Baoqin shook her head and said, "To be honest, I don't know either. Her Highness just told me to come and find you. How could I, as a servant, possibly inquire about my mistress's thoughts?"

Eunuch Duo said, "You're right. I was rash. Please don't take offense, young lady."

Eunuch Duo couldn't figure out why Consort Xi wanted to see him.

Baoqin said, "It's nothing, Father-in-law, you're too kind."

Baoqin led Eunuch Duo back to Changchun Palace. As soon as she reached the door, she saw Lanqin sitting in the main seat with her head down, just as she had left. She saw Lanqin's fingers circling on the table. Baoqin knew that Lanqin was thinking about something; she only did this when she was thinking.

Baoqin turned to Eunuch Duo and said, "Please wait here, sir. I will go and inform my master."

The old man nodded.

Baoqin entered the room and saw that Lanqin was lost in thought and hadn't even noticed her return. Not wanting to frighten the Imperial Concubine, Baoqin could only walk to her side and whisper, "Your Highness, Eunuch Duo has arrived."

Lanqin then snapped out of her reverie.

Where?

"This servant told him to wait outside the door."

"Let him in quickly."

"Yes." After receiving Lanqin's approval, Baoqin went out and called out to Grandpa Duo.

Eunuch Duo knelt on the ground, saying, "This servant greets Consort Xi."

Lanqin said, "No need for formalities, please rise, Eunuch."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

“Grandpa Duo,” Lanqin said after much hesitation.

“This servant is here,” Eunuch Duo replied.

Her hesitation stemmed mainly from her desire to avoid being perceived as using underhanded tactics or plotting against the other concubines, something she detested most.

However, the matter concerning Lady Fucha was urgent. After thinking for a long time, she finally asked, "I would like to know how many spies we can plant in Lady Fucha's Qixiang Palace. I wonder how many maids and eunuchs are in her palace?"

Eunuch Duo was surprised. Wasn't Consort Xi always unwilling to use underhanded tactics? Why would she think of planting spies in Qixiang Palace?

Surprised as he was, he certainly wouldn't ask.

Eunuch Duo said, "Your Majesty, there are now four or five maids, two maids, and one eunuch in Qixiang Palace where Lady Fucha resides."

Lanqin then asked, "Eunuch Duo, do you see any of these people who could be used as spies for my purposes?"

Eunuch Duo smiled and looked intently at Lanqin, saying, "Your Highness, in my opinion, they are all servants, so of course they will listen to the Imperial Concubine. If they didn't even understand this simple principle, they wouldn't have been able to stay in the palace for so long. No matter who it is, as long as you summon them and give them an order, they will naturally know who to serve. After all, people always strive for higher positions."

Lanqin thought about it and realized that made sense. Most people in the palace were opportunistic and would definitely abandon Lady Fucha to serve her if given the chance.

However, it's not their fault. After all, everyone wants to live, and their lives are in the hands of those in power. So, the people around her must be well-disciplined so that they won't be betrayed.

So Lanqin said, "Eunuch Duo, I'm sending you to instruct on how to handle this matter. Get back to me as soon as you have any news."

Eunuch Duo replied, "Yes, Your Majesty." Eunuch Duo then took the order and left.

"Your Majesty," Baoqin asked Lanqin after Eunuch Duo left, "This Eunuch Duo used to be Consort Nian's man, and he even helped Consort Nian against us. Why are you using him now?"