The Eunuch Has A Wife - Chapter 66
“Darling~”
Wei Ziwan’s soft voice called out.
Bai Zhi frowned, waking up in a daze: “I’m so hungry…”
How long had they been in bed? It couldn’t be dark outside already, could it?
Hearing Bai Zhi’s words, Wei Ziwan’s face flushed red. She was also very hungry: “Get up quickly, we still need to go to the palace to offer tea to mother.”
It seemed they had forgotten about that.
Bai Zhi lifted the bed curtain; it was still bright outside, so there was still time.
She hurriedly got up, washed, and went to instruct the kitchen to bring food. When she turned back, she saw Wei Ziwan just getting out of bed.
The beauty frowned slightly, her hand lightly supporting her waist.
Bai Zhi thought of a phrase, ‘delicate as a willow in the wind.’ They had indeed been too indulgent.
“Wanwan, let me help you.”
Wei Ziwan shot her a reproachful glance, her eyes filled with shy annoyance: “It’s all your fault.”
Bai Zhi smiled and nodded, her tone eager: “Yes, yes, it’s all my fault.”
After the meal, it was nearly evening.
The carriage sped towards the palace, arriving in less than half an hour.
As they got off the carriage, Bai Zhi reached out to help Wei Ziwan.
Wei Ziwan swatted her hand away. The soreness in her waist was bearable, but if she were helped while paying respects to the two empress dowagers, she would be too embarrassed to face anyone.
Even so, Bai Zhi deliberately slowed her pace, and the two walked slowly together.
After kneeling and offering tea, Bai Zhi quickly helped Wei Ziwan up, and they sat down side by side.
Bai Hongmo couldn’t help but glance at Wei Ziwan, whose face was flushed. The two seemed to have a very good relationship, just as Chu Yingbai had said. It looked like they had just gotten out of bed.
She set down her teacup and said in a calm tone, “I know you two are deeply in love, but you must also take care of your health and not overexert yourselves.”
Bai Zhi met her mother’s gaze and felt a bit awkward. Although the words were directed at both of them, in this situation, it was clearly a reminder for her alone.
The atmosphere became momentarily awkward.
Chu Yingbai spoke in a gentle tone: “The New Year is just a few days away. Why don’t we all spend it together in the palace? It will be more lively. You can leave the capital after the New Year, okay?”
She knew Bai Hongmo’s thoughts. No matter how much she said she didn’t care, deep down, she still couldn’t let go.
Bai Zhi nodded in agreement. She had the same plan. Wanwan had no family, and she was the same outside the palace. The New Year should be lively, and in the palace, there were the old concubine and her adoptive father, people she cared about.
Seeing this, Bai Hongmo added: “From now on, no matter what, come back to the capital for the New Year. I… so your adoptive father won’t worry, and the old concubine is getting old too.” She was also concerned.
Bai Zhi opened her mouth, her eyes slightly glistening, her throat tight with emotion, unable to speak.
Wei Ziwan held her hand and answered for her: “Yes, my husband and I will definitely come back to the palace every year to celebrate the New Year with everyone. My husband is also very concerned.”
Bai Zhi lowered her head and softly murmured, “Mm.”
The palace had no curfew, so Bai Zhi and Wei Ziwan stayed for dinner. As they were leaving, Bai Hongmo glanced at the sky and said indifferently: “It’s so late, why don’t you stay the night?”
Bai Zhi looked at Wei Ziwan, who nodded with a light smile. The two stayed overnight in the palace.
At night, Bai Zhi moved her fingers. It seemed they hadn’t trembled all day. Maybe she could…
Wei Ziwan, watching the person sitting on the bed moving her fingers, felt her face heat up: “This is outside, don’t be reckless.”
“Isn’t this inside the room?” Bai Zhi pretended not to understand.
Wei Ziwan breath hitched, her heart racing: “My waist is still a bit sore.”
No matter what, being in an unfamiliar place made her feel somewhat uneasy.
Bai Zhi chuckled and leaned closer: “Your husband will massage it for you, and it won’t be sore anymore. Don’t you think being outside feels different?”
A strange restlessness stirred in her heart. If she had to describe it, perhaps the word would be: thrilling?
Bai Zhi’s heart raced as she pressed Wei Ziwan down onto the bed.
“Darling… it… it will…”
“What will happen?” Bai Zhi lowered her head to kiss the reddened ear.
Wei Ziwan turned her head away, her voice barely audible: “There will be noise…” If the maids outside heard, it would be so embarrassing.
Bai Zhi’s eyes darkened, her voice hoarse: “Then… Wanwan, you’ll have to… hold back and not make a sound.”
Wei Ziwan face burned like fire, only able to reproach the person before her with her eyes.
Unfortunately, Bai Zhi was completely unfazed by the threat in her gaze at this moment. If it were any other time, she might have complied, but now, in bed, she felt she didn’t have to be so obedient to Wanwan. The old concubine’s book had a page that said: When passion is high, it’s best to indulge…
“Darling…” A low, tearful moan could no longer be suppressed. The night was still long…
By midday, Bai Hongmo looked at the cold breakfast and sighed silently. These two were truly newlyweds. Youth is wonderful.
“Hongmo…” Chu Yingbai suddenly called out, quickly averting her gaze when Bai Hongmo turned to look.
Apart from that one reckless night in their youth, they had been apart for twenty years. Though their reunion was warm, it lacked the impulsiveness of their younger days.
In middle age, they realized that the only time they had been intimate was that one night many years ago, and since then, there had been no further passion.
“What is it?” Bai Hongmo frowned, puzzled by Chu Yingbai’s averted gaze.
“Nothing.” Chu Yingbai sighed inwardly. It was enough to be together; they shouldn’t ask for more.
Bai Hongmo was silent for a moment, vaguely guessing something. She found it amusing but kept her expression neutral.
After twenty years apart, they were both cautious and longing. Chu Yingbai’s nature would likely keep her feelings bottled up. Perhaps she should learn from the younger generation and take the initiative.
She didn’t want her sister Yingbai to live as a widow in her thirties. Bai Hongmo’s lips curled slightly; she couldn’t bear it either.
On the last day of the 962nd year of Baiyue, Bai Zhi and Wei Ziwan entered the palace early. Bai Hongmo and Chu Yingbai also returned from the palace.
Everyone gathered in the palace. Zhou â–¡ and Bai Zhi sat across from each other, sipping tea, both bored.
Zhou â–¡ set down her cup and looked at the busy crowd, complaining to Bai Zhi: “Why can’t you make dumplings?”
Bai Zhi rolled her eyes: “You can’t either.” Just like her, she had been kicked out of the dumpling-making team. It was like the pot calling the kettle black.
The hall was heated, and the room was warm and cozy.
Wei Ziwan sat next to the old concubine, Bai Hongmo next to Chu Yingbai. The four of them chatted and laughed while making dumplings. Chief Eunuch Bai was responsible for neatly arranging the finished dumplings on wooden trays.
Zhou â–¡ couldn’t help but add: “Chief Eunuch Bai is too cunning.” She had snatched the job of arranging dumplings from the start, leaving her foolishly trying to make dumplings, only to end up with round buns.
Bai Zhi, who had also made a mess of the dumplings, nodded in agreement. She really wanted to join in, but Wanwan said she wasted dough and wouldn’t let her learn.
Zhou â–¡ sighed lightly: “Have you decided where to go first after the New Year?”
She needed to plan ahead too—escorts along the way, the imperial decree, and recruiting some skilled farmers to ensure Bai Zhi didn’t suffer outside. Otherwise, the two empress dowagers would surely eat her alive.
Being an emperor is hard. Why haven’t the old ministers from the Ministry of Rites picked an auspicious date yet? She really wanted to choose a consort.
Bai Zhi smiled: “Let’s go to Ninglin Prefecture first, then continue north while we’re young, to see the colder regions.”
She knew that compiling a book on agricultural experiences across the land wouldn’t be done overnight. It might take decades, so it was better to start with the difficult parts first.
Zhou â–¡ was surprised but also understood: “That’s good. I thank you on behalf of the people. Remember to come back every year.” By next year, she would have her beloved consort to show off. She wouldn’t be alone anymore.
Bai Zhi took a sip of tea and nodded slightly: “Of course, I’ll come back. By then, I’ll have learned how to make dumplings from Wanwan. You should work hard too.”
Zhou â–¡ didn’t care. By then, she would have her beloved consort by her side and wouldn’t need to join the dumpling-making team.
Little did she know that she would indeed have a consort, but during the New Year, not only would her consort not accompany her, but she would also join the dumpling-making team.
The only consolation was that she had someone to share her boredom with, as Bai Zhi still hadn’t learned how to make dumplings.
But that’s getting ahead of the story.
After the dumplings were made, it was dark. Everyone sat around the stove to keep vigil.
The old concubine looked at Bai Zhi and Wei Ziwan, who were snuggled together, with satisfaction.
Chief Eunuch Bai watched Bai Hongmo and Chu Yingbai, who were holding hands, with emotion.
Zhou â–¡: “…”
Next year, she definitely wouldn’t let this happen. She wanted her consort!
They were supposed to keep vigil, but waiting until midnight was exhausting. The old concubine was the first to give up, followed by Chief Eunuch Bai.
Bai Hongmo leaned over and whispered something in Chu Yingbai’s ear, and the two left together.
Zhou â–¡ really wanted to keep vigil, but being alone here seemed inappropriate. She sighed deeply. It seemed she needed to hurry the ministers along. Their efficiency was too low. Where was her consort? If not, even a royal husband would do.
As midnight approached, only Bai Zhi and Wei Ziwan remained by the stove.
Wei Ziwan looked at the intricately carved golden dragon on the stove and suddenly remembered the prophecy. She couldn’t help but ask: “So that so-called prophecy from the dying national preceptor was nonsense. If Sister Zhou has children in the future, the empire will still belong to the Zhou family.”
Bai Zhi was silent for a moment: “Do you think Zhou â–¡ and I look alike?” They were cousins, so they should resemble each other somewhat, but in fact, they didn’t—not even a bit.
“What do you mean?” Wei Ziwan was startled. Could the national preceptor’s prophecy be true!
Bai Zhi said leisurely: “When my mother talked about cooperation with me in Song Village, she mentioned that Zhou â–¡ was not the biological child of the former crown prince. She was just the descendant of an ordinary female official, so the Zhou family’s empire indeed didn’t last a thousand years.”
So the old national preceptor’s prophecy was accurate after all. How ironic.
Wei Ziwan leaned into Bai Zhi’s arms, playing with a strand of her hair: “Does Sister Zhou know about her origins?”
Bai Zhi lowered her head to kiss her forehead: “No. If she is a good emperor, we will tell her. So whether the emperor’s surname is Zhou or not doesn’t matter.”
Wei Ziwan let go and sat up slightly, gently biting Bai Zhi’s chin: “What if Sister Zhou isn’t a good emperor?”
“Then we won’t tell her. As long as she bears the Zhou name, no one will dare say anything if she’s a bad emperor. Whoever does will be a traitor.”
“How ridiculous.”
“Yes, truly ridiculous.”
《End of Main Text》
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Author’s Note:
Next up is the epilogue for Bai Hongmo and Chu Yingbai~
Thank you all for your support, I will continue to work hard!
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