【Sour Enough to Kill】
Caught.
Su Zhenzhen quickly withdrew her hand, suddenly looking very busy to hide her guilt. People always seem to find a flurry of things to do when they have a guilty conscience.
"There... I thought there was some dust," she stammered.
Su Zhenzhen paced back and forth in front of the young eunuch three times, unable to find anything productive to do. It was only when she turned back and met his gaze that she managed to squeeze out an explanation.
The young eunuch stared at her expressionlessly, then abruptly stood up and walked away.
He was angry.
Su Zhenzhen spent the whole night pondering it and finally came to a conclusion. The young eunuch probably had a germaphobia.
-
Wei Heng looked at the untouched dinner and shook his head gently before signaling the maids to take the food away.
Carrying a bowl of medicinal soup, he stepped softly into the inner hall.
The little ancestor had been running a fever for a few days now. The medicine had been brewed daily, but he refused to touch it. Today, he had spent the whole day out in the cold wind; there was no telling how high his temperature had risen by now.
As soon as Wei Heng entered, he saw a slender youth standing before a full-length dressing mirror.
The youth was dressed in casual robes, his black hair cascading down his shoulders. He was lazily tugging at his collar, frowning as he stared intently at his own neck.
The light in the room was dim; the little ancestor didn't like things too bright.
"Wei Heng, I can't see it clearly."
Though Wei Heng didn't know what the little ancestor was looking for, he immediately ordered someone to bring in a glazed lamp.
The glazed lamp was brighter than the others. Placed beside the mirror, it illuminated both the glass and the person standing before it.
Lu Hexu finally saw the mole on his neck clearly.
His skin was pale—the kind of sickly, translucent white of someone who never saw the sun. Because he loathed sunlight, that paleness carried a hint of fragility.
Consequently, though the mole was small, it stood out vividly.
The youth hadn't fully matured yet, so his Adam's apple wasn't particularly prominent. The mole was situated right upon it. When he spoke, his Adam's apple would shift, and the mole would bob slightly along with it.
"Your Majesty, will you take your medicine?"
Seeing that the little ancestor was in a rare, decent mood, Wei Heng hurried forward to persuade him.
As he got closer, he noticed that the little ancestor’s complexion actually looked quite good.
"No."
Lu Hexu glanced at the bitter medicine, tilted his head, and climbed onto the bed to sleep.
He curled up on the dragon bed with his eyes tightly shut, looking as if he were enduring something extremely unpleasant.
Wei Heng had no choice but to remove the glazed lamp, leaving only a faint, flickering light.
It couldn't be too bright, yet it couldn't be pitch black either.
-
The next day, Su Zhenzhen lingered in bed, closing her eyes and dawdling for a long time before slowly crawling out.
The world outside the blankets was far too cruel.
Su Zhenzhen reached out and patted the still-warm covers.
"Love you, Old Bed. See you tonight."
Then she sat at the dressing table, staring at the reflection of her haggard, exhausted self—a face that practically reeked of the soul-crushing daily grind.
"Love you, Old Self. See you every day."
After a full day of work, Su Zhenzhen ran into that old eunuch again on her way back.
She kept her head down, pretending not to see him, but the old eunuch seemed to be waiting specifically for her. As she approached, he immediately began signaling to her with subtle, secretive glances.
Su Zhenzhen rubbed her eyes and yawned, walking right past him.
The old eunuch’s eyes widened. He scurried a few steps to cut her off. "Didn't you see me winking at you?"
"Huh?" Su Zhenzhen stared blankly at the old man's eyes, which were squeezed into tiny slits by the folds of skin on his face.
She really hadn't seen a thing.
"No."
The old eunuch took a deep breath and handed her something. "Take this."
It was a cage covered with a black cloth, emitting a soft "coo-coo" sound from within.
There were advantages to being illiterate, after all. Passing information this way wouldn't leave a trail.
"Take it back."
"Oh."
Su Zhenzhen carried the cage and continued her walk. Passing by the Little Southern Palace, she remembered the abundant medicinal herbs growing inside.
Because the Little Southern Palace was remote and dilapidated, no one ever went there.
Su Zhenzhen placed the birdcage inside and went back to her quarters to fetch a small portable stove.
The weather was still freezing. Su Zhenzhen found a spot sheltered from the wind, dug up some bupleurum roots, and went to the pool out back to wash them.
Behind the Little Southern Palace was a neglected spring. Rumor had it that it was fed by a natural spring, which was why the water remained clear and flowing despite years of abandonment.
Su Zhenzhen hummed a little tune as she prepared everything. Realizing it would be too dark later, she even brought out her only lantern and hung it under the eaves.
The light from the lantern was weak, illuminating only a small corner.
Thus, when a figure carrying a lantern appeared, Su Zhenzhen noticed him immediately.
"Mu Dan!"
Su Zhenzhen waved at the young eunuch passing by. "Come here quickly, I have pigeon soup."
Lu Hexu tilted his head, holding his lantern. He saw the woman crouching under the eaves, her eyes shining brightly as she looked at him.
Lu Hexu instinctively narrowed his eyes, feeling a strange warmth radiating from the mole on his Adam's apple.
He walked over.
The youth was incredibly thin. The hand holding the lantern was delicate, his fingers like ten pieces of white jade gripping the wooden handle, the faint blue veins visible on the back of his hand.
Lu Hexu looked down at Su Zhenzhen from his height.
"Mu Dan, is your fever gone? Let me check?" Su Zhenzhen reached out tentatively and grasped Lu Hexu’s wrist.
Seeing that the young eunuch didn't struggle, she continued.
[His hands are so cold.]
[His pulse is so chaotic.]
Su Zhenzhen was bundled up in layers and had been sitting by the stove, so her body was quite warm.
In contrast, Lu Hexu was wearing only a thin eunuch's uniform and had been walking in the cold for a long time; even his eyelashes were dusted with a faint layer of frost.
Su Zhenzhen guessed that Mu Dan must be a patrol eunuch. Rain or shine, hot or cold, he had to carry a lantern and work from dawn till dusk without a moment's rest. A single mistake would result in punishment from the head eunuchs.
She had heard of a patrol eunuch who, because he couldn't see the path in the dark, tripped over a flowerpot and startled the Emperor. He was put to death for it.
In such an environment, it made sense that his pulse was so erratic. After all, her own job was so stressful she’d developed an irregular menstrual cycle.
However, beneath that chaos, there seemed to be... before Su Zhenzhen could investigate further, he pulled his wrist away.
-
Lu Hexu looked at the bowl of pigeon soup. Su Zhenzhen had given the young eunuch the only bit of meat from the bird.
He looked too thin; he needed the nourishment.
Under Su Zhenzhen’s expectant gaze, Lu Hexu took a sip of the soup.
It didn't have much flavor.
He had been eating her food for two days now. Was it a slow-acting poison?
That would be somewhat interesting.
Suppreing his distaste, Lu Hexu finished the bowl.
After the hot soup, the youth's lips, which had been turned slightly purple by the wind, became moist and flushed. His expression turned lazy and relaxed.
"I also cooked some wild vegetable rice. Do you want some?"
The food for the lowly palace maids was truly terrible—no oil, mostly rotten leaves, and bland as anything. It reminded Su Zhenzhen of the prison food videos she used to scroll past on social media.
Honestly, this pigeon couldn't have come at a better time.
Seeing that the young eunuch didn't refuse, Su Zhenzhen quickly served him a bowl of wild vegetable rice.
The fresh vegetable rice gave off a slight, toasted aroma. The wild greens had been sautéed in a bit of oil before being mixed into the rice, making it much more fragrant. Su Zhenzhen remembered that back in her world, wild vegetable rice was a popular comfort food when the weather turned cold.
It is a bit past the season now. Otherwise, right after the first frost, the wild greens would be covered in rime, and they would taste quite sweet.
After saying this, Su Zhenzhen looked at the cold-faced yet adorable young man before her.
He really was handsome.
Su Zhenzhen served herself a bowl as well and squatted down beside the little eunuch to eat the vegetable rice.
Even though they were both eating the same simple meal, for some reason, Su Zhenzhen felt that the way the little eunuch ate was incredibly elegant.
The more she looked at him, the more she felt he resembled a beautiful stray cat—the kind of Lion Cat with pure white fur and cold, vertical pupils that held a chilly glint, looking both noble and melancholic.
Is it good?
It is not.
Ah, then why did you finish the whole bowl?
-
Wei Heng had recently discovered that his little ancestor, who usually acted as if he lived on nothing but celestial dew and looked like he might breathe his last at any moment, seemed to have… put on a little weight?
Lu Hexu was curled up on his throne, napping.
Wei Heng approached cautiously, observing him carefully from left to right.
Finally, while helping Lu Hexu change his clothes, he confirmed it: his Majesty’s waist had grown by an inch.
He had indeed gained weight! Although it was just a negligible bit of flesh, it was a giant leap for a body like this.
Your Majesty, are you going out again today?
Mm.
-
Work, work, work.
Work does not love me, and I do not love work.
Su Zhenzhen shouldered her large broom, heading out to sweep the grounds again.
Sweep, sweep, sweep.
The world kisses me with the pain of labor, and I respond with a floating gait, a sallow complexion, panda-like dark circles, and a listless, half-dead aura.
After sweeping all day, her back ached and her legs were sore. On her way back, she ran into that unlucky old eunuch again.
Her job required her to be the first one up and the last one back. Since there was no one else on the road, it was far too easy for them to meet.
Having to work was annoying enough, but she also had to moonlight as a secret agent without a salary.
The old eunuch stepped forward to block her path. Seeing no one around, he shoved a slip of paper into her hand. Get this message out.
Su Zhenzhen’s eyes widened. How am I supposed to get it out, Excellency?
The old eunuch frowned. Didn’t I give you a messenger pigeon last time?
Su Zhenzhen had a sudden realization. Oh… Wasn’t that because you felt sorry for me and gave it to me to nourish my body?
The old eunuch: …
The old eunuch was so angry he was huffing and puffing.
He was old, and the weather was so cold; he had to be careful of a stroke.
This old thing better not be hanging on by his last breath just to frame her for his death!
Who on earth recruited you!
I am an orphan. Because I was born beautiful, I was scouted by a human trafficker and then sent into the palace, Su Zhenzhen explained honestly.
The old eunuch: …
The old eunuch suddenly stared at Su Zhenzhen’s face.
The woman was indeed beautiful; such looks would be enough to qualify her as an imperial concubine. With such a pure and innocent face, it seemed that no matter what she said, as long as she looked at you with those clear, dark eyes, you would believe her.
A low-level pawn is just a low-level pawn. Although she was destined to be cannon fodder, it was a rarity to have such a face.
The old eunuch suddenly changed his tune. Lift your head. Let me have a look.
I dare not, for fear of offending your eyes, Excellency.
Heh. The man across from her let out a low chuckle, sounding like a fat pig that had eaten too much. He leaned in close and lowered his voice, bringing with him a foul stench mixed with cheap powder.
Su Zhenzhen, do you want to live a good life?
I do.
But you smell so bad.
I do not have such fortune, Su Zhenzhen replied.
You look like a fat pig possessed by toxoplasmosis.
Whether you have the fortune or not, isn't that up to me? As long as you are obedient.
Su Zhenzhen had indeed heard that some twisted eunuchs liked to find palace maids to be their companions.
The better ones lived like a normal couple without the physical intimacy.
The unbearable ones were those who, having lost their manhood, became mentally unstable and took out their frustrations by torturing palace maids.
I saw you a few days ago. When Hongxing was being punished, your little face turned so pale. It truly made me feel pity for you. The old eunuch reached out, wanting to touch Su Zhenzhen’s face, but she took a few steps back to avoid him.
The old eunuch’s expression changed instantly.
Because they lacked that specific part, some eunuchs became particularly sensitive and paranoid, unable to tolerate even the slightest disobedience.
Excellency, people are constantly coming and going here… Su Zhenzhen looked around, a look of fear appearing on her face.
The old eunuch’s anger immediately turned to joy.
Su Zhenzhen led the old eunuch forward for a short distance.
The two of them stood at a corner.
Ah! Su Zhenzhen suddenly let out a sharp scream.
The old eunuch was startled by her.
In the next moment, a voice cut in. What is going on over there?
It was the Jinyiwei on patrol.
Su Zhenzhen walked this way every day and had long ago figured out the patrol routes and timing of the Jinyiwei.
The leader wore a flying-fish robe. He had broad shoulders and a narrow waist, with a handsome face and an embroidered spring blade hanging at his hip. His gaze was as sharp as a blade.
She had heard that the selection process for the Jinyiwei was extremely rigorous. They didn't recruit anyone under 1.8 meters, anyone without a clean family history, or anyone who wasn't brave and skilled in martial arts.
This Excellency was asking me if I wanted to live a good life, Su Zhenzhen answered truthfully, her face looking incredibly innocent.
The old eunuch: …
Molesting a palace maid within the palace grounds.
The sharp gaze of the Jinyiwei swept over the old eunuch, and he gave a wave of his hand.
Two Jinyiwei stepped forward from behind him, grabbing the old eunuch by his left and right arms.
-
The old eunuch was taken away by the Jinyiwei. At worst, he would get permanent residence in the Xinzheku labor camp; at best, he would receive a hundred strokes of the cane.
In a great mood, Su Zhenzhen slipped back into the Southern Palace to dig for wild greens. She discovered an apricot tree in the corner, with some unripe green apricots hanging from it.
Su Zhenzhen stood on her tiptoes to pick one, rinsed it in the spring water, and popped it into her mouth. It was so sour it set her teeth on edge.
Nevertheless, she picked a few more, thinking she could take them back to preserve them as snacks.
After picking the green apricots, Su Zhenzhen began searching the ground. After a long search, she finally found some Smilax glabra.
Yesterday, when she checked Mu Dan’s pulse, she found it wasn't quite right. It seemed as though his body had been eroded by toxins for a long time.
Su Zhenzhen had studied internal Chinese medicine, so this was right up her alley.
After digging up the Smilax glabra and washing it clean, Su Zhenzhen set up a small clay pot.
Because the herbs available here were limited, she had to make do with what she had. For now, she could only let Mu Dan try some Smilax glabra.
As the sky grew dark, the little eunuch appeared, dressed in thin clothing. He walked up behind Su Zhenzhen, who was openly preparing medicine behind his back.
You can add more of that.
Su Zhenzhen looked down at the licorice powder in her hand.
Since fresh licorice couldn't be found this season, this was what she had dried and ground into powder herself last year.
So he likes sweets. Got it.
Alright.
Su Zhenzhen poured the entire packet of licorice powder into the pot, stirred it around, and served a bowl for Mu Dan.
Although neither of them said it out loud, it was as if they shared a silent understanding.
Mu Dan took the ceramic bowl and gently blew on the white steam rising from it.
He frowned slightly, then tilted his head back and drank it down.
So well-behaved.
Su Zhenzhen rested her chin on her hand, tilting her head to watch him.
He was basically never seen during the day; they only met late at night when everything was quiet.
He really was like a cat.
He liked to appear in the dead of night.
And he was so beautiful.
Although they had only spent a few days together, the boy’s complexion had noticeably improved. Like a withered flower meeting the spring, he was slowly beginning to regain his vitality.
“Do you feel any numbness in your limbs or a headache?”
Su Zhenzhen suspected that the toxins in Mu Dan’s body might be related to a specific substance, but she wasn’t entirely sure.
The young eunuch’s gaze flickered toward her. He watched Su Zhenzhen as if observing an amusing toy.
He reached out with his pale, cold fingertips and touched her neck. “Yes.”
He had been suffering from those symptoms ever since he was ten years old.
[Looks like I’ll have to increase the dosage next time.]
Su Zhenzhen felt the hand on her neck slide gently before the young eunuch withdrew it, flashing her a faint smile.
Su Zhenzhen was momentarily dazed by the sight, instinctively smiling back.
She really was a total sucker for a pretty face.
-
On her way back, Su Zhenzhen was still in a trance, clutching her bag of green apricots.
Was he some kind of incubus?
How could a person look so good when they smiled?
Returning to the servant quarters, Su Zhenzhen tucked the green apricots into her cabinet and went to check her sugar jar.
It was empty; she had used up the last of what the original owner of this body had left behind.
Because lowly chore maids couldn’t leave the palace at will, buying daily necessities meant either bartering privately with other maids or seeking help from young eunuchs who had the authority to go outside.
Su Zhenzhen had no connections in the palace. Therefore, as soon as she finished her shift that morning, she went to the Little Southern Palace to wait for Mu Dan.
The young eunuch sat on a small stool beside Su Zhenzhen, sipping his medicinal broth while listening to her speak.
“Do you know anyone who can buy sugar cubes?”
The young eunuch glanced at her. “I do.”
Su Zhenzhen immediately reached into her robe, pulled out the monthly wages she had saved up for two months, and handed them to him.
-
By the time Lu Hexu returned, Wei Heng was still waiting for him at the entrance of the sleeping quarters.
This "little ancestor" had been keeping odd hours lately, disappearing for days at a time.
“Your Majesty, the Grand Secretariat has sent over the memorials.”
“Mm, you handle them.” Lu Hexu sat crookedly behind the imperial desk, then suddenly turned his head toward the half-open window.
The cold early spring wind rushed in, making the scrolls on the desk rustle loudly.
Wei Heng hurried forward to close the window.
Lu Hexu had suffered from headaches for a long time. Sometimes a draft while walking, or the dampness of a changing season, would trigger an episode. Those triggers were predictable; the hardest part was when the pain struck without any rhyme or reason.
“Everyone, get out.”
Wei Heng quickly ushered the surrounding attendants away.
“Wait.” Lu Hexu suddenly called out to him. “Bring me a piece of sugar.”
Wei Heng froze. “Sugar?”
The youth’s gloomy gaze swept over him, and Wei Heng instantly trembled. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
-
Su Zhenzhen thought she would have to wait a few more days, but to her surprise, Mu Dan brought the sugar cubes the very next day.
The cubes were sealed in an oil-paper wrap, and it was clear they were of high quality.
“These must have been expensive. Was the money I gave you enough?”
Since Su Zhenzhen had never lived outside the palace in this world, she wasn't very familiar with the local prices.
“It was enough.”
Lu Hexu didn’t actually have a clue if it was enough. He wasn't looking well today; he had suffered from a headache all night and hadn't quite recovered, though his body was used to the strain.
Lu Hexu sat down on the small stool and looked down at the items in front of him with lowered eyes.
“What are these?”
“Green apricots.” Seeing that Mu Dan had brought such a large amount of sugar, Su Zhenzhen had gone to pick some more. She handed one to Lu Hexu. “They’re very sweet.”
The young eunuch raised his hand, his fingertips brushing against her.
[They’re sour as hell.]
Lu Hexu narrowed his eyes at her.
Su Zhenzhen maintained a look of pure innocence.
The young eunuch said lazily, “You eat one first.”
Su Zhenzhen held her breath and popped one into her mouth. “See, they’re so swee— ugh...”
“Pfft, hahaha!” Seeing Su Zhenzhen’s face crumple like a used rag, Lu Hexu burst out laughing. He laughed so hard he leaned back, nearly tipping over the small stool beneath him.
Was it really that funny?
The young eunuch suddenly stopped laughing.
He then took a green apricot from her hand and popped it into his mouth.
He held the incredibly sour fruit on the tip of his tongue and slowly bit down.
“You’re right. It’s not sour at all.”
Su Zhenzhen: ??? Did he just take the only sweet one?
As usual, Su Zhenzhen brewed the medicinal tea for Mu Dan.
Lu Hexu habitually picked it up and downed it in one go, only to let out a dry gag from the bitterness.
“Oh dear, I forgot to add the licorice.”
Then, she "accidentally" added three extra scoops of bitter Coptis root.
Su Zhenzhen looked at him with a beaming smile.
The young eunuch stared at her expressionlessly. Then, he suddenly reached out and pinched her face, squeezing the soft flesh of her cheek.
Su Zhenzhen was stunned.
[Is he... is he going to kiss me?]
