Chapter 34: A Favor (Part I)

The Grand Eunuch Huang Jin, much like the Senior Grand Secretary Yan Song, the Imperial Preceptor Tao Zhongwen, and the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard Lu Bing, was a quintessential figure of the Jiajing era. If one were to select the four most influential "divine" figures of the mid-to-late Jiajing period, these four would undoubtedly be the ones.

Huang Jin had served as a close companion to the Jiajing Emperor since his childhood. Anyone with even a rudimentary understanding of Ming dynasty politics understands the immense weight held by a "childhood companion" to the Emperor. At this time, Huang Jin held the posts of Director of the Ceremonial Secretariat and Superintendent of the Eastern Depot. Holding both the Seal and the Depot simultaneously was a clear testament to the Emperor's profound trust. Had Huang Jin not been a man of low profile and humility, lacking any thirst for absolute power, the Embroidered Uniform Guard would never have been able to completely overshadow the Eastern Depot as it did. Of course, regardless of how successful Huang Jin was, he could never be an idol to Bai Yu; after all, Bai Yu had no inclination toward self-castration.

Normally, a top-tier eunuch like Huang Jin and a lowly officer like Bai Yu would have no intersection; Bai Yu would simply stand on the roadside and watch the procession pass. However, a white figure suddenly darted out from Huang Jin’s retinue and strode directly toward Bai Yu.

Bai Yu couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Speak of the devil."

Who else could this person in white *yesa* robes, with an androgynous air, be but Lu Baiyi? He had just mentioned her when asked about his acquaintances, and here she was, appearing in the blink of an eye.

"Boy! It hasn't been long, and you've already found yourself a new branch to cling to!" Lu Baiyi called out, pointing at Bai Yu from a distance.

Beside him, Hundred-Man Commander Qian looked at Bai Yu with surprise. Could the ties between Bai Yu and the Lu family be deeper than he had imagined?

When she reached him, Lu Baiyi continued, "Do you look down on me?"

Bai Yu asked, bewildered, "What do you mean by that?" You are, after all, Lu Bing’s niece and Huang Jin’s goddaughter. Though your personality is a bit eccentric, who would dare look down on you?

Lu Baiyi seemed a bit annoyed, widening her eyes as she said, "When you were captured by Yan Hu, it was I who saved you, wasn't it? I was the first to recognize your talent and offer you a position, right? I even gave you three days of leeway! And yet, you turned around and pledged yourself to another. If that isn't looking down on me, what is? Don't forget, I saved you, and you still owe me a favor!"

Bai Yu said vaguely, "I haven't pledged myself to anyone. Besides, the Commander is your uncle; we are all family."

Lu Baiyi scoffed and corrected him, "Who says I consider him family?"

Bai Yu dared not respond. With others around, one wrong word could bring unnecessary trouble. It seemed that Lu Baiyi’s relationship with her uncle, Lu Bing, was truly complicated, and she still harbored deep resentment toward him. Bai Yu could understand this—before she could even marry, her fiancé had been executed by her own uncle. Such a tragic violation of human ethics was something few could bear. The most absurd part was that this political marriage between Lu Baiyi and the son of General Qiu Luan had been brokered by that very uncle, who ultimately wiped out the entire Qiu family. Such is the nature of politics.

Hundred-Man Commander Qian, who had been content to watch the drama, now dared not listen any further and turned to leave.

"What? Nothing to say?" Lu Baiyi sneered, watching the silent Bai Yu. "When I saved you from Yan Hu's clutches, you weren't like this."

Bai Yu explained, "I am a military household under the Embroidered Uniform Guard. When the Commander issues an order, I must obey; it is beyond my control." This was a plausible excuse. As for the real reason, it was, of course, for his long-term goals. Since Lu Baiyi’s superior was Huang Jin, if he were mistaken by the world for having defected to Huang Jin’s faction, the cost would outweigh the gains. After all, Bai Yu’s ultimate goal was to pass the imperial examinations and enter the circle of civil officials; joining the eunuch faction would be a permanent stain on his record. Following Lu Bing could still be excused as a duty of his military status, but joining the eunuchs would be inexcusable. Any self-help book would tell you not to sacrifice long-term goals for immediate gains.

Lu Baiyi could not press him further and instead said sarcastically, "You’re quite hardworking. I heard you were on duty at the Meridian Gate for only three days, and you already took down a Minister."

Bai Yu asked, puzzled, "Wasn't it two Ministers? How did it become one? Who erased my record?"

Lu Baiyi scoffed, "You wish. The Yan faction isn't easy to push around; they had to save someone! Otherwise, if they lost two Ministers at once, how could they show their faces in court? As far as I know, they protected Ouyang Bijin, the Minister of Works, who is closer to Grand Secretary Yan, and sacrificed Xu Lun, the Minister of War."

Hearing this, Bai Yu shook his head. He felt the Yan faction had chosen the wrong person to save. This wasn't an AI-derived deduction; it was Bai Yu’s own analysis. For reasons unknown, since the 39th year of Jiajing, the Yan faction had made a series of blunders, and even the Grand Secretary Yan Song had made frequent errors, lacking his former brilliance.

Lu Baiyi looked at Bai Yu’s dismissive expression and asked, "What is it? Do you have an opinion?"

Bai Yu shook his head. "No opinion! I am just a minor officer; what right do I have to judge the affairs of the court? I am not worthy!"

Why had he been transferred to the Xi'an Gate if not for "political commentary"?

Lu Baiyi poked at Bai Yu, emphasizing, "In any case, remember this: you owe me a favor—a favor equivalent to a life debt!"

With that, she turned to leave.

"Wait, wait!" Bai Yu hurriedly stopped her. "I don't like owing debts. Tell me right now how you want me to repay this favor." Such uncertainty was unsettling; it could explode into a crisis at any moment. He was currently at his lowest point, making this the most cost-effective time to settle the debt.

Lu Baiyi felt slightly annoyed; in her view, Bai Yu was trying to distance himself as quickly as possible. After a moment of thought, she said coldly, "I don't need help with anything right now, but there is one troublesome matter. My uncle, who has lost his mind, wants to arrange another political marriage and force me to marry into some official family. I loathe such things!"

Bai Yu was speechless. Historically, Lu Bing had indeed been very keen on political marriages. Several of his children were married into powerful families, but once he died, what use did it serve?

Lu Baiyi continued, "If you can stop this marriage, consider the favor repaid! Of course, if you can't, then forget it. This matter is quite difficult, and I won't force you..."

"I'll take the job," Bai Yu said suddenly.

Lu Baiyi’s eyes widened. "What did you say? You're accepting this request?" She had intended to propose something so difficult that he would back down, keeping the debt hanging over him. She never expected him to agree so readily.

Bai Yu responded firmly, "That’s right! Just wait for my good news!"

Feeling somewhat irritated, Lu Baiyi couldn't help but scold, "Are you out of your mind? Is your brain as water-logged as my uncle's? Do you think that just because you've joined his ranks, you have the qualifications to persuade him?"

Bai Yu waved his hand. "Don't you worry about that! You just don't want to marry, right? I have my ways; I guarantee I'll solve it!"