My Childhood Friend Is a Powerful Eunuch

When Wanwan arrived at Vermilion Bird Bridge at dusk, the person she'd arranged to meet was already waiting at its head, tall and graceful in the sunset, dressed in a blue-green robe as straight as bamboo.

Wanwan shared the lotus seeds in syrup she'd bought along the way with him. As they strolled down Vermilion Bird Street, she chatted about the upright official drama her troupe had rehearsed that day, then smiled at him. "A Zhao, once you pass the imperial examinations, you have to be a good official, like Judge Bao in the play. Be incorruptible and upright, and punish wicked officials."

Wanwan said she hated corrupt officials more than anything and rambled on for ages. Just as she started to wonder if she was being a little annoying, she saw A Zhao still smiling at her, his expression gentle.

How wonderful, Wanwan thought. She never expected to reunite with her childhood friend in the capital after all these years. She was an actor in a troupe, while he was a scholar who had come to take the imperial examinations. They had both grown up, yet their reunion still felt as carefree as when they were children.

Just then, her lips began to tingle. A Zhao was wiping the sugar crumbs from the corner of her mouth, just as he used to when they were children. But this was different from back then. He was so much taller now, and when he leaned toward her, his shadow completely enveloped her.

Wanwan couldn't help blushing in the sunset. To hide the heat in her cheeks, she turned to look aside. "It's usually so lively here. Why is it so quiet today?"

She didn't know that, because she'd arranged to meet him here, Vermilion Bird Street had been cleared out in advance. The pedestrians and vendors were all agents of the Eastern Depot in disguise.

She didn't know that her childhood friend was no longer the little scholar in her memories. He had changed his name long ago and become the infamous, all-powerful eunuch in charge of the court, the Ninth Thousand Years, Pei Yan.

Everyone under heaven knew Pei Yan's evil reputation. Everyone feared his ruthlessness, cruelty, and viciousness. Wanwan's childhood friend was not the kindhearted old acquaintance she remembered. In fact, he was no longer even a man.

Note: The male lead is a real eunuch, and no good person. The female lead was once the only light in his life.

Theme: Even in adversity, keep your heart turned toward the light.