TRBDM -Chapter 153 Gathering Intelligence

At the gate of Qingfeng Hall in the imperial palace, Jianxi wore a flawless fake smile, chatting warmly with a visiting eunuch who had come to gather information.

“Jianxi, ever since you went to the Imperial Academy, I’ve often thought of you—I’ve kept you in mind all this time,” said the eunuch.

Jianxi rolled his eyes inwardly. He couldn’t even remember how many years he had spent at the Academy—there was no way he had been “thinking of him.” Back then, being assigned to serve the Tenth Prince, he had been mocked plenty by this group of eunuchs.

Jianxi smiled and replied, “Ah, Eunuch Shan, I’ve thought of you as well.”

Eunuch Shan glanced inside Qingfeng Hall. “Is His Highness the Tenth Prince here?”

“He is.”

“What does His Highness usually do in Qingfeng Hall?”

“Reading, practicing calligraphy—it’s the same as when he was at the Academy.”

Eunuch Shan had no interest in the Tenth Prince’s Academy life; he had other purposes.

“Well… I’ve heard that the Emperor summons the Tenth Prince every day. Could you share a little—what does the Emperor say?”

Lately, too many people had been trying to gather news. No matter who came, Jianxi’s answer was always the same three words: “I don’t know.”

“Really?” Eunuch Shan asked skeptically.

“Really.”

Eunuch Shan looked around, then pulled Jianxi aside to a quiet spot and pressed two silver ingots into his hands. “Jianxi, just a small token. You know our relationship. If you give me just a little—just a few words—I promise there will be more in the future.”

Jianxi looked down at the silver. Heavy… tempting.

Seeing Jianxi’s expression, Eunuch Shan thought he had him.

Eunuch Shan had known Jianxi since the boy first entered the palace as a naïve little eunuch. He was just a small creature who loved money—two silver ingots, ten taels total, would definitely be accepted.

Just as Eunuch Shan was sure of victory, Jianxi suddenly smiled and returned the silver. “Eunuch Shan, I really don’t know. I can’t accept this silver.”

Eunuch Shan thought Jianxi was being picky and took out another ingot, patting him on the shoulder: “Don’t worry. I keep my word; there will be more. This is just a small token—just a little treat.”

“Eunuch Shan, I really can’t accept it,” Jianxi insisted.

“Just take it, just take it,” Eunuch Shan said.

They went back and forth, tugging at each other.

Jianxi, annoyed, suddenly looked toward the door and raised his voice: “Eunuch Shan, put it away quickly—someone’s coming!”

Eunuch Shan jumped at Jianxi’s loud voice and hurriedly pocketed the silver.

Zhao Jingheng stood a short distance down the corridor, taking in everything that had just happened.

He knew Jianxi’s character well—somewhat calculating, a little greedy, but loyal.

Cowardly, yet ambitious.

After three years at the Academy, that ambition had probably been worn down.

Still, he needed to be tested.

Zhao Jingheng required servants completely devoted to him.

He had been wary of Jianxi since the Academy; now, at Qingfeng Hall, he was even more cautious.

Since moving back to Qingfeng Hall, Zhao Kuang still sent him daily to Taihe Hall.

And he still said nothing.

Every time he walked toward Taihe Hall, countless eyes followed him.

Every step carried danger.

In the past few days, many people had come and gone through Qingfeng Hall, but Zhao Jingheng hadn’t seen a single one.

Jianxi received gifts from more than just Eunuch Shan—and he hadn’t accepted a single one.

Resisting repeated temptations of silver showed Jianxi had made some progress.

Finally, after sending Eunuch Shan away, someone else arrived. Jianxi, tired of dealing with people, simply closed the door.

“Eunuch Jianxi, I am Nanny Ding from the Imperial Kitchen. I’ve brought newly arrived inch-long lotus roots for the Tenth Prince.”

Every year, when the palace received fresh tributes, they would be delivered to the princes.

Seeing the tribute, Jianxi immediately brightened and invited Nanny Ding inside.

Nanny Ding’s eyes reddened slightly as she walked in.

She had served Noble Consort Shu in Qingfeng Hall for many years and knew every corner intimately.

After the consort’s death, the maids and eunuchs of Qingfeng Hall were dispersed to other palaces, and she had never returned.

Walking down a long corridor, Nanny Ding suddenly saw Zhao Jingheng standing there.

After many years, seeing him again, she was surprised by how tall he had grown.

In her heart, he was still a child of ten or so, yet now he had become a fully grown man.

“Your Highness, the Tenth Prince,” Nanny Ding said, kneeling.

“Rise,” Zhao Jingheng said coldly, as if he had already forgotten her.

Nanny Ding couldn’t help but speak: “Your Highness, do you still remember me? I used to serve Noble Consort Shu.”

“Mm, I remember,” he replied.

Jianxi’s gaze shifted between the two. So Nanny Ding had once served in Qingfeng Hall.

But why was the Tenth Prince so indifferent toward her?

Holding back her tears, Nanny Ding said, “Your Highness, these are inch-long lotus roots, a summer delicacy to boil in water. They cool the body and detoxify, very good for health.”

Zhao Jingheng glanced at them. “Leave them here.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” she said.

Nanny Ding wanted to say more, to speak a few words with the Tenth Prince, but seeing his indifferent expression, she stopped herself.

Perhaps another time.