"Xiao Xizi, you go deliver his meal today. Remember to come back right after, that place is full of bad luck."
The managing eunuch pointed at Ji Zhaoxi, his voice high and thin.
He looked at the little eunuch in front of him with extreme satisfaction. This one was quite handsome; once he grew a bit older, he could be sent to serve by her ladyship's side.
"Understood, Chief Eunuch Li!"
Ji Zhaoxi picked up the food box and dashed off without a trace.
The managing eunuch called out from behind, "Slow down, slow down, you'll trip!"
Watching Ji Zhaoxi's retreating back, the managing eunuch chuckled and shook his head. "This kid."
A nearby eunuch bowed slightly and smiled, "Chief Eunuch Li seems to really like Xiao Xizi."
The managing eunuch narrowed his eyes. "Of course. With a face like that, imagine how much the palace ladies will adore him when he grows up."
Treating Xiao Xizi well now was also a way of leaving a way out for himself in the future.
After Ji Zhaoxi's family home was raided and confiscated, she had nowhere to go. Her usual relatives didn't dare to help her, so Eunuch Liu boldly brought her into the palace.
When Eunuch Liu first entered the palace, he had nearly starved to death. It was Ji Zhaoxi's mother who casually saved his life, allowing him to survive.
Over his decades in the palace, Eunuch Liu had always wanted to repay the Ji family. Upon hearing that their home was raided and that Ji Zhaoxi was about to end up on the streets, he decisively lent a helping hand.
Ji Zhaoxi's character setting in this world was that of someone whose low status twisted her mind, leading her to vent her resentment on the unfavored male lead. Eventually, her crimes would be exposed, and she would be pinned to a wooden board and beaten to death.
Ji Zhaoxi was already panting as she walked. The male lead lived in the most remote corner, separated from the Imperial Garden by nearly half the palace.
As she walked, she looked at the noticeably faded palace doors and wiped the sweat from her forehead.
Standing at the entrance, Ji Zhaoxi cautiously peeked inside.
When she pushed open the hall doors, the wooden hinges let out a piercing screech. Inside, it smelled of mildew and felt damp and cold.
"Seventh Prince?"
This place didn't look like anyone lived here at all. Ji Zhaoxi pulled her thin eunuch uniform tighter around herself, suddenly feeling a bit scared.
Ji Zhaoxi cleared her throat to bolster her courage.
What was there to be afraid of? So many concubines had died in the palace; the one who should be afraid was the Emperor.
Mustering her courage, Ji Zhaoxi fully opened the door and immediately saw the male lead curled up on a dilapidated daybed. He looked about the same age as her, around eight or nine years old.
He was wrapped in a cloak that had lost all its fur, and his entire being exuded a malnourished pallor.
"Eat... time to eat!" Ji Zhaoxi mimicked what the other eunuchs had taught her, fiercely slamming the food down in front of him.
Xiao Yanchen did not look up. He merely stared silently at the food box in front of him, radiating a deathly stillness.
Ji Zhaoxi opened the food box. Xiao Yanchen's gaze paused for a moment, a detail Ji Zhaoxi sensitively caught.
"Seventh Prince, you just eat half. This servant will eat the other half for you!" Ji Zhaoxi immediately started bullying him.
Xiao Yanchen finally looked at Ji Zhaoxi, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
Right in front of Xiao Yanchen, Ji Zhaoxi portioned out half of the food for herself, then shoved the rest toward him.
"Eat."
Xiao Yanchen looked at the food box in his arms, still not quite processing it. He stared blankly at Ji Zhaoxi.
Ji Zhaoxi put her hands on her hips. "What are you looking at? The Emperor hates you so much, getting half a meal is already good enough for you!"
Xiao Yanchen lowered his head without a word. Looking at the dishes in the food box, he suddenly felt a bit dazed.
How long had it been since he last had such fresh, piping hot food...
In the past, the meals delivered to him were either spoiled or had stones in them.
This little eunuch...
Xiao Yanchen looked at Ji Zhaoxi, who was eating her food nearby. Ji Zhaoxi flashed him a smile full of malice.
Xiao Yanchen withdrew his gaze and ate in small bites, his eyes turning slightly red.
Was this eunuch someone who used to serve his late mother? Why else would he treat him so well...
After finishing her meal, Ji Zhaoxi ran off without looking back.
Hugging his quilt, Xiao Yanchen watched Ji Zhaoxi gently close the door, the confusion in his eyes deepening.
Who exactly was she? Many people came to his place, but no one had ever taken the initiative to close the door. They all just slammed it shut with a bang as they left.
But she actually helped him close the door.
She was so nice.
A short while later, the door was opened again.
Xiao Yanchen immediately looked over, and the two of them stared at each other wide-eyed.
Feeling a bit guilty under his gaze, Ji Zhaoxi walked over to him and threw the eunuch uniform in her hands onto the bed.
"Seventh Prince, this servant's hands are uncomfortable. Wash these clothes for me while you're at it," she said dryly.
"If you don't wash them for me, I won't bring you food anymore."
Xiao Yanchen looked at the eunuch uniform in his hands, fell silent for a moment, and asked softly, "Are they yours?"
Ji Zhaoxi nodded vigorously.
Xiao Yanchen got out of bed and took a bucket to the doorway. Ji Zhaoxi followed him.
Xiao Yanchen glanced at Ji Zhaoxi beside him, hesitating to speak.
No one washed clothes for Xiao Yanchen; he always had to fetch cold water and wash them himself.
Ji Zhaoxi watched as Xiao Yanchen plunged his freezing, bruised-purple hands into the cold water to wash her clothes.
"Um... forget it," she muttered softly.
Xiao Yanchen looked at her and also whispered, "Do you think I won't wash them clean enough?"
Ji Zhaoxi stayed silent.
After finishing, Xiao Yanchen hung the eunuch uniform up to dry.
He stood to the side, looking uncomfortably at Ji Zhaoxi, who was dividing up some charcoal.
Ji Zhaoxi said righteously, "Seventh Prince, from now on, you have to give me half of your charcoal every time."
Xiao Yanchen nodded in confusion.
Did he actually have a charcoal allowance? Having lived here for so long, he had never once burned charcoal in the winter.
He watched Ji Zhaoxi, who was lighting the charcoal. She looked about his age but was a bit taller than him.
"Seventh Prince, after you wash my clothes in the future, you need to warm yourself by the fire right away. Otherwise, you'll get chilblains, and if you get chilblains, you won't be able to wash my clothes for me."
Xiao Yanchen gave a muffled sound of agreement. He squatted beside her, mimicking her posture to warm himself by the fire.
Actually, even if he got chilblains, he could still wash her clothes.
He had always lived like this anyway.
Who exactly was she, and why did she care about him so much?
"What is your name?" Xiao Yanchen's voice was a bit hoarse.
He looked at Ji Zhaoxi beside him, whose face was red from the cold.
Ji Zhaoxi paused for a moment. "I am called Xiao Xizi."
Xiao Yanchen clumsily praised her, "Your name sounds very nice."
"What's so nice about it? Are you making fun of me?" Ji Zhaoxi clamored, starting to make a fuss out of nothing.
Xiao Yanchen lowered his head, smiled slightly, and stopped talking.
Ji Zhaoxi cast a sidelong glance at Xiao Yanchen.
No wonder he got bullied; his temper was so good.
When she was leaving, Xiao Yanchen watched Ji Zhaoxi stuff charcoal into a bag. Ji Zhaoxi felt a bit embarrassed under his gaze and put a few pieces back.
As Ji Zhaoxi left, Xiao Yanchen stood at the door to see her off, his eyes a little red.
