Chapter 09
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“So… ‘I want to ride a horse,’ is it?”
“Yes, that is exactly what the boy instructed me to say.”
Zhang Rang, the Grand Eunuch of the Ten Attendants, leaned lazily against his chair, his voice drawling with amusement.
He slowly raised his hand and removed the official hat that was still on his head. That same hat, so many sought to wear with fervent ambition, now lay discarded on the table, rolled carelessly rolled to the side.
It was Zhang Rang’s routine to soak his feet in hot water after returning from the imperial palace. Elder Hwang washed Zhang Rang’s feet while talking about Dongbaek. Zhang Rang stroked his chin as he mulled over Dongbaek’s words.
“Riding a horse… Typically, that’s the aspiration of a general, no? The boy wishes to become a general, then.”
“But… why would he need to express his desire to become a general in such a roundabout way? This old servant is too slow-witted to understand.”
Even while saying this, Elder Hwang’s hands continued to wash Zhang Rang’s feet without a moment’s pause.
Zhang Rang raised his right hand and spread it before him.
Despite his indulgent lifestyle, Zhang Rang’s frame was thin, almost wiry. The art of balancing power’s magnificence and corruption demanded more than just cunning. It drained the spirit. His hand, stretched taut, revealed bony knuckles and skin etched with the passage of years.
“He means he won’t become a eunuch even if he enters as my adopted child. And he’s testing how I’ll treat him based on what kind of horse I send. He’s probing to see how much I’m willing to invest in him. Elder Hwang, you’re right. He’s not just clever, he’s cunning. Reminds me of someone.”
A smirk twisted Zhang Rang’s thin lips as a dull ache flared beneath his ribs.
Over a decade had passed since the wound had been inflicted. Though the injury had long since healed, the memory of the blade that pierced him still sent sharp pangs through his chest whenever he thought of its wielder.
To harm Zhang Rang—a man many considered untouchable—was an act deserving of the harshest vengeance. And yet, Zhang Rang had not been able to lay so much as a finger on the perpetrator. That failure haunted him more than the pain of the injury itself.
Even for Zhang Rang, who possessed supposedly absolute power that could bring down even soaring birds, there were a few people he couldn’t touch easily.
One of them was Cao Teng, the former eunuch, and grandfather of that infamous scoundrel Cao Cao.
Ah, yes. Zhang Rang’s long-standing animosity with Cao Cao had begun, predictably, over a woman. Though their entanglements were not illegal, Zhang Rang found it distasteful nonetheless. Despite his desire to eliminate Cao Cao, he had been forced to withdraw time and again, his efforts stymied by Cao Teng’s interventions.
Speaking of which, they say Cao Deng’s days are numbered now.
Yes… It was time to plan for the future. Zhang Rang’s lips curled upward. He would need to find a successor. He couldn’t leave it to his foolish relatives. Though he had no intention of stepping down from this position, it wouldn’t be bad to bring in a capable and clever successor in case of emergencies. Since he already had a firm grip on the eunuch faction, expanding his influence toward the military faction would be a good choice.
Having finished his thoughts, Zhang Rang pulled his feet from the water and spoke to Elder Hwang.
“Fetch the finest horse in all of Zhongyuan.”
“You mean to say…”
Elder Hwang hurriedly dried Zhang Rang’s feet while trailing off. Then, he carefully put shoes on Zhang Rang’s feet. As soon as Elder Hwang fitted the shoes so the heels touched the floor, Zhang Rang stood up from his chair.
The golden glow of the setting sun spilled through the partially opened shutters. Zhang Rang pulled back the curtains. Outside, the fading light glinted against stones, their reflections stark and clear.
The sun still hung precariously in the sky, not long after his return from the palace. Watching the sun’s golden light gradually being consumed by the sky, Zhang Rang smiled slightly.
“I will meet the boy myself and judge his worth….”
Zhang Rang turned from the window, his gaze boring into Elder Hwang. His lips were curled in a smile, but his sharp eyes betrayed none of the warmth that his expression implied.
“If I see potential worth investing in that child, I’ll provide maximum support. I’ll even raise him to the position of Grand General.”
Elder Hwang bowed low, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.
Zhang Rang lowered his hand that had been holding up the curtains. The raised curtains swayed chaotically with a jingling sound.
“One week from now will suffice.”
“I will arrange the meeting, my lord.”
Elder Hwang picked up the foot basin and backed out of the room while bowing.
Once Elder Hwang had left, Zhang Rang move. The soft swish of his robes brushing against the floor seemed unnaturally loud in the stillness. He paused, staring at his reflection in the polished bronze mirror. How long had it been since he crossed the threshold into his sixties?
“A son… I never considered the idea. But Geum’s adopted child… intriguing.”
Zhang Rang recalled the image of Geum Danyo flickering in his mind. She was beautiful in her younger days, sitting with elegant poise. Zhang Rang turned his thoughts over.
He had heard that the child called Dongbaek was now 10 years old. If someone over sixty like himself were to adopt them as a son, it would become the laughingstock of society. Of course, Zhang Rang had already been the subject of enough gossip for his evil deeds, so what did public opinion matter to him?
However, it would be problematic if his political opponents or fellow Ten Regular Attendants like Jian Shuo learned that Zhang Rang was considering Dongbaek as a “proper” successor. They might try to secretly eliminate the child for their own gain.
“If I bring in Geum Danyo along with her child, it should provide sufficient cover for now…”
Since Geum Danyo was his concubine, there would be no issue in calling her back. Though she might act presumptuously if she forgot her place, the Geum Danyo he knew was clever and obedient. Even if she returned to this mansion, she would know her place and exercise restraint.
Everything was perfect. Zhang Rang grinned. As his lips curved up on his gaunt face, his cheeks hollowed, and his small snake-like eyes glinted as if eyeing prey.
Cao Teng would die soon. When that happens, that arrogant Cao Cao will lose his protective screen and won’t be able to act so impudently anymore. Zhang Rang smiled thinking of Cao Cao who would soon fall into his hands.
He couldn’t kill Cao Cao without proper justification. His hatred for Cao Cao was too deeply rooted, festering like a wound long since decayed.
Heaven must surely be watching over Zhang Rang. To send a successor at such a perfect time. Zhang Rang stroked his chin.
The wound that usually throbbed like a knife whenever he thought of Cao Cao was quiet now. Zhang Rang was naturally excited at the thought of humiliating the arrogant Cao Cao. Yes, let him taste the despair of inferiority at the hands of someone younger than himself!
What Zhang Rang harbored for Cao Cao was, in some ways, a form of envy. But Zhang Rang didn’t realize he harbored such feelings of defeat towards Cao Cao. Or perhaps he vaguely knew but couldn’t admit it.
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Several days had passed since Elder Hwang visited Geum Danyo’s house. Dongbaek continued her daily routine as if her meeting with Elder Hwang had been a dream.
It was Geum Danyo who grew more anxious as days passed. She tried desperately not to show her concerns.
Heavens, Zhang Rang’s adopted child!
Though nothing was confirmed yet, Geum Danyo guessed that Zhang Rang would make Dongbaek his successor the moment he saw her. Even in her eyes, Dongbaek was talented, exceptional, and beautiful—a child who would excel anywhere.
For Dongbaek to live as a man, becoming Zhang Rang’s successor would be the best choice available now. He could provide the finest education, the finest goods, and the highest position.
But Zhang Rang…
Geum Danyo shuddered at the mere thought of Zhang Rang. It felt as if something cold and slimy crawled up her arms and coiled around her neck, hissing in her ear.
Though Zhang Rang was her husband, he was someone she could never bring herself to like. It seemed like only yesterday that she had secretly rejoiced at being cast aside by that man who would examine her with his snake-like eyes.
‘But I can’t send Dongbaek there alone.’
Though an adopted son in name, Dongbaek was her child, and no mother would send her child alone into danger.
Moreover, the most crucial issue remained.
Zhang Rang didn’t know, but Dongbaek was actually a girl. If that man were to find out, what would he do…
Geum Danyo’s hands wrinkled her clothes tightly. Becoming Zhang Rang’s successor would be a good choice for Dongbaek. She couldn’t and shouldn’t make Dongbaek give up this opportunity.
‘So, I must protect her. It falls to me to shield Dongbaek and ensure Zhang Rang never discovers the truth.’
Though they had lived together for barely a month, Dongbaek had seeped deep into Geum Danyo’s heart. Geum Danyo resolved to willingly go to Zhang Rang for Dongbaek’s sake.
Just then, Housekeeper Wang’s call broke Geum Danyo’s reverie.
“My lady, Elder Hwang has arrived. Shall I show him in?”
“Yes, bring him in.”
Geum Danyo composed herself. Her posture as she prepared to receive the guest showed no trace of hesitation.
Elder Hwang entered the room with a bowed back. Only after hurrying to Geum Danyo’s presence did he slightly raise his head.
“The lord wishes to see you.”
“Is it only Dongbaek who needs to go? Or must I accompany him as well?”
Having already anticipated Zhang Rang’s approval, Geum Danyo wasn’t particularly surprised.
Zhang Rang, too, had aged. Without a successor, power couldn’t be maintained for long. Though he had managed well alone until now, he must be worried about what would happen after he retired from his position.
In such circumstances, it was natural for him to be curious about the child Elder Hwang suddenly recommended.
Rather, it was Elder Hwang who was surprised. Just how much did she understand? Come to think of it, she was a woman who had once controlled Zhang Rang’s household.
She might appear docile on the surface, but she was anything but naive. Elder Hwang spoke after a slight pause.
“We thought to make it appear as if the master has grown fond of you again and is calling you back to the mansion…”
“To make it appear that I am the primary reason, not Dongbaek.”
Elder Hwang nodded at Geum Danyo’s words. Geum Danyo sighed. He probably didn’t think she would refuse… And Zhang Rang’s assumption was correct. Geum Danyo spoke in a resigned voice.
“Do as you wish. What comment could we possibly make on Lord Zhang Rang’s decision?”
“Then… Lord Zhang Rang will visit around this time tomorrow.”
“Very well. We’ll see him then.”
Geum Danyo decisively dismissed him. Faced with Geum Danyo’s attitude as if dealing with an unwelcome guest, Elder Hwang withdrew without another word.
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Thank you for reading! ♡
