the third time. This time, it was a stranger, dressed in the last rays of sunset, his posture humble.

“Xu Lang, I am the steward of the Dou family. The master has specially invited you to a feast. Please come.”

Xu Yanmiao was stunned. “Dou family?”

Minister Dou?

＊

“Did you find him?”

“Report, Master, we didn’t find him!”

“Have you all confessed?”

“Report, Master! The servants all say they are innocent. No one admits to stealing the young master’s betrothal gift.”

Minister Dou silently stared at the warehouse door, covering his ears.

The door was painted in gold and adorned with a beast face, with three layers and three locks.