infodatos Chapter 74 The Old Eunuch Who Came from the Palace
Chapter 74 The Old Eunuch Who Came from the Palace
"I'll fix it for you after you break it! Hurry up, or the master will spank you if you're late!" Lu Feng said fiercely, but he carefully helped his sister straighten her collar.
Shunzi and Xiaodouzi chimed in, "Wow, our Brother Feng can even braid hair? That's even better than his knife skills!"
"Get lost!" Lu Feng laughed and kicked him.
This scene warmed Lu Cheng's heart.
This is what we call the warmth and vibrancy of everyday life.
That's what life is all about.
Compared to the sword fights and bloodshed in the martial arts world, this kind of simple warmth is the most luxurious thing.
"Tour leader! Tour leader!"
Just then, Old Zhang, the gatekeeper, rushed in, holding a large red invitation card with gold lettering in his hands, which were trembling.
"What's wrong? Why are you in such a panic? What kind of decorum is this?"
Zhou Daikui was picking his teeth as he strolled over from the backyard. Upon seeing this, he scolded him.
"No... look at this post."
Old Zhang swallowed hard and lowered his voice, as if afraid of disturbing the gods in heaven.
"This is...this was sent from the palace."
"In the palace?!"
The toothpick in Zhou Daikui's hand snapped with a "snap," almost pricking his tongue.
Lu Cheng also put down his chopsticks, his expression shifting slightly.
Inside the palace.
In the hearts of the people of Beiping, these two words are synonymous with the heavens.
Although it is now the Republic of China, and the emperor has abdicated and moved to Jingyuan in Tianjin, the term "palace" still represents supreme authority and the lingering influence of hundreds of years ago.
"Let me see it."
Lu Cheng accepted the invitation.
This postcard is exquisite, made of bright yellow satin embroidered with cloud and dragon patterns, and the characters are written in the official script, neat and grand, exuding a royal and wealthy air.
Upon opening it, there was no signature or signature.
Only one line of text:
I have long admired Boss Lu's reputation, but for some reason I never had the chance to meet him. Now that I have some free time, I have prepared some tea and would like to invite Boss Lu to my home for a chat and to hear a performance of "Si Lang Visits His Mother."
Although it wasn't signed, the tone and mannerisms were quite telling.
Who else could it be but that former master?
"Chengzi... are we going or not?"
Zhou Daikui leaned closer, looking at the bright yellow post, and his calves started to cramp.
"This is a deposed emperor... Although he has no power, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse, and I heard that he is surrounded by many remnants of the Qing Dynasty, as well as Japanese..."
"This is a hotbed of gossip!"
Lu Cheng closed the post and gently stroked the cover with his fingers.
He activated his "eagle eyes".
Besides the lingering scent of ink, this post also faintly exudes a... faint purple aura.
That's dragon energy.
Although it has decayed and is almost non-existent, it does exist.
"That's interesting."
A playful smile appeared on Lu Cheng's lips.
The palace sent people over during the Lunar New Year, but he declined.
Unexpectedly, they came again this time, and even specifically asked to hear "Si Lang Visits His Mother".
What is the story of "Si Lang Visits His Mother"?
It tells the story of Yang Silang, who was trapped in a foreign land for fifteen years, missing his elderly mother, and experiencing the helplessness and sorrow of being a prince consort in name only but a prisoner.
The choice of this play is quite meaningful.
"Since they've invited us time and time again, we can't be ungrateful."
Lu Cheng stood up and handed the invitation to Shunzi.
"Go and give a reply to the person who came."
"Tell Lu Cheng to be on time for the appointment tomorrow."
"By the way, where is the performance taking place? Is it at Jingyuan in Tianjin, or...?"
"Sir, the messenger has spoken."
Old Zhang quickly added.
"Not in Tianjin, but right here in Beiping (Beijing)."
"The Prince Chun's Mansion on the shore of Shichahai Lake."
Prince Chun's Mansion.
That was the birthplace of the last emperor, and also the last "hidden place" of the Qing Dynasty.
Lu Cheng narrowed his eyes slightly.
It seems this "master" has returned to his hometown.
……
It was afternoon.
A carriage arrived at the gate of the Lu residence.
It wasn't one of those fancy rubber-tired carriages, but an old-fashioned carriage with a blue cloth sash and a sidecar.
The horse pulling the cart was a pure white horse, a bit old, but with a large frame and extraordinary spirit.
The driver was an old man wearing a gray robe and a melon-shaped hat, with a clean-shaven face and not a single beard.
The old man looked to be over sixty, but his back was straight and his face was wrinkle-free, with skin as smooth as a young woman's.
He just stood there, not saying a word, yet he exuded an aura of femininity and superiority.
That was... a eunuch.
Moreover, he was the kind of senior eunuch who had served his master in the palace and had seen many grand occasions.
"Boss Lu."
When the old eunuch saw Lu Cheng come out, he did not clasp his hands in greeting like ordinary people would.
Instead, he turned slightly to the side, with his hands hanging at his sides, and performed an extremely standard... palace salute.
"Our family name is Su, and that was the head of the imperial kitchen in the past."
"The master said that today he doesn't want any fancy formalities, he just wants to hear some opera from his hometown and see some people from his hometown."
"Please get in the car."
The voice was high-pitched, yet not harsh, conveying a sense of perfect control and proportion.
Lu Cheng looked at this Eunuch Su.
With his keen eyes, he saw that although the old eunuch's blood and qi were declining, his meridians were unusually unobstructed. In particular, his hands had large joints, indicating that he had practiced "Eagle Claw Force" or "Dislocating Tendons and Bones Hand".
The palace was indeed a place where hidden talents resided.
"Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Su."
Lu Cheng nodded, and without bringing any bag or anything, he just carried the big gun and a simple opera box on his back, and got into the carriage.
Shunzi and Xiaodouzi wanted to follow, but Lu Cheng stopped them with a look.
Such occasions are genuine gatherings of former officials; bringing too many people would only make one appear guilty.
The wheels rolled, grinding over the bluestone pavement.
Inside the carriage, Eunuch Su closed his eyes to rest, remaining silent.
Lu Cheng didn't say anything, just quietly watched the scenery receding outside the window.
From the bustling Qianmen Street, passing through the Drum Tower, we finally turned into the secluded alley by Shichahai Lake.
Prince Chun's Mansion.
The tall red walls, though somewhat mottled, still retain their imperial majesty.
There were no soldiers standing guard at the gate, only a few servants in long gowns, standing at their sides, not daring to utter a sound.
Quiet.
It's so quiet here, it feels like another world.
They were completely out of place in the chaotic world of the Republic of China.
"Mr. Lu, please."
The carriage drove directly into the second gate.
Eunuch Su got out of the car and led Lu Cheng inside.
Passing through layers of corridors and over artificial hills and gardens.
Everything here exudes a sense of decay yet refinement.
Although the carved beams and painted rafters, and the glazed tiles were covered in dust, the "rules" were deeply engraved in every brick and stone.
Lu Cheng felt extremely uncomfortable walking among them.
The feeling was like being bound by countless invisible ropes.
You can't speak loudly, you can't walk quickly, and you can't even glance around.
This is imperial power.
Even though it was dead, the oppressive aura emanating from its corpse was still suffocating.