Chapter 52 Fruit Box

Chapter 52: Fruit Box

Cheng Ge was tormented by the imperial physician until nearly midnight before the medicine’s effects were barely suppressed.

Since his body was already somewhat weak, he fell into a deep sleep after taking the medicine.

And that sleep lasted straight until around 9 to 11 in the morning.

Cheng Ge lay with his eyes wide open, sprawled out like a starfish, staring blankly at the canopy above the bed.

A caisson ceiling with the Big Dipper pattern, a gilded Xuanyuan mirror hanging in the center, light filtering through cloud-patterned gauze onto the plain silk lining.

After a few seconds, he suddenly sat up from the bed.

Holy shit! This ain’t his bed! Where the hell is this?

He remembered that after dinner last night, he was all hot and dizzy, and it seemed he had fallen asleep afterward.

He glanced at the quilt embroidered with a walking dragon, and picked at the blue jade Xuanming buckle on its edge.

He jolted awake, scrambled out of bed. The moment his feet hit the ground, his movement abruptly halted.

He stealthily turned around, pulled down his undergarment to peek, and a huge grin spread across his face.

Whoa… Little Gege’s back in action, saving me another doctor’s bill.

The hall was empty. Cheng Ge spotted a set of clothes laid out on the rack outside, which happened to be the ones he wore yesterday.

Without thinking twice, he dressed quickly and sneaked out of the room.

After taking two steps, he couldn’t help glancing back at the plaque above the hall door. Once he made out the three big characters, he sped up even more.

Holy crap, how did he end up sleeping in the emperor’s bedchamber! This is bad…

Oh my god, did he sleepwalk and crawl into the emperor’s bed last night?

The more he thought about it, the more it made sense, since he could do anything in his sleep.

He remembered in high school, when he was studying so hard he’d get all groggy at night. He went downstairs for water in a daze and ended up crammed in the doghouse with his dog for the night.

To this day, he still recalled the dog’s resentful look.

There was no other way to explain it. It’s not like someone sent him to serve the emperor in bed.

But luckily, it seemed the emperor hadn’t returned to sleep here last night, or else he’d probably be tossed in a mass grave for the dogs by now.

Halfway out, he looked up at the sky and immediately slowed his pace.

Since he was already late, running was pointless. He might as well just ditch work.

But just as he got a little further, he saw Fu Quan limping toward him, supported by a palace attendant.

Cheng Ge’s mind went blank with panic. Had they found out he slept in the emperor’s bed?

Was this guy sent to arrest him? Cheng Ge figured that was the answer.

His little head darted left and right, quickly mapping out an escape route.

When Fu Quan spotted Cheng Ge, he hurried forward, only to see the guy turn and run.

“Tutor Cheng, wait, don’t run!” Fu Quan shouted at the top of his lungs.

Realizing he’d been spotted, Cheng Ge knew he probably couldn’t escape this time, and his face dropped.

As Fu Quan approached, Cheng Ge spun around, his face all smiles, fawning and sycophantic.

“Hey, Eunuch Fu. May I ask what business you have with me?” As he spoke, he glanced behind the guy.

Only three people were with him. If they tried to arrest him, he’d strike first, take ’em out, and then run.

Fu Quan, holding his waist, was winded from running but still managed to straighten his collar.

Then, with a smile, he spoke: “Did you sleep well last night, Tutor Cheng?”

Cheng Ge’s eye twitched. He scratched the back of his neck. “Uh… well… it was alright, I guess… just okay…”

He immediately looked away, avoiding Fu Quan’s gaze.

Fu Quan thought: The dragon bed wasn’t good enough? Could it be that he couldn’t handle the dragon’s aura?

But after getting chewed out before, Fu Quan dared not say anything else, only focusing on doing his job well.

“His Majesty, seeing how hard you worked yesterday, has specially granted you a day off today. You need not report to the Eastern Palace.”

Cheng Ge’s head snapped back, his eyes wide as he stared at Fu Quan.

Damn… such good fortune? Could it be because he crawled into the emperor’s bed last night and got some dragon aura?

“Then please thank His Majesty for me, Eunuch!” Cheng Ge said, and with that, he bolted toward the palace gate.

Watching Cheng Ge’s fleeing figure, Fu Quan stomped his foot and chased after him in a panic.

“Tutor Cheng, I haven’t finished speaking yet! Please wait a moment.”

Hearing this, Cheng Ge slammed on the brakes and turned back to look at Fu Quan chasing him.

This… damn, he’s not going back on his word, is he? If so, he’d be pissed.

“Eunuch Fu, does His Majesty have further instructions?”

Fu Quan, panting heavily, reached Cheng Ge, his hands on his lower back, looking like a pregnant woman about to give birth.

Once he caught his breath, he said, “Tutor Cheng, don’t rush. I haven’t finished speaking yet.”

At that moment, a palace attendant stepped forward, holding a vermilion lacquer box, and bowed as he presented it to Cheng Ge.

“These are seasonal fruits offered from various regions. His Majesty specially bestows them upon Tutor Cheng.”

Cheng Ge stared at the box, his eyes wide. He hadn’t expected the emperor to gift him fruit.

It seemed his judgment of the man yesterday was too hasty. This guy wasn’t so bad sometimes.

He’d temporarily lift the curse from yesterday. The green hat could wait.

He quickly took the box with both hands, grinning. “Thank you, Eunuch. Many thanks for His Majesty’s great favor.”

Cheng Ge immediately opened the lacquer box for a look, spotting two bunches of big grapes, along with watermelon and lychees.

These things were common in modern times, but in this ancient era, they were rare treasures.

Because of the region's poor transportation, moving goods was a hassle, especially for fruits and veggies that spoil easily.

Even if the emperor wanted to eat them, he had to wait for the right season and have them rushed over on horseback.

Cheng Ge was grinning from ear to ear. He looked up at Fuquan and acted all generous, saying, "Eunuch Fu, want a taste?"

Fuquan waved his hand and said with a flattering smile, "Master Cheng, these are His Majesty's gift to you. Keep 'em for yourself."

Cheng Ge didn't insist further. He closed the lacquer box and hugged it, looking pleased. "Oh, okay."

Cheng Ge glanced at Fuquan and noticed his awkward stance, and couldn't help but let his eyes wander down.

He thought to himself, *This eunuch's something else—he really cares about his figure. How'd he get such a perky butt? That's wild.*

Cheng Ge, holding the fruit box, made his way to the palace gate again.

The guard: *Here he comes! Here he comes, trying to seduce me again!*

Cheng Ge slightly lifted his chin and deliberately slowed his pace.

He started a flashy, zigzag walk, making sure everyone could see the imperial gift in his hands.

Finally, he stopped in front of a guard, lifted the lid, grabbed a grape, and popped it in his mouth.

"Mmm... delicious." As he spoke, he handed over his waist token and stood there for inspection.

The guard lowered his head to check, but hearing Cheng Ge's over-the-top reaction, couldn't help but look up.

He accidentally spotted the juice at the corner of Cheng Ge's mouth, flinched like he'd been burned, and quickly lowered his head again, swallowing hard.

Seeing this, Cheng Ge felt ten times more smug, thinking, *I bet you're all jealous.*

After the inspection, Cheng Ge walked out of the palace.

It was only around noon, so naturally no one from the Prince Cui's mansion had come to pick him up. He would have to walk back.

After just two steps, Cheng Ge suddenly changed direction and headed toward the Lin residence.

When you have something good, you naturally share it with your good brothers.

He hadn't even given Lin Nanshu a few of the ginseng roots last time, so this time he'd bring him some fruit to strengthen their brotherly bond.