The Empress Arrives: Rebirth of Concubine Hua

Chapter 81 Just the Right Taste
As soon as Nian Shilan saw Zhou Anhai, she felt her whole body numb. Unexpectedly, it was the eunuch in charge of the kitchen in the palace whom she had seen in her dream, the one Jiang Fuhai called "Eunuch Zhou".

But Zhou Anhai in the dream was not lame, and he looked more energetic than he is now.

The Zhou Anhai in front of him was still as thin as in the dream, wearing a set of eunuch clothes that looked like they had been washed many times. When he stood up after bowing to Nian Shilan, his legs seemed to be very inconvenient, and his face looked older than in the dream.

Nian Shilan suppressed the shock in her heart and spoke as calmly as possible.

"Eunuch Zhou, I heard Xiao Linzi always mention you, saying that you have a lot of experience in raising horses. I invited you here today because I want to ask you some questions about horses."

Hearing Nian Shilan's politeness, Zhou Anhai wanted to kneel down again, but Nian Shilan waved his hand to signal Xiao Linzi to hold his master steady so that he didn't have to kneel down again.

It was the first time Zhou Anhai met such a polite master, and a sense of gratitude welled up in his heart.

In the eyes of their master, the lives of servants are worthless, otherwise he wouldn't be limping now.

"I thank Concubine for your consideration. When I found Xiao Linzi, he was only seven years old and didn't even know his own name. I have no ability and I am afraid that he will die if he wanders outside. I can only be hard-hearted and ask the housekeeper to keep him in the palace. Concubine, please ask me for your opinion. I will tell you everything I know."

Zhou Anhai bowed his body, showing great respect.

Seeing that he was leaning when he was standing, and it was even more strenuous for him to bend over, Nian Shilan simply ordered Xiao Linzi to bring a stool and let him sit.

A hint of surprise flashed across Zhou Anhai's face. No wonder this little Linzi had been so loyal to the concubine after only being with her for more than half a year.

This concubine treats her servants as human beings.

Xiao Linzi helped Zhou Anhai sit down, and then Nian Shilan spoke slowly again, this time with a smile on her face.

"Eunuch Zhou, there is no need to be so reserved. Xiao Linzi is very useful to me. The only shortcoming is that he cannot read. It is inconvenient for him to work for me now. I wonder if Eunuch Zhou can read?"

Zhou Anhai lowered his head and answered.

"I know a few words, but not many. I can barely read Hundred Family Names and Thousand Character Classic. If you are relieved, you can ask Xiao Linzi to come to me every day, and I will do my best to teach him."

Nian Shilan was also happy to hear this.

"In that case, why should I worry? You were the one who raised him, so it's only natural for him to call you his savior."

Nian Shilan asked a few more questions about how to tame the horse's fierce temper. Zhou Anhai answered Nian Shilan to the best of his knowledge and then returned to the stable in the backyard.

Xiao Linzi was smart. He took the opportunity of sending Zhou Anhai back and asked quietly, seemingly unintentionally.

"Master, I still don't know what's wrong with your leg."

Zhou Anhai was limping and walking slowly. When he heard Xiao Linzi asking a question, he stopped.

He looked at Xiao Linzi, sighed, and continued talking as he walked.

"You monkey, you don't know what I mean. You are asking on behalf of the concubine."

Seeing that he couldn't hide it from Zhou Anhai, Xiao Linzi chuckled.

"Master is worthy of being a master. What is going on?"

Zhou Anhai didn't say anything for a long time. When he spoke again, he instructed Xiao Linzi.

"Boy, since you have won the favor of the concubine, then you should do your job well. As servants, we have to do whatever the master says. If the master wants our lives, we have to give them. But I, your master, am not as lucky as you. I followed the wrong master and messed up my job, which is why I am in this situation now."

After a pause, Zhou Anhai continued.

"This concubine is a very lucky person. If you follow her well, there will be many good things."

Xiao Linzi nodded repeatedly, indicating that what the master said was right. "I understand, master. Don't worry, I will follow the concubine well. By the way, master, do you also have no family of your own like Xiao Linzi? How come I have followed you for so many years and never heard you mention your family?"

Zhou Anhai sneered.

"Family? Boy, remember, I am different from you. You were abducted by a kidnapper, but you still have a family, and your family is still alive and well in this world. I have no family. When I was twelve years old, my hometown suffered a flood. My parents sold my brother and me to a nobleman from the palace for two taels of silver to feed themselves. My brother was only four years old, just as old as you were when you were abducted by the kidnapper. My brother and I were taken to the palace and castrated. Later, I was assigned to this palace. At that time, the master was still a prince. I never saw my brother again. I don't even know if he is still alive. Where is my home? Where do you think I have a home?"

Xiao Linzi was stunned. It turned out that his master had such a story. This was like a stab in the heart for him.

"Master, do you remember your brother's name? I've been trying to find out, maybe you two can still meet each other!"

In order to cover up the atmosphere, Xiao Linzi said with a smile.

Zhou Anhai thought about it and felt that Xiao Linzi had more opportunities to be outside than him. Following the concubine, he would be able to enter the palace frequently in the future. So, he decided to tell him, just in case.

"My brother's name is one character different from mine, and his name is Zhou Ninghai. If he were still alive, he would be 20 years old now."

Xiao Linzi counted on his fingers.

"Ah? Master, you are only 28 years old?"

Zhou Anhai turned his head and glared at Xiao Linzi.

"What? Not like? Do I look old? I just suffered a blow and look older in the past few years! Humph!"

Xiao Linzi waved his hands and said with a smile.

"Master, don't be angry. I didn't say you were old. I meant that you are at a good age now and you should be more energetic. Concubine Fu Jin treats us servants very well. Master, do you want to..."

Zhou Anhai just said.

"Boy, just follow the concubine, I won't be able to help you. The master is behind you."

Xiao Linzi said quickly.

"Okay! I feel relieved with your words!"

After Xiao Linzi returned to Cheng'en Garden and reported in detail the information he had asked about, Nian Shilan sent him away.

Sure enough, because of her rebirth, even the trajectories of the people around her changed.

Nian Shilan sat under the grape vines in the yard. Several bunches of grapes that were often exposed to the sun were ripe and purple, making people want to taste them.

Songzhi called Xiao Linzi over, picked two bunches, washed them with water, peeled them, put them in a small white jade bowl, and placed them on the small table in front of Nian Shilan.

Nian Shilan took the silver fork handed to her by Songzhi, picked up a grape and put it in her mouth.

It's sweet and sour, just the right flavor.

"Xiao Linzi, pick two more bunches of good and ripe ones, wash them and send them to the master."

Nian Shilan swallowed the grapes in her mouth and spoke casually.

Xiao Linzi responded and quickly went to pick the grapes, plucked them, washed them, put them on a plate, and sent them to the front yard.

But when Xiao Linzi came back, he brought back a message.

(End of this chapter)