The Eunuch Has A Wife - Chapter 10

“I’m not overthinking; you’re just not thinking enough.”

Wei Ziwan put down the teacup in her hand. She wasn’t overthinking—the Empress had clearly glanced at this damned eunuch a few more times. Though the glances seemed casual, there was an underlying strangeness to them.

Bai Zhi remained silent, uninterested in dwelling on such a pointless issue. “Let’s rest early. We should have the results by tomorrow.”

As for what results, she didn’t elaborate.

The next day, news arrived that, just like in her past life, the Crown Prince had been stripped of his title and demoted to a prince.

The Emperor was in no hurry to appoint a new Crown Prince, but it was clear to everyone that the eldest prince was about to rise further.

The current Emperor had only three sons. With the Crown Prince fallen, only the eldest prince and the fourteen-year-old third prince remained. Now that Consort Lin was in favor, the outcome was almost certain.

In the cold palace.

As the saying goes, “A monk for a day, toll the bell for a day.” Bai Zhi continued to dutifully perform her duties in the small kitchen. She glanced at the note in her hand and sighed inwardly. She would be able to leave the palace tomorrow.

In her past life, she didn’t know how her adoptive father had arranged it, but she and Wei Ziwan had been sent to guard the gates of the imperial mausoleum—essentially, to watch over the tombs.

Having been reborn, her choices were different this time. Perhaps she wouldn’t have to go to the mausoleum.

Bai Zhi tossed the note into the stove. The paper caught fire instantly and turned to ashes in the blink of an eye. On it was a single line: Leave the capital tomorrow; the clouds will part, and the moon will shine.

The note had been handed to her personally by Chief Eunuch Bai, who left in a hurry without any further instructions.

Bai Zhi counted the days. It was still far from the fifteenth of the month, so it seemed she wouldn’t be able to see her adoptive father before leaving the capital.

After speaking with the elderly concubines, she returned under the bright moonlight.

Seeing that Wei Ziwan was already asleep, Bai Zhi sat in a daze for a while, then got up and opened the wardrobe. The small bundle had long been packed. She only had one set of everyday clothes, which she planned to wear directly.

This left only two sets of undergarments in the bundle, along with the black leather booklet gifted by the elderly concubine and her meager savings: three taels of broken silver.

“Husband, why aren’t you asleep yet?”

Suddenly, a soft voice called out from behind.

Bai Zhi quickly closed the wardrobe and casually patted her clothes. “Oh, I’m going to sleep now.”

“Husband, why are you changing into everyday clothes to sleep?”

Wei Ziwan glanced at the wardrobe. If she remembered correctly, this damned eunuch had been packing earlier. Could it be that she really could leave the palace?

Bai Zhi’s expression turned cold. “I like sleeping in clothes.” Do I need to explain myself to you?

Wei Ziwan was momentarily stunned but said nothing more. This damned eunuch was always two-faced—outside, she always wore a perfect smile for others, but once back in the room, her face turned icy.

Bai Zhi silently curled her lips and lay down on the side couch. Although the two shared a room, they had never shared a bed, especially at night. The boundary between them was clear.

The candle on the table was still flickering, but neither of them seemed to remember to extinguish it.

Bai Zhi stared at the bed curtains, thinking about seeking refuge with her uncle in Ninglin Prefecture. She wondered if her uncle would be easy to get along with and whether her sudden arrival would cause trouble for him.

She sighed wistfully, only to see the bed curtains being pulled aside.

Bai Zhi sat up abruptly, clutching the blanket to her chest, and demanded sharply, “What are you doing here?”

Wei Ziwan, holding the bed curtains, suddenly reddened her eyes. “Husband, aren’t you taking me with you?”

The girl’s clear eyes were filled with mist, her voice soft and trembling, tugging at one’s heartstrings.

Bai Zhi steadied herself and retorted coldly, “Who said I’m leaving?”

“I did.” Wei Ziwan insisted.

Bai Zhi: “…” Is this temptress acting spoiled? No, she’s being stubborn. Damn it, she dares to throw a tantrum at me?

“Whether I leave or not isn’t up to me. Don’t waste your effort.”

A hint of grievance flashed in Wei Ziwan’s eyes. Tears welled up but didn’t fall. She pursed her lips and said, “Husband~ I’ve said it before: ‘Marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog.’ Wherever you go, I’ll go.”

Bai Zhi stiffened. Is she really this stubborn?

She rubbed her forehead and said seriously, “I only have three taels of silver to my name. Even if I leave the palace, I’ll only live a life of hardship, toiling under the sun. You’d be better off following the Crown Prince—” Well, he’s not the Crown Prince anymore—”You’d be better off following Prince Ping and securing a life of wealth.”

Her adoptive father had said that her uncle was an ordinary farmer, and the family had lived off the land for generations. Once she arrived, she would inevitably have to deal with farming.

Wei Ziwan quickly added, “I’m willing to live a simple life with you, tilling the fields and weaving.”

Bai Zhi: “…” But I’m a woman. What is this nonsense?

Seeing her silence, Wei Ziwan, with reddened eyes, added, “Does husband plan to abandon me after leading me astray?”

“Wei Ziwan!” Bai Zhi gritted her teeth. “What do you mean by ‘abandon after leading astray’?”

“Husband, you said yesterday that you would protect me.” Wei Ziwan tilted her head slightly, and the tear that had been clinging to her eyelid finally rolled down her cheek.

“Can you take that seriously?” Bai Zhi clenched her fists. Playing the victim won’t work. We both know this is just an act, right?

“You even hugged me.” Wei Ziwan said, her voice filled with grievance.

“You hugged me too.” Bai Zhi replied firmly.

“You touched my waist.”

“That was…” That was my brain short-circuiting, trying to comfort you. Bai Zhi stopped herself and took a deep breath, glaring straight at Wei Ziwan.

Wei Ziwan met her gaze without backing down, her eyes once again welling up with tears. Not backing down is for fools. If I can’t win this staring contest, I’ll just pretend to cry. I won’t admit defeat.

Otherwise, if she were kicked out of the palace penniless, how could she live with dignity with this face? Sometimes beauty was a curse, especially in an unfamiliar place like Bai Yue. As a princess of a fallen enemy kingdom, how could she protect herself?

The two engaged in a silent standoff.

After a long while, Wei Ziwan wiped the tear that hadn’t fallen and said softly, “I know husband has it hard too. If there’s a chance in the future, I will repay you.”

If she couldn’t find a way to settle down and repay this kindness in this lifetime, she would accept it. As long as this eunuch didn’t mistreat her, she would spend her life serving her as repayment, and they would be even.

Bai Zhi frowned, annoyed by the softness in her heart. Repay me in the future? Who are you trying to fool with that empty promise?

She said seriously, “I can barely take care of myself. You should know what the wise choice is.”

Wei Ziwan breathed a sigh of relief. This tone means she’s relenting, right? She said earnestly, “I just want to live a clean life, to find a way to survive—a clean way to survive.” Not by submitting to others.

Bai Zhi sighed and, after a moment of silence, said helplessly, “If you want to follow, then follow. In the future, you’ll be free to come and go as you please. You don’t have to submit to me.” After all, they were a fake couple. Perhaps they could use each other. She couldn’t keep pretending to be a eunuch once they reached her uncle’s place.

But had her adoptive father told her uncle that she was a woman? If not, she could consider disguising herself as a man. Having this temptress along might not be so bad.

Hearing Bai Zhi’s words, Wei Ziwan raised the corner of her eye, a hint of a smile appearing. “If husband really wants to, it’s not impossible.”