Jingren Palace stood to the west of Kunning Palace. The consort who presided over this palace was the daughter of the esteemed Madam Xian, by the name of 'Dan Ting.' She held the rank of Consort (Fei), a second-rank consort, and was so favored by Emperor Wu Dinggao that she was granted the imperial title 'Lii,' signifying exquisite beauty, showcasing her exalted status above all other palace women.
Li Lan Se reported to Sun Yunzhi, a Dà Tài Jiàn (Senior Eunuch), half a rank higher than Lan Se. The young boy bowed with utmost humility, his demeanor so gentle and innocent that Sun Yunzhi was endeared, guiding him through various parts of Jingren Palace.
"Brother Yunzhi, where have all the palace maids and eunuchs gone? We have walked around the palace, yet found no one," Li Lan Se looked left and right, his usual composure forgotten. His round eyes showed interest in everything, for never since his birth had the young boy seen such a beautiful, opulent, and vast place. Even the palace garden alone covered a wide area, with countless varieties of flowers vying for attention, dazzling the eye.
The interior of the palace was even more magnificent, leaving Lan Se spellbound. A faint scent wafted from a peony-patterned incense burner. A Guifei chair (a long armchair for reclining, popular among noble ladies for relaxation) near the window, crafted from hard agarwood, bore a set of indigo cloud-patterned tea ware upon its table, their designs strikingly lifelike.
"At present, the Emperor, the imperial consorts, some imperial kin, and certain officials are residing at the Summer Palace. They will return in the ninth month," Sun Yunzhi replied as he led the way to the rear of the west wing. "When the Imperial Consort returns, I shall bring you to report to her. For now, you are but a new eunuch. I shall seize this opportunity to train you more rigorously, for you are now considered one of Lii Fei's own. Should you commit any transgression or behave improperly, it would bring disgrace upon Imperial Consort Lii Fei. Do you understand?"
"Understood, Esteemed One," Li Lan Se replied.
"I caution you, no matter who your adoptive father may be, never grow arrogant and overstep those of higher rank." Li Lan Se nodded earnestly several times. Such a thought never even crossed his mind. "The reason you attained the rank of Shòulǐng Tài Jiàn is because in the palace of a Consort (Fei) or higher, servants must hold a rank of at least Seventh Grade. Thus, you received this rank despite never having served any master before. I truly do not understand why Gonggong Li sent you here. Nevertheless, I see you are an obedient and docile child. I shall personally instruct and guide you."
Li Lan Se's duty was to sweep and clean the palace, with the exception of Lii Fei's bedchamber. He carefully cleaned each piece of porcelain, for even from a distance, he knew how valuable these objects were. Furthermore, some pieces had been personally bestowed by the Emperor. Should he break even one, he estimated ten heads would not suffice for atonement.
Brother Yunzhi told him that even after Imperial Consort Lii Fei returned, his duties would remain the same. New eunuchs had no right to serve closely. Lii Fei's current confidantes were two Sub-Fifth Grade palace maids named 'Wan Ying' and 'Xi Ying.' Both had accompanied Lii Fei since the day she entered the palace. However, she had no personal Gonggong confidant. Her Highness would only call upon eunuchs when she required labor or to send someone outside the palace. Among the six eunuchs, Sun Yunzhi was called upon most frequently.
When asked why he could leave the palace despite holding only the rank of Dà Tài Jiàn, Yunzhi replied that he had received direct permission to exit the palace from Imperial Consort Lii Fei herself. It was a duty Yunzhi undertook with utmost willingness, for besides secretly enjoying outings outside the palace while on duty, he could also covertly accept money from other servants who wished him to buy pastries or deliver letters to their families back home.
Li Lan Se's eyes gleamed. He began to ponder how he might gather news of his mother through Brother Yunzhi. He could not contain his excitement. Yet, before he could rejoice fully, Li Lan Se's spirits plummeted. For when he mentioned the matter, Sun Yunzhi merely chuckled, extending an open palm with the swagger of a seasoned rogue.
"If you have ten taels of silver, I might be able to help you gather some meager information outside."
"Ten taels!" Lan Se's jaw dropped. That was half a year's allowance for him!
"There must be some payment for my trouble. I cannot go gather information for you for free, can I? The stipends for junior eunuchs are meager beyond compare."
"But... I have just become a eunuch. I haven't even received my stipend yet." Li Lan Se lowered his head, his demeanor crestfallen.
"Work diligently, obey, and be loyal to the Imperial Consort. Her Highness will reward you herself." Yunzhi patted the young boy's shoulder.
"Ah, speaking of which, I just received a money pouch from Gonggong Li when he adopted me. May I use that money to ask Brother Yunzhi to help me inquire about my mother?"
"You may, but I cannot promise how much information I can gather. I myself do not know many people. Perhaps there will be no news at all."
"It does not matter, Esteemed One. Just attempting to help me inquire would be kindness enough," Li Lan Se smiled broadly, resuming his sweeping of the palace courtyard.
The young boy began to understand. If he wished to see his mother again, he must have money!
***
During his leisure time, Li Lan Se often secretly visited Xie Shi Wu at Yanxi Palace, meeting outside the palace. However, they did not converse much, as Shi Wu was now serving as the wet nurse for the Second Imperial Princess Yu Rong, who had been born earlier in the year. Shi Wu, as an assistant mama (senior palace maid), was raising the seven-month-old princess, thus he had to be especially cautious.
As for Liu Dong Nan, he diligently learned the rules and regulations for palace maids and eunuchs, especially poring over the punishments and memorizing them by heart. Liu Gonggong was very pleased with this adopted son.
Seeing his two friends so diligent, Lan Se dared not disturb them for long. Today, he stopped by to see Brother Huang Se, but was met with a scolding instead, and a copy of the Thousand Character Classic of Great Qing was tossed at him, which he barely managed to catch.
"If you are so idle, then apply yourself to learning. Do not bother me. I am not free all day like you."
"Then from whom shall I learn? I have no teacher. Or shall I humble myself and address Brother Huang Se as my master? Brother Huang Se is skilled, capable of reading and distinguishing many kinds of herbs. Will you teach me?"
"No. I am busy. How many more times must I say it? I have no time to teach a child like you."
"Then where shall I learn? I cannot understand this Thousand Character Classic. I will not be able to learn by myself," Lan Se watched his brother busily organizing herbs, seemingly overwhelmed with work.
"You truly have a pig's brain! Why do you not ask your father?"
"My father passed away many years ago."
"I mean your adoptive father!" Huang Se nearly slammed the herbal cabinet shut. Lan Se could not help but laugh. He found amusement every time he provoked his elder brother.
"Ah, Gonggong Li... but I cannot go to Father by myself at the Empress Dowager's Palace. Otherwise, I would be punished for wandering freely throughout the imperial palace."
Huang Se paused, only just remembering this rule. "Then how did you secretly come from the Inner Palace to the Outer Eunuch Bureau's Imperial Pharmacy Department? Are you not afraid of being caught?"
"Hehe," Lan Se stuck out his tongue. "Recently, all the inner court members have followed the imperial procession to the Summer Palace, so the patrols by the imperial guards are not as strict." Lan Se had a good memory. Though the imperial palace was vast, for places he frequented, like Yanxi Palace and the Imperial Pharmacy Department, Li Lan Se naturally knew the routes to move unnoticed.
"Be careful, lest one day your legs are cut off. Then you will finally stop being so mischievous."
"I am being careful, which is why I said I cannot go to Gonggong Li at the Empress Dowager's Palace. The area around Cining Palace still has strict guards because the Empress Dowager did not join the imperial procession."
"In three days' time, come find me at this Imperial Pharmacy Department. I shall invite Father here."
"Brother is the kindest!" Having said that, he leaped up and quickly fled the herbal storage room. Huang Se could only shout after him:
"If you keep calling me Ge-ge, I shall close the door and not welcome you!"