A new day.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In the pce.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The maids and eunuchs around The Emperor.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Their main daily responsibility is essentially to keep The Emperor happy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Keeping The Emperor happy also has different levels.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
One type is to share gossip, which needs to be interesting without crossing any taboos. This is like being a chat buddy, something that can be present or not, with many eunuchspeting for this position, allowing for multiple people to coexist in the role.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Another type is to provide physical and emotional satisfaction, like the concubines. But as The Emperor has aged, he''s begun to prioritize health preservation, greatly reducing his physical desires. As a result, the concubines'' advantages have significantly diminished.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z css-x61atf"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">3
There''s also a type that resonates with the soul, like the rtionship between Bo Ya and Zhong Ziqi.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Currently, only Eunuch Yan has achieved this level.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Eunuch Yan doesn''t speak much in front of The Emperor, but every word he says seems to carry weight.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
On this new day, The Emperor wakes up rather early.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Although he doesn''t have to attend morning court, sometimes he just can''t sleep.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He gets up, washes, and eats, feeling exhausted.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Only after taking his first dose of medicine does he feel somewhat energized.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Today isn''t cold, but it''s not sunny either - it''s overcast.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Emperor seems to be in low spirits.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
A eunuch skilled at reporting news steps forward to speak.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Eunuch Liu says that Immortal Liu has somehow caught a cold and fallen ill. Several young talents have visited her, and unexpectedly, Minister Lu''s youngest son, Lu Zhaolin, also went and ended up fighting with her sworn brother, Young Master Liu.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Emperor waves his hand, indicating he doesn''t want to hear this kind of news about love rivalries.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He recalls that he once wanted to summon Immortal Liu, but thankfully Old Madam Meng''s intervention sobered him up, otherwise his reputation might have been damaged.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This Immortal Liu was said to be close to his eldest son recently, resulting in the eldest son''s exuberant behavior, which led to The Emperor reprimanding him and ordering him to reflect behind closed doors. The Emperor feels that Immortal Liu''s luck seems a bit ominous. Perhaps fortune-tellers really do have bad luck themselves. Thinking this way, The Emperor decides it''s best to stay away from her and not mention her again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He is somewhat superstitious, after all, he wants longevity and believes in fate.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Eunuch Duan immediately picks up the conversation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He smiles and says, "Your Majesty, there''s been something interesting these past few days. That Lord Jiang, the one you appointed as Imperial Secretary, he''s moved next door to Immortal Liu. You gave him three days off, and guess what he''s been doing during these three days?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
There are many people and many things around The Emperor, with everyonepeting to show their worth.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This Eunuch Duan hadn''t mentioned it before, and The Emperor had truly forgotten about it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"He must have been socializing andworking," The Emperor says.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He knows these officials well. Although Imperial Secretary is a minor position, it''s close to him and has the right to enter and leave the pce. Those officials would fight tooth and nail for this position.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
That day, he had suddenly had the whim to arrange for an outsider to take the position.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At least to arrange for someone pleasing to the eye toe.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This position should be like manna from heaven for anyone.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"On the first day, Lord Jiang went to the Meng Family to see his daughter and two grandsons. Lord Jiang has adopted Zi Lu''s orphan, the child with the brain ailment, and took him along," Eunuch Duan skillfully moves past this topic and continues:<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"On the second day, Lord Jiang received many guests at home. When he went to the government office to inquire about his official duties, he met many colleagues who were also waiting for assignments. He left his address for everyone, and many people came that day. Lord Jiang received them all and gave quite a bit of money to those in need. As is widely known, when Lord Jiang was in Jingzhou, he was repeatedly used of embezzlement. Perhaps feeling the pain of giving away money, he dug three feet deep in his own courtyard and actually unearthed two boxes of silver, a box of ceramics, a box of ancient books, and even a skeleton. The previous resident of this house was once a royal merchant."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z css-x61atf"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">3
The Emperor''s interest is piqued.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This ability to dig up treasures shows that Lord Jiang has some luck on his side.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
And he even dug up a skeleton.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Is there any unsolved case rted to this?" he asks.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"It''s unclear. The skeleton is quite old, probably an ident. Lord Jiang carefully cleaned the bones, rearranged them into human form, and gave them a proper burial," Eunuch Duan says.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At this point, the other eunuchs and maids suddenly shift from treating it like a joke to feeling a strange sense of emotion.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Earlier, when it was mentioned that he adopted the brain-impaired orphan of a fellow rebel, people didn''t dare to praise him much, only thinking he was quite loyal. After all, Zi Lu''s identity was sensitive, and The Emperor despised him, having cursed him several times in the pce.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Here, when it''s said that he dug up a skeleton and carefully arranged the bones back into human form before reburying it, it inexplicably makes people feel that this man is a good person. To treat an unknown deceased person with such respect, he must be a true gentleman.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Moreover, Lord Jiang had just arrived in the capital and surely didn''t know that The Emperor had people nted in various households. This behavior shows ites from his heart.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This was arranged by The Emperor.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He may seem muddle-headed, but he actually has eyes and ears in every household.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Therefore, the pce servants also wield great power, as they control such a group of people.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Although some are just maids doing menial tasks.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"What about the third day? Did he go to give gifts to Minister Lu? It''s be an unspoken rule for officials these years. Minister Lu''s storehouse is probably even richer than my Imperial Household Department," The Emperor casually remarks.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Eunuch Liu, standing to the side, lowers his head with slightly furrowed brows.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Minister Lu must have done something recently to displease The Emperor, as this casual remark doesn''t seem unintentional.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Eunuch Liu has received many treasures from Minister Lu in the past and feels a bit uneasy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He has often spoken up for Minister Lu in the past.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Not at all. Although Lord Jiang has the Meng Family as inws, Official Meng, as Your Majesty knows, when he heard that Lord Jiang got the position of Imperial Secretary, his first words were actually gloating, saying that Lord Jiang won''t be able to ck off now, as he has to see you every day."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Hahaha," The Emperorughs.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It''s really hard not to trust Old General Meng when he has such a blunt son.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
If he had any ulterior motives, he wouldn''t dare to let his son stay in the capital like this.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Lord Jiang probably doesn''t understand the rules of the capital, and no one has enlightened him. Official Meng probably wouldn''t remember this either. Anyway, on the third day, Lord Jiang stayed home to nt vegetables with his daughter. He took his wife and daughter, personally dug the ground, nted vegetables, watered them, and busied himself all day. He ended up covered in mud. The servants at home wanted to say something but didn''t dare. nting vegetables in winter, they probably won''t survive."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z css-x61atf"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">4
The Emperor imagines Lord Jiang''s handsome face covered in mud and can''t help butugh again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At this moment, Eunuch Yan hands him a cup of tea, which he takes and drinks.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It''s neither hot nor cold, just right for drinking.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"My sister grew up in a vige, cherishing food. She probably saw such arge piece ofnd and felt it would be a waste not to nt some crops," Eunuch Yan says casually in his pleasant voice.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"So what about Lord Jiang today?" The Emperor asks, his interest piqued.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"He must be at the government office copying rules and regtions. He didn''t give gifts to Minister Lu and doesn''t understand the rules, so he probably needs to copy the regtions for several days before he can enter the pce to see Your Majesty," Eunuch Duan adds from the side.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Emperor''s lips curl slightly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He puts down his teacup.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He''s somewhat displeased.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Even the person he wants to see has to go through Minister Lu''s interference. Old Lu''s reach is getting longer and longer.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z css-x61atf"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">3
Eunuch Liu quickly says from the side, "It''s almost lunchtime. Why don''t we summon Lord Jiang and ask him about the skeleton matter, to see if there''s any injustice involved?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Emperor nods.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Eunuch Liu lowers his head, wiping the sweat from his forehead. He''s lost this round.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0