Enjoy... so many words this chapter...
Eunuch - I should've mentioned this in last chapter's notes but the way they say 'eunuch' here is in more of an respectful manner. The english word for it generally has a negative connotation but yea just remember in older chinese courts they did have a lot of power and respect.
Zheng Liu - A returning character, he was the guy who was somewhat antagonistic towards A-Ting and her grandfather, but in the end helped A-Ting in killing Baili Ji
Plant/Person - She actually calls Yun Ceng a grass but I translated it as plant cause I'm pretty sure Yun Ceng ascended from a fungus. After a while I then had the thought, are fungi plants? According to google they're not actually, the more you know.
Eternal youth - Not certain if the madam is alluding to it but remember that the emperor does likely have a significantly longer lifespan. He was given some pills by Cang Wuzi as part of the exchange for Qu Chen.
Rice bowl overturned - losing his job.
Not a translation note but the Emperor and the Madam's conversation is a little difficult to decipher so I'll add my interpretation of it: It seems that in recent years, the Emperor has allowed a degree of self-governance amongst his domains. Doing this allowed them to bounce back from war and become prosperous. Now that they're being asked to provide supplies for war, they're a little reluctant (probably since they've gotten used to freedom and that it took a lot of effort to build up their prosperity). The Emperor seems to be contemplating on a stance and is asking for the Madam's opinion, while she is offering truth but also not really taking a stance.