After leaving the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Hu Xiaotian ran into the little eunuch Yin Zheng outside. Because of Hu Xiaotian's full beard, Yin Zheng failed to recognize him at first. Only when Hu Xiaotian waved did Yin Zheng realize who he was. He hurried over, beaming. "I was wondering who it was! So it's Big Brother Hu!" His greeting was exceedingly warm.
Hu Xiaotian nodded. "How have you been lately?"
Yin Zheng sighed. "How else could I be? In the palace, I'm still just a servant fetching tea and water, forever watching my masters' faces. I can't compare with your carefree life, Big Brother Hu." At this point, he suddenly noticed Hu Xiaotian's clothes and remembered that he was still in mourning. He smiled awkwardly. "When Madam Hu passed away, I wanted to come, but someone of my standing wasn't really qualified. After thinking it over, I decided not to add to your troubles. Some friends of mine in the palace and I did ask Eunuch Wang to deliver a funeral wreath."
After his mother's death, quite a few eunuchs in the palace had sent gifts without attending in person. Naturally, Hu Xiaotian had not memorized every name. He said quietly, "I appreciate the thought. Making a living in the palace isn't easy for you either."
Yin Zheng knew what Hu Xiaotian wanted from him. He glanced around and, seeing that no one was paying attention to them, lowered his voice. "His Majesty has been quite robust lately, full of energy. Last night, he even bedded two women in succession."
That truly piqued Hu Xiaotian's curiosity. The old fellow Long Xuan'en always presented a sickly face to the world, yet apparently he really did grow stronger with age. At his advanced age, he could still bed two women in