The creation of a Eunuch

– Look at her. What is she doing again? – One of the maids asked, standing in the doorway and watching the newly awakened princess.

– I heard that she brought a weapon to the White Lotus Pavilion yesterday and now does not let it out of her hands – another answered her.

– She found herself a new toy. That's hilarious

The maids quickly exchanged glances and giggled merrily.

– I bet this is her next way to kill herself. But this time she chose too difficult option – commented another worker, passing by the rooms with dirty laundry in her hands.

– But what an interesting sight.

At this time, Yulan was sitting cross-legged on the bed, oblivious to the gaze and whispering of the maids. All her attention was focused on the bow in her hands. She stroked it with almost maternal tenderness with her fingertips, slowly passing over the wooden part.

It was a small bow with protruding stops for the bowstring. The inner part of it was reinforced with pieces of horn, the back is covered with tendons. It was beautifully finished with a lacquer coating and decorated with silver thread

The bow looked completely different from what she usually used in competitions. Without stabilizer, arrow mounts and everything else. But it wasn't that important. Already at the age of six, a girl could accurately shoot out of a tree branch and rough rope hastily fastened together.

At that time, she was just beginning to fall in love with sports. Yang Yulan recalled with some melancholy the times when her father, who saw her interest in archery, constantly encouraged her.

«In the future you will become a great archer and Dad will be very proud of you» he said, gently stroking his daughter's hair. To which the little girl always laughed out loud and began to rant about her successes again.

Fragments of happy memories caused the girl an unpleasant feeling of loss. The loss of something very important and powerful.

At this time, her completely rampant thoughts were interrupted by the smell of hot food. She looked up and saw Chu Qi standing on the threshold, who, with a tray in her hands, was again scolding the other maids for something.

– Chu Qi, I'm going to practice archery and I need more comfortable clothes – Yang Yulan announced when she stopped her swearing and finally entered the room. The current princess robe with a long hem and sleeves was very heavy and uncomfortable to wear. She wanted to find a more acceptable alternative so that she could move around more easily in the future.

Upon hearing this, Chu Qi almost dropped the breakfast tray from her hands.

– I don't understand the books here. They are too complicated to write – Yang Yulan continued, as if not noticing the frightened look of the maid – So to pass the time, it would be nice to do something active.

– Your Highness, I beg you to think one more time – the pale-faced Chu Qi hurried to warn, placing the tray on the nearest hard surface for its greater safety – It is very dangerous. Your abdominal wound has not fully healed yet, and your body is very weak and sick.

Yang Yulan had expected such an answer. In fact, she could have just given the order to the other servants and then Chu Qi would have had no choice but to obey. But the girl didn't really want to be rude to the only person who was kind to her here.

– You're exaggerating – the princess replied and tried to relax her furrowed brow – I even managed to get a good sleep last night.

Of course, it was a lie. Even now, Her Highness was holding her stomach with her hands while talking and from time to time she writhed from the sharp pain.

Chu Qi suddenly felt a heaviness in her heart. She knew that she would regret it very much if she allowed the princess, who had not yet fully recovered, to shoot. Yang Yulan could harm not only other people living and working here, but also herself.

The maid still remembered the days when she had just started working in the White Lotus Pavilion and day by day she watched the attempts of the crazy princess to injure herself and end her life. She was so weak and insane. She couldn't utter a single coherent sentence. Her whole body was covered with scars and cuts, and there were always fresh bruises on her legs.

Due to the carelessness of other servants in relation to the princess's condition, she sometimes had to hide all the dangerous things in the pavilion herself. They even included kitchen appliances, the location of which was known only to the local cooks, and a few servants. Chu Qi had to keep track of his ward's diet and daily routine all the time. She was really surprised by the fact that the princess managed to live to the age of eighteen with the lifestyle she used to lead.

After the wound on her stomach, Her Highness seemed to be reborn. The changes in her behavior were so amazing that Chu Qi sometimes felt like she was witnessing a miracle.

The maid wanted to believe that her mistress would no longer want to harm herself. And in order to verify her theory, she decided to take a big risk.

– All right, Your Highness – Chu Qi said desperately, looking into the big curious eyes of the princess – I will accompany you all the time and make sure that nothing happens to you.

Of course, she had no right to refuse Yang Yulan's wish. But deep down, the stupid maid believed that her Highness would have obeyed, or at least would have taken her words into account if she had flatly refused to give permission.

– Thank you, thank you – Yulan replied, unable to sit still with joy – Of course you can watch.

Chu Qi shifted her gaze to the instantly cheerful girl and sighed heavily.

– And what kind of clothes do you want? – she asked, laying out the already slightly cooled food in front of the princess. At that moment, the girl turned a meaningful glance at the servant in baggy trousers, who was passing by her chambers at that time.

– But these are men's clothes, Your Highness – Chu Qi hastened to point out.

– I'm only going to train in them and I won't go anywhere else like that – the princess retorted and willingly began to eat.

Chu Qi did not respond to this and only went out to give the order.

***

Finally feeling the lightness in her movements, Yulan still could not fully devote herself to training. The incessant abdominal pain made itself felt every few minutes.

The girl came out into an empty field, barely holding a trembling bow in her hands. Last time, Yang Yusheng helped her to support him and aim, which is why she naively assumed that she could shoot no worse only by herself. However, the harsh reality hit her in the face. She was too weak and quickly exhausted from any exertion.

Noticing this hitch, Chu Qi, who was standing nearby, felt relieved. If her princess surrendered now, sooner or later, she would be able to dissuade her from this venture. Noticing another unsuccessful attempt by Yulan to position the bow perpendicular to the ground, she was about to go over to help her when she heard someone stomping nearby.

– Chu Qi, the chief is calling you – suddenly someone's voice was heard and the girl turned her gaze to the maid who ran up to them – Go to his office.

As if remembering something unpleasant, Chu Qi looked towards the pavilion in a detached manner, not answering the maid, who was out of breath from running. Then she turned away and walked over to the curious princess who was watching from the side.

– I have to go. I'll be back in a second, but I'll leave the maids with you. You have to promise me that you won't touch the arrows while I'm gone.

– Chu Qi, is something wrong? – Yang Yulan asked, noticing the unpleasant expression on her maid's face.

– No, it's all right – Chu Qi hastened to assure her and wearily pressed her fingers to her temples.

– Now hurry up and promise

– Why can't I just go with you? – Yang Yulan did not stop insisting on her own.

– It's not allowed today. You'll be in the way. Just sit here and don't move.

– Okay-okay – the girl replied in an offended tone and looked away.

Chu Qi stared at her for a few more seconds, then turned around and left.

Yang Yulan remained standing in place, anxiously looking after her. Despite the maid's words, she still felt an incomprehensible anxiety in her heart.

However, promising not to shoot a bow until her return, the princess only sat down on the grass and continued to look at her new bow.

Time passed, but Chu Qi did not return. After half an hour of doing nothing, the maids, who could only keep an eye on the hushed madwoman, became bored, which is why they began to chat about all sorts of nonsense.

One of them, the one who seemed younger than the others, narrowed her eyes and, without hiding her indignation, began to complain loudly about something, so much so that snatches of her swearing reached even the ears of Yulan, who ignored them.

– And why she's always bossing us around. She made me keep an eye on this dog.

– She thinks that if the manager favors her, she can do whatever she wants.

The princess stared at them for a second, realizing that they were talking about her maid. She quietly approached the group of speakers and strained her ears.

– Don't worry – one of the girls said not so loudly anymore, smiling slyly - I heard today the chief called her directly to his office. I think this time he has finally decided to carry out his threats.

– Come on.. What would he do to her? She's probably been jumping in his bed for a long time already. She'll be only too glad.

– He's what?? – A shrill scream suddenly interrupted their chatter. It was a crazy princess.

The girls looked at each other in disbelief, not knowing what to do with her and how to react. At that moment, one of them turned to Yulan and explained in a calm tone.

– Chu Qi should be in his office right now. It's in the northern part of the pavilion, not too far from the maids' rest rooms. A big red door with golden statues.

The other girls remained silent and watched as the angry princess suddenly muttered something to herself, and then got up from her seat and ran towards the pavilion.

– Why did you tell her?

–Thank me later. Now come on, girls. Let's enjoy a wonderful show.

In the couple of days that she followed Chu Qi, Yulan managed to learn a good map of the building and from the words of the maid, she roughly understood where the head's office was located.

Running from hall to hall, she rummaged through her quiver of arrows as she went, searching hard for something.

«Damn it! But where is this arm guard [1]? Didn't my brother put it in the quiver?» The fabric on the princess's clothes was very thin and barely protected her forearm. She could have been badly injured without proper protection, and what is even more unpleasant – the wounds on her hands, which had not yet had time to heal in the intervening time, could open up again and prevent her at the most inopportune moment.

As if noticing something, she, already fairly out of breath, ran into one of the rooms, which was presumably a laundry room. Rummaging through a large basket of dirty laundry, she took out a long red sash[2]. Without thinking twice, she wrapped it around her wrist in several layers and stood up for another run.

– It'll do for now.

However, after running through only a few rooms, the girl suddenly noticed a large red door in the distance. It must be the right one. At least she fit the description.

«The perfect door for a narcissistic pervert» she remarked.

Approaching her, the girl jumped on the spot from a sharp knock and a rumble coming from the room.

When she tried to open the door, she was faced with another unpleasant problem.

«Of course it's locked in here.»

After trying to force the door again, Yang Yulan took a closer look at the door lock. He seemed rather flimsy to the girl.

– Maybe it will work out – hoping for luck, she kicked him a couple of times and after a while the door still gave way and fell to the floor in front of her with a crash. Yang Yulan ran inside, immediately pulling the bowstring.

The picture that appeared in front of her eyes made her grab the bow in her hands harder, so that the veins on her arms bulged.

The room seemed to have weathered a storm. Glass and porcelain items were smashed and scattered on the floor. The securities were still flying over the desk, and the luxurious carpet was stained with fresh blood.

Chu Qi was standing in the very corner of the room, hiding behind the remnants of her torn clothes. She was brandishing a bloody piece of glass in her hands, trying to drive away a man distraught with anger with a deep wound on his shoulder.

Yang Yulan aimed at him target with trembling hands.

The man turned when he heard the sound of the door falling and froze in place, noticing the crazy princess at the entrance, aiming a bow at him.

– Your Highness?– Chu Qi also noticed the girl, but only lowered her eyes to the floor, not daring to move. She looked like she was deeply ashamed at that moment.

The man, frozen in place, had barely regained the ability to speak by that time.

– What are you doing? – he threatened, actively gesticulating – Put down your weapon now, otherwise you will be in trouble.

Yang Yulan remained stubbornly silent, trying to figure out how she should shoot so as not to miss exactly.

– Put down your weapon now! The man ordered again, moving quickly towards the girl. However, even before he could get close enough to take away the bow, he felt a gentle breeze pass by his right ear.

Realizing that he had narrowly avoided an arrow flying straight at his head, the manager's eyes widened to the size of melon fruits, and his forehead was covered with cold perspiration. Now he realized that his life was really in serious danger.

The man stood up and hastened to soften his tone.

– Your Highness, with all due respect...

Another arrow flew straight at his leg, causing him to fall to the ground, clutching the bloody wound that had opened, unable to make any more movement.

«Damn, my hand slipped again» Yulan, gnashing her teeth, picked up the trembling bow again.

– Security! Someone help me!! – The man roared.

Turning his gaze to the door, hoping that someone would come running to his call, he noticed only the maids crowding at the entrance. They quietly watched what was happening, not daring to do anything.

– Help! – he shouted and slowly crawled towards them. Why did they move away from the door in disgust.

– Shut up and get up!! Yulan commanded, stopping the servant's advances with a rude kick to the chest.

The man's voice broke into a scream and reverberated throughout the building at breakneck speed. At that moment, it seemed to the other servants and guards that they heard the screeching of a pig sent to slaughter.

«But where did the pig come from in the White Lotus Pavilion?»

Yang Yulan's gaze, directed at the cowering servant, suddenly softened for no reason. Noticing these changes in her behavior, the man immediately came to his senses. Perhaps this was his last chance to escape. He smiled faintly to himself and continued to plead plaintively.

– Okay – Yang Yulan said calmly, already noticeably tired of the whole performance, –Stand up and I won't shoot you in the head.

The delighted manager, as if he had discovered a second wind in himself, quickly jumped up on the spot. But the great joy was followed only by a momentary regret. Yulan did not wait any longer and, pulling the bowstring hard on herself, shot an arrow straight in the direction of the man's causal place.

– You promised– the servant groaned resentfully, before falling onto the carpet, bleeding. At this moment, the terrified maids finally ran onto the stage and began to mess with the victim. One of them ran out into the corridor, screaming almost to the whole palace

– Call the doctor! Hurry!!

– As promised – Yang Yulan muttered and left the office in some prostration.

Under the noise of the maids scurrying back and forth, she walked a couple of meters without noticing anything around her and then stopped. Thinking of something of her own, she turned her gaze to her trembling hands. However, this time the girl was sure that they were not shaking from weakness or fear.

«That's it! That's it!» Yulan could barely contain the ecstatic squeal that escaped from her throat. Her heart suddenly began to beat in a frenzied rhythm from the realization. So fast and so loud that it seemed to be pounding inside the skull.

– Wait! Chu Qi called out, quickly running after the princess from the room. But she did not respond to her hail. Then the girl slowly walked up to Yulan, who was standing in place at that time, and put her hand on her shoulder.

She slowly turned her gaze to the man who came up to her and jumped in surprise.

«Exactly. Why didn't I think of that right away. What if Chu Qi is injured. How could I just leave her there and walk away.»

While Yang Yulan was anxiously examining the maid for serious injuries, a pair of long arms suddenly wrapped around her waist and wrapped her in a gentle embrace.

– Let's get out of here already

– Yes – Yang Yulan answered her softly and led the maid back to the royal chambers.

______

[1] Arm Guard is a special equipment that protects the hand from being struck by a bowstring. It is made of different materials: leather, plastic, metal

[2]Sash is a piece of clothing, a belt made of a wide piece of fabric or cord.