The early summer sun blazed brilliantly.
Hollyhocks, morning glories, and hydrangeas in the flower beds competed in full bloom, dewdrops on their petals glistening even more translucent under the sunlight.
Despite the serene and leisurely scene, the surroundings were eerily silent.
“Song Zhaoxun, why haven’t you stepped forward to express your gratitude?”
Hai Shun pretended not to notice the Crown Princess’s stiff expression or the shock on the faces of Cao Liangyuan and the other two, addressing Kan’er nearby.
Kan’er was actually a bit dazed at the moment.
Although she had been reborn and didn’t intend to let her path to advancement in this life be as arduous as in her previous one, palace ranks weren’t something one could simply rise through at will.
For instance, Qin Zhaoxun, whose father was a Hanlin Yuan Shijiang Xueshi, had only been granted the rank of Zhaoxun upon entering the Eastern Palace.
So, in Kan’er’s expectations, she would still have to start from the position of Fengyi in this life, and she was confident in navigating the path ahead.
But she never expected this.
Not only did the promotion come so quickly, but it was even to the rank of Zhaoxun.
Feeling a subtle unease, Kan’er rose and stepped forward.
“Your humble servant thanks Dianxia for this grace.”
Under her sleeves, Zheng Mingzhi’s hands were clenched tightly.
Hai Shun smiled cheerfully. “Crown Princess, Song Zhaoxun’s residence has been prepared. This servant will now escort Song Zhaoxun there.”
Zheng Mingzhi maintained a composed smile.
“Thank you for your trouble, Hai Gonggong.”
Then, turning to Kan’er, she instructed:
“From today onward, you are also one of the women in the Eastern Palace’s inner quarters. I hope you will be cautious in your words and actions, and never forget to uphold propriety.”
Ignoring the coldness in the other’s eyes, Kan’er obediently assented.
A quarter of an hour later.
Kan’er, carrying a small bundle, followed Hai Shun out of Jiarong Hall.
The inner quarters of the Eastern Palace mainly consisted of Jiarong Hall, along with six small courtyards to its east and six to its west.
Aside from Cao Liangyuan—who, as the daughter of Xingbu Zuo Shilang Cao Huaizhong, had been granted the rank of Liangyuan by the Empress Dowager three years ago during the selection and resided in the main room of Qinfang Ju in the Eastern Six Courtyards—only Jin Chenghui and Qin Zhaoxun lived in the main room and east side room, respectively, of Xiangye Xuan in the Eastern Six Courtyards. The other courtyards remained unoccupied.
Especially the Western Six Courtyards, which had yet to be inhabited.
Yongxu Yuan was the first small courtyard in the Western Six Courtyards.
After winding through numerous twists and turns, Kan’er and Hai Shun soon entered the Western Six Courtyards.
Turning east past the flowerbed at the entrance, they arrived at Yongxu Yuan. Passing through the gate and around the screen wall, the courtyard’s layout was fully revealed.
In view was the main room, three bays wide with front and rear corridors.
Beneath the eaves were colorful bracket sets, with side rooms on both sides. The east and west wings were smaller three-bay structures, each with side rooms and rear auxiliary rooms.
The courtyard wasn’t overly large, but neither was it small.
Near the gate stood several rockeries with water cascading down, where a few bowl lotuses stood gracefully in the pond.
Two jujube trees stood before the main room, while hibiscus and crabapple trees, lush and beautifully branched, grew in front of the wing rooms.
Hai Shun led Kan’er into the east wing where she would reside.
Entering, they came to the main room, which served as the hall.
Directly opposite the door, a painting of a Peach Blossom Spring paradise hung on the wall, below which were a matching set of Huanghuali table and throne chair. On either side stood flower stands, incense tables, and curio shelves.
The west room was a study.
The east room was for leisure and rest.
By the window was a large kang spread with a brown-red quilt embroidered with scrolling foliage, accompanied by cherry-red back and neck rests featuring paired deer designs. A kang table stood in the middle, flanked by a small four-piece carved lacquer cabinet.
Further in, the bedroom was veiled by a beaded curtain.
Hai Shun did not enter further, so Kan’er went in to look for herself.
“Song Zhaoxun, are you pleased with it?” Hai Shun asked with a smile when Kan’er emerged.
He was in his early thirties, with a round face, narrow eyes, and a fortunate appearance, wearing an indigo-colored eunuch robe and a black gauze three-peak hat.
Kan’er had interacted frequently with Hai Shun in her previous life.
Seeing him now still felt familiar.
Hearing his words, she nodded and said, “I like it. Thank you for your trouble, Chief Eunuch Hai. Please also convey my gratitude to Dianxia for me…”
When she mentioned “Dianxia,” her voice trailed off.
As if embarrassed, she lowered her head, revealing only a side profile tinged with a faint blush—her demeanor as endearing as could be.
Hai Shun glanced at her and didn’t dare look further.
Uncontrollably, his mind flashed back to last night’s scene of the young girl sitting in their Dianxia’s embrace.
And Dianxia’s command: “Get out!”
Good heavens!
He couldn’t bear to recall it!
No wonder this Song Zhaoxun was so fortunate.
In all his years serving their Dianxia, Hai Shun had never seen him be so intimate with any woman before!
“Rest assured, Song Zhaoxun. This servant will definitely convey your message,” Hai Shun said, restraining the corners of his lips from curling upward.
“The interior and exterior of these quarters have been thoroughly cleaned early this morning, and all major furnishings are already in place. Smaller decorative items and your daily necessities will be delivered shortly by the Internal Affairs Bureau.”
“Very well.”
As they spoke, the two returned to the main hall.
Kan’er took a seat in the chair facing north.
Hai Shun called out toward the entrance, and several palace maids, eunuchs, and a woman who appeared to be a supervisory matron filed in from outside.
They arranged themselves according to rank and duty before kneeling in salute—clearly all well-versed in etiquette.
Kan’er’s gaze paused almost imperceptibly when it passed over the supervisory matron and the two senior palace maids.
Hai Shun smiled as he introduced them:
“They have all been carefully selected by the Internal Affairs Bureau. From now on, they will serve in Zhaoxun’s courtyard. You may command them as you see fit.”
Then, turning to the palace servants, he said,
“Lift your heads and state your names so Song Zhaoxun may recognize your faces.”
They responded in unison.
Starting with the supervisory matron, they announced their names.
The supervisory matron was named Shu Ying, addressed as Ying Gugu. In her early thirties, she appeared capable and efficient.
The two senior palace maids were both eighteen years old.
One was named Hansu, who seemed steady and reliable. The other was called Tiao Zhu, whose brows and eyes revealed a clever and lively spirit.
The two second-rank palace maids were Wangqing and Xiyu, relatively younger but still older than Kan’er, both with proper and neat appearances.
The two errand-running eunuchs were named Xiao Fuzi and Xiao Xizi, while the two handling miscellaneous duties were Xiao Guizi and Xiao Manzi.
After all names were announced, Hai Shun delivered a symbolic admonishment:
“No need for me to elaborate on the rules. You’ve been assigned here to serve diligently and attend to Song Zhaoxun properly. Carefully consider which thoughts are permissible and which are not! Otherwise… heh.”
Those two light laughs sent chills down their spines.
Ying Gugu and the others hurriedly bowed their heads in acknowledgment.
Truthfully, even without Hai Shun’s warning, they wouldn’t have dared neglect this newly appointed Zhaoxun.
This was the first new addition to the Eastern Palace’s Back Palace in three years.
Rumor had it she was elevated by the Crown Prince himself.
Not to mention why the appointment of someone from Jiarong Hall was declared by the Crown Prince rather than the Crown Princess.
The mere fact that Hai Shun personally accompanied this mistress to her new residence was enough to demonstrate the Crown Prince’s regard for her.
Even if they had the courage of a bear and the daring of a leopard, they wouldn’t dare neglect someone the Crown Prince valued.
“Song Zhaoxun, if you have no further instructions, this servant will take his leave to report back,” Hai Shun said, turning to Kan’er.
Kan’er rose to her feet.
“Chief Eunuch Hai must have matters to attend to. I won’t keep you any longer.”
Hai Shun responded with an “Aye.”
He hurried back to Yuan Chun Palace without delay.
Upon hearing from the attendants that the Crown Prince had just finished discussing matters and was preparing to go to the training grounds, currently changing his clothes,
Hai Shun went to the rear Qin Dian.
Entering, he saw his godson Yuan Bao leading several young eunuchs in assisting the Crown Prince with changing.
Hai Shun stepped forward, casually picking up a Jinyu Diexie Dai from a nearby tray and fastening it around the Crown Prince’s waist.
“Where have you returned from?”
Luo Xun asked casually.
Hai Shun smiled, “This servant just escorted Song Zhaoxun to Yongxu Yuan.”
Song Zhaoxun?
From last night until now, Luo Xun had been preoccupied with official matters and had long forgotten about some delicate, soft-spoken little palace maid.
He took a moment to process the words.
“Oh, the little palace maid.”
Hai Shun couldn’t help but chuckle at his Dianxia’s words, “From today onward, she is no longer a little palace maid, but your Song Zhaoxun.”
What kind of statement was that?
What did he mean by his Song Zhaoxun?
Well.
A Crown Prince’s Zhaoxun was indeed his Zhaoxun.
Somehow, Luo Xun’s mind conjured the image of that little palace maid from last night… no, the Xiao Zhaoxun.
He recalled the look in Xiao Zhaoxun’s eyes last night when she stated in his presence that she did not wish to have her child raised in Jiarong Hall.
Luo Xun thought.
If he had outright rejected her words then, would the light in those eyes have dimmed forever?
At this thought, he felt a deep discomfort.
After a moment of silence,
Luo Xun said calmly, “Tonight, Song Zhaoxun will attend to the lanterns.”