Chapter 15: No Tears Allowed...
Su Yao curled up in the corner of the forbidden chamber, the sinister laughter of the old eunuch echoing in her ears.
Outside the door came familiar footsteps. She suddenly lifted her head and, through the crack in the door, caught sight of Lu Huaijin’s figure.
He stood beneath the corridor, moonlight outlining his upright silhouette. The black official robe he wore was embroidered with a dragon pattern that shimmered coldly in the night.
“Lu…” Su Yao parted her lips but no sound came out.
Her fingertips dug into the door’s crevice, her nails splitting and drawing blood.
Lu Huaijin’s gaze swept over the chamber, briefly locking with hers.
Su Yao saw a flicker of emotion flash in his eyes, but it vanished in an instant.
As he turned and left, his robe fluttered, stirring a cold wind.
“Stop looking, you wretched bitch.”
The old eunuch’s fat hand gripped her chin.
“The Prime Minister has given you to the Empress Dowager; that means she no longer wants you.”
He leaned close to her ear, his breath reeking with nauseating decay. “This was your own choice…”
Su Yao trembled all over, her nails digging deep into her palm.
She recalled that night three years ago at the music bureau, when Lu Huaijin had gripped her chin the same way and said, “From now on, you belong to me.”
But now, he coldly abandoned her in this hellish chamber, allowing the old eunuch to abuse her.
The human-skin lanterns in the chamber flickered dimly, casting shadows on the walls adorned with bone wind chimes.
Su Yao curled into a ball in the corner, shivering as she listened to the old eunuch’s snores.
She dared not close her eyes; whenever she did, she saw her mother’s desperate eyes as she was dragged away, her sister’s unwilling gaze at death.
Tears silently streamed down her face as she clenched her jaw, afraid to cry out loud.
“Su Yao… don’t cry, survive…”
At dawn, the old eunuch finally opened the door. Su Yao staggered out, stumbling back to her room.
Chun Tao was tidying the bed and, seeing her dazed state, accidentally knocked over the copper basin.
“Miss!” Chun Tao rushed forward to steady her. “What’s wrong?”
Su Yao trembled, tears welling uncontrollably. She buried herself in Chun Tao’s arms and finally sobbed aloud.
Chun Tao held her tightly, tears falling with her. “Don’t be afraid, miss, I’m here…”
This heart-wrenching cry seemed to pour out all the grievances of the past three years.
She wept for the once-glorious honor of the Prime Minister’s household, which vanished overnight.
She wept for the sudden loss of her mother and sister, the two dearest people in her life.
She wept because, in Lu Huaijin’s eyes, she was nothing but a plaything, to be discarded at will.
Their slumber was shattered by the sharp voice of Nurse Chang.
“Are you dying? What time is it and you two are still lazing about? How disgraceful!”
Startled awake by the sudden shout, Su Yao and Chun Tao hastily got up, straightening their clothes and awaiting Nurse Chang’s orders.
“There’s a maid needed to serve tea for the Empress Dowager.”
“I will go, miss. You didn’t sleep last night; you should rest a bit more to regain your strength.”
Su Yao wanted to refuse, but seeing the worried look in Chun Tao’s eyes, she finally nodded and gave her a grateful glance.
Yet, for some reason, the stone floor beneath her feet suddenly felt slick, as if coated with a thin layer of oil.
Chun Tao slipped unexpectedly and lost her balance.
The tea tray in her hands tilted, the cup falling to the ground, shattering into pieces.
Eunuch Hai happened to be passing by and immediately shouted sharply, “You wretched bitch! That’s the Empress Dowager’s favorite blue-and-white porcelain!”
“Forgive me, sir!” Chun Tao knelt hurriedly. “I didn’t mean to…”
“Didn’t mean to?” The old eunuch kicked the broken shards aside.
“I think you did it on purpose!” His fat hand grabbed Chun Tao’s chin. “Such ignorance of rules needs proper teaching!”
Hearing the commotion, Su Yao rushed over just in time to see the eunuch raising his hand to strike Chun Tao.
She stepped forward quickly to block him. “Sir, please calm down. Chun Tao is young and foolish. I will take responsibility for her.”
The old eunuch narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Su Yao. “Oh? Isn’t this the sparrow the Prime Minister discarded?”
He leaned close to her ear, his breath brushing her cheek.
“If you don’t want me to pursue this, you can come to my place tonight and apologize properly…”
Su Yao shuddered, recalling the terror of the forbidden chamber last night.
She gritted her teeth. “Sir, why trouble a mere girl…”
“Trouble?” The old eunuch sneered. “I’m teaching her discipline!”
Suddenly, he grabbed Chun Tao by the collar. “Such a tender girl—sending her to the Department of Punishments won’t be pleasant…”
“I’ll go!”
Su Yao blurted out.
“I’ll go tonight to apologize to you, sir. Please spare Chun Tao.”
The old eunuch released Chun Tao with satisfaction. “Now that’s more sensible.”
His fat hand brushed Su Yao’s face. “I’ll be waiting.”
“Sir…” She bit her lip, nails digging into her palm.
At the midnight gong, Su Yao lay curled on her bed, counting the bruises on her wrists.
Suddenly, the door was pushed open and a young eunuch poked his head in.
“Miss Su, come with me. Eunuch Hai is waiting.”
“Miss, you can’t go!” Tears welled in Chun Tao’s eyes as she grabbed Su Yao.
They had heard the rumors about Eunuch Hai.
He was notoriously perverse; being a eunuch, he vented his twisted desires on the palace maids’ tender bodies.
Those he favored were often ruined or destroyed.
Alarmed, Su Yao tried to resist, but found her wrists firmly held by the young eunuch.
She was forced to follow him through the winding corridors.
The eunuch cast sideways glances at Su Yao, making clicking noises with his tongue.
“No wonder Eunuch Hai took a liking to you, hehe.”
He covered his mouth to laugh softly, leering, “Look at you—a rare beauty, even I feel tempted. I’d love to have a taste myself.”
Su Yao’s face turned ashen. She struggled fiercely, breaking free fromI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.