Quick Transmigration: Playing the Role of a Devoted Tool

After taking down one, the other eunuch was terrified, but he knew he couldn't back down now, so he had no choice but to grit his teeth and charge at Lan Bo.

Lan Bo had just gone through a fight and was exhausted, but his eyes remained firm as he grappled with his opponent with a fierce determination.

Using the water's resistance, he dodged the opponent's attack, seized the opportunity, kicked the opponent in the chest, and then pounced on him, pushing the opponent's head underwater until the opponent stopped moving.

The garden fell completely silent, with only Lan Bo's heavy breathing and the sound of the cold wind whistling past.

He was soaked to the bone and shivering from the cold, yet he stood firmly in the water, his gaze fixed on Consort Xiao.

There was no fear in his eyes, but rather a burning, undisguised ambition.

Consort Xiao took in all of this, her smile growing even wider, a hint of interest flashing in her eyes.

This little eunuch is different from the other useless people who only know how to beg for mercy. The ambition in his eyes grows wildly like weeds, which is quite interesting.

She waved her hand and said to the head eunuch beside her, "Bring him up, take him to wash up, and have him stay by my side to serve me."

The head eunuch stepped forward in response. When Lan Bo was pulled ashore, his whole body was stiff with cold, but he still kept his back straight.

He knew he had won his gamble.

Consort Xiao watched his retreating figure with a smile playing on her lips.

She wanted to see just how high this ambitious little eunuch could climb and what surprises he could give her.

This unexpected turn of events was like a drop of water falling into a lake; it didn't cause any major changes.

Lan Bo became a favorite of Consort Xiao.

He was good at talking and knew how to please Consort Xiao. Even Rong Bao, who used to serve Consort Xiao, had to lower his posture and assist Lan Bo.

From the Imperial Concubine's palace came the barking of dogs.

When the emperor arrived, he saw a young eunuch kneeling on the ground, barking like a dog. He did not punish Consort Xiao, but was quite pleased that a servant was willing to coax Consort Xiao to be happy.

"Your Majesty, I greet you." Consort Xiao changed her demeanor and took a seat with the emperor in her arms.

After the emperor took his seat, a group of servants rose and busied themselves with serving him.

Lan Bo knelt at Consort Xiao's feet, serving as a foot warmer for her, which caught the Emperor's attention.

"My dear consort, there are such interesting servants in this palace," the emperor joked, making Consort Xiao happy.

"Your Majesty, this little servant is indeed interesting."

Upon hearing this, the emperor ordered Lan Bo to perform.

Lan Bo got up, barked like a dog, and did somersaults like a monkey, making the emperor and the imperial concubine laugh heartily.

"How interesting! Here you go!"

With a wave of his hand, the emperor bestowed many rewards upon Lan Bo.

He didn't hide it; he took a portion and used the rest to do favors, sending gifts to all the maids and eunuchs in the courtyard.

Even Rong Bao got a share.

That night, Lan Bo went to the entrance of the Crown Prince's Palace, took a look from afar, and then left.

Qi Ran went to the Crown Prince's Palace. Now that things are better, he'll probably forget about him.

Lan Bo smiled bitterly. He was just a eunuch; what was he even fantasizing about?

Qi Ran wasn't a eunuch. He was a servant brought into the palace by the Ninth Prince's mother. He could leave the palace when he reached a certain age, while eunuchs remained eunuchs even after leaving the palace.

Qi Ran could marry, have children, and live a good life, while he could only find a place to wait for death.

The snow melts, spring arrives, and life in the palace continues as before.

When Gu Qing was giving lessons, Qi Ran would take her clothes and blankets to wash.

When the Imperial Household Department sent eunuchs to deliver things, Qi Ran would inquire about Lan Bo.

The eunuch snorted coldly and advised Qi Ran to give up.

"He's a favorite of Consort Xiao now; you're way out of his league."

After the eunuch who delivered the goods left, Qi Ran carried the coal into the kitchen.

He wasn't trying to curry favor with Lan Bo; after all, he had received kindness from him. So he inquired about his situation and, knowing that the other was doing well, Qi Ran felt relieved.

This dimension is quite complex and difficult; you have to be careful in everything you do.

Qi Ran still remembers the time she went to the well to fetch water and saw the body of someone who had jumped into the well, which startled her.

The next morning, as dawn broke.

Qi Ran lit the stove and helped Gu Qing get up and wash.

Gu Qing's meals were much better than before. He ate a few bites and then his gaze fell on Qi Ran, who was standing there.

"Ah Ran, sit down and eat with me."

"Your Highness, this is against the rules," Qi Ran refused.

His mission was to stay with Gu Qing until the end and not die halfway through, so he had to strictly fulfill his duties in the palace and not leave any handle for others to use against him.

Gu Qing was in a bad mood after being rejected, but he didn't show it.

He missed the days he spent in the cold palace.

Although life was tough, Qi Ran was still willing to eat with him.

Gu Qing ate some, and left the rest for Qi Ran.

Qi Ran cleared away the food after Gu Qing finished eating and then ate her meal in the kitchen.

While he was eating, the door to the side room was pushed open.

Shu Jing arrived early in the morning, unable to resist wanting to see what Qi Ran was doing.

Seeing him eating leftovers, her face stiffened. She stepped forward to examine him closely, suppressing her heartache.

"You're just going to eat this?"

"Mm." Qi Ran wiped her mouth, stood up and bowed.

"Qi Ran, this is for you." Shu Jing smiled and took out a string of candied hawthorns, which he bought when he entered the palace, and gave them to Qi Ran specially.

He imagined the boy would happily accept it and then excitedly express his liking for it.

But that's not the case in reality.

Qi Ran did not accept it, but stepped back, politely expressed her gratitude, and did not reach out her hand.

"Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Shu, but according to palace rules, I cannot accept anything from outside the palace."

Shu Jing's face stiffened.

Indeed, there is such a rule in the palace.

In order to restrict palace servants from accepting bribes, it was strictly forbidden for servants to accept items from outside the palace.

But it's just a string of candied hawthorns; once you eat it, you'll be fine.

"Qi Ran, I won't say anything, you can eat it. No one will know if you eat it." Shu Jing held out his hand, gesturing for Qi Ran to take it.

Qi Ran shook her head again, her gaze calm and devoid of emotion.

Like a calm lake in spring, clear and peaceful, without the slightest ripple.

But Shu Jing didn't like that look.

He hoped to see happiness and more emotion on Qi Ran's face.

But he didn't want to pressure Qi Ran, so he put the candied hawthorn on the table, turned around, and left.

Qi Ran looked at the candied hawthorn and felt it would be a waste to throw it away, so she gave it to Gu Qing.

"Where did this come from?" Gu Qing asked, holding the candied hawthorn.

"It was given to me by Shu, my reading companion," Qi Ran replied.

Gu Qing thought about it for a moment, then ate it anyway.

He didn't dislike Shu Jing. Shu Jing was a very talented and strategic person. The Crown Prince valued him highly, and Gu Qing also had a lot to learn from him, so it was natural to cultivate a good relationship.

"Aran, open your mouth." Gu Qing plucked a seed and put it to Qi Ran's lips.

Qi Ran opened her mouth and bit into it; it was very sweet, but the sweetness was followed by sourness.

And so, Gu Qing ate one and fed Qi Ran one.

The quiet room was filled with a sweet scent. Sunlight fell on Gu Qing and Qi Ran, making his already fair face rosy, like a candied hawthorn between his lips.

Gu Qing watched, swallowed the hawthorn, and looked away.