The Empress Dowager's Suspicion

Gao Xuan squeezed her shoulders, but her heart felt like a battlefield of conflicting emotions.

His Adam's apple twitched, and in the end, reason triumphed over desire. Despite the temptation to take a casual peek, he maintained his focus on massaging her shoulders, without overstepping any boundaries.

"Xiaoxuan, at what age did you enter the palace?" Empress Dowager Xiao asked in a leisurely manner, her eyes closed, savoring the massage.

"In response to the Empress Dowager, I entered the palace at the age of twelve," Gao Xuan respectfully replied.

The scene was reminiscent of his previous life, chatting with massage girls in foot spas, except now their roles were reversed, and he had become the one providing the massage as a eunuch.

"Oh?" Empress Dowager Xiao's face showed a hint of surprise. "Entering the palace at such a young age, you must have faced many hardships."

Gao Xuan immediately wore a sorrowful expression. "Empress Dowager, your intuition is remarkably accurate. My father was a wretched drunkard, and he had a gambling addiction. It was my mother who raised me single-handedly, but unfortunately, she passed away prematurely due to an illness..."

"However, those hardships are in the past. Since entering the palace, I have never dared to ask for more. Having enough food, clothing, and a place to stay is more than sufficient for me."

"Never did I imagine that I would be fortunate enough to serve by your side, Empress Dowager. It is the greatest blessing of my life."

In his previous life, during foot massages, the girls would often recount their tragic backgrounds and unfortunate experiences to elicit sympathy and encourage additional spending.

Now, Gao Xuan had directly applied that approach. He depicted himself as pitiful and indirectly flattered the Empress Dowager, knowing that such rhetoric would likely evoke sympathy.

Moreover, he had heard that Empress Dowager Xiao's own childhood family circumstances weren't particularly favorable. She relied on her exceptional intelligence and skills to rise from a humble background and become the Empress Dowager, earning the late Emperor's favor and eventually becoming a powerful figure in the court.

Perhaps there could be some resonance.

Indeed, Empress Dowager Xiao's expression revealed a trace of emotion upon hearing his words. She softly remarked, "Indeed, children from poor families often mature early. It reminds me of my own childhood..."

"Furthermore, you possess a handsome appearance. Seeing you every day uplifts my spirits. If there are no objections, you may stay in the Cining Palace from now on."

Gao Xuan's heart swelled with joy. Progress had been made!

However, the Empress Dowager's next sentence sent shivers down his spine.

"Eunuch Wei, what are your thoughts?" came a voice from behind the curtain, neither distinctly male nor female.

"This little eunuch seems to follow the rules. This old servant thinks it's acceptable. As long as the Empress Dowager approves," replied Eunuch Wei's voice.

Gao Xuan was startled. Wasn't that Wei Xian, the old man? He was here too!

But when he had initially entered, he hadn't sensed anyone's presence in that area!

This fellow truly was cunning.

Fortunately, he hadn't stolen a glance at the Empress Dowager's chest earlier. Otherwise, he might not have his head attached to his body right now.

Once he calmed down from the lingering fear, Gao Xuan let out a sigh of relief.

Upon hearing Eunuch Wei's words, Empress Dowager Xiao finally felt at ease.

It seemed that the Emperor hadn't done anything suspicious with this little eunuch. As for Gao Xuan's loyalty to the Emperor, she couldn't be bothered to investigate or care about such matters.

After all, people's hearts were inscrutable. Moreover, a eunuch at the early stage of the Ling Sea Realm, with no hidden secrets, what harm could his loyalty to the Emperor cause?

Ultimately, the deep palace was a lonely place. Even as the Empress Dowager, despite her immense power, she couldn't escape the loneliness in her heart.

Therefore, as long as he could please her eyes every day, it was enough, treating him as nothing more than a fresh plaything.

"Xiaoxuan, you're doing an excellent job. You're far superior to those specially trained eunuchs and palace maids. I truly appreciate it," Empress Dowager Xiao said, smiling.

A smile appeared on Gao Xuan's face. "It is an honor to bring pleasure to the Empress Dowager."

"Hmm, you certainly have a way with words," Empress Dowager Xiao remarked, her smile growing wider.

It seemed that Gao Xuan had passed the test earlier, and even Eunuch Wei had confirmed his compliance, putting the Empress Dowager further at ease, prompting her to fall back asleep, more relaxed and carefree.

She slept soundly, while Gao Xuan endured considerable suffering.

For a man, the greatest torment was having a tantalizing morsel just within reach but being unable to taste or even lay eyes upon it.

As Empress Dowager Xiao slept, her abandon knew no bounds. With each gentle breath, her clothing failed to conceal her enticing curves, as if they were on the verge of being exposed.

Who knew if Eunuch Wei, that old man, had been lurking in the shadows the entire time, not to mention Ao Xue's presence.

Gao Xuan dared not overstep any boundaries. He behaved like a genuine eunuch, a eunuch with peculiar tastes, someone who did not desire women.

He endured the torment until nightfall, his hands growing weary. Only then did Empress Dowager Xiao awaken, feeling refreshed.

"Is it this late already?" Empress Dowager Xiao sat up, gently massaging her temples. Seeing Gao Xuan still nearby, she smiled and remarked, "Your massage was incredibly soothing. I haven't had such a restful sleep in ages. I feel years younger now."

Gao Xuan smiled and replied, "As long as the Empress Dowager is pleased, I will gladly provide daily massages."

"Hehe," Empress Dowager Xiao chuckled. "Very well, I understand that you are also responsible for the Hall of Mixed Bath. With numerous trivial matters to attend to each day, you cannot remain in the Cining Palace constantly. You may depart now. If needed, I will have someone summon you."

"Yes, then I shall take my leave," Gao Xuan respectfully bowed, then retreated and left the palace.

Once he had departed, the Empress Dowager motioned with her hand.

Ao Xue approached.

"I am still somewhat concerned. There's a strange feeling. Go and tail him to ascertain whether he is a true eunuch," she ordered.

"Yes!" Ao Xue nodded and quickly strode toward the direction Gao Xuan had left.

However, as she passed by the spot where Gao Xuan had inadvertently stumbled earlier, her brows furrowed slightly.

While she had no objections to the Empress Dowager's command, the scene evoked emotions, and memories of that unwelcome advance resurfaced.

Furthermore, the Empress Dowager had instructed her to investigate for a reason. If Gao Xuan turned out to be a fake eunuch and had touched her...

At that thought, Ao Xue's expression turned icy, and her cold, beautiful eyes were filled with a murderous intent.

...