After receiving a definite affirmation from Chu Yunyu, Tong Sui felt relieved; at least his living standards were somewhat guaranteed, and he wouldn’t starve to death at the beginning of this world.
Once he was full, he worked hard at the well, straining to draw water, going back and forth many times. The coarse hemp rope left red marks on his palms, but he finally filled enough cold water for washing up.
Tong Sui again asked the system to turn the cold well water into hot water.
System: [Alright!]
The originally icy water instantly transformed into steaming warm water, bringing some life to the cold, damp little house.
Tong Sui took off his dusty clothes and stepped into the wooden tub. The hot water swiftly flowed over his thin shoulders, and the scattered wounds on his body radiated a fine pain. Despite this, he endured the discomfort and meticulously washed his entire body.
After soaking for a long time, his pale skin reddened from the heat after he dried off, finally showing a bit of color. The clean and refreshed feeling significantly improved Tong Sui’s mood as he lay on the bed, lost in thought.
His current identity made it impossible for him to approach Rong Jin. Even if he happened to run into him, his current image and identity would spark not the slightest bit of interest in Rong Jin. The start was indeed too difficult.
Why did it have to be a child? Tong Sui felt utterly powerless; even when bullied, he lacked the strength to fight back. If it weren’t for the timely arrival of those princes, who sheltered him from a young eunuch looking for trouble, even if he had died in his current identity, it would probably have gone unnoticed.
First, he had to figure out how to get official recognition of his identity as a prince. Tong Sui’s mind was scant on helpful information, and given that the original owner was just a child, his energy was not sufficient at all.
He closed his eyes and fell asleep quickly.
The next day.
As soon as dawn broke, two uninvited guests barged into his room.
“What time is it? Aren’t you up yet?”
The quilt was ruthlessly pulled off Tong Sui, revealing two eunuchs, their wrinkled faces resembling dried orange peels, displaying an expression of contempt. “Don’t think that by flattering the eldest prince, you can act like a master.”
A dirty rag was tossed at him.
“Go clean the place! If you don’t finish cleaning today, don’t expect any rest!”
Tong Sui, still groggy from sleep, failed to dodge the rag thrown at him, leaving a red mark on his originally white cheek.
System: [How dare they come again?]
The supervising eunuch assigned by the palace after learning of Chu Yunyu’s message was startled and immediately reported to the Empress, only to receive an edict stating everything would remain as usual.
Thus, today he sent two people to keep watch over Tong Sui. On one hand, they were to ensure he worked diligently, and on the other, to limit his contact with other princes.
Consequently, the places Tong Sui cleaned daily were shifted from the princes’ residences to the more secluded Western Garden.
The two eunuchs followed Tong Sui from behind, originally bossing him around with their chins, when suddenly, one of them slipped and fell hard, dragging the other down with him. They both tumbled together, exclaiming in pain.
Tong Sui turned to look at their comical appearance, and the system remarked, [Hah! They were so arrogant earlier; they deserve this. It’s a little lesson for them!]
That fall was not light at all.
The two eunuchs, gritting their teeth, stood up and said to Tong Sui, “You better finish your work and clear this damn snow!”
As they spoke, they hobbled away.
After the supervisors were sent away, the system began to openly help Tong Sui cheat, cleaning up all the tasks he was supposed to do.
Tong Sui thanked the system.
If he had to do such heavy work alone, even if he didn’t sleep and continued until tomorrow, he wouldn’t finish.
The Western Garden was chilly and desolate; hardly anyone came around.
Tong Sui found an empty loft to rest in and asked the system to check what Rong Jin was currently doing.
Although the information he had indicated that Rong Jin was a ruthless and treacherous minister, Tong Sui found it hard to believe without seeing it for himself.
In the floating screen, a luxurious hall appeared.
Officials, both civil and military, held their tablets, their faces grim, not daring to glance around. The atmosphere was tense and serious, as if no one could dare to act recklessly under the emperor’s pressure.
The dragon throne in the center was empty.
It had been several years since the emperor last attended court.
Instead, Rong Jin sat in the chair next to the dragon throne, handling state affairs. Several memorials were laid before him, and he glanced quietly at the civil and military officials in the hall.
In mid-winter, the frost was harsh and the dew heavy.
Rong Jin looked even paler and weaker than usual, draped in a high-quality fox fur cloak. The veins on the back of his bony hands were visible, holding an exquisitely crafted warm stove.
His appearance was starkly different from the wicked demeanor rumored among the common folk, with eyes like polished ink and sharp eyebrows, looking more like a cultured scholar than a scheming minister.
Such a person stood in stark contrast against the backdrop of the treacherous court.
Yet it was precisely this kind of person who could stir up a storm.
Rong Jin lowered his head, pressing his fist to his lips as he coughed softly, the tightly drawn veins on his hand clearly visible.
A vassal in the hall immediately offered him hot tea, praising him, “Supervisor, take it easy. You work tirelessly for the nation, but you must also take care of your health.”
Rong Jin took the teacup and sipped lightly, suppressing the itch in his throat. After a pause, he said, “Last night, I heard some news from the Jin Yi Wei that kept me awake throughout the night, feeling ashamed, not realizing there were such wolfish ambitions among the ministers of our dynasty.”
As he spoke, he scanned the hall.
Everyone seemed to sense a storm approaching, not daring to make any unnecessary movements, all wishing they could bury their heads deeply into the ground.
“Minister of Revenue, what did you say last night? Do you remember?”
With his name called out, the Minister of Revenue’s face paled, cold sweat breaking out, but he forced himself to remain calm and replied, “I—I do not understand the Supervisor’s meaning.”