From street beggar to high-ranking official

Lu Li rarely received a reprimand from his godfather, so he became extremely respectful, not understanding what he had done to displease his godfather.

Fortunately, the godfather didn't speak in riddles, but gave him a hint to ask.

……

The night of the fifteenth of August is the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The stars are brilliant, and the moon shines like jade.

Lu Li enjoyed celebrating festivals, regardless of the occasion.

When I was a child in my hometown, we would always have some new food during festivals, such as the Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival.

After a busy day, he was able to eat zongzi and mooncakes in the evening. Even in the eyes of the nobles in the palace, the things that Lu Li used to eat were completely unworthy of the elegant name of zongzi and mooncakes.

Now, within the palace, during festivals, one is always rewarded with copper coins, silver, fruits, and even the food in the kitchen is much better than before.

"We can't go back. We don't want to go back either. We'd rather die in this palace than beg outside for another day."

Whether it was the scenery that stirred his emotions, or the festive atmosphere that brought back memories of the past, Lu Li was unusually reminded of these memories.

But the people in my limited memory are always so vicious, always arguing over who owns the paddy field ridges. The ridges that were originally wide enough for an oxcart to pass through were eventually dug down to only one person's passage, and one would fall if one was not careful.

The few clear, warm memories she had were only of her father stuffing silver into her hand before she entered the palace.

Even Lu Li himself couldn't tell whether this memory became warm because of the money or because of his father's last words.

Lu Li didn't miss home; he missed his father.

……

Just after the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), the inner palace was brightly lit. The Director of the Imperial Household Department used thin ropes to suspend Kongming lanterns like kites in the air, creating a moon-like effect when the lanterns were gathered together.

The musicians and actors of the Ministry of Rites' Music Bureau presented the "Rainbow Feather Dance," in which white rabbits darted about, and palace maids accompanied the dance. The emperor favored them.

Records of daily life by eunuchs and female officials.

Hai hour (9-11 PM).

The inner palace halls resembled a moon palace on earth.

……

The next day at 9:00 AM.

Lu Li knelt before the Emperor inside Jingyang Palace.

Every eunuch on duty in the palace bowed, displaying their most proficient kowtowing skills.

Lu Li knelt on the ground, staring at the ground, but listening to the sounds around him.

After Emperor Yongxi visited Consort Wu yesterday, countless eyes in the palace were fixed on Jingyang Palace. Even Lu Li had eunuchs of unknown background come to his door, including one of his own head eunuchs.

Moreover, he was quite generous; the fifty taels of silver was just a deposit, and if there were any definite rumors, the amount would be far more than fifty taels.

The eunuchs of the Palace Attendants were able to enter the palace to sweep and clean, and were present in every part of the inner palace; even though the clerk Lu was only responsible for the walkways, imperial roads, pavilions, and small courtyards, it was only a matter of spending some money and saying a few words to sneak in.

Unexpectedly, Emperor Yongxi came in person.

This was a rare occurrence. It should be noted that while ordinary concubines were summoned to the Qianqing Palace to meet the Emperor, His Majesty's personal visit was only granted to a select few of his favorite concubines.

This is a great honor.

"This is Qiu Xian; talented people may take a look," Emperor Yongxi said casually.

Consort Wu was flattered and immediately rose from her chair to bow, saying, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."

After bowing, he sat halfway down on the edge of the chair, holding the tea in both hands. He gently lifted the lid of the teapot, took a sip, and immediately smiled, saying, "Deep and mellow, with the aroma of roasted chestnut charcoal."

"Even a talented person like you knows about tea?" Emperor Yongxi asked in surprise.

"I am also knowledgeable in needlework, Go, tea ceremony, and painting." Consort Wu rose again and bowed.

"You also know calligraphy and painting?" Emperor Yongxi seemed intrigued. "Bring me brush and ink."

Several eunuchs in red robes brought out the Four Treasures of the Study (writing brush, ink stick, inkstone, and paper), ground ink, and prepared paperweights in no time.

Wu Cairen dared not refuse, nor dared she make any presumptuous or careless moves. She picked up her gold-inlaid jade brush and drew a picture of an old tree facing the wind on the paper.

Emperor Yongxi seemed somewhat interested and even offered a few words of advice.

"I am foolish and dull, and have only learned a little bit of the pine needle brush technique. I am far inferior to the style of the predecessors. It is all thanks to Your Majesty's benevolent rule that I have been able to see the works of famous calligraphers and thus learn this clumsy skill." Consort Wu's expression was respectful but not obsequious, calm but not wooden.

Even if someone comes from a humble background, entering the imperial court, this great melting pot, will still dye them in different ways.

Emperor Yongxi nodded slightly and wrote a single character: Tea.

Wu Cai Ren didn't understand calligraphy, and coming from a humble background, she only learned ordinary techniques. However, as long as the praise was appropriate, she could win people's favor.

Upon hearing Consort Wu's praise, Emperor Yongxi said nothing more. He had heard far more flattering words than this. He simply asked, "A batch of new tea was recently sent from the palace. Has Consort Wu tasted it?"

"It is already a great honor for me to taste the Qiuxian tea bestowed by Your Majesty. I have heard that the Tianshan tea has a unique and precious aroma..."

Emperor Yongxi remained the same.

Lu Li knelt not far away, listening to the conversation. Especially when Consort Wu mentioned Tianshan tea, Emperor Yongxi's breathing and heartbeat changed.

"Lady Wu misspoke."

Lu Li thought to himself, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

He recalled the weeping he had heard when he knelt before Consort De's carriage.

I initially thought it was just Consort De falling out of favor, then I thought it was due to homesickness, but now, judging from His Majesty's behavior...

The Imperial Horse Stable Supervisor, Eunuch Qian, also mentioned the matter of tea.

Things are far more complicated than I thought.

"Please rest well, it's getting late."

Emperor Yongxi rose, startling Consort Wu, who bowed respectfully to see him off.

Only after the imperial carriage departed did Consort Wu stand up, looking bewildered, unsure of what she had done wrong.

But when he saw the calligraphy on the table, a blush rose on his face.

Before Consort Wu could even make a move, the eunuchs and maids around her had already stepped in to help: "Your Majesty, His Majesty is concerned about your health, please don't overexert yourself."

The palace is never short of ambitious people.

Wu Cairen was taken aback for a moment, but then naturally accepted all these changes.

Wu Cai Ren's paintings were barely passable in the eyes of great calligraphers and painters, but with the addition of His Majesty's imperial brush, they became quite different, gaining a touch of nobility.

When the Imperial Workshop arrived, the painting was framed that very day, along with newly arrived tribute tea and a set of writing implements.

That evening, the Imperial Household Department delivered charcoal as tribute. It was made of the finest fruitwood, which burned for a long time without producing any smoke or pungent odor, but instead had a pleasant, refreshing fruitwood fragrance.

Within a day, the imperial gift from Emperor Yongxi spread throughout the inner palace.

The following day, Lu Li went to the Imperial Horse Stable and then visited the Imperial Household Department.

The Inner Palace Administration had strict rules for eunuchs, but it was not entirely without exception.

On the surface, eunuchs were strictly forbidden from leaving the palace and having dealings with the outer court, but as long as you had a suitable reason and were even willing to spend money, you could leave the palace if you wanted to.

For example, matters such as purchasing, delivery, and mourning at graves.

Similarly, during their leisure time, eunuchs and palace maids often moved around, engaging in activities such as playing, practicing self-cultivation, embezzling, or having extramarital affairs...

The eunuchs knew about it but did not enforce it.

Behind every rule, there must have been a corresponding event. Outsiders may not understand it, but sometimes this is the optimal solution.

At the Imperial Household Department, Lu Li found the young eunuch who had chatted with him briefly when the prince bestowed gifts upon him.

Although it was only a brief acquaintance, as brothers of the Jin and Yin clan, the young eunuch readily complied as long as it didn't involve privacy.

"Little Lu, we have a box of newly arrived tribute tea here. If you don't mind, take it back and have a taste."

As they chatted, the young eunuch took out a wooden box and opened it a crack.

Lu Li glanced at it briefly; the tea was of good quality, though he couldn't identify the type. But then a suspicion arose: "Aren't you afraid of being investigated for embezzling like this?"

"Little Lu, you don't know this, do you?" The little eunuch smiled smugly: "Won't there be any losses when transporting tribute tea? Before the identification and registration, broken tea, tea dust, and tea powder are not counted in the accounts. Besides, tribute tea is available every year, but it may not be consumed every year. Out-of-season tea is sold off and destroyed in batches at low prices in the palace."

"Moreover, there are insects and rats eating them, and mold and decaying them; all of these must be registered and destroyed."

Lu Li understood. If the eunuchs of the Imperial Household Department wanted to embezzle, they could find almost any opportunity. The country had a large amount of tribute from the north and south, and as long as there were losses, they could always find a way to embezzle.

Moreover, it is reasonable to hand over the losses to the public and let the eunuchs handle them.

"By the way, what kind of tribute tea is this?" Lu Li took the box and shook it.

"Tea production in Jiangnan and even Lingnan, as well as Hanzhong and Bashu, has decreased this year, resulting in less tea in the palace," the young eunuch said.

Lu Li's gray eyes flickered, and he reached out and pulled out a silver note: "Then thank you for the tea, young eunuch."

"Hey! Do we really need to go this far with our friendship?" the little eunuch said, but his hand was already stuffing the silver notes into his pocket.

......

On the way back, Lu Li's mind was clear: "Hanzhong and Bashu have little tea, so His Majesty has focused his attention on Jiangnan. Tsk tsk, the northern barbarians, exchanging tea for horses, so that's how it is."