In her previous life, the original owner of this body had served Gao Heng, but even then, they merely rested in the same room. If Gao Heng was interested, the most he ever did was have her perform a provocative dance—nothing more.

If he had been a normal man, it wouldn’t have stopped there.

“Guard, stop teasing me! Just tell me—what exactly do you do?” Tian Tian urged.

Gao Heng noticed that she genuinely had no idea about his true identity, so he decided not to reveal it. He felt it was better this way—at least she wouldn’t fawn over him for some ulterior motive.

“Do you know what the place you stumbled into last night was?”

Hugging the braised chicken tightly, Tian Tian shook her head.

“That was Nine Thousand Years’ restricted area,” Gao Heng said with a stern expression. “Without his explicit permission, no one is allowed to enter. Those who do are killed on sight. I’m one of the guards tasked with watching over it.”

Tian Tian’s eyes widened in realization. No wonder she had been so close to losing her life—it was because she had accidentally wandered into the restricted zone.

Thankfully, she’d been lucky to encounter such a just and upright guard. At first, she had thought he was terrifying, but now, upon reflection, she realized he could have killed her outright but chose not to. Clearly, he didn’t want to kill needlessly.

She truly had stumbled upon a good person.

“Guard, being trusted to watch over Nine Thousand Years’ restricted area means you’re deeply trusted by him. You have a bright future ahead! Let me congratulate you in advance.” Tian Tian smiled, thinking that building a good relationship with him could make her mission easier later.

Gao Heng nodded slightly, acknowledging her words without elaborating.

Before long, they arrived at Taihe Palace.

Tian Tian waved goodbye. “Guard, thank you so much for tonight. You should hurry back to your post now.”

Gao Heng nodded but found himself feeling that the walk back had been too short. Suddenly, he blurted out, “Will you… come out again tomorrow night?”

Tian Tian blinked, unsure of what he meant.

“If you need to go to the kitchen tomorrow night, at this time, I can wait for you here,” Gao Heng clarified.

Tian Tian thought about it but didn’t commit. She had no idea if she’d be hungry tomorrow night. If she could hold out, she’d much rather not venture out—it was too risky, and she didn’t want to resort to theft.

“I don’t know. We’ll see tomorrow. But Guard, you don’t have to wait for me. I already know the way, and if I need to go, I can manage alone,” she said earnestly, not wanting to inconvenience him further.

Gao Heng didn’t reply, merely turning to leave.

Seeing his retreating figure, Tian Tian hesitated. He had helped her so much tonight, and it felt wrong to let him go back empty-handed.

After a moment’s thought, she tore off one of the chicken legs and hurried after him.

“Guard, you’ve worked hard all night and must be tired. You’ll need energy for your duties. Here, take this chicken leg and eat it to keep your strength up,” Tian Tian said, offering the leg with a sincere smile.

Gao Heng wasn’t particularly interested in the chicken leg—he was used to the finest delicacies—but seeing her genuine smile, he accepted it. “Thank you.” He felt an inexplicable warmth.

Tian Tian continued, “If I want to find you in the future, how should I do it? After all, we’ve met once, and you’re such a good person. I’d like to consider you a friend.”

Gao Heng chuckled. “If you need to reach me, leave your handkerchief by the koi pond in the restricted area. I’ll know.”

“What?” Tian Tian looked shocked. “Wouldn’t Nine Thousand Years punish you if he saw a woman’s handkerchief there?”

“He won’t. He rarely visits that area,” Gao Heng reassured her.

“Alright then.” Tian Tian nodded. “Goodbye, Guard!”

Gao Heng nodded in return, watching as she disappeared into Taihe Palace.

At the palace gates, Tian Tian turned back and saw Gao Heng still standing there. Hugging the now one-legged chicken, she smiled and waved before entering.

Once she was safely inside, Gao Heng disappeared into the shadows.

The Taihe Palace housed many beauties, not just her.

Returning to her quarters, Tian Tian immediately went to check on Qiujü, her maid.

When Qiujü saw her mistress carrying a braised chicken with one leg missing, she couldn’t hide her astonishment. “Madam, where did this chicken come from?”

Tian Tian wasn’t about to tell the truth—if people knew, she’d be scolded for being improper and reckless.

“I bribed someone with five taels of silver,” Tian Tian said, tearing off the other chicken leg. “Here, eat this. It’s a delicacy from the kitchen, so it must be delicious.”

Saying this, she pulled off a wing for herself and began eating.

The chicken was indeed incredibly flavorful, marinated to perfection. Tian Tian couldn’t help but marvel at Gao Heng’s luxurious taste.

Qiujü was deeply moved. “Thank you, Madam.”

“Eat up! The better you eat, the faster you’ll heal,” Tian Tian said between bites.

Qiujü hesitated, trying to offer the chicken leg back. “Madam, I’ll just eat the tail. The leg is too good for me.”

“Eat it!” Tian Tian insisted. “There’s plenty of meat left. It doesn’t matter where I start.”

Only then did Qiujü cautiously nibble on the chicken leg.

After the two of them finished the chicken, Tian Tian leaned back, satisfied, and let out three burps. “Qiujü, get some rest. I’m full and off to bed.”

“Goodnight, Madam.”

Back in her bedroom, Tian Tian kicked off her shoes and fell asleep immediately.

That night, she dreamed of Gao Heng, the eunuch, transforming into the handsome guard.

She woke up laughing at the absurdity of it.

Once awake, however, she sighed. Marrying a eunuch meant a lifetime of celibacy. But a lifetime of celibacy was still better than ending up skinned and turned into a painting.

Better to survive and focus on completing her mission.

The next morning, Tian Tian slept in until the sun was high. She had been punished with three days of no meals, so she took full advantage of the excuse to skip paying respects to Lady Liu.

Using the punishment as justification, she bribed an older maid with fifty taels to request medicinal herbs for Qiujü from the imperial pharmacy. While summoning a court physician for a maid was too much, obtaining medicine was manageable.

After all, she wasn’t yet in Nine Thousand Years’ favor. At this point, no one would risk offending Lady Liu for her sake.

That day, Tian Tian endured her hunger with tea and spent the afternoon restless in bed. She dared not wander again—last night’s close call had been enough. One misstep in Gao Palace could cost her life.

By the evening, she resolved to endure one more night of hunger. Tomorrow, the punishment would end, and she could eat again.

Meanwhile, Gao Heng was thinking of her, assuming she’d be hungry again. He even instructed the kitchen to prepare an array of delicacies, intending to bring her there himself.

But as he waited outside Taihe Palace, hours passed with no sign of her.

Frustrated, Gao Heng finally vaulted over the wall. Inside, he found her sleeping soundly, clutching her empty stomach.

He was both angry and amused. Since gaining power, no one had dared keep him waiting. Yet this little beauty had done just that.

The next morning, Tian Tian woke up ravenous.

Breakfast arrived as usual: plump buns, translucent dumplings, and several side dishes. She devoured everything, savoring the blissful feeling of a full stomach.

Finally, she felt like herself again. Having food was true happiness.

Qiujü entered stiffly from outside, surprising Tian Tian. Tian Tian quickly went over to support her. “Why aren’t you resting in your room? What are you doing here?”

Qiujü gave a weak smile. “Madam, your punishment period ends today. According to the rules, you must go pay your respects to Lady Liu. I came specifically to help you wash up and get dressed.”

Tian Tian nodded, letting out a soft “Oh” as she remembered this custom.

The thought of facing Lady Liu and enduring her barbs gave Tian Tian a headache.

Just as she was lamenting this ordeal, a group of eunuchs approached from outside. Wherever they passed, servants bowed and greeted them with respect.

At the forefront was Eunuch An, the personal attendant of Nine Thousand Years.

“Why is Eunuch An coming to Taihe Palace today?”

“Could it be that Nine Thousand Years is summoning someone new to serve him?”

“If Eunuch An himself has come, it must be for that reason. He always manages such arrangements personally!”

“Who could it be this time? Which beauty from Taihe Palace?”

“Look, Eunuch An is heading toward the house of that courtesan from the brothel.”

Tian Tian was stunned when she saw the group of eunuchs approaching.

Without bowing or greeting her, Eunuch An expressionlessly delivered Nine Thousand Years’ decree.

In summary: Tian Tian had offended his favored Lady Liu, who had shown mercy by punishing her with three days of no food. However, Nine Thousand Years had decided to add ten more days to the punishment, allowing her only one meal each morning.

This decree left Tian Tian utterly confused.

Not only her—everyone in Gao Palace, including the highly favored Lady Liu, was at a loss.

Lady Liu managed all the women in Gao Palace, and Nine Thousand Years had never interfered, let alone directly intervened. Why the sudden change today?

Adding to the confusion, while the punishment was extended, it wasn’t absolute. A single meal was permitted each morning.

Lady Liu pondered and couldn’t make sense of it, eventually turning to her maid. “What do you think Nine Thousand Years means by this? I can’t figure it out.”

The maid chuckled. “What does it matter? As long as he favors you, cares about you, isn’t that enough?”

Lady Liu thought about it and found the logic convincing.

She had always been wary of the courtesan’s stunning looks, which could threaten her position. Gao Palace housed 3,000 beauties, but only the courtesan had such a peerless face—skin as fair and flawless as jade. Lady Liu had never seen anyone so beautiful.

She feared that once this woman was summoned to serve Nine Thousand Years, she would soon surpass her in favor. Fortunately, Nine Thousand Years had been preoccupied recently and hadn’t paid much attention to his harem.

To protect her position, Lady Liu had sought to break the courtesan’s spirit, tarnish her appearance, and make her less dazzling. Even if the woman hated her afterward, Lady Liu didn’t care.

As long as her beauty was diminished, she would no longer pose a threat. Nine Thousand Years wouldn’t be captivated, and Lady Liu’s position would remain secure.

After all, even if the courtesan hated her, what could she do about it?

To Lady Liu, marrying a eunuch was shameful, but Nine Thousand Years’ exalted status and immense power made it worthwhile. Life in Gao Palace offered luxurious meals, fine clothing, and unparalleled comfort—far better than her life back home.

Moreover, though Nine Thousand Years was effeminate, he wasn’t depraved. His interest in bedroom matters was minimal. At most, he would request a dance for entertainment. Even when sharing a room, he never crossed the line.

Lady Liu also benefited greatly from his favor. Her family received preferential treatment, earning her considerable pride and prestige.

Even if Nine Thousand Years couldn’t fulfill certain roles, Lady Liu found this life so agreeable that she was willing to endure widowhood for it.

In truth, how many women in this world could live as contentedly as she did?

Life in Gao Palace was a blessing beyond measure.

Now that Nine Thousand Years had punished the courtesan for her sake, Lady Liu couldn’t be happier.

Eating only one meal a day for ten days would undoubtedly leave the courtesan pale and diminished.

The thought made Lady Liu laugh out loud.

Back in Taihe Palace, Tian Tian was on the verge of tears. She had just enjoyed a full meal for the first time, and now she was being punished with starvation again. This was torture!

Qiujü sobbed beside her. “Madam, don’t despair. Nine Thousand Years is only like this because he hasn’t met you yet. Once he sees you, he’ll surely be captivated and favor you exclusively.”

Qiujü’s confidence stemmed from Tian Tian’s extraordinary beauty. Even as a woman, Qiujü couldn’t help but admire her. Nine Thousand Years, known for his preference for fair-skinned beauties, would surely be no exception.

Tian Tian sighed helplessly. “Qiujü, stop comforting me and focus on your recovery. Don’t worry about my troubles. I’ll handle them myself.”

If worst came to worst, she would sneak into the kitchen again at night.

Oh, what a life. She could only hope for smooth sailing.

That night, hunger gnawed at Tian Tian once more. Having gone several days without proper meals, she could no longer bear it. When the palace was quiet, she pocketed fifty taels of silver and snuck out again.

But this time, her luck ran out. Following the route the guard had shown her previously, she found the palace swarming with patrolling guards.

The sheer number of guards left her too frightened to move forward.

Just then, a familiar, deep voice called out from behind her.

“Hungry again?”

Tian Tian turned to see the familiar figure of the guard she hadn’t seen for two days. Her eyes sparkled with delight. “Guard, why are you here?”

Gao Heng replied, “I noticed that the patrols have increased over the past two days. I was worried you’d get caught sneaking into the kitchen, so I came to wait for you.”

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