Eunuch Ye, you've got guts!

Ye Shenge felt a chill run down her spine, knowing that the real test had arrived.

The emperor may only care about the result, but this shrewd and calculating imperial concubine was clearly more interested in him as a person.

He cannot afford to make the slightest mistake.

Ye Shenge took a deep breath, quickly reviewed the original owner's vague memories in her mind, and then combined them with her own prepared draft.

"Your Majesty," he said in a low, choked voice, "this humble servant is named Ye Shengge, and was originally a lowly servant in the Imperial Kitchen."

"This servant...this servant is originally from Hejian Prefecture. My ancestors had some medical knowledge and ran a small pharmacy. My father also often treated minor illnesses for the villagers. Although we were not rich, we lived a peaceful life."

He paused, his shoulders trembling slightly. "But fate is unpredictable... Ten years ago, our hometown was struck by a once-in-a-century plague. My parents worked day and night to care for our infected neighbors, but they themselves... unfortunately contracted the disease and both died..."

"Our family property was seized by distant uncles, and the pharmacy was also sold off. I was young then and powerless to resist. They drove me out of the house, leaving me to wander the streets..."

"Later, she was kidnapped by human traffickers, sold several times, and finally... finally entered the palace and was castrated..."

As he spoke, his voice was almost a sob, and he lay on the ground, his thin body trembling slightly.

What is half true and half false is most touching.

The Hejian Prefecture, the plague, and the destruction of families—these are the most profound fragments in the original owner's memory.

As for the claim that his ancestors had some medical knowledge, it was naturally the best excuse he could come up with for his medical skills, and his tragic background would garner sympathy and lower his guard.

A servant with no support and a clean background is more reassuring to the Imperial Concubine than someone of unknown origin.

As expected, Su Qingwan remained silent for a moment after listening.

"Hejian Prefecture... I remember there was indeed a plague there ten years ago, and many people died," Su Qingwan said slowly. "It was pitiful. Your parents died while practicing medicine and saving lives, which can be considered an act of merit. Is your skill in diagnosing and treating illnesses a family tradition?"

"This servant is terrified," Ye Shengge hurriedly said. "My father's knowledge was only superficial. I was young at the time and only learned a few medicinal herbs and memorized a few formulas for herbal decoctions. I really have no medical skills whatsoever."

"Today, I was fortunate enough to alleviate Your Majesty's symptoms. It was truly because, in a moment of desperation, I remembered a strange symptom mentioned in my father's notes, which was somewhat similar to Your Majesty's condition. I was afraid of delaying Your Majesty's treatment, so I dared to give it a try."

"What this servant has learned is nothing more than a few minor tricks, utterly insignificant. Today, I owe everything to Your Majesty's boundless blessings and His Majesty's divine protection. This servant dares not take credit for anything!"

In his words, he positioned his medical skills as "a rudimentary family tradition" and "a stroke of luck in a moment of desperation," attributing all the credit to the imperial concubine and the emperor.

Su Qingwan listened quietly, her eyes deep and unfathomable. She seemed to believe it, yet she also seemed not entirely convinced.

After a long while, she finally sighed.

"He's a man with a tragic fate, but it's rare to find someone with such quick wit and loyalty." She waved her hand, seemingly a little tired, "Feng An."

"This old servant is here." The head eunuch, Feng An, who had been standing respectfully outside the beaded curtain, immediately bowed and stepped forward.

He was about forty years old, with fair skin, long and slender eyebrows and eyes, exuding the shrewdness and sophistication unique to senior eunuchs in the palace.

"Take him away and settle him in a side room next to the side hall. From today onwards, he will serve in Jingyang Palace, specializing in the preparation of the palace's medicines and dietary treatments. His expenses will be in accordance with the rations of a second-rank attendant."

Su Qingwan gave the order, her gaze sweeping over Ye Shenge again, "Do your job well. I will not mistreat loyal people. If there are any mistakes..."

"This servant will do his utmost, even unto death, to repay Your Majesty's kindness!" Ye Shenge immediately kowtowed deeply.

"Okay, go ahead."

"This servant takes his leave."

Following Feng An out of the sleeping quarters, they walked through the winding corridors and headed towards a secluded but tidy side room.

Ye Shenge always lagged half a step behind Feng An, her head slightly lowered, her steps light and steady, appearing respectful and dutiful.

Feng An walked at a leisurely pace, and only spoke after they had walked a distance from the main hall: "Little Yezi, from now on, we'll call you that. You've really hit the jackpot. The Imperial Concubine is very strict, and ordinary people rarely catch her eye. It's an immense blessing that you were able to stay here by such an opportunity; many people would kill for it."

"It's all thanks to Your Majesty's grace and Eunuch Feng's support; this servant is merely lucky," Ye Shenge said humbly.

"It's not really a matter of mentoring," Feng An smiled. "Our Jingyang Palace has rules that are neither too strict nor too strict."

"The first rule is loyalty. You can only have the Empress in your eyes and heart. If the Empress tells you to go east, you must never go west."

"The second rule is to be cautious. Look at what you should see, and close your eyes to what you shouldn't see; say what you should say, and sew your mouth shut to prevent what you shouldn't say."

"The third point is to fulfill one's duty, recognize one's place, do one's job well, and not covet what one shouldn't have or associate with what one shouldn't associate with."

He suddenly stopped, turned around, and looked Ye Shenge up and down with his narrow eyes: "You are a smart child. The Empress needs you now. This is your good fortune."

"But you must also know that in the inner palace, fortune is often accompanied by risk. The higher you climb, the farther you can see, but the fall will hurt even more."

"Some seats are so hot they're burning your bottom; not everyone can sit comfortably. Do you... understand?"

A slap, a blatant slap.

On one hand, they were overly friendly, implying, "Our family is in charge of Jingyang Palace, you should at least understand that"; on the other hand, they were warning, pointing out, "You're just a lucky newcomer, don't get carried away."

Ye Shenge understood perfectly, but her face showed an expression of being taught, and she bowed deeply: "I will remember every word of Eunuch Feng's golden advice! I am new here and know nothing. I will rely on your guidance when I serve in Jingyang Palace in the future."

"This servant only knows that in this palace, Her Highness is the supreme ruler, and Eunuch Feng, you are the backbone of us servants of Jingyang Palace. This servant only knows to serve Her Highness wholeheartedly and would never dare to have any improper thoughts!"

Hearing him say that, the fake smile on Feng An's face indeed became a bit more genuine.

He reached out and gently helped Ye Shenge up, his tone softening: "Hmm, she's sensible. It's good that you understand this. Do your job well and take good care of Her Majesty's health; you'll be rewarded. This palace is a long road; you have to take it one step at a time."

"You've arrived at your lodgings. You must be exhausted from today's journey, so get some rest. Later, someone will come to tell you about the detailed rules of Jingyang Palace."

"Thank you for your guidance, sir. Please take care." Ye Shenge bowed, and only straightened up slowly after Feng An's figure disappeared at the end of the corridor.

The fear and humility on his face vanished instantly. He despised the androgynous eunuch in his heart, but when you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head. Besides, in other people's eyes, he was also a eunuch.