Chapter 670 - 663: Part 1
If Lin Yue had been somewhat confused just now, hearing what the eunuch sent from the palace had to say brought a delighted smile to her face, and she understood the reason for the Emperor’s reward. "Is that so? That’s wonderful. My husband has been away from home for so long, and to such distant overseas lands, I’ve been very worried. Now that I have news of him, I can finally feel at ease."
"The Emperor considers these matters as well, so he had me bring the news to Mistress Lin to reassure you. Master Zhao is well, and it is said that his overseas mission went smoothly, and he served the Emperor very effectively. The Emperor will surely rely on Master Zhao even more in the future. Master Zhao’s rapid rise is just around the corner, and this servant hopes to share in Master Zhao’s joy in the future."
"Eunuch, you flatter me too much. I am honored by your high regard. Should my lord truly accomplish what you’ve described, he will not forget you. You’ve come a long way, eunuch, and must be tired. I’ve had the servants prepare a feast and a room for you, eunuch, if you don’t mind..."
Before Lin Yue could finish her sentence, she was interrupted by the senior eunuch from the Imperial Palace. "Mind? Not at all, everything from the Zhao Family is of exceptional quality. I’ve heard the food is even tastier than what the Imperial Chef makes. I’ve only been able to drool over such descriptions in the past, unable to partake. But now that I have the opportunity, I must indulge in the Zhao family’s wonderful hospitality, which justified my journey here. Many colleagues in the palace were vying for this assignment, but in the end, I was the lucky one to snag it."
Upon hearing the senior eunuch speak thus, Lin Yue was even more certain of Eunuch Li’s status within the palace. It was not easy to secure such assignments without influence and connections. Currently, their power was limited, so naturally, they had to make every effort to ingratiate themselves with such individuals, to increase their support and intelligence within the palace, to ensure they weren’t left in the dark about palace movements. Moreover, Eunuch Li’s words clearly expressed his intention to be friendly. She’d be a fool to refuse.
"Eunuch Li’s words are making me blush with modesty. My home here is but a humble countryside place. Normally, I don’t have the opportunity to entertain such esteemed guests. Now that Eunuch Li is here, I can at least offer good food and drink. If Eunuch Li isn’t in a hurry to return to the Capital City, why not stay a day or two and relax, to enjoy the rural tranquility. Though it’s not as prosperous and bustling as the Capital City, it is peaceful and serene, offering a different kind of charm."
This was genuinely how Lin Yue felt. She had lived in the capital for a time, but still found the rural peace more comfortable and pleasant. However, she made the offer because she sensed that Eunuch Li was inclined toward it.
"To tell the truth, I specifically requested a few days off for this trip, since I’ve already completed the assignment and it won’t affect my work. Mistress Lin is so hospitable, I couldn’t ask for more. So I’ll take you up on your offer. I’ve spent most of my life in the Imperial Palace, and I could certainly use a few days of relaxation at your home." Eunuch Li said bluntly. Lin Yue admired the senior eunuch’s straightforward and unpretentious nature. It was much better than those who require others to guess their wishes, who keep their desires hidden. But Lin Yue also knew that Eunuch Li might only act this way around her; after all, someone who survived in the Imperial Palace couldn’t be overly simple.