Chapter 6: Appointed as Chief Eunuch
“Hmph, they’re just four little brats—what kingly airs do they have to put on?” Long Chen had no fear of Li Chengtong. When the Duke of the Nation’s Defense was still in power, even the Emperor of Southern Liang had to bow his head. What did these four princes amount to?
Though Li Chengtong bore the title of Crown Prince and had already reached the Martial Sovereign realm, Long Chen’s scorn, coming from a mere eunuch, made him seethe with rage.
A gust of icy wind swept through as Li Chengtong rose to his feet, his aura surging and pressing down on Long Chen, leaving him struggling to breathe. In the past, Long Chen could have ignored him, but now his cultivation was crippled, his Yin Cultivation Technique barely begun. Under Li Chengtong’s oppressive might, Long Chen’s feet sank into the floorboards.
“Your Highness, this is a battle of words, not of martial strength!”
The Empress’s words swept through the hall like a fragrant breeze, instantly dispersing Li Chengtong’s overwhelming aura. Long Chen felt relief flood his body.
How intoxicatingly fragrant this Empress is...
Unable to help himself, Long Chen stole a glance at the Empress—her mature allure, her long legs, her supple, slender waist...
With a cold snort, Li Chengtong slowly sat back down.
“Enough. It’s my turn. Are you ready?”
Long Chen deliberately pointed to the white silk hanging from the beam, causing Yu Shinan to spit another mouthful of blood in fury.
Turning to face Empress Luo Xi, Long Chen picked up a purple brush, drew a circle, and then wrote five characters outside the circle: “Can attain clarity of heart.”
He presented the paper to the assembly, saying, “Old Yu, is this your answer?”
The Crown Prince Li Chengtong glanced at it and sneered, “Tricks of a petty mind. Lord Yu, answer him!”
The Fourth Prince, Li Wenji, came over, studied it, and remained silent.
Yu Shinan stared at the paper, his heart sinking into despair.
This was no ordinary phrase. No matter which character one started with, the five formed a complete, cyclical sentence:
Can attain clarity of heart.
Attain clarity of heart, can.
Clarity of heart can attain.
Of heart can attain clarity.
Can attain clarity of heart.
“Marvelous!” Yu Shinan exclaimed, coughed up yet another mouthful of blood, and fainted dead away.
He had no answer for it.
“It’s just a simple sentence. Why can’t anyone answer? Fourth brother, you try!”
Li Chengtong was unwilling to accept defeat. How could such a plain sentence infuriate Yu Shinan to the point of collapse?
Li Wenji shook his head slightly. “Brother, no matter which word you start with, it’s always a complete sentence.”
Only now did Li Chengtong realize the subtlety within.
“Yu the old traitor has fainted. Does anyone else wish to try?” Long Chen’s gaze swept coldly over the four princes. He swore he would one day storm Jinling and crush their skulls beneath his foot.
Li Wenji looked up, meeting Long Chen’s venomous glare, puzzled. Why does this eunuch hate me so? That look… it feels so familiar.
No one in the Liang delegation spoke. Imperial physicians rushed to treat Yu Shinan.
“Crown Prince, if you cannot answer, then you lose,” the Empress declared delightedly, rising from her phoenix throne and descending with stately grace, her imperial robe trailing behind, imposing and majestic. She walked to Long Chen’s side, scrutinized him, then smiled at Li Chengtong.
Yu Shinan had collapsed, Li Wenji was helpless—the Southern Liang mission had suffered a crushing defeat in this contest of words.
“You win,” Li Chengtong admitted bitterly.
The Fourth Princess, Empress Luo Xi, seized the moment. “Then it’s time to return Linjiang City, is it not?”
Linjiang City had once belonged to Eastern Zhou, but was seized by the Duke of the Nation’s Defense and turned into Southern Liang’s stronghold against Eastern Zhou.
In that great battle, the Long family of six fought the Empress herself, shaking the heavens and the world.
Li Chengtong’s expression darkened. “This matter is of great consequence. I must report to my father before I can respond.”
Long Chen sneered. “If you intend to renege, just say so. Li Chengdao has always been a common scoundrel.”
Li Chengtong flew into a rage at this, smashing his fist toward Long Chen. “You court death!”
With the power of a Martial Sovereign and fueled by hatred, his punch was lethal—Long Chen would surely die if struck.
But the Empress’s sleeve flicked lightly, sending Li Chengtong stumbling back. She rebuked him sternly, “Stand down at once!”
Long Chen retreated to his seat.
The Empress’s skill was unrivaled in the world. Li Chengtong, formidable though he was, was no match for her.
Li Chengtong pointed at Long Chen, his voice venomous. “Hand over this criminal, Empress! He insulted my father—I will take him back with me!”
The Empress laughed coldly. “He is a eunuch of Eastern Zhou. Southern Liang has no right to discipline him.”
“You lost the wager. Return Linjiang City at once. If Southern Liang breaks its word, the world will only mock you.”
Li Chengtong, beside himself with rage, was restrained by Li Wenji. They had lost the contest of words, and with the Empress present, could not win by force.
“Linjiang City remains where it is. If you have the guts, come and take it yourself!”
With that, Li Chengtong led Yu Shinan and his retinue from the Ming Palace, hurrying back to Southern Liang in disgrace.
Watching the defeated delegation slink away, Empress Luo Xi turned to her mother, eager to claim credit. “Mother, I have rendered great service!”
The Second Princess, Empress Xingwan, looked disappointed. She had intended to shine in this contest, only to be overshadowed by Empress Luo Xi. Though Long Chen had provided the answer, he was, after all, Empress Luo Xi’s eunuch.
The Empress was well pleased. “Not bad. You’ve found yourself a most capable eunuch. What is his name?”
Empress Luo Xi, uncertain, turned to ask, “What is your name?”
Long Chen bowed and replied, “Your Majesty, I am Little Dragon.”
The Empress asked meaningfully, “Do you bear a grudge against the Li royal family?”
Long Chen answered at once, “Eastern Zhou and Southern Liang are enemies. As a subject of Eastern Zhou, I am sworn to a blood feud with Southern Liang.”
The Empress smiled and did not pursue the matter further.
“For helping Eastern Zhou win the contest, I appoint Little Dragon as Chief Steward of the Inner Palace.”
Long Chen rejoiced inwardly. As Chief Steward, he would have access to every corner of the harem—especially the baths. The thought alone was intoxicating. He could now inspect the palace maids’ quarters at will!
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
At that moment, the Harem Director, Ying Feng, objected. “Your Majesty, the Chief Steward of the Harem has always been a woman. Appointing a eunuch breaks with tradition.”
With the Empress ruling Eastern Zhou, nearly all harem officials were women, except for a few posts the maids refused to handle, such as the purification chambers. Moreover, the harem was previously under Ying Feng’s authority—Long Chen’s promotion effectively stole her power.
The Empress’s phoenix eyes narrowed. “Must I abide by tradition in all things?”
Ying Feng hastily bowed. “I would not dare, Your Majesty.”
Watching the Southern Liang envoys retreat, the Empress was in fine spirits. “We shall hold a banquet tonight to celebrate.”
Eastern Zhou’s victory in the contest of words was unprecedented. Southern Liang’s scholars and warriors were famed throughout the land—especially their mastery of literature. No other nation could match them, so the Empress had every reason to celebrate.
The court dispersed. Empress Luo Xi, with Xuan Yi and Qing Yue, returned to her palace, Long Chen following behind.
The Empress, accompanied by Ying Feng, entered her private chambers and commanded, “Investigate Little Dragon’s background thoroughly!”
Ying Feng was secretly pleased. “Does Your Majesty suspect him of being a spy?”
The Empress smiled coldly. “No. Little Dragon harbors a hatred for Southern Liang that cannot be feigned. The desire to kill is not so easily hidden in one’s eyes. Nevertheless, his background is not so simple. Look into it carefully.”
The look Long Chen had given the four princes of Southern Liang spoke volumes.
Ying Feng, her heart filled with suspicion, replied, “As you command, Your Majesty.”
Long Chen followed Empress Luo Xi back to the Western Palace and into her bedchamber. She sat upon the couch, while Xuan Yi and Qing Yue closed the doors behind them.
Empress Luo Xi, seated at the center, gazed at Long Chen with sparkling eyes and a mischievous smile. Long Chen’s heart sank with foreboding.