Li Lan Se returned to his room, falling asleep from sheer exhaustion. He awoke to the sound of a knock on his door, from the same person as that afternoon.

“Lan Se! Wake up!”

“Brother Yunzhi, what is it? What time is it now?”

“It is Xu hour (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM). The Imperial Consort has commanded your presence.”

Again? Being a confidant eunuch truly isn’t easy. The young boy was beginning to understand why Brother Yunzhi didn’t want the position.

“Ah… isn’t the Imperial Consort having dinner with His Majesty?”

“They are.”

“Then why isn’t Brother Yunzhi serving her? Why are you looking for me?”

“His Majesty is very pleased with the Imperial Consort, and has commanded all servants in the palace to attend. He will bestow rewards upon everyone for taking good care of the Imperial Consort.”

This was good news, exceedingly good! The Emperor himself was rewarding humble servants!

When the master prospered, so did the servants gain prestige. Lan Se was on the right path by advising the Imperial Consort to use her bedroom skills to captivate His Majesty. However, a person with a secret hanging over him, like Lan Se, absolutely could not go out to receive rewards with the others.

“I… may I not go? Brother Yunzhi knows what mistake I made. Does His Majesty intend to punish me? Hmph! What should I do?” The young boy panicked, his mind blank, unable to think of what to do.

“Calm yourself. His Majesty is in a good mood now. I haven’t heard him mention your transgression at all. I believe your peeking was likely a minor matter to him. How many consorts and palace women does His Majesty sleep with? There are so many rumors in the inner palace. A little eunuch like you secretly peeking probably isn’t a big deal. Perhaps His Majesty has already forgotten.”

“Is that… really true?”

“Or, if His Majesty truly intends to punish you, then accept it. Who hasn’t been punished? Even those who have done no wrong sometimes still receive a lashing.”

Lan Se pondered this. It was as Yunzhi said. He shouldn't run. No one in the world beneath heaven could escape His Majesty, let alone within this imperial palace. If His Majesty had truly been angry, his head would have been severed the moment their eyes met.

“I understand… I will go attend His Majesty with the others now.” Lan Se took a deep breath, steeling himself. “But if something happens to me, Brother Yunzhi, don’t forget what you promised me.”

“I won’t forget.”

The two eunuchs walked to the main palace hall. They knelt, bowing their heads along with the other servants. From the corner of his eye, Lan Se glimpsed a man and a woman, seated, embracing each other, demonstrating their affection. Wan Ying and Xi Ying stood nearby, serving them.

“This dish of roasted pigeon with herbs is very tender yet crispy, Your Majesty. Please try it.” Imperial Consort Lii Fei picked up a piece of food and fed it to the Emperor.

“I have tasted many dishes of pigeon, but none have been as delicious as this. It must be because my beloved consort feeds it to us.”

Both Imperial Majesties partook of the meal with great satisfaction. Wan Ying brought a silver basin for the Imperial Consort to wash her hands, while His Majesty was attended by Zhou Gonggong. Then, Lii Fei ordered Xi Ying to bring in the tea set, and she personally brewed the tea.

“This chrysanthemum tea is exceedingly fragrant. Ting’er’s skill in brewing tea is truly flawless!”

“Your Majesty praises your humble consort too much. The credit must go to Eunuch Sun, who possesses a method for preserving the chrysanthemum’s enduring fragrance. Thus, when brewed into tea, Your Majesty inhales its aroma, and upon drinking, the flavor lingers on the tip of the tongue. Moreover, it possesses the virtue of reducing internal heat in the body.”

“Is it not Ting’er who causes me to have internal heat?”

His Majesty jested with Lii Fei as if only the two of them were present in the room. The servants could only bow their heads low, feigning deafness to the sweet words.

“Your Majesty! What are you saying? There are many servants present!” Lii Fei lightly struck His Majesty’s shoulder.

“It is true, I do not jest. Lately, Ting’er has captivated, causing me to yearn for her every night. Even when attending to state affairs, I cannot help but long for you. I find Ting’er in this moment to be even more beautiful than when she first entered the palace.” His Majesty stroked her neck, tracing upwards to her chin, her smooth cheek, her earlobe, and finally resting on her hairpin. “These hairpins suit Ting’er exceedingly well.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. That your humble consort appears more beautiful than before is due to someone assisting me in selecting my attire and ornaments. Before, your humble consort was still young and ignorant, dressing in a manner that shamed Your Majesty.”

“Hmm? Are you referring to these two confidant maids by your side?”

“No, Your Majesty. It is a young eunuch.” She smiled shyly, then turned to call, “Eunuch Li, come forth. You possess merit, for you have helped me become more beautiful, to the point where His Majesty praises me.”

Li Lan Se secretly flinched within. As he stepped forward, he kept his head bowed, kneeling, not daring to lift it even slightly.

“Y-Your humble servant possesses no merit, Your Majesty. All of it is due to Your Highness’s innate beauty, utterly unrelated to clothing or adornments.”

“Eunuch Li, what are you saying? With your head bowed like that, I cannot hear you clearly. Lift your head properly.”

“Uh… but palace rules forbid servants from looking directly at their master, Your Majesty.”

“But a master’s command to lift one’s head is an exception.” Lii Fei turned to His Majesty. “I apologizes, Your Majesty. Eunuch Li is a eunuch who has only served me for a short time, and he is still very young. Please, Your Majesty, do not take offense.”

As Imperial Consort Lii Fei commanded, Lan Se reluctantly raised his head, sitting with a straight back, but his gaze remained fixed on the feet of the two exalted figures.

“Is it you, then, who has helped my beloved consort select such suitable attire?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The Emperor asked, and the young boy had no choice but to respond. “But your humble servant dares not claim merit. It is my duty to serve Your Highness well.”

“Hmm. Then does that mean the other servants did not serve Lii Fei well? That is why she had no one to dress her before?” His Majesty looked at the young eunuch, who dared not meet his gaze, speaking to the Son of Heaven but looking at his feet. He showed none of the boldness from last night.

“No, Your Majesty. Your humble servant did not mean that.” Li Lan Se was alarmed, his mind utterly blank. Even the excuses he usually spoke so fluently failed him.

“This eunuch is only nine years old, Your Majesty. Please do not take offense. Moreover, this young eunuch serves me very well, as do all the other servants.”

“Only nine years old?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. This eunuch still requires much refinement. If he has displeased Your Majesty, shall I send him back to the Administration Department for further training, perhaps thirty lashes?”

“Never mind.” Emperor Qing Dinggao waved his hand, speaking softly. “He is indeed too young.”

“Th-Th-Thank… Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace.”

Li Lan Se quickly bowed and returned to his place among the other servants.

Did this mean he was safe? No punishment at all? Or was it as Brother Yunzhi said, that His Majesty had already forgotten about last night? The boy secretly sighed in relief.

“My beloved consort, does this palace lack anything? Are there too few maids or eunuchs? My beloved consort, you may tell.”

“Your humble consort lacks nothing, Your Majesty. This palace has eight maids and six eunuchs, a complete set, Your Majesty. Moreover, each of them serves me very well. Please, do not worry.”

“I see that. Many times when I have visited this palace, I have felt that each servant appears humble and serves Ting’er willingly, causing Ting’er to be well and happy, her countenance fresh and radiant, her beauty unchanging. Let it be so… I shall promote all servants in Jingren Palace by half a rank as a reward for taking such good care of my beloved consort.”

All the maids and eunuchs in the palace were astonished. They had not expected to receive such direct grace from His Majesty. They quickly shouted praises, kneeling and kowtowing almost simultaneously.

“Thank you, Your Majesty! May Your Majesty live for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand years!”