Quick Transmigration: Playing the Role of a Devoted Tool

As a close attendant, he was naturally labeled a "lackey" and a "cruel official," and everyone feared and hated him.

"No." Qi Ran raised her head, her eyes clear and honest. "I just don't know what happened."

Lan Bo didn't believe it. He curled his lips into a self-deprecating smile, and a hint of red appeared in his eyes.

"You don't need to comfort me. We're not the same people anymore. I'm now a eunuch that everyone hates, a henchman of the Imperial Concubine, while you are still a clean and honest attendant to the Ninth Prince."

He paused, as if afraid that Qi Ran would misunderstand, and hurriedly began to explain.

"That eunuch just now disrespected the Imperial Concubine's decree. I was only acting under orders and had no choice but to do so."

He spoke these words urgently, with a hint of pleading, as if he cared deeply about Qi Ran's opinion.

Qi Ran looked at the sadness and panic in his eyes, and her heart softened slightly.

He stepped forward, took out a clean handkerchief from his sleeve, and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of Lan Bo's eyes.

He knew that Lan Bo was strong-willed and would definitely not want anyone to see him like this.

"Blue Lapis Lazuli,"

Qi Ran softly called out her old name, her tone gentle, "I believe you. We're still good friends, that's never changed."

Upon hearing this, Lan Bo was stunned for a moment, then a genuine smile burst forth in his eyes. The desolation and ruthlessness he had just displayed seemed to vanish, and he returned to being the gentle young man he once was.

He sniffed, took a small oil paper packet from his sleeve, and handed it to Qi Ran: "This is for you, your favorite candied fruit."

Qi Ran took the oil paper package, and felt a warmth in her heart as her fingertips touched the warm fabric.

"Thanks."

His eyes curved gently, just like the countless afternoons they had spent walking side by side along the palace path—the look Lan Bo knew and cherished most.

"Go quickly, don't keep the Ninth Prince waiting." Lan Bo urged with a smile, his tone full of familiar concern.

Qi Ran nodded, bowed again, and then turned to leave with the tea box in his arms.

His figure gradually blended into the light and shadow under the corridor, and his footsteps were absorbed by the bluestone slabs, becoming lighter and lighter.

Lan Bo stood still, her gaze following his retreating figure until the blue figure completely disappeared at the end of the corridor. Only then did the tenderness in her eyes gradually fade, like mist blown away by the wind, and was replaced by a cold ruthlessness.

As the sun rose higher, the shadows under the eaves were softened by the sunlight, but they still couldn't hide the coldness in his eyes, leaving only a pair of eyes that were frighteningly bright.

He slowly turned around and walked to the spot where the eunuch had been kneeling. Two eunuchs in black immediately emerged from behind the pillars, each holding a trembling eunuch under their control.

It was the same eunuch who had just told them to "get lost."

Lan Bo had actually noticed Qi Ran's presence long ago, which is why he put on that act.

Deep down, he still didn't want Qi Ran to know that he had killed someone.

Lan Bo's face remained expressionless. He raised his foot and kicked the eunuch hard in the knee. With a crisp "crack," the eunuch let out a heart-wrenching scream and fell straight to the ground, his legs deformed.

The black-clad eunuchs around didn't even lift their eyelids, clearly already used to this scene.

Lan Bo squatted down, lifted the eunuch's chin with his toe, and spoke in a calm tone as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

"The Imperial Concubine's anger hasn't subsided yet, and you already want to leave?"

He made a throat-slitting gesture to the black-clad eunuch beside him, his voice low but carrying an undeniable ruthlessness.

"Clean it up properly, don't leave any traces, lest you disturb the Imperial Concubine's peace."

"Yes, Eunuch Lan."

Two eunuchs in black immediately responded and dragged the eunuch on the ground to a secluded spot outside the corridor.

The eunuch's screams grew weaker and weaker until they were completely swallowed up by the gentle spring breeze, as if they had never happened.

Only a faint smell of blood remained under the eaves, mixed with the sweet fragrance of apricot blossoms, slowly dissipating in the warm air.

A few sparrows hopped on the distant palace wall, chirping, but their calls did nothing to lessen the eeriness of the place.

Lan Bo stood up, patted off non-existent dust from the hem of his clothes, and resumed his calm and reserved demeanor.

The warm spring breeze brushed against his cheek, but he was completely unaware.

The tears he shed in front of Qi Ran just now were half genuine and half calculated; they were merely a means for him to ease tensions.

He knew he was already mired in a quagmire, separated from Qi Ran by the coldness of the palace walls, the oppression of imperial power, and the lingering sinister atmosphere of the entire palace.

Today's warmth is nothing more than a stolen moment of peace.

But it doesn't matter. As long as Qi Ran stays in my sight and as long as I can maintain this "friendship," what does this little bit of pretense matter?

He looked up in the direction Qi Ran had left, and deep in his eyes lay a shrewdness and calculation beyond his years.

As dusk deepened, the outline of the palace walls became increasingly blurred, resembling a lurking giant beast.

In this deep palace, if you want to survive and climb the ranks, you absolutely must be ruthless and merciless.

Qi Ran returned to the Crown Prince's Palace and entered the main room of the western side hall. Gu Qing had just returned from teaching and placed his books on the table. A refreshing aroma of tea wafted from his nose.

"New tea?" Gu Qing asked.

"Your Highness, please have a taste." Qi Ran poured him a cup, and some candied fruit fell out of her sleeve pocket.

"What's this?" Gu Qing held the cup in one hand and picked up the oil paper package that had fallen on his knee with the other. He smelled it and it smelled sweet like candied fruit.

"I met Lan Bo on the way, and he gave it to me." Qi Ran seemed unaware of how prominent Lan Bo's name was in the palace these days.

Upon hearing this, Gu Qing's expression changed. "Did he bully you?"

Qi Ran shook her head, "Your Highness, don't worry, Lan Bo won't bully me. We've known each other for so long."

"But people's hearts are unpredictable, Aran." Gu Qing took a sip of tea, opened the oil paper package, looked at the golden candied fruits, picked one up and fed it to Qi Ran.

"Is it tasty?"

"Mmm, it's sweet." Qi Ran nodded, her cheeks twitching slightly, and a smile curving her lips.

Gu Qing also ate one; it was very sweet.

He didn't eat much, and gave the rest to Qi Ran.

When Qi Ran had nothing to do, he would sit on the threshold of the side room, eating the candied fruit in his arms and staring blankly at the butterflies in the yard.

When Shu Jing arrived, he saw this scene.

The young boy sat quietly, his beautiful eyebrows and eyes like flower buds quietly blooming under the moon. He dared not imagine what Qi Ran would look like in the future.

Will it become more beautiful and charming, or even more unforgettable?

"What are you eating so intently?" Shu Jing smiled and walked to Qi Ran's side, bent down, saw the candied fruit in Qi Ran's palm, and looked up at the boy's chubby cheeks.

"Young Master Shu, please have this." Qi Ran handed it out, holding up the candied fruit, her voice soft and sweet.

"Then I'll try one." His heart skipped a beat. He picked one up and put it in his mouth. It was indeed very sweet, just like the boy's slightly raised face at that moment, his smile full of sincerity.

"I'll bring you some next time too."

"Thank you, Young Master Shu." Qi Ran thanked him politely, but didn't take it seriously.

"You eat, I'm going to accompany His Highness the Crown Prince in his lessons." Shu Jingxin felt a tickle, then rubbed the boy's head and strode towards the main hall.

Not long after, Gu Qing arrived at the main hall to give a lecture right on time.