The next day, Ji Zhaoxi eagerly volunteered to deliver meals to Xiao Yanchen.
The young eunuchs standing nearby laughed at this scene; they all knew exactly what was going on.
To be honest, people like them had a lower status in the palace than a stray cat, and anyone could bully them. Now that they finally had someone to vent their frustrations on, and a prince no less, who wouldn't want to step on him a few times?
The head eunuch handed Xiao Yanchen's food box to Ji Zhaoxi and instructed, "Don't go too far, or I'll have to tell Eunuch Liu."
Ji Zhaoxi nodded.
Just as she was about to leave, the other eunuchs pulled her aside and taught her many ways to torment people. Afraid she wouldn't understand, they broke it down into meticulous detail.
With those shrill and high-pitched voices filling her ears, Ji Zhaoxi's head ached, and she didn't take in a single word.
By the time she ran to Ruhui Palace, Xiao Yanchen was waiting at the door again.
Seeing Ji Zhaoxi approach, Xiao Yanchen's eyes immediately lit up.
"Xiao Xizi."
Ji Zhaoxi shot him a glance. What was wrong with this Xiao Yanchen? She was here to bully him, yet he looked so happy.
Upon entering the room, Ji Zhaoxi slammed the food box heavily onto the table. Xiao Yanchen stared at her blankly.
Ji Zhaoxi cleared her throat and, in a soft, high-pitched voice, mimicked the words the eunuchs had just taught her.
"Does the Seventh Prince not want to eat? Do you think it's too dirty?"
Ji Zhaoxi deliberately kept her small face stern, tucked her hands into her sleeves, and dragged out her words: "Oh my, my little ancestor, do you still think you're that precious golden nugget sitting next to the dragon throne!"
"The wind in your Ruhui Palace is harsher than the snow outside. If you keep putting on your princely airs, I'm afraid your very bones will melt from hunger!"
Xiao Yanchen listened to her earnestly. Her voice hadn't broken yet, so it was clear and bright. Her deliberately lowered tone wasn't grating at all; instead, it carried a soft, sweet innocence even as she spouted nonsense.
Ji Zhaoxi looked at him expectantly. Xiao Yanchen paused for a moment and then stammered, "Xiao Xizi, why are you saying such things to me?"
Seeing his bewildered expression, Ji Zhaoxi felt delighted.
As she portioned out the food, she didn't forget to say things to make him angry: "Because you've fallen out of favor, so you can only be bullied by a eunuch like me."
"If you don't listen to me, I won't bring you food next time!" Ji Zhaoxi continued to threaten.
Xiao Yanchen looked at her and nodded. "Xiao Xizi, please don't be angry."
Ji Zhaoxi noticed a new chilblain on his hand. She extended her own hand, which still bore a faint scar.
"I had chilblains before too," Ji Zhaoxi said.
Xiao Yanchen put down his chopsticks and listened to her attentively.
Seeing how much he respected her, Ji Zhaoxi felt quite pleased.
"But Sister Xiao He applied some medicine on me. It was a reward given to her by Her Ladyship, and it healed after a few applications."
Xiao Yanchen glanced at her. "Xiao Xizi, you are amazing."
Ji Zhaoxi looked at him smugly. "Of course. Everyone likes me, and lots of people help me apply medicine. I'm not like you."
Ji Zhaoxi poked right at Xiao Yanchen's sore spot.
Seeing Xiao Yanchen's eager look, Ji Zhaoxi kindly offered, "Do you want me to teach you how to become likable?"
Xiao Yanchen didn't actually want to learn, but seeing how much Ji Zhaoxi seemed to want to teach him, he hesitated for a moment and then nodded.
Ji Zhaoxi cleared her throat. "First, you have to take the initiative to greet them when you meet. The moment you greet them, they will be happy."
"Next, you have to praise them. Tell them they've gotten prettier, or that they have a kind heart. Basically, just praise them."
"Lastly, you have to tell them how much you missed them and stick close to them. Then you'll be as likable as me."
Xiao Yanchen hesitated to speak. If he really acted like that, he would probably be beaten to death by others.
Xiao Yanchen's guess was incredibly accurate.
This wasn't the first time Ji Zhaoxi had imparted her techniques.
She had told many people about this method before, but after she finished, everyone else looked at her as if she were an idiot.
However, there actually was a eunuch who tried it, and he followed every single word Ji Zhaoxi said.
As a result, he was directly reported to the Department of Punishment by the palace maids and received several strokes of the cane.
Those eunuchs were furious and came to demand an explanation from Ji Zhaoxi. Ji Zhaoxi felt incredibly wronged and insisted on seeking justice for herself.
Later, those eunuchs huddled in a corner, watching Ji Zhaoxi approach the palace maids.
"Sister Chunshui," Ji Zhaoxi called out hesitantly.
"Yes!" Chunshui's eyes lit up as she looked down at her.
The young eunuchs in the corner: ...
Even though they were all eunuchs, this was a kind of treatment they had never received.
Ji Zhaoxi hadn't even started speaking before she was already being fed snacks. The other young eunuchs instantly fell silent.
"Why?"
"Just because he's good-looking?"
"On what grounds!"
After this incident, Ji Zhaoxi became even less popular among the palace eunuchs.
Xiao Yanchen ate his meal while listening to Ji Zhaoxi's chatter. For every sentence she spoke, he gave a response.
Ji Zhaoxi spoke with great pleasure, and Xiao Yanchen listened with equal delight.
Eunuch Liu was old and didn't like listening to a child chattering all day long, while Xiao Yanchen had absolutely no one to talk to him.
When seeing Ji Zhaoxi off, Xiao Yanchen's eyes turned red again.
"Xiao Xizi, will you come again tomorrow?"
Seeing that Ji Zhaoxi remained silent, Xiao Yanchen said softly, "Xiao Xizi, bring a few more pieces of dirty laundry tomorrow. Let me wash your clothes for you, okay?"
Since Xiao Yanchen had offered, Ji Zhaoxi kept a straight face and said seriously, "Then you have to wash them thoroughly."
Xiao Yanchen nodded earnestly.
After Ji Zhaoxi left, Ruhui Palace fell silent once more. Xiao Yanchen looked at the empty seat across from him, a hint of disappointment in his eyes.
By the time Ji Zhaoxi returned, the sky had already turned dark.
She hugged the corner of the palace walls and tiptoed to push open the back door of the courtyard, her palms covered in cold sweat.
Inside the room, the sparks in the charcoal basin flickered on and off. Ji Zhaoxi held her breath and hunched over, preparing to sneak back into her side room.
"Finally decided to come back?"
Startled, Ji Zhaoxi's legs gave way, and she plumped down onto the floor.
Eunuch Liu was lying in his rocking chair, making creaking sounds.
"Master," Ji Zhaoxi said, standing before Eunuch Liu with her head bowed.
Eunuch Liu's face looked extremely exhausted, and the smell of medicine on him was strong. He lazily opened his eyes. "Where did you go this time?"
"I went to bully the Seventh Prince." It was the same answer as always.
Eunuch Liu's interest was piqued as he rolled the walnuts in his hand. "Tell me, how did you bully him?"
Ji Zhaoxi said excitedly, "I snatched half his food, and I took his charcoal. I even made him wash my clothes for me. I'm just like you now, rotten to the core!"
Eunuch Liu: ...
His mouth twitched, and he waved his hand dismissively. "Go, go."
Ji Zhaoxi refused to leave. She stared at Eunuch Liu; he hadn't praised her yet.
Eunuch Liu cast a faint glance at her, and Ji Zhaoxi walked away dejectedly.
Eunuch Liu looked at the charcoal basin and shook his head helplessly.
If she truly were as black-hearted as him, he wouldn't have to worry about her anymore.
