The early summer sun shone brightly.
In the flower beds, hollyhocks, morning glories, and hydrangeas bloomed in full splendor, with dewdrops on their petals shimmering even more brilliantly under the sunlight.
Though the scene was serene and leisurely, 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 Lady Cao and the other two, addressing Kan'er from a short distance away.
Kan'er was, in fact, a bit dazed at the moment.
Although she had been reborn and had no intention of letting her path to promotion be as difficult as it had been in her previous life, ranks within the palace were not something one could simply ascend at will.
For instance, Lady Qin, whose father was a Hanlin Academy expositor-in-waiting, had only been granted the rank of Zhaoxun upon entering Donggong.
Thus, in Kan'er’s plans, she had expected to start from the rank of Fengyi in this life, confident in her ability to navigate the path ahead.
But she never expected this.
Not only had the promotion come so quickly, but it was even to the rank of Zhaoxun.
Feeling a subtle mix of emotions, Kan'er rose and stepped forward.
"This humble concubine thanks His Highness for his grace."
Zheng Mingzhi’s hands were clenched tightly beneath her sleeves.
Hai Shun smiled warmly. "Crown Princess, Song Zhaoxun’s residence has already been prepared. This servant will now escort Song Zhaoxun there."
Zheng Mingzhi maintained a composed smile.
"Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Hai."
Then, turning to Kan'er, she added:
"From today onward, you are also one of the women in the rear residence of Donggong. 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 humbly agreed.
A quarter of an hour later.
Kan'er, carrying a small bundle, followed Hai Shun out of Jiarong Tang.
The rear residence of Donggong mainly consisted of Jiarong Tang, along with six small courtyards to its east and six to its west.
Aside from Lady Cao, who, as the daughter of Cao Huaizhong, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, had been granted the rank of Liangyuan by the Empress Dowager three years ago during the Imperial Consort Selection and resided in the main room of Qinfangju in the eastern six courtyards, only Jin Chenghui and Lady Qin occupied the main room and east wing, respectively, of Xiangyexuan in the eastern six courtyards. The other courtyards remained unoccupied.
Particularly the western six courtyards, which had yet to see anyone set foot in them.
And Yongxu Courtyard was the first of these western six courtyards.
After winding through numerous twists and turns along the way, Kan'er and Hai Shun soon entered the western six courtyards.
Turning east past the flower garden at the entrance, they arrived at Yongxu Courtyard. Passing through the courtyard gate and around the screen wall, the layout of the courtyard was fully revealed.
In view was the main hall, three bays wide with corridors at the front and back.
Beneath the eaves were colorful bracket sets, with side rooms on either side. The east and west wings were each three smaller bays, complete with side rooms and rear annexes.
The courtyard was neither too large nor too small.
Near the entrance stood several rockeries, with water cascading down into a pond where a few bowl lotuses stood gracefully.
In front of the main hall were two jujube trees, while hibiscus and crabapple trees, lush and magnificent, grew before the wings.
Hai Shun led Kan'er into the east wing, where she would reside from now on.
Upon entering, they were in the central hall, the main reception room.
On the wall facing the door hung a painting of a Peach Blossom Spring paradise. Below it were a set of Huanghuali wood tables and chairs, flanked by flower stands, incense tables, and display shelves.
The western room served as a study.
The eastern room was a space for leisure and rest.
By the window was a large kang bed, spread with a russet-brown quilt embroidered with scrolling grass patterns. There were also cherry-red cushions and pillows adorned with paired deer motifs, a kang table in the center, and a small four-piece carved lacquer cabinet nearby.
Further inside, the bedroom was concealed by a beaded curtain.
Hai Shun did not enter, leaving Kan'er to explore it herself.
"Song Zhaoxun, do you like it?"
When Kan'er emerged, Hai Shun asked with a smile.
He was in his early thirties, with a round face, narrow eyes, and a fortunate appearance, dressed in an indigo eunuch's robe and wearing a black gauze three-mountain hat.
Kan'er had dealt with Hai Shun quite often in her past life.
Seeing him now, she still felt a sense of familiarity.
Hearing his words, she nodded and said, "I like it. Thank you for your trouble, Chief Steward Hai. Please also convey my gratitude to His Highness for me…"
When she mentioned "His Highness," her voice trailed off.
As if embarrassed, she lowered her head, revealing only a side of her face tinged with a faint blush, looking utterly charming in every way.
Hai Shun glanced at her and didn’t dare look any longer.
Uncontrollably, the image from last night flashed in his mind—the young girl sitting in His Highness’s lap.
And His Highness’s words: "Get out."
Oh my!
He couldn’t bear to think about it!
No wonder Song Zhaoxun was so fortunate.
Hai Shun had served His Highness for so many years and had never seen His Highness be so intimate with any woman before!
"Rest assured, Song Zhaoxun. This servant will definitely convey your message," Hai Shun said, suppressing the urge to smile.
"The rooms inside and outside have been thoroughly cleaned early this morning, and the larger furnishings are already fully equipped.
As for the smaller decorative items and the daily necessities you require, the Imperial Household Department will deliver them to you shortly."
"Very well."
As they spoke, the two returned to the main hall.
Kan'er took a seat on the chair in the northern section.
Hai Shun called out toward the outside, and several palace maids, eunuchs, and a woman who appeared to be a head maid entered from outside.
The group stood in order according to their rank and duties, then knelt and paid their respects. It was clear they were all exceptionally well-trained in etiquette.
Kan'er’s gaze paused almost imperceptibly as it passed over the head maid and the two senior palace maids.
Hai Shun introduced them with a smile:
"They were all carefully selected by the Imperial Household Department. From now on, they will serve in the Zhaoxun residence. You may give them orders as you see fit."
Then, he turned to the palace servants.
"Why don’t you raise your heads and introduce yourselves so Song Zhaoxun can recognize your faces?"
The group responded in unison.
Starting with the head maid, they introduced themselves.
The head maid was named Shu Ying, commonly called Auntie Ying. She was in her early thirties and appeared to be an efficient and capable person.
The two senior palace maids were both eighteen years old.
One was named Hansu, who seemed steady and reliable, while the other was named Tiaozhu, whose brows and eyes revealed a clever and lively spirit.
The two second-class palace maids were Wangqing and Xiyu. They were relatively younger but still older than Kan'er, and both had proper and dignified appearances.
The two errand-running eunuchs were Xiao Fuzi and Xiao Xizi, while the two handling miscellaneous duties were Xiao Guizi and Xiao Manzi.
After everyone had introduced themselves, Hai Shun gave a symbolic admonishment.
"There’s no need for me to say much about the rules. You were assigned here to serve diligently and attend to Song Zhaoxun properly.
Think carefully about what thoughts are permissible and what are not! Otherwise, well…"
His two chuckles sent shivers down their spines.
Auntie Ying and the others hurriedly lowered their heads and acknowledged his words.
Even if Hai Shun hadn’t said this, they wouldn’t have dared to neglect this newly appointed Zhaoxun.
It was the first time in three years that someone had entered the rear courtyard of Donggong.
And it was said that she had been elevated by the Crown Prince himself.
Not to mention why it was the Crown Prince who had conferred the title for someone from Jiarong Tang, rather than the Crown Princess.
The fact that Hai Shun personally accompanied this lady to her new residence was enough to show how much importance the Crown Prince placed on her.
Even if they had the courage of a bear or a leopard,
they wouldn’t dare neglect someone the Crown Prince valued.
"Song Zhaoxun, if there are no further instructions, this servant will return to report," Hai Shun said, turning to Kan'er.
Kan'er stood up.
"Chief Steward Hai has matters to attend to. I won’t delay you any longer."
Hai Shun let out an "eh" in response.
After hurrying all the way back, he arrived at Yuanchun Gong.
He heard from the attendants below that the Crown Prince had just finished discussing matters with others and was preparing to go to the training grounds, currently changing his clothes.
Hai Shun headed to the rear sleeping quarters.
Upon entering, he saw his godson, Yuan Bao, leading a few young eunuchs in assisting the Crown Prince with changing.
Hai Shun stepped forward and casually picked up a gold and jade diéxiè belt from a nearby tray, fastening it around the Crown Prince’s waist.
"Where have you just come from?"
Luo Xun asked casually.
Hai Shun smiled and replied, "This servant just escorted Song Zhaoxun to Yongxu Courtyard."
Song Zhaoxun?
From last night until now, Luo Xun had been preoccupied with official matters and had long since pushed thoughts of any delicate, soft-spoken palace maid to the back of his mind.
Upon hearing this, it took him a moment to react.
"Oh, the little palace maid."
Hai Shun couldn’t help but chuckle at his master’s words. "From today onward, she is no longer a little palace maid—she is your Song Zhaoxun."
What kind of statement was that?
What did he mean by "his Song Zhaoxun"?
Well, fine.
As the Crown Prince’s Zhaoxun, she was indeed his Zhaoxun.
Somehow, Luo Xun’s mind drifted back to the little palace maid from last night—no, the little Zhaoxun.
He recalled the look in her eyes last night when she told him, right in front of him, that she did not wish to raise her child in Jiarong Tang.
Luo Xun thought to himself:
If he had outright rejected her words at that moment, would the light in those eyes have dimmed forever?
The thought left him with an uncomfortable feeling.
After a moment of silence,
Luo Xun said calmly, "Tonight, Song Zhaoxun will attend to the lanterns."