r18novel Chapter 1 The Little Gardener of Guangxin Palace
Chapter 1 The Little Gardener of Guangxin Palace
I don't know how many springs have passed since the Qingli era.
In the servants' quarters in a corner of the Imperial Garden of the Southern Qing Palace, Wu Feng slowly woke up on a hard bed.
As soon as I regained consciousness, the pain exploded throughout my body.
Every inch of his skin and flesh felt like it had been repeatedly pounded with a stick, especially his back and ribs; even the slightest movement would make him gasp in shock.
He gritted his teeth, trying not to groan.
Memories flooded back like a tide.
His name is Wu Feng, an ordinary office worker in the 21st century.
Yesterday, or rather, the moment before I time-traveled, a newly opened large supermarket held its grand opening event.
Eggs, free! Cabbage, free! All you need is a 100 RMB membership card.
He hadn't intended to get a membership card; he was just there to watch the fun. However, he ended up being swept up by the middle-aged women who were rushing to buy things and squeezed into the crowd.
Some old lady elbowed him in the chest, and everything went black. When he woke up, he was lying here.
Now, he is the lowest-ranking gardener in the Imperial Garden of the Southern Qing Palace, and also a eunuch.
To make matters worse, because of his handsome appearance, he stood out among the group of psychologically twisted lower-level eunuchs. In less than half a month since he arrived, he had already been "taught a lesson" several times.
"I've had the worst luck imaginable," Wu Feng cursed inwardly, his throat dry and sore.
Just then, the door was kicked open with a loud bang.
A middle-aged man dressed in a gray-blue eunuch's robe stood in the doorway. He had a fair complexion, narrow eyes, and a drooping mouth. "Now that you're awake, stop slacking off! Who are you trying to fool by playing dead? Get up and get to work! If you dawdle any longer, I'll have you beaten to death and turned into compost!"
He was Eunuch Wang, one of the eunuchs in charge of the Imperial Garden, and also Wu Feng's direct superior.
Wu Feng immediately struggled to sit up, aggravating his injuries, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead: "Yes, Eunuch Wang, I'll go right away."
His voice was terribly hoarse.
Eunuch Wang snorted coldly, turned and left, leaving behind the words: "If you don't finish repairing the peony patch in the west corner within half an incense stick's time, you won't get dinner."
Wu Feng endured the pain and got out of bed, changing into a worn green short-sleeved shirt. The clothes rubbed against his wound, causing him to grimace again.
When he arrived at the west corner of the Imperial Garden with pruning shears and a bamboo basket for twigs, there were already more than a dozen eunuchs busy at work.
As soon as Wu Feng arrived, more than a dozen pairs of eyes swept over him.
There was no sympathy in those eyes, only a murky, malicious scrutiny.
A tall, thin man spat on the ground and muttered to the person next to him, "He's got a tough life."
Wu Feng lowered his head, his fingers tightening around the scissors.
We need to find a way to get out of here.
The thought had barely formed when footsteps approached from afar.
Eunuch Wang returned, this time with a slightly bent back and a smile on his face, accompanying a middle-aged palace maid as they walked this way.
The palace maid was about thirty years old, dressed in a plain white palace dress, her hair was neatly combed and adorned with a silver hairpin.
He has a regular face, but his eyebrows are thin and his lips are thin, which makes him look somewhat mean.
She was quite plump, and her palace dress was stretched a little too tight, causing her waist to sway slightly as she walked.
"Come here, everyone!" Wang Gonggong's hoarse voice boomed.
A dozen or so people quickly gathered around, bowed, and greeted him in unison: "Eunuch Wang."
Eunuch Wang grunted in acknowledgment, waved his hand, and turned to the middle-aged palace maid, his face beaming with a smile: "Steward Mei, everyone's here. Take a look."
Then, with a stern face, he said to Wu Feng and the others, "This is Steward Mei from Guangxin Palace. Guangxin Palace is short of a gardener to take care of the flowers and plants. Which of you... would be willing to go?"
The moment the words "Guangxin Palace" were uttered, everyone's expression changed except for Wu Feng's.
Fear was written all over their faces.
Guangxin Palace, the residence of Princess Li Yunrui.
Everyone in the palace knows that the small garden in Guangxin Palace has had many gardeners come and go, but none of them have been able to stay for a full month.
Some disappeared inexplicably, some were beaten and thrown into the miscellaneous service department, and the worst one was said to have offended the eldest princess and was fermented as fertilizer that very day.
"Eunuch Wang, I... I'm clumsy and afraid I won't be able to properly care for the princess's flowers and plants," Li San said first, his voice trembling.
Zhao Si'er quickly pulled out a dusty money bag and presented it to Steward Mei with both hands: "Steward Mei, I injured my hand a few days ago and really dared not delay my duties at the palace. Please accept this small token of my appreciation with some tea..."
Once someone started, others followed suit, each reaching into their wallets and offering various excuses.
Manager Mei took the two money pouches, rummaged through them, and initially had a slight smile on her face, but seeing everyone else doing the same, her expression darkened:
"Don't mess with me! Even if I take all your money, someone still has to come with me, right? Hurry up and figure it out, don't waste my time."
The group of eunuchs looked at each other, their faces ashen, and none of them dared to utter a sound.
Just then, Wu Feng took half a step forward and said, "Give me all the silver, and I'll go for you."
Instantly, all eyes were on him.
Feng Er was stunned for a moment, then, as if grasping at a straw, he shoved the money bag into Wu Feng's hand: "Little Wu, here, take mine! You..."
"You can have mine too!"
"Here you go! Little Wu, we brothers will remember your kindness!"
In the blink of an eye, more than a dozen money bags were piled up in Wu Feng's arms, heavy with weight.
Only then did Steward Mei take a proper look at Wu Feng.
When I saw his face clearly, my eyes lit up slightly.
The young eunuch had delicate features, and his thin frame and apparent injuries made Steward Mei frown, but his expression quickly relaxed.
"What's your name? How old are you?" Manager Mei asked.
"Replying to Steward Mei, my name is Xiao Wuzi, and I just came of age this year," Wu Feng replied with his head down.
Manager Mei stared at him for two seconds, then said calmly, "Alright, you're the one. Come with me."
With a bag full of money in his pocket, Wu Feng followed Steward Mei and left the Imperial Garden.
After passing through several palace paths, the surroundings gradually quieted down. Steward Mei walked ahead, swaying her hips gently, without saying a word.
Reaching a secluded corner, Wu Feng suddenly quickened his pace, took out a large portion of the money bag from his pocket, and presented it to Steward Mei with both hands.
"Sister Mei," he said softly, his voice tinged with flattery, "this is a small token of my respect for you. I have no relatives or friends in the palace, and I hope you will take good care of me in Guangxin Palace."
Manager Mei paused and turned to look at him.
"Sister?" She smiled and took the money pouches, weighing them in her hand; they were quite heavy. "You have a sweet tongue. At my age, I'm old enough to be your mother."
Wu Feng kept his head down, smiling ingratiatingly, "Sister Mei looks young, and she doesn't lose out to those girls in the palace who are not yet twenty. I'm not good with words, I'm just telling the truth."
Manager Mei chuckled, the fine lines around her eyes smoothing out. She tucked the money pouch into her sleeve, and when she looked at Wu Feng again, her gaze softened considerably.
"You're quite sensible." She lowered her voice. "Little Wu, since you call me 'sister,' I'll give you a few pointers. Guangxin Palace is different from other places. Her Highness the Princess is of noble status... Well, anyway, remember, speak less and do more."
"Your Highness, please take good care of the flowers and plants in your courtyard. Don't look at what you shouldn't look at, and don't listen to what you shouldn't listen to."
"You are the only eunuch in Guangxin Palace; the rest are palace maids."
"You should stay in the small garden and your servant's quarters on weekdays. Don't go near the main hall unless His Highness summons you."
"As long as you behave yourself and don't make any mistakes, it's better than being bullied by those filthy bastards in the Imperial Garden."
Wu Feng nodded repeatedly: "Thank you for your guidance, Sister Mei. I will remember it."
The two walked for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before arriving at a palace garden.
Guangxin Palace.
The palace gates weren't particularly grand, but they exuded refinement. Two palace maids stood at the entrance, bowing slightly to Steward Mei.
Manager Mei waved his hand and led Wu Feng through a side door.
The atmosphere changed as soon as you entered the courtyard.
The courtyard was quiet; even the sound of footsteps was clear.
The doors and windows of the main hall were tightly closed, and two meek palace maids stood motionless in the corridor, like puppets.
To the left is a meticulously maintained small garden, about half an acre in size, planted with all kinds of flowers and plants, which are now in full bloom in springtime.
Next to the garden was a small house, which was Wu Feng's residence.
Manager Mei pushed open the door. Inside, there was only a wooden bed, a small table, and a chair. Although simple, it was clean enough.
"You'll be living here from now on. Get up at dawn every day to tend to the flowers and plants. His Highness sometimes gets up early, so don't be lazy. The tools are all in that little shed by the garden," Steward Mei instructed. "Remember, don't wander off."
Wu Feng placed the remaining money pouch on the bed and respectfully said, "I understand, Manager Xie Mei."
Steward Mei glanced at his pale face and added, "If the injury is serious, go to the miscellaneous affairs office and get some ointment yourself. Don't look so sickly and upset His Highness."
After saying that, she turned and left.
Wu Feng closed the door, leaned against it, and let out a long sigh.
We're safe for now.
He walked to the bedside, sat down, and opened the money bags one by one.
The loose silver and copper coins totaled about twenty taels, which was almost all the savings of these low-ranking eunuchs.
They were willing to go to Guangxin Palace to avoid it.
Wu Feng put the money away, endured the pain, got up, and walked to the small window.
Outside the window is that small garden, and further away, you can see a corner of the eaves of the main hall of Guangxin Palace.
The palace gleamed softly in the spring sunlight, quiet yet inexplicably unsettling.
Princess Li Yunrui.
The beautiful, crazy, and unfathomable woman in the original work.
Wu Feng touched his still aching ribs.
Compared to being beaten to death by those eunuchs in the Imperial Garden, at least there was a glimmer of hope in Guangxin Palace...
Just then, a slight noise came from the direction of the main hall.
Wu Feng subconsciously looked up.
The door to the main hall was half open, and a woman's figure appeared inside.
From a distance, her exact features were not visible, but she was dressed in a pale yellow palace gown, with a slender figure and long, flowing hair.
She seemed to glance towards the small garden.
With just that one glance, Wu Feng suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
He immediately lowered his head, took half a step back, and left the window.
My heart beats a little faster.
Was that Princess Li Yunrui? Did she just see me?
Wu Feng steadied himself and forced himself to calm down.
In any case, we've taken the first step.
In the depths of the palace, a powerless eunuch must seize every opportunity to survive.