Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 772 Alas, Obedience
Zhang Luan entered the palace.

This trip was not to visit his daughter and son-in-law, but to go directly to Qingning Palace to pay his respects to Empress Dowager Zhou.

He was relatively calm. As for whether he wanted to see this so-called aunt or not, he wasn't quite sure. He just treated it as a routine matter, more like going to check on his aunt to see if he was dead or alive, and to report on his recent situation.

When he arrived at Qingning Palace, Empress Dowager Zhou had not yet finished worshipping Buddha in a side hall.

While he was waiting idly in the main hall, Chen Gui arrived after hearing the news to congratulate him.

"Grand Secretary Zhang is a very busy man these days, and it's rare to see him. Since we happened to run into the Empress Dowager, we naturally wanted to wish him good luck."

Chen Gui said with a smile.

"A good omen?"

Zhang Luan patted his pockets and realized he hadn't brought his money pouch. He asked in surprise, "Eunuch Chen, you are the imperial supervisor, in charge of manufacturing and procuring all kinds of imperial items. You handle tens of thousands of taels of silver. How come I shouldn't be the one to give this prize?"

Chen Gui waved his hand with a smile and said, "Your Excellency, you misunderstand... We are not asking you for gifts or benefits, but rather hoping to share some of your good fortune... You have done so much for the court, and all of it has been successful. Everyone wants to share some of your good fortune with us."

"what?"

Zhang Luan was completely bewildered.

I thought to myself, "I'm actually blessed with good fortune."
He's practically a sickly wretch!

Since I entered North Korea last year, I haven't had a single day of peace and quiet. I've broken my leg, fallen ill, and even almost died. And yet, people still call me lucky?
That's right?

Chen Gui said, "Everyone says you are a member of the immortal family. This overflowing immortal aura is not something ordinary people can touch... How could we not seize this opportunity to get so close? Haha!"

"This...you must be joking."

Zhang Luan then understood what Chen Gui meant and said helplessly, "I'm just an ordinary person. I don't have any immortal aura or great fortune. It's not easy for me to be alive... You say I'm really lucky and should be free from disasters and illnesses, but actually I've been recuperating at home since the New Year."

Chen Gui smiled and said, "But you've done just as many important things here, and now the entire court is relying on you."

"They rely on me?"

Zhang Luan was very curious.

Are you complimenting me or mocking me?

This sounds increasingly absurd.

Chen Gui replied matter-of-factly, “The palace servants’ salaries are waiting for you to distribute, the court officials are waiting for you to allocate funds to various government offices, and even the soldiers’ pay in the Northwest depends on you to raise funds, right? Hehe.”

"Uh……"

Zhang Luan thought about it carefully and it seemed to make some sense.

As the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, he was in charge of the court's finances and helped distribute salaries, which seemed to be in line with his duties.

He himself was also wondering, am I that important?
Didn't they say that salaries couldn't even be paid out?
Does this mean they're pressuring me for my salary?

That still doesn't sound like a nice thing!

This is so worrying!
……

……

Zhang Luan was in a state of paranoia at this time, feeling that everyone was targeting him wherever he went.

Perhaps because he hadn't communicated with people in the court for so long, he had forgotten how he became an official. He felt that everyone was distant and he didn't even have anyone he could confide in.

Chen Gui and he chatted idly, but the two were completely on different wavelengths.

When Empress Dowager Zhou came out, Zhang Luan was still lost in thought and forgot to get up and greet her.

"Greetings to the Empress Dowager."

Chen Gui deliberately spoke loudly, also as a reminder to Zhang Luan that he had been impolite.

Even so, Zhang Luan was still in a daze.

Empress Dowager Zhou smiled and said, "Laizhan, what's wrong with you?"

Zhang Luan then came to his senses, only to find that his aunt, whom he had recognized, had already approached. Her figure moved swiftly, and a fragrant breeze wafted towards him, causing him to immediately regain his composure and quickly stand up to pay his respects. However, he almost fell because the hem of his clothes got caught on a bench.

"Watch out, you'd better be careful."

Empress Dowager Zhou didn't stand on ceremony and immediately reached out to help him up.

After regaining his balance, Zhang Luan hurriedly asked, "Auntie, are you alright? I'm here... sigh! I've been seriously ill, and even getting up is difficult. I'm sorry to have troubled you."

The aunt and niece then helped each other to the side. Zhang Luan first helped Empress Dowager Zhou sit down, while he himself moved to another spot and sat directly next to her.

Chen Gui could only stand.

"feel better now?"

Empress Dowager Zhou asked with concern.

"Ah."

Zhang Luan shook his head with a hint of shame on his face and said, "My health is not good. I had a serious illness after the New Year and almost died. Fortunately, my son has been treating me and I have gradually recovered. But my body is still not good. I get tired easily. After all, it is a lung disease. I need to rest for a long time and I may not be able to recover completely."

Empress Dowager Zhou comforted her, saying, "You're all old now, why force yourself? Being able to see the sun every day is a great blessing. Cherish the present."

Zhang Luan was very unhappy to hear this.

You may be an older person, but I'm more than ten years younger than you.

You've lived long enough. I'm still looking forward to living to a ripe old age and enjoying the blessings of my children.

Empress Dowager Zhou then beckoned and had some things brought in from outside the palace.

"Aunt, what's wrong...?"

Zhang Luan asked curiously.

Empress Dowager Zhou smiled and said, "The Emperor is filial and takes great care of his grandmother. He often sends me things, but I don't need that many. Seeing that you work hard for the court every day, I'm giving them to you. Take them all with you when you leave."

Zhang Luan hurriedly refused: "Aunt, you are really too kind to me. I have nothing to lack now, and it should be me who brings things to you. Next time I go to the palace, I will bring you some small but precious things."

Empress Dowager Zhou rolled her eyes at him and said, "You serve the court, and you do it very well. The court should reward you, but why do I always feel like you're squandering your family fortune to become an official? You make yourself so tired... and you even have to reveal heavenly secrets for the future of the court, incurring divine punishment and causing one serious illness after another... Don't you think about yourself?"

"This……"

Zhang Luan thought to himself, "I have to keep making those boasts now."

What divine punishment? Just hearing about it is terrifying.

Oh dear, wait a minute, could it be that my illness is really because it's a secret that can't be revealed, which is why I've been plagued by misfortune... Is my son using me as a shield?
Otherwise, why would God always seem to target me?
"Take it back."

Empress Dowager Zhou laughed and said, "There's no use in keeping these things in the palace."

Zhang Luan said anxiously, "Auntie, are you looking down on me? I may not be very capable, but I do have some family property. How about this, I'll help you take the things out of the palace and deliver them to your younger brothers."

"Don't."

Empress Dowager Zhou frowned and said, "You're not helping them, you're harming them. It's one thing if they don't help the court, but they always try to take from me. How can that be allowed? They have to work for the court and make contributions to be eligible for rewards. Otherwise... they'll just be like everyone else... Lai Zhan, you mustn't try to be special."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Luan realized something was off; it sounded like he was being targeted.

What does it mean to seek special treatment?
Does that mean I should help them find some special channels so they can work for the imperial court in exchange for me taking these boxes from you?

No wonder, why did you suddenly call me here? Even though you know I'm practically useless now, you still show me so much care. Do you really care about me?

Or are you interested in the political resources I have and want to help your family gain more influence?
"Did the Emperor invite you to have lunch with him?"

Empress Dowager Zhou asked. "No."

Zhang Luan shook his head and said, "I came directly to you, Aunt, when I entered the palace today. I haven't met His Majesty's people yet."

Empress Dowager Zhou smiled and said, "That's perfect. You can have your meal here with me, and we, aunt and niece, can sit down and have a good chat. It's been a long time since I've seen any outsiders, and no one has talked to me about things outside the palace. Speaking of which... what has been happening in that bustling world outside the palace lately? I haven't heard anyone mention it in a long time, so you can tell me about it."

"Let's go, let's go to the inner palace."

……

……

The Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs is on duty.

When Qin Ji returned with a somber expression, Li Rong quickly went to greet him and asked, "Did that Grand Secretary Zhang go to meet the Emperor?"

"No."

Qin Ji looked blank and shook his head, explaining, "They should still be in Qingning Palace right now. His Majesty saw that he couldn't wait for anyone, so he went back to Kunning Palace first."

Li Rong asked in bewilderment, "Grand Secretary Zhang has been in the palace for some time now. Shouldn't he have finished saying what he wanted to say by now? Why hasn't he gone to see His Majesty yet? Could it be that his trip to the palace was merely to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager at Qingning Palace?"

Dai Yi, who was standing to the side, said, "Perhaps Zhang Guozhang was forced to stay by the Empress Dowager... It's quite normal for the two of them, aunt and nephew, to dine together and chat about everyday things."

"Ah."

Qin Ji simply nodded, seemingly uninterested in the matter.

Seeing that Qin Ji's expression was unusual, Li Rong tentatively asked, "Has something happened?"

With a bitter expression, Qin Ji looked up at the group and said, "There's something I haven't had a chance to tell His Majesty. Eunuch Huai passed away three days ago."

"what?"

The group was taken aback when they heard this.

Is Wayne dead?
And he died on his way south?

Li Rong hurriedly asked, "Wasn't it said that Eunuch Huai's illness could only last for another year or two at most? Grand Secretary Zhang has already treated him, so how could this be?"

Qin Ji simply shook his head.

Clearly, they were unable to ascertain the details of Wayne's condition.

Why did Huai En die on his way south, and what caused his death? Was it from his previous illness, or did he contract a more serious one, or was there some hidden reason? We can only wait for further news, or perhaps it will never be known.

"Eunuch Qin, has this matter been reported to His Majesty?"

Xiao Jing walked over and asked.

Qin Ji said, "When I left Qianqing Palace earlier, I received the news, which was sent urgently from the local area. Upon hearing it, I felt extremely depressed and really didn't know how to tell His Majesty. His Majesty values ​​relationships most, I'm afraid..."

The emperor was certainly saddened by Huai En's death, but how sad he would be was another matter entirely.

The emperor had already survived the death of his own father, so would he be so heartbroken by Huai'en's death?
Everyone was thinking, "You, Qin Ji, say you're feeling unwell, but judging from your appearance, it seems like you're just putting on a show."

"We should report this news to His Majesty as soon as possible."

Li Rong cautioned, "After all, this concerns the stability of our Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs, so we must be careful."

The implication is that, in order to save face for Huai En, the emperor had not removed Huai En from his position as the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial.

Now that the person is dead, we can't leave a dead person in an official position without making room for him, can we?

Qin Ji sat down, looking somewhat dazed, and shook his head, saying, "This old man won't go... This old man wants to sort out the things that Eunuch Huai left behind in the Directorate of Ceremonial. If you want to go, feel free to do so."

Li Rong said, "It would be inappropriate for you not to go. His Majesty needs comfort from those around him right now."

"Why don't you just comfort His Majesty?"

Qin Ji maintained his dazed look and continued to shake his head: "I am really too tired, I have no energy, and I have no strength to do anything... It is not good for a person's mind to be constantly tense, and one should not do things beyond one's ability. I still want to go home to enjoy my old age and be with my grandchildren. From now on, I will rely on you all for the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs."

The officials from the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs exchanged bewildered glances.

Everyone's thinking, "You, Qin Ji, really know how to pick your time to quit."

With Huaien dead, you should have been the one to take his place, and everyone should have moved up in order of seniority. But you chose this moment to retire gracefully.

Now that the court is stable, the emperor doesn't necessarily have to use capable ministers when choosing officials. Using close ministers is actually quite good. As the emperor's most trusted eunuch, you, Tan Ji, are quite capable. As long as you are willing to fight for it, the position of Grand Chancellor is yours.

You actually choose not to fight?

Xiao Jing advised, "Eunuch Qin, please accept my condolences... His Majesty still needs your assistance, and the court cannot function without you."

Qin Ji shook his head dejectedly and said, "If you really find it difficult to say, then wait for Mr. Zhang to come out of Qingning Palace and let him mention it to His Majesty. Eunuch Huai was kind to people, and I would like to remember him here."

Li Rongxin said, "Remember your grandma's legs."

Are you truly incredibly foolish, or are you just putting on an act here?
You chose not to mention it to His Majesty, could it be that you have some unknown purpose behind it?
……

……

When Zhang Luan came out of Qingning Palace, the sun was already beginning to set in the west.

Looking up at the sky, Zhang Luan couldn't help but sigh, "A day has passed in the blink of an eye. What have I even accomplished?"

Just as he was about to call Chen Gui, who hadn't followed yet, and take him to Qianqing Palace, Li Rong was already waiting outside Qingning Palace. He glanced at him, looking quite surprised, and quickly asked, "Eunuch Li, what brings you here? Have you been waiting here all this time? Is His Majesty in a hurry to see you?"

"His Majesty... didn't urge us."

Li Rong wiped away her tears and said with a mournful face, "Eunuch Naihuai has passed away."

Zhang Luan was taken aback, a strange emotion welling up inside him, neither joy nor sorrow, but judging from Li Rong's expression, he was still somewhat unable to contain his feelings.

"Pity."

Zhang Luan sighed, "He was perfectly fine when he left the capital, and my son even went out of the city to see him off. He carried all his medicines with him when he went south, so how could this happen...? It doesn't make sense."

Li Rong said, "This news is too heavy; no one has mentioned it to His Majesty yet."

"You want me to...go and talk to His Majesty?"

Zhang Luan asked.

"Ah."

Li Rong nodded heavily. "Eunuch Qin is currently on duty in the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs. He said he wants to deeply mourn Eunuch Huai and is unable to pay his respects to His Majesty, so he can only tell you."

Zhang Luan thought to himself, "You guys are something else."

Others may not know, but you all don't know that Huai En and I actually don't get along.

He's dead. You can report this news to the emperor yourselves. Why do you have to drag me into it? Are you trying to say that I didn't cure Huai'en's illness, and you're blaming me?

"Let's go."

Zhang Luan was somewhat impatient and waved his hand, saying, "Where is His Majesty? Hurry up and go see him... I'm tired and want to go back and rest as soon as possible."

"Eunuch Li, please lead the way."

Originally, Chen Gui had already chased after Zhang Luan from Qingning Palace, intending to see him off on behalf of Empress Dowager Zhou and also to curry favor with her privately.

But now that Li Rong has taken over, he has no right to be in the lead anymore and can only helplessly watch the two leave.

(End of this chapter)