Manbao, Bai Shan, and Bai Erlang saw Yin Huo and Liu Huan at the palace gate. The five exchanged glances and then lowered their heads, following the eunuch leading them into the palace.
Manbao and Bai Shan held items in their arms. The guards needed to open and inspect them. Manbao said, "These are records related to the cowpox."
As for the box in Bai Shan's hand, he said, "This is our New Year gift to His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress."
The guards looked at them, still opened the box for inspection, confirmed there were no sharp objects, and then let them pass.
Once they were gone, the guards couldn't help but whisper, "They must be really wealthy."
The eunuch, aware they brought gifts for the emperor, quietly reminded them halfway along, "His Majesty is in a good mood, having had breakfast with Prince Gong and the princesses."
Manbao immediately became alert, gratefully looked at him, and Bai Shan even slipped a pouch into his hand.
