CHAPTER 92: CHAPTER 92: HE REALLY DOESN’T WANT TO KNOW HIS SECRETS

Eunuch Shuangxi was the most efficient worker, tirelessly dedicated to Emperor Jing over the years. He was also well aware of whom the Emperor liked or disliked.

For instance, he knew precisely the kind of men the Grand Princess favored.

Thus, making a selection was effortless and not at all troublesome.

Following the Grand Princess’s preferences, Eunuch Shuangxi selected six men. He briefed them on the Grand Princess’s taboos and then led them out of the Imperial Palace.

No one was unwilling. By the time they reached the point of becoming mere playthings, their pride was entirely trampled. Being chosen as a consort for the Grand Princess represented a new opportunity for them. If fortunate, they could live a life free of worries.

If unfortunate, the worst outcome was death.

Sometimes, death was not such a terrifying prospect.

The Princess Mansion was impressively grand, exceeding every stipulated regulation.

Back then, the officials from the Imperial Censorate repeatedly advised against it, but the Emperor only listened and then let it go. After all, the Princess Mansion was secretly renovated several times at his behest.

All transgressions were allowed by the Emperor.

To have the Emperor discipline the Grand Princess would be akin to forcing him to contradict himself.

So in court, whenever the officials from the Imperial Censorate spoke, the Emperor either remained silent or showed a sorrowful face. The Grand Princess had injured herself protecting him, and he felt guilty, unable to punish her.

It was always like this, and every time the issue was sidelined.

Yes, the Grand Princess was injured.

She had a disability in her leg from intercepting an arrow for the Emperor during a coup and then falling off a horse, delaying her treatment.

If the Emperor had been injured at the time, the entire court would never have allowed a disabled Prince to ascend the throne as Emperor.

So long as the Grand Princess wasn’t committing treason or rebelling, her minor idle whims were of no consequence as the Emperor had her back.

The entire court could do nothing about the Grand Princess.

Moreover, the Grand Princess never meddled in politics. Her pleasure was merely in the company of men.

She was discreet with her preferences and never touched men carefully cultivated by noble families.

As Eunuch Shuangxi contemplated, the carriage arrived at the Grand Princess’s mansion.

Six handsome men descended from the carriage one by one, while a young eunuch approached to knock on the mansion’s gate.

Leading the group, Eunuch Shuangxi entered the Princess Mansion.

Even after several visits, Eunuch Shuangxi was still astonished by the mansion’s opulence; everything was crafted by renowned artisans, and even a mere stone bore historical significance.

Everyone in the world knew the Imperial Palace abounded with beautiful women.

Just as the Grand Princess’s mansion abounded with handsome men.

All kinds of handsome men.

In the Warm Pavilion, Eunuch Shuangxi met the Grand Princess.

Handsome men surrounded her, some practicing swordplay, some playing musical instruments, some playing chess, and some reading.

There was even one using his leg as a pillow for the Grand Princess.

Indeed, the Grand Princess lay her head on a man’s leg while another fed her fruit.

Eunuch Shuangxi saluted, but the Grand Princess did not lift an eyelid, waving her wrist lightly, thus sparing Eunuch Shuangxi from the formality.

Her attitude was arrogant, as if she completely disregarded Eunuch Shuangxi.

If it were anyone else, Eunuch Shuangxi would certainly hold a grudge, but this was the Grand Princess, and he dared not.

"The Emperor sent this old slave to bring several people to Your Highness," Shuangxi spoke directly.

"Oh? What about Zhao Ting?" the Grand Princess asked casually.

"This old slave came precisely to discuss this matter with Your Highness," Eunuch Shuangxi replied.

The Grand Princess waved her hand, and everyone in the Warm Pavilion filed out, leaving only Eunuch Shuangxi and the Grand Princess behind.

"As for General Zhao, the Emperor has other arrangements," Shuangxi explained.

"Does Zhao Ting not want to?" the Grand Princess inquired.

"The Emperor said that if Your Highness remains persistent, in two years, he will surely fulfill your wishes," Shuangxi replied.

The Grand Princess squinted playfully, "Understood."

The Emperor did not instruct him to disclose the real reason to the Grand Princess, and since Zhao Ting requested secrecy, Shuangxi simply skipped over the details.

"I hope Your Highness will like those brought this time," said Shuangxi.

"Your service has never disappointed me, Eunuch. Thank you for your trouble. Nan Chi, see the eunuch out of the mansion," the Grand Princess said lazily.

The person the Grand Princess had been resting on came forward and bowed respectfully to Shuangxi, offering a sachet.

Shuangxi did not refuse, smiled, and thanked the Grand Princess before leaving the Warm Pavilion.

The smile on the Grand Princess’s face gradually faded. Two years meant nothing to her.

She was determined to have Zhao Ting.

——

After leaving Songhe Hall, Zhao Ting locked himself in the study.

After wasting dozens of sheets of paper, Zhao Ting made a decision to go seek out a renowned physician.

Of course, this was just an excuse; his real purpose was to find the people from the forgotten memories of the real Zhao Ting.

Although his memories were rather blurry, based on the accent and attire from his memories, Zhao Ting had a rough idea of the region.

It was quite coincidental that earlier this year while on duty, he visited there.

At that time, nothing came back to him.

Reckoning carefully, it seemed like after returning to the capital from that trip, he began frequently recalling some vague memory fragments.

Therefore, Zhao Ting decided to go to Fengyang Town.

He might gain some unexpected discoveries?

Although he might not accept the original Zhao Ting’s woman, if he could acknowledge the children, it would be worth it. At least, this would give an account to the Zhao Family. Additionally, with the children as a shield, the old lady might stop pressing him to marry.

Moreover, with all those noble daughters, he would not have to put up with their attention anymore.

After all, he already had so many children.

Zhao Ting told the Old Madam that Emperor Jing secretly assigned him a task.

Remembering the last assignment, after his son disappeared for years and returned covered in wounds, the Old Madam did not want Zhao Ting to leave again.

Yet the Old Madam understood that the Zhao Family’s glory was all due to her son’s gains from the Emperor.

How could a subject defy the monarch anyway?

The Old Madam’s countless words boiled down to just one, "Son, you must take care of yourself."

Zhao Ting exhausted every means to comfort the Old Madam.

Afterwards, Zhao Ting went to the Imperial Palace to request an audience with Emperor Jing. Although he wasn’t required to be on duty every day now, as a subject, going abroad for an indefinite period still required informing Emperor Jing properly.

His pretext was to visit a renowned physician.

Emperor Jing inquired warmly about Zhao Ting’s well-being and summoned several Imperial Physicians for consultation. Except for Imperial Physician Li, all others claimed Zhao Ting had no issues.

Imperial Physician Li hesitated, and Emperor Jing dismissed the other physicians, leaving only Imperial Physician Li in the study.

"Tell me your thoughts, dear Li," Emperor Jing spoke.

Imperial Physician Li maintained a respectful demeanor, though inwardly cursing. At this moment, he regretted his exceptional medical skills. Others found nothing wrong, while he alone diagnosed the issue.

Zhao Ting was a new favorite, deeply trusted by the Emperor, and getting involved in his private matters was the last thing Imperial Physician Li wanted!