Compared to the turbulent undercurrents in the various courtyards outside, the eastern chamber of the newly appointed Song Zhaoxun remained considerably more tranquil.
After Hai Shun departed, Kan’er summoned Hansu, Tiao Zhu, and the others into the room, inquiring about each of their backgrounds one by one.
This included their places of origin, when they had entered the palace, what they had learned, their areas of expertise, and where they had previously served.
In her previous life, as Kan’er was promoted, she had gained many new people around her, and many had been replaced as well.
She was quite adept at handling such matters.
Except for Ying Gugu.
The four palace maids and the four young eunuchs had initially assumed that their mistress had merely been fortunate to be elevated.
Yet now, as Song Zhaoxun sat upright in the main seat to the north, her delicate features still bearing the innocence and youth of a maiden, no one could overlook the subtle sense of authority emanating from her seemingly clear and harmless eyes.
Having served in the palace, few among them were foolish.
They immediately realized that the mistress they were to attend was not as simple as she appeared on the surface.
Thus, they became even more cautious not to neglect their duties.
Whatever Kan’er asked, they answered truthfully.
After questioning everyone,
Kan’er assigned them their future tasks based on their respective strengths, gave a few final instructions, and dismissed them. She then called Ying Gugu alone into the bedroom.
“Auntie!”
Once inside, Kan’er threw herself into Ying Gugu’s arms.
Ying Gugu was dressed in a brown-red satin robe woven with gold checkered ruyi patterns, paired with a peacock-blue horse-face skirt embroidered with intertwining seasonal flowers. Her hair was styled in three sections, adorned with two silver hairpins that complied with regulations.
She looked very proper and capable.
“There, there.”
She held Kan’er, her own eyes reddening.
“You are a mistress now. You can’t cry like you used to, or you’ll become a laughingstock if word gets out.”
Kan’er sniffled, looked up with tearful eyes, and smiled. “Let them laugh then, as long as you don’t mind.”
In her previous life, when Kan’er was granted her title, the supervising auntie in her courtyard had also been Ying Gugu. However, Kan’er had known Ying Gugu long before she was transferred to the Eastern Palace.
Back then, Kan’er was eight years old and had just entered the palace.
Because of her good looks, gentle and quiet nature, and clever hands, after learning the rules, she was selected to serve in the Guangchu Department.
She worked in the clothing workshop, making garments for the consorts.
Ying Gugu was in charge of the daily lives of the young palace maids. At the time, Kan’er was the youngest, and Ying Gugu had taken special care of her.
It could be said that without Ying Gugu,
Kan’er would have died long ago.
Until over a year ago, an incident in the rear palace resulted in the deaths of a large number of eunuchs and palace maids, leading to a shortage of staff in the Eastern Palace just as the Crown Prince’s wedding approached.
The Internal Affairs Bureau urgently needed to select people for the Eastern Palace.
Kan’er was not yet fourteen at the time, just falling within the appropriate age range.
It seemed the selecting matron was in a panic.
She hadn’t considered whether it was inappropriate to assign a young girl like Kan’er, with her striking appearance, to serve in the Crown Princess’s courtyard.
In any case, Kan’er was transferred to Jiarong Hall.
And thus, she and Ying Gugu were separated.
In her previous life, when Kan’er became a Fengyi and saw that Ying Gugu was the supervising auntie in her courtyard, she thought it was a coincidence.
It was only later, by chance, that Kan’er learned it was no coincidence at all.
Rather, Ying Gugu had heard that the newly appointed Fengyi was her, and had spent silver and pulled strings to have herself transferred.
Unfortunately, Ying Gugu did not enjoy much fortune with Kan’er before she passed away due to a sudden, severe bout of wind-chill.
Now, seeing her again, Kan’er couldn’t help but feel a mix of sorrow and joy.
“Look at what you’re saying.”
Ying Gugu took out a handkerchief to wipe Kan’er’s tears.
“How could I ever disdain you? Regardless of our past relationship, from today onward you are my mistress. It’s hardly proper for a mistress to cling to her maid while crying.”
Kan’er pulled the woman aside to sit down.
Ying Gugu said, “Last night, the Guangchu Department received word that the Eastern Palace would welcome a new Zhaoxun, and we were ordered to hastily prepare clothing, shoes, and socks. The moment I heard the name, I knew it was you. I thought since my duties in the Guangchu Department involve managing daily life affairs anyway, and you would likely need someone to oversee things here, why not pull some strings to see if I could transfer? Who would have thought Hai Gonggong would send someone to find me first, saying I should come serve at Mistress Zhaoxun’s residence. This is truly like a curved knife meeting a gourd cutter—a perfect match!”
Kan’er was astonished. “You mean Hai Gonggong sent someone to find you and asked you to come here?”
“Exactly.”
Kan’er was somewhat surprised.
But then it occurred to her that the Crown Prince must have investigated her background beforehand, and this lifetime’s beginning with him was different. Arranging for Ying Gugu’s transfer proactively was probably Hai Shun interpreting the Crown Prince’s intentions and deliberately doing her a favor.
In her previous life, she had been promoted to Fengyi by Zheng Shi, and Hai Shun hadn’t intervened, so Ying Gugu had gone through great effort to come to her on her own.
“Is there something improper about it?” Ying Gugu asked quietly.
Kan’er shook her head.
“Nothing improper at all. I’m very happy to see you again, Gugu.”
This lifetime, she would never let Ying Gugu pass away prematurely!
Unaware of what Kan’er was thinking, Ying Gugu gazed at the girl’s fair and lovely face and sighed inwardly.
“I heard your rank was granted by Dianxia. Could you tell me how this came about?”
Kan’er nodded.
Setting aside the hardships she endured in the back courtyard of Jiarong Hall, she briefly outlined her circumstances to Ying Gugu.
Ying Gugu couldn’t help but feel heartache listening.
Those who bear children for their masters in their stead—how many ever meet a good end? Just seeing how the girl’s temperament had grown increasingly steady revealed that her over-a-year in the Eastern Palace couldn’t have been easy.
But today was a joyous occasion.
Reuniting was also a happy event, so Ying Gugu refrained from saying anything sorrowful.
Kan’er now held the rank of Zhaoxun, with a monthly stipend of eight taels, totaling ninety-six taels annually.
When personnel from the Internal Affairs Bureau came to deliver small decorative items for her rooms and various daily necessities, they also brought this ninety-six-tael stipend.
There were also silks, fabrics, cotton, fur, and materials of gold and silver for making clothing, shoes, socks, and jewelry, as well as daily supplies and medicines.
All these items combined amounted to considerably more than what Kan’er had received as a Fengyi in her previous life.
By the time every room was finally organized and all belongings put away, it was already quite late.
Coincidentally, staff from the Eastern Palace’s Imperial Kitchen were present and took the opportunity to ask, “Does Song Zhaoxun have any preferences for the noon meal?”
Kan’er thought for a moment.
She now had a daily allocation of five catties of pork and one catty of mutton, with one chicken and one duck every three days.
Today was a special day.
So Kan’er ordered half a chicken, half a duck, half a catty of mutton, and one catty of pork, leaving the vegetable selection to the Imperial Kitchen’s discretion.
After conveying these instructions, the kitchen staff departed.
Kan’er had the young eunuchs Xiao Guizi and Xiao Manzi fetch hot water to the bathing area. With Ying Gugu’s assistance, she thoroughly washed from head to toe.
She changed into ready-made clothing sent by the Guangchu Department.
At noon, Xiyu brought back the meal.
Hansu tested the food for poison, then she and Wangqing set the table.
The Imperial Kitchen had clearly put effort into this meal.
The chicken was prepared as mushroom-braised chicken, the duck was cooked with konjac, the mutton was stewed with eye-catching walnuts, and the pork was divided into two dishes: pumpkin-steamed pork and shredded pork with spring bamboo shoots.
The vegetarian dishes included braised eggplant, stir-fried water bamboo shoots with wood ear mushrooms, cold cucumber salad, and green vegetable tofu soup. Though the portions were small, they excelled in refinement.
Beyond these, Hansu finally brought out from the food box a dish of pan-fried grass carp with bean sprouts and another of blanched shrimp.
These two items exceeded Kan’er’s allotted share.
It was obvious that the Imperial Kitchen had taken the initiative to add them.
Who wouldn’t, given that this newly appointed Song Zhaoxun was not only from Jiarong Hall but also held a position granted by the Crown Prince himself?
Kan’er glanced at the dishes but said nothing more.
She simply had Hansu fetch a few extra bowls and plates, portioned out enough for herself to eat, and then let the others take away the untouched leftovers to share.
It was a way to celebrate today’s joyous occasion together.
Wangqing stood to the side with downcast eyes.
Watching the hem of the moon-glow skirt embroidered with exquisite patterns, her heart soured like eating an unripe plum.
They were all servants, yet she alone had such good fortune.
Thinking back to the beginning…
After the meal.
Kan’er and Ying Gugu took a thorough walk around the front and back of Yongxu Yuan, then returned to the room and selected two bolts of fabric she intended to send to the Guangchu Department for clothing.
Feeling no longer full, Kan’er went to the bedroom to take a midday nap.
By evening.
Including Ying Gugu, Hansu and the others visibly wore expressions of unease and anticipation.
Xiao Fuzi and Xiao Xizi were particularly restless, waiting for their mistress Zhaoxun to let them go out and keep watch.
Kan’er knew what they were hoping for.
Unfortunately, they were destined to be disappointed tonight.
“Someone come and extinguish the lamps.”
After strolling around the courtyard, Kan’er looked up at the two dazzling lanterns under the eaves before returning to her room.
Everyone was taken aback.
Ying Gugu hesitantly advised, “Perhaps someone from Yuan Chun Palace was delayed by matters. Should we wait a little longer?”
Kan’er gazed toward the doorway.
Her voice was very soft.
“No need. Dianxia will not come tonight.”
“Tonight, it is Cao Liangyuan’s turn to serve in bed.”
.
Jiarong Hall.
The Crown Prince spoke little.
The palace staff at Jiarong Hall were well-acquainted with His Highness’s temperament, and no one dared to make any unnecessary sounds while attending to him.
Zheng Mingzhi believed she had figured out the Crown Prince’s nature and spoke to him about some matters in the Back Palace that required his attention.
The Crown Prince occasionally responded with an “Mm.”
If necessary, he would delegate authority to her.
Beyond that, the two had nothing else to discuss.
After a cup of tea.
Zheng Mingzhi observed the Crown Prince’s expression and said with a smile, “Today, a new person joined the Back Palace, which is truly a joyous occasion. I imagine Song Zhaoxun is eagerly awaiting Your Highness.”
Luo Xun set down his teacup.
He took the handkerchief handed to him by Hai Shun and wiped the corners of his mouth.
Zheng Mingzhi paused, then continued:
“According to protocol, Song Zhaoxun just entered today, and her position was granted by Your Highness himself. If Your Highness is in the mood, it would be fine to visit Song Zhaoxun, but…”
Hai Shun’s eye twitched.
Sure enough, the next moment he heard her say:
“This afternoon, I checked the schedule and remembered that today is Cao Liangyuan’s turn to serve in bed. Your Highness, what do you think…”
The Crown Prince did not often visit the Back Palace, and Zheng Mingzhi had tactfully not scheduled him for every day of the month.
She only arranged for him to visit during the days when Cao Liangyuan and the others were most likely to conceive, based on their menstrual cycles.
However, arrangements were just arrangements.
Whether he ultimately went or not still depended on the Crown Prince’s whim.
For instance, on the recent days when it was Jin Chenghui and Qin Zhaoxun’s turn to serve in bed, the Crown Prince had not gone to them.
Luo Xun glanced at Zheng Mingzhi with a faint tone, “Do you think I should go to Yongxu Yuan or Qinfang Ju tonight?”
Zheng Mingzhi was momentarily stunned.
Then her heart swelled with joy—though the Crown Prince had clashed with her, he still respected her as his principal wife after all!
Zheng Mingzhi’s smile grew more sincere.
“Today is Song Zhaoxun’s special day, but the timing is indeed rather unfortunate. Cao Liangyuan is a senior in the Eastern Palace. Since Your Highness frequently visits her, if you were to go to Song Zhaoxun on her designated night to serve in bed, it might cause her distress. Therefore, this humble wife believes if Your Highness wishes to visit the Back Palace tonight, Qinfang Ju would be more appropriate.”
It was true that Song Kan’er was her person.
But that wretched maid clearly had restless ambitions.
She even dared to talk back to her this morning.
Since that was the case, don’t blame her for not saving face!
Hai Shun could hardly bear to listen.
If this were an ordinary noble household, a man hearing such words might simply think his wife was magnanimous and tolerant—even refusing to help her own maid compete for favor, appearing thoroughly selfless.
But the problem was…
The Crown Prince had grown up in the palace, witnessing countless dramas of imperial consorts vying for supremacy. He knew women could rival or even surpass men in their scheming.
Therefore, the Crown Prince never took matters of the Back Palace lightly.
If the Crown Princess were at all intelligent…
She should either directly advocate for Song Zhaoxun’s interests—after all, Song Zhaoxun was the candidate she put forward to bear children for her. Speaking on her behalf would be perfectly reasonable.
Or, she should simply refrain from giving any specific answer, stating only that the matter should be decided by the Crown Prince.
But she didn’t.
She insisted on speaking up for Cao Liangyuan!
The key point was—the Crown Prince already knew she had struck Song Zhaoxun. Wasn’t this move essentially telling him outright…
That she held a grudge against Song Zhaoxun?
Was this appropriate?
That was the woman supposed to bear children for her!
Moreover, given Cao Liangyuan’s proud and suspicious nature, she would certainly assume the Crown Princess had ulterior motives, making her even more wary of the Crown Princess from now on.
And what would Song Zhaoxun think?
Hai Shun secretly pondered.
Perhaps this was exactly the outcome the Crown Prince wanted?
“What does Your Highness think?” Zheng Mingzhi was still asking.
Luo Xun stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked out.
“As the Crown Princess suggests—to Qinfang Ju.”