Chapter 49 Chapter Three

Chapter 1 Playing with power and tricks, everything is for power Pretending to be sick for promotion Everyone will become more and more tempered as their status rises, and Li Lianying is no exception.He had been with Empress Dowager Cixi for a long time, and gradually he was regarded as the messenger of Empress Dowager Cixi by everyone, so his status naturally rose.As the so-called official promotion has a long temper, Li Lianying dared to play a little temper with his master from time to time. The death of Empress Dowager Ci'an removed one of Empress Dowager Cixi's heart problems, and there was one less threat on Cixi's way to monopolize power, so she seemed to be in a particularly good mood these days.But Li Lianying was like an ant on a hot pot, restless and unsatisfied with food and tea.Because in this matter, Li Lianying really showed her ingenuity and made great efforts.Ordinarily, the Empress Dowager Cixi should have expressed something, but who would have thought that she acted as if nothing had happened, which made Li Lianying very anxious.After An Dehai's death, Li Lianying was made a deputy head of the inner court, and was promoted from the sixth rank to the fourth rank Hualing Dingdai.It is said that the official is not too small, but he is not satisfied. Like his master, he always wants to be the biggest and most powerful person.I thought I could get my wish this time, but unexpectedly, it was nothing.

During this day, Gang Yi went to the palace to perform his duties, and stopped by to visit Li Lianying when he was done.As soon as he entered the room, he choked and coughed, only to see that the room was filled with smoke.Li Lianying's face was gloomy, and she was lying on the bed smoking vigorously.Gangyi gave Li Lianying a snuff bottle. The snuff bottle was really beautiful, flat, long and round, with a picture of a white cat catching butterflies on one side and a crane wading on the other side.It's a pity that this didn't arouse Li Lianying's interest at all. Manager, who is the son of a bitch who dared to annoy you after eating his heart and leopard's guts?Say it, see how I deal with him brother.Seeing this scene, the fortitude didn't care about anything, so he said something.

Li Lianying looked at him, couldn't help laughing, and said: Don't brag here, you wouldn't even dare if you had your guts.He naturally wouldn't tell Gangyi that he was angry because he didn't get an official, he just said that he accidentally offended the Empress Dowager Cixi.How can you easily trust others these days?Even though he and Gang Yi are exchange brothers, we have to be careful. When I heard that it was the queen mother, I was so frightened that I almost collapsed on the ground.What I said just now was disrespectful, and if I didn't do it well, I would implicate the whole family.So, he hurriedly said to Li Lianying: "Brother, younger brother was wronged for you just now, so don't take it to heart."

Well, my brother, why are you still saying such kind words.However, you have to be more careful when you speak in the future, this is me, if it's someone else, maybe something will happen, don't lose your head when you don't know what's going on. Yes, yes, I hope the elder brother will remind me more in the future.Recently, my little brother got a clock, which is a music clock made by the famous British watchmaker named Hua De, and it is amazingly made.So, this time the little brother entered the palace and brought it to you by the way.After finishing speaking, Fortitude asked someone to bring the clock in.

This musical clock is about two feet six inches high, and the clock dial is placed in a rockery.There are crocodiles, tigers, chicks, elephants and other birds and beasts below, standing or lying down, in various shapes.There is a rockery on which there is a green palm grove. In the forest are two urchins with blond hair and blue eyes, a boy and a girl.Everyone holds a bright mallet in each hand, and as soon as the minute hand reaches twelve o'clock, two foreign children will hit a small gong with the mallet, and immediately there will be a beautiful music sound, which is very pleasant to the ear.What's more interesting is that the small pavilion in the palm forest is made of light blue glass. As soon as a child hits the surface of the gong, a stream of water will rush out of the pavilion, like a fountain.

Li Lianying looked at it, and couldn't help saying repeatedly: "Okay, okay, it's too delicate."I wanted to keep it for myself, but on second thought, forget it, I should dedicate it to the Queen Mother, maybe it is not impossible for the Queen Mother to give it another reward when she is happy. When the Empress Dowager Cixi saw it, she couldn't help applauding its exquisite production, and asked happily, "Where does this water come from?"Where did they go?After finishing speaking, he took the clock up, down, left, and right to look carefully. Queen Mother, the water is recycled and they return to the pool under the pavilion.

Nonsense, what is real water? You see, it is a flash of light, a bendable crystal pillar. Li Lianying took a closer look, but she was stunned.It turned out to be the refraction of different facets of the crystal, and the refraction produced after rotation made him mistake it for real water.Disgusting the real with the fake is a wonderful workmanship.Empress Dowager Cixi especially liked this western clock that could play gongs and spray water, and she played with it carefully. Li Lianying was not interested in Zhong, all he could think about at the moment was the position of Chief of the Inner Court.Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager Cixi didn't say anything except the clock.Li Lianying couldn't express what was on her mind, and seeing that she had no hope, she found an excuse and went back to her room resentfully.

The crow is the kind of bird that the eunuchs hate the most, because the crow's cry is particularly unpleasant, and it is considered an ominous bird.Moreover, people in the north call it Laogu, which has a similar pronunciation to that of a husband (eunuch). The eunuchs heard it very unpleasantly, and thought it was an insult to them.Therefore, after the eunuchs caught the crow, they often killed it. One of the methods was to tie a firecracker to the crow's feet, and after lighting it, let the crow go. Relieved myself. On this day, Empress Dowager Cixi came back from a tour in Beihai and felt a little tired, so she took a rest.Just at this time, a little eunuch named Liu caught a crow. He was curious and wanted to play like that, and also wanted to relieve himself, so he called a few little eunuchs to do the same.

Who would have thought that the crow would fly over the Empress Dowager Cixi's dormitory impartially.The Empress Dowager Cixi was dreaming a sweet dream at the moment, she was startled by the loud noise and sat up immediately.After listening carefully, there was a lot of noise outside, thinking that something serious had happened, and hurriedly ordered someone to go out to have a look.When she heard that a few young eunuchs were blowing up crows with firecrackers outside, the Empress Dowager Cixi couldn't help being furious: What a shame!It's getting more and more presumptuous.So, he asked someone to bring a bamboo whip, and went out to teach those eunuchs a lesson.

Li Lianying has been in a bad mood because the Empress Dowager Cixi did not give herself a promotion.Hearing the noise outside, he was also annoyed.Pushing open the door, he saw the little eunuchs under him, and was about to go out to vent, when suddenly he saw Empress Dowager Cixi coming out of the room with a bamboo whip in her hand, with a gloomy face, and thought of a clever plan: Aren't you annoying?I will make you more troublesome, and see who will serve you.In fact, the purpose is to ask the Empress Dowager Cixi for an official. He ran out in a hurry, knelt down in front of Cixi and said: The empress dowager calmed down, this is because the slave did not fulfill his duty and was not strictly disciplined.Please punish the Queen Mother!

Get up, it's not your fault.You go and beat this damn servant with fifty lashes for me, and let him remember in the future, this is the palace! Li Lianying agreed and took the whip with both hands.The little eunuchs knelt on the ground and trembled, thinking that they could not escape the beating.But Li Lianying just stood up, pretended her feet were weak, and fell to the ground with a plop.It was very lively now, the little eunuch hadn't dealt with it yet, but another Li Lianying fell. When the Empress Dowager Cixi saw her, she couldn't take care of the little eunuchs anymore, so she hurriedly asked Li Lianying to be carried into the house, and then ordered the imperial doctor to come and give him a diagnosis and take medicine.The imperial doctor came and felt Li Lianying's pulse. Everything was normal. After careful examination, he still couldn't confirm what the symptoms were, but he didn't dare to tell the Empress Dowager Cixi, so he prescribed some tonics randomly. The Empress Dowager Cixi saw that she was not seriously ill, ordered a few eunuchs to take care of her carefully, and then went back to the palace.The young eunuchs saw that because of Li Lianying's fall, they were spared a severe beating. They couldn't help being grateful to Li Lianying, and they were even more diligent. They were more diligent than working for the Empress Dowager Cixi. How could they have thought that this was Li Lianying's trick to pretend to be sick.It turned out that after An Dehai's death, Li Lianying took over the grooming and massage of the Empress Dowager Cixi.Although there are many eunuchs and maids in the palace, the Empress Dowager Cixi doesn't like anyone except Li Lianying.Thinking of this level, Li Lianying thought: I can't afford to pretend to be sick, let's see who will take care of you!At that time, it will be up to you to see if you can add an official to me. The Empress Dowager Cixi thought that Li Lianying was just tired these days, and she would be fine after a night's rest.Unexpectedly, when she woke up the next morning and waited for Li Lianying to come to wash herself, she couldn't wait around.Seeing that it is time to go to court, what should we do?Hurriedly send someone to call.Not long after, the little eunuch came back and said that Mr. Li was seriously ill and couldn't get out of bed today.When the Empress Dowager Cixi heard this, she couldn't help but wonder: Why did she become so seriously ill all of a sudden?Little Anzi (An Dehai) is dead, if Li Lianying does anything wrong, I won't even have a caring person by my side.Thinking of this, he didn't care about going to court, and hurried to look. Li Lianying had already got up here, and was sitting there to wash and wash. When she heard that Cixi was coming, she hurriedly threw down the towel, jumped on the bed, and lay down with the quilt.As soon as the Empress Dowager Cixi entered the room, she immediately struggled to stand up and kowtow to pay her respects. When the Empress Dowager Cixi saw her, she quickly stopped her and said, "Xiao Lizi, are you feeling better?"You are in good health on weekdays, why did you get so sick, do you want to ask the imperial doctor to come and see again? The servant cannot serve the Queen Mother today, so I ask the Queen Mother to forgive me.The servant's health was not very good before, and he had a lot of things these few days, so he felt very weak and dizzy.Yesterday the imperial physician had shown it to the slave, and now he is taking medicine, so there is no need to bother.Li Lianying didn't want the imperial physician to show her, fearing that she might see some flaws, she hurriedly replied. In this case, you can rest well.After speaking, the Empress Dowager Cixi went out. As soon as the Empress Dowager Cixi left, Li Lianying got out of bed immediately.After a full night of sleep, I have already nourished my energy.So, Li Sanshun and other eunuchs were called to play in the house.After playing for a while, Li Sanshun suddenly said, "Master, my apprentice wants to As long as you have a lot of ghost ideas, just say what you have to say. Master, the apprentice thought, this is not an option.There are a lot of people in the palace talking, if something unsightly is spread, how can the Queen Mother spare us after hearing it?I think you should tell the queen mother, let's go out of the palace.It's safe to play like that, so you don't have to worry about it here. When Li Lianying heard it, yes, why didn't I think of this level.I had offended quite a few people in the palace, and if the news got out and the Empress Dowager Cixi found out, let alone a promotion, I'm afraid even the current deputy chief of the inner court would not be able to sit securely.Thinking of this, he said: Thank you master for not being in vain on weekdays, what you said does make sense.When the queen came later, I told her, let's go out of the palace.Hearing the master's praise, Li Sanshun couldn't help showing a smug smile. The Empress Dowager Cixi stepped back and did not return to her bedroom, so she went straight to see Li Lianying and asked: "Little Li, do you feel better?" Thanks to the Empress Dowager for her concern, the servant is better than before, but his head is still dizzy.Empress Dowager, the palace is not quiet and there are many people coming and going. This servant wants to go out to rest for a few days, so that he can recover quickly and can serve you, Empress Dowager, as soon as possible. Well, that's fine too.Rest well after going out, and remember to come back earlier, but don't cause trouble for me outside, some things I can't decide on my own right now! Yes, yes, the slave must remember it.Thank you Empress Dowager for your kindness, and hope that Empress Dowager will take good care of her body. With the consent of the Empress Dowager Cixi, Li Lianying hurriedly ordered Li Sanshun to discuss the matter of returning home.After a while, a group of people hurried out of the palace. When Li Lianying returned home, without the restraint of Empress Dowager Cixi, she could do whatever she wanted.Drinking with Li Sanshun all night long and indulging himself every day, he was finally free from the constraints of court etiquette.It's all fun, once lying on the bed, Li Lianying was still not at ease. First, she was afraid that if she left, someone else would replace her and please the Empress Dowager Cixi; He always sent people to the palace to inquire about the news, lest he didn't know about the changes in the situation. Besides, the Empress Dowager Cixi at this time has changed since Li Lianying left the palace.I always feel that my thoughts are empty, my spirit has no sustenance, and there is no one around me who knows how to take care of me.Sometimes, even she can't figure out why Li Lianying is so likable.Although the maids and eunuchs were more careful in serving her, she was still dissatisfied, which scared them all day long. After waking up early this morning, the little eunuch came in to comb the Empress Dowager Cixi's hair. The little eunuch was usually good at hand, but I don't know if he didn't sleep well last night or because he looked at the gloomy face of the Empress Dowager Cixi and his hands trembled. He accidentally messed up the Empress Dowager's hair Although I wanted to hide two of them secretly, Empress Dowager Cixi still saw them, which is not bad!Seeing that the Empress Dowager Cixi stretched out her hand and slapped her across the face, the golden finger protector immediately drew five blood marks on the eunuch's face: You bastards, how do you learn on weekdays?When Xiao Lizi got sick, none of them were useful.Come on!Let me drag it down and hit twenty again. The little eunuch was immediately dragged down and beaten, and the Empress Dowager Cixi couldn't help thinking of Li Lianying: Oh, it's still Xiao Li who can serve people!This little Lizi, I don't know if he's better now, why didn't he come back once he went out?Thinking about the scene that day, I felt something was wrong: Didn't he run out of the room that day?How come it's such a coincidence that it doesn't fall early or late, but it falls in front of me. Could it be that this little plum is playing tricks on me?But I didn't treat him badly, the deputy head of the inner court, the fourth-rank Hualing is the top wearer, doesn't he think it's too low?Thinking of this, she sent someone to call the little eunuch in Li Lianying's room to ask for clarification. Of course the little eunuch didn't dare to tell about Li Lianying's feigning illness, not to mention that Li Lianying even gave him a favor before leaving the palace.Therefore, the Empress Dowager Cixi could not ask any useful information from him.So, I ordered someone to go to Li Lianying's residence after lunch to see what happened in person.The majestic Empress Dowager Cixi is going to see her slaves, which is really the biggest news in the Qing Dynasty.When the eunuch heard that the Empress Dowager Cixi wanted to go in person, he thought it was bad, so he had to inform Li Lianying who was at ease outside first, so he hurriedly informed him. When Li Lianying heard that the Queen Mother wanted to come and see her in person, she panicked.This news was too sudden for him, and he didn't know whether Cixi's arrival was a blessing or a curse.Li Lianying didn't have a clue in her heart.If it's a blessing, of course he can't ask for it. That's why he pretended to be sick for so many days;The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became, he was so anxious that he walked up and down the room, trying to find an excuse to keep Empress Dowager Cixi from coming, but he couldn't think of a good way, what should I do? Seeing the master in such a hurry, Li Sanshun hurried forward and comforted him: "Master, as the saying goes, it's a blessing, not a disaster, and a disaster can't be avoided. What's the use of being so anxious?"Hurry up and get ready to welcome the Queen Mother! After hearing this, Li Lianying felt the same reason.After thinking about it carefully, since he left the palace, although he eats, drinks and has fun all day long, he has never stepped out of this house, so it is impossible to show any flaws.Thinking of this, my heart calmed down, and I hurriedly ordered everyone to clean the courtyard quickly to prepare for the Empress Dowager Cixi. All of a sudden, the entire Li Mansion, from Li Lianying to the servants at the door, all took action.After lunch, the Empress Dowager Cixi couldn't wait to rest, so she couldn't wait to lead a large number of attendants to Li Lianying's residence in a sedan chair.After a short time, I have arrived at the gate of Li's mansion.Looking at Li Lianying again, at the moment she was leading the eunuchs to kneel on the ground in blackness. Seeing the Empress Dowager Cixi get off the sedan chair, she hurriedly knelt forward and said: "I didn't know that the Empress Dowager was coming, and I didn't go far to meet her. Please forgive me." Seeing Li Lianying's ruddy face, Empress Dowager Cixi smiled knowingly.Li Lianying was also puzzled, and hurried forward to help Empress Dowager Cixi into the gate.Suddenly, the Empress Dowager Cixi stopped and said, "Xiao Lizi, your residence is quite nice, it almost catches up with my residence. When was it built?"How come I don't know anything about it? Looking at the Empress Dowager Cixi, Li Lianying replied cautiously: This house was built by slaves the year before last.The servant left home since he was a child, and thanks to the favor of the Queen Mother, he is here today, but his parents are still suffering at home, so the servant built this house and wanted to bring them here to enjoy a few days of happiness.Since your queen mother is busy with government affairs, the slaves did not dare to disturb you, so please forgive me.After speaking, he knelt down on the ground again. Get up, it's rare for you to have such filial piety, I'm just asking casually.Seeing that your health is much better, can you go back to the palace?If it doesn't work, go back and ask the imperial doctor to show you. Now that the Empress Dowager Cixi has already talked about this, is it okay not to go back?Li Lianying hurriedly answered: Xie Empress Dowager is concerned, the slave is fully recovered.I wanted to go back to the palace tomorrow to serve you, but I didn't expect you to come here in person.The servant packs up his things now, and will return to the palace with the Queen Mother later. This is almost the same, the Empress Dowager Cixi smiled when she heard it, and then looked at the house with the support of Li Lianying, and then went back to the palace happily. It was gradually getting dark, and a bright moon hung high in the sky, and the ancient city of Beijing was completely silent.In the East Nuan Pavilion of Changchun Palace, voices could be heard from time to time, as if adding some vitality to the silent night. Xiao Lizi, you are really seriously ill this time, and you have recuperated for more than ten days.Empress Dowager Cixi said with a smile. Slave, looking at the smiling face of Empress Dowager Cixi, Li Lianying felt nervous. She didn't know the specific thoughts in Cixi's mind, and she didn't know how to answer for a while. Don't give me reasons, what's going on in your mind, can I not know?I watched you grow up, and now your ability is not much worse than that of Xiao Anzi back then. In the future, we should stay closer and depend on each other. Li Lianying thought that the Empress Dowager Cixi would at least scold herself if she found out that she was pretending to be sick. When she heard this, she felt that the Empress Dowager Cixi was not only not angry, but actually wanted to add an official to herself, so she hurriedly pricked up her ears, wanting to hear What will the Empress Dowager Cixi say? Seeing that Li Lianying didn't respond, the Empress Dowager Cixi paused for a moment, and then said: Now the palace of the Qing Dynasty is not calm.I originally wanted to promote you to be the head of the inner court, but the queen mother, prince, and ministers moved out of the family law at every turn.Sooner or later, I will completely overthrow this annoying ancestral family law, and I will do my own way, no matter who I am, I will obey me.But now, I can only wrong you. After Li Lianying heard this, although he failed to get what he wanted, he was still full of joy because he knew that the position of chief executive of the inner court would belong to Li Lianying sooner or later, so he quickly kowtowed on the ground to thank him. Empress Dowager Cixi waved her hand and said: Forget it, there is no need to be so polite!After speaking, he rewarded Li Lianying with some things.Outside the window, the moon has receded at some point, and the dawn light cut through the night and gradually appeared in the east. Li Lianying served Empress Dowager Cixi to sleep and walked out of the room gently.Although the sky was still a little bit chilly, Li Lianying was very happy in her heart, as if she had already sat in the seat of the head of the inner court of the Qing Dynasty. The quick-witted Li Lianying finally got what she wanted through a not-so-successful lie.