Is the Director General Groveling for His Highness Again? - Chapter 2

“Director, you’ve arrived quite late.”

Xie Yu finished removing his makeup backstage and changed his clothes. It wasn’t even dinner time yet; he had only squeezed in a brief window to visit the opera garden. Now, he had to head straight to the palace to see Xie Su.

Xie Su was Xie Yu’s adoptive godfather. As the Director of the Ceremonial Management Office, he held immense power. With the current Emperor perpetually plagued by illness, Xie Su practically ruled the court with an iron fist. Even though Xie Yu controlled the Eastern Depot, he was still no match for him.

Fu Zhen accompanied him all the way to the gates of Xie Su’s manor. Xie Yu signaled for him to wait outside.

“If I’m not out in half an hour, come in and find me.”

Every time Xie Yu visited Xie Su’s residence, he left Fu Zhen outside as a precaution, ensuring someone would be ready to react if something went wrong inside.

“Yes, Master.”

“The young master is here. The Master has been waiting for you for a long time. Please, come in.”

Xie Yu didn’t engage in small talk. He followed the servant directly to Xie Su’s study.

“Your son offers his respects, Godfather. May I ask why you summoned me?”

Though a smile was pinned to Xie Yu’s face, his eyes betrayed a flicker of suppressed loathing. Yet, his posture, bent low in a formal bow, was impeccable. No one could find a single flaw in his etiquette.

Behind a heavy curtain sat the old eunuch. Two young maidservants knelt by his side, massaging his legs and shoulders. They didn’t even flinch when Xie Yu entered.

Xie Su didn’t bother opening his eyes, simply luxuriating in the girls’ service. He left Xie Yu standing there for the duration of an incense stick before “waking” leisurely and gesturing for the girls to pull back the curtain.

“Fine. You may rise.”

“Today is the Third Prince’s birthday. Did you go to sing for him again?”

Xie Yu smiled faintly. He waved the two girls away and stepped forward, half-kneeling beside Xie Su to take over their work. His movements were practiced—neither too heavy nor too light. If one couldn’t see the chilling coldness in Xie Yu’s lowered gaze, they might truly believe this was a scene of a devoted son and a loving father.

“Godfather knows that His Highness loves the opera. Every year for his birthday, I prepare a performance as a gift.”

Xie Su leaned back on the small couch and shifted his weight. His withered, skeletal hand reached out without warning, grabbing Xie Yu by the chin and forcing his head up.

“Do you think anyone is blind to your little schemes? The rumors are all over the streets. But do you really think the Third Prince would look at you? A piece of ‘damaged goods’ dreaming of love… he’s just looking for a bit of novelty, that’s all.”

Xie Su’s words were merciless, his contempt blatant. His thumb rubbed restlessly and uncomfortably against Xie Yu’s cheek. Xie Yu kept his head tilted back, a thin, unreadable smile playing on his lips as he submitted to the touch.

“Godfather is right. What do people like us eunuchs, know about love? It’s just that, besides serving you, I also want to taste something different. Something… strong. A younger flavor.”

Xie Yu’s voice grew bolder, his tone increasingly provocative. The grip on his chin tightened until it reached a point of sharp pain; it would surely leave a bruise.

“Ah, my son has grown up. He wants to fly on his own,” Xie Su sneered. “Just remember, no matter how high you fly, don’t forget how you got your wings. Even if the Third Prince has no real power, he is still royalty. If he ever found out about your body. even if he didn’t find you ‘filthy,’ he would surely.”

Xie Su didn’t finish the sentence, but he had already struck Xie Yu’s Achilles’ heel. The words were foul, but they were the truth. If His Highness ever found out…

At that thought, Xie Yu’s breathing faltered. Fear and panic surged in his chest. Unwilling to lose face in front of Xie Su, he forced his emotions down, instantly masking his distress with a fawning, pleading smile.

“Godfather, you know me. I grew up at your side. No one knows me better than you. If not for your patronage, how could I hold my current position? Surely you still care for your son?”

Xie Yu felt sick to his stomach, yet he continued to pour out flattery.

Xie Su let out a hearty laugh. Seeing Xie Yu bowed and be submissive once more satisfied him. He patted Xie Yu’s official hat condescendingly.

“A father always cares for his son. Just be obedient.”

Just then, a knock came from the door. Fu Zhen’s voice called out from the hallway.

“Grandmaster, the Eastern Depot has sent word. There is an urgent matter requiring the Director’s attention.”

Xie Su glanced at Xie Yu. He saw through the little trick immediately but chose not to expose it.

“Fine. Since you have business, go. But be warned: the Third Prince specifically invited that brat from the Lin family to watch the opera. He likely has something in mind. Watch yourself.”

“Yes. Your son takes his leave.”

Finally escaping Xie Su’s grasp, Xie Yu saw that the sky had already turned dark. He urgently ordered Fu Zhen to drive the carriage back home.

“Master, shouldn’t we go straight to the Third Prince’s manor? Going back home first will take quite some time,” Fu Zhen noted.

The moment Xie Yu stepped into the carriage, he began scrubbing his face relentlessly with a handkerchief. Hearing Fu Zhen’s remark, he rolled his eyes.

“What are you saying? I’ve come from Xie Su’s place; I’m covered in his foul stench! If I don’t wash myself clean, how can I see His Highness? Stop talking and hurry up!”

Fu Zhen grumbled internally: There’s no smell at all.  Master is being too paranoid. But he didn’t dare say it aloud, simply nodding and urging the horses forward.

Xie Yu was fuming, his expression dark and his tongue sharp with rage. “That old corpse… sooner or later, he’ll die by my hand.”

Xie Yu had only moved out to establish his own residence when he was promoted to the rank of Bingbi Eunuch. Before that, Xie Su had refused to let him go. It wasn’t until Xie Yu held genuine power that he managed to break away.

While he lived in Xie Su’s manor, the sordid abuses common among the eunuchs were often forced upon him. Since Xie Su held his secrets, he had never dared to resist.

“Faster! Don’t keep His Highness waiting!”

With one command from the Director, the entire household was thrown into a frenzy. His bath had been prepared in advance. Fu Zhen followed behind to serve him. Jasmine-infused water was added to the tub the scent was light and elegant. Since gaining his independence, Xie Yu had become obsessed with cleanliness; he insisted on jasmine water for his baths and wouldn’t wear any clothes unless they had been meticulously scented with incense.

He was incredibly difficult to please.

Fu Zhen kept these thoughts to himself. He knew how much his Master valued the Third Prince. Every time Xie Yu went to see him, he prepared as if he were a concubine getting ready to spend the night with the Emperor. It was a level of meticulousness that bordered on the obsessive.

Even then, he was terrified of being rejected.

“Master, how is the water temperature?”

Xie Yu didn’t answer. He took a face cloth soaked in jasmine water and scrubbed his face repeatedly.

“Master! What are you doing? Stop! Your face is all red. you’re going to.”

Seeing him like this, Fu Zhen guessed what had happened. He felt a pang of pity for his Master.

“Fu Zhen, look at me. Am I dirty?”

Xie Yu stared into the mirror, inspecting himself with terrifying focus. The spot Xie Su had touched was rubbed raw, nearly swollen, but Xie Yu didn’t seem to notice the pain. He only stared at that small patch of skin, his voice trembling with insecurity.

“Master, you’re not dirty. You’re very clean! But your face is rubbed red now. Please stop, if His Highness sees it and asks what happened, it will be hard to explain…”

This was the only argument that could reach him. Xie Yu stopped instantly. The anxiety in his eyes intensified, and he hurriedly told Fu Zhen to bring his powders.

Most high-ranking eunuchs in the Forbidden City were fond of cosmetics, but Xie Yu was especially so. He had more powders and creams at home than the palace concubines, in every scent imaginable. He took his favorite jasmine powder and applied layer after layer, desperate to hide the redness.

“Master, that’s enough. Any more and it will be too thick.”

Xie Yu was already a remarkably handsome man. Perhaps due to being castrated at a young age, his skin was exceptionally pale and smooth, with almost no body hair. Usually, a light dusting of powder was enough to make him look stunning.

Now, however, he seemed possessed by a psychological ailment. He felt “wrong,” as if his face were still tainted.

“Is it really enough? Fu Zhen, look closely. Can you really not see it anymore? Do I… do I look good? Will His Highness. like it?”

The last few words were a mumble, a whisper to himself. Fu Zhen didn’t need to hear them clearly to know what he was saying. Aside from the Prince’s affairs, nothing else mattered to his Master.

“Master, you truly look beautiful. We should leave now.”

“Oh. Right. Yes.”

Xie Yu had specifically asked Fu Zhen to prepare a set of light, casual robes. The outer layer was slightly sheer, offering a hazy glimpse of the inner garment beneath.

All the way there, Xie Yu pestered Fu Zhen, asking if the outfit was appropriate and if he looked alright. Exhausted by the questioning, Fu Zhen could only keep repeating that he looked perfect.

When they finally arrived at the Liang Wang Manor, Fu Zhen felt a sense of relief. The carriage pulled up at the back gate.

Although the rumors of their “special” relationship were widespread, they couldn’t exactly have the Director of the Eastern Depot stroll through the front gates in the middle of the night. It would only provide more ammunition for their political enemies.

However, Director Xie didn’t care about which gate he used. As long as the Prince was willing to see him, any door would do.

Fu Zhen stayed outside as usual. If Xie Yu didn’t come out within four hours, it meant he wouldn’t be returning that night.

The old housekeeper led Xie Yu to Qin Hechuan’s bedroom. Xie Yu happily slipped the housekeeper a silver ingot. Before entering, he meticulously straightened his clothes one last time. Seeing everything was in order, he announced himself.

“Your Highness, your servant Xie Yu requests an audience.”

“Director Xie, please come in.”

Xie Yu was always perfectly disciplined in front of Qin Hechuan, terrified that any lapse in etiquette would displease him.

He knelt on both knees by the bedside. His soft, gauzy robes pooled on the floor, making his silhouette appear even more slender and supple.

Curtains hung around Qin Hechuan’s bed, layers upon layers of silk gauze. Xie Yu didn’t dare look up. It wasn’t until he heard a suppressed moan from within that his face went pale. He knew exactly what the Prince was doing.

“Fine. Get out.”

Qin Hechuan spoke to the young male entertainer on the bed. Xie Yu felt a sharp pang of jealousy, yet he remained prostrate on the floor, waiting for his orders.

The gauze curtain was pulled back. To Xie Yu’s surprise, the room didn’t smell the way he expected, but the Prince’s robes were indeed hanging open, revealing his pale, firm chest.

“Director, you’ve arrived quite late.”

Qin Hechuan saw the way Xie Yu was glaring at the departing entertainer and knew he was jealous. A smirk played on his lips. He made no move to get up; he simply reached out a hand.

Xie Yu looked bashful, but his hands didn’t hesitate. Following Qin Hechuan’s lead, he climbed onto the bed.

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