Chapter 29: Inseparable Shadows

"I know you're not happy about this—you feel that serving as a bodyguard for a eunuch lowers your status. But Long Cheng'en is no ordinary eunuch."

"With just a single stroke, he defeated the foremost scholar of Southern Liang, and his book 'The Literary Heart, Carving the Dragon' has become required reading for every scholar in Southern Liang."

"This time, the fall of Linjiang City was due to his efforts as well."

"I can tell you this clearly: Long Cheng'en is now a national asset of Eastern Zhou. Southern Liang will stop at nothing to eliminate him. The recent assassination attempt nearly succeeded. Protecting Long Cheng'en is protecting the very foundation of Eastern Zhou—do you understand?"

Di Luoxi spoke with utmost seriousness, and Zhang Qian felt deeply shaken. A eunuch, now referred to as the cornerstone of the nation by the princess.

Zhang Qian was naturally aware of Long Chen's exploits, but she suspected they were somewhat exaggerated.

Yet, from the princess's tone, it seemed Long Chen was even more formidable than the rumors suggested.

"I understand, Your Highness. I swear to protect him with my life."

"Good. Remember, you must not leave his side—not for meals, sleep, or even to use the restroom."

"I understand."

"Alright, go now."

Zhang Qian left the Western Palace and headed straight for the Ministry of Works to find Long Chen.

When she arrived, the officials inside were whispering among themselves, mocking Long Chen in hushed tones.

Zhang Qian ignored them and went to the minister's room, where only Long Chen was present, writing something.

She approached Long Chen and stood solemnly beside him.

"Who are you?" Long Chen assumed she was an official of the ministry. When he looked up, he saw a pair of athletic long legs, a slightly plump figure, an oval face, and, most strikingly, a tight outfit accentuating two prominent peaks—she was a veritable whirlwind.

"Zhang Qian, under the princess's command, assigned as your bodyguard, sir," Zhang Qian said, bowing and then falling silent.

An icy beauty?

Long Chen's eyes were glued to Zhang Qian's outrageously voluptuous figure, feeling as if he were floating with delight.

The princess was truly considerate, sending such a fiery bodyguard.

"Thank the princess for her kindness. Don't just stand there—have a seat."

Long Chen pointed to the chair beside him. Zhang Qian thought for a moment, moved the chair over, and sat next to Long Chen.

Being a fake eunuch was truly a delight, surrounded by beauties.

Long Chen was drawing a diagram for coal washing. The coal from Hell Mountain contained high levels of oil and sulfur; it needed to be de-oiled and de-sulfurized, then crushed and mixed with clay to produce honeycomb briquettes.

The byproducts—coal oil and sulfur—had their uses as well, particularly as weapons.

Coal oil burned even more fiercely than ordinary kerosene, making it ideal for weapon crafting.

Sulfur, too, was valuable—it would be useful for making gunpowder later, and also for disinfection.

Vice Minister Xu Ming entered the room. His eyes landed on Zhang Qian beside Long Chen, and he was momentarily stunned, evidently struck by her impressive figure.

So large, yet not sagging.

"Vice Minister Xu?"

Long Chen tapped the table.

He cursed inwardly: Damn it, that's my girl—what are you staring at?

"Sir, the black soil...the coal you requested has been delivered. It's in the courtyard. What would you like us to do next?"

Xu Ming quickly realized his lapse. He had always maintained a dignified persona and couldn't let it slip now; he had to keep up appearances.

"Very well, show me the way."

Long Chen stood up, Zhang Qian following closely behind.

They entered the courtyard, where ten carts were piled high with coal, carefully selected with few impurities.

Long Chen grabbed a handful, crushed it to inspect, and praised, "Excellent work. The miners who worked on this—record their names; I will reward them handsomely."

These workers were menial laborers of the ministry, usually overlooked. Long Chen's courtesy made them happy, and they bowed gratefully, "Thank you, Minister."

Long Chen instructed Xu Ming, "Build a simple kiln, wash the coal to remove impurities, dry and crush it, then mix in clay—follow the diagram I drew."

Xu Ming had no idea what Long Chen was planning but replied, "Understood, sir."

He immediately mobilized workers to begin.

After everything was arranged, Long Chen returned to his own annex.

Strictly speaking, a minister should have his own residence, but due to his special status, he still lived in the palace.

Entering the courtyard, Xiang Ning greeted him cheerfully, "Welcome home, sir."

Zhang Qian followed in, and Xiang Ning asked curiously, "Sir, who is this?"

Long Chen replied, "This is Zhang Qian, the bodyguard assigned by the princess. She will be staying in the annex from now on—please arrange a room for her."

Zhang Qian said immediately, "No need, I'll stay with the sir."

Xiang Ning grew jealous, asking, "What about at night?"

Zhang Qian replied earnestly, "The princess's orders: meals, sleep, even the restroom—we must remain inseparable."

Xiang Ning was speechless, glancing at Long Chen...

"Well...if it's the princess's command, so be it."

Such a voluptuous bodyguard—sharing a room wouldn't be bad. Long Chen didn't make things difficult for Zhang Qian.

Xiang Ning brought food, but only one set of dishes.

"Bring another set of dishes."

"Oh..."

Xiang Ning pouted, unhappy about someone stealing her place.

Originally, Long Chen's return meant the courtyard was hers alone; now, she was being displaced.

She brought the dishes, and Long Chen said, "Let's eat together."

Zhang Qian didn't hesitate and joined Long Chen for the meal.

Xiang Ning watched, full of envy—it looked just like a married couple dining together.

After the meal, Long Chen got up to use the restroom, and Zhang Qian followed him in.

"I... need to pee—could you step outside?"

When alone, Long Chen could stand to urinate, but with someone watching, he had to pretend to squat like a eunuch.

Zhang Qian shook her head, "No, it's the princess's order."

Long Chen was at a loss, "But I'm using the restroom."

Zhang Qian nodded, "I know—I'm guarding you."

Damn...

Long Chen had no choice but to undo his belt and squat down...

"Aren't you going to use the restroom?"

Long Chen asked.

Zhang Qian nodded, her face suddenly flushed. "I'll... wait for you to finish... then I'll go..."

Heh... Long Chen had a mischievous thought.

"If I go first and you go after, I'll leave before you, and then you won't be inseparable, so... let's go together."

His logic was airtight—truly a genius.

Zhang Qian's face reddened; as a girl, peeing in front of another man—even if he wasn't really a man, Long Chen looked no different from one—it was...

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about. I'm a eunuch, not a man."

Long Chen noticed her discomfort and quickly reassured her.

Zhang Qian thought about it—for a eunuch, and with no time for privacy, perhaps it was fine.

With a blush, she undid her belt and slowly squatted down...

Those legs were so white...

Long Chen felt delightfully wicked... and excited...

When they exited the restroom, Zhang Qian's face was still flushed. Xiang Ning assumed the two had done something shameful inside.

"Sir, you two..."

"Nothing happened. Prepare bathwater for me—I wish to bathe."

Xiang Ning hurried to prepare the bath.

Long Chen entered the bathroom, hung his clothes on the screen, and Zhang Qian stood nearby.

Seeing Long Chen's muscular physique, Zhang Qian's gaze was puzzled—he looked nothing like a eunuch.

"I only became a eunuch recently, so my body hasn't changed."

"Would you like to bathe together?"

Noticing her confusion, Long Chen quickly explained—and then tossed out another question: Would you like to join me?