Chapter 7 Changes in Circumstances
In the palace, some things cannot be kept secret, especially when those in power never intended to hide them.
Therefore, news of Gan Siqin being flogged quickly spread throughout the harem.
His Majesty is not yet married, and only a few palace men have been selected to serve him in bed. Gan Siqin is the first one to serve him, so he is naturally the focus of attention.
Everyone thought he would rise to prominence after receiving the reward yesterday, and they were still envious and jealous. Unexpectedly, he was beaten with a cane that night. They couldn't help but gossip in private: He has fallen out of favor so quickly. His future days will be difficult.
Upon hearing this news, Liu Zhi was overjoyed: "I knew that vixen wouldn't have a good ending! No, I have to go and see for myself."
...
In the bedroom, Gan Cao covered her ears with the blanket, but the indistinct whispers still managed to get in:
"I heard that his war drums were smashed to pieces, and he had to summon an imperial physician to treat him..."
"...It is said that he used despicable means to win favor..."
Those words were like needles, constantly piercing his heart, leaving him no way to escape them.
"In short, he angered His Majesty and completely fell out of favor..."
The words "fallen out of favor" completely shattered his reason: "That's not true, His Majesty has not abandoned me!"
The sounds outside fell silent, followed by even more outrageous mockery: "Haha, the slut is still daydreaming."
That sound is from Liu Zhi!
Gan Cao was so angry that he wanted to go out and fight him, but he made too big a move and fell to the ground. A sharp pain shot through his back, making his eyes red.
"Nothing to do? Gathering here chatting so early in the morning?" Eunuch Cui's voice rang out from outside the door. "Lady Liu, if you have nothing to do, you should go back and practice your manners and etiquette properly. It's more important to serve the emperor as soon as possible and become a concubine."
Doesn't he want to serve you in bed?!
Liu Zhi's face turned pale and then red, but Cui, being her superior, could not be contradicted. She could only endure it, forced a bow, and then gritted her teeth and left.
The other palace maids scattered like birds, and the area outside the door instantly became quiet.
Gan Cao then struggled to get up and went to open the door.
Cui, the eunuch, frowned as he looked at him: "Where's Mao Gen? Why isn't he serving you?"
"Breakfast hasn't been served yet; he went to the kitchen to check on things." He tried to maintain his composure, inviting Eunuch Cui to sit down before going to make tea.
Is there a problem with the kitchen? How come everyone else's meals are fine, but his are the only ones having problems?
Before anything even happened, they were already starting to treat people differently based on their status. Even the eunuch Cui was angry, but his expression remained unchanged. He stopped Gan Cao from busying himself and helped him back to the bedside: "You should lie down properly and recover from your injuries as soon as possible so that you can serve His Majesty again."
Upon hearing the words "Your Majesty," Gan Cao's body went limp.
"Don't take what those people outside say to heart." Eunuch Cui poured him a cup of warm water. "Although you took a good beating, your injuries aren't serious. It's clear that His Majesty just wanted to teach you a lesson, not that he's really tired of you."
Yes, how could His Majesty dislike him?
Last night, after he was punished, His Majesty patted his head. Her attitude was so gentle and tolerant, and her patting of his cheek was so intimate. How could it be disgust?
His Majesty also told him: 'Only by being sensible and following the rules can one survive in the long run.'
She wanted him to stay with her for a long time; it was out of love and care for him!
Therefore, that beating was both punishment and instruction.
Once she understood this, Gan Cao's eyes lit up, and the pain in her back didn't seem so unbearable anymore; in fact, she even tasted a sweetness amidst the pain.
Seeing that his spirits had been lifted again, Eunuch Cui was relieved: Gan Cao was a male servant he had discovered to serve him in bed, and he was also his opportunity. The number of male officials in the Six Palaces was predetermined, and if one wanted to climb up, one needed external support. Gan Cao was the external support he had cultivated for himself.
Others thought that Gan Cao had fallen out of favor after being punished, but he felt that if Gan Cao could calm down after the Emperor's reprimand, he would have a brighter future. Therefore, he treated Gan Cao with even more care.
“…Gan Siqin!” A young palace servant hurried over, and seeing that Eunuch Cui was also there, he bowed again. “The commander of Shou’an Palace has arrived and wants Gan Siqin to go and receive the imperial edict!”
Shou'an Palace, the Princess...
Licorice's heart tightened: this person was probably up to no good.
Ignoring the pain in his back, he quickly put on his bedchamber attire, tidied his appearance, and followed the young palace attendant briskly toward the front hall.
His injuries, which should have been properly healed, naturally flared up again, but he dared not slow down.
When he reached the main hall, he was already pale and covered in cold sweat.
The commander of Shou'an Palace was somewhat satisfied with his appearance: "Gan Siqin, the Empress Dowager's decree..."
Gan Cao immediately knelt down to receive the decree. Facing the people from Shou'an Palace, he dared not relax his demeanor. He straightened his back to show his solemnity and pressed his upper body to the ground to show his respect. However, his wound was pulled even more, and the intense pain made his vision go black.
He tried to concentrate on hearing the Lord's decree, but he only understood that the Lord had punished him by making him copy the "Admonitions for Men".
Most men in the Great Xin Dynasty were familiar with the contents of "Admonitions for Men," and Gan Cao was no exception. However, he was not from a noble family and had never studied, so he was illiterate. How could he possibly copy this book?
"Aren't you going to accept the imperial decree and express your gratitude?!" Eunuch Cui whispered a reminder.
He suddenly realized what was happening and quickly and piously accepted the decree: "Your subject accepts the decree and thanks Your Majesty for your grace."
After the commander left, Gan Cao revealed his predicament: "I've never been to school."
"It's alright, I've attended the Imperial Academy and know a little bit of writing." Eunuch Cui knew his background and was willing to put in the effort to help him.
With the Lord's decree in hand, Gan Cao secluded himself in his room and devoted himself to recuperating, practicing calligraphy, and copying the Admonitions for Men.
Originally, everyone thought that Gan Cao had fallen out of favor and was somewhat looked down upon, but after seeing the Emperor issue an edict of punishment, some people felt that he had really gained some prestige. You should know that ordinary palace servants don't even have the right to receive an edict from the Emperor.
After this incident, there were no further problems with licorice's diet, charcoal, or tea.
Material needs were met, but the days of being punished by copying were not easy: one had to be sincere and upright while copying, so one had to maintain an upright posture. The injury was already very painful, and this kind of pressure was even more unbearable.
But this was punishment, and he had to endure it. To ignore the pain, he tried his best to devote all his energy to recognizing and copying characters.
"Admonitions for Men" was written by a talented man from the previous dynasty, who was recognized by all women as a great literary figure. The book fully describes the nature of men: they are prone to debauchery, jealousy, and infighting. It also fully explains the necessity for men to obey their wives and tells men how to improve their character and how to live a good life.
First, Eunuch Cui read the book "Admonitions for Men" to Gan Cao, and then broke it down and explained it to him in detail.
Gan Cao had known for a long time that "Admonitions for Men" was a good book, but after actually listening to it, he understood its profound meaning. The broad road ahead seemed to be laid out before him, and he couldn't help but study it even more diligently.
Filled with knowledge, he forgot the pain of his injury and the ridicule of others. He didn't feel tired even when his wrist ached from writing. He felt that he was transforming and bidding farewell to his ignorant past.
While Gan Cao was engrossed in copying the book, the Imperial Study Bureau continued to operate smoothly.
Every night, Liu Shangqin would wait outside the Zichen Palace with his carefully dressed male attendants to select him. However, Liu Zhi, who was originally sent back to relearn the rules, was replaced by two handsome young men. Together with Piao Peng, whose face was as beautiful as a magnolia, and Bai Ping, who had a charming demeanor, the group of men created a scene reminiscent of a hundred flowers in full bloom.
Although Si Ze did not indulge in excessive bathing, he also did not mistreat himself. If someone caught his eye, he would stay to serve him in bed.
These men, like spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums, each had their own beauty, and their gazes toward her were full of admiration. But the one who pleased her the most was Gan Cao's devout and passionate desire to dedicate everything.
"How is Licorice now?" Because it was a name she herself had given it, she still remembered it.
Licorice? The first palace man to serve the emperor?
The chief eunuch lowered his eyelids: "The Emperor punished him by making him copy the 'Admonitions for Men,' and he's probably doing it now."
"The Grand Master punished him?" Si Ze's expression was inscrutable.
She noticed he hadn't come for a while and assumed he was too badly injured, but she never imagined it was because he was too strict with his punishment.
"Yes, punish him by making him copy the 'Admonitions for Men' one hundred times."
Si Ze chuckled softly: "He can read?"
“There were palace maids teaching him.”
Si Ze nodded: "It's good for him to learn more. Once he's finished copying, let him serve you."
"Yes, sir." The chief eunuch's voice remained steady.
A note from the author:
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I've written several versions, but I'll stick with this one.
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