Upon hearing Chu Jinghui's verbal decree, Eunuch Zhang answered in acknowledgment.
But when he saw that Suotu had not returned, he suddenly dropped to his knees before Chu Jinghui.
Chu Jinghui's expression remained unchanged. "What is the meaning of this?"
Eunuch Zhang choked out, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"
"What crime have you committed?"
"When Your Majesty asked about Lord Yang earlier, all I could think of was how Your Majesty had personally selected him from among dozens of reserve candidates. Surely there was something about him worth keeping, so I spoke a few words in his favor."
"Yet I considered only one side of the matter and forgot that, although Lord Yang's talents are useful, it was Your Majesty's discerning eye that recognized them."
"Without Your Majesty's patronage, even if Lord Yang possessed a belly full of talent, he would have nowhere to put it to use."
"But I put the branches before the roots and uttered such treasonous words. I deserve death! Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"
Chu Jinghui watched him for a long while before the corner of his mouth twitched slightly. "After all these years at my side, you have indeed learned a few tricks! Unfortunately, you have put them all to crooked use! Punishment—you deserve punishment!"
Eunuch Zhang prostrated himself on the floor, his body beginning to tremble.
"However, since I already said I would let bygones be bygones, this matter ends here. If you ever act without knowing what matters again, I will not let you off lightly!"
"This servant thanks Your Majesty for your boundless grace!"
Only after paying his respects did Eunuch Zhang slowly rise and withdraw on trembling legs.
Not until he was a good distance from the Hall of Mental Cultivation did Eunuch Zhang glance around. Once he saw that