"Not worth fighting over a scant inheritance, such as a single leg of lamb. What’s the point of the endless squabbles?"
「Inside the Imperial Study,」 The rıghtful source is 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵※𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮※𝓷𝓮𝓽
Wei Zhonghe was meticulously repeating Zheng Fan’s words. Despite a slight delay, he didn’t miss a single syllable. His left ear trembled slightly, a perfect demonstration of what could be called ’synchronized transmission’; it was as if he were even mimicking Zheng Fan’s tone.
Ji Runhao, tearing off a piece of mutton and slowly chewing it, said, "This boy is indeed interesting. No wonder Cheng Jue associates with him."
Ji Chengjue was the name of the Sixth Prince.
"Your Majesty, this boy is shrewd and clear-headed; this servant finds him quite pleasing."
This was the second time Wei Zhonghe had said this today, signifying his genuine esteem for Zheng Fan and his belief that Zheng Fan was well-suited for palace life.
The palace ecosystem was like an Undead Insect breeding ground; only eunuchs with exceptional cunning and means could climb from the rank of lowly attendant to that of a high-ranking eunuch. But the Imperial Court, after all, was not a battlefield or the street. An eunuch’s identity was inherently incomplete; indeed, they were hardly considered complete men. Everything they had depended on their masters. Therefore, the ability to win a master’s favor was the foremost skill a eunuch needed to survive in the court.
In this regard, Wei Zhonghe thought highly of Zheng Fan. He had managed to win the favor of the Sixth Prince and Lord Jingnan, and now even the Earl of North Border. Even His Majesty had said he was interesting. Furthermore, the incident earlier today where Zheng Fan personally used a scabbard to cripple the Third Prince’s five limbs truly showed Wei Zhonghe the savage ruthlessness hidden deep in Zheng Fan’s heart.
Alas, people like him are truly born to be great eunuchs. Out in the street, he’d be akin to a Martial Cultivator at the peak of innate talent, or a Qi cultivator with a perfect foundation for Qi integration. Unfortunately, Wei Zhonghe knew he likely wouldn’t get the chance to castrate Zheng Fan and make him his godson. If the two Lords found out he’d severed the lineage of a talent they both admired... HISS...
"Heh, this is interesting. You eunuch, you like him. Lord Jingnan clearly intends to promote him. And now Li Liangting is also showing obvious interest in this boy. This boy is truly a hot commodity, highly sought after."
"How could that be? No matter where this boy is, isn’t he Your Majesty’s man? It’s hard to say if he’ll accept the Earl of North Border’s patronage, especially since Lord Jingnan has treated him even better. But regardless, as long as Your Majesty gives the word, wouldn’t this boy immediately come scrambling to kneel before you?"
"He crippled my son. I don’t mind, but do you think he won’t mind?"
"Good steel must be used on the cutting edge. This boy is from the northern frontier. Originally, he should have been under Li Liangting, part of the North Border Army. How did Lord Jingnan recruit him first?"
"Your Majesty, this servant has investigated his background. Initially, he was promoted by the county head because he achieved military merit while serving as a conscripted laborer, by beheading the chief of a Shatuo tribe. However, the county head only promoted him to Protector of Merchants Captain, which, while nominally under the North Border Army, was merely a titular position with no real power. Later, when the Imperial Court intended to transfer officials from the North to posts in the South, this boy was dispatched to Yinlang County as a fort Commander."
"Through which department did this transfer go?"
"Your Majesty, it went through the Ministry of War."
"The younger son of Jiang Wenzhou, Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, owed a substantial sum to a gambling house under the Sixth Prince’s name."
"Oh? Didn’t Cheng Jue try to conceal this?"
"Your Majesty, this is the first time the Sixth Prince has actively placed his own personnel since coming of age."
"He certainly has a good eye. This Zheng Fan is indeed a talent."
"It seems that not only do the two Lords and this servant appreciate him, but Your Majesty does as well. This servant is truly envious of the boy. How many lifetimes of good fortune must he have cultivated to have such luck today?"
"You eunuch! I’ve told you countless times to read more, but you refuse. All you know is how to adopt those good-for-nothing godsons and amass your own estates and properties."
"Your Majesty, this servant’s dull mind truly cannot absorb books anymore. I am old now. My only thought in this life is to serve Your Majesty until I am no longer able. Then, I will buy a manor, set up an ancestral shrine, and continue to pray for Your Majesty’s blessings every day."
"That flattery was clumsy. You old eunuch, your skills as a Qi cultivator are nearly on par with the Respected Elder’s, aren’t they?"
"Unworthy, unworthy! This old servant has only learned a fraction of the Respected Elder’s abilities."
The title ’Respected Elder’ was permitted within the palace because that Qi cultivator, at the cost of grievous injury to himself, had escorted the late Emperor’s family to safety. He could be said to be the current Emperor’s savior.
"Enough of this empty talk. I estimate I won’t outlive you, old eunuch."
"That would be even more convenient. When Your Majesty departs for the heavens, just take this old servant along. I can continue to serve Your Majesty there."
"Heh, when it comes to bootlicking, Zheng Fan is no match for you."
"This is the very skill this old servant relies on to survive."
The Yan Emperor’s expression changed, and he said, "Our foundation is weak, like a single leg of lamb—not enough to satisfy everyone. What’s the point of fighting over such meager assets? It’s not worth fighting for, and I disdain to fight for it. Better to throw caution to the wind, go out together, and conquer a vast territory for our Great Yan!"
Wei Zhonghe felt a chill run down his spine and said, "Your Majesty, was that truly what the boy meant?"
He actually dared to say such a thing! He truly dared! What shocked Wei Zhonghe most was that Zheng Fan could see the situation so clearly!