Chapter 057: The One In My Heart

He came from a poor family. To help make ends meet, his parents sent him to the palace to become a eunuch when he was young.

There were many others like him in the palace.

Sometimes, he wondered why it had to be him and not his older brother or someone else.

But whenever he thought this way, another voice would always echo in his heart: If it weren’t for the need to make a living, how could loving parents send their own son to the palace to become a eunuch?

If he hadn’t entered the palace, he might have starved or died of illness long ago.

So, the various resentments would gradually diminish.

Zheng Bao thus became one of the rare peaceful people in the palace.

There were too many people here with scheming hearts, engaging in intrigue, mostly driven by a sense of injustice and unwillingness, wanting to stand out and become someone important. But he didn’t want that.

In the palace, he didn’t fight or compete, he just did his job quietly and never got involved in any deceit. He only waited for the day when he would be released from the palace, to go home and see his family smiling at him, making porridge and tea for him.

However, yesterday…

The Jian cup that the Empress loved was not broken by him. When he followed the instructions of the female official to take the box from the high cabinet and open it, it was already broken inside.

This item was brought by the Empress from her mother’s home and was often used to remember her family. It was under his jurisdiction.

When it was taken out to be viewed, it was found broken.

The Empress was furious and punished him, which was entirely normal.

Zheng Bao willingly accepted the punishment.

But as he knelt in front of the Kunning Palace gate, being stared at by all the passing palace people and eunuchs with strange eyes, he couldn’t help but think: How could the Jian cup, which was perfectly fine in the box, break so easily?

And none of the eunuchs who were friendly with him in the past stood up to speak for him.

Even though he was used to the coldness of people in the palace who only cared about their own safety, he couldn’t help but feel a bit disheartened.

It was at this moment that Jiang Xuening appeared.

A delicate voice, sounding somewhat intentional, much like those concubines in the harem pretending to be weak, a bit timid and fearful.

Zheng Bao thought at the time, probably a young lady from some family.

But who would have thought that it was this “young lady” who, with a simple sentence, saved him from the harsh punishment of Kunning Palace.

On the surface, it was the Princess Leyang who saved him.

But anyone who had been in the palace for two years could see that it was really Jiang Xuening who saved him.

The kindness of Princess Leyang should certainly be remembered, but he should be even more grateful to this Miss Jiang.

Clearly, they were strangers, just passing by. Even his friends from the past didn’t dare to plead for him at such a time, yet this stranger spoke up to save him.

Zheng Bao felt that it was a ray of light shining through a crack in the darkness.

Although the warmth was only a trace, a traveler wandering in the cold winter would be willing to rely on this trace of warmth, believing in the goodness and kindness of the world, believing that the sunny spring days would soon arrive.

He came with an inexplicable joy.

But the girl who saved him that day, Miss Jiang, actually told him—

“I saved you with impure intentions.”

Zheng Bao was momentarily confused and almost didn’t react. When he finally realized what Jiang Xuening had said, it felt like something light had fallen in his heart.

He stared at Jiang Xuening, unable to speak.

Jiang Xuening asked him, “Disappointed?”

Disappointed?

Perhaps not.

But there was undeniably a bit of melancholy, after all, he thought this girl was different from everyone else in the palace.

Zheng Bao slowly said, “You have confused me.”

Jiang Xuening couldn’t quite explain why she blurted out that sentence at that moment, perhaps she still felt unworthy?

She smiled, “So, are you here to repay the favor?”

Zheng Bao said, “That was my original intention.”

Jiang Xuening raised her eyebrows slightly, “And now?”

Perhaps because her expression was so relaxed, it unconsciously made people relax as well. Zheng Bao felt his heavy mood inexplicably lighten a lot. As he gazed at Jiang Xuening, he realized she was looking at him with a very serious expression.

It was an expression he had seen before.

The same as the day she saved him, hidden thorns beneath a delicate exterior.

So there was a moment of confusion: how was she different? Everyone in the palace wished they could layer thick masks on their faces so that no one could see through them. But this girl was truly, so frankly saying, she saved him with another purpose.

If everyone in the palace were so straightforward, where would all the filth come from?

He suddenly couldn’t help but laugh, his eyes curved like two new moons, and said, “After you saved me, if you didn’t say it, indeed the intention was impure; but once you declared it, the intention became very pure.”

Jiang Xuening nodded, “That’s true, I want to do you a favor so that you will be useful to me.”

Zheng Bao was stunned and said, “You are very straightforward.”

Jiang Xuening just mumbled, “That’s because you haven’t seen me being hypocritical.”

But she said this in a low voice.

She continued, “After all, I heard that Steward Zheng is an honest and good person. If you have loyalty, it should be given to someone worthy. If I saved you and lied that it was out of kindness, and you later found out I wasn’t such a good person, wouldn’t that be shooting myself in the foot? Don’t worry, I’m only staying in the palace for half a year, I won’t do any bad things to harm people, I’m just afraid that one day I might be in a bad situation and have no one to turn to, so I want to find someone to rely on in advance, in case something happens, I won’t be caught off guard. I wonder if Steward Zheng is willing to help?”

Zheng Bao was used to people in the palace speaking half-truths and hiding the rest, it had been a long time since he heard such straightforward words, so much so that after hearing this, he couldn’t help but look around to see if there were any others nearby.

But after looking around, he felt a strange sadness.

After so many years in the palace, he had been tamed by it. Even though he had no intention of harming anyone, he still feared that the walls had ears.

This Miss Jiang, although she had the favor of Princess Leyang and was well-regarded by her, the palace was full of stories of people rising to honor one day and falling to disgrace the next.

What was wrong with being prepared for the worst?

Moreover, regardless of her intentions, she had saved him. Zheng Bao found it difficult to refuse her, or perhaps his heart told him he didn’t want to refuse.

The setting sun’s rays spilled through the cloudy sky, casting a red hue on the palace walls, which reflected onto his delicate, scarred face, warming his features.

Jiang Xuening suddenly realized that this young eunuch was quite handsome.

After a moment of thought, Zheng Bao replied, “You are my benefactor. As long as you don’t intend to harm others, what reason do I have not to help you?”

“You agreed.” Although it was expected, she didn’t think it would be so easy. Her eyes and brows showed a hint of joy, but then she reacted, “I saved you with impure intentions, I’m not a good person. Can I still be considered your benefactor?”

Zheng Bao looked at her and smiled, “Some things should be judged by actions, not intentions. If judged by intentions, are there any good people in the world?”

If judged by intentions, are there any good people in the world?

Jiang Xuening was stunned by his words.

At that moment, Zheng Bao thought she looked a bit desolate, as if she was trapped in some inescapable memory. But then a smile appeared on her lips, bringing a touch of brightness to her desolation, even a bit of pride.

She firmly said to him, “There are.”

Zheng Bao was taken aback, “Who?”

Jiang Xuening inexplicably became happy, walked a few steps forward with her hands behind her back, then stopped and turned around with a bright smile, “I’ll introduce you when there’s a chance.”

The sky had darkened, pressing down on the heavy Forbidden City.

But the girl’s steps on the palace path seemed light.

Zheng Bao watched her gradually receding figure and couldn’t help but smile. He suddenly thought: This girlish demeanor, could it be for her beloved?

*

Having unexpectedly easily settled things with Zheng Bao, Jiang Xuening returned to Yangzhi Zhai in a very good mood.

The room had been completely redecorated.

Upon entering, she was greeted by the sight of soft, fragrant brocade everywhere. The vases had been replaced with Ru kiln white porcelain, the round table with carved red sandalwood, and the ordinary Xuan paper on the desk had been replaced with high-quality white deer paper. Every detail was exquisite.

It was even better than her boudoir at home.

“If only Her Highness the Princess were a man,” Jiang Xuening threw herself onto the soft bed, resting her head on the silk-embroidered pillow, and sighed comfortably, “I would assist her in becoming the emperor, and I would be the empress. That would be wonderful…”

Of course, it was just a thought.

With Zhang Zhe around, she liked no one else.

In the evening, after everyone at Yangzhi Zhai had finished their meal, they gathered in the Liushui Pavilion to review the day’s lessons and look at the books the teacher would teach the next day.

Although Jiang Xuening didn’t get along with most people, she had to attend such occasions.

People like Xiao Shu and Chen Shuyi were very knowledgeable and would occasionally help others with their questions. Although Jiang Xuening had some minor conflicts with them, learning had nothing to do with personal grudges. The more she could learn, the better, so why not?

So, she arrived early with her book when the time came.

However, a few people hadn’t arrived yet, and the group wasn’t talking about studies but were instead joking around.

Yao Xi once again became the center of attention.

Zhou Baoying, the most lively and daring of them all, grabbed Yao Xi’s hand and shook it vigorously, “Sister Yao Xi, just tell us. We all saw you this morning handing a letter to a palace servant. You were fine, but when you realized we saw you, your face turned red. Come on, tell us, is it about your ideal husband?”

Jiang Xuening’s fingers, which had just opened the book, suddenly paused.

Yao Xi, embarrassed by their teasing, stomped her foot and said, “You’re so annoying, always teasing me!”

You Yue covered her mouth and laughed, teasing, “Zhang Zhe has already sensibly withdrawn the engagement. Sister Yao Xi, you went along with it and saved yourself the trouble. From now on, you can find a good match easily. How could it not work out?”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

But unexpectedly, Yao Xi looked at You Yue and shook her head, “No.”

You Yue didn’t understand, “No?”

Everyone fell silent, looking at Yao Xi in surprise.

A faint blush on Yao Xi’s fair cheeks gradually turned crimson. She bit her lip slightly and lowered her eyes with great shyness, “I’ve changed my mind. He thinks he can just withdraw the engagement? It’s not that easy. If we break off the engagement, people will gossip about me. It doesn’t matter if his background isn’t good or if he has a widowed mother. I have everything, so he doesn’t need to worry.”