Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 436: Chapter 417 Glass Craft_2

Imperial court examinations always judge by appearances; those who are unattractive are not wanted, while top scholars are expected to be young and handsome.

Even more so within the Imperial City, unattractive eunuchs and palace maids can only perform menial tasks and are never allowed to serve directly beside the Emperor nor are they sent out on tasks.

But due to their physical condition, coupled with their long-term servitude of bending and kneeling before their masters, many eunuchs have delicate and feminine features.

However, the eunuch standing before us not only looks distinguished, but his physique is strong and muscular, clearly not the kind that serves others.

”Marquis Yang Zhenshan, may I know who this eunuch is?” Yang Zhenshan stepped into the front hall and asked.

”Ritual Supervision’s attendant Ma Rong greets Marquis Jing’an!” Ma Rong greeted with a poised fist and palm salute, his voice slightly sharp, yet this did not give him a delicate appearance, but rather, on the contrary, his sharp voice did not impact his imposing demeanor.

”So it’s Mr. Ma, haha, please have a seat, have a seat!” Yang Zhenshan laughed heartily.

The Ritual Supervision is the foremost among the twenty-four bureaus of the Imperial City, consisting of only about ten people, including the seal-keeper eunuch, the pen-holding eunuch, and the attendant eunuchs.

In Da Rong, the Ritual Supervision does not have the power to endorse official documents; its main duty is to assist the Emperor in managing court affairs, forward petitions, and convey imperial decrees, etc.

Acts of oppression and deceit are beyond their power since the Secret Martial Guards do not fall under the control of the Ritual Supervision; the petitions from the Secret Martial Guards can go directly to the Emperor’s desk without passing through the Ritual Supervision, hence, they cannot suppress or deceive the Emperor.

Of course, this does not mean the Ritual Supervision lacks authority; as the top bureau within the Imperial City, it can be considered as the supreme command of the Inner Court, overseeing all twenty-four bureaus within as well as the eunuch institutions outside the Imperial City.

Simply put, except for the Secret Martial Guards, the Ritual Supervision has the authority to intervene in all eunuch-related government offices.

For instance, they have the authority to inquire into matters concerning the garrison eunuchs of Chongshan Town.

Currently, the Ritual Supervision consists of nine people, including the Family Head Chen Zhongshu, Mr. Chen, and eight attendant eunuchs who rotate two at a time on a quarterly basis for holding the pen.

Having understood quite a bit about the Ritual Supervision, Yang Zhenshan was aware that there was an attendant eunuch named Ma Rong, although he had never met him before.

Once seated, Ma Rong went straight to the point and said: ”Our house has come to Chongshan Town by the command of Your Majesty, Marquis has made a meritorious offering, thus His Majesty specifically bestowed a Three Yellow Plum as a token of favor!”

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhenshan was stunned.

The merits should be due to the telescope and Bee King Honey.

But what is this Three Yellow Plum?

Ma Rong signaled to his attendant, who immediately presented a white jade box in front of Yang Zhenshan.

”Please inspect, Marquis.”

Yang Zhenshan opened the jade box and saw inside a chicken egg-sized, yellow fruit, just a little bigger than a normal plum.

”What is this?” he asked curiously.

Ma Rong smiled and said: ”This is the Three Yellow Plum, a top-quality ordinary Spirit Fruit with the effect of calming the mind and concentrating True Qi. Upon consumption, it accelerates the circulation of Innate True Qi within the body for three two hours, aiding in the unblocking of all meridians.”

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhenshan’s eyes lit up brightly.

Accelerating the circulation of Innate True Qi and aiding in the unblocking of meridians could indeed help a Half-step Innate breakthrough to the Innate Realm.

Ma Rong seemed to notice his thoughts and explained: ”The Three Yellow Plum can only increase the circulation speed of Innate True Qi, and cannot enable a breakthrough to the Innate Realm. For that, one still requires sufficient accumulation and insight of one’s own!”

Yang Zhenshan nodded slightly in understanding.

Although it cannot enable a breakthrough to the Innate Realm, accelerating the circulation speed of Innate True Qi still has significant effects for those near the breakthrough in the Half-step Innate.

If one could consume more, it might directly facilitate the breakthrough for a Half-step Innate Martial Artist to the Innate Realm.

The value of this small Three Yellow Plum exceeds even that of the Jade Dew Spirit Peach.

”Boundless gratitude for His Majesty’s profound grace!”

Yang Zhenshan rose and bowed towards the direction of the Capital City.

The old Emperor is so generous, Yang Zhenshan truly feels immensely grateful.

”Also, it troubles Mr. Ma to have made this journey. I really feel bad about it. Mr. Ma, please wait a moment, I will have someone prepare food and drinks to provide you and your brothers a welcoming feast to cleanse the dust!” Yang Zhenshan said enthusiastically.

Ma Rong waved his hands, ”Marquis, there is no need to trouble yourself, I have other urgent matters to attend to and should not stay in Chongshan Pass for too long!”

”Other urgent matters? Might you need my assistance?” Yang Zhenshan was somewhat surprised.

What urgent matters could the Ritual Supervision have in Chongshan Town?

It would make sense if it was about delivering rewards by the Emperor’s decree, but other matters shouldn’t require a trip from the personnel of the Ritual Supervision.

”It’s about Bee King Honey. Chen hopes the Marquis can offer all the Bee King Honey to Your Majesty,” Ma Rong said, looking at Yang Zhenshan with a sharp gaze.

Yang Zhenshan suddenly understood, it was for the Bee King Honey.

It seems the Bee King Honey does have some effect on the old Emperor.

”Bee King Honey, I indeed have some here, but it is not abundant. I obtained it by a fortuitous chance.”

”Since His Majesty needs it, I surely will not be stingy!”

”Mr. Ma, please wait a moment, I will have someone fetch the Bee King Honey!”

Upon hearing this, Ma Rong showed a faint smile, ”Chen said the Marquis is utterly loyal to His Majesty. I was skeptical before, but it seems Chen understands the Marquis well!”

”I dare not, I dare not, I am merely fulfilling the duties of a subject,” Yang Zhenshan responded modestly.

Afterward, he had someone go fetch the Bee King Honey right in front of Ma Rong.

”This Bee King Honey was obtained by chance. Originally, I got ten jars, my wife and child drank some, and now only six jars are left. I had previously given Your Majesty three jars, and now three jars remain in my residence!” Yang Zhenshan explained, of course, this was all fabricated.

As the Spiritual Spring Space grew larger, and more plants appeared, the bee nests were also increasing.

The Bee King Honey was merely ordinary honey from the space; Yang Zhenshan could harvest over a dozen jars every month, with two jars as a monthly quota for the main residence and each household.

Women can use it for beautifying and nourishing the skin, and children can use it to strengthen their bones.

Such a fine product, naturally Yang Zhenshan wanted his family to enjoy it.

However, previously, he had explained to his family that the honey was bought from Jiangnan, while in his reports, he mentioned that it was obtained by chance from Changqing Mountain.

Though it was the same product, these two different explanations could make it seem like two different things.

Yang family used ordinary honey, but that offered to the old Emperor was the precious Bee King Honey.

As for whether someone might realize the inconsistency, it was unlikely to be a problem since there would be no more Bee King Honey, as all would have been given to the old Emperor.

Unless someone could obtain Bee King Honey from inside the Imperial City and compare it directly with the Yang family’s honey.

Otherwise, even if someone notices something special about the Yang family’s honey, they wouldn’t assume it was the Bee King Honey gifted to the old Emperor.

After receiving the Bee King Honey, Ma Rong proposed his departure, no matter how Yang Zhenshan tried to make him stay, the senior eunuch was unswayed. Helplessly, Yang Zhenshan could only give him three thousand taels of silver and then saw him out of the town.

Watching Ma Rong galloping away swiftly, Yang Zhenshan once again confirmed his own thought.

The old Emperor seems to have not much time left.

If the old Emperor’s time was not short, Ma Rong would not have needed to hurry back so urgently.