174: Emperor Kangxi summoned Mao Dongzhu, who displayed his wit and made his first visit to Cining Palace.

Just as the sky was beginning to brighten, the sound of the night watchman's clapper echoed through the imperial palace.

Xie Hui scrambled up and rubbed his eyes—the bed boards in the palace were much harder than those at the Zhuang residence; he hadn't slept very soundly last night.

Beside him, Wei Xiaobao was still snoring, drool running from the corner of his mouth, muttering "forty-two chapter sutra" even in his dreams.

Xie Hui kicked him. "Stop sleeping! If you don't get up now, you'll be late for your duties at the Imperial Study!"

Wei Xiaobao jolted awake, sat up, and wiped his mouth. "Huh? The Imperial Study? Brother Hui, I'm not ready yet. What should I do if the Emperor asks me a question I can't answer?"

"Don't worry," Xie Hui handed him a warm pancake—it was one Shuanger had packed yesterday, kept warm using his inner universe, and it was still hot. "Just act honest. Whatever the Emperor asks, just answer. Don't go bragging blindly. If you really can't handle it, use the walkie-talkie to call me."

Wei Xiaobao took the pancake, took a big bite, and said indistinctly, "Brother Hui is still the most thoughtful! I'm going now; wait for my good news!"

He quickly put on his eunuch's uniform, tucked the walkie-talkie away, and ran out in a flash.

Xie Hui tidied up, and just as he tucked the leftover LED lights from yesterday's kite-making into his inner universe, he heard Princess Jianning's voice from outside the courtyard gate: "Xie Hui! Where are you? Come out quickly!"

He hurriedly opened the door and saw Jianning wearing a goose-yellow palace gown, followed by four Palace Maids, standing in the courtyard with her hands on her hips, a look of slight triumph on her Face.

"I told the Emperor to let you stay and work in my palace, and the Emperor agreed! Come, I'll take you to see the Emperor. From now on, you're my person, and no one will dare to bully you!"

Xie Hui felt a surge of joy—Jianning was quite efficient, though he had to be careful when meeting the Kangxi Emperor; he couldn't let anything slip.

He bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your promotion, but I am a crude person and fear I might offend the Emperor..."

"What are you afraid of!" Jianning grabbed his hand and walked out. "I'm here! The Emperor loves me the most; he certainly won't blame you!"

Her hand was soft and carried a hint of rouge fragrance. Xie Hui was too embarrassed to pull away and could only follow her.

After passing through several corridors, they arrived in front of an imposing palace. The guards at the door saw Jianning and bowed, "Your Highness."

"I want to see the Emperor," Jianning said, lifting her head. "Go and announce me."

The guards dared not delay and hurried inside to report. Before long, a eunuch came out and bowed, "Your Highness, the Emperor invites you and this young brother to enter."

Xie Hui followed Jianning into the palace, which was covered with a red carpet.

In the center, on the dragon throne, sat a youth about fifteen or sixteen years old, wearing a bright yellow dragon robe. His Face was handsome, but his eyes were very sharp—it was indeed the Kangxi Emperor.

"Imperial Sister, do you have something to see me about?" The Kangxi Emperor put down the memorial in his hand, looked at Jianning, and then his gaze fell on Xie Hui, filled with scrutiny.

Jianning ran to the side of the dragon throne and shook the Kangxi Emperor's arm. "Imperial Brother, this is the Xie Hui I told you about, the one who can make glowing kites! I want to keep him to work in my palace. Please, agree!"

The Kangxi Emperor smiled and looked at Xie Hui. "You are Xie Hui? You made those glowing kites?"

"Replying to the Emperor, it was I who made them," Xie Hui bowed respectfully, his attitude respectful but not cowardly. "My family back home are craftsmen. We have ancestral methods for making kites. The glowing effect comes from grinding fluorite into powder and mixing it with the paint; it glows at night. It's nothing rare."

He didn't mention the LED lights—talking to the Kangxi Emperor about modern technology was just asking for trouble. Making up the excuse about fluorite was both reasonable and wouldn't arouse suspicion.

The Kangxi Emperor nodded and asked again, "You are Wei Xiaobao's cousin? You came from the countryside?"

"Yes," Xie Hui continued. "My hometown suffered a disaster, and I had no choice but to come to the capital to seek refuge with my cousin. Thanks to Your Highness and the Emperor for taking me in, I am extremely grateful. I will definitely work hard in the future and not cause any trouble for the Princess or the Emperor."

The Kangxi Emperor looked at him, his eyes showing a bit more appreciation—this kid spoke logically and was neither servile nor overbearing, much better than Wei Xiaobao's oily, glib manner.

"Very well, since my Imperial Sister likes you, you may stay and work in the Princess's palace," the Kangxi Emperor said. "However, there are many rules in the palace. You must learn them well. If you dare to cause trouble, I will not spare you."

"Thank you, Emperor!" Xie Hui hurriedly thanked him, feeling relieved—this hurdle had been cleared.

Seeing that the Kangxi Emperor had agreed, Jianning jumped up with joy. "Thank you, Imperial Brother! I knew you were the best!"

Saying this, she pulled Xie Hui and walked out. "Come, I'll take you to my bedchamber. From now on, you'll live in my palace, and no one will dare to bully you!"

After leaving the main hall, Xie Hui couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, you just told the Emperor like that, and the Emperor agreed?"

"Of course!" Jianning lifted her chin triumphantly. "I am the Emperor's only sister; if he doesn't love me, who would he love? By the way, I'll take you to the Imperial Garden. There are many beautiful flowers inside, much better looking than those in your countryside!"

Just as the two reached the entrance of the Imperial Garden, they saw a middle-aged eunuch dressed in a blue eunuch's uniform throwing a tantrum at a little Palace Maid, whipping her with the Fly-whisk in his hand. "Are you blind! How dare you bump into me? See if I don't beat you to death!"

The little Palace Maid was terrified and knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly. "Eunuch Liu, spare me! This servant didn't do it on purpose!"

This Eunuch Liu was the chief eunuch in the Empress Dowager's palace. Usually, relying on the power of the Empress Dowager, he ran rampant in the palace, and all the Palace Maids and eunuchs were afraid of him.

Jianning frowned and walked over quickly. "Eunuch Liu, what are you doing? What kind of skill is it to bully a little Palace Maid!"

Eunuch Liu turned around and saw Jianning. He hurriedly put away his Fly-whisk, his Face piling up with a smile. "Oh, it's Your Highness. This servant is just disciplining an ill-mannered Palace Maid, lest she offend a noble person."

"I think you are bullying others by relying on power!" Jianning glared at him. "Apologize to her immediately! Otherwise, I will tell the Empress Dowager!"

Eunuch Liu's expression changed. Although he relied on the Empress Dowager's power, he dared not offend Jianning—after all, Jianning was the Emperor's own sister.

But making him apologize to a little Palace Maid made him feel he would lose Face. His eyes darted, and he looked at Xie Hui. "Who is this? I haven't seen him before. He must be a laborer from some palace, right? Your Highness, why is such an ill-mannered person following you? If word gets out, people will laugh."

He wanted to change the subject and also wanted to give Xie Hui a hard time to show off his own prestige.

Xie Hui stepped forward, looked at Eunuch Liu, and curled his lips. "Eunuch Liu, is it? I am a person of Her Highness. I just entered the palace and may be ill-mannered, but I know that bullying the weak is not a rule, and bullying others by relying on power is even less of a rule. The Princess told you to apologize, so apologize. Don't look for trouble."

Eunuch Liu didn't expect Xie Hui to dare to talk back to him, and he was so angry his Face turned red. "You little laborer, you dare to speak to me like that? See if I don't tear your mouth apart!" Saying this, he reached out to grab Xie Hui's collar.

Xie Hui dodged to the side, grabbed Eunuch Liu's wrist with a backhand motion, and applied a little force. Eunuch Liu screamed in pain, "You, you dare to lay a hand on me? I am a person from the Empress Dowager's palace. If you dare to hit me, the Empress Dowager will not let you off!"

"The Empress Dowager?" Xie Hui sneered and added a bit more force to his hand. "Even if the Empress Dowager were here, she would still have to reason, right? You bullied a Palace Maid and dared to show disrespect to the Princess. Even if the Empress Dowager knew, she wouldn't help you!"

Jianning also shouted, "Exactly! Apologize immediately, or I will have my Imperial Brother kick you out of the palace!"

Eunuch Liu was in so much pain that tears were about to come out. Knowing he had lost today, he could only mumble to the little Palace Maid, "Sor... sorry..."

Xie Hui let go. Eunuch Liu rubbed his wrist, glared fiercely at Xie Hui, and not daring to stay any longer, scurried away.

The little Palace Maid hurriedly kowtowed to Jianning and Xie Hui. "Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you, Brother Xie!"

"Get up," Jianning waved her hand. "If anyone bullies you again in the future, just tell me!"

After thanking them, the little Palace Maid ran away. Jianning looked at Xie Hui, her eyes full of admiration. "Xie Hui, you are so amazing! You aren't even afraid of Eunuch Liu!"

"It's not that I'm not afraid," Xie Hui smiled. "It's that I don't want you to be wronged. Besides, people like him are just bullies who fear the strong and pick on the weak. The more you give in to him, the more he pushes his luck."

Jianning felt sweet inside and held Xie Hui's hand. "Come, I'll take you to the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility to pay your respects to the Empress Dowager and let her get to know you too!"

Xie Hui's heart stirred—he was just looking for an opportunity to see the Fake Empress Dowager, and this was a great chance. He nodded. "As you wish, Your Highness."

As the two walked toward the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility, Jianning said to Xie Hui on the way, "The Empress Dowager is my Imperial Brother's mother. She is quite a good person, but her health hasn't been very good lately. When you see her, pay your respects more often and don't speak carelessly."

Xie Hui agreed, but inwardly he raised his guard—the Fake Empress Dowager was a member of the Divine Dragon Cult and was deeply scheming; she would certainly not be easy to deal with.

Arriving at the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility, after the Palace Maid at the door announced them, the two walked in.

The hall was very quiet, and a faint scent of sandalwood wafted over. A middle-aged woman wearing a black palace gown was sitting on a couch, holding Buddhist prayer beads. Her Face looked dignified, but her eyes were very sharp—it was indeed the Fake Empress Dowager.

"The Imperial Sister has arrived," Fake Empress Dowager said, putting down her prayer beads and looking at Jianning before her gaze fell upon Xie Hui. "Who is this?"

"Replying to the Empress Dowager, this is Xie Hui," Jianning said with a smile as she walked to the side of the couch. "He is someone I asked the Kangxi Emperor to keep. He knows how to make many fun things, and I want him to stay in my palace to work."

Fake Empress Dowager nodded and looked at Xie Hui: "You are Xie Hui? You came from the countryside?"

"Replying to the Empress Dowager, yes," Xie Hui bowed and saluted. "I am Xie Hui, I have seen the Empress Dowager, wishing the Empress Dowager good fortune as the Eastern Sea and longevity as the Southern Mountain."

"Your mouth is quite sweet," Fake Empress Dowager smiled, but her eyes did not relax. "What kind of fun things can you make? Tell me about it."

"Replying to the Empress Dowager, I know how to make kites, and also some small trinkets," Xie Hui didn't dare to say too much, fearing that saying too much would lead to mistakes. "They are all just small tricks from the countryside, not worthy of the grand stage."

Fake Empress Dowager picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said slowly: "Oh? I heard that the kites you make can glow? What are they made of?"

Xie Hui's heart tightened—it seemed Fake Empress Dowager had already inquired about him. He quickly said: "Replying to the Empress Dowager, it is made by grinding fluorite into powder and mixing it into paint, so it can glow at night. It is not a rare thing, I hope the Empress Dowager finds it amusing."

Fake Empress Dowager nodded and didn't ask further, instead saying to the Palace Maid beside her: "Go pour a cup of tea for the Princess and Young Master Xie."

The Palace Maid brought the tea, and Xie Hui took it, holding it carefully, not daring to drink—he was afraid that Fake Empress Dowager had tampered with the tea.

Just then, Fake Empress Dowager's personal eunuch came in and whispered a few words in her ear. Fake Empress Dowager's expression changed slightly, she waved her hand to dismiss the eunuch, and then said to Jianning: "Imperial Sister, I am a bit tired and want to rest for a while. You should take Young Master Xie back first."

Although Jianning was a bit puzzled, she didn't dare to ask too much, and pulled Xie Hui to get up: "Then the Empress Dowager should rest well, this child will come to see you another day."

The two walked out of the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility, and Xie Hui looked back, pondering—what did that eunuch say to Fake Empress Dowager just now? Looking at Fake Empress Dowager's reaction, it definitely wasn't a small matter, perhaps it was related to the Divine Dragon Cult.

Just as they reached the Imperial Garden, the walkie-talkie in Xie Hui's pocket suddenly vibrated—it was a message from Wei Xiaobao. He quickly pulled Jianning behind a large tree and asked in a low voice: "What's wrong?"

Wei Xiaobao's voice came from the walkie-talkie: "Brother Hui! I heard the Kangxi Emperor talking to Hai Dafu in the Imperial Study, saying there is a forty-two chapter sutra in the Empress Dowager's palace, and he told Hai Dafu to find a way to get his hands on it! Also, the Kangxi Emperor said the Divine Dragon Cult has been active recently, and told Hai Dafu to keep an eye out!"

Xie Hui felt a surge of joy—finally, there was a clue about the forty-two chapter sutra! And it also mentioned the Divine Dragon Cult, it seems Long'er will appear soon. He said into the walkie-talkie: "Understood, continue to keep an eye out, let me know if there is any news, and don't get discovered."

Hanging up the walkie-talkie, Jianning asked curiously: "What are you holding in your hand? How can it talk?"

"It is a 'thousand-mile voice transmission tube' from my hometown," Xie Hui made up an excuse. "It can talk to people far away. I was just contacting my cousin to ask about the situation in the Imperial Study."

Jianning's eyes lit up: "It's that amazing? Can you give me one too? When I want to talk to the Kangxi Emperor, I won't have to run so far!"

"Of course," Xie Hui said with a smile. "When I have time, I will make one for the Princess."

Jianning jumped up with joy, pulling Xie Hui's hand: "That's great! I knew you were the best! Let's go, I'll take you to my bedroom and arrange a place for you to stay!"

The two walked towards Jianning's bedroom, and Xie Hui walked while pondering—now that he knew there was a forty-two chapter sutra in the Empress Dowager's palace, he had to find a way to get his hands on it next. Fake Empress Dowager must have hidden the sutra very well, so he had to find a chance to go to the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility to scout. Also, the Divine Dragon Cult was active, and Long'er might already be in the capital; he had to keep an eye out and not miss the chance to subdue her.

Arriving at Jianning's bedroom, it was an exquisite palace, filled with many fun things, jade ornaments, dolls, and various snacks. Jianning had a Palace Maid arrange a side room for Xie Hui, right next to her bedroom, and then had the Palace Maid bring over many snacks: "Xie Hui, taste this quickly, these are all made by the Imperial Kitchen, they are delicious!"

Xie Hui picked up a piece of osmanthus cake and put it in his mouth; it was sweet but not greasy, truly delicious. While eating, he chatted with Jianning, intentionally or unintentionally asking about the Empress Dowager's situation: "Princess, what does the Empress Dowager usually like to do? I see the Empress Dowager is not in good health; should I make something to nourish her body?"

Jianning thought for a moment: "The Empress Dowager usually likes to chant sutras, and she also likes to stay in the Secret Chamber behind her bedroom, not letting anyone else in. The Empress Dowager's health is not good, and the imperial physicians can't cure it either. If you can make something to nourish her body, that would be great!"

Secret Chamber? Xie Hui's heart stirred—Fake Empress Dowager must have hidden the forty-two chapter sutra in the Secret Chamber! He quickly said: "I have a recipe from my hometown, using red dates, longan, and goji berries to make soup, which can nourish Qi and blood. I will brew some for the Empress Dowager tomorrow; perhaps it can make her health better."

"Great! Great!" Jianning said happily. "Tomorrow I will go with you to deliver the soup to the Empress Dowager!"

Xie Hui nodded, already having a plan in his heart—tomorrow, taking the opportunity of delivering the soup, he would go to the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility to scout for the location of the Secret Chamber; perhaps he could find the whereabouts of the forty-two chapter sutra.

Just then, there was a commotion outside, and a Palace Maid ran in: "Your Highness Princess! It's bad! Eunuch Liu is causing trouble outside, saying he wants to settle the score with Young Master Xie!"

Xie Hui frowned—this Eunuch Liu was really persistent; it seemed he had to give him a taste of his power so he wouldn't come to cause trouble in the future. He said to Jianning: "Princess, don't worry, I'll go take a look."

Jianning also stood up: "I'll go with you! Let's see what he dares to do!"

The two walked out of the bedroom and saw Eunuch Liu with a few eunuchs, holding sticks, blocking the doorway, his Face full of ferocity: "Xie Hui! You dared to hit me yesterday, today I will teach you a lesson!"

Xie Hui sneered and took a step forward: "Eunuch Liu, you still dare to come? Did you not get beaten enough yesterday?"

Eunuch Liu didn't expect Xie Hui to talk back, and in his anger, he waved his stick: "Get him! Beat him down!"

Several eunuchs rushed over with sticks, but Xie Hui didn't panic. He pulled out a dagger from his inner universe—the one he had captured before that could cut through iron like mud—and hid it in his sleeve. When the eunuchs were close, he suddenly flashed the dagger and swung it at the sticks.

"Snap!" Several sticks were cut off instantly, the cuts smooth, leaving everyone stunned.

Eunuch Liu stepped back in fright, pointing at Xie Hui: "You, you dare to bring a weapon into the palace! I will tell the Kangxi Emperor and have you beheaded!"

"A weapon?" Xie Hui smiled and put away the dagger. "This is a small knife gifted to me by Your Highness the Princess, used for peeling fruit; how did it become a weapon? Besides, you were the ones who started it, I was just defending myself."

Jianning also shouted: "Exactly! Eunuch Liu, you brought people to cause trouble in my palace and dared to frame Xie Hui. I will go tell the Kangxi Emperor right now and have the Kangxi Emperor punish you!"

Eunuch Liu was scared now; he knew Jianning was true to her word, and if the Kangxi Emperor found out, he would definitely suffer. He hurriedly led the eunuchs to retreat: "Fine, fine, it's my bad luck! Let's go!"

Watching Eunuch Liu run away with his tail between his legs, Jianning gave Xie Hui a thumbs up: "Xie Hui, you are amazing! That small knife is so useful, can you lend it to me to play with?"

"Of course," Xie Hui handed her the dagger. "But this knife is very sharp, Princess, be careful."

Jianning took the dagger, touched it lovingly, and then returned it to Xie Hui: "You keep it; use it to protect me."

Xie Hui took the dagger, feeling warm inside—although this Jianning was willful, she was truly good to him; it seemed subduing her wouldn't be a problem.

Returning to the bedroom, Jianning chatted with Xie Hui for a while longer before reluctantly letting him go back to the side room to rest. Xie Hui returned to his room, closed the door, took out the walkie-talkie, and sent a message to Wei Xiaobao, telling him to keep an eye on Eunuch Liu's movements. Then he took out his mobile phone and pulled up the still photo of Fake Empress Dowager—the version played by Zhang Min was indeed scheming and deep, exactly the same as the one he saw today.

He pondered his plan for going to the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility tomorrow, and thought of Shuanger, so he quickly sent a message to Shuanger, telling her everything was fine in the palace and to not worry. Shuanger replied quickly, saying everything at the Zhuang family was fine and telling him to be careful.

Xie Hui put down the mobile phone and lay on the bed, his heart filled with anticipation—tomorrow he would not only be able to scout for news about the Secret Chamber, but also get closer to Fake Empress Dowager, one step closer to subduing her and finding the forty-two chapter sutra. Also, the Divine Dragon Cult was active, and Long'er would appear soon; the upcoming plot would definitely be even more exciting.