He drank and played recklessly in the market, pocketing all the money from the sales.

Later, he was no longer satisfied with selling goods and declared that he would sell official positions.

He even built a stock exchange specifically for this purpose to sustain this "great" undertaking.

The price of an official position varies depending on the specific rank.

As long as you have money, you can choose any position below the third-highest level.

If the harvest was poor that year, he would appropriately lower the price of official positions to make them more affordable for everyone.

Isn't that incredibly humane?

Zhang Yi, the governor of Bingzhou who was assassinated by the Xiongnu, obtained his official position in Xiyuan through Zhang Rang.

I see!

Liu Wei released the eunuch: "Then please continue leading the way, sir!"

The two traveled for a while longer and arrived in front of a palace.

At this moment, an older eunuch came out of the palace.

He saw the young eunuch bring Liu Wei and a barely perceptible sneer appeared on his face.

"Your Highness, this servant will bring you here. Eunuch Wang is now a close attendant of the Empress, and he will take you to see her!"

Presumably, this Eunuch Wang is the one who will succeed Eunuch Du.

It's a pity that Eunuch Du went blind; he got off easy.

The young eunuch said something to Liu Wei, then immediately went to Eunuch Wang's side and said something else.

"Your Highness, please follow me into the palace!"

Eunuch Wang spoke to Liu Wei without any expression.

"Isn't Her Majesty in the West Garden? How do I get into this palace?" Liu Wei asked.

"The West Garden is over there; this is where Her Majesty rests along the way."

Eunuch Wang pointed westward with his long-fingered hand.

Sure enough, the faint sounds of women playing and laughing could be heard, accompanied by high-pitched shouts.

Although Liu Wei was somewhat confused, he still followed Eunuch Wang into the main hall!

Inside the main hall, a tall screen and gauze curtains divided it into two halves.

Incense burned in the front hall, creating a pleasant atmosphere, and a row of tea tables and cushions were placed there.

The back hall was obstructed by a screen, so it was impossible to see what was there.

Thinking that his still-attractive stepmother was right behind him and that he would be able to see her soon, Liu Wei felt a little excited.

"Your Highness, please have some tea! I'll go to the back and inform the Empress!"

"Um!"

Eunuch Wang turned and left. Liu Wei had no intention of drinking the tea; who knew if it was poisoned?

Liu Wei waited for a while, but no one came out, so he immediately became alert.

Mmm~ Ah!

Suddenly, a woman's groan came from behind the screen.