The splendor of the Red Chamber, the power that reigns supreme.

Chapter 207 Banquet Rules, Eunuchs in Power

Meanwhile, Master Ximen led the caravan, trudging through the snow, all the way to the gates of Qinghe County.

The gatekeeper, upon seeing Master Ximen's banner from afar, rushed out as if he had seen his own father, his face plastered with an extremely obsequious smile, his back bent like a shrimp, repeatedly shouting, "You've worked hard, sir! You've worked hard, sir!"

Without waiting for orders, he roared at his men, "Blind fools! Open the door for the master right now! If you're late, you'll be skinned alive!"

The heavy city gate creaked open, revealing a dark, gaping doorway. Ximen Qing, still on horseback, wore his usual warm, spring-like smile and nodded towards Lai Xing'er.

Lai Xing understood immediately and deftly pulled out a scroll of official documents stamped with a vermilion seal from his pocket, handing it to the clerk.

The clerk accepted it with both hands, holding it as if it were a priceless treasure without even glancing at it, saying, "What are you saying, sir? This official document is just a formality; how could I dare to actually verify it?"

The official smiled slightly and said, "It's getting late, so be careful and check the carriage for any prohibited items. Don't break the rules."

Upon hearing this, the minor official cried out "Ouch!" and waved his hands wildly, his voice trembling as he exclaimed, his face flushed red, "How awful! How awful! Who in Qinghe County doesn't know what kind of person you are, sir?"

"We have never investigated even a thorn in your side, sir. This is the rule of Qinghe County. If I were to break this rule today, not only would I be unable to bear the consequences, but I would also lose face for eight generations of my ancestors! I would never dare! I would never dare! Please come into the city, sir! Please come in!"

His expression was as if he would kill himself on the spot if the official mentioned the word "investigate" again.

The official chuckled and said, "In that case, I'll trouble you." With that, he flicked the reins, and the caravan filed in, the wheels rolling over the cobblestones with a dull thud.

The minor official stood alone in the city gate, hands clasped, body bowed, watching the carriages and horses depart into the distance.

They traveled in silence. The carriage quietly turned into the secluded alley behind the silk shop in the east of the city and stopped in front of the inconspicuous little courtyard.

Having received his orders, Wu Song had already led his men to carry the several deadly chests deep into the courtyard.

Wu Song and Lai Xing'er stood like two guardian deities, holding torches, solemnly standing beside the entrance to the abandoned ice cellar in the courtyard, holding their breath and concentrating.

The cellar was bitterly cold, and the musty, earthy smell assaulted the nostrils. The high official held a torch, and Dai'an, following his directions, laboriously pried open the iron lock on the chest, and with a clang, lifted the heavy lid—

In an instant! A brilliant light shone brightly inside the cellar!

Inside the box, it was filled to the brim, layer upon layer!
Yellow is gold, white is silver!
Gold ingots and silver ingots reflected a dazzling light that stirred the heart and mesmerized the eyes under the leaping firelight!
Even though the high-ranking official was used to wealth and luxury, he was startled by the sudden appearance of the yellow and white substance that was almost overflowing from the box! His breath caught in his throat!
He composed himself, bent down, and casually picked up a heavy ingot of silver, examining it closely by the light of the torch in Dai'an's hand.

On the bottom of the silver ingot, two lines of extremely clear markings were clearly engraved, each word like a knife piercing the eye:
[Daming Prefecture] [Fifteen taels]

The official's pupils suddenly contracted; it was indeed the birthday tribute intended for the Grand Tutor!

It actually ended up in my hands.

Needless to say, the gold, silver and jewels here are worth 100,000 taels!

"Close it!" the official said in a deep voice.

Dai'an was so frightened that his face turned pale. He hurriedly slammed the lid of the box shut, as if trying to completely seal away the terrifying light and mark.

The master and servant left the ice cellar without saying a word.

The official ordered, "Lock it up! Lock it up tightly!" Wu Song immediately stepped forward and used an iron chain as thick as a child's arm and two heavy padlocks to firmly lock the stone slab at the entrance of the cellar.

The official was still not at ease, so he ordered some withered branches, fallen leaves, firewood and other miscellaneous items to be dragged over and piled haphazardly on the stone slab at the entrance of the cellar to cover it up.

After doing all this, he finally let out a long sigh of relief: "Let's go back!"

The jewelry in this birthday tribute worth 100,000 taels is relatively easy to sell, but the gold and silver will be difficult to circulate unless they are remelted. We need to think of a way to deal with it!

Ximen Da Guanren acquired 100,000 taels of silver, becoming incredibly wealthy.

But Chang Zhijie, another sworn brother of the wealthy official, had no choice but to bite the bullet, put on an old robe, and waddle through the remaining snow, slipping and sliding, to the vermilion gate of the wealthy official's mansion. His rice jar was empty, the rent was pressing, and his wife was nagging all day long.

The gatekeeper recognized him; he was "Master Chang," who often came to freeload off his uncle, but he didn't think much of him.

Seeing him hunched over, his face and lips pale from the cold, he put his hands behind his back, leaned against the door frame, and said with a forced smile, "Oh, Master Chang, you've arrived? Unfortunately, my master went to the yamen early this morning and hasn't returned yet. Please go back now and come another day."

Chang Zhijie's heart sank, and he said cautiously, "Young man, could you take another look for me? Or ask the old lady in her room? I really have something urgent to discuss with you, brother..."

The servant rolled his eyes and snorted, "Seventh Master Chang, what are you saying! How dare we inquire about the whereabouts of our esteemed master? If he's not here, he's not here! Such a large mansion, how could he possibly be hiding? Please leave now, it's freezing cold, don't let your noble health suffer!"

Chang Zhijie was met with a cold shoulder. Standing in the cold wind under the tall gate tower, he felt as if the warmth coming through the crack in the door was thorny, making him feel icy cold all over.

With a sigh, he could only drag his leaden legs, tuck his hands into his sleeves to tighten them, and turn back to his dilapidated house at the end of a secluded alley, where he was the only resident.

Pushing open the door, a musty, damp smell mixed with a cold wind hit him. The room was dark, with only a flickering ember in the stove illuminating a gaunt figure—his wife, Chang Ersao.

Hearing the commotion, Chang Ersao suddenly sat up from the cold earthen bed, her eyes shining brightly in the dim light. She asked anxiously, "You're back? Where's the money? Did you borrow it? The landlady, Granny Xu, came again at noon to urge us, saying that if we don't receive the money by tomorrow, she'll kick us out and lock the door!"

Chang Zhijie lowered his head, not daring to look at her, and stammered, "My lord... he's not home."

"Not home?!" Chang Ersao's voice suddenly rose like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, sharp enough to pierce the reed mat on the roof. "What a load of bull! It's already pitch black, and Master Ximen isn't home?!"

"Do you think I'm a three-year-old child to be fooled?! It must be those watchdogs who look down on people and don't even bother to announce your arrival because you're a poor, down-on-your-luck fellow! Or maybe Ximen Qing has gained power and become a high-ranking official, and now he looks down on everyone else and is deliberately avoiding you, his 'sworn brother'!"

She grew angrier and angrier, jumped off the kang (a heated brick bed), pointed at Chang Zhijie's nose, and cursed, "Bah! What kind of bullshit sworn brother is this! He's good at ordering us around, and even if a few whiskers slip through his fingers, it'll be enough for our family to live on for years!"

"Now look what's happened! He's climbed the social ladder, become a high-ranking official, wears fine silks and satins, lives in a grand mansion, and has beautiful wives and concubines all around him! Meanwhile, he's treated you, his poor brother, like a worn-out shoe or sock, discarded over the wall!"

Chang Zhijie's face flushed red and then turned pale as she scolded him. He was also holding back his anger, but dared not raise his voice. He could only defend himself in a low voice:

"You...you must stop talking nonsense! My brother Ximen is not such a snob! He is generous and righteous, everyone in Qinghe County knows that! Today he must be...must be busy with something important and can't get away! Stop gossiping and spreading rumors about my good brother!"

"Bullshit!" Chang Ersao spat on the ground, her spittle almost splashing onto Chang Zhijie's face.
"Not that kind of person? If he weren't that kind of person, would he just watch us freeze and starve to death in this dilapidated house?! The roof of his own house is so leaky that the northwest wind is blowing in and could freeze a mouse to death! With the winter solstice approaching, we don't have a single grain of rice or a single piece of firewood, and we can't even afford the rent for this dilapidated house. We're about to be kicked out! And you still have the nerve to speak up for him?"

She trembled with rage, pounding the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) and crying out, "My poor mother! How could I have been so blind to marry a good-for-nothing like you! All you ever do is fawn over others, calling them 'good brother' this and 'good brother' that. This morning you even went to set off firecrackers and beat drums for them! And now look what's happened, you can't even get into their house!"

"Gao Le is gone, and you're like a turtle, cowering in this ice hole waiting to die! I... I can't get by with you, you poor wretch! I'd rather hang myself from this door frame than suffer this torment!" With that, he made a move to look for a rope.

Chang Zhijie was thoroughly humiliated by her, every word piercing his heart. Seeing her threatening suicide, he panicked, feeling angry, anxious, and ashamed. He felt a lump in his throat, his face turning purple, and after a long while, he finally managed to utter:
"You...you shrew! Stop talking nonsense! Tomorrow, I'll go again tomorrow...I guarantee...I guarantee I'll be able to borrow it..."

Chang Ersao, panting heavily, her chest heaving, stared intently at Chang Zhijie's equally thin and tattered jacket, gritting her teeth as she said:

"Fine! Fine! You can go tomorrow! Go and lick your 'good brother's' boots and hold his testicles again! See if he'll give you a single copper coin! I'm telling you this now, if Ximen Qing is really willing to lend you money, let alone renting a small courtyard with all the necessary services, even if he can lend you a few taels so we can buy a thick cotton-padded coat and a few bushels of life-saving grain to get through this hellish winter, I, Chang Ersao, will treat you like royalty! If he can't lend you any..."

Chang Ersao let out a cold laugh that was even more biting than the wind outside the window: "Hmph! You don't need to come back! Just cling to your 'good brother's' leg and become a frozen, starving corpse lying on the street under his high gate! It'll save you from coming back and making your old mother lose face with you, freezing and starving to death in this icy hole without a single grain of rice or a thick coat!"

After saying that, she suddenly turned around, pulled the tattered quilt over her head, and stopped talking. Only suppressed sobs filled with despair and resentment echoed in the cold, desolate, and dilapidated house.

Chang Zhijie took off his clothes, shoes and socks, and huddled into bed. He wanted to pull some tattered quilts to keep warm, but his wife, Chang Ersao, who was sulking and sobbing, wrapped him tightly around her like an iron barrel, making it impossible for him to move an inch.

Looking at the dim light of the oil lamp illuminating two shadows on the wall, he sighed in his heart: "It's true what they say: when a man has a lot of money, his wife is virtuous; when a man has no money, even a dog will dislike him!"

Helpless, he had to get up again, grope around in the dark to find the old clothes to put on, snuggle close to his wife Chang Ersao's back, and force himself to lie on the pillow. The night passed without a word.

After Master Ximen returned to his residence, all the beautiful maids went to bed early to prepare for tomorrow's banquet.

The official leisurely strolled in the back garden under the moonlight, practiced his staff routine, and then did some Five Animal Frolics breathing exercises, making his muscles and bones feel more flexible.

These past few days, perhaps because the weather has cooled down, Li Ping'er's fiery temper has subsided, and she hasn't come to peek.

After taking a bath, he lay down on the couch and fell into a deep sleep.

The next day at noon, the streets and alleys in front of Ximen Mansion had already been cleared clean by the fierce yamen runners and soldiers. Who would dare to peek out?

From afar, the faint sound of shouts could be heard, followed by the deafening roar of gongs and drums, and the clamor of sheng and xiao. A procession with a bright array of honors and an imposing presence came in a long procession.

Leading the way were two vermilion-lacquered, gold-plated sedan chairs carried by four men each. The chairs were so dazzlingly bright that they made one's eyes dazzle.

The eunuchs attending the sedan chair were all dressed in brocade robes and jade belts, with fair skin and a hint of arrogance in their eyes.

The sedan curtain was lifted, and the first person to step down was a eunuch named Liu, who wore a steel fork hat, a bright red and colorful satin jacket, and a delicate jade belt around his waist. He had a fair complexion and a slightly plump figure.

The second person to alight from the sedan chair was equally dignified; he was none other than Eunuch Xue, the former steward who had retired to Qinghe to recuperate.

The third was Zhou Shoubei, a fourth-rank official riding a tall, fine horse.

He was fully armored, wearing a brocade robe, with a sword at his waist, and his personal guards lined up behind him like geese in flight, looking quite imposing.

The fourth is Jing Nangang, a fourth-rank military officer. He is also in bright military uniform, riding in on horseback, with soldiers standing behind him, displaying the majesty of a military officer.

The fifth person was Xia Longxi, the official's superior and a fifth-rank judicial officer.

These five people, invited by the high-ranking official's silk shop and by the scholar of the Xianmo Pavilion's banquet, had both refused to come. The two eunuchs hadn't even sent gifts. Yet now they had come.

Indeed, life's circumstances are as follows: when the time is right, who won't come? When the time isn't right, who will?
Following closely behind were the sixth old acquaintance, Zhang Tuanlian, and the seventh, He Qianhu.

For a time, the gates of the Ximen mansion were filled with officials and nobles, their jade belts, python robes and armor gleaming in the cold light, creating an extraordinary and impressive scene!

Soldiers shouted and made way, and the sound of drums and music filled the air, making the newly built gate of the Chief Justice's residence appear as magnificent as a royal mansion.

Master Ximen had already received the news and, leading his stewards and trusted servants, lined up like geese wings under the eaves to await him. Today, he was:

He wore a Zhongjing crown, a brand-new five-colored cloud-patterned brocade robe with an official's round collar, lined with a white silk jacket made of Songjiang three-spindle cloth, a rhinoceros belt around his waist, and black boots with pink soles.

Imposing and full of energy.

Seeing that the distinguished guests had arrived at the steps, the high official smiled and bowed slightly to the two old eunuchs, Liu and Xue: "I am honored that you two old eunuchs have come in person!"

Those two eunuchs, Liu and Xue, were used to being arrogant and haughty.

Meng Keli was taken aback when she heard Ximen Qing repeatedly refer to himself as "student": Huh? Wasn't this banquet to celebrate his promotion to the fifth rank of judicial officer? Why isn't he calling himself "this humble official" but instead bringing up "student"?

He then remembered that Ximen Qing held the prestigious and important position of "Xianmo Pavilion Academician".

An unranked scholar in a minor post naturally couldn't persuade the two officials to come. Even a fifth-rank judicial officer was only qualified to have the two of them visit, yet he still managed to maintain a certain air of authority.

However, the strict rules and titles of this fifth-rank judicial officer and scholar of the Xianmo Pavilion forced the two men to loosen their stern expressions somewhat.

He was of high rank, had power, and held a prestigious position.

Immediately, a smile appeared on their two fair faces, and they nodded slightly in return.

"Ximen Xianmo is too polite."

The official, his face beaming, clasped his hands in greeting and addressed each of the officials: Commander Zhou, Supervisor Jing, Judicial Officer Xia, Militia Commander Zhang, Commander He, and others.
"You esteemed guests have taken the time to grace me with your presence; it is an immense honor for Ximen Qing! My humble abode is truly honored today! Please come in! Please come in and have some tea!"

Guided by this Mr. Ximen, the group passed through the courtyard.

The main hall was already decorated with flowers and a warm fragrance. In the center of the hall was a huge rosewood carved and mother-of-pearl inlaid octagonal table, covered with a red felt carpet. Around it, on the high tables, were placed antique bronze vases and modern bonsai. In the center was a bronze censer, burning fine agarwood incense, the smoke rising in a misty haze.

Ximen Qing, beaming, bowed and invited, "Esteemed gentlemen, please take a seat! Please take a seat!"

Upon hearing this, the warm laughter and chatter in the hall immediately froze.

The official immediately understood.

Despite the thousands of years of dynastic changes in this land, the rules of this banquet have never changed!

The meal was a banquet, but it revealed a hierarchy of status!

In the officialdom, the order of seating arrangements cannot be confused in the slightest!

The crowd wore smiles and seemed rooted to the spot, but their eyes had already darted back and forth across the few rosewood chairs seven or eight times.

For a moment, the hall was completely silent, and dozens of eyes were fixed on the two empty chief and secondary rosewood chairs.

Then they all looked at Master Ximen, waiting for him, the host, to make arrangements.

These seasoned officials, with their smiles on their faces, have already spun a thousand different thoughts in their minds.

The official smiled slightly, having already made up his mind.

The chief position belongs to none other than those two old eunuchs from the palace!
But neither of the two eunuchs would ever ask to sit in that position—that would be disrespectful and undignified!
And I cannot invite him myself.

Regardless of whether Liu or Xue, the two eunuchs, were seated in the chief seat, the other would likely harbor resentment.

What's next?
Among those present, Commander Zhou, Supervisor Jing, and Judicial Commissioner Xia, whose ranks were not higher than his own as the newly appointed Judicial Commissioner?

If he hastily promoted the two eunuchs to the top positions, wouldn't it be obvious to these military superiors that he was currying favor with the eunuchs?

Besides factional strife, there were also three other forces in the world: military officials, civil officials, and eunuchs, clearly distinct from one another.

Even though everyone thought the same thing, the two eunuchs in the seat of honor could not say it themselves.

Ximen Qing's mind raced, and he immediately became humble, bowing deeply and saying:
"Your Excellencies and Lord Eunuchs, although I am the host, in terms of rank and seniority, I am merely a junior to you three. The arrangement of the seats today must be presided over by the esteemed Commander Zhou, so as not to be improper. I will obey your command!"

His modesty in yielding.

Commander Zhou glanced at Ximen Qing with a flick of his eyelids, stroked his beard, chuckled, and went along with it:

"Lord Ximen is too modest! However... as the saying goes, 'Even a three-year-old eunuch can rise above kings and nobles!' The two old eunuchs, Liu and Xue, are respected for both their age and virtue. They have served the emperor and seen the world. As for their promotion... it is naturally rightfully theirs! How dare we overstep our bounds?"

The defender's words this week were perfectly watertight!
The reason for sitting in the chief seat was entirely attributed to the "common saying" of the "three-year-old eunuch," and then to "age and virtue"—both in terms of age and moral character. This way, the eunuch was flattered without mentioning his power or official position, and neither of the two eunuchs was offended.

The two old men, Liu and Xue, were delighted to hear this, and were more than happy to oblige. However, due to centuries-old customs, they had to politely decline.

The two waved their hands repeatedly, saying only:
"No, no, no! Lord Zhou, you're too kind. You're making me feel terrible!"

"Indeed, when guests are present, we should follow the host's lead. How could we possibly overstep our bounds?"

Everyone knew the truth, and they couldn't help but offer their insincere advice:
"Father-in-law, please don't refuse; this is the proper thing to do!"

"We feel extremely uncomfortable unless the eunuch sits in the seat of honor!"

Only after he had persuaded the eunuch to wait until the time was right did Eunuch Liu feign helplessness, clapping his hands and laughing:

"Alright, alright! Since Lord Zhou is so kind as to offer his favor, and everyone is so kind as to accept this position, I am a few years older, so I will shamelessly accept this position for now!"

Eunuch Xue replied with a forced smile:

"What Eunuch Liu says is true. In terms of seniority, we can never compete with you for this empty title."

Immediately, Eunuch Liu, without hesitation, plopped down firmly in the chief rosewood chair. Eunuch Xue followed suit and sat in the second seat.

The dust settles!

Zhou Shoubei then took the first seat to Liu Gonggong's left.

Jing Dujian sat next to Zhou Shoubei, in the second seat on the left.

Xia Tixing sat in the first seat to the right of Eunuch Xue.

Ximen himself sat next to Xia Tixing, in the second seat on the right.

Zhang Tuanlian sat in the third seat on the left, while He Qianhu sat in the third seat on the right.

The group took their seats in order, their faces beaming with smiles as they exchanged pleasantries.

But within this hall, the strict hierarchy of officialdom and the transcendent power of the two inner ministers were already fully revealed through the cold seating arrangement!

Ximen Qing coldly surveyed the room filled with people in python robes and jade belts, all dressed in magnificent attire, and sighed inwardly:

People say that Cai Jing is a treacherous man who controls the court and wields immense power. Behind his back, countless people wish they could devour his flesh and sleep on his skin!
However, if it weren't for the Grand Tutor, a civil official of such high rank, standing in the court, protecting the scholars of the world from the wind and rain!

The glorious land and state of the Song Dynasty have probably long since become the private possessions of those eunuchs and sycophants. Where can those in high positions find a foothold?
Once everyone was seated, as instructed by Yue Niang, well-dressed servants and maids carried gilded and engraved trays, serving fragrant tea and fruit in a continuous stream.

In an instant, the music arranged by Sister Li Gui began to play, and the hall was filled with warm fragrance and laughter. The subtle tension caused by the seating arrangement seemed to be dispelled by this atmosphere of wealth and prosperity.

Eunuch Liu picked up a piece of the stewed "cherry meat" that was so tender it fell off the bone. It melted in his mouth, and the rich and savory flavor was just what his toothless palate wanted.

He squinted, savoring the food for a long while, before putting down his chopsticks and sighing to Eunuch Xue in his high-pitched voice:
“Brother Xue, take a look at this! Tsk tsk, it’s rare, truly rare! Ximen Xianmo’s mansion is not only orderly and solemn, but even the kitchen is so thoughtful and meticulous! You and I, with our old bones, can’t chew those tough and chewy things.”

"Look at this meat! It's stewed to perfection, tender yet not falling apart, melting in your mouth, all the flavor is in there! It's clear they've taken care of our two old teeth!"

Eunuch Xue was scooping a small bowl of crab meat lion's head meatballs with a silver spoon. The meatballs were tender and soft, bursting with fresh flavor, almost sliding down his throat without chewing. Hearing this, he immediately nodded in agreement, his eyes narrowing into slits with a smile.

"Brother Liu is right! It's not just meat! Look at these lion's head meatballs, they're as tender as tofu pudding, fresh but not greasy! And this shark fin soup, simmered until it's completely tender, is cooked to perfection! Lord Xianmo's care and thoughtfulness are truly... tsk tsk, I guess I broke my vegetarian vow today and indulged in a few extra bites. Lord Xianmo, please don't be offended, please don't be offended! Haha!"

The two old men, singing in unison, praised the dishes at the Ximen Mansion to the skies, emphasizing their thoughtfulness in "catering to the old man's teeth."

Commander Zhou, standing to the side, picked up a steaming piece of "braised fish slices," put the tender fish slice into his mouth, then put down his chopsticks, chuckled at the official, and said something meaningful:

"Lord Ximen! The two eunuchs praised the management of the inner quarters as meticulous and thoughtful, and I wholeheartedly agree!"

He paused, picked up a small, warm, white-glazed wine cup that had just been placed in front of him, and felt the perfect warmth on his fingertips. His voice rose a few decibels:

"Please look around! From the start of the banquet until now, every cup, plate, and bowl on this table, whether hot or cold, is warm and comforting to the touch."

"It is obvious that the servants below are observant and diligent, always keeping a hot water warmer behind the screen. As soon as the dishes on the table get even slightly cold, they are immediately removed and replaced with piping hot new plates and cups!"

"Such thoughtfulness and discipline could only be arranged by a prominent family with exceptional household management skills! My lord, your wife's ability to manage a household is truly something I... greatly admire!"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone at the table suddenly realized what he meant and lowered their heads to touch the cups, bowls, and plates beside them:

Supervisor Jing picked up the wine pot and weighed it in his hand. Sure enough, the pot was warm. "Oh! If Lord Zhou hadn't mentioned it, I really wouldn't have noticed! It's indeed warm! Excellent! This service is truly impeccable!"

Xia Tixing touched the edge of the freshly placed bone dish with his fingertip and nodded, saying, "Hmm! Even this dish for the scraps is warm! Such thoughtfulness, such decorum, I admire you, I admire you!"

The high-ranking official was pleased with the flattery he received, but he remained increasingly humble, repeatedly cupping his hands in respect.

"Your Excellencies are too kind! I am too kind! I am but a novice, and I have only learned a few basic skills in the inner quarters. I dare not neglect my honored guests! I am unworthy of such praise! Please drink this cup to the brim!"

He raised his glass to invite everyone to drink, and they all readily agreed.

Fueled by a bit of alcohol, Eunuch Liu said, half-intimately and half-promisively:

"Ximen Xianmo! Your kindness and thoughtfulness have truly warmed our hearts! We will remember this kindness of taking such good care of us two toothless old men!"

He paused, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his cloudy old eyes. He lowered his voice, yet it was still clear enough for those nearby to hear him:
"In the future, if your household ever undertakes any 'respectable' activities such as building houses or decorating the gates, and needs fine materials like 'gold bricks' for paving the floor or 'glazed tiles' for roofing, as long as it doesn't exceed the rules, just let me know! I've served in the palace for many years, and while I may not have many other skills, I certainly have these connections. I guarantee I can find suitable and high-quality materials for you!"

Upon hearing this, the official smiled with utmost sincerity:

"Oh my! Old Master Liu is so kind, I am truly flattered! Thank you in advance! I will certainly need your guidance in the future!"

The eunuch Xue, standing nearby, also straightened his sleeves and chimed in with a smile:

“Brother Liu is right! I appreciate Ximen Xianmo’s kindness and will remember it! Although I’ve retired and am now enjoying a comfortable life outside, I’ve spent most of my life cultivating relationships in the palace. I still have some influence and connections.” He leaned forward slightly, exuding a mysterious aura.

"If Lord Xianmo needs to purchase any 'special' items, as long as they are not taboo, our family can help make the connection and act as a go-between."

After the official thanked him, they drank several rounds of wine and ate several dishes.

Four young actresses, all around fourteen or fifteen years old, emerged gracefully from behind the screen. They were beautifully made up, dressed in brand-new Hangzhou silk shirts, and carrying a pipa, stringed instrument, flute, and sheng. They sat on a brocade stool in the corner of the hall, heads bowed, awaiting orders.

The official smiled and said, "Gentlemen, please tell me what kind of music you would like to hear."

(End of this chapter)