Xiao Dezhang was a very lucky eunuch. He had only been in the palace for 10 years and had already become the eunuch second only to Li Lianying. He was even given a name by Cixi. In the near future, he will become the last eunuch chief of the Qing Dynasty.
Originally, according to the "eunuchs of no more than four grades" system established by Yongzheng, the highest level of eunuchs was the fourth grade. However, as a woman in power, Cixi could not leave eunuchs by her side, so she broke the system and awarded Li Lianying a second-grade crown, and Xiao De Zhang a third-grade reward.
Of course, compared with the powerful officials of the Ming Dynasty who dominated the world with one hand, they are not far behind.
Li Yu said politely: "It turns out to be Mr. De. I'm glad to meet you."
Xiao De Zhang was also very polite. He cupped his hand and said to Li Yu, "It's the honor of the Za family to meet with Master Li. You stole the show in front of the Queen Mother yesterday."
Li Yu asked: "My father-in-law was also in Yiluan Hall yesterday?"
"Exactly, but the Zajia family was beside the queen at the time, so you might not have noticed."
"No wonder I didn't see my father-in-law at that time. I'm really sorry."
Xiao Dezhang waved his hand: "The Za family dare not blame Li Dajianxi, after all, who can stand out in front of the Queen Mother Lafayette? And last night Lafayette really saw the star in the sky with the telescope you set up, Lafayette I am very happy, maybe I will reward you well in these two days."
Li Yu's heart twitched, not because of Cixi's award, but because whenever the eunuch in the palace came out to deliver a message, as long as it was a happy event, you had to give him some money, that is, "you will be happy when you hear the news."
Although Li Yu was reluctant, he still took out ten silver coins and gave them to Xiao Dezhang, "Thank you, father-in-law."
"You're welcome."
Xiao Dezhang said this while putting away the silver coins, "It's all Lafayette's intention."
He has long been accustomed to this kind of thing, and he feels at ease with it. After all, without Li Lianying's status, there were not many courtiers who gave him money, and even if they did, they wouldn't give much.
The Empress Dowager Longyu who followed Xiao Dezhang was at least one Xiaozhuang away from Cixi, so she had very loose restraints on him.
"What are you doing here today, father-in-law?" Li Yu asked.
Xiao Dezhang pointed to a boy who was less than 10 years old behind him and said, "Take a child to cleanse himself so that he can go to work as an errand in the palace."
With the support of Xiao Dezhang, he will naturally not suffer in the palace. Although he has no descendants, he may become rich and powerful. In this era, it cannot be said to be a bad thing. Li Yu doesn't need to take care of the child like before.
Li Yu said: "I just happened to bring some things for foreigners' hospitals to Mr. Liu, and they came in handy immediately."
Xiao Dao Liu opened the box and liked the lancet inside very much. He was just as excited as Xiao De Zhang when they saw their treasure: "I have long heard that foreign lancets are as shiny as silver. It was really cold when I saw them today." Show!"
Lancet was the name people used for the scalpel at that time. Although stainless steel had not yet been born at this time, foreigners' research on surgery had far surpassed that of the Qing Dynasty, and the scalpels they used were much more professional.
Xiao Dao Liu tested the blade with his finger and said, "Sharp!" Then he said to Xiao De Zhang, "Father-in-law, I will take the child away and make sure it is clean for you."
Xiaode Zhang responded, and then said to Li Yu: "By the way, the queen also mentioned you last night."
"Queen?"
Xiao De Zhang nodded: "The queen wants to ask you to do something?"
Li Yu asked in confusion: "What did the queen ask me to do?"
"The Queen was very impressed by your performance yesterday. I also heard from Si Gege that you have stayed in Prince Qing's Mansion for a long time and that you are a person who is proficient in Western learning, so the Queen hopes that you can help mix some perfume."
I'm dizzy! It’s too far-fetched!
Li Yu is really helpless, these people! It seems that he has no idea about the subjects of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology at all. He only knows the general term Western Studies. ——Since you understand Western learning, they think you know everything.
However, Li Yu couldn't explain it, so he had to say: "Father, I have never made perfume before, so I really don't know anything about it."
Xiao Dezhang didn't listen to his explanation at all, "How can it be difficult? You know the stars in the sky, how can a small perfume be difficult for you?"
"but I……"
Xiao Dezhang interrupted Li Yu: "Master Li, the queen rarely asks for help. If the ministers from various countries had not cut off their supplies, they would not come to you."
Li Yu knew he couldn't refuse, so he had to bite the bullet and said, "Then I'll give it a try, but the effect is hard to say."
Xiaode Zhang said happily: "You must be fine."
Li Yu sighed lightly. Although Queen Longyu was not good-looking and hunchbacked, she was still a woman, and she was a powerful and lonely woman. Could it be that she is still thinking about regaining Guangxu through perfume and the like? of favor?
Perfume was indeed a rare thing at that time. It was basically imported from abroad and was absolutely high-end. But even if she uses the best perfume, I am afraid that Queen Longyu will end up crying and singing: "The smell of her perfume on you is the fault of my nose."
It’s difficult!
Li Yu asked: "What kind of perfume does the queen like?"
Xiao Dezhang thought for a while and said: "The Zajia family doesn't understand either. They only know that it was given to Lafayette by the British minister's wife before, but Lafayette didn't like the smell, so he gave it to the queen."
With some clues, Li Yu said, "I know."
"If the preparation is successful, the queen will ask Si Gege to come out of the palace to get it."
After Xiao De Zhang finished speaking, he returned to the palace.
Li Yu is really confused, why did he come to Xiaodao Liu today? I really should read the almanac when I go out from now on.
Yes, I haven’t asked him for money yet!
When Li Yu returned to the house he rented, he felt mixed emotions. For some reason, he got into trouble with a group of powerful women. They were much more troublesome than Yi Kuang, Ronglu and others.
You can even make perfume, so why not let me teach you how to make Ecstasy!
Not long after he sat down, Prince Qing's little follower Rui Zheng came to the door and said, "How are you, Mr. Li!"
Li Yu was also funny. After a while, he started calling himself Master Li, "What do you want from me?"
"Your Majesty is hosting a banquet for Bishop Mr. Timothy Richard and Mr. Purland this evening, and you have also been invited." Rui Zheng said politely. He had clearly felt the Prince's attitude towards him.
"okay, I get it."
Li Yu put away his thoughts and prepared to go out.
Rui Zheng asked one more question: "Master Li, I still can't think of the second couplet of the pair you played back then. Can you teach me?"
I didn’t expect that he still remembers it now. It’s really embarrassing for him! Li Yu said: "The first couplet I published at that time was: In the picture, the dragon does not roar, the tiger does not roar, and the little book boy is ridiculous. Since you are the translator and master of the palace, the second couplet is: Inside the chessboard, the rooks have no edges. The horse is unbridled, calling Master to be on guard."
Rui Zheng recited it silently and praised loudly: "What a second! As expected of Master Li!"
Li Yu smiled and walked straight to Prince Qing's Mansion.
