Mr. Nicholas had been straining himself over the past few days and found it difficult to sleep each night. Only after the concubine made him a calming soup could he doze off.
This left him feeling tired in every evening.
Mr. Nicholas felt helpless. His cultivation level was low and he relied solely on Prince Henry's rise to power to elevate his own position. Then, and only then, would his mental exertions cease to hurt him.
He massaged his temples, reviewed the day's arrangements, and then prepared to rest.
He encountered the old blind beggar in the street on his way home, who was still playing the erhu.
With a crisis impending, Mr. Nicholas offered a silent prayer. Upon seeing the beggar, he suddenly felt a surge of kindness: "Give him two taels of silver" he commanded.
The attendants gave the silver to the beggar, dropping it into his worn bowl. The blind man bowed gratefully, and huskily thanked him for his generosity.
