“Is this the wondrous item you mentioned, effective for repelling insects and enhancing pleasure?”
Liu Hong couldn’t help but ask with interest.
At this moment, Empress He Lian, who had initially been angry with Zhang Shihao, couldn’t help but cast a suspicious glance at Zhang Shihao with her beautiful eyes. Was there really such a thing?
Zhang Shihao immediately replied:
“Reporting to Your Majesty, this item is a sleep-aid incense. It originated from a solitary copy of the Bian Que’s Inner Canon that this servant accidentally discovered in a mountain cave during his childhood. It truly has miraculous effects. Unfortunately, the required materials are too expensive and scarce, so not much can be produced.”
“However, this servant feels that, perhaps, only Your Majesty throughout the land is worthy of enjoying it!”
Inside the Empress's bedchamber, Liu Hong, listening to Zhang Shihao’s flattering words, immediately laughed:
“Well said! Since this item is so miraculous, then of course, only I in this world can use it!”
“Let’s begin then; let me see how effective it is!”
Zhang Shihao didn’t delay, quickly found a tinder, and lit the flammable incense.
Soon, under the watchful eyes of Liu Hong, Empress He, and Zhang Rang, the incense burned, emitting wisps of white smoke visible to the naked eye. And as the white smoke spread throughout the entire room, a miraculous and astonishing scene unfolded.
Inside the Empress's bedchamber, the flying insects circling the candle flames seemed to encounter something terrifying, scrambling to fly out of the room. Even several small insects beneath the phoenix bed scurried about, bumping into things, and ran towards the door.
“This… this… there’s actually such a divine item?”
Liu Hong’s eyes widened as he stared at the miraculous scene in shock, exclaiming.
At this time, Empress He Lian and Zhang Rang, who were standing nearby, were also dumbfounded.
But very quickly, Empress He Lian felt waves of heat spreading across her cheeks, and her body felt light.
Liu Hong reacted even more intensely, his face flushed, feeling as if he had taken flight.
At this moment, Zhang Shihao’s face was also flushed, as if that ultimate earthly pleasure had enveloped him. His eyelids also began to feel heavy. Zhang Shihao was startled and immediately realized this was the immense power of that so-called sleep-aid incense. Zhang Shihao turned his head away from the Empress and dared not linger in the Empress's bedchamber. He quickly said:
“Your Majesty, this incense is about to take effect. This servant dares not watch and requests permission to withdraw!”
Liu Hong, at this moment, had long wished for the annoying Zhang Shihao and Zhang Rang to disappear. Hearing Zhang Shihao’s request to withdraw, he immediately waved his hand and said:
“Get out, all of you, get out! Don’t stand around here being a nuisance!”
Seeing this, Zhang Shihao exited the Empress's bedchamber.
Zhang Rang, who had been calm on the side, looked suspiciously at the retreating Zhang Shihao, as well as Liu Hong and the Empress. He vaguely felt that something was amiss but couldn't pinpoint what it was.
However, seeing the two of them, it was not appropriate for him to stay at this time.
Zhang Rang bowed to Liu Hong and also withdrew, guarding outside the door.
Immediately, inside the Empress's bedchamber, only Liu Hong and Empress He Lian remained.
Both collapsed onto the phoenix bed.
However, if Zhang Rang had been in the Empress's bedchamber, he would have noticed.
As Liu Hong and Empress He Lian both collapsed onto the bed, their vision simultaneously went dark, and they fell into a state of deep sleep.
However, they were muttering in their sleep.
In their dreams, Liu Hong and Empress He Lian both snored, muttering continuously, their voices echoing throughout the Empress's bedchamber.
Outside the Empress's bedchamber, Zhang Rang listened with his ear pressed to the door, hearing the “earth-shattering” sounds emanating from within. The suspicion on his face slowly dissipated. He looked at Zhang Shihao, who was also listening, and let out a soft snort:
“You’re called Xiao Haozi?”
“Hmm? Court Attendant, are you calling me?”
Zhang Shihao, who was intently listening to the sounds coming from the Empress's bedchamber, suddenly heard someone call him and immediately saw Zhang Rang smiling at him.
“You’re not bad, lad. You know how to please His Majesty. However, sometimes, in this Imperial Harem, merely pleasing His Majesty is far from enough. You need to know how to conduct yourself, and most importantly, you need a good master. That sleep-aid incense of yours is quite good!”
Zhang Rang looked at Zhang Shihao, who was clearly a bit of a simpleton, smiled, and spoke meaningfully, with a hidden agenda.
Although Zhang Shihao was a bit simple, he wasn't foolish.
He instantly understood Zhang Rang’s words.
This was clearly telling him to acknowledge him as his master and hand over the sleep-aid incense and its formula.
But as soon as he understood Zhang Rang’s meaning, Zhang Shihao immediately felt a headache.
If he had heard Zhang Rang wanting him to acknowledge him as his master before, he might have been overjoyed.
Because, who was Zhang Rang?
There were Ten Attendants in the Han Imperial Palace, with “Court Attendant” being the highest rank for a Eunuch.
Among them, Zhang Rang was the chief of the Ten Attendants.
If he, Zhang Shihao, truly became Zhang Rang’s subordinate, then even in the palace, with Zhang Rang’s protection, he wouldn't have to worry too much about anything.
It would be too comfortable.
He could even leverage Zhang Rang’s influence to bully others or whatever.
It would be truly carefree and unrestrained; after all, Zhang Rang would take the blame.
However, now that the other party wanted him to hand over the sleep-aid incense and its formula, that was difficult.
The system had only given him twenty sticks of sleep-aid incense, and he wasn't even sure if there would be more later.
Furthermore, he didn’t have the formula for the sleep-aid incense, so how could he give it to the other party?
Additionally, according to his estimation, this sleep-aid incense was a good thing. It could directly affect the user, and if there was pressure in a certain area, it would induce hallucinations related to that area, maximizing the release of inner pressure and promoting good sleep.
“The Court Attendant is right. Having a good master is indeed very good!”
Zhang Shihao grinned, showing his white teeth to Zhang Rang, feigning ignorance.
Seeing Zhang Shihao’s simple, uncomprehending expression, Zhang Rang frowned slightly, unsure if Zhang Shihao genuinely didn't understand or was pretending not to. However, he didn't say anything for now. He flicked his sleeve and departed.
Zhang Rang left, but Zhang Shihao remained, leaning on his broom, still eavesdropping.
Inside the Empress's bedchamber, Liu Hong’s sleep-talking soon ceased.
However, Empress He Lian’s sleep-talking continued for a full half-hour, making Zhang Shihao, who was eavesdropping, grin from ear to ear.
This sleep-aid incense was truly a good thing. It was likely that both the Emperor and the Empress would like it, and if so, he would have rendered meritorious service.
However, as night fell, the Empress's bedchamber fell silent.
Zhang Shihao, carrying his oversized Little Eunuch clothes, walked back to his living quarters with a wobbly gait.