Consort Mei said firmly, "No, it doesn't matter if my face is treated or not. Anyway, my life is going to be like this."
Hearing Consort Mei's words, Bai Sheng felt they were very similar to her third uncle's tone. Both of them had clearly accepted their fate, seeing their future lives as already laid out.
Having such thoughts, to put it nicely, was to be indifferent and accepting; to put it bluntly, it was a helpless compromise with an unsatisfactory reality and self-hypnosis, achieved by suppressing the desires and vitality of life for a moment of peace.
Bai Sheng did not presume to judge others' life attitudes, but could only offer help within her capacity. The decision ultimately rested with them.
"Your Highness!" Eunuch Zhu suddenly produced a dagger, pointing its tip at his own face, and pleaded with a bitter tone, "If you do not agree, this old servant will ruin this face. I am a eunuch; the beauty or ugliness of my face is of little consequence to me."
Everyone present was startled.
Consort Mei angrily exclaimed, "Zhu Hou! You are forcing this consort, forcing me to build my happiness upon your suffering!"
"This old servant is not suffering! To share your worries, Your Highness, is the happiest and most blissful thing in this old servant's life. Your Highness, are you unwilling to even give this old servant... this opportunity?" Eunuch Zhu's eyes were full of pleading, his voice sounding incredibly dejected.
Consort Mei's eyes welled up with tears, and she berated him with pain, "Zhu Hou, how much more do you want this consort to owe you in this life? Ever since this consort entered the palace to become the Emperor's woman, you castrated yourself and, willing to become a eunuch, stayed by this consort's side. For so many years, you know how guilty this consort has felt! Now, you expect me to suffer the condemnation of my conscience once more!"
Upon hearing Consort Mei's words, Bai Sheng was shocked. So Eunuch Zhu was not a eunuch from the beginning, but Consort Mei's attendant. He had castrated himself to become a eunuch for her.
Eunuch Zhu was too devoted to Consort Mei!
Zhu Hou was slightly taken aback. He clearly had not anticipated that his actions would cause Consort Mei such great psychological pressure. His lips moved, and he trembled, "Your Highness, this old servant was originally a heavy laborer slave. When I was twelve, you saved me.
From that day on, this old servant's life belonged to Your Highness. This old servant's greatest wish in this life is to serve Your Highness by your side.
I have fulfilled my wish, how can you... how can you say that this old servant did this to make you owe me?"
Ziqiu, standing by, wiped the corners of her eyes with her sleeve. She knew of Eunuch Zhu's loyalty to her Highness, and her Highness likely couldn't bear for him to be taken advantage of again.
"Zhu Hou, listen to me! This consort does not want you to sacrifice yourself for me again! This consort does not need your sacrifice!" Consort Mei raised her voice, her tone deepening.
"Your Highness—" Eunuch Zhu looked crestfallen. Helpless, he could only turn his gaze to Bai Sheng, his eyes filled with entreaty.
Bai Sheng felt a pang of panic. What did Eunuch Zhu mean by this? Was he asking her to intercede on his behalf? But she didn't know if Consort Mei should agree to him.
Seeing that Bai Sheng showed no inclination to help, the light in Eunuch Zhu's eyes gradually dimmed. He seemed to have been drained of his spirit and vitality, becoming listless and weak.
Looking at him, Bai Sheng was reminded of a stray dog abandoned by its owner on the street.
Alas, she might as well try to persuade Consort Mei. Since Eunuch Zhu was willing, no matter what happened in the future, it would be his own doing, and he could not blame others.
Bai Sheng coughed lightly, clearing her throat, and said, "Your Highness, why don't you agree to Eunuch Zhu's request?"
"Xiao Sheng, you—" Consort Mei looked at Bai Sheng with surprise. She had thought Bai Sheng would share her opinion, as neither of them liked taking advantage of others.
Bai Sheng ignored Consort Mei's astonished expression and continued with a smile, "Your Highness, in fact, everyone has their own aspirations and their own life trajectories. For Eunuch Zhu, spending his life by your side, protecting and serving you, is his life's ambition. When he fulfills this ambition, his heart will be filled with happiness and contentment."
Eunuch Zhu looked gratefully at Bai Sheng. This young lady truly understood his feelings; this was exactly what he meant!
"But he is also a living being with flesh and blood; he cannot sacrifice himself for me his entire life!" Consort Mei sighed.
"Who says he will only sacrifice for you his entire life?" Bai Sheng immediately retorted. "When he was so young, he was already a heavy laborer slave. If you hadn't saved him, he might have died from exhaustion long ago and never lived to see this day.
Moreover, by following you, he eats well, drinks well, and is well-dressed. He lives a life of abundance and stability. With his leisure time, he can even plant flowers, raise grass, and develop his hobbies. With your protection, most people would not dare to bully him casually.
Even if he makes some sacrifices for you, it is to make himself feel important, to make himself feel happy and joyful. Consort Mei, why can't you fulfill his wish?"
Bai Sheng's words stunned everyone present.
Eunuch Zhu felt that Miss Bai was like his confidante. He had originally wanted to persuade Her Highness to agree to him, but he was slow-witted and could not articulate suitable reasons. He never expected Miss Bai to list so many points at once, each of which was a fact and sounded perfectly reasonable.
Only then did Consort Mei realize that it wasn't Eunuch Zhu who had been unilaterally giving to her; she had also reciprocated him. She had never considered looking at the issue from a different perspective, and thus had lived in guilt.
At this moment, Consort Mei's psychological burden when facing Eunuch Zhu significantly lessened.
Ziqiu expressed her astonishment. Miss Bai's eloquence was truly remarkable; her words had soothed the hearts of both Her Highness and Eunuch Zhu.
"Zhu Hou, I agree. However, before Xiao Sheng treats my face, you can change your mind at any time. If you do, do not be ashamed to tell me." Consort Mei did not want to take advantage of anyone, but if Eunuch Zhu was particularly insistent and found happiness in it, then she would fulfill his wish.
At worst, she would protect and support him for the rest of his life, caring for him until old age.
"Indeed, Your Highness, this is this old servant's honor!" Eunuch Zhu was overjoyed. Compared to himself, he wished Consort Mei a happier and more fulfilling life.
Bai Sheng instructed, "Your Highness, this month, you must sincerely kneel and pay respects to the deity of蛊 (gu) morning and evening, eat fresh food, and ensure sufficient nutrition and sleep. Do not kill, and do not harbor evil thoughts, allowing your body and spirit to be purified from the inside out. Next month, on this day, I will transfer the backlash to you.
Eunuch Zhu, on the other hand, you can occasionally do some minor evils, such as stealing something, getting into a small fight, or scolding someone. This will make the transfer easier."
Eunuch Zhu frowned slightly and hissed, "Miss Bai, you mean the more wicked I am, the easier the transfer will be?"
"That is indeed the case," Bai Sheng nodded. "The origin of witch and gu sorcery is the utilization of the念力 (nianli) in the cycle of reincarnation. The more wicked Eunuch Zhu is, the easier it will be to transfer the backlash to him, as it will carry a punitive nature."