"Reporting to the Emperor, Princess Yijia mentioned it, but the Empress Dowager refused."
The Emperor waved his hand, signaling the Hidden Guard to retreat.
That old woman knew her place.
She caused his mother’s death; letting her be the Empress Dowager for so many years, enjoying wealth and prosperity, she should be content.
The Empress Dowager called Eunuch An to her side, "Little Anzi!"
"My days are numbered, what are your plans for the future?" the Empress Dowager asked calmly.
Eunuch An’s eyes immediately reddened.
"Empress Dowager, I... I..." Tears fell, and he choked with sobs.
"Would you be willing to serve Jinnian?"
Eunuch An raised his head and looked at the Empress Dowager upon hearing this, "Empress Dowager?"
"Among so many children, so many younger ones, she is the only one who pleases me. She doesn’t vie for power, doesn’t act arrogantly, is neither submissive nor overbearing. No matter the time, she has a kind heart. She remembers my kindness and brought me these Zitan Buddha Beads, but little does she know that I can no longer enjoy such blessings," the Empress Dowager said as she caressed the beads.
"Empress Dowager, I am willing to follow you!"
The Empress Dowager smiled, "I wish I could take you with me, but the girl is too pure-hearted. The large Princess Residence houses many demons and monsters; without someone to manage it, it would be chaotic. I want you to serve her, not to enjoy yourself, and she has done you a great favor. You must protect her completely. Do you understand?"
"I understand, I will follow the Empress Dowager’s arrangements!"
"In that case, go pack up. In a few days, I will let you leave the palace!"
Eunuch An was willing to serve Yun Jinnian.
Upon returning to his residence, he called his recognized son, Bu Zhi, and gave him some instructions.
Eunuch An was cunning and resourceful; his son must have some abilities.
Bu Zhi was happy for Eunuch An, "Godfather, take me with you!"
Eunuch An smiled, "You rascal, stay here and serve the Empress Dowager well, understand?"
"I understand, I will do as Godfather says!"
Eunuch An gave many things to Bu Zhi, "Take and use these, but don’t get overconfident just because you have some cleverness. Remember, there are many smarter than you in this palace. Understand?"
Bu Zhi giggled, "Godfather, I have something nice, I’ll get it for you!"
"What good thing?" Eunuch An asked.
"I won’t tell you yet. I’ll get it and you’ll see!"
Bu Zhi went to get the thing, but when he returned, he saw Eunuch An hanging from a beam, and was startled, "Godfather!"
He quickly dropped what he was holding, rushed forward to hold Eunuch An’s legs, and brought him down, but Eunuch An was already gone.
At three years old, he entered the palace, suffering many hardships and beatings.
Starving, freezing, only this person held his hand and said, "Call me father, I will protect you," but now, this person was dead.
He knew that Godfather remembered Princess Yijia’s great kindness and was about to leave the palace to serve her. There was no way he would commit suicide.
Then it must be murder.
In this palace, only one person could silently and daringly kill the Empress Dowager’s chief eunuch— the Emperor.
But when others asked, Bu Zhi always said Eunuch An hanged himself.
The Empress Dowager, upon learning of Eunuch An’s death, lay in bed, silent for a long time, then summoned Bu Zhi, "Are you Little Anzi’s godson?"
"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, yes, I am!"
Bu Zhi’s voice was hoarse, his eyes swollen from crying.
The Empress Dowager felt sorrow too, her long-term attendant was suddenly gone.
"You arrange your godfather’s funeral yourself, give him a proper burial!"
The Empress Dowager waved her hand, signaling Bu Zhi to leave.
The Emperor was starting to target her old servants; soon it would be her turn.