Chapter 68: The Jade Pendant

When Lu Qing found Eunuch Guo, he was still atop the fortress wall and had not gone to sleep. It seemed he had been waiting all this time for Lu Qing’s reply.

Little Tian Yin, however, had long since fallen asleep with his head resting on Eunuch Guo’s lap. As Lu Qing approached, he saw the old man gently remove his cloak and drape it over the sleeping child, his face aglow with benevolence from afar.

Catching sight of Lu Qing, Eunuch Guo waved a hand, signaling him to tread softly, then pointed at a low stone before him, indicating for Lu Qing to sit.

After Lu Qing sat down, Eunuch Guo asked, “So, how did your discussions go?”

Lu Qing hesitated, uncertain how to broach the matter of his decision to stay behind. After a long moment, he finally mustered the courage to tell Eunuch Guo everything.

“What? You want to stay?” Eunuch Guo was shocked, and immediately angered. He had not expected that Lu Qing would choose to leave him behind for the sake of a group of women he barely knew.

“You—!” Eunuch Guo raised his hand, as if to slap Lu Qing, but the gesture stalled in midair, and he could not bring himself to strike.

He let out a long sigh, his gaze settling on Lu Qing’s face, searching for any sign of regret. But to his disappointment, Lu Qing’s expression was not one of remorse, but one of unwavering resolve.

“So be it. I always knew you were a compassionate young man, unable to bear the suffering of those poor, helpless women. Ah…” Eunuch Guo shook his head helplessly. Though he had not known Lu Qing for long, he had already come to regard the youth as family. Now, with this sudden parting, he could not help but feel a deep sadness, a sense of loss and helplessness.

“Sir…” Seeing Eunuch Guo so despondent, Lu Qing felt a pang of sorrow himself. Though he had initially approached the old eunuch with the intention of using him, after all this time together, a measure of genuine affection had grown between them. Now that he was about to leave, thinking of the old man’s kindness made it all the more difficult.

He called out softly, but Eunuch Guo did not respond, his gaze fixed upon a brick in the wall, unmoving for a long while.

With Eunuch Guo silent, Lu Qing found himself at a loss for words. Though he had much he wished to say, the words would not come.

After several long minutes of silence, Eunuch Guo suddenly stirred. He reached into his robe and drew out a jade pendant, motioning for Lu Qing to take it.

Lu Qing did not understand his intent, but seeing the exquisite craftsmanship and obvious value of the jade, he hesitated to accept it.

“If I tell you to take it, then you take it. What are you afraid of?” Without further ado, Eunuch Guo pressed the jade firmly into Lu Qing’s hand, then fell silent once more, his expression grave, as if deep in thought.

Lu Qing, not daring to disturb him, examined the pendant in the torchlight. The jade was beautifully wrought, clear and lustrous, its surface shimmering with a subtle light, truly captivating. But unlike ordinary pendants, this one bore a single character on its reverse: “Cao.”

Cao?

Lu Qing was puzzled. What did that character signify? Could it be that Eunuch Guo’s original surname was Cao, and that he had changed it upon entering the palace?

As he pondered, Eunuch Guo began to speak: “Young man, you saved my life, and cared for me along the way. If not for you, I would have died several times over by now. I am sincerely grateful to you, and fond of you as well. I had hoped to reward you handsomely, but to be honest, I do not know what fate awaits me when I see His Majesty. The road south may well be more perilous than yours. Even if I reach the emperor safely, I am more likely to be punished than rewarded. I cannot promise that I will be able to help you. Still, though staying behind is dangerous for you, the invaders are moving south for now—you should be safe for a while. You’re a clever lad; I trust you won’t let yourself be trapped in a dead end… Compared to you, I am the one who should be afraid.”

Hearing the old man speak so bleakly, Lu Qing instinctively wanted to offer comfort, but Eunuch Guo waved him silent and continued, “I am old now. If His Majesty does punish me, so be it. I may be a eunuch, but I have enjoyed a life of luxury. Even if I am beheaded, I can say I’ve lived well, with neither regret nor complaint.”

“But rest assured, should I die, I will find a way to repay you. I have spent decades in the palace, and though I have no children, I do have a few disciples and friends. I may not be able to help you myself, but they can. This jade was given to me years ago by one of them. I now give it to you. If you survive, go to the Great Prosperity Pawnshop in the East City when you reach the capital, and show this jade to the people there. They will inform my friend; for my sake, he will surely help you. I cannot promise you more, but he can at least secure you a position commanding a hundred or even a thousand men.”

“Sir, I…” Lu Qing had not expected that the jade’s purpose was to secure his future. Moved beyond words, he felt his nose sting with emotion.

“A true man does not weep like a child. Wipe your face. Anyone seeing you now would think I was giving you my last will and testament,” Eunuch Guo said with forced levity.

Choking up, Lu Qing replied, “Sir, it’s not that I am unwilling to escort you south, but those women have suffered so much… I cannot bear to see them fall into the enemy’s hands again…”

“It’s all right. I don’t blame you. It is good to be true to one’s word, and better still to be compassionate. If you were heartless and faithless, I would never have given you this jade.” Eunuch Guo regarded Lu Qing with kindly affection, then continued, “Don’t think I am only looking out for you. Truth be told, giving you this jade also serves my own interests. I have no sons, but I do have two rather unpromising nephews. Useless as they are, they are still my family. While I am alive, I can protect them, but once I am gone, who knows what may happen? Over the years, I have made many enemies. Should trouble arise, someone might well target my nephews. My friends and disciples in the palace can shield them for a time, but not forever. That’s just the way of the world… If, in the future, you have the means, look after them for me. If you do not, then do not risk yourself for their sake.”

“Rest assured, sir. As long as I draw breath, I will—”

But Eunuch Guo cut him off with a smile and a wave. “Enough. You need say no more. I know the kind of person you are, and I am at ease.” He seemed suddenly weary. “Off you go now. I am tired and must rest. We have a long road ahead tomorrow, and these old bones cannot stand much more.”

Lu Qing hurriedly rose. “Allow me to help you down, sir.”

“No need. I can manage. But do carry the child down.”

As Lu Qing lifted little Tian Yin from the eunuch’s lap, Eunuch Guo seemed to recall something. “Oh, and this child—he and I are fated to meet, and I am fond of him. I will take him south with me tomorrow.”

“This…?” Lu Qing hesitated. Though his own path was dangerous, Eunuch Guo’s journey south was fraught with even greater peril. If, upon meeting the emperor, the old man was punished, there would be no one to care for Tian Yin.

Reading his thoughts, Eunuch Guo chuckled, “Don’t worry. Even if I am called to account, I will see the child is looked after. I would never let him suffer.”

With that assurance, Lu Qing could say no more, but a sudden thought struck him, and he blurted, “Sir, the Tian family has only this one heir left.”

The old eunuch laughed heartily. “What are you thinking? I have no intention of sending the boy to the palace. Rest easy—I will see to his welfare.”