From street beggar to high-ranking official

Wouldn't it be fitting for him to die for me?

A single sentence reveals the ruthlessness of the imperial family.

Li Sheng dared not say much. He knew what he could say and what he couldn't. Speaking of his brothers and sisters who died young, he couldn't even tell whether they were harmed or simply had no chance of being born.

He had also been instructed by his father to visit the Imperial Clan Court to review the national archives, including those of princes, princesses, and members of the Li family...

Li Sheng had carefully reviewed the records from the previous emperor's time and knew that his father was not the eldest son when he was still a prince, but rather succeeded to the throne after the deaths of his elder brothers.

The case file detailed the causes of death, including revenge, plague, physical weakness, and incurable diseases.

At first, Li Sheng didn't think much of it, thinking that if it were him, as long as he was careful, he could also inherit the throne.

The more I looked, the more I realized something was wrong, and the more alarmed I became. Before becoming the crown prince, my father was quite low-key. Even when he was enfeoffed as a prince, he was not particularly outstanding among the princes. But it seemed as if there was a force pushing everything forward, and my father's ascension to the throne was almost a matter of course.

Emperor Yongxi, who had always been low-key, behaved completely differently after ascending the throne. His low-key demeanor disappeared, as did the opposition in the cabinet and the court. Even the ministers who were assisting him in governing retired.

Since the second year of the Yongxi reign, Emperor Yongxi's rule has accumulated power and prestige to this day.

Crown Prince Li Sheng's mind was filled with all sorts of random thoughts. To calm himself down, he looked towards Jingyang Palace.

The protection of the inner palace seemed simple, but it was actually full of hidden tricks. The remnants of the previous dynasty had tried to poison the food and clothing, but this trick was difficult to succeed. They had also tried to bribe eunuchs and palace maids, but the manpower had already been replaced.

In the end, only one assassination plan remained that seemed to have a chance of success.

This is the most likely point of attack, and it's also the flaw that Emperor Yongxi deliberately left unresolved.

A false deception may not fool people; if you're going to play, play for real. Emperor Yongxi was capable of playing that game. Even if his twenty-fourth son was indeed murdered, it was simply bad luck; the princes were destined not to live to adulthood.

Emperor Yongxi firmly believed in the legend of destiny, and the idea that the Mandate of Heaven belonged to Qian was not just a joke made in the name of legitimacy, orthodoxy, and justice.

......

July 25th, Chen hour (7-9 AM).

Several days have passed since the incident in front of Jingyang Palace. As dawn broke, the plague god descended, and the matter of the thieves' rampage and killing seemed to be completely submerged in the deep palace. The only noteworthy thing in the palace now is the birth of the dragon heir.

The twenty-fourth son was named Fang, born in Shaoyang. Fang means brightness, signifying the beginning of dawn and the idea of ​​new life and clarity.

Even though the prince had only been born a short time ago, everyone could see that he was a very healthy imperial heir. Now that the prince was healthy, Consort Wu had also gradually recovered her health. Although she was still weak, she had a spirit that was clearly visible to everyone.

Because of her son's status, Consort Wu was promoted to Imperial Concubine, and the servants of Jingyang Palace also rose in rank. In particular, Lu Li, who guarded the palace gates and made meritorious contributions, was promoted to the position of seventh-rank supervisor of the Palace Administration Office and concurrently served as the chief eunuch of Jingyang Palace, in charge of the internal affairs of the palace. Because of the tragic death of Eunuch Zhao, Lu Li took over the day and night shifts of the Palace Administration Office. Although it was still an eighth-rank position, he had the power of a seventh-rank position.

The various rewards need no further explanation.

......

"Your Majesty, may you be well. This is tomorrow's meal. What would Your Majesty like to order?" Lu Li knelt down and presented a plaque with various snacks and dishes from the Imperial Kitchen listed.

After the birth of the dragon's offspring, the old imperial physicians who had stayed at Jingyang Palace retired after fulfilling their duties, and continued to be cared for and treated by Imperial Physician Zhang. Lu Li also gained the favor of Consort Wu.

This high regard did not come out of thin air. Consort Wu had many nightmares after giving birth, and even dreamed of dead palace maids haunting her. Master Zhang specially set up a ritual, but the method he gave to Lu Li was the same as the method that Imperial Physician Zhang had used before.

Consort Wu's heart is troubled!

Mental illness cannot be treated with medicine; it requires human healing.

So Lu Li served her day and night, guarding the palace gates at night like a door god to ward off evil spirits, and waiting by Consort Wu's side in the morning for her to wake up from her dream.

The same thing happened for the next few days. Every day when Consort Wu woke up, Lu Li would take the initiative to pay his respects, and at night he would guard the palace gate to protect her.

As if the evil spirits had been sincerely dispelled, Consort Wu slept soundly for several days in a row.

"My nightmare is over!"

Consort Wu's words completely solidified Eunuch Lu's position in Jingyang Palace. The palace maid Jinlian was not only at a disadvantage, but she was also utterly defeated in front of Eunuch Lu.

The palace eunuchs and maids were all astonished that Eunuch Lu could do such a thing. It is said that a seventh-rank martial artist can sleep less and work more, but if they were in his shoes, no one could do as much as Eunuch Lu.

The Empress has already gone to bed; who are you trying to impress with all this fake effort?!

The palace eunuchs and maids believed that only efforts that could be seen by the nobles were meaningful; being able to do things was not a skill, but knowing how to claim credit was.

Lu Li was too lazy to explain to the maids that his respectful and cautious manner was all thanks to Eunuch Chen's teachings. Moreover, Jinlian was already Consort Wu's personal maid, and even though she had no say in front of Lu Li, no one could resist the influence of her husband's pillow.

Now that he is a seventh-rank eunuch with the position of Palace Attendant, there will always be times when he is not in Jingyang Palace. If Jinlian exposes Lu Li's various bad habits and negligence at those times, Consort Wu may think it is just competition between servants once or twice. However, once the words of filth take root in her mind, it will be difficult to regain a good impression.

It should be known that wicked people who repent can enter the sacred mountain, while good people who do wrong will go to hell.

Loyalty? Trust?

In the eyes of a noble person, there is only a difference between zero and one hundred.

After Consort Wu had selected the dishes, Lu Li bowed and took his leave, giving Xue Kui a wink from outside the door.

Now, Lu Li has completely excluded Jinlian from Consort Wu's meals. The eunuch who delivers the meals knows us, Imperial Physician Zhang is our friend, and even the palace maid Xue Kui who serves the meals is one of our people. What can you, a maid with no rank or status, do to compete with us?

It seems all that's left are some petty, womanly tricks.

Next, Lu Li will take complete control of the personnel in Jingyang Palace.

Inside the side hall.

Apart from those essential personnel who couldn't leave, all the eunuchs on duty in Jingyang Palace gathered together to await Eunuch Lu's instructions.

Our Eunuch Lu's bribery and embezzlement can be described as aboveboard: "Consort Wu and His Highness the Prince need suitable and dedicated servants to serve them daily. There is Xiao Qianzi for sweeping the palace, Xiao Chuanzi for guarding the palace gates, Xue Kui for serving meals, and palace surveillance. We are still short of a few people to serve at night."

As he spoke, Lu Li handed over three important positions to his two godchildren and the palace maid Xue Kui. As for the remaining positions, needless to say, as long as you are willing to spend money, Eunuch Lu will definitely arrange a good position for you!

"Jingyang Palace will need to be expanded soon. I've already spoken to the Directorate of Palace Attendants, Xiao Chuanzi."

"Godfather, your son is here." Xiao Chuanzi stepped forward to greet him.

"Consort Wu will be moving to Wentiao Palace soon. At that time, Jingyang Palace will be expanded and renovated. You'd better keep a close eye on things for us."

"Your son will not fail you!" Xiao Chuanzi said with delight. He never expected that such a good job would fall to him. Little Step, you really died too young!