Crossdress Ch97

Xu Yan was just a lowly eunuch in the cleaning department. He was content with his lot, diligent and hardworking, never dreaming of rising to great heights. He lived quietly in this remote corner of the palace. 

Others around him secretly schemed and pulled strings, hoping to secure a better position while they were still young, even serving an unfavored concubine would be better than sweeping floors for a lifetime. But Xu Yan had no interest in the palace nobles. He saw through the dangers: serving those powerful figures was perilous. A single misstep could anger one’s master, leading to punishment, or worse, the loss of one’s life. 

Such stories were not uncommon in the palace. Though Xu Yan had never witnessed them firsthand, he often heard the palace maids and eunuchs whispering about them, how a maid in one palace had her fingers cut off for breaking a noble concubine’s vase, or how a eunuch in another hall had his salary withheld for a year for serving tea late. 

The most terrifying tale was of a guard who, at a recent palace banquet, had accidentally offended the crown prince. He was dragged away and beaten with eighty heavy strokes, then wrapped in a straw mat and thrown out of the palace. 

The crown prince was known for his dark, violent temper, his harsh punishments, and his unpredictable moods. Serving him was like walking on a knife’s edge. Though Xu Yan had never seen the prince, the rumors painted a terrifying picture, a monstrous figure with a ferocious, beast-like face. Such a dangerous person was best kept at a distance.

Xu Yan had entered the palace as a child and grown up within its walls. He had long planned that, in another ten years, when he turned thirty, he would immediately apply to leave the palace. A nameless eunuch from the cleaning department would have no trouble leaving at the proper age, and no one would care how he lived afterward. Once outside, the secret of his body would remain hidden forever.

When he was only five or six, he had been taken to the purification chamber to be castrated. The moment he saw the gleaming blade, he fainted in terror. The official in charge, seeing how frail and thin he was, like a weak kitten, feared that the procedure might kill him. 

In a rare moment of mercy, he ordered Xu Yan to be sent back. But by mistake, his name was recorded as having already undergone the procedure, and he was assigned to the cleaning department. When he woke and discovered he was still intact, he was both shocked and overjoyed. 

He dared not reveal his secret, hiding it carefully, avoiding others when changing clothes or relieving himself. Others assumed his delicate appearance and shyness were simply part of his nature, never suspecting the truth. 

As he grew older, his slender frame and smooth, beardless face made him appear even more refined than those who had truly been castrated. No one ever doubted him. Over time, Xu Yan relaxed his guard. As long as he could hold out until he left the palace, no one would discover his deception. His life and his secret would both be safe.

But his peaceful days came to an abrupt end. The emperor issued a decree to select a consort for the crown prince, sending shockwaves through the court. 

The Eastern Palace bustled with activity, receiving guests day and night. Even the cleaning department was ordered to send people to assist. Xu Yan, though timid, had no desire to join the commotion, no matter how much extra pay was offered. 

But the day before the assignment, Shen Nanli, the young eunuch who shared his room, fell seriously ill and couldn’t get out of bed. The number of people assigned couldn’t be changed, and after Shen Nanli begged him all night, Xu Yan couldn’t bear to leave him in the lurch. He reluctantly took Shen Nanli’s place.

The moment Xu Yan stepped through the gates of the Eastern Palace, he was stunned by the sight before him. Towering vermilion walls were etched with faint golden cloud patterns, and the glaze-tiled roofs shimmered with iridescent hues. 

The grand halls, supported by white jade steps, seemed to float among the clouds. Outside the halls were lush gardens, layered rockeries, and winding hot springs steaming gently. It was like stepping into a celestial paradise. Xu Yan couldn’t help but widen his eyes, eager to take it all in.

He was assigned to tend to the flowers in the garden. These flowers were nurtured with water from the hot springs and were the most precious varieties, selected with great care. They were delicate and required constant attention, every few hours, they needed to be watered with the spring water to prevent wilting. 

Even at night, the eunuchs had to wake up to water each flower. That evening, they called to each other as they rose, hastily throwing on their outer robes and grabbing their buckets to head to the garden. 

Xu Yan, still half-asleep, yawned widely and filled his bucket from the hot spring pool. But he had filled it too full and couldn’t lift it, so he poured half back before carrying it to his assigned area. He carefully watered each flower, one ladle at a time.

“One ladle, two ladles…” Xu Yan crouched down, cupping a blooming flower in his hands and inhaling its fragrance. “Is that enough? Let’s give it a little more. Three ladles…” he murmured. “Drink more, drink more…” He worked meticulously, ensuring every petal was thoroughly moistened with the spring water. He then used his fingers to spread the water droplets evenly, repeating the process three times until the soil at the roots was just slightly damp.

The others weren’t as thorough. After a few hasty ladles, they were ready to call it a night. “Xu Yan, are you coming back with us?” they asked.

“Are you done already?” Xu Yan replied.

The tall eunuch said, “No need to be so meticulous. These flowers won’t last more than two days before they’re thrown out and replaced. No matter how well we care for them, as long as they don’t wilt by tomorrow, it’s fine.”

Xu Yan protested, “But if we don’t water them properly, the edges of the petals will curl up in the sun and look ugly…”

The short one chimed in, “Who’s going to notice? His Highness has been receiving guests in the hall these past few days. He never comes to the garden. These flowers are only for us to admire, if at all.”

The tall eunuch sighed, “Suit yourself. We’re going back to sleep. Just be quiet when you return.”

With that, they left, buckets in hand. Xu Yan watched them go, hesitated for a moment, then crouched back down to continue tending to the delicate flowers before him.

Xu Yan couldn’t control what others did; he only focused on doing his own duties well. The moonlight was hazy as his busy figure moved through the flowers. After working for a long time, his clothes were smudged with dirt, and his hair and body were dusted with the fragrance of flower pollen. 

Finally, after watering all the flowers, a round head emerged from the flowerbed, swaying left and right as it rubbed against the petals before standing up. Xu Yan’s legs had gone numb from crouching. 

As he picked up the wooden bucket, preparing to leave, he suddenly heard faint voices coming from a nearby pavilion. The moonlight was obscured by dark clouds, casting everything into shadow. Xu Yan widened his eyes but could only make out vague, dark outlines. The night was dark and windy, and his instincts told him to leave quickly.

But just as he took half a step forward, a cold voice from the pavilion barked, “Who’s there?!” 

Before he could react, a gust of cold wind rushed past him, and his arm was seized in an iron grip. He was dragged into the pavilion like a kite caught in the wind. 

The force was so strong that it sent him stumbling forward, and he crashed into the dark figure sitting on the stone bench. 

The person behind him panicked and tried to intervene, but the figure in the pavilion moved first, not to kick away the suspected assassin, but to open his arms and catch Xu Yan firmly against his chest.

Everything happened so fast that Xu Yan didn’t even realize how he had gone from the flowerbed to the man’s arms. Instead of falling to the ground, he was held by the waist, his face pressed against a solid, muscular chest. A faint, lingering scent of dragon’s saliva incense wafted into his nose, enveloping him. He inhaled sharply, his head growing dizzy. The hand at his lower back steadied him as he lifted his face. In the dim light, a pair of eyes locked onto him.

Just then, the moonlight spilled into the pavilion, illuminating a face as pale as snow. The man’s cool, watery eyes widened slightly in surprise, his thick lashes trembling like raven feathers. 

The corners of his eyes reddened, his nose small and delicate, his lips full and moist, trembling slightly. They glistened as if coated in water, like the smooth, dewy pastries served from the imperial kitchen, so tempting that one might want to take a bite to see if they were just as sweet.

Though dressed in the dull gray robes of a eunuch, his beauty was striking, vibrant, alluring, and utterly captivating. 

Could this really be a eunuch? The man’s cold, narrow eyes darkened as he scrutinized Xu Yan, his gaze sweeping over him as if a hundred hands were peeling away his clothes to examine him thoroughly.

Xu Yan had never been this close to anyone before, nor had anyone ever stared at his face so intently. He squirmed uncomfortably, trying to stand upright, but the hand at his lower back held him too tightly. 

The man’s long fingers could almost encircle his entire waist, pressing through the thin undergarment, the knuckles sinking into the soft flesh. Beneath the loose outer robe, his slender, supple waist was hidden.

Xu Yan had only been in the Eastern Palace for three days, diligently tending to the flowers and rarely seeing anyone outside the garden. 

But even he could guess that these two men were no ordinary figures, they were likely trusted guards of the crown prince. 

His mind raced, and he immediately put on a pitiful expression, pleading, “Spare me, my lord! I didn’t hear anything, I swear! Please, spare me!”

The figure in front of him paused, then spoke slowly, “You don’t recognize me?”

Xu Yan blinked, “I’m just a helper sent from the cleaning department. I don’t know who you are, my lord…” His words were so sincere and pitiful that they softened even the coldest heart.

“No need to call me ‘lord,’” the figure finally loosened his grip, helping Xu Yan steady himself before smoothing out the wrinkles in his undergarment. “I’m just a guard by the crown prince’s side.”

The guard behind him couldn’t help but let out a weak gasp, but a sharp glance silenced him. Xu Yan took half a step back, quickly adjusting his clothes and wrapping his outer robe tightly around himself. He pointed to the wooden bucket and ladle on the garden path, his tone lightening slightly, “I was really just here to water the flowers. Stumbling upon you was pure coincidence. I didn’t hear anything, so if you’ll excuse me, I’ll leave you to your business…” As he spoke, he cautiously retreated.

But just as he took two steps back, the sash at his waist was suddenly yanked forward, nearly sending him tumbling back into the guard’s arms. He barely steadied himself before looking up, confusion in his eyes. The guard pulled out a gold ingot from his sleeve, casually dangling it in front of Xu Yan. Watching the way Xu Yan’s eyes followed the gold, the guard smirked slightly.

“Hold out your hand.”

Xu Yan quickly averted his gaze, even more confused. The guard took his hand and placed the gold ingot in his palm, his dark eyes fixed on him. “Can you keep tonight’s encounter a secret?”

Xu Yan, who had always been tight-lipped, nodded vigorously. “Yes, yes! I won’t tell a soul. I’ll take it to my grave!”

The heavy gold ingot dropped into his hand. “Go back now.”

Xu Yan obediently tucked the gold ingot into his robe, grabbed his wooden bucket and ladle, and ran off. Halfway through his escape, he turned back to glance at the pavilion, where two shadowy figures still lingered. He waved the ladle at them before disappearing into the night.

Back in his quarters, Xu Yan tiptoed to his cot and lay down. The others were already fast asleep. He secretly pulled out the gold ingot, running his fingers over it and even biting it to test its authenticity. Overjoyed, he clutched the precious gold nugget and fell asleep with a smile.

The next morning, before the others had even woken, they were roused by a summons. 

The tall and short eunuchs who had neglected their duties the night before were dragged into the courtyard and publicly punished with a caning. 

Only Xu Yan was rewarded and promoted, even being kept in the Eastern Palace as a minor overseer. 

Everyone around him envied Xu Yan’s good fortune, but Xu Yan was silently miserable. He didn’t want to be an overseer, nor did he want to stay in the Eastern Palace, it was far too dangerous. 

Just watering flowers last night had nearly gotten him mistaken for a spy. He feared he might earn money but lose his life in the process.

That evening, the steward sent Xu Yan fine wine and food as a reward. Xu Yan accepted with a smile in front of others, but once alone, he drowned his sorrows in drink. 

He needed to find a way to leave the Eastern Palace as soon as possible. But that was easier said than done. His promotion had been witnessed by countless eyes; there was no way to back out now. If he continued to rise in rank within the Eastern Palace, his dream of leaving at thirty would never come true.

The more Xu Yan thought about it, the more bitter he felt. 

The wine was strong, after just two cups, his head spun. He dozed off at the table, and when he woke, he found himself in unfamiliar surroundings. 

Confused, he wondered how he had ended up here instead of his quarters in the cleaning department. Stumbling out of the room, his mind still foggy, he remembered to avoid the main gate and slipped out through a side door, heading toward the secluded cleaning department.

But in his dazed state, he didn’t know how far he had wandered. After turning a corner, he suddenly collided with an ornate palanquin. Xu Yan fell hard on his backside and, too drunk to move, simply lay there and passed out.

The palanquin stopped, and someone came to check on him. Smelling the alcohol on him, their expression darkened, and they ordered their men to drag the drunkard away for punishment. But before they could lay a hand on Xu Yan, the palanquin’s curtain was suddenly drawn back from within.

Xu Yan, squinting through half-closed eyes, could only make out a tall, dark figure approaching him against the light. The shadow loomed over him like a specter, slowly enveloping him until he was completely shrouded in darkness. 

Suddenly, his body felt weightless, as if he were being gathered into a warm, safe embrace. But his eyelids were too heavy, and he couldn’t keep them open. The faint, lingering scent of incense filled his nose once more, and he finally succumbed, falling into a deep sleep.