After reading the last batch of memorials of greeting, Yinzhen put down his pen, thus concluding a year's worth of affairs.

The twentieth year of Kangxi's reign passed in the blink of an eye. Yinzhen and Yunrong were already used to the New Year celebrations. According to the usual custom, they gave gifts, and the New Year was over.

In the twenty-first year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, just after the first month of the lunar calendar, things started getting busy at Xiaotangshan. Although the Minister of Works knew that the Emperor did not allow construction during the New Year holidays, he was itching to do it!

As an official with achievements in architecture, he was very interested in architecture and had long hoped that the Xiaotangshan Imperial Palace could be completed as soon as possible.

So the New Year was a rather unpleasant experience for everyone.

Now that the first month of the lunar calendar is finally over, he really wants this to happen!

The people below were proactive, and Yinzhen did not disagree. This year was the year of the imperial concubine selection, and it was also the year of the major examination every three years. Although the examination was in the autumn, the chief examiners had to be decided in advance.

After careful consideration, Yinzhen finalized a list of his inner court. This list was not set in stone; it was only provisional.

March of the 21st year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign.

Liang Jiugong: "Your Majesty, the Minister of Works requests an audience."

Yinzhen: "It's about Xiaotangshan, isn't it? Summon him to an audience."

Liang Jiugong: "Hah!"

A moment later, the Minister of Works entered. Seeing that he looked serious, Yinzhen asked, "My dear minister, what good news do you have to report?"

Minister of Works: "Your Majesty, I have fulfilled my mission. The Xiaotangshan Imperial Palace has been completed and Your Majesty may inspect it at any time."

Yinzhen calculated that the construction should be completed by this time, and he didn't think there was anything unexpected. However, seeing the Minister of Works so happy, he smiled and said, "Not bad, my dear minister, you have worked hard on the Xiaotangshan Palace."

The Minister of Works was moved: "This is my duty, this is my responsibility."

Yinzhen: "You have done well, my dear minister, and deserve a reward. Is there anything you wish for? Please tell me."

The Minister of Works dared not ask the Emperor for anything, even if the Emperor was sincere, he would not dare to take advantage of him. He said, "All that this servant has is his duty, this servant has no other requests."

Seeing his humble and cautious demeanor, Yinzhen thought that since he didn't want it, he would make the decision to give it to him.

Yinzhen: "Since you have overseen the construction of Xiaotangshan, here's what I'll do. I remember there's a courtyard I specially reserved on the east side of the temporary palace. You can choose one yourself; this is my reward."

The residences on the west side of Xiaotangshan Imperial Palace were specially reserved by Emperor Yinzhen for people to enjoy. The construction of the residences was based on the geomantic map designed by the Ministry of Works and the construction was carried out by craftsmen recruited from the common people. Because it was not a royal villa and multiple residences were under construction at the same time, it was completed at the end of last year.

That mansion was a symbol of status and prestige, and many high-ranking officials and nobles had their eyes on it. Now that Yinzhen was going to bestow it upon the Minister of Works, he was overjoyed.

The Minister of Works immediately burst into tears of gratitude and said, "This servant thanks Your Majesty for your kindness."

Yinzhen then summoned someone to bring him the geomantic map of the Yuanmingyuan Garden that he had personally drawn, and unfolded it.

Yinzhen: "My dear minister, take a look at this geomantic map."

The Minister of Works was already attracted by the geomantic map that Yinzhen had unfolded, so he didn't hold back after hearing what Yinzhen said.

The geomantic map of the Yuanmingyuan was drawn by Yinzhen based on the style of the Yuanmingyuan where he lived in his previous life, with some modifications, such as the underground sewage system, the clean rooms for people's convenience, and the underfloor heating for use in winter, etc.

After all, the place of residence was mainly for convenience and comfort, and the appearance was not changed much, mainly because Yunrong approved of Yinzhen's aesthetic sense.

The Minister of Works examined it carefully: "What does His Majesty mean?"

Yinzhen: "I hope to see this imperial palace completed by this time next year."

The Minister of Works had no objection to Yinzhen's suggestion, but there was one point: "Your Majesty, there may be some impropriety in this matter."

Yinzhen: "Oh? What's wrong with it?"

Minister of Works: "This servant is very interested in the geomantic map provided by His Majesty and hopes to supervise the construction of such a palace. However, after some rough planning, this palace is much more exquisite than Xiaotangshan and will consume a great deal of resources. This servant is afraid that it would be inappropriate for the Ministry of Revenue to come up with such a large sum of money all at once."

Yinzhen: "You don't need to worry about this, my dear minister. The construction of this palace will be funded by my private treasury."

The Minister of Works was relieved: "This servant obeys the decree and will certainly not fail His Majesty's expectations."

Yinzhen: "Then I await your good news, my dear minister."

Upon receiving news of the completion of Xiaotangshan, Yinzhen then assigned tasks related to the construction of Yuanmingyuan. Considering that it was March and the weather was still somewhat chilly despite the warming temperatures, he inquired about Yunrong's wishes. Thus, Yinzhen took his wife and children to Xiaotangshan.

Going to Xiaotangshan isn't something you can just do on a whim. There are issues like how to arrange things for both the main and secondary court sessions, and who to bring along. After all, Xiaotangshan isn't in the city, and it's already troublesome enough for ministers to get up in the middle of the night to rush to the palace for court. Asking these ministers to run all the way to the Xiaotangshan Palace outside the city for court would be rather unreasonable.

After all these arrangements were made, half a month passed. In early March, I had an idea, and in mid-March, I finally set off for Xiaotangshan.

The other women in the harem had their own thoughts about the Emperor taking the Empress and their two children on a vacation to Xiaotangshan. However, while they had these thoughts, they didn't dare to go to the Emperor or Empress and ask to go with them.

The Emperor seemed to want to spend some time alone with the Empress, and the Empress, needless to say, understood what women were thinking. No woman would want to keep the woman her husband had slept with under her nose.

Even if it's not threatening, it's still quite disgusting to look at.

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