Early the next morning, Nathan Ye was still lost in a dream when he was abruptly woken by Old Huang.
"Master, wake up! You have court today!"
Court? Nathan blinked awake, sitting up slowly as he recalled that, indeed, he was still an official of Da Zhou. The days of leisure he had enjoyed were due to a short leave granted by Emperor Sirius Ji, but with the leave now over, it was time for the "worker" to return to court.
"If I skip court, would it anger Sirius Ji enough for him to have me executed?" Nathan mused, and this somewhat humorous thought sprang unbidden to his mind, reflecting his constant desire to escape life altogether.
But he quickly dismissed the idea. Though he longed for death, he wasn't foolish; Emperor Ji wouldn't execute him over such a trivial offense. Resigned to his fate, Nathan donned his official robes and set off for the palace.
Old Huang watched his young master leave, pondering aloud. "Perhaps Master needs a maid now?" He murmured, for he was getting on in years and was rough-handed, unsuited for some of the finer tasks—like making his master's bed or assisting with his morning routine.
After all, this was the old-fashioned society of Da Zhou. Back in the day, a maid's duties might even include warming her master's bed. Old Huang, a loyal servant, believed Nathan's rising status warranted such care, concluding to himself that a proper official like his young master should certainly be attended to by a maid.
Meanwhile, Nathan reached the palace, entering through the Xuanwu Gate. He paused to look up at the gate, which held a strange historical resonance for him. In his previous life, the famous "Incident at Xuanwu Gate" had been a critical turning point that brought a prince to the throne.
Though memories of his past life sometimes bubbled up, he recognized the difference in this world's Xuanwu Gate. Here, the palace had four main gates named after the Four Divine Beasts: Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, White Tiger, and Azure Dragon, remnants of a grand formation once impenetrable by any force.
But like the Da Zhou itself, that era was long past. The Four Sacred Beasts Array had been dismantled, with its parts taken by four Immortal Sects, leaving the four gates as mere relics of a time when Da Zhou had commanded true power.
He entered the palace, heading to the Golden Throne Hall. Familiar with the setup, Nathan immediately found a comfortable corner, leaning casually against the wall, feeling quite at ease. But this time, his arrival didn't go unnoticed. People now eyed him differently, with expressions ranging from respect and admiration to jealousy and disdain.
"Master Ye, good morning!" A warm voice called out, breaking through the murmur.
"Old Liu! Is that you?" Nathan turned and grinned, patting the newcomer on the shoulder.
It was none other than Leo Kim, a friendly face Nathan hadn't expected to see. Leo Kim felt a surge of warmth at being addressed as "Old Liu." In a society that looked down upon eunuchs, Nathan's lack of judgment was a rare kindness. Eunuchs like Leo Kim were often regarded as lesser beings, and they bore the brunt of disdain from scholars and warriors alike. That Nathan saw him as an equal was nothing short of extraordinary.
Leo Kim smiled as he greeted Nathan. "Master Ye, it's good to see you."
Nathan noted something different about Leo Kim. "Hey, Old Liu, new robes?"
Indeed, Leo Kim was now dressed in a striking blue robe, finely tailored from quality silk—a far cry from his former rough green attire. His demeanor, too, had gained a certain confidence.
"His Majesty has assigned me to serve in the Imperial Study," Leo Kim said, unable to suppress a proud smile.
The Imperial Study? Nathan knew what that meant. Only those closest to the emperor were assigned to such a post, a position of real influence within the palace. Leo Kim had truly ascended within the ranks.
"Way to go, Old Liu! You're moving up in the world!" Nathan exclaimed with genuine happiness for him.
Leo Kim's promotion had been the result of his honesty and integrity, traits rare among those who were quick to betray their own values. Compared to traitors who had sold out their country, Leo Kim's rise felt more than deserved.
"Rising together, rising together!" Leo Kim laughed heartily, though he wasn't entirely sure what "rising together" meant. Yet he sensed it was a compliment and joined in, feeling immense gratitude.
He knew well enough that it was thanks to Nathan that he had advanced so swiftly. Emperor Ji had discovered that Nathan and Leo Kim had spoken at length one day, and upon summoning Leo Kim to recount the conversation, had decided to promote him as a reward.
Leo Kim's life had changed, all due to this man standing before him. His easy-going demeanor concealed a discerning mind honed by life within the palace—a place where naivety didn't survive. Despite his lighthearted laughter, Leo Kim had his own thoughts.
"The obvious dangers are easy to dodge; it's the hidden ones that pose the greatest threat. I may be a useless eunuch, unable to protect Master Ye physically, but at least I have a source of information in this palace. If anyone ever plots to harm Master Ye, I will be the first to act."
In his years in the palace, Leo Kim had witnessed countless schemes and plots, each more ruthless than the last. Though not particularly brave, he could at least keep an ear out for potential threats to Nathan.
Nathan laughed as he enjoyed catching up with his old friend, utterly oblivious to the complex thoughts swirling in the eunuch's mind—the "malicious" intentions to protect him at any cost.
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