Ah Chang Enters the Palace  

Chen Hong, leaving the palace, went straight to the Smoke and Waves Pleasure Barge.

"Damn it!" he cursed inwardly. "Making this esteemed eunuch personally run this errand! I hope that barge is still docked. Otherwise, I'll have to search for it on the river."

Hurrying to the docks, he saw the familiar, multi-storied silhouette of the Smoke and Waves Pleasure Barge from afar.

Relieved, he straightened his back, adopting the dignified gait of a high-ranking eunuch, and leisurely approached the barge.

"You're Ah Chang?"

When the madam brought Ah Chang before him, Chen Hong was surprised.

This was the courtesan's personal maid?

Plain features.

Unremarkable figure.

Dull attire and makeup.

In terms of feminine beauty, she was utterly lacking. She resembled a sturdy peasant woman more than a courtesan's maid.

Chen Hong, a seasoned palace eunuch, after studying Ah Chang's appearance carefully, quickly understood.

'Consort Rou isn't a complete fool. Maids serving a favored concubine are prone to unexpected opportunities. They might even catch the Emperor's eye and be elevated to concubines themselves.

Throughout history, there have been countless cases of maids replacing their mistresses in the Emperor's affections. Consort Rou, keeping such an unremarkable woman by her side… Clearly, it was a deliberate decision.'

A eunuch's thinking was indeed different from that of ordinary men. Previously, Chen Hong had secretly looked down on Xue Susu. Now, he began to admire her cleverness.

After all, without a bit of cunning, how could she possibly survive the treacherous power struggles of the imperial harem, a place where three thousand beauties vied for the Emperor's favor?

"You're Ah Chang, Consort Rou's personal maid?"

Chen Hong asked perfunctorily.

"Yes." Ah Chang nodded.

Chen Hong was annoyed by her lack of manners but decided to overlook it. After all, this woman was Consort Rou's confidante.

He even forced a smile. "Miss Ah Chang, you're quite fortunate. Consort Rou mentioned you specifically, asking me to bring you into the palace. You will continue to serve her."

"Yes."

Ah Chang remained impassive.

Could she be an unskilled laborer?

Chen Hong was secretly appalled by her lack of social graces. Anyone with a bit of common sense would be expressing their gratitude profusely, even though he was merely a messenger.

"Besides Miss Ah Chang, are there any other maids serving Consort Rou?" he asked casually.

He couldn't shake off a nagging suspicion. The most famous courtesan in Qinhuai, and she only had this woman by her side?

It seemed implausible.

"Ah..." The madam let out a sigh.

"There was another maid, named Lu Zhu. She was quite lively and attractive."

"Oh?" Chen Hong asked, intrigued. "Where is Miss Lu Zhu? Could I meet her?"

Since he intended to attach himself to Xue Susu, it was only natural that he wanted to learn more about her.

Seeing that Ah Chang was as communicative as a wooden post, Chen Hong turned his attention to Lu Zhu.

He might not bring Lu Zhu into the palace. After all, another maid meant another expense. But at least he could chat with her, gather some information about Consort Rou's personal life.

"Lu Zhu… She's gone," the madam said.

"Gone? Dead?!" Chen Hong was startled, then quickly understood.

What a coincidence!

Consort Rou's former maid, suddenly dead?

He couldn't help but suspect foul play.

"How did she die?" Chen Hong frowned.

The madam retrieved a handkerchief and dabbed at the corner of her eye, although there were no tears.

"The other night, Lu Zhu got drunk. She went to the bow of the barge to sober up. The barge hit a patch of floating ice. In the chaos, Lu Zhu fell into the river. Alas! It was a cold winter night.

She didn't know how to swim. She spent the entire night in the Qinhuai River. They didn't find her body until the next morning… Even Xue Susu cried for a while…"

Chen Hong was astonished. "Do these… accidents… happen often?"

The madam nodded. "You can inquire at the Jingzhao Prefecture. They'll confirm it. Dozens of pleasure barges operate on the Qinhuai River. Every year, dozens, even hundreds, of women drown."

Chen Hong was even more astonished.

As a palace eunuch, an incomplete man, he naturally wouldn't care about how many women drowned in the Qinhuai River.

"So many accidents? And you still dare to operate barges? Why not simply conduct your business on land?"

The madam shook her head.

"If we moved ashore, what would be the difference between us and those common brothels? The pleasure barges are our specialty, our identity. We are all women who have suffered. If we choose this profession, we cannot fear the water."

Hearing her words, Chen Hong couldn't help but feel a sense of sympathy.

Although he was now a eunuch, if he had a choice, wouldn't he have preferred to study diligently, pass the imperial examinations, and achieve a glorious career as an official?

Why had he become an incomplete man?

The phrase "women who have suffered" resonated with him. He abandoned his line of questioning.

"Miss Ah Chang, you will come with me to the palace. I promised Consort Rou. I will ensure she sees you before nightfall."

Ah Chang nodded.

"Yes."

Chen Hong smiled. "Good. Go pack your belongings. I'll wait for you here. Remember, time is of the essence. Just take the necessities. The palace has everything you might need."

Ah Chang simply replied, "Yes."

She turned and left, returning shortly after.

"That's all?"

Chen Hong looked at the small bundle in her arms. Surely it couldn't hold more than a few garments?

Aside from the bundle, she carried two scrolls.

"It's enough," Ah Chang said flatly.

"Alright."

Chen Hong wasn't a compassionate bodhisattva. He had no interest in meddling in others' affairs.

After spending five thousand five hundred top-grade spirit stones to bribe the relevant officials, Chen Hong finally succeeded in registering Ah Chang as an official palace maid and transferring her to the Zhongcui Palace.

"Damn it!"

"That bastard Feng! How dare he raise the price?! The usual fee is five thousand spirit stones. He actually added another five hundred! Once this eunuch becomes the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial, I'll make sure he pays dearly!"

Chen Hong cursed inwardly all the way to the Zhongcui Palace. He put on a servile smile as he presented Ah Chang to Xue Susu.

"Consort Rou, I have brought Miss Ah Chang to you, as promised."

He was about to boast about the lengths he had gone to, the favors he had called in, and the expenses he had incurred to arrange Ah Chang's entry into the palace, when Xue Susu, seemingly oblivious to social niceties, spoke.

"Thank you, Eunuch Chen. You may leave now. I just need Ah Chang with me."

Chen Hong was stunned.

What?!

This woman was truly ungrateful!

He almost cursed out loud.

Fortunately, Xue Susu added, "Please return before dinner. Ah Chang doesn't understand palace etiquette. I'll need your assistance when I dine with His Majesty."

Chen Hong's annoyance vanished instantly. Serving others was, after all, a eunuch's duty.

And serving Emperor Jiajing? It was a glorious task!

Although he was a high-ranking eunuch, when it came to appearing before the Emperor, his opportunities were limited.

"Consort Rou, please rest assured. I will ensure everything is perfect for your meal with His Majesty. I take my leave now."

Finally, Chen Hong departed.

Only Xue Susu and Ah Chang remained in the bedchamber. Ah Chang still held the two scrolls in her arms.

"Put those away. Don't let anyone see them."

Xue Susu studied Ah Chang.

"Is your injury serious?"

Ah Chang shook her head.

"The Vermilion Bird is merely a manifestation of Emperor Jiajing's power. It's not as if he personally attacked me. I should recover within a month."

Xue Susu nodded.

"The 'injury'… I apologize for that. It was necessary to get us into the palace…"