Chapter 24: Wholehearted Devotion
At fifteen, Fu Xun went to the northwest to lead troops. He liked training and raising hawks.
In the past, the Duke of Ding’s mansion and the northwest military camp both had hawk houses. After ascending the throne, he brought the hawk house into the palace.
When Han Min returned, Fu Xun was feeding the hawks under the corridor.
Wei Huan stood nearby, holding a wooden tray with a porcelain plate of raw meat.
As Han Min approached, Fu Xun just gave the last piece of rabbit meat to Cang Ying, the hawk.
He wiped his hands with a cloth and reached out to Turnip Head.
Fu Xun nudged the hawk toward Han Min’s arm. The hawk, as if understanding, perched there obediently.
Its feathers hadn’t fully grown back yet, but it was energetic.
Fu Xun’s gaze fell on the bundle Han Min had brought back. “The Liu family sent you something.”
Han Min looked up at him.
He seemed to know everything.
Well, considering the items were handed over right at the palace gate, how could he not know?
Han Min nodded. “Yes.”
Fu Xun asked again, “What things can’t be found in the palace that needed to be specially sent here?”
“Just some clothes and a few snacks.”
“The Liu family made clothes for you?”
“What’s wrong?”
“Old Madam Liu is old and can’t sew. Lady Liu wouldn’t specially make clothes for you. Who made them?”
“It’s…”
Han Min paused briefly, then realized.
The Liu household had few women. Liu Ting had an older sister and a younger sister. The older sister married Han Min’s uncle, and the younger sister was only fifteen, unmarried.
It wasn’t convenient.
At the time, when he first saw Liu Ting, he was so happy he forgot about it.
Han Min said, “I’ll return the items in a few days.”
Fu Xun was satisfied.
Then, Eunuch Yang called Han Min to take some medicine.
Han Min went over, while Little Jizi stayed behind holding the bundle.
Fu Xun asked lightly, “Do you have something to say?”
Little Jizi lowered his eyes. “Just now, Master Han’s friend asked Master Han to move out of the palace. I guessed Master Han might mention it to Your Majesty tonight. I didn’t know whether I should…”
Fu Xun handed the hawk in his hands to Wei Huan: “You shouldn’t.”
Little Jizi was momentarily stunned.
Fu Xun brushed dust off his sleeve and said coldly: “Since I assigned you to Han Min, how could you tell others about his matters? I sent you to serve him, not to watch him.”
Realizing his mistake, Little Jizi quickly knelt and apologized: “I know my fault.”
Fu Xun didn’t look at him again, striding back into the hall.
Wei Huan sighed and patted Little Jizi’s shoulder to comfort him: “It’s no big deal. Go apologize to Brother Han. As long as he doesn’t mind, His Majesty won’t either.”
He passed Turnip Head forward. “Here, give the hawk back to Brother Han. He’s very kind.”
After handing over the hawk, Wei Huan followed Fu Xun inside.
Fu Xun sat on the couch, reading a book. Hearing the movement, he didn’t look up. “That little eunuch, what’s his background?”
Wei Huan understood, cupped his fists, and said: “I’ll find out.”
Soon he returned.
“Ten years ago, there was a great flood in Jinzhou. He came to Yong’an with his parents. Later, both parents died. At eight, his uncle and aunt sold him into the palace.”
Fu Xun turned a page. “No family after that?”
“None. But after entering the palace, he worked in the kitchens. A young palace maid from his hometown treated him well. She was a few years older, and they became sworn siblings.”
“And the maid?”
“She was good-looking. One day, the Duke of Gong entered the palace, saw her, and requested her from the late emperor. Later, Eunuch Yang got caught in a heavy rain in the kitchen once. The boy served him so attentively that Eunuch Yang took him as an apprentice and brought him to Funing Palace.”
No wonder.
He had been scheming.
Eunuch Yang climbed the ranks steadily, step by step, but today played a risky move.
Lately, he had been close to Han Min, probably guessing the new emperor would handle the Duke of Gong soon. So he sought a reward from Fu Xun early, using Han Min’s matter to bring his sister out of the Duke of Gong’s residence.
Wei Huan asked, “Your Majesty, what should we do?”
“Does Han Min know?”
“Not yet. I hinted at him, asking him to apologize. I don’t know if he’ll mention it.”
“He will. You and I pretend not to know and wait for Han Min to come to me.”
Wei Huan twitched at the corners of his mouth: “Your Majesty, I don’t think that’s proper.”
Fu Xun said calmly: “Let him help once. After that, he’ll be loyal to Han Min and there won’t be any repeats of what happened just now.”
Wei Huan understood: “Your Majesty is wise.”
Fu Xun smiled.
More importantly, Han Min would come to him—how pleasant.
In the side hall, Han Min was taking his tonic.
Eunuch Yang sat beside him, squinting, removing pits from golden jujubes.
Little Jizi hesitated outside, then resolved to enter. With a thud, he knelt before Han Min.
Han Min was startled, almost tipping the bowl.
“What’s wrong?”
“Please forgive me, Master Han.”
Little Jizi refused to rise, remaining on the ground and recounting everything from start to finish.
“I was foolish and wronged you.”
Han Min sighed and set down the bowl. “Get up. Don’t do that again. I’ll ask His Majesty about your sister, alright?”
Little Jizi stood, head bowed, remembering Wei Huan’s words, “He’s very kind,” and blushed.
Han Min picked up the bowl, drank the tonic slowly, savoring a golden jujube, and asked Eunuch Yang: “Has the emperor sent the meal yet?”
“Probably not.”
“I’ll go check.”
He rose. Eunuch Yang warned him nervously: “Be careful what you say. It’s not like before; don’t be reckless.”
“I know.”
Passing Little Jizi, Han Min said: “Stay here. Don’t go out. If anyone asks, say I punished you. It’ll explain things to His Majesty.”
“Yes,” he whispered softly. “Thank you, Master.”
Leaving the side hall, Han Min went to the main hall.
He had moved to the side hall to live a few days prior.
Sleeping in the dragon bed constantly—what a sight!
When he moved, Fu Xun gave him a small incense burner and a sword, which now hung above Han Min’s bed.
For warding off evil and aiding sleep.
Perhaps because of the incense burner and sword, or the recent tonics, Han Min’s sleep improved quickly.
After swallowing a jujube, he entered the main hall.
Wei Huan waited outside, delighted: “His Majesty is inside.”
Han Min looked at him curiously. This kid seemed oddly silly today.
Candles were lit inside. Fu Xun sat on the couch, reading.
Han Min called out, then went over, picked up a bronze snuffer, and trimmed the candle wicks.
The flames flickered.
Fu Xun gestured to a seat and asked: “You’re going to mention leaving the palace?”
Han Min sat. “This is one matter.”
He recounted what happened with Yang Mian’s sister.
Finally, he said: “the Duke of Gong has hoarded much over the years. Once punished, his residence will be searched. The servants and concubines will likely be sent to the guilds…”
Han Min looked up at him. “I hope Your Majesty grants him a favor, letting him retrieve his sister, and I…”
“What will you do?”
“I… I will serve Your Majesty wholeheartedly.”
Fu Xun remained silent.
“Without complaint?”
“Loyal?”
“Wholeheartedly devoted?”
Fu Xun closed the book. “Enough. When the Duke of Gong’s residence is searched, let him fetch his sister.”
Candlelight reflected in Han Min’s eyes as he quickly thanked him.
“Anything else to say?”
“Yes. Today I met Senior Brother Liu. He said I could move into the Liu household. But living constantly in the palace isn’t convenient. I hope to request Your Majesty’s favor to leave the palace.”
“That’s not allowed.”
“Eh?”
Fu Xun explained: “Fu Quan bears you a grudge. If you leave the palace, he may seize the chance. I keep you here for your safety.”
Han Min thought for a moment—it made sense.
Safety outweighs reputation.
If he moved to the Liu family, they might be targeted by Fu Quan as well.
Seeing him lost in thought, Fu Xun, thinking Han Min was wavering, cleared his throat and began explaining assassin techniques: sleeping and getting stabbed, walking and getting shot.
Han Min listened, alarmed, realizing his life was never safe outside the palace.
Indeed, the palace was the safest place.
He even considered staying to sleep with Fu Xun—for his own safety.
Still, Han Min had to leave the palace once.
He had something unavoidable to do.
After a few days’ delay, he obtained Fu Xun’s permission and left with his waist badge.
Wearing a large straw hat to cover his face, he skirted three or four streets.
Yong’an City was much larger and busier than Tongzhou.
Han Min held his hat, squeezing through the bustling crowd.
He ran into Baishi Bookstore.
The store was large, occupying half a street.
As soon as he entered, a clerk greeted him cheerfully: “Sir, what would you like?”
Then, leaning closer, whispered: “Pine Smoke Ink Guest’s The Emperor and the Censor, reprinted yesterday, just released today. Want a copy?”
The clerk thought Han Min’s secrecy was due to embarrassment buying a novel during mourning. He lowered his voice accordingly.
Han Min froze.
So my book is already selling in Yong’an?
Baishi Bookstore moved fast.
He steadied himself, whispering: “My surname is Han.”
“Oh, Young Master Han, one copy of The Emperor and the Censor?”
“No.” Han Min emphasized: “Do you know Pine Smoke Ink Guest’s surname? I’m Han.”
The clerk froze, then suddenly realized. He let out a loud “Ah!”
Han Min shushed him.
The clerk softened his voice, holding Han Min’s hands: “Master, honored to meet you! I wanted to ask, when will the next volume of The Censor be out?”
Han Min replied, “I don’t…”
Just then, someone cautiously called his name: “Young Master Han?”
Han Min pressed his hat with both hands, too scared to turn.
It was Wen Yan—Wen Yan called him!
The censor was calling him!
Nervous, Han Min bit his hand.
Author’s Note:
Clerk: Master! When will the next Censor volume be out?!
Min Min: Let’s ask the divine (censor) miraculous (books) snail (people).
Wen Yan truly loved Min Min and simultaneously despised him, able to see through his disguise.
