The anti-Qing movement began with the looting of the Eight-Nation Alliance.

Upon hearing that another 50,000 taels had been added, Yikuang's hand trembled, pulling at his beard in pain. "Hiss! Keep them calm for now, I'll think of something. Remember, this must be kept a secret!"

While Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu are still alive, the father and son still have some reservations. But if a few more years pass, and those two die, the father and son will openly and blatantly start selling official positions.

Yi Kuang already felt in his heart that the 150,000 taels were his. As for how Shen Lian would get to Taiwu Lindao, that was no big deal. There were plenty of Daoist sects in the world; he could just find a place and transfer the current Daoist chieftain to another one to make room for him!

. . . . . . .

A small yellow sedan chair quietly left the Forbidden City, accompanied by two eunuchs. Four soldiers escorted the sedan chair towards Anping Bridge.

A short while later, the sedan chair arrived at its destination. The young eunuch went up and knocked on the gate, and the sedan chair was carried into the courtyard. As soon as the sedan chair was placed on the ground, Xiao Dezhang was already waiting nearby.

"Welcome back to the manor, Godfather!" Xiao De Zhang reached out and lifted the sedan curtain. A tall, thin old eunuch with a pockmarked face, triangular eyes, and wearing a bright red python robe stepped out.

This person was none other than Li Lianying, the Grand Eunuch and a favorite of the Empress Dowager.

Xiao Dezhang helped Li Lianying into the room, where a young eunuch had already prepared hot water. Two young eunuchs helped Li Lianying wash up, change into a blue casual robe, and then helped him to sit down on a grand chair in the main hall.

Li Lianying picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and then gently put it down. "Xiao Dezi, has anything been going on at home these past few days?"

"Godfather, everything is fine at home. There's nothing wrong. It's just that a few days ago, a candidate for the position came to visit you and brought some beads." Xiao Dezhang quickly handed over the box.

“A candidate for the Dao!” Li Lianying casually opened the box, revealing twenty gleaming pearls inside.

"Xiao Dezi, you know that I've never liked interfering in the affairs of the court. Return it to him." Li Lianying slammed the box shut.

“Godfather, Shen Lian is a returned student from America. He is wholeheartedly devoted to serving the court, which is why he donated money to become a Daotai (a high-ranking official). Moreover, he is also the son-in-law of Admiral Nie, as you can see!” Xiao Dezhang bowed and replied.

"Hmm! This Nie Gongting is also favored by the Empress Dowager, so we should give him some face. Let's meet him! Since it's still early, send someone to inform him!" Li Lianying frowned at first, then gave the instructions.

Shen Lian happened to be home when the young eunuch arrived. He quickly arranged for someone to inform Nie Shuping. Then he changed his clothes, took the gifts he had prepared beforehand, and followed the young eunuch out.

The carriage stopped in front of Li Lianying's residence. After a short wait, Nie Shuping hurriedly arrived. The two didn't say much and went inside together.

Upon seeing the old eunuch reclining on the chaise longue, Shen Lian and his companion immediately stepped forward and bowed; "Greetings, Chief Eunuch Li!"

"So you are Shen Lian, Shen Zhiyuan. You are indeed a handsome man. General Nie has chosen a good son-in-law!" Li Lianying said after looking Shen Lian up and down.

“Lord Shen is very kind in his desire to serve the court. However, I have always disliked interfering in court affairs, so please take these gifts back!” Li Lianying waved his hand.

"Steward Li has misunderstood!" Shen Lian quickly clasped his hands and said, "We all know that although Steward Li is renowned, he has always been a man of high moral character. How could we dare to bother you with such a matter!"

"I have come to pay my respects to Steward Li mainly because I hope to enter the palace and pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. I have brought back some rare and exotic items from the West, which I wish to present to the Empress Dowager. I hope Steward Li will grant me this favor."

"No, no! The Empress Dowager rarely sees officials these days, let alone a mere candidate for the position of Circuit Intendant like you. Even high-ranking officials rarely get to see her. Besides, the palace has everything, and the Empress Dowager wouldn't even look at your things." Li Lianying shook his head even more firmly upon hearing this.

"I've brought the things, and I'm sure she'll like them. Why don't you take a look first, Steward Li?" Shen Lian said with a slight smile and confidence.

Li Lianying hesitated for a moment when she saw Shen Lian's confident expression; "Alright! Since you've brought it all, let's see what kind of treasure it is."

Shen Lian nodded, and Tan Ya hurriedly went out the door. Soon, he and Shen Xiaohu brought in four boxes. Shen Lian gently opened the boxes.

Xiao Dezhang helped Li Lianying walk slowly over. The first box was the largest, containing a flower basket carved from a single piece of jade. The peonies inside were crystal clear and lifelike, their leaves a vibrant, lush green. "It's truly a treasure," Li Lianying nodded. He estimated that this jade ornament alone was worth at least tens of thousands of taels of silver, and since the Empress Dowager loved jade, she would definitely like this piece.

This jade carving cost Shen Lian hundreds of thousands of yuan; it would be strange if she didn't like it.

The second box contained a pearl necklace, dozens of finger-sized pearls strung on a gold chain. The gold and pearls complemented each other, creating an incomparably luxurious effect. Another treasure favored by the Empress Dowager. Shen Lian really put a lot of thought into this.

"What is this?" Li Lianying asked, pointing to the third box. Inside lay two crystal-clear glass bottles filled with a deep green liquid, which were quite beautiful.

"Manager Li should know that Westerners like to use perfume, right? These two bottles are perfumes that I found top masters in the West and made with dozens of precious spices. Not only do they have a long-lasting fragrance, but they can also refresh the mind and repel mosquitoes and insects."

"Why don't you try it first, Steward Li!" Shen Lian suppressed a laugh, picked up a bottle, and opened it.

Li Lianying opened his mouth as if to stop him, but then closed it again.

Shen Lian casually sprinkled a few drops onto Li Lianying's hand, and immediately the entire room was filled with a cool and strong fragrance. Anyone who smelled it would instantly feel refreshed.

"Good, good! This perfume is wonderful!" Li Lianying exclaimed with delight, and the other eunuchs also sniffed and inhaled the fragrance.

You see, these eunuchs, having undergone castration, couldn't hold their urine in, so it was always dribbling. They always had a strong odor of urine on them. The older they were, like Li Lianying, the stronger the smell.

They usually need to use perfume to mask their body odor, but it's never completely eliminated. But this perfume is so strong; it completely covers their smell. It's fantastic!

"Alas! Such precious perfume should be presented to the Empress Dowager. It's such a waste that I used it," Li Lianying sighed.

“I brought back three bottles of this perfume. Two were presented to the Empress Dowager. This one has been opened, so I’m sorry to trouble Chief Steward Li.” Shen Lian said, handing the bottle to Li Lianying.

"This, this is too precious!?" Li Lianying was overjoyed but pretended to decline.

"The Empress Dowager is the most honored person in the world, so of course she should use the best perfume. And Steward Li serves the Empress Dowager every day, so naturally he also needs such perfume. Please don't be shy, I will send someone to the West to buy more when we run out."

Without giving Li Lianying a chance to explain, Shen Lian shoved the perfume into her hand.