Chapter 1, The Third Master

Continue to cry

Although Song Zhaoyi is merely a fourth-rank Zhaoyi, her future is boundless. Previously, she was just a minor talent, having entered the palace for less than six months, she quickly gained the Emperor's favor. Later, she became pregnant with the dragon's offspring, and the Emperor, in his delight, directly promoted her to Zhaoyi. As long as she successfully gives birth to the imperial heir, regardless of gender, an additional title is certain, at the very least, she will be elevated to the rank of Jieyu.

This time it is truly sorrowful, it is unbearably painful

Keeping vigil over a coffin alone on a chilly spring night is certainly not a delightful experience. Perhaps even the heavens felt pity for the deceased, as the weather suddenly turned cold, numbing her fingertips. It was already early spring, the charcoal brazier had been removed, and Tian Qi did not want to trouble others to bring another one. The fire pit for burning paper before her was insufficient for warmth. She knelt on the ground, having no choice but to clasp her hands tightly together, as the wind blew in from outside, causing her to shrink her neck in the cold. It was already early spring, the charcoal brazier had been removed, and Tian Qi did not want to trouble others to bring another one. The fire pit for burning paper before her was insufficient for warmth. She knelt on the ground, having no choice but to clasp her hands tightly together, as the wind blew in from outside, causing her to shrink her neck in the cold.

In the end, I was unable to see Consort Song for the last time

Ji Heng stood for a while, filled with countless emotions, with many words stuck in his chest that he could not express, ultimately transforming into a long sigh.

Ji Heng pondered for a moment, wanting to speak a few words of comfort to the heartbroken eunuch, while also offering some rewards as a token of appreciation for the loyal servant.

Still want to cry

The mourning hall is desolate and cold, with white banners hanging all around. The door stands wide open, allowing the wind to blow in, causing the white banners to sway gently. The bright candle flames flicker incessantly, as if welcoming the return of the departed soul

The room echoed with the cries of this person, "My lord... why do you have to die, my lord..." After a pause, they sniffled and continued to weep, "What am I to do now that you are gone..."

The third day of the second month in the fourth year of Jinglong is a particularly special day in Tian Qi's career

It is better not to disturb the fragrant soul

This was the scene that Ji Heng saw as soon as he stepped into the mourning hall

Whenever this master is mentioned, Tian Qi cannot help but recall her previous two masters. She had served a beauty and a talented individual, both of whom were captivating enough to catch the Emperor's eye. Unfortunately, both masters, without exception, passed away within one month of Tian Qi's appointment.

She saved money for seven years, only to spend it all on managing people... Unfortunately, after dealing with one, another dies, one after another, one after another...! ... So bitter, so exhausting, so overwhelming!

Take another look at this before you

Sheng Anhuai indeed saw it, but seeing it should be akin to not seeing it; only a fool would remind Your Majesty that you stepped on someone else's belongings

The impact of this scene was so great that this reliable eunuch, who had over thirty years of work experience, momentarily forgot to speak out to stop it, standing there like a stone statue, motionless, with his eyes nearly popping out.

Tianqi has a sense of powerlessness as if it is being toyed with by fate

After crying for a while, she reached out to feel the ground beside her, touched a handkerchief, picked it up to wipe her tears, and then threw the handkerchief back to its original place

Tian Qi wiped away her tears, but it was not enough; she hummed softly while shifting the fabric downwards, blocking it in front of her nose

Before her hands even touched the ground, she had already felt a piece of fabric. At this moment, Tian Qi was already crying so hard that she was in a daze; without thinking much, she grabbed the fabric and randomly wiped her face with it.

This day marks the seventh anniversary of her becoming a eunuch

The one who lies dead before us is Song Zhaoyi, who had only half a month's bond of master and servant with Tian Qi. Half a month ago, Tian Qi exerted great effort, employing both connections and money, to come and serve by Song Zhaoyi's side.

Tianxiang Tower was the residence of Song Zhaoyi during her lifetime, and after her death, her coffin was also placed here. Song Zhaoyi, having passed away at a young age, left no descendants; her only child was currently lying in her arms, thus there were no male relatives to keep vigil for her during the night. Due to her low rank, it was also inappropriate for the emperor's son to stand guard.

Hearing the cries of that person, Ji Heng's expression darkened. Yesterday was the second day of the second month, a good day, and upon hearing that Song Zhaoyi had given birth, he initially thought it would be a double joy. However, he did not expect it to be a case of one corpse and two lives. He waited outside the delivery room for an entire day, from sunrise to sunset, and upon learning that neither mother nor child could be saved, he momentarily could not believe it. When he stood up, his body swayed slightly, and he was helped back to the Ganqing Palace.

Tian Jiancheng is handsome, has a sweet tongue, and is quite clever. The Zhaoyi is very fond of him. However, in just half a month, the master and servant have already developed a close relationship, and the Zhaoyi seems to be subtly considering Tian Qi as a trusted confidant

Thus, Ji Heng stepped into the mourning hall and immediately caught sight of Tian Qi's solitary figure. The sounds of weeping and murmuring filled the air, creating an atmosphere that was somewhat tragic, somewhat sorrowful, and also a bit noisy

At present, she remains an unknown individual, she continues to wear mourning attire, and she is still in grief

Then she began to cry again, her tears blurring her vision, everything in front of her becoming a haze. She simply shut her eyes tightly and wept loudly, after all, she was the only one here, and there was no need to worry about her appearance.

Seven years ago today, she was only eleven years old. Due to certain undisclosed reasons, she exploited the management loopholes of the Forbidden City to enter the palace as a eunuch. Two years later, upon the death of the late emperor, the current emperor ascended the throne, and the following year, the era name was changed to Jinglong, continuing to the present day

Ji Heng silently sighed, not expecting that after Song Zhao Yi's death, there would still be someone so heartbroken. Perhaps she could find some comfort in her spirit in heaven

Sheng Anhuai stood at the back, staring in astonishment.

If someone were to question her, she could say that she was overwhelmed by grief and unable to control herself

In the mourning hall, there knelt a person, their figure slender, with a weakly hunched back, shoulders slumped, trembling slightly.

Ji Heng had already visited Song Zhaoyi once during the day. This evening, he had no intention of summoning her, and the Qianqing Palace was desolate and quiet. He stepped out for a leisurely stroll and unknowingly found himself at Tianxiang Tower. The eunuch on night duty outside the tower saw Ji Heng and was about to announce his arrival, but he was stopped by Ji Heng.

... ... Your uncle!

Therefore, this matter can only be handled by the eunuchs

Everyone knows the importance of a hot stove, which is why the position beside Song Zhaoyi is highly sought after. Tian Qi, who previously served in the Neiguan Bureau as a sixth-rank long attendant, spent more than half of her savings to secure a position as a supervisor in a less prestigious office, which is a fifth-rank position. With this fifth-rank title, she was qualified to serve closely beside the Zhaoyi when she arrived at Tianxiang Tower. Moreover, she happened to be in the right place at the right time; a eunuch beside Song Zhaoyi was caught in a scandal and was dismissed by the Zhaoyi, allowing Tian Supervisor to step in, which drew countless envious and resentful glances.

During the day when he came to the mourning hall, he also saw many people crying, but it was hard to tell how much of it was genuine and how much was feigned. Now, in this place of silence and solitude, this person is still able to cry like this, which seems to indicate true sorrow

Tian Qi volunteered to take on the task of guarding the vigil. After all, she is the highest-ranking in Tianxiang Tower and is favored by the noble lady, so it is only her duty to keep vigil for her lady.

Tian Qi still remembers the bustling scene when the late emperor passed away. At that time, she was just an unknown minor character, wearing mourning clothes for several consecutive days, and was taken by the chief steward to the place where the late emperor's body lay in state to wail a few times as a show of grief

Of course, there is also a sense of pity for the noble consort, after all, this consort has treated her quite well

This sigh was drowned out by Tian Qi's loud cries, so she remained unaware. She still had her eyes closed, her face covered in tears, and thus she withdrew her hand to reach for a handkerchief beside her

Tian Qi cried with a heart-wrenching sorrow. Over 200 taels of silver, pleading to grandpa and grandma, how many incense sticks were burned? Oh heavens, are you not setting a trap for me?

He lowered his head and saw the heartbroken eunuch tugging at his hem to wipe his nose

Following Ji Heng was the chief eunuch Sheng Anhuai. At this moment, seeing the person kneeling on the ground crying inconsolably, he intended to remind Tian Qi to turn around and greet the emperor. However, just as he opened his mouth, Ji Heng, as if having eyes on his back, raised his hand to stop him

He was firmly stepping on a half-wet cloth beneath the satin boots with golden edges, completely unaware of it.

This servant is indeed loyal and has a sincere heart

The prospects appeared exceedingly bright, yet no one anticipated that Song Zhaoyi would die during childbirth due to complications. Not only the larger child, but even the smaller one could not be saved. It is pitiful for that little prince, whose small arms and legs were quite healthy and plump; by the time he was brought out, he had already lost his breath.

Ji Heng lifted his foot and walked over. He stopped beside Tian Qi, staring blankly at the coffin, forgetting about his feet beneath him