From street beggar to high-ranking official

Chapter 63 The Plague God Descends

This matter was not deliberately concealed, and news of Lu Li's actions quickly reached Consort Wu's ears. Consort Wu praised Lu Li for his prudence that very day.

Lu Li kowtowed on the spot to express his gratitude, his tearful eyes looking as sincere as could be.

As he wiped away his tears, he glanced around and noticed only the palace maid Jinlian with a gloomy face. "Such a great service, and she still gives us attitude. Indeed, it is only petty people and women who are difficult to deal with!"

Lu Li didn't care that he had cursed himself into the matter. He had already figured out how to get rid of all the eunuchs he didn't like and replace them with his own people.

Now, the eunuchs who sweep the palace wine are his own people, and the eunuchs who stand guard at the gate are also his own people. The only thing missing is the eunuchs who work inside the palace. He has already accomplished two of the three!

"As long as Your Majesty stays safe in the palace, I will risk my life to ensure your safety!" Lu Li declared on the spot.

Even Consort Wu was greatly relieved: "With Lu Zi's words, I feel much more at ease."

After watching the performance by the master and servant, Imperial Physician Zhang quickly came forward to diagnose the Empress and take her pulse. He asked questions through the gauze curtain and took her pulse through a handkerchief until he confirmed that the pregnancy was stable before letting out a soft sigh of relief.

"Your Majesty's pregnancy is stable and there is no major problem. As long as you take good care of yourself, you will have no worries when you give birth!"

Liu Jiancheng's words dispelled Consort Wu's worries, and Zhang Yuyi's words added another layer of protection. He immediately rewarded Zhang Yuyi with a pair of antiques as a sign of commendation.

Lu Li didn't seem particularly envious. He had received similar rewards many times before. Although Consort Wu was arrogant because of the emperor's favor, she was genuinely generous. As long as you amused the emperor or did something for her, you would definitely receive a reward.

Even many eunuchs and palace maids in Jingyang Palace felt quite grateful to Lu Li.

If it weren't for the good management by Lu, who kept mosquitoes and insects away every day and invited Imperial Physician Zhang and fortune teller, who knows how many eunuchs and palace maids would have been beaten to the point of being unable to take care of themselves.

Perhaps it was because she was seven months pregnant, but Consort Wu's maternal aura shone even brighter, or perhaps it was because Lu Li served her so well, that apart from the death of the eunuch on duty at the palace gate, there was very little bloodshed in Jingyang Palace.

Several eunuchs and maids who were not subordinates even took the initiative to send gifts, hoping that Eunuch Lu could say a few good words to the Empress when he served her someday.

As for the palace maid Jinlian, it's obvious to everyone that her power is waning. Although she can still serve the Empress, who knows when she will be replaced? Given how much favored Eunuch Lu is, once she rises to power, she will definitely be the palace maid appointed by Eunuch Lu!

Jinlian was willing but powerless. She secretly cursed Lu Li to one day contract the plague and die on the spot. She also secretly cursed that the sisters who had gathered around her would suddenly flock to Lu Gonggong's side.

In the palace, it was not uncommon to fawn over the weak and flatter the strong; eunuchs did this, and palace maids were no exception.

The only opportunity she can hold now is the Empress's instruction from back then. As long as she can find evidence to discover who killed Qiu Kui, Jinlian is confident that she can regain the favor of Consort Wu.

But that's unlikely now.

Qiu Kui's body had already been buried in the palace, and it was impossible to dig up the body and open the coffin. Jinlian had thought about asking if a coroner had examined Qiu Kui's body when she died, but even if she went to find a coroner, she couldn't do it. She wasn't well-informed and didn't know that half of the coroners in the palace had already died of illness.

Some eunuchs and palace maids who might be involved in Qiu Kui's death were sent away from Jingyang Palace. Even the real culprit, Xiao Buzi, was killed by Lu Li. Jinlian had no official position, so she had to spend money to investigate, but even if she spent money, it would be as difficult as climbing to the sky.

Entry and exit to Jingyang Palace are becoming increasingly strictly controlled. Xiao Chuanzi has amassed a considerable amount of money while guarding the palace, but no matter how much money he has amassed, you can inquire about information as you please, but if you want to enter, I must first request permission from Eunuch Lu.

Even those who were in charge of sweeping and cleaning the palace wine jars would be questioned in detail if they didn't recognize someone, and if they couldn't get any information, they would even be searched.

Of course, some people who came and went as usual, such as Imperial Physician Zhang, and the eunuchs from the Imperial Household Department and the Imperial Kitchen, were only questioned by Xiao Chuanzi and then released. It is one thing to be on duty, but if you ruin the Empress's good deed, being diligent will not only be of no benefit, but will also be a fault.

Therefore, these two types of people are usually dealt with personally by Lu Li. Xiao Chuanzi doesn't dare to stop them casually, but we have the ability to do so.

Previously, the eunuchs from the Imperial Kitchen and the Imperial Household Department could enter directly, but since Lu Li took over, the handover was done at the palace gate, preventing any unnecessary contact.

"Little Shanzi, are you delivering the meals today?" Lu Li asked one of the young eunuchs who was delivering meals with a smile. Lu Li remembered him; Little Shanzi had accompanied the Seventh Prince on his Mid-Autumn Festival outing.

"Replying to Eunuch Lu, I have been given an important position and have already entered the Imperial Kitchen to serve meals," Xiao Shanzi said, bowing.

Even within the Imperial Kitchen, there were different ranks. The lowest rank consisted of those who stoked the fire, chopped firewood, and handled swill. They were not only covered in soot but also surrounded by filth. They were only slightly more respectable than the lowly eunuchs who washed toilets in the Cleaning and Fragrance Department of the Palace Attendant.

The best type is the Imperial Cuisine Supervisor, who can meet the Emperor every day. If one day he truly catches the Emperor's eye, it's like rising to the top in one step. Moreover, there is precedent for this; the current Director of the Imperial Cuisine Supervisor, Commander Liu, got his position this way.

It is said that during the evening dinner, Emperor Yongxi, in a moment of inspiration, composed a poem, and only Admiral Liu could cleverly match it. Ultimately, he rose rapidly through the ranks of the Imperial Kitchen and became a second-rank admiral.

There are different ranks for the position of serving meals. Xiao Shanzi has not yet reached the point where he can see the emperor every day. He is currently serving meals to the concubines, which is considered average, much better than the eunuchs who deliver meals.

"You're quite lucky." Lu Li raised an eyebrow. "It's a pity I don't have any money on me right now. Little Shanzi, come visit me at the Palace Guard when you have some free time."

Xiao Shanzi was overjoyed and immediately agreed.

On the way back to the restaurant, Xiao Shanzi, who was not particularly outstanding before, suddenly became the center of attention. Everyone hoped that one day when Xiao Shanzi became successful, they could also help him out.

As Lu Li watched the departing procession carrying food, he muttered to himself, "When will my family ever have such power?"

Without relying on the status of concubines, he could elevate a lowly eunuch to a high position simply by saying a few words.

A dragon heir that has not yet been born can bring prosperity to an insignificant family; such prestige is unmatched by few in the world.

"Serving in the palace is like walking on thin ice. Can we even make it to the other side?"

,

A few more days passed.

When the eunuchs of the Palace Guard were sweeping in the morning, they noticed white gauze in the corner of the palace wall walkway, and several water vats contained strands of hair, which were so fine that it was difficult to tell whether they were male or female.

Upon hearing of this matter, Eunuch Zhao, an eighth-rank official in charge of the Palace Administration, paid special attention, but after investigating every possible source, he still could not find the origin.

That night, Lu Li's godson, Xiao Wuzi, patrolled the inner palace. As instructed by his godfather, he kept his eyes and ears almost constantly around Jingyang Palace.

Only important palaces were guarded by eunuchs of the ninth rank, such as the library and the martial arts pavilion. The guarding of Jingyang Palace is just as strict now.

With Xiao Chuanzi by day and Xiao Wuzi by night, Lu Li's protection of Jingyang Palace was truly exceptional.

At five quarters past the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), a group of eunuchs passed by the palace walls outside Jingyang Palace. The bright red lanterns illuminated a group of white-clad figures carrying white lanterns in the pitch-black palace.

The following day, the bodies of the group of eunuchs were discovered. An autopsy by the Imperial Household Department determined that they had died of illness.

For a time, rumors of a plague god spread throughout the palace.