Chu Hanming smiled as he spoke, "Thank you very much, Chief Manager Wang. Without your help, I wouldn’t have managed this task so smoothly."
However, in his heart, he was cursing. If it weren’t for making his act more convincing, he wouldn’t have lingered outside the palace for so long before entering.
Chief Manager Wang didn’t sense anything amiss and pulled Chu Hanming aside, whispering, "Lord Chu, did you get it?"
Having used both threats and temptations, Chief Manager Wang was cautious. He was convinced Chu Hanming must have stolen the True Word Talisman.
As expected, Chu Hanming replied, "Keep it down. Yes, I got it, but it wasn’t easy."
Chief Manager Wang grinned widely, "I knew Lord Chu would get it done."
He stretched out his hand eagerly for the True Word Talisman.
Chu Hanming handed it over with a theatrical caution, "Now we’re even, Chief Manager Wang. You can’t use the missing flower vase incident to threaten me anymore. Push me too far, and we’ll both go down together."
Chief Manager Wang patted Chu Hanming’s shoulder reassuringly, "Lord Chu, do you not trust me? I’ve always considered you a close friend. It’s just that I urgently needed this talisman for a big matter. Don’t hold it against me."
He turned to carefully examine the True Word Talisman. He couldn’t tell what kind of talisman it was, but knowing Chu Hanming’s cowardly nature, he was confident it wasn’t a fake.
Treating the talisman like a precious treasure, Chief Manager Wang folded it carefully, placed it in his pouch, and then inside his robe, holding it tightly as if it might disappear.
Seeing this, Chu Hanming was more certain that the missing flower vase from the Zhuzihao warehouse was connected to Chief Manager Wang.
Although he despised the eunuch and wished to see him suffer, he kept his expression neutral to avoid jeopardizing Nanli’s plan.
"I’ll be counting on your help in the future, Chief Manager Wang. I won’t let this minor issue affect our relationship," Chu Hanming said.
Chief Manager Wang better commit more wrongdoings. Once Nanli investigates, he’ll be in deep trouble!
Chief Manager Wang, satisfied, nodded and left.
He had no desire to continue his duties and quickly left the palace after changing his clothes.
He headed to Willow Alley, known for its numerous brothels.
Women, already powdered and painted, waved handkerchiefs, calling out to customers even in broad daylight.
Although Chief Manager Wang was over forty, he had a smooth, clean-shaven face, which attracted the women like bees to honey. They swarmed around him.
"Sir, come have some fun!"
"Sir, come to me. I can do everything and will make you very comfortable."
"Look at your wrinkled face. Sir, I’m young and have a good figure with many tricks."
The women flattered and jostled, seeking his favor. Chief Manager Wang enjoyed their attention, his hands wandering indiscriminately.
Despite their inner disdain, they did not immediately show their displeasure.
Suddenly, someone shouted, "He’s missing something! He’s missing something!"
A woman asked, puzzled, "Missing what?"
"He doesn’t have a man’s thing!" the woman cried. "He’s a eunuch!"
The women recoiled in horror.
It wasn’t about discrimination. A couple of years ago, a eunuch had come and killed a sixteen-year-old girl during rough play.
They had all seen the terrible aftermath. Ever since, they had learned that eunuchs, lacking that part, could become sadistic in bed.
Fearing for their lives, they wouldn’t take the risk again.
They began to spit and hurl insults:
"A eunuch dares to seek pleasure here?"
"Yes, no self-awareness!"
"Get lost, you damned eunuch!"
The words grew harsher. Chief Manager Wang’s face darkened, and he trembled with rage. "Shut up! I... I’m not a eunuch!"
The woman sneered, "Not? I’ve been in this business long enough to know."
Chief Manager Wang clenched his fists and said, "I was injured as a child, so I can’t perform."
He purposely lowered his voice, avoiding his usual high-pitched tone.
But with his smooth face, who would believe him?
Whether true or not, the women wouldn’t risk it.
Seeing new customers arrive, they quickly shifted their attention.
An autumn breeze made Chief Manager Wang appear even more pitiful.
He muttered, "Just wait until I uncover the secret and become a real man. You’ll see!"
He continued to the alley’s end, arriving at a dilapidated house.
Pushing the door open, a woman inside, without looking up, waved dismissively, "Can’t you see the sign? No business."
"Xue’er, it’s me," Chief Manager Wang spoke in his usual voice.
Xue’er turned, smiling brightly upon recognizing him. "Sir, why have you come personally?"
Chief Manager Wang usually sent money but never came himself.
Looking around the cramped, stifling room, he covered his mouth and nose with a handkerchief, "I brought the talisman. Where is Chong Ba?"
Having served in the palace for years, he had learned to be cautious.
He had entrusted Chong Ba’s care to the prostitute Xue’er to avoid discovery.
Xue’er quickly said, "He’s inside. I’ve taken good care of him."
She lifted a curtain, revealing Chong Ba, who was shackled and curled in a filthy corner.
Chief Manager Wang gagged and cursed, "Why didn’t you take him to the toilet?!"
Xue’er retorted, "He’s a fool. I’m afraid he’ll run. I have to keep him here."
Chief Manager Wang realized she was right. Controlling his anger and disgust, he ordered Xue’er to clean him up.
She demanded, "It’ll cost a hundred taels to clean him."
Chief Manager Wang gritted his teeth, "Don’t push it."
"Then go ahead as is," Xue’er shrugged.
Chief Manager Wang tried to endure but gagged again upon approaching. Reluctantly, he handed over two silver ingots, "Hurry up!"
Xue’er gleefully accepted the money and set about cleaning Chong Ba.
After half an hour, she finally presented a cleaner Chong Ba.
He still smelled, but it was tolerable.
Chief Manager Wang wasted no time and pressed the True Word Talisman to Chong Ba’s forehead.
With bated breath, he asked, "Chong Ba, how did your master achieve genital rebirth?"