Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 35 Eunuchs also have families

Qinghuafang was located adjacent to the imperial city, so its residents were mostly soldiers of the imperial guards, as well as palace maids who had been released from the palace for various reasons, such as old age and illness, and had nowhere else to go. Furthermore, because eunuchs had played a significant role in the various coups d'état before the Kaiyuan era, assisting the current emperor in maintaining power, these eunuchs enjoyed considerable privilege during the Kaiyuan era. Powerful eunuchs were often able to establish residences in the Minfang outside the palace.

Although Niu Gui'er's official position was not high, he was a close confidant of Concubine Wu Huifei, so he was quite famous among the eunuchs. Zhang Luo just made some inquiries in Xiqu, and an idler in the neighborhood led him to the door of his house.

This was a two-story house. Zhang Luo knocked at the door, and soon a servant in short brown clothes came out. When Zhang Luo asked to see Niu Gui'er, the servant shook his head and said, "My master is in the imperial palace today, and only my wife is at home. It is inconvenient to entertain guests."

As he spoke, the servant was about to go in and close the gate. Zhang Luo saw this and took out Niu Guier's fish token and handed it to him, saying, "Niu Neipu and I are not ordinary friends. Please bring this in and ask again."

The servant was startled when he saw the fish token. He took it and hurried back into the house. After a while, he returned and said, "My lady, you have heard the master's instructions. You sent me to the Forbidden City to report. The round trip will take a long time. There is no one in the house to answer you. Would you like to wait here or come back another day?"

It wasn't uncommon for eunuchs to marry, but if there was no one else at home, it would be inconvenient for Zhang Luo to go inside and wait. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "I'll go to the Qiting residence at the end of the street and wait. If your husband returns, you can let me know. If that's not convenient, I can come back tomorrow."

The so-called flag pavilion is a hotel, because such shops often hang wine flags to attract business, waving in the wind like a command flag.

After leaving Niu Guier's house, Zhang Luo came to the restaurant at the end of the street. He first threw a few coins to ask the servants of the restaurant to lead his mount to the stable to feed it. He then walked to the window seat on the upper floor of the restaurant and ordered a few seasonal dishes but did not order any wine. After the food was served, he ate while overlooking the layout of the streets and alleys of Qinghuafang.

He waited until evening. The street drums had already sounded, but Niu Guier's family still hadn't come to report. The restaurant was gradually emptying out. Seeing that Zhang Luo refused to leave, the owner stepped forward and said, "Excuse me, are you looking for lodging? We have a guesthouse behind the restaurant for short stays."

Zhang Luo was hesitating whether to leave the restaurant and look for a place to stay. After hearing this, he nodded and said, "Then take me to have a look first."

There is a large courtyard behind the restaurant with terraced houses. At first glance, it looks like the dormitory of the Zhang family's servants. Except for the residence of the owner and servants, the rest are guest rooms, and it seems that the business is pretty good.

When Zhang Luo, dressed in finery, walked in, the guests all looked over. They were dressed in a variety of styles and ages: merchants from other places, guards in military uniforms, and even prostitutes offering entertainment. It was a mixed crowd.

"Is there a quieter place to stay?"

It's not that Zhang Luo is not used to living with these people, but he always has to remain vigilant in an unfamiliar environment. He is now wearing all his belongings, which is too conspicuous. If he falls asleep at night, he will probably be sneaked in and stripped naked.

"We have a quiet and elegant place for our distinguished guests!"

The innkeeper smiled after hearing this and led Zhang Luo around the guest houses and turned left, then walked into a small courtyard with a separate door. The door was closed and locked from the inside, isolating the inside from the outside. There were also some flowers and trees planted in the courtyard, which smelled very fragrant at the turn of spring and summer.

The owner opened the door and ushered Zhang Luo in. He said with a smile, "This is an elegant place. The daily fee is only three hundred. Are you satisfied, my dear?"

The price wasn't cheap, but being away from home, he didn't bother fussing too much. Zhang Luo checked the doors and windows to make sure they were secure, then took off his brocade half-sleeve and handed it to the shopkeeper, saying, "Have this dusted and fumigated. Also, I need three liters of feed for my stable horse after tonight. My family will send the money tomorrow to settle the bill. If anyone in the shop above asks about it, tell me right away."

The shopkeeper quickly and carefully took the brocade half-sleeve, then briefly examined it inside and out. He then bowed to Zhang Luo and said, "Sir, please take a rest. If you need anything, please let me know."

After the innkeeper left, Zhang Luo climbed onto the couch and pretended to sleep, but he wasn't sound asleep. After a moment's rest, someone knocked on the door and said, "Sir, are you asleep? Someone from the front building is here to ask about you. It's a eunuch in green."

Zhang Luo's spirits lifted upon hearing this. He quickly stood up and walked towards the front of the restaurant. After exiting the guesthouse courtyard, he saw Niu Gui'er, dressed in an inner court official's uniform, standing there waiting for him. He raised his hand and said, "Niu Gui'er, just send a servant to come and tell me. There's no need to come in person."

"I've been rude to you for keeping you waiting for so long. There was a lot of activity in Concubine Hui's courtyard today, so I was only able to get away now. I rushed to see you before curfew."

Niu Gui'er bowed slightly to Zhang Luo and explained the reason for his visit. Although he had not directly revealed his identity when they met before, since the other party had found this place, he must have known it, so he did not introduce himself any further. After taking a look at the restaurant environment, he said to Zhang Luo, "It's crowded here, let's go back to my humble abode and talk to you later."

So the two of them left the restaurant and went to Niu Gui'er's home. Niu Gui'er even asked his wife to come out and serve some drinks and snacks. Before, when he was not at home, he could refuse the guest. Now that he is back, if he is still too arrogant, it would be better not to entertain the guest. "Why bother my wife?"

Seeing Niu Gui'er's wife come out to greet the guests, Zhang Luo quickly bowed and accepted the yogurt snacks offered. A quick glance revealed that Madam Niu had a pale almond-shaped face and a yellow forehead. While her features were a little less delicate, her eyes were charming and her figure was alluring. No wonder the family's security was so strict. Qinghuafang was already a place of mixed social status. If the gates of the pavilion were not guarded, Niu Gui'er would probably go from being a prostitute to a prostitute.

"My dear, there's no need to be so polite. I still want to ask for your forgiveness. After my husband returned, he harshly criticized me for neglecting guests of honor. I am still worried. If you refuse to forgive me, I am afraid that he will punish me further..."

Madam Niu looked at Zhang Luo with charming eyes, her soft words evoking pity. Meanwhile, Niu Gui'er said in a deep voice, "Mr. Zhang is a noble son, beloved by your majesty. His visit is a great honor to my humble home, yet you, a humble woman, have turned him away. Shouldn't he be punished?"

Zhang Luo inexplicably felt as if he had become part of something, but he was in no mood to dwell on it. He simply said, "Niu Neipu's manners are respectful, and my lady is virtuous. It's my fault for coming here so presumptuously. If the Neipu blames my lady again, it will only make me feel uneasy."

After hearing this, Niu Guier glanced at his wife and said in a deep voice, "Since Zhang Lang won't pursue the matter, you can leave. Stand by the second window on the left in your bedroom. You are not allowed to enter the room without my permission!"

"Yes……"

After hearing this, Mrs. Niu hurriedly bowed in response, but her voice was inexplicably trembling. She glanced at Zhang Luo twice, then lowered her head and walked away.

Zhang Luo saw that although Niu Gui'er was a eunuch, he was a very powerful husband. He even had such detailed regulations on where his wife should stand when she returned to the bedroom. No wonder he didn't dare to let him in before. It seemed that Niu Gui'er would not be able to be promoted to the seventh rank in a short time.

After Madam Niu left, Niu Gui'er also looked serious. She looked at Zhang Luo and said, "My dear, you came to visit me today. I think it's about the affairs of Zhang Linggong. After the servants reported it, I reported it to Concubine Hui. Concubine Hui asked me to tell my dear that the troubles that Zhang Linggong has suffered this time are of deep causes and involve many people. It is far beyond the ability of a woman in the inner palace to alleviate them easily. My dear, you asked, but Concubine Hui is powerless and can only tell you to wait for a turnaround.

Zhang Linggong's reputation is known throughout the land, and his students and former officials are spread across the government and the country. These close friends will surely not sit idly by and watch him suffer without offering assistance. My lord, you are currently rushing around, and there's only so much you can do. You might even end up in trouble. If you're concerned about being implicated, you can stay here temporarily and return home when you're done.

If, if the Zhang family truly cannot resolve this matter amicably, your son is but a young concubine, and the consequences he can endure are limited. Whether he is exiled or dismissed from office, Concubine Hui will do everything in her power to prevent him from becoming a prisoner. Regardless of the consequences, your son will be spared, and when the situation changes and the court's sentiments shift, he will have a chance to rise again."

When Zhang Luo heard what Niu Guier told Concubine Wu Huifei, he frowned slightly.

Wu Huifei thought it was normal that he came to ask her to save the Zhang family. Although she also felt that the water was too deep and did not dare to wade in lightly, she still put herself in Zhang Luo's shoes and advised him to abide by the law and protect himself. This was normal teaching from an elder.

After all, in such a high-level political struggle, he, a small fry who doesn't even have an official position, has no capital to get involved. In other words, if those big guys who are fighting each other take the time to look at him, he will spit blood.

Especially since Concubine Wu Huifei had promised him that even if the Zhang family ultimately suffered, she would find a way to protect herself. Regardless of whether or not she could do so, the fact that she had said this was a sign of affection. As for his future prospects, that depended on the evolution of the situation and his own luck.

As an elder with whom Zhang Luo was not very familiar and had only met once, there was nothing wrong with Wu Huifei's answer. If Zhang Luo still had any dissatisfaction with this, it was just that he was greedy and insatiable.

But if that were all, Zhang Luo wouldn't have needed to come today, because without relying on Concubine Wu Huifei, he could ensure that he would not be implicated in the Zhang family affairs. After all, he had known about this incident and had made corresponding preparations, which might not be the best.

But if it was just the incident in Zhang Shuo's family, he really wouldn't have to bother Concubine Wu Huifei.

"Aunt, your kindness and concern truly touch my heart. My father is loyal to the emperor and patriotic, and he has always been above reproach. Even though he has been wronged by evildoers, I believe that the storm will eventually clear up. As Aunt said, the Zhang family has many disciples and former officials, and they will certainly not allow my father to be bullied without resistance. I don't need to manage family affairs."

After a brief pause, Zhang Luo continued, "I've come to bother you this time because I have something else to ask my aunt. In March, I fell into the water south of the city and was saved. Fortunately, I was saved from death. I have a deep bond with you, my benefactor. You were the recorder of Henan Prefecture, a loyal and diligent official, but I didn't expect you to be murdered in the southern suburbs a few days ago."

Floods have repeatedly struck the southern suburbs, and fearing retribution, officials in Henan Prefecture have resorted to accusing one person of the crime. I intend to redress the injustice done to my benefactor, but I'm concerned that the Henan Prefecture officials are all former associates of Doctor Cui, the Censorate, and are emboldened to carry out their evil deeds. Doctor Cui is currently gathering his followers to interrogate my grandfather, and I fear I'll be suppressed if I file a complaint."

(End of this chapter)