On the first day of the first month, in the eighteenth year of Dinggao's reign,

Jingren Palace bustled with activity from early morning, preparing Imperial Consort Lii Fei's attire for the grand imperial ceremony. Li Lan Se meticulously oversaw the preparations, ensuring nothing was amiss.

He instructed Xi Ying to style the Consort's hair in the 'Drifting Clouds' coiffure, a distinctive style leaving a trailing strand on one side. The crown of her head was adorned with a dangling hairpin crafted from pure gold, gently caressing her fair cheek. Imperial Consort Lii Fei donned a gown embroidered with shimmering peacock feathers, its slender waist accentuated by a jeweled belt matching the precious gems on her golden nail guards. He then told Wan Ying to apply the Consort's makeup three shades darker than usual, for today Her Highness was to perform, and His Majesty, seated upon his dragon throne, must not perceive her countenance as bland.

Lii Fei commanded the young eunuch to follow her to the Imperial Hall, a directive Lan Se had not anticipated. He had thought he would merely await news in the palace.

The young boy walked with decorum behind the Imperial Consort's procession, striving not to glance left or right, as per palace rules. Yet, the boy truly could not help but steal glances at the awe-inspiring people and magnificent surroundings.

Emperor Wu Dinggao was seated far off on his dragon throne. Lan Se could only discern his resplendent golden robes, embroidered with the twelve auspicious imperial symbols, with nine dragons prominently soaring across his imperial attire. His Majesty wore a ceremonial crown adorned with twelve dangling beads. Lan Se had no opportunity to clearly behold the Emperor's imperial countenance, though in the early days, His Majesty had indeed visited Jingren Palace, but the boy was merely a junior eunuch, not privileged to serve Imperial Consort Lii Fei as closely as he did now.

Yet, even from afar, one could sense the awe-inspiring presence, a profound majesty that enveloped the entire Imperial Hall. To His Majesty's side sat the Empress, clad in full ceremonial regalia. Her gown, a fiery red, was embroidered with eight auspicious symbols, a phoenix soaring across her breast, and a pair of fish swimming above her skirt, which was adorned with swirling cloud patterns like continuous waves. On her head, she wore a nine-tiered phoenix crown clutching a large ruby.

Next was the Empress Dowager, in a crimson robe embroidered with a turtle playing in the ocean. Her hair was stark white, yet she retained her elegance. Li Lan Se secretly observed Li Gonggong standing calmly by her side.

Besides the Emperor, Empress, and Empress Dowager, the young boy secretly squinted at the high-ranking ministers and imperial kin nearby.

All the Imperial Princes were present, ranging from the Crown Prince, who was conversing with the Second and Third Imperial Princes. Each prince possessed a unique handsomeness. The Crown Prince was the eldest, now eighteen years of age, having been born precisely when Emperor Wu Dinggao ascended the throne.

The Second Imperial Prince, born to Imperial Consort Yuan, was sixteen years of age, the same as the Third Imperial Prince, born to De Fei, separated by only a few months. As for the Fourth, Sixth, and Seventh Imperial Princes, they had no such fortune; they fell ill or suffered accidents after only a few years of growth. Next came the Fifth Imperial Prince, whose countenance closely resembled that of his elder brother, the Crown Prince. Finally, the Eighth Imperial Prince, aged ten, wore a calm, unwavering expression. No one conversed with him.

Looking around, Lan Se felt his eyes ache. With so many people, he wondered if the Emperor remembered them all. Even the consorts and palace women required him to memorize their names repeatedly.

The Minister of Rites recited a lengthy prayer to heaven and earth, nearly lulling Li Lan Se to sleep. He awoke again to the booming voice of the Emperor, blessing everyone in the Imperial Hall. Lan Se then had to kneel three times and kowtow nine times, offering a full ceremonial obeisance.

Only then did the banquet truly begin.

The young eunuch's round eyes gazed at the meat slices accompanied by white wood ear mushrooms on the Imperial Consort's plate and swallowed loudly, a gulp audible.

Since waking, only a single cup of tea had passed his lips. It seemed the banquet would last a long while. Should he seek the Imperial Consort's permission to find something to eat?

"Lan Se, I forgot to bring my rouge box. Could you fetch it for me from the palace?" Xi Ying whispered softly to him. Lan Se noticed a faint red stain on the rim of Lii Fei's wine cup as she drank.

The Imperial Consort had forgotten herself again. He had specifically reminded her not to eat or drink too much, lest her rouge flake off before her performance.

But this was also a good opportunity. He could sneak off to grab some saobing to fill his stomach.

"Yes, Esteemed One. I will be quick."

The distance from the palace to the Imperial Hall was not short. Even the Imperial Consort had to be carried in a palanquin. How fast could a small boy's short legs be?

Li Lan Se hurried to fetch the Imperial Consort's rouge box and then rushed to his own room to secretly eat a saobing.

Once his stomach was full, he regained his strength. He had to hurry back to the Imperial Hall before the Imperial Consort's performance. Lan Se ran swiftly without looking, accidentally colliding with someone. The young boy tumbled onto his backside, crying out in pain.

Just as he was about to curse the clumsy person, his eyes caught sight of fine black silk cloth.

"Impudence! You dare collide with the Third Imperial Prince and not immediately beg for forgiveness?!" The eunuch beside the Prince roared.

Li Lan Se trembled, kneeling and kowtowing. "Your humble servant has erred, Your Highness. Please spare your humble servant's life!"

"Take him away and give him twenty lashes!" The same eunuch swiftly pronounced the sentence.

Twenty lashes!

He wouldn't even survive twenty lashes. Just the first five would surely kill the young boy. If even adults suffered greatly from ten lashes, what chance did an undeveloped boy have?

Several eunuchs seized him by his arms, intending to drag him to the Administration Department. Li Lan Se was speechless. He had never been punished before. Suddenly, a voice commanded,

"Wait." Lan Se looked up to clearly see the person he had collided with.

The Third Imperial Prince, 'Wu Shuoyan,' son of Imperial Consort De Fei. From afar, the young boy had not seen him clearly. This was his chance to behold the handsome countenance with his own eyes. The Third Imperial Prince wore black robes embroidered with gold thread, enhancing his masculine sharpness.

"Your Highness, what punishment do you wish to inflict upon this lowly servant?"

"Take him and dunk his head in water to wash his face," Shuoyan said indifferently.

"To drown him, Your Highness?"

"I said, wash his face."

"Yes, Your Highness." The eunuch beside him, though confused, knew a good servant must not question his master. "Take him away."

Li Lan Se quickly bowed, even though the Third Imperial Prince had long since departed. "Thank you, Third Imperial Prince, for sparing your humble servant's life!"

The boy was led to a well. When he peered into the water, he saw his reflection, with a piece of saobing stuck to his cheek.