Pei Xiaoyuan had never been back since he left Chang'an when he was a child. He might not know much about some of the new figures that have emerged in the capital in recent years, but he still knew a little about the eunuch Yuan Zhi.
In the current Sigongtai, he is the head of the eunuchs.
In recent years, there have been no major events in the country. It is said that the old injury left by the emperor in the war to suppress the rebellion has recurred, and his health has been poor. He has gradually focused on the matter of Taoism. The court meetings have also changed from two days at the beginning of Qiande to three days, five days, and ten days, and now it is often rare to have one every half a month. The usual court affairs are all integrated by the three provinces and the ministers, and then submitted to the Palace Office. After the emperor has read it, the Palace Office will issue it. Sometimes officials can only convey Yuan Zhi to see the emperor. In this way, gradually, the shameless among the officials began to call him "Little Grandpa" like the eunuchs, which shows how arrogant he is.
The origin of this man's fortune is also quite legendary. It is said that he was engaged in the construction of the palace in his early years. Although he was smart and capable, he was always unknown. Later, his fortune came. In order to have a place to burn and pray, the sage planned to build the Ziyun Palace. The court was opposed, but he took the opportunity to recommend himself. He got the opportunity and finally was able to display his strengths. Not only did he complete the construction in a short time and build the Ziyun Palace beautifully, he also found ways to save the budget and spend properly, dismantling some abandoned old palaces to use beams and pillars. In the end, the palace was completed, and all the expenses came from the inner court, without using a single copper coin from the Ministry of Revenue, which made the ministers who had originally complained about this matter speechless. As a result, he was able to show his face in front of the sage, and soon became a "little master" in the palace.
Pei Xiaoyuan really didn't expect that the eunuch would suddenly come out of the palace and come here at this time.
"Eunuch Yuan is still waiting for Lord Pei."
Through the door, Pei Xiaoyuan could also hear that Yicheng's voice was trembling slightly, as if he was trying hard to suppress some great fear.
Pei Xiaoyuan suppressed the doubts in his mind, got off the bed, quickly got dressed, opened the door and walked out.
The postmaster was still standing at the door holding a candle. He looked as if he had run into an evil spirit. His face was pale and his forehead was covered with cold sweat. When he saw Pei Xiaoyuan opening the door, he looked pleading and actually knelt down and begged in a low voice: "Please, Mr. Pei, save me!"
Pei Xiaoyuan was just about to ask him to stand up and ask the reason, but the postmaster seemed afraid of being seen, so he said nothing. He just kowtowed heavily to him, then quickly got up from the ground, lowered his head and led him forward without saying a word.
Pei Xiaoyuan was full of doubts. He also found that he was not walking the way he entered the post station at night, but leaving the post station from the back door. Half a mile ahead, next to a forest, there were several palace guards holding fire sticks. The flickering light of the fire illuminated a man in the middle. He was wearing a brown palace robe and a black belt around his waist. He was about thirty years old, with thin cheeks, a high and straight nose, and a face as sharp as a knife. His eyes were illuminated by the several fire sticks nearby, and he looked very capable.
This person must be Yuan Zhi, the eunuch in charge of the Sigongtai.
Pei Xiaoyuan walked closer and stopped.
Although Yuan Zhi had a special status, he was a eunuch belonging to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, not the superior of the officials in the palace, so he did not perform the greeting. Instead, he just bowed as was customary when people met for the first time.
"I heard that Deacon Yuan had arrived, so I was unable to go out to greet him. I hope you can forgive me for that."