Chapter 660: Chiying
Upon hearing Qi Xuansu’s name, a clear flash of surprise crossed the woman’s face. “So you’re the famed Mage Qi everyone’s been talking about lately.”
Qi Xuansu asked, “May I ask for your name, my lady?”
Since the Daoist Order dominated over the Confucian School, women had much more freedom than before. Men and women meeting face-to-face, exchanging names, or offering gifts were no longer seen as scandalous, not whispered about, or looked down upon.
Before the woman could reply, the old man spoke on her behalf. “My master is the third daughter of the Emperor, Her Royal Highness Princess Chiying.”
The emperor’s daughters were granted the title of Imperial Princess, equivalent in rank to an Imperial Prince. An Imperial Prince’s daughter would be titled Commandery Princess, who was equivalent in rank to a Commandery Prince, and a Commandery Prince’s daughter would be titled District Princess, who was equal in status to a Duke.
Qi Xuansu was startled. An Imperial Princess should travel with ceremonial guards, so why was she riding in a carriage marked for the imperial clan, who was seen as a lesser royal?
Sensing Qi Xuansu’s doubt, Princess Chiying explained, “I borrowed this carriage from a friend. After all, such Western-style carriages are not permitted inside the palace.”
Qi Xuansu understood at once. Though royalty was exalted, they were bound by many rules. At the same time, he also realized the old man’s identity—a eunuch from the Xuanhui Court.
That explained why a Heavenly Being would willingly be someone’s servant. The eunuchs of the Xuanhui Court were born to serve the royal family. Without the royal family, eunuchs would not be able to survive because they relied on dragon qi. So they were bound to the Palace City and could not roam freely like other Heavenly Beings.
But this was not necessarily a bad thing. In front of royalty, they were servants. But in front of others, these eunuchs were trusted aides of the Emperor himself, the eyes and ears of the throne.
There was a saying that serving the emperor was like walking with a tiger. One could be eaten at any moment, but on the flip side, as long as one stayed near the tiger, one could borrow its power. After all, no one would dare provoke a tiger.