6: Preserving what you should not abandon is the most important thing.

As the current Grand Chief Eunuch, Eunuch Fang Cheng, who presides over the Directorate of Ceremonial, holds immense power and influence.

He was personally appointed by The late Emperor to the current Emperor's residence, and during the Struggle for succession among the seven sons, he rendered meritorious service in protecting The Emperor. Moreover, Eunuch Fang is meticulous in his conduct and highly trusted by The Emperor.

However, many are curious why, even after the New Emperor ascended the throne, Eunuch Fang still allowed Fang Wenbo to remain in the Pacification Bureau and hasn't helped him much over the years. Fang Wenbo had to fight his way up from a mere Flying Fish Guard to his current position as a Chiliarch.

And Fang Wenbo himself didn't mind at all. If his uncle hadn't sacrificed himself to enter the palace, his father would have died in the harsh winter. When one enters the palace as a Eunuch, the imperial household provides a one-time severance payment, and Eunuch Fang gave it all to his father without reservation.

Later, he used the rewards from The late Emperor and The Emperor to support his family. Fang Wenbo was martial since childhood and was a military scholar. When Eunuch Fang suggested he join the Pacification Bureau, he agreed without a second thought.

To him, his uncle was no different from his biological father; without his uncle, he wouldn't be where he is today.

But on this matter, he was confused. Although his uncle's actions must be The Emperor's will, Fang Wenbo still... couldn't quite understand.

"I knew you'd come. Sit."

(I personally really like Eunuch Lü Fang from the Ming Dynasty, so Eunuch Fang's prototype is based on him. I won't describe his appearance; you can just imagine it yourself.)

Eunuch Fang pointed to the chair in front of him and placed the towel in his hand aside. Even with his hair half-white, Eunuch Fang still exuded a vibrant, imposing presence without needing to show anger.

"Uncle, your nephew just doesn't understand, this..."

Before he could finish, Eunuch Fang waved his hand to interrupt him: "Haven't eaten yet? I've had the servants prepare some food. Let's eat together; I still have to go into the palace to serve The Emperor."

"Aren't you resting today?" Fang Wenbo felt very uncomfortable hearing this. "Uncle, you must take care of your health..."

"It's fine. The court is in troubled times now, and The Emperor is busy with myriad affairs; he cannot be without a trusted person by his side." Eunuch Fang smiled. "I understand your doubts. I won't say much else to you, but the Imperial Son-in-Law cannot leave the Pacification Bureau for a while. No matter what happens, even if you offend your Pacification Commissioner, or even Grand Chancellor of the Cabinet, you must remember to protect our Imperial Son-in-Law."

"Uncle can rest assured, even if not for The Emperor, not for you, your nephew will protect him." Fang Wenbo nodded. "You know his capabilities after this past year. Since he has won the Princess's favor, then... may your nephew ask Uncle to think of a way to get him out of this King of Hell's abode?"

"Wenbo, you... I shouldn't have let you join the Pacification Bureau in the first place; you've gotten trapped in it yourself... It's my fault too. If there were another way, I wouldn't have let you suffer this grievance." Eunuch Fang said this, but his eyes were full of approval. "This is good too. At least you still know you're a person, not truly having entered the Pacification Bureau and become a soul-reaping emissary of the Underworld."

Pointing to the teacup on the table, Eunuch Fang continued: "Some things cannot be explicitly told to you right now. The true orchestrators of this matter are not The Emperor, but the Eldest Princess and the Second Princess."

Fang Wenbo, who had just picked up his teacup, nearly dropped it on the table. He looked at his uncle in disbelief.

The Emperor doted on his two daughters, and even the two legitimate princes indulged their younger sisters in every way. But even so, he didn't believe The Emperor would truly compromise to such an extent, even going against the entire Censorate and the Righteous Officials for the whims of the two princesses.

"Don't rush. I said, now is not the time to tell you some things." Eunuch Fang raised his right hand and gently pressed it down, signaling Fang Wenbo to calm down. "I'll only tell you one thing: having been in the Pacification Bureau for many years, you should know that Partridge Sky actually takes orders from The Emperor, right?"

"And now, the Eldest Princess and the Second Princess are the controllers of Partridge Sky. With this, you probably understand why His Majesty is willing to do this, right?"

Fang Wenbo's mouth slightly opened. For him today, these fantastical events were happening one after another. Others might not know, but as a Chiliarch of the Pacification Bureau and Eunuch Fang's nephew, he knew some inside information.

In the four classes of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, Partridge Sky's influence was pervasive in the latter three. Among the river gangs and salt gangs of the martial world, nine and a half out of ten obeyed Partridge Sky's command. Assassins in the underworld and merchants in the legitimate world could often be Partridge Sky's eyes and ears.

Emperor Taizu came from humble origins and had mingled in the martial world since childhood. He deeply understood the power of the martial world and was even clearer that some things the court couldn't do, but people in the martial world could easily accomplish.

Moreover, when even the Pacification Bureau couldn't easily act against certain individuals, Partridge Sky became the best executioner. It's hard to say how many officials were ambushed and killed by so-called bandits and martial artists on the road, and how many of those were Partridge Sky's doing.

Compared to the Pacification Bureau, Partridge Sky was more like The Emperor's shadow across the entire country, constantly watching officials, and when necessary, Partridge Sky could save the common people from distress, and even... assassinate and execute on behalf of The Emperor.

"The doting is real, and the two princesses are truly worth The Emperor's efforts." Eunuch Fang gently tapped the armrest of the redwood chair. "In short, as long as the Imperial Son-in-Law remains in the Pacification Bureau, you must look after him well."

"Uncle can rest assured, your nephew understands." Having said this, what else was there for Fang Wenbo not to understand? "But Uncle, you also know that little Mo... the Imperial Son-in-Law and the Zhang family, and even Grand Chancellor Zhou's side..."

"I know this, and The Emperor also knows this, but Grand Chancellor Zhou has served as prime minister for two dynasties, his protégés are spread everywhere, and he is also the leader of the Righteous Officials; it's not easy to move against him for a while..." Eunuch Fang sighed. "Life isn't a picture book, nor is it listening to southern tunes; The Emperor cannot accomplish everything overnight. Don't worry about the Pacification Commissioner; just focus on the task at hand."

"As for the Imperial Son-in-Law... his promotion to Centurion will probably have to wait until after his marriage. I've observed him this past year, and the Imperial Son-in-Law indeed has ability, but his future will still be decided by The Emperor. You can certainly grant him more authority; by now, the Pacification Bureau probably knows about this, and soon the entire capital will likely know."

"Don't be afraid of others saying you're fawning; this is The Emperor's will, just do it."

With that, Eunuch Fang stood up, patted Fang Wenbo's shoulder, and his eyes held a rare tenderness: "Let's go. I brought back some imperial wine The Emperor bestowed; let's have a couple of drinks, us men. You just need to remember, protecting Mo Yingqi, that is the most important thing."