Eunuch Lan’s feelings for the Crown Prince actually stem from the experiences of his past.
When Eunuch Lan was still Lan Zhengguang, disaster struck his family when he was five years old, leaving him an orphan. With no choice but to wander and beg for survival, he might have died from hunger or been killed by others if not for the eldest daughter of the Yong Family, Yunnuan, who took him in. Thus, Yunnuan rooted herself in his heart like a fairy.
Yunnuan taught him to read and even arranged for him to be trained in martial arts, and she had even personally made clothes for him.
In the succeeding years, he always served at her side as a pageboy, resolved that he was willing to do anything just to be near her for the rest of his life.
Later, when Yunnuan came of age, the late Emperor, who has since passed away, betrothed her to the Crown Prince,
Eventually, Yunnuan was conferred the title of Crown Princess Consort, and later, Empress.
He too had his moments of grief, knowing that Yunnuan was not happy, yet unable to escape the confines of her fate as a woman of the Yong Family.
Unable to bear seeing her without a single confidante in the palace, he willingly underwent castration to enter the palace, becoming the manager eunuch by the Empress’s side.
Latter, with the birth of the current Crown Prince, Yunnuan assigned him to her son’s side, for she said she trusted no one but him.
For that trust, he was willing to risk his life.
Six years ago, Empress Yunnuan passed away, and though he wished to follow her in death, he lived on for the sake of the Crown Prince and swore to protect him at all costs.
Fortunately, the Crown Prince was wise and perceptive, greatly esteemed by the Emperor. This brought him relief. However, the palace was never at peace—many coveted the Crown Prince’s position, and all he could do was be extremely cautious.
The incident with Concubine Feng attempting to poison the Crown Prince was detected by him because, over the years, in order to better protect the Crown Prince, he had learned a bit of medical and poisoning skills. Therefore, he personally inspected everything meant for the Crown Prince, be it food or other items. The Empress trusted him, but he only trusted himself, knowing that while he could not be bought, he could not say the same for others.
The Crown Prince also placed considerable trust in him, once saying that in this lifetime, aside from his mother, he trusted only Eunuch Lan.
Originally, he intended to simply have Concubine Feng executed, but the Crown Prince did not do so. Instead, he began to lavish attention on her. At first, he did not understand the Crown Prince’s intention, but later, he realized that the spy had already been exposed. Eliminating her immediately could prompt the adversaries to send someone else, putting them at a further disadvantage. It was better to keep the revealed traitor close.
At this moment, a glint of cold light flashed in Qi Jingchen’s eyes. "Eunuch, bestow the rewards to Concubine Feng on my behalf, and mention that the bird’s nest porridge suits my palate..."
"Yes." Having struggled and survived in the palace for over twenty years, Eunuch Lan’s canniness was not to be underestimated. Although angry, he knew it was not the time for anger, and he nodded in agreement, "This old servant will attend to it immediately."
Crown Prince Residence’s main hall.
Crown Princess Consort Shen Junru was sitting at her dressing table, removing her makeup. Two palace maids, Jinhua and Yin Hua, were in attendance.
A young girl peeked her head around nervously.
Jinhua quickly went out to check, but returned promptly, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince has sent word that he will not be coming tonight and asks that you retire early to rest."