In the past, when these little eunuchs from the inner academy finished school, it was like modern office workers going to work on Monday—they had no sense of relief at the approaching rest time. Going to class felt as heavy as going to a funeral.
This was because the Hanlin scholars would randomly quiz them on poetry, which was rarely taught in class. Classes mainly focused on the Great Learning, Doctrine of the Mean, Analects, Great Ming Legal Code, and other classics and institutional systems. Poetry training was merely a subsidiary subject within subsidiary subjects, like physical education classes during senior year of high school—the study time was severely squeezed, so they could only figure it out themselves after school.
Lacking training, their reactions naturally became slower. The Hanlin scholars didn’t set high poetry requirements for these little eunuchs—they only needed to pay attention to parallelism and rhyme schemes, with no requirements for classical allusions or textual research. Even so, when they first began the lineup poetry composition, many couldn’t produce anything and would be beaten and ridiculed by the entire row. Cursing was considered undignified, so the Hanlin scholars, who prided themselves on their lofty character, forbade foul language.
So in the past, during dismissal time in the inner courtyard, the sound of slapping faces would always ring out, rising and falling like firecrackers.
After these little eunuchs were beaten, they would return from school and study diligently. Hanging their heads from beams and pricking their thighs with awls was a common sight. They were originally clever people selected through layers of screening. Having experienced such humiliation, their fighting spirit was aroused—studying was their lifeline, and they threw everything into securing a future, otherwise they would spend their entire lives doing menial tasks in the palace.
Many little eunuchs and older eunuchs wanted to enter the inner academy but couldn’t—this was a precious learning opportunity.
Day after day, the devilish teaching and training bore fruit. After half a year, when the little eunuchs were dismissed at dusk, it became a normal, relaxed school dismissal scene.
Lining up to compose poetry, as it was now deep autumn with continuous autumn rain and falling maple leaves, the Hanlin scholar used “maple” as the rhyme. Starting from the first little eunuch, like passing flowers to the beat of drums, one would finish and another would quickly follow.
Hu Shanwei was a lover of books, and today she happened upon the scene of the inner academy’s lineup poetry composition, so she listened attentively.
Though the poems composed impromptu by the little eunuchs were childish and shallow, sometimes filling in words randomly just to match the rhyme, they had the advantage of being free from craftsman-like artificiality, and occasionally produced good lines.
No one failed to continue, and the scene of “collective beating and verbal abuse” no longer existed.
After graduation, this group of little eunuchs would first go to the inner academy to “write characters”—copying official documents.
Hu Shanwei had once been a copying clerk herself, wearing out countless brushes in a year. Seeing them, she seemed to see her former self in a trance. When all the little eunuchs finished composing poetry and dispersed on the spot, Hu Shanwei came back to her senses and headed toward the Xi’an Gate.
A sharp-eyed little eunuch recognized her silhouette and somehow produced an oil-paper umbrella, following her and bowing respectfully while diligently holding up the paper umbrella. “This servant will escort Palace Supervisor Hu to Xi’an Gate.”
In the palace, all official slaves, regardless of gender, called themselves “this servant.”
By dusk, the autumn rain was like thick fog, silent and soundless. Hu Shanwei’s black gauze cap on her head was moistened. She looked back and felt the face was somewhat familiar, but couldn’t call out the name.
The little eunuch smiled awkwardly, holding the umbrella high. “This servant is Wang Zhen, serving in the Eastern Palace, selected into the inner academy. That day, this servant was on rest duty in the Eastern Palace courtyard and carelessly passed on the wrong message, causing Scholar Xie to mistakenly enter the Crown Prince’s study. This servant was tied up and sent to the Punishment Bureau for punishment. If not for Palace Supervisor Hu coming to summon this servant, this servant would have been beaten to a pulp long ago.”
Wang Zhen—hearing this name, Hu Shanwei suddenly remembered. That day such a major incident occurred in the Eastern Palace. To clarify the process and investigate the truth, Hu Shanwei had the Palace Justice Bureau go to the Twenty-Four Bureaus’ Punishment Bureau to bring the person out. The eunuch system consisted of the Twenty-Four Bureaus, led by the Seal-Bearing Eunuch of the Ceremonial Bureau, Zheng He, serving the Emperor.
The female official system consisted of Six Bureaus and One Office, led by Hu Shanwei, serving the master of the inner palace—the Empress. Currently, Noble Consort Zhang was acting in charge of the inner palace.
The two systems were independent of each other, with overlapping functions requiring mutual cooperation.
For example, the Emperor’s twenty-four jade seals were kept by the female official Huang Weide of the Seal Bureau from the Six Bureaus and One Office. When the Ceremonial Bureau needed to use the seals, they would send eunuchs to Huang Weide to request the seals, called “requesting the treasure.” The female officials were responsible for safekeeping, the Ceremonial Bureau was responsible for stamping—two powers separated, mutually supervising each other.
When Wang Zhen was interrogated that day, he had already been slapped over ten times, his lips swollen from the beating, disheveled and frightened stiff. His small body was scared into a little shrimp, curled up on the ground holding his head, shivering.
Xie Jin had fallen into a trap but could still keep his life, exiled to Jiaozhi to continue as an official. How could he know that the dignified Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate would actually deceive a little eunuch to dig a pit for Xie Jin?
In Minister Liu’s eyes, little eunuchs were like ants on the ground—step on them and they die. Who would care about the life or death of a little eunuch?
When asked, he was only twelve years old, the same age as A’Lei. Hu Shanwei was moved to compassion and ordered people to send the little eunuch back to the Punishment Bureau, telling them not to beat him anymore.
The Punishment Bureau had to give Palace Supervisor Hu face, and besides, everyone knew he was innocently used. They didn’t continue the torture and even applied medicine to his swollen mouth.
Now the little eunuch had recovered physically and appeared to be a clever and handsome boy, very different from his terrified state that day.
Hu Shanwei nodded. “It’s you. You got out of the Punishment Bureau.”
Wang Zhen bowed toward the Eastern Palace direction, full of gratitude. “It was the Crown Prince who sent people to get this servant out. He spoke with Eunuch Sanbao, asking this servant to continue studying in the inner academy. This servant has today because of that.”
Hu Shanwei thought to herself that this was a very clever move by the Crown Prince. From now on, this little eunuch would be more loyal to the Crown Prince than to the Twenty-Four Bureaus—slowly buying people’s hearts.
Hu Shanwei casually asked, “What books did the inner academy teach today?”
The little eunuch respectfully replied, “The Imperial Ancestral Instructions of Emperor Gaozhu, and the Comprehensive Examination of Literature and Institutions. We must memorize the Imperial Ancestral Instructions—there will be a spot check on recitation tomorrow morning.”
This was about the same as when Hu Shanwei first entered the palace.
Hu Shanwei asked, “Is studying tiring?”
“Tiring.” The little eunuch added, “Not studying is even more tiring, and one is always being bullied, deceived, and tricked. This servant swears never again to let myself fall into that kind of desperate situation where calling to heaven brings no response and calling to earth brings no answer. It’s all because of ignorance.”
Hu Shanwei felt touched. Back when she was forced to remarry, abused by her stepmother, and pointed at and mocked by neighbors who laughed that the old maid couldn’t get married, in her despair, it was the books she had read that gave her a way out—passing the female official examination and stepping into another world entirely.
They soon reached Xi’an Gate, where Imperial Guards and carriages were already waiting at the entrance to escort Hu Shanwei home.
The little eunuch had only focused on holding the umbrella for Hu Shanwei, so his robes were soaked through. As she was getting into the carriage, the little eunuch said, “Palace Supervisor Hu’s life-saving grace—someday Wang Zhen will repay it like a gushing spring.”
Hu Shanwei looked at the suppressed ambition in the little eunuch’s eyes, like looking at herself when she first entered the palace. The road ahead was still very long—no one knew whether the future would bring a coffin or an official position.
She thought of when she first entered the palace, Palace Supervisor Cao was domineering and arrogant, insufferably proud, making things difficult for her at every turn. Palace Director Fan was soft on the outside but firm within, cautious and careful, single-handedly cultivating her.
Over thirty years had passed. The two green pines beside Palace Director Fan’s tomb had grown very tall, while Palace Supervisor Cao was still enjoying retirement in Yangzhou, carefree and at ease. Every time she wrote to Hu Shanwei to report her safety, her writing seemed forceful enough to pierce through paper, with an attitude of “I can still live five hundred years.”
Life is unpredictable. After the capital is moved, I’ll retire from office, Hu Shanwei sighed inwardly. Looking back with a smile, she said, “Good. If you become wealthy and noble, don’t forget me.”
Under Imperial Guard escort, Hu Shanwei returned home. Mu Chun was waiting at the dining table, but A’Lei hadn’t returned yet. Ever since A’Lei became obsessed with navigation and shipbuilding, she often didn’t come home until the second watch, having dinner at the treasure ship factory.
Mu Chun felt quite lost. When eating dinner with Hu Shanwei, even eating his favorite ham felt tasteless. He put down his chopsticks and sighed:
“Shanwei, am I getting old? A’Lei no longer worships me like before or wants to play with me. Eunuch Zheng He’s room full of navigation charts and sailing logs is far more attractive than I am. She often brings them home to copy and trace, but I can’t even understand them.”
Mu Chun couldn’t avoid experiencing a midlife crisis either. His wife and child both had work, while he had nothing to do at home. The first year was fine—he felt comfortable and relaxed, couldn’t be better. By the second year, especially with A’Lei going to the treasure ship factory, Mu Chun was “keeping an empty house,” almost becoming a “resentful father” waiting with eager eyes.
Hu Shanwei also put down her chopsticks. “Let’s go to the treasure ship factory together to pick up A’Lei and bring her home. Tomorrow is my rest day—where would you like to go and play?”
“Great!” Mu Chun immediately revived with full energy. “Let’s go hunting as a family of three. Autumn is when the wild game in the mountains is at its fattest. I haven’t practiced archery and horseback riding for so long, my skills are getting rusty.”
Hu Shanwei was a husband-spoiling maniac, looking at her husband indulgently. “Fine, whatever you say.”
Before leaving, Mu Chun rummaged through a chest and pulled out a heavy winter coat. “With each autumn rain comes more cold. Now the nights are no different from winter—the dampness penetrates to the bone. Let A’Lei wear more layers.”
Hu Shanwei deliberately put on a stern face. “What about me? A’Lei is cold, but I’m not?”
Mu Chun laughed and hugged his wife. “I am your heavy coat.”
The two of them, with combined ages approaching ninety, could still exchange such corny sweet talk.
The married couple left quietly through the back door. The carriage drove into the treasure ship factory, where inside they were building the keel of a large ship. Under the continuous drizzle of the night, the keel looked like the skeletal remains of an ancient dragon—flesh stripped away to reveal the bone framework, naturally possessing an inviolable dignity.
This was Hu Shanwei’s first time visiting the treasure ship factory, and she was quite shocked. Those who knew would recognize it as a ship; those who didn’t might mistake it for a palace under construction.
Mu Chun said, “According to A’Lei, this ship is so large you could race horses and grow vegetables on it, like a large mansion with several courtyards.”
Mu Chun sighed, as if conceding defeat, yet with some reluctance. “A’Lei has grown up. Those little toys from before can’t attract her anymore. She’s reached the age where she wants to accomplish something. I think I’ve completed my mission of playing with her—it’s time to let go.”
After speaking, a wave of bittersweet emotion surged up. Fortunately, Hu Shanwei gripped his hand in time, comforting him: “When children grow up, they all have to fly from the nest, building their own homes branch by branch and leaf by leaf. In the end, it’s the old married couple accompanying each other to the very last moment of life.”
Mu Chun gripped Hu Shanwei’s hand in return, suppressing the bittersweet feeling. “I want to let go before A’Lei starts finding me annoying. I refuse to be that kind of parent who’s bothersome, only knows how to control their children, and only cares about their own pleasure.”
Mu Chun said with slight grievance, “I won’t wait for A’Lei to come home for dinner together anymore, hmph!”
At his age, Mu Chun still had a stubborn temperament. Only Hu Shanwei could tolerate and coax him. “Alright, alright, I won’t wait for her either. We two will eat together. If she wants to come home for dinner, she can have the kitchen light a separate fire for her.”
Mu Chun raised his hand in agreement, then after thinking, added, “But we should still guarantee four dishes and one soup—A’Lei is still growing.”
He ultimately couldn’t bear to neglect his daughter.
Hu Shanwei understood Mu Chun’s little thoughts and didn’t expose them. The married couple walked hand in hand toward A’Lei’s office study, where lights were burning brightly—she must be working overtime.
When they almost reached the door, Mu Chun shushed Hu Shanwei. “Let’s be quiet and catch her by surprise, give her a scare.”
Only Mu Chun at his age could do such shameless things. However, as long as it didn’t involve bottom lines, Hu Shanwei was willing to indulge her husband. “Alright.”
The old married couple moved like thieves, tiptoeing to the doorway. The autumn wind and rain were bone-chillingly cold, so doors and windows were tightly shut. Wooden houses had poor soundproofing, so the two could clearly hear the voices inside.
“No, no, I said no more.” It was A’Lei’s voice.
“How is this enough? You’re having dinner and late-night snacks together. Here, work hard to add more food.” It was a man’s hoarse voice in the midst of voice change.
Mu Chun immediately changed expression, clenched his fist, and with his strong body crashed toward the inside. The door opened. “Who’s there!”
Hearing the commotion at the door, the person inside swiftly drew a ring-pommel sword and protected A’Lei behind him. “Who—Uncle Mu?”
It was Prince Han’s heir, Zhu Zhanhe.
“Your Highness the Heir?” Mu Chun asked, “Why is Your Highness here?”
“Bringing dinner and late-night snacks for Sister A’Lei. The food at the treasure ship factory isn’t good.” Zhu Zhanhe sheathed his sword and laughed heartily, very familiarly moving out two chairs. “Uncle Mu, Palace Supervisor Hu, please sit. There’s still red bean tang yuan here—would you like a bowl to warm yourselves?”
Mu Chun was stunned: What’s with this kid? Acting like the host entertaining guests—this is my daughter’s territory!
A’Lei served a bowl of red bean tang yuan to Mu Chun, then served half a bowl to Hu Shanwei—she knew Hu Shanwei was afraid of gaining weight and didn’t dare eat much.
Hu Shanwei asked Zhu Zhanhe, “It’s so late—why hasn’t Your Highness returned to Prince Han’s mansion?”
Zhu Zhanhe said, “Father scolded me again. I got impatient listening and ran out. I found a place where Father couldn’t find me to spend the night randomly. When the palace gates open tomorrow, I’ll hide in the palace. Father can’t very well drag me out of the palace.”
With Emperor Yongle on campaign and without his grandfather’s protection, Zhu Zhanhe’s days were obviously becoming difficult.
Mu Chun wasn’t as gentle and soft-spoken as Hu Shanwei, saying coldly, “So Your Highness is hiding at A’Lei’s place?”
And he has the nerve to say he’s spending the night here!
Did A’Lei agree to this?
Did I agree to this?
This bastard! He deserves to be beaten and scolded by Prince Han. Good beating! Best if he’s beaten so he can’t leave Prince Han’s mansion.
Zhu Zhanhe shook his head, pointing at the room full of drawings. “This place is too messy—how could anyone sleep here? I’ll go sleep in Eunuch Zheng He’s room later.”
Oh, now he’s being picky. Daughter-protecting maniac Mu Chun came online, saying, “How is this messy? I clearly see it’s orderly within the chaos, very good indeed.”
These words made even A’Lei feel embarrassed, and she obediently emptied the trash baskets piled up like mountains in the room.
A’Lei pointed at the counting rods, compass, ruler, and other objects on the table. “Sister, brother-in-law, I need to work through the night calculating some numbers. Tomorrow I have to give them to the carpenters to craft wooden implements according to measurements for reinforcing the keel. There’s a bed here—I’ll sleep at the treasure ship factory tonight and won’t go home. I was just about to send someone home with a message, and you happened to come see me.”
Just as Hu Shanwei was about to speak, Mu Chun pressed her hand and said, “Since you enjoy doing this, we both support you. Since time is tight and you have to turn in the work tomorrow, sleep here to avoid the exhaustion of running back and forth.”
“Your sister has tomorrow off, and we’ll both stay here to keep you company. Tomorrow we’ll go hunting in the mountains together.”
A’Lei looked troubled. “But… I only have one bed here.”
Mu Chun said, “You and your sister can sleep on the bed. I’ll sleep on the floor.”
Mu Chun glanced at Zhu Zhanhe from the corner of his eye. “I’ll watch over you all.”