A Eunuch's Heart Stirs at Spring

Everyone slandered Xue Huai, the Eastern Depot's director, as a ruthless killer, cruel and sinister, treating human lives like ants. Yet though he normally paid no heed even to the emperor, on the day of the empress's coronation, he knelt at Jiang Yan's feet of his own accord and raised the phoenix hairpin that had slipped from her hair above his head. Jiang Yan entered the palace to take revenge. She would stop at nothing to achieve it, even deliberately drawing close to the powerful eunuch Xue Huai. It was only a matter of using each other to get what they wanted. But as time passed, she realized that Xue Huai's gaze had grown yearning and devoted. Jiang Yan: "The road I must take is arduous and treacherous. From now on, we should keep our distance, so you won't be dragged down with me." Xue Huai held her tightly from behind. His warm, moist breath brushed against her ear. "Keep our distance? Why should we? What am I to you, Your Highness? Someone to use when you need him, then cast aside like a worn-out shoe when you don't?" As far as Xue Huai was concerned, he was wealthy enough to rival a nation, and powerful enough to dominate the court. He thought he already had everything, until Jiang Yan appeared and made him realize how pitiful and wretched he truly was. He no longer wanted power, wealth, or splendor. He was willing to be the blade in Jiang Yan's hand and help her fulfill her wish, even if it cost him his life. * Beneath the imperial throne, atop the Forbidden City. Love surged beneath the night sky, and desire took root and flourished between the red walls. Jiang Yan said Xue Huai had gone mad, but Xue Huai knew he was drunk, hopelessly drunk. 1. A beautiful and domineering demon consort x a powerful eunuch, cold on the outside but devoted like a loyal dog within 2. A true eunuch romance 3. Nobody in the main cast is a good person, so don't bring your morals into it 4. An imagined setting inspired by the Ming and Qing dynasties [Special thanks to Chuxin for providing the chibi character designs] Theme: Good and evil will both get their just deserts in the end