Empress Dowager Zhuang pressed her lips together, thinking to say she was getting old too.
She swallowed these words and asked, "Did you enter the palace the same year as me?"
Eunuch Qin smiled and said, "Yes, but in the first few years, I wasn't fortunate enough to serve by your side."
Empress Dowager Zhuang sighed, "Haven't you taken in a foster son or something? If I were gone, your pond of little turtles wouldn't truly give you an old age and final send-off."
Eunuch Qin suddenly choked up, "Why have you been saying such nonsense lately?"
I'm just a lowly eunuch, unworthy of being remembered by you.
Empress Dowager Zhuang was never of a melancholy disposition; she was very calm, "How long has Xiaoshun been in Youzhou? He should be returning to the Capital City soon, right?"
Eunuch Qin wiped away his tears and said, "Counting the days, he should be back."
Empress Dowager Zhuang wanted to say more but hesitated.
...
