xymnovel Chapter 2 Li 2: This little Chuanzi, I think I can't touch him!
Chapter 2 Li 2: This little Chuanzi, I think I can't touch him!
Empress Zhangsun overheard their conversation.
She didn't care whether Lin Chuan had studied medicine or not; what she knew was that Lin Chuan had cured her long-standing illness with a single move.
Those so-called imperial physicians would only make her undergo countless acupuncture treatments and drink countless bowls of medicine.
It turned her into a walking pharmacy, but there was no noticeable improvement!
The imperial physician's face immediately turned grim; he was utterly shocked!
Unable to stay any longer, they could only respectfully withdraw.
"You have cured my illness. Now, state your reward request."
Empress Zhangsun smiled and looked directly at Lin Chuan as she spoke.
Although Lin Chuan was a eunuch in her Lizheng Palace, this was the first time she had observed him so closely.
Compared to other eunuchs, Lin Chuan was handsome and had a unique temperament, which surprised people.
Upon hearing the Empress's words, Lin Chuan immediately beamed with joy, for he was finally able to leave the palace.
"I beg Your Majesty's permission to return to my hometown."
Lin Chuan immediately responded respectfully.
"You want to buy your freedom and leave?"
Empress Zhangsun was surprised, and a hint of confusion flashed across her beautiful face.
She had just developed some interest in Lin Chuan when she discovered that he was planning to leave.
Lin Chuan nodded, but his expression was somewhat strange.
Redeeming a eunuch usually means redeeming his castrated body, but he has not been subjected to castration.
"I don't want to talk about castration. I just want to go back to my hometown and be filial to my parents."
Lin Chuan concluded.
He thought that if he went to the palace eunuch's office to redeem himself, his secret would be exposed.
……
Chang'an City East Market.
Empress Zhangsun finally agreed to Lin Chuan's request, allowing him to redeem himself and leave the palace, and bestowed upon him a noble title.
However, he did not completely relinquish control, but instead turned Lin Chuan into his personal eunuch.
Once summoned, Lin Chuan must immediately rush to the Lizheng Hall to serve.
Lin Chuan had no complaints about this, because the other party was Empress Zhangsun.
Despite receiving a title, he remained under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Household Department, and his honor depended on the Empress's every word and action.
Currently, the imperial court is in chaos because of this matter.
……
At the Taiji Hall, the morning court session begins.
All the civil and military officials showed great anger.
It was already rare for eunuchs to be redeemed and leave the palace; they were usually only allowed to do so before their death.
Lin Chuan broke this convention!
But that wasn't the worst of it. Not only did he successfully leave the palace, but he was also bestowed a title by the Empress!
Even more shockingly, he was appointed as the imperial eunuch!
The public found it difficult to accept this fact, as it severely damaged the dignity of the royal family.
If other eunuchs and palace maids followed suit, the harem would surely descend into chaos.
"Your Majesty, I believe that Lin Chuan has rendered meritorious service in saving the Empress, but that is all; there is no need to bestow a title upon him."
"Give him a noble title, let alone appoint him as a royal eunuch; that is absolutely unacceptable!"
Wei Zheng immediately stepped forward and spoke frankly, his face flushed with anger and his voice trembling.
His speech resonated with the crowd, because the Tang Dynasty was extremely strict in granting titles of nobility.
Only those who have made significant contributions or achieved outstanding military exploits can receive this.
Lin Chuan obtained it too easily, which is unpleasant.
Moreover, he was just a minor eunuch in the Inner Palace. If this precedent were set, what would the civil and military officials think?
"Your Majesty, I also agree with Minister Wei's point of view."
"Although the Tang Dynasty was founded by force, the country is currently at peace, and etiquette should not be neglected."
"Throughout history, emperors have been required to uphold moral integrity and set an example. They were not to be served by palace maids when bathing and changing clothes, and the empress should do the same."
Then, an elderly civil official stepped forward with faltering steps and offered his frank advice.
The principles of social order and morality have existed since ancient times, which is why castration was applied to all eunuchs who entered the palace.
To prevent them from having affairs with palace maids or concubines.
The emperor bathed and changed clothes to prevent him from behaving indecently, therefore palace maids were never allowed to touch the emperor.
This led to the establishment of rules distinguishing between men and women.
Now, Her Majesty the Empress wants to break this rule, which is unacceptable and would violate the law!
Many civil and military officials immediately pleaded for the abolition of Lin Chuan's title and eunuch status.
At this moment, Li Er, who was sitting on the dragon throne, felt a great headache.
Upon learning of Guanyinbi's order, he immediately set off for the Lizheng Hall, intending to persuade her to rescind the rewards.
The news has already leaked, which will surely arouse dissatisfaction among civil and military officials in the court.
He disliked even more that Lin Chuan became the emperor's eunuch, serving his empress.
Even though Lin Chuan was a eunuch, it still made him uncomfortable.
However, Guanyinbi resolutely refused to change her mind. No matter how angry Li Er was, she remained unmoved, and in the end, Li Er had no choice but to leave.
"I understand."
Li Er finally waved his hand to signal the court officials to calm their emotions.
He planned to find an opportunity to leave the palace in person to investigate and find out what was so special about that little eunuch Lin Chuan that made Guanyinbi so infatuated.
Guanyinbi repeatedly praised Lin Chuan in front of him, which made Li Er very curious.
……
After some time.
Chang'an City East Market.
Guanyinbi's favor was indeed generous, bestowing upon the protagonist a mansion.
If relying solely on personal wealth, the protagonist simply cannot purchase a mansion in the short term.
Lin Chuan was filled with gratitude and vowed to take good care of Empress Zhangsun.
Then, the mansion was immediately converted into a tea shop.
Because they still need to make a living before the system is activated.
Lin Chuan didn't value the title; he knew that Li Er would make some changes to it in the future.
Given the power of the Guanlong Group, its weakening must be considered.
Therefore, this title cannot be inherited, and the associated benefits are also reduced.
"Old Trump, we're here."
As Lin Chuan was resting in a chair at noon, a straightforward voice suddenly rang out from outside.
Immediately afterwards, two men dressed in cloth walked in.
Upon hearing the voice, Lin Chuan smiled.
These two people were his regular customers and among the earliest guests at the teahouse.
"Old Li, Old Sun, please have a seat."
Lin Chuan stood up, waving his hand as he spoke.
Li Er and Changsun Wuji went on a clandestine visit.
Li Er appeared completely at ease at this moment, disregarding all etiquette and simply sitting down cross-legged.
He was very familiar with this tea shop and had been there many times.
After a period of contact, Li Er gained some understanding of Lin Chuan.
Although Lin Chuan was once a junior eunuch in the Imperial Household Department, he was indeed quite capable.
He was clearly not from a poor background; he spoke and behaved with elegance, and occasionally composed poems and painted, which he did quite well.
Because Guanyinbi remained unyielding, Li Er temporarily gave up on stripping Lin Chuan of his title and status as a royal eunuch.
"Old Chuan, what's your assessment of the Tang Dynasty now?"
Li Er took the teacup, took a small sip, and then asked the question with a simple smile.
Lin Chuan was quite talented and always had unique insights into things. Li Er wanted to hear his views on the politics of the Tang Dynasty.
Upon hearing this, Lin Chuan rolled his eyes at Li Er.
He cursed inwardly, "You two are nothing but a bunch of merchants. You might not even be as high-ranking as me, a eunuch, yet you dare to discuss matters of state!"
During this period, merchants indeed had a low social status, and some families would even be expelled from the family register if someone was involved in commerce.
"Although the current emperor is open to criticism and willing to listen to honest advice, the Tang Dynasty is barely getting by under his rule."
However, Lin Chuan still spoke up because Old Li was a generous man.
As soon as he finished speaking, Li Er's silly smile froze, and Old Sun next to him also looked stunned.