My Promotion Story Through Time Travel

Chapter 249 Visiting Relatives (1)

"There's no need to dwell on the past. We've heard about your situation these past few days. Let's talk about it when you get up," Wu Xudong said as he helped Lin Ziping up.

“Yes, that’s what Lao Xu said. Get up quickly.” Fan Ji also stepped forward to help Lin Ziping up.

Lin Ziping stood up and briefly recounted his return to the palace.

"You mean you want us to go with you to visit the empresses' families?" Fan Ji asked.

Lin Ziping said, "I know the difficulties involved, but there are only a few brothers in this palace who can help me."

The group looked at each other for a while, and then Wu Xudong said, "There's nothing difficult about this. It's Ziping who's helping us out!"

“I’ve seen through this palace. You really can’t get by without some kind of background. Since you think so highly of us, Ziping, I, Fan Ji, will accompany you into the dragon’s den and tiger’s lair.” Fan Ji said, clasping his hands in a fist salute.

Tang Jiawei said, "Either way, it's about getting things done. Since both of you brothers have agreed, I have no objections."

Pu Santong looked at Fan Ji and said, "I'll go with Fan Ji."

“Since you brothers are so straightforward, I won’t hold back either. Listen to my advice before making a decision,” Lin Ziping said solemnly. “Although this is His Majesty’s arrangement, it also requires the Empress’s consent.”

Lin Ziping looked around and lowered his voice, saying, "From what I've observed these past few days, the power of the emperor and the aristocratic families will not continue like this. There will inevitably be a struggle between the two. This visit to his family is probably just a prelude. His Majesty hasn't arranged anything yet, but I would like to ask you brothers to weigh the dangers involved."

"There is another matter. His Majesty has agreed to let me bring five people. I think Xiao Chen is quite good and familiar with palace affairs. What do you think about him coming with us?"

"If you think it's okay, then let's go together!" Wu Xudong said.

The others nodded in agreement.

Lin Ziping pushed open the door, and Xiao Chen, who was standing about 5 meters away from the door, came up to greet him: "Brother Ziping, is there anything else you need?"

"Xiao Chen, how many years have you been with the Imperial Guard?" Lin Ziping asked. "His Majesty has arranged for me to accompany the ladies on their homecoming trip. Would you be willing to come with me?"

Xiao Chen's mouth was slightly open, his eyes widened, and he looked incredulous.

"Are you willing? We need to depart at noon today. If you agree, I will inform Lord Dongshan and make arrangements as soon as possible," Lin Ziping continued to ask.

“Of course…of course I’m willing!” Xiao Chen said.

Although the house next door was closed, the gazes were intense.

Ignoring the gazes behind him, Lin Ziping patted Xiao Chen on the shoulder: "Then pack your things. I'll report to Lord Dongshan immediately. If His Majesty and the Empress have no objections, you can come with us."

"Alright, thank you very much, Lord Ziping," Xiao Chen said, clasping his hands in thanks.

"We're brothers, no need for formalities. I'll be going now." Lin Ziping turned back and exchanged a glance with Wu Xudong and the others before hurriedly leaving the guard camp.

Dongshan found him and submitted the list of Wu Xudong, Fan Ji, Pu Santong, Tang Jiawei, and Xiao Chen's entourage. Within half an hour, Yan Shu came to deliver a message that the emperor and empress had agreed.

Lin Ziping breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the two big shots did not raise any objections, otherwise how would he explain it to Wu Xudong and the others?

I quickly packed my things, and before I knew it, it was 9:45 AM.

Lin Ziping hurriedly headed towards the palace gate with his bundle on his back.

The palace has four main gates and eight smaller gates.

There are three main palace gates, one each in the southeast, northwest, and southwest, which Lin Ziping simply refers to as the southeast, northwest, and southwest gates.

The South Gate was opened when the emperor left the palace to perform sacrifices or receive important foreign guests.

The North Gate is usually not opened, supposedly because if an accident occurs at the palace, soldiers stationed outside the city can enter.

The East Gate was opened by officials when they went to and from court.

The west gate was where the imperial concubines entered and exited.

Eight smaller doors are located around the main gates.

It's called a small gate, but compared to the main gate, it's actually about four or five meters wide, and a small car should be able to fit through it without any problem.

The small gates on either side of the main north and south gates are usually heavily guarded. Lin Ziping went there during his patrol, but only managed to get a glimpse from afar and couldn't get close.

The small gate on the left side of Dongdaemun is a frequent entrance and exit for many people; they always use it when entering or leaving the palace.

The door on the right was the one I passed by with Dongshan when I returned to the palace last time.

Consort Hui returned home to visit her family via the West Gate.

When Lin Ziping arrived at the West Gate carrying his bundle, there were already people waiting there.

"Brother Ziping, over here!" Xiao Chen waved to Lin Ziping as he approached.

Lin Ziping walked through the crowd toward him.

When Xiao Chen saw Lin Ziping coming over, a big smile spread across his face, and he quickly stepped forward to take his bag.

"When did you arrive?" Lin Ziping asked, avoiding Xiao Chen's hand.

Xiao Chen withdrew his hand: "We came here as soon as we received the message from the Imperial Household Department. The others arrived at 9:00 AM."

Lin Ziping nodded and patted Xiao Chen on the shoulder: "You've worked hard. Come on, let's stand together."

After saying that, he walked towards Wu Xudong and the other three.

"Old Lin, you're here." Wu Xudong and the other three greeted Lin Ziping.

The group made quite a commotion, drawing the attention of those nearby.

"Hmm," Lin Ziping responded, "Why are there so many people?"

Wu Xudong and the other three shook their heads, indicating they didn't know.

Xiao Chen said, "According to regulations, when the Imperial Concubine visits her family, she will be accompanied by twenty eunuchs, ten palace maids, ten Imperial Guards, and four personal maids."

“We’re not the Imperial Guards,” Tang Jiawei said.

Xiao Chen laughed and said, "Brother Tang is right. We are sure it's not like that, but there has never been a precedent for the empresses to visit their families at this time of year. Thanks to Brother Ziping, this is the first time I've seen the Imperial Household Department treat us with such a good attitude."

Tang Jiawei glanced at Xiao Chen and said, "This shows how much His Majesty values ​​this visit to his family."

"Yes, yes." Xiao Chen said with a hint of excitement, "This is the first time I've seen the Imperial Household Department act so quickly. The order came less than an hour after Brother Ziping left."

Lin Ziping looked at Wu Xudong and the other three. Although he didn't say anything, his face showed a hint of excitement.

"Cough-cough-"

Before Lin Ziping could say anything, two soft coughs came from the side.

Lin Ziping looked at him and saw that he was a eunuch who was about the same age as Dongshan.

After passing through Fu'an and Dongshan, Lin Ziping dared not underestimate anyone in the palace, especially eunuchs and palace maids of his age. Who knew what kind of power they might have accumulated after years of navigating the palace?

Lin Ziping respectfully clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to him, saying, "My lord."

The eunuch's expression softened slightly, and the nasolabial folds on both sides of his nose relaxed a bit, but he still said seriously, "No noise is allowed in this important palace area!"

"Thank you for the reminder, sir." Lin Ziping bowed again.

Upon seeing this, Wu Xudong and the other four also bowed and said, "Thank you for the reminder, sir."

Lin Ziping and Wu Xudong stood to the side. Although there were dozens of people gathered, the scene was completely silent.

The palace maids and eunuchs placed their hands on their lower abdomens and stood bowing.

Seeing this, Lin Ziping unconsciously straightened his back.

Suddenly, a bugle call sounded.

Woo-woo-woo-woo