In the dead of night, A Mei’s father and younger brother had still not returned. Having never experienced such a crisis before, she was consumed by worry and couldn't fall asleep. It was only after Ansheng repeatedly promised her everything would be fine that she was finally coaxed into bed.
Ansheng pulled A Mei into his arms and lowered his head to kiss her, his sharp teeth grazing the corners of her mouth with a restless, grinding pressure.
Feeling a slight, unfamiliar sting against her lips, A Mei felt a surge of timeliness. She pressed her hands against her husband’s chest and murmured unclearly, "Husband, don't bite A Mei."
Her voice was soft, laced with a hint of grievance.
"You’re distracted," Ansheng said, finally releasing those moist lips to plant a kiss on the tip of her small nose. Meeting A Mei’s watery, helpless eyes, he said in a low, gentle voice, "Though I am but a eunuch, I give you my word: I will bring Douzi and my father-in-law home tomorrow. Do you not even trust me?"
A Mei’s eyes instantly reddened. Looking at Ansheng, she said, "It’s not that I don’t trust you, Husband. I’m just worried about my brother and father, and I feel like I’ve brought you nothing but trouble. You are so good to me, yet I feel so useless. I just have a sadness in my heart that I can't quite describe."
Ansheng looked into A Mei’s glistening eyes, his own dark gaze filled with endless tenderness. He reached out to stroke her smooth cheek, his fingers lingering in a sigh. "A Mei, you are my wife. Since you call me husband, I am your support."
"When you encounter a problem, you know to come to me. If I can solve it, it is a testament to my ability, and it makes me happy!"
Because of these words, A Mei’s eyes suddenly brightened. She couldn't help but call out to him dotingly.
"Husband."
Ansheng tightened his arms, pulling her firmly into his embrace.
"I once told you that I would fight for a future out there. If I succeed, we both prosper; if I fail, we both die a wretched death. Therefore, A Mei, I must risk my life to fight and seize power. I do this so that one day, we will no longer be the meat on someone else's chopping block!"
Ansheng pressed a deep kiss onto A Mei’s slightly parted lips. When the kiss finally ended, he spoke through shallow breaths.
"In short, I cannot allow my wife to be bullied by anyone in the future."
***
True to Ansheng’s word.
During the morning court session the following day, the Emperor indeed issued an imperial decree announcing the revival of the Inner Branch.
Furthermore, he appointed the personal eunuch Ansheng as the Commander of the Inner Branch. Ansheng was tasked with the re-establishment, organization, and operation of the agency. Its responsibilities were largely consistent with those of previous dynasties—reporting directly to the throne, with the special privilege to monitor both officials and civilians and to operate independently.
The court was shaken!
For the first time, the various court officials stood united. They submitted a joint petition, citing numerous historical examples of the Inner Branch’s past abuses and imploring the Emperor to rescind the order. However, the Emperor stood his ground against the tide of opposition, bolstered by the support of the Second Prince. Finally, the matter was sealed and settled.
Ansheng stepped forward, kowtowing to accept the decree and express his gratitude.
When he stood up again, he was perfectly calm. Yet, every gaze in the Great Hall—whether direct or covert—was fixed upon this "castrated man" dressed in a dark-patterned, crimson eunuch’s uniform.
He appeared thin, of average height, and stood with downcast eyes in a disciplined manner. No emotion could be read from his face; he seemed almost devoid of presence.
But it was this seemingly ordinary eunuch who, from this moment forward, became a figure that every official could never again ignore—let alone despise.
The tumultuous morning session was ended by the sovereign’s stubborn insistence. The ministers walked out of the hall in groups of twos and threes, their faces reflecting disappointment, anger, helplessness, or calculating thoughts.
Minister Sun was walking out with several colleagues he was close with. Just as they stepped down the stairs, a sharp, piercing voice rang out from behind them.
"Minister Sun, please stay a moment."
Minister Sun turned around, his heart skipping a beat. The person calling him was none other than the newly appointed Commander of the Inner Branch, Ansheng.
Being the first person called out by Eunuch Ansheng was rarely a good sign. The passing officials instinctively slowed their pace, listening intently to the exchange.
Minister Sun’s expression was somewhat awkward as his mind raced. He wondered if he had offended Eunuch Ansheng by citing the historical evils of the Inner Branch while asking the Emperor to retract the decree. But that shouldn't be it—he wasn't the only one who had opposed it.
Quickly composing himself, Minister Sun forced a strained smile and cupped his hands in greeting. "Eunuch Ansheng... no, Commander Ansheng."
The smile on Ansheng’s face widened as he spoke in a slow, drawn-out tone. "I heard that Minister Sun’s grandson suffered some injuries at the Imperial Academy yesterday. Is he out of danger now?"
As soon as Ansheng spoke, Minister Sun was startled. Not just him, but everyone eavesdropping felt a chill in their hearts. They realized that Ansheng was truly formidable; he had managed to investigate such a private matter so thoroughly and so quickly.
Minister Sun’s face grew solemn as he replied with cautious politeness, "I thank the Commander for his concern. My grandson regained consciousness today and is no longer in any grave danger."
Ansheng nodded with a half-smile. "It is good that he is out of danger. Then I can put my mind at ease."
The high-pitched, thin cadence unique to eunuchs made Minister Sun very uncomfortable. His brow furrowed, and he was just about to take his leave when he heard Eunuch Ansheng raise his voice, speaking with an eccentric, biting sarcasm:
"Minister Sun’s grandson may be out of danger, but my father-in-law and brother-in-law are still suffering in the Court of State Ceremonial under your son’s custody. I must offer my apologies to Minister Sun; my brother-in-law is young and ignorant. A mere scuffle between children can hardly withstand a formal investigation by the Court of State Ceremonial. I must trouble your son to be magnanimous and release my poor, young brother-in-law and my innocently implicated father-in-law."
Minister Sun was speechless.
