From street beggar to high-ranking official

After the birthday banquet ended, Lu Li returned to his duty room. Although he felt a little sorry for the golden book, he at least received a word of encouragement from Admiral Xie.

Of course, Eunuch Xie would not openly protect outsiders. Lu Li's actions were less about currying favor and more about buying a guarantee. He not only presented birthday gifts but also toasted Eunuch Xie's other godsons.

As long as the other party accepts the drink, the deal is done.

He should stand out but not excel. It's enough that he makes an appearance in front of the Admiral and gets noticed. If he tries to compete for favor, Xie Gonggong's other adopted sons will start to fight back.

Back in his room, Lu Li went to bed drunk. Xiao Chuanzi, who served him that evening, helped his godfather take off his clothes, carefully assisted him with washing up, and then covered his godfather with a warm quilt.

Smelling the alcohol on her godfather and hearing his breathing gradually become steady as he drifted off to sleep, Xiao Chuanzi quietly stepped outside.

The smell of alcohol on Lu Li's breath gradually dissipated until the feeling of being drunk completely disappeared, at which point he opened his eyes and looked into the darkness.

Previously, I couldn't use my inner energy to expel the alcohol from my body at banquets, but now that I'm alone, I don't need to worry about that anymore.

Using the Listening Ear Technique to confirm the surroundings, Xiao Chuanzi's footsteps indeed gradually faded into the distance.

He's truly a good godson; even our family is starting to have our eyes on him.

Lu Li thought to himself.

The phrase "remain faithful to one's husband until the end" did indeed touch Lu Li. Whether Lu Li admitted it or not, he did value Xiao Chuanzi more. Normally, no adopted son would be able to get so close to Eunuch Lu and serve him in bed like this.

"Does our heart truly have a soft spot?" Lu Li didn't understand the principle of having a fierce tiger in one's heart but a delicate touch; he was still just a boy not yet eighteen.

Unable to reach a conclusion after much thought, Lu Li simply stuffed the rubbed cotton into his ears and fell into a deep sleep.

Meanwhile, inside the duty room of the Imperial Palace.

Xie Gonggong was using his internal energy to clear his mind, while his godchildren were counting the birthday gifts and reporting them one by one.

A jade throne and golden Buddha can be given to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager worships Buddha, so such a treasure is naturally acceptable. There are many more authentic works by the poet Li Bai that can be given as gifts, and most of the imperial concubines in the palace can choose from them.

Gift-giving is also an art. Not only should you cater to the recipient's preferences, but you should also consider the superior's needs and proactively prepare gifts that will cater to their preferences in the future.

This is the true path.

As for the various birthday gifts, Eunuch Xie secretly counted them to see how much gold and silver they could be exchanged for.

Only a few birthday gifts were kept by the Admiral, such as that golden book.

"These characters were definitely not made by tools, there is no contact wear, and they were not made by hitting with a cork hammer. They could only have been made by grinding with true qi."

Admiral Xie could certainly do the same, but it was actually done by that little eunuch.

With such talent at such a young age, even if we don't take him as a godson, he would be excellent as a henchman in the future.

Those with real power in the palace, even seasoned veterans, would have a price tag if they wanted to make a move. Eunuch Xie himself was only a third-rank expert, though he was certainly a top-tier master in the martial arts world. However, he couldn't act with impunity in the palace.

First, we need to ascertain the boy's true strength. Even if he is indeed a young genius, Eunuch Xie will not rush to promote or snatch him away. This boy has been stubbornly staying in the Imperial Household Department for more than a month. People with such a patient nature are not easy to subdue. We will wait until he suffers injustice and has no relatives or friends to help him before we step in to uphold justice for him.

By employing both kindness and severity, their loyalty is unwavering. Even if you eventually realize what's happening, this sense of loyalty won't easily disappear.

Even if eunuchs are psychologically abnormal and inconsistent, some of their human nature will not change. It's just that their physical disability and psychological distortion amplify some of their true nature. Otherwise, how could they drive the palace maids and officials around like slaves and cattle?

Only those who are truly bloodless and heartless, born to be eunuchs, can break free from the shackles and constraints in their hearts and be driven solely by their own desires.

Since entering the palace during the Yongxi reign, Admiral Xie had never seen anyone like this.

......

Lu Li spent a peaceful period in the palace guard post, but the turmoil in the palace never ceased.

The struggle between Consort Xian, Consort De, and Consort Ning continues. The Imperial Horse Administration and the Imperial Household Department are at odds, and it is said that many junior eunuchs have been sent to the Imperial Alchemy Department.

As for those who were able to return, very few were.

The Imperial Horse Administration had the merit of collecting tea taxes, and its power was already above that of the Imperial Household Department. Moreover, it had the help of Consort De and Consort Ning's twenty-fourth prince. Consort Xian's faction could not continue to rely solely on the Imperial Household Department and the Forestry Bureau.

This struggle wasn't limited to the inner court. Outside the imperial court, Grand Secretary Cui impeached Minister Li of the Ministry of Personnel for his family members forming cliques and engaging in corrupt practices, including bribing Prefect Wu for promotion while neglecting many disaster relief officials and instead recommending someone with no merit...

Lu Li was in charge of delivering official reports, so he easily learned about such matters. He heard that Consort Ning had smashed her usual Jingdezhen tea set in Jingyang Palace.

Further on, in Jingyang Palace and Yanxi Palace, eunuchs and palace maids walked with their heads held high.

Logically, Lu Li should have done something at this point, but he just watched coldly.

What does the infighting among the noble ladies in the palace have to do with our family?

In a few more days.

The 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, the sixth nine-day period of winter.

On New Year's Eve.

Lu Li received a New Year's gift, and tonight he had nothing to do while on duty at the Palace Guard. It was a rare opportunity to gather at a table with his colleagues. There were no drinking games or drinking games; it was simply a way for colleagues to connect and build rapport.

Silent all night.

New Year's Day.

Lu Li got up early for the first time to pay New Year's respects to his godfather. The snow was falling heavily in the palace and had not stopped until Chen Shi (7-9 AM). This made things difficult for the eunuchs of the Palace Guard. They stayed at their posts and dared not rest, braving the cold wind and snow to clear the roads for carriages and horses.

Inside the inner study hall, Lu Lixu, supported by his godfather, sat down in the courtyard to watch the snow. Next to them was a warm stove, and in his godfather's hand was a small cotton stove filled with charcoal. With the help of the fire, even the heaviest snow could be seen.

"A timely snow promises a good harvest; this year should be a lucky one," said Eunuch Chen, watching the snowflakes fall like goose feathers.

When Lu Li saw snow, he could only think of his past when hunger and cold forced him to kill people in the snow. But now his situation was different, and he couldn't say anything discouraging to his godfather. So he simply asked, "Godfather, when do you think the heavy snow in the palace will finally stop?"

Eunuch Chen, of course, knew that his godson was implying something, and first reprimanded him as usual: "We servants cannot talk about important matters in private."

Lu, the official, bowed and begged for forgiveness.

Eunuch Chen didn't pursue the matter further. Palace rules had become an integral part of his life, and every word and action reflected those rules: "We can't speak of nobles. As servants, we only need to remember what our ancestors said: be prepared for danger, be prepared to retreat, and be prepared for change."

Lu Li was unwilling to accept this. He had been forced to step down, so how could he expect to change anything? The only way he could stay in the Palace Attendant was by spending money and relying on the official gazette.

Eunuch Chen didn't offer much guidance on this matter, only saying that Lu Li needed to figure it out for himself, and that other people's reasoning would never be his own answer.

Everyone has their own destiny, which is beyond human control.

Lu Li noted it down, but he was still unwilling to accept it.

......

On the third day of the first lunar month, the alchemy department's refining of medicines was successful, and more and more eunuchs returned.

......

On the tenth day of the first lunar month, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau submitted a memorial stating that there were changes in the celestial phenomena.

......

On the thirteenth day of the first lunar month, the elixirs made by the Dan Ding Si (丹鼎司) can make ordinary people sharpen their hearing and eyesight.

......

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the Empress Dowager passed away.