It seems to get dark earlier in the Forbidden Palace than elsewhere.
Probably because the palace walls are too high.
The setting sun was blocked early.
The palace people of Xinzheku lived in the dark almost all year round.
They do the dirtiest and most tiring work in the palace, and they are often ignored, beaten and scolded by others.
Two young eunuchs from Concubine Ying's palace rushed over, pointed at an old eunuch carrying water and cursed: "We agreed to carry eight bottles of water, but we have only picked four bottles now.
I'm in a hurry to use it. I've urged you several times, but you're still so slow?!
Are you tired of living this old thing?! Even a turtle can crawl faster than you!"
In fact, this water is not for Concubine Ying. The water for Concubine Ying's bath was delivered by someone.
The water the old eunuch carried was only for the maids in the palace over there.
The old eunuch staggered a little. He hunched over and raised his sleeves to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
He begged: "You two, please do well, this road is really far, I can't walk fast at my age!"
"Fart!" One of the young eunuchs immediately interrupted him, "If you can't do it, why don't you just hit him to death?!"
Another also ridiculed: "You were once the deputy general manager of the Eighth Bureau, and you are used to being bossy. Today my back is sore, tomorrow my legs will be sore.
You know, that's all old history. Now you are just a handyman, who will do your job if you don't do it?"
It turns out that this old eunuch is Lu Shuangxi, the former deputy general manager of the Eighth Bureau.
There was a fire in the warehouse of the Needlework Bureau, and most of the responsibility fell on him, and he was punished as a handy eunuch in Xinzheku.
The two young eunuchs cursed at him, but Lu Shuangxi stopped arguing and walked forward carrying water as if struggling for life.
It was getting darker and darker. After Lu Shuangxi delivered the last water, she could hardly lift her legs.
Although spring has already begun, it is still chilly.
He dragged his legs and found a corner to shelter from the wind, put the pole aside, and slowly sat down along the wall.
I covered my chest and coughed twice, lowering my head and trying to slow down my breathing.
Logically speaking, he is only fifty years old, but his body is already in such a bad state.
It was fine at first, but when something happened to Qian Sanchun and the others two years ago, Lu Shuangxi was tortured for a long time.
Before the injury healed, something happened again.
In fact, he really didn't know the details when it came to the treasure they hid in the well.
But I also vaguely knew that Zhou Hong was responsible for this, but over the years, he had shouldered too many blames for Zhou Hong, and he was used to it.
"Eunuch Lu?" Suddenly someone called him.
Lu Shuangxi thought someone was asking him to do some work, so he quickly agreed.
"Eunuch Lu, someone wants to see you, please come with me." The person who spoke was a young eunuch. Lu Shuangxi looked at him with a confused face, wondering which palace he was from.
"This little brother, who wants to see the old slave?" Lu Shuangxi felt puzzled.
"Eunuch Lu, there is no need to ask any more questions. It will be clear when we arrive." The young eunuch refused to say more to him and just led the way.
Lu Shuangxi knew that if others didn't tell her, she couldn't ask anymore.
I had no choice but to shut up and follow behind, but I didn’t know whether it would be a blessing or a curse.
After walking around for a long time, the little eunuch brought him to the door of a room.
"Go in by yourself." The little eunuch pointed to the door and stepped back first.
There was a light on the window paper, and Lu Shuangxi knew that there was probably someone inside.
When he walked in, he found that there were only two people in the room, and a young and beautiful maid was standing by the door.
There is also a man sitting on a chair, with a face like a crown of jade and eyes like bright stars.
He recognized the prince, Yu Guming.
Not knowing why he was looking for her, Lu Shuangxi immediately knelt down to say hello.
"Get up." Yu Guming was often at a loss in front of Xue Hengzhao, but he always had a cold and dignified attitude in front of others.
Lu Shuangxi stood up tremblingly and asked cautiously: "I wonder what the prince's instructions are for calling this old slave?"
"Eunuch Lu, let me tell you." The beautiful little maid's voice was cold and cold. Lu Shuangxi still had some impression of her. It seemed that she was transferred to the needlework bureau from somewhere else.
Xue Hengzhao was wearing a cloak that reached to his feet.
The color of the cloak is dark blue, which makes her look even more frail and fragile.
The candlelight reflected in her pupils seemed to be embedded with a pair of black crystals.
"The Crown Prince ordered me to ask you, how much do you know about Zhou Hong's deeds for so many years?"
When Lu Shuangxi heard these words, it was like a thunderbolt hit the top of his head.
He didn't speak for a long time, wondering why Yu Guming came to inquire about this?
Who ordered him to come? Could it be that Qian Sanchun’s matter is not over yet?
How much evidence does he have in hand?
"As for the Master, although I have worked with Zhou Hong for many years, I don't know much about him. What's more, now that I have been demoted to a handyman, I don't even know what he has done." Lu Shuangxi
He's not stupid. When the situation is unclear, of course he has to pretend not to know anything.
"Eunuch Lu, at this time, you are still playing tricks on him." Xue Hengzhao chuckled, and Lu Shuangxi's answer was completely within her expectation.
"It's not that I'm being careless, I'm telling the truth. How dare I tell half a lie in front of the prince?" Lu Shuangxi said with a smile, "Besides, I'm like this now, if I really know something about him.
, why don’t you say it happily? Maybe you can give me some rewards because of this!”
"Yes! For so many years, Zhou Hong has been sitting firmly on Diaoyutai. Whenever there is any trouble, you are always the one who gets beaten and punished." Xue Hengzhao looked directly at Lu Shuangxi's face.
Lu Shuangxi looked humble and calm, and her eyes were full of helplessness.
It was as if they had wronged a good man and forced themselves to fabricate charges against him.
"Eunuch Lu, you have experienced storms, and more than once." Xue Hengzhao's eyes did not dodge at all, they were deep and bright, as if he could understand everything, "Don't say that it is just the prince here now, and I am a little palace lady asking. p>
Back in the Criminal Division, you were tortured for days and nights, but you didn't even confess. This shows how hard your bones are and how strong your will is."
"Girl, you are really flattering me. It's not that I have a strong bones and a strong heart, but I really have nothing to admit. I can't falsely accuse others, right?" Lu Shuangxi made a bitter face, looking helpless.
"Eunuch Lu, I know you were promoted by Zhou Hong, and he is kind to you." Xue Hengzhao was not anxious or annoyed, "But you have shouldered the blame for him for so many years."
"Girl, I am now the lowest eunuch in the palace, and all the ants on the wall are taller than me." Lu Shuangxi spread her hands, "Even if I had received favors from Manager Zhou, I would have returned them to him long ago.
.
It's just that you asked me to tell you that he was using public money for personal gain, but I really don't know. Otherwise, why don't you ask others?"