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

"Your Majesty, it's like this..." Li Lianying said as he carefully combed Cixi's hair with a comb.

“There was a candidate for the position who had returned from the West. He wanted to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager and present her with a batch of treasures. I went to take a look out of courtesy, and to my surprise, every single item was a treasure.”

"This perfume, in particular, is truly wonderful. I heard it was made by Western craftsmen using dozens of precious medicinal herbs and fresh flowers, taking a whole year to create. Not only does it have a long-lasting fragrance, but it also refreshes the mind and repels mosquitoes and insects."

"I was just curious, so I sprinkled a few drops. I was just about to tell the Empress Dowager today, but I didn't expect her to smell it first! Hehe!"

"Is it really that amazing?" Empress Dowager Cixi asked, tilting her head.

"Your Majesty, this perfume is truly extraordinary. When I opened it, the whole room was filled with its fragrance. Just one whiff was incredibly refreshing. I only used a few drops, and I didn't get bitten by mosquitoes at night. Even today, I still smell of it on me."

Hearing Li Lianying speak so eloquently, Empress Dowager Cixi couldn't help but be tempted. What woman doesn't like perfume? However, although she really wanted it, she couldn't show it on the surface.

"You mean that candidate who came back from the West? That's quite rare."

"Your Majesty, this man is named Shen Lian. He was a student who went to the United States four years ago, and he just returned because his father was seriously ill."

"Upon returning, he devoted himself to serving the court and donated money to obtain the title of Acting Circuit Intendant. His father, Shen Hu, was a general who quelled the Taiping Rebellion and rose to the rank of Acting General. He is currently the Guerrilla Commander of Linqing."

"In addition, he is also the son-in-law of Admiral Nie. His purpose in coming to the capital this time is twofold: first, to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager; and second, to discuss his marriage with Miss Nie."

Li Lianying calmly recounted Shen Lian's situation. He knew, of course, how difficult it was for ordinary people to see the Empress Dowager.

"Is he Nie Gongting's son-in-law?"

"Yes, Your Majesty! I heard the wedding date is set for the twelfth lunar month," Li Lianying said softly, bowing her head.

"Hmm! He's a good young man, filial. And as soon as he returned, he knew to serve the court, unlike some Western students who spend their days mingling with some rebels. Humph!"

"Both families are considered great contributors to the court, so let's reward them with a favor!" Empress Dowager Cixi said calmly.

"It's inconvenient in the palace!" Empress Dowager Cixi shook her head.

"I'm feeling a bit stifled in the palace and want to spend a few days in the garden to get some fresh air. Arrange for him to come to the garden for an audience tomorrow afternoon!" Of course, Empress Dowager Cixi wanted to get her hands on such a rare perfume as soon as possible. Unfortunately, moving was too much trouble for her, so she had to wait one more day.

That evening, Xiao Dezhang, having received the news, came over specifically to see Shen Lian, who was overjoyed. He had only wanted to give it a try, but unexpectedly succeeded. He thanked Xiao Dezhang profusely and then began preparing diligently.

Thankfully, he had already retrieved his custom-made official robes; otherwise, he wouldn't know what to wear to meet that old hag. It's infuriating, really. He spent eight thousand taels to buy his official position, only to receive a mere "license"—he even had to buy his own robes. This court is so damn stingy; they won't even provide a single piece of clothing.

Wearing the blue zombie costume, Shen Lian felt extremely uncomfortable. Especially the patches on his chest and back, which were embroidered with two mandarin ducks—can you believe it? Although the embroidery was exquisite, Shen Lian found it incredibly jarring.

The court beads on his chest were made of amber and coral; although he possessed a large quantity of pearls, he dared not use them. That was a privilege reserved for the emperor, empress, and empress dowager. To use them would be an act of usurpation, punishable by immediate execution.

Donning the lapis lazuli-topped conical hat, Shen Lian tried walking a few steps inside the house. Shen Xiaohu and the others praised his imposing and domineering appearance, but Shen Lian felt awkward about it. Oh well, since he was already here, he figured he'd just have to put up with it for a while!

The next day at noon, Shen Lian ate lunch early and then led a group of people to wait outside the Summer Palace. It wasn't until after 2 p.m. that a middle-aged eunuch came out to invite Shen Lian in.

Shen Xiaohu and his companions were naturally not allowed to enter; their gifts were carried by four eunuchs. After a thorough search, Shen Lian finally stepped into what would later become the grand park.

After walking for a while, seeing that no one was around, Shen Lian placed a bead in the middle-aged eunuch's hand.

"What is your honorable surname, Your Excellency? This is my first audience with Your Excellency, and I am unfamiliar with many of the rules. I would be grateful if Your Excellency could enlighten me." Shen Lian said this, but in fact, Xiao De Zhang had already come to teach him the palace rules yesterday.

The middle-aged eunuch glanced around, then swiftly slipped the pearl into his sleeve. A smile then appeared on his face.

“My family name is Deng, but people in the palace call me Little Deng.”

"Oh! Eunuch Deng, it's a pleasure to meet you!" Shen Lian cupped his hands in greeting.

“Lord Shen, there’s no need to be so polite. It’s just like the palace here. The rules are very strict.” Eunuch Deng quickly waved his hand.

"The Empress Dowager is in a good mood today, you just need to pay attention to... that's all."

They walked for more than ten minutes before stopping outside a palace. Eunuch Deng told Shen Lian to wait outside while he went in to report.

Shen Lian looked up and saw the three large characters "Hall of Joyful Longevity" on the palace gate. The place was nestled by a lake and backed by mountains, with beautiful scenery. It was indeed a good place.

As Shen Lian was looking around, Eunuch Deng came out. "Lord Shen, the Empress Dowager summons you."

Is that so? Shouldn't a eunuch be loudly announcing, "Summon Shen Lian, candidate for the position of Circuit Intendant of Shandong, to an audience"?

Shen Lian didn't dare ask any more questions and followed Eunuch Deng inside. They arrived at a large hall and saw an elderly woman in a red cheongsam sitting on the throne opposite them; it must be Empress Dowager Cixi.

Shen Lian hurriedly took a few steps and knelt down with a thud, shouting, "Your subject Shen Lian respectfully wishes the Empress Dowager good health!" He then lowered his head.

Shen Lian cursed inwardly, "You damned old hag. Today I kneel before you, one day you'll kneel back."

"You're Shen Lian? Raise your head." A high-pitched and unquestionable female voice rang out.

Shen Lian had no choice but to straighten up and, as Xiao De Zhang had instructed, look straight ahead, so that he could see the shape of Empress Dowager Cixi's abdomen.

"You're quite a handsome young man, Shen Lian. I heard you just returned from the West. Tell me, what's it like there?"

Shen Lian cursed inwardly; "That damned old hag won't let me get up either, my knees hurt so much from the wooden floor."

"Your Majesty, four years ago I departed from Tianjin Port, traveling by ship through Southeast Asia, passing Java, and crossing the Strait of Malacca. The journey covered over 20,000 li and took nearly two months by ship to reach America..."

Despite the excruciating pain in his knees, Shen Lian briefly described the current state of modern America.

"Ah! You've had it tough too, traveling thousands of miles across the ocean to study at such a young age. And upon your return, you didn't forget to serve the court. You truly are a descendant of a meritorious official." Empress Dowager Cixi nodded.

"While abroad, I witnessed the power and barbarity of the Western powers, and I also saw their wolfish ambitions. I have returned to China hoping to use my skills to enrich the country and strengthen its military, so that we can drive the foreign powers out of China as soon as possible!" Shen Lian said indignantly.