Chapter 436 - 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.