Chapter Twelve: Keeping Eunuch Qin in Check

“All right. Qing’er, no one in the palace dares to fool me.” Princess Changle smiled softly and said, “Listen closely.”

Xue Qing carefully placed the music box, inspected it once more, and then wound it up before opening it.

After hearing only two notes, Xue Qing immediately said, “Princess, something’s not right.”

“This isn’t the original melody,” Xue Qing added.

“Enough,” Princess Changle replied. “I accidentally dropped it and damaged it. It’s already good that it can be repaired. No need to be too harsh. Besides, this is quite nice too.”

As she spoke, the two tigers melody played once again.

The princess’s eyes brightened as she listened. “It sounds wonderful, much better than the original. So playful and childlike.”

“I didn’t expect there would be such a master in the Inner Workshop.”

“Princess, I don’t think this person is from the Inner Workshop. Today, when I went there, I met an outsider. He was invited by Eunuch Qin Shouzhong to repair the music box. He’s from the He family of Marquis Wuning. His name is… He, He…” Xue Qing tilted her head and frowned, unable to recall the full name for a moment.

The princess laughed, “Could it be that his name is ‘He He’?”

“Princess, you jest. Who would have such a name? I remember now, his name is He Chong’an. Since you like it, perhaps you could reward him?” Xue Qing finally recalled and said.

Princess Changle smiled, “Those inside the palace can be rewarded freely, but outsiders cannot be given gifts so casually. Xue Qing, you must understand the rules.”

“I suppose Eunuch Qin would naturally thank him.”

However, the name He Chong’an was firmly etched into Princess Changle’s memory.

Every time she heard the two tigers’ melody, she thought of him.

Princess Changle believed Qin Shouzhong would properly thank He Chong’an.

What she did not know was that at this very moment, Qin Shouzhong was seething with rage.

Qin Shouzhong was delighted to receive the princess’s reward. A eunuch of his rank could command hundreds or even thousands of taels of silver with a mere flick of his finger. Ten taels was nothing to him.

But the princess’s gift was different.

It symbolized imperial favor.

It represented a secure backing.

With the princess’s reward, Qin Shouzhong no longer feared losing his position.

Once the crisis passed, he recalled the ten thousand taels he had given to He Chong’an, and his teeth itched with resentment. “My silver isn’t so easy to part with,” he thought bitterly.

He had already decided to teach He Chong’an a lesson.

Before, He Chong’an was useful; Qin had tolerated even his most obsequious flattery. But now, He Chong’an was no longer of use. Those past sycophantic acts felt like sharp thorns stabbing at Qin’s heart.

It was painful.

Back at the Inner Workshop.

He saw He Chong’an directing the craftsmen, led by Lei Qianjun, discussing the making of pocket watches.

Qin Shouzhong’s face darkened like still water as he cleared his throat twice.

The craftsmen immediately bowed upon seeing him.

Qin Shouzhong seemed to ignore He Chong’an and asked, “What are you all doing here? Have you finished your current tasks?”

The craftsmen exchanged glances. Lei Qianjun, relying on his seniority, stepped forward and said, “Eunuch, didn’t you say to make pocket watches?”

“Who said that? Who said that?” Qin exploded. “Did I say that? What kind of nobody can just come to the Inner Workshop and boss people around?”

Qin’s gaze fixed sharply on He Chong’an.

It was a classic case of veiled accusation.

He Chong’an was prepared. “Eunuch, may I have a word in private?”

“What private talk? I, Qin, have a clear conscience before heaven and earth. If you have something to say, say it openly.”

“Very well. Eunuch Qin, are you sure the music box is fully repaired?” He Chong’an smiled.

Qin Shouzhong’s face darkened instantly. “Wasn’t it just fixed?”

“Was it? Who said so? I didn’t say that. You merely think it’s fixed,” He Chong’an replied.

Qin recalled the earlier moment. Indeed, after the music box produced sound again, Qin had eagerly sent it to the princess. He Chong’an had not once said it was finished.

Cold sweat broke out on Qin’s forehead. He grabbed Lei Qianjun’s collar. “You did the work. Did you say it’s fixed?”

“Well…” Lei hesitated, “It looks fine to me, but there are some parts drawn by Master He that I don’t understand.”

In truth, Lei judged the music box as repaired. But he dared not be too definitive.

What if it broke again? Would he be held responsible?

Qin was dumbfounded. After a moment, he forced a smile and said to He Chong’an, “Master He, let’s have that private talk.”

“Is now a good time for that private talk?”

“Look at you. I’m just a nobody. If you’re magnanimous, please let me off.”

Qin Shouzhong was practically begging, wanting to kneel and cling to He Chong’an’s legs.

“Very well. Please,” He Chong’an said.

Qin led He Chong’an into a private room and cautiously asked, “Master He, what is it you want?”

“I only want fifty pocket watches,” He Chong’an said. “But you need to think carefully. Whether the music box is good or bad doesn’t matter. What matters is, do you think it won’t break again?”

“Consider carefully before deciding what to do.”

Qin’s eyes darted anxiously. He sighed inwardly, recalling the pressure from the Inner Workshop in recent days over the music box’s problems. His own position there might be at risk.

Ten thousand taels suddenly seemed insignificant.

He resolved to endure this humiliation, vowing to cultivate someone capable of repairing music boxes in the future. Then, he could find a way to take revenge.

“Master He, you are the master here. Everyone in the Inner Workshop listens to you. But please promise, if such a situation arises again, you will lend a hand.”

“Agreed.”

Qin arranged for all the workshop craftsmen to be gathered.

Hundreds of craftsmen were employed, each far more skilled than those in the He household. With He Chong’an’s precise blueprints and living alongside the craftsmen, they finally produced fifty pocket watches.

At the same time, He Chong’an had the Inner Workshop make a one-to-one replica of the music box.

Before leaving, He Chong’an carried a box of pocket watches and paid another visit to Qin Shouzhong.

“Thank you for your hard work, Eunuch Qin. Here is ten thousand taels. I cannot let you work for nothing.”

Qin’s eyes lit up upon seeing the money.

This was plainly the very sum he had given He Chong’an, now returned intact.

Even for someone like Qin, who needed a long time to save ten thousand taels, this feeling of recovery was exhilarating.

He hastily said, “Master He, what is this—”

“Eunuch Qin, after these days of dealing with you, I believe you are a man of feeling. I’ll be frank. For people like us, money is just a trifle. More or less doesn’t matter. But these past years, the household’s finances were tight. This time, asking for your help was a last resort. Please forgive me.”

Qin, overjoyed, kept his eyes glued to the silver notes, smiling awkwardly, “What are you saying? I have my faults too.”