The Eunuch

Jing Lan was the empress's vanguard.

When the empress's palace fell, Jing Lan was caught in the fallout. After many twists and turns, she sought refuge under Xie Huan, the Directorate of Ceremonial's chief eunuch.

Xie Huan: "What are you asking for?"

Jing, looking pitiful: "This humble servant only asks for Your Excellency's kindness. I want nothing else."

What nonsense. Of course she wanted wealth and status, and to rise higher with every step!

Xie Huan believed her. Xie Huan cried.

In the end, Xie Huan won!

What do you do if the White Moonlight is a Black Lotus? Just be worse than her.

Bonus Scene

Question: How did the eunuch rise to the position of Chief Eunuch?

Xie Huan: By matching wits, outmaneuvering each other, and playing games...

Question: With his political enemies?

Xie Huan: No, with my wife.

[A gentle, ruthless, scheming female official & a jealous, manipulative real eunuch]

Note: A real eunuch, documented in screenshots

Neither of them is a good person. Both are two-faced.

Theme: Even in the darkest, most hidden place, one day we will glimpse the light of dawn