Chapter Sixteen: The Chief Steward of the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility

In one of the silkworm rooms within the Purification Chamber.

Several young eunuchs wore varied expressions—some covered their faces, unable to look, others grimaced and drew sharp breaths, while a few harbored resentful, envious gazes tinged with malice.

“Chief Steward Shan is here…”

At the arrival of the old eunuch, the young ones, including the ‘chicken butcher,’ straightened their faces and bowed in deference.

Chief Steward Shan nodded, only then turning his gaze toward the youth lying on the bed. This single glance, even for a man who had witnessed countless spectacles, left him somewhat shaken.

His adopted grandson had been too conservative in his description...

He cast a sidelong glance at the young eunuch beside him and asked, “You’re certain this person was sent by Lord Li Zhengxin of the Eastern Depot?”

“Yes, yes.”

“Did he send any message?”

The young eunuch pondered for a moment before replying, “Lord Li did not send any message, but the person who brought him mentioned that he seems to have displeased Lord Li.”

Such an imposing specimen would arouse resentment in any man, let alone a eunuch.

Chief Steward Shan nodded thoughtfully, moving closer to scrutinize the youth on the bed, inwardly sighing at the young man’s fine features.

Ordinarily, he would have been delighted by such a catch, eager to wield the knife himself and keep a trophy for his collection.

But now, upon seeing this youth, he couldn’t help but recall an order recently issued by the Grand Steward of Cining Palace…

He looked again at the young eunuch beside him, asking, “What is his name? His background? Has it all been recorded?”

“Yes, god-grandfather,” the young eunuch replied. “According to the person who delivered him, his name is Xu Boqing, nephew to Xu He, a squad leader in the Inspectorate. Their ancestral home is Jianyang, where the Xu family was considered prosperous.

“Unfortunately, a bandit raid struck Jianyang a few days ago, and the Xu family was one of the first to suffer. Only Xu Boqing, the family’s sole heir, managed to escape. But as fate would have it, he was waylaid by robbers on his journey to the capital—his household, servants, and wealth all perished or were lost. He survived only by feigning death.

“His uncle Xu He was imprisoned a week ago, so as soon as Xu Boqing arrived in the capital, Lord Li’s men set their sights on him. What happened after, I’m not entirely sure…”

The young eunuch paused, then added, “But I suppose Xu Boqing had no silver to buy his freedom. That must have angered Lord Li, which is why he was sent here.”

“A pitiful fate for a noble son.” Chief Steward Shan stroked his chin, lost in thought, then glanced at the crowd of gaping young eunuchs in the silkworm room and waved them away. “Xiao Dezi stays. The rest of you, out—you have your duties, go attend to them. And another thing…”

He paused, his voice turning cold. “No gossiping. If I hear any wild rumors in the Purification Chamber, you’ll answer to me for your skins!”

“We wouldn’t dare.”

The young eunuchs and the ‘chicken butcher’ answered in unison, bowing as they retreated.

“Xiao Dezi.”

“Here, grandfather.”

Chief Steward Shan glanced at him and said, “I must visit the palace. You are to watch over him—no one is to enter. If he wakes, knock him out again. Understood?”

Xiao Dezi nodded. “I understand, grandfather.”

“I trust your work.” Chief Steward Shan nodded, reassured, and took his leave.

He made his way to the rear palace, heading straight for Cining Palace.

Within the rear palace, Cining Palace occupied a special position, as it was the residence of the Empress Dowager. Normally, only palace eunuchs, maids, and official visits from the Empress of Kunning Palace or the Noble Consort of Yongning Palace were permitted.

In other dynasties or foreign lands, the rear palace was synonymous with intrigue and backstabbing…

But in the Liang Dynasty, things were different. There was little in the way of vicious scheming; in fact, the consorts and ladies dwelled together in remarkable harmony.

This was all thanks to the late Emperor Shengyuan, who had taken up the Dao, cultivating purity of mind, living on vegetarian fare, meditating, and consuming ‘elixirs of immortality.’ The current Emperor Yonghe had inherited this tradition.

After decades under these two emperors, not only had the imperial line weakened, but even the rear palace had become all but obsolete.

After all, the harem was the emperor’s private garden, but the emperor now was so detached and ascetic…

He never visited his own garden!

And with years of consuming ‘elixirs,’ even should he desire to, he was powerless.

The current princes and princesses were all born in the early years of Emperor Yonghe’s reign; for over a decade since, there had been no new offspring, which spoke volumes.

Where other harems schemed for favor and affection, what was there to compete for in such a court as this?

Thus, from the Empress and Noble Consort down to the lesser ladies, all lived as virtual widows. Everyone was in the same boat—there was nothing to fight over…

Upon reaching Cining Palace, Chief Steward Shan had the on-duty eunuch announce his presence, and before long, he was shown inside.

At that moment, the Grand Steward of the Empress Dowager’s household was reading in the study. Though both held the title of steward, one was the Empress Dowager’s most trusted confidant, the other merely head of the Purification Chamber—their status worlds apart.

Chief Steward Shan entered, bowing deeply, a sycophantic smile on his weathered face. “Chief Steward Huang, I hope I’m not disturbing you?”

Chief Steward Huang put aside his book, turned to the visitor, and smiled. “Shan Feng, what could possibly bring you all the way here in person?”

Shan Feng chuckled, but did not answer directly. Instead, he glanced meaningfully to either side. Seeing this, Chief Steward Huang flicked his sleeve, and the doors of the study swung shut without a breeze.

“Your inner energy grows ever stronger, Chief Steward Huang.”

Shan Feng smiled, then ceased all subterfuge, stepping closer to quietly recount what he had witnessed in the Purification Chamber, emphasizing the ‘otherworldly’ nature of the youth.

“Oh?” Chief Steward Huang raised a brow, clearly intrigued. “Even you, old fox, find this astonishing?”

Shan Feng replied with solemn gravity, “A rarity in a lifetime!”

“Enough of that.”

Chief Steward Huang’s expression soured, recalling, “The last young man you praised so highly turned out to be utterly useless and incurred the Empress Dowager’s wrath. The grass on his grave must be waist-high by now.”

Shan Feng gave a sheepish grin, then composed himself. “This time is different. I can’t vouch for his courage or character, but as for his manhood—such a thing is rarely seen among mortals. If someone told me he was a spirit in human form, I’d believe it.”

Chief Steward Huang’s gaze sharpened. “Truly?”

“Beyond a doubt.”

“Then I am eager to see this young man myself.” Chief Steward Huang mused, then glanced at Shan Feng. “Does anyone else know of this?”

“You may rest assured, Chief Steward Huang,” Shan Feng replied softly, “Aside from a handful of eunuch apprentices in the Purification Chamber, no one knows. Those few are my own protégés; they wouldn’t dare gossip.”

He paused, then added darkly, “If this young man meets your approval, what use are a few more apprentices in my chamber?”

“You’re most considerate…”

Chief Steward Huang nodded, pondering for a moment. “Since there’s nothing pressing, take me to see him. If the young man is truly as extraordinary as you claim, you shall not go unrewarded.”

Shan Feng cackled, waggling his brows. “I guarantee, Chief Steward Huang, you won’t have come in vain.”

“Let’s just hope he’s not a silver spear with a wax tip…”