Fang He subconsciously looked at Wei Disheng and noticed his eager expression, his eyes shining with a mix of shyness and hope, which made her want to laugh.
No wonder this kid had been babbling like a little monk on the way here—was he acting like he was chatting with his wife?
But the boy was only fifteen, and even if she were to marry, she didn’t want to be his mother.
And… well, Fang He admitted she was a bit of a worldly person; she preferred a more traditional kind of happiness.
She lowered her head, pretending to think, then after a moment, raised her eyes slightly, wearing an expression that seemed on the verge of tears.
“Deputy Supervisor Qiao… Uncle-in-law, you know what my aunt planned before, right? With Xu Jia’s family gone, there’s no one to carry on the incense offerings. I… I really can’t feel at peace.”
“After my head injury these past few days, I’ve been thinking non-stop about what to do next, and I still want to adopt a son-in-law.”
She looked at Wei Disheng with tearful eyes.
“In the future, you’ll be my true uncle-in-law, and I’ll treat Disheng as my brother. When you two leave the palace, we can live together, carrying on Xu Jia’s bloodline.”
“It would be nice to adopt a child from either the Qiao or Wei family, and we’d be even livelier.”
Wei Disheng lowered his head in disappointment; he realized that Fang He didn’t want to marry him.
However, Qiao Cheng was deeply moved by Fang He’s words.
In fact, no matter how esteemed a eunuch was in the palace, life outside was often tough.
He and Madam Xu had already discussed retirement plans and had always preferred the idea of adopting a son-in-law.
Fang He was too obedient, too soft-hearted, and he feared that if she married, she might be mistreated by her in-laws.
But the Forbidden City was a place he knew well, and no matter whose background, he could always find out all the details.
If they were looking outside the palace for someone, even if he could leave, it wouldn’t be so easy to investigate.
Qiao Cheng’s suggestion of a “duishi” arrangement was a necessary measure to prevent problems.
Fang He now wanted to continue Xu Jia’s bloodline, and he couldn’t stop her.
“Take your time, you still have three years before leaving the palace. If I get a chance to go out on an assignment, I’ll make inquiries for you and try to find someone good,” Qiao Cheng said gently, his eyes full of approval.
“Your aunt is gone, and you’ve grown more mature now. I’ll take on the responsibility of being your uncle-in-law. In the future, I’ll depend on you and your son-in-law to support me in my old age.”
Fang He nodded decisively.
Having elders she could rely on in the palace was definitely not a bad thing.
“Uncle-in-law, don’t worry. From now on, I only have you and Disheng as my family. I won’t live carelessly like before. I’ll work hard, and once I leave, I’ll live a better life!”
She couldn’t keep living like the original owner, and this was a good setup to change her fate.
Qiao Cheng hesitated for a moment as if he wanted to say something but swallowed it back.
Some things were better left unsaid—Madam Xu hadn’t said it, so he shouldn’t either.
He only gave a final piece of advice, “Don’t be fooled by the smiles in the palace, thinking that everyone is kind.
If you’re not careful, you might not even know how you died. It’s better to be cautious, even if it means not chasing after fame.”
“You’ve been stable here in the palace for ten years, and your good life is just within reach. Don’t let external things cloud your judgment, or your aunt will never find peace in the afterlife.”
“If something important comes up, come find me or Disheng, or pass a message through someone. Got it?”
Fang He’s eyes truly started to burn with tears as she nodded seriously.
In her past life, no one had been this open-hearted with her.
Though they had their own motives, they were genuinely exchanging sincerity for sincerity.
True family was really no different than this.
***
As Fang He was about to leave, Wei Disheng quickly stood up.
“Godfather, you eat and drink some more. I’ll walk Sister out. It’s a bit of a secluded area; don’t let anyone bump into her.”
Qiao Cheng understood his godson’s intentions and simply waved his hand, signaling for both of them to leave the side room.
As soon as they were outside, Wei Disheng puffed out his cheeks and pulled Fang He into a corner.
“I really like you, Sister. Even though you’re older than me, I’ll never let you down. If I do, make me a eunuch in my next life!”
Fang He felt a bit of a headache.
“Ah, this…”
Wei Disheng didn’t need her to say anything.
He was more than capable of having a monologue all by himself.
He wiped his tears and, with red eyes, asked, “Sister Fang He, is it that you don’t like me, or do you just think I’m not good enough?”
He continued, recounting his tragic past.
“In the 14th year of Kangxi, there was a severe drought in Henan. My family suffered, relatives died or scattered, and I was tricked into the palace and castrated. I was scared out of my mind.”
“Godfather took me in, at first just as a toy, but it was you, Sister Fang He, who secretly made medicine for me and sewed my clothes. You made me feel truly at peace.”
“Others may think poorly of you, but I really like you—you’re quiet and kind, just like my deceased mother.”
He paused for a moment before continuing, “I want to spend my life with you, like family.”
Fang He was speechless, struggling to keep up. “…”
Wei Disheng, not waiting for her to respond, kept going, “I’ve thought about it, Sister. If you want to carry on Xu Jia’s bloodline, just pick someone for the task. No one can be more sincere than I am about you!”
Fang He was amazed at his openness.
“…” The boy was pretty broad-minded.
“If you don’t like me, then…” Wei Disheng looked serious.
“I’m more determined than you think. Really!” He tugged at Fang He, pulling her back.
“Don’t believe me? Ask Godfather! Just recently, Eunuch Gu praised me and even said he wanted to send me to run errands in front of the Emperor!”
“Eunuch Gu even changed my name to Wei Zhu, saying it means ‘pearls of wisdom.’ From now on, Disheng will be my nickname, and no one else gets this kind of title!”
Fang He, caught off guard by the gushing praise from the little eunuch in front of her, was pulled sharply, nearly tripping.
She grabbed the wall, thinking, Wei what?!
Good grief, Fang He thought, her eyes full of complex thoughts as she looked at Wei Disheng.
With his non-stop talking, it seemed he hadn’t realized the depth of the advisory office’s intentions.
She wasn’t particularly familiar with Qing Dynasty history, but in modern novels and dramas, there were always a few familiar names.
Aside from the famous consorts, some names were more well-known in the imperial palace.
After Liang Jiugong was imprisoned for colluding with ministers and embezzling funds, Wei Zhu, who inherited his position, became even more famous than Li Dequan.
Wei Disheng was still babbling on, “Don’t worry, Sister. Godfather praised me for being careful and good at taking care of people. When I have a future, I’ll buy a big house for you and let you be the lady of the house…”
“Sister, you can have as many children as you want, I’ll raise them like my own…”
Fang He: “…”
Although, she was a little moved.
Not moved by the idea of a “duishi” arrangement, but… What an angelic investment-worthy stock!
***
Even without Qiao Cheng’s repeated warnings, the visit of Liang Jiugong to the Imperial Tea Room had already served as a major wake-up call for Fang He.
She wanted to make money, but she couldn’t afford to act recklessly.
There was no room for trial and error here—the consequences could be fatal.
If a concubine in the harem took an interest in her and dragged her into a palace power struggle, the way things unfolded in the Emperor’s court, leaving the palace unscathed would be nothing short of a daydream.
Originally, she had planned to slowly save up money and buy herbs and other materials.
For now, her plan was to quietly investigate the market, figure out a safe way to earn money without exposing herself.
But now…
She flashed Wei Disheng a smile as sweet and calculating as the Big Bad Wolf.
“Disheng, come, come, let’s go to a place where no one is around. I have something very personal I need to tell you.”
Wei Disheng’s rambling suddenly stopped, his eyes wide with confusion.
Somehow, even though Fang He was more gentle than before, there was something about her that felt strangely intimidating.
It didn’t remind him of his long-deceased mother.
Instead, she now reminded him of that old witch who used to kidnap children in the village…
If only Fang He knew what he was thinking, she would’ve just given him a sidelong glance.
After all, this was her incredibly promising business partner.
She patted Wei Disheng’s shoulder.
“Disheng… no, Wei Zhu, you must understand, the Imperial Palace is a gold trap. Without gold and silver to fill it, even if you have the talent to move mountains, it’s difficult to make a name for yourself. You’ll even be pushed out, or worse, lose your life.”
“I’ve noticed that you’re not an ordinary person. You’re good-looking and well-connected. I want to teach you the secret skills that my aunt kept hidden. Together, we can make more money for our future!”
“When we go back home, I’ll make sure your nephews and nieces take good care of you for the rest of your days. What do you say?”
Wei Disheng was flattered, smiling brightly, but being someone with potential to be a future high-ranking official, he wasn’t entirely swayed.
His face showed confusion.
“But Sister, didn’t your father die when you were three? You came to the palace at twelve, and your godmother never mentioned any hidden skills. Where did you learn all this?”
Fang He maintained a calm face as she made up an elaborate lie.
“Of course, my mother passed on these skills to me on her deathbed!”
“My aunt warned me time and again not to let anyone know. She said I was too clumsy, and if I wasn’t careful, I could end up causing trouble and losing my life.”
“Now that I have you as my half-brother, and with your skills surpassing mine, I can’t keep this secret any longer. I can’t let you alone carry the burden for our family, can I?”
Wei Disheng was left even more confused.
Wasn’t he supposed to be persuading Fang He to marry him?
How had it suddenly turned into a family matter…
Well, as they say, ignorance can be bliss, and if the result was the same, there was no need to complicate things.
Fang He’s closeness and trust made Wei Disheng’s heart burn with warmth.
He pounded his chest and said, “I know nearly every prominent eunuch in the Jingshi Room and the Eastern and Western Six Palaces. If you want to do something, just leave it to me!”
***
As Fang He smiled brightly and whispered to Wei Disheng about how to conduct market research, the head of the Office of Internal Affairs entered the Jingshi Room with two rows of young palace maids.
Not long ago, the Emperor had been “furious”, dismissing many palace staff, some even losing their lives.
The manpower at Qianqing Palace was now insufficient.
Both the advisory office and Liang Jiugong had personally gone to the Office of Internal Affairs to urge them.
The recent small selection had only taken place a month ago, and typically, it would take some time to finish training the new palace maids before sending them out.
However, the Office of Internal Affairs didn’t dare to keep the Emperor waiting.
They had to pick the best candidates and sent them straight to be trained in palace etiquette by the senior palace maids, so they could be sent to the palace as quickly as possible.
Ru Yue, having received a bribe recently, had been making frequent trips to the laundry station.
But she wasn’t being kind—she was trying to gather information, preparing for the future, and watching out in case someone stole her chance at a better position.
She had just come out from the laundry station and was walking through the Rijing Gate into Qianqing Palace when she immediately noticed the two rows of young palace maids outside the Jingshi Room.
Some of their outfits were even more vibrant than those of the concubines in the harem.
Her expression changed in an instant, and after a quick glance, she turned and left through the Rijing Gate, heading directly for the ear room.
Not long after, Qiao Wen, wearing her newest outfit, carefully styled and with a hint of light lip color, hurried toward the Emperor’s presence.
Her dark braids swished as she walked.
Fang He’s ear room was located on the east side, and since it wasn’t time for the morning court, Qiao Wen took a shortcut through Rijing Gate.
At the same time, Consort Yi from Yikun Palace in the Western Six Palaces emerged and entered Qianqing Palace through the Yuehua Gate in a palanquin, crossing paths with Qiao Wen.
Though Qiao Wen was walking along the corner of the colonnade, trying to stay out of view, her outfit was too eye-catching.
The maid-in-waiting of Consort Yi immediately saw her and hurried over to tell her mistress.
A well-maintained pale hand appeared from inside the palanquin, gently lifting a corner of the curtain to peek out.
Seeing Qiao Wen’s back as she headed toward the Emperor’s presence, the voice from inside the palanquin let out a soft, lazy sneer.
“Go take a look. Who is this, so ambitious, trying to get ahead of me?”
The palace attendants standing around the palanquin, their faces cold with hostility, guarded the palanquin as it made its way toward the main hall.
Fang He, who had just finished tricking someone, was hiding in the corner by the Yuehua Gate.
Her heart gave a little leap, and she couldn’t hide the gleam of excitement in her eyes.
Earning money couldn’t be rushed, but… how about enjoying a little gossip for now?