Chapter 344 Palace Affairs
While Consort Li was indulging in a binge of food and venting her resentment, Jiang Huan was troubled by something else in Weiyang Palace.
She is now the rightful Imperial Noble Consort, and Huo Lin has not yet established an Empress.
According to palace rules, the responsibility of assisting in the management of the six palaces and overseeing many affairs of the harem naturally fell to her.
After seeing off the group of trembling concubines who came to pay their respects, Jiang Huan returned to the inner palace. Looking at the large stacks of account books and palace records presented by the palace servants, Jiang Huan felt a wave of dizziness.
Good heavens! So many? This is even more frightening than the review materials for final exams back in the day.
The treatment of an Imperial Noble Consort sounds glamorous, but it's like that of a company CEO, having to manage so many trivial matters.
Monthly allowances, staff allocation, holiday preparations... it's even more ruthless than the 996 work schedule.
She's pregnant, is Huo Lin trying to work her to death so he can get her a new one?
Jiang Huan casually flipped open an account book, and the dense numbers and entries inside made her dizzy. She couldn't help but sigh and rub her forehead.
Making her face these numbers and rules every day is a hundred times more unbearable than making her clear land and farm in the backyard.
Farming at least allows you to exercise and breathe fresh air, but looking at these account books only makes you dizzy and confused.
Just as she was getting annoyed, her gaze swept over several booklets that recorded the allocation of daily expenses and personnel management in the harem. She found that the handwriting was neat, the organization was clear, the work was done in an orderly manner, and the annotations were quite appropriate.
Upon closer inspection, she discovered that the signature was that of Consort Li.
Jiang Huan raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. She hadn't expected Consort Li to have this ability.
It seems that her previous role in managing the six palaces wasn't entirely due to her family background; she did have some real talent and ability, which was much better than letting an outsider like me mess around.
Jiang Huan's eyes darted around, and she had an idea.
As the saying goes, if you can't lead a team, you'll have to work alone until you die.
Since there are readily available talents in front of us, and they seem quite reliable, why bother to rack our brains and grit our teeth to tackle these rotten bones?
She didn't want to be tied down by these trivial matters; she still needed to save her energy for her pregnancy, to play with Huo Lin, and... to enjoy life!
"Go and invite Consort Li over here," Jiang Huan instructed Xiao Zhao in a relaxed tone.
On the other side, Consort Li had just finished a gluttonous meal and was leaning listlessly on the couch, her mood a jumble of emotions.
Upon hearing the summons from Weiyang Palace, her heart tightened.
What did Jiang Huan ask her to do?
Could it be that she did something wrong during the morning greetings, and Jiang Huan noticed it and is now going to settle scores later?
Or should they formally hand over palace affairs and take the opportunity to humiliate her?
Consort Li was filled with trepidation, but dared not disobey. She could only force herself to cheer up, redress, and go to Weiyang Palace.
"This concubine greets Your Highness, the Imperial Noble Consort." Consort Li bowed respectfully, her eyes lowered, a stark contrast to her usual demeanor.
Jiang Huan raised her hand and said casually, "Sister Lifei, there's no need for formalities. Please sit down. I called you here because I have something to discuss."
Consort Li became even more vigilant, cautiously sitting down on the lower seat, preparing for possible difficulties.
To everyone's surprise, Jiang Huan didn't put on airs at all; instead, she pushed several booklets in front of her.
"Sister, look at these palace accounts. They are so complicated and tedious. I am feeling unwell and lack energy. Just looking at them gives me a headache."
Consort Li was taken aback and looked at her, puzzled.
So what? If you want to show off, just show off. Why beat around the bush?
Jiang Huan continued, "When I looked through the old files, I found that you handled these matters very well and in an orderly manner. So I would like to ask you for a favor. From now on, you can take care of these daily chores and report to me regularly."
Consort Li was completely stunned. She had considered all sorts of possibilities, but she never expected that Jiang Huan would let her continue to control part of the palace power!
What...what does this mean? A strategic retreat?
She tentatively suggested, "Isn't this against the rules? Palace affairs should be managed by Her Majesty..."
Jiang Huan smiled mysteriously and waved her hand: "Rules are rigid, but people are flexible. I trust your abilities. Besides, I'm not a hands-off manager who truly doesn't care about anything. I just hope to put the right person in the right position so they can shine. And besides..."
She touched her slightly protruding belly: "I don't want to be sulking in front of the ledger all day long."
Of course, Jiang Huan didn't just delegate power because she found it troublesome; that would be something a fool would do.
Consort Li's family is deeply entrenched and powerful, and even with Huo Lin standing behind her, dealing with her is not so easy.
She wanted to test Consort Li; if this could turn hostility into friendship, it would be better to have one more friend than one more enemy.
If not, then the most dangerous place is the safest place. Keeping her by your side is actually a form of surveillance, which can be used to make a big deal out of things later.
At this moment, Consort Li was not thinking too much. She was almost dumbfounded, her eyes wide open, and she didn't know how to deal with it.
Humiliation, slaps, mockery.
Why is the other party not playing by the rules?
Is Jiang Huan genuinely annoyed by the trouble, or is she trying to suppress her?
She...she's actually a really nice person.
For some reason, the hostility that Consort Li felt towards Jiang Huan dissipated slightly.
She remained silent for a moment, but finally agreed: "Your Majesty, I will obey your command and do my utmost to share your burdens."
"Do a good job, I trust you to handle things." Jiang Huan nodded with a smile, as if she had shed a heavy burden, and was in a great mood. "It's alright, you can go and get back to work."
Consort Li bowed and withdrew with mixed feelings, her steps unsteady as she walked out of Weiyang Palace.
Meanwhile, inside the Imperial Study.
Huo Lin was reviewing memorials when Huo Yuan came in after announcing his arrival.
"Greetings, Your Majesty." Huo Yuan performed a standard salute with meticulous care, his posture upright and his face solemn.
"What is it?" Huo Lin didn't even look up, continuing to read the memorials, taking this old-fashioned little rascal's visit for granted.
They'll just come and say something about how it's unreasonable and doesn't concern the nation or its people.
Yeah, yeah, he's already plugged his ears, so say whatever you want.
Huo Yuan stood ramrod straight, his hands slightly clasped together, and spoke solemnly: "Your Majesty, I have heard that the Imperial Noble Consort has been promoted and is pregnant with the Emperor's child. This is a blessing for the nation. I believe that we should make a gesture to show our respect for the imperial grace, which is in accordance with the law."
Huo Lin paused, looked up at him, and gestured for him to continue.
Huo Yuan cleared his throat and continued in his solemn tone, "Your Majesty is an expert in cuisine and has her own understanding and love for ingredients. I think we can select some rare ingredients suitable for pregnant women to nourish themselves, or exquisite trinkets, and send them to Weiyang Palace."
Huo Lin had stopped reviewing memorials, and his gaze held a hint of inexplicable inquiry.
Has this kid's mouth been possessed? Does he even know what he's saying?
He used to look down on these things the most, saying things like "a gentleman keeps away from the kitchen" and "the desire for food and drink is a great thing to guard against." Why is he suddenly praising her cooking skills so highly now?
Huo Lin's gaze sharpened, landing on Huo Yuan's face, which was trying hard to maintain a serious expression but which vaguely revealed a hint of unnaturalness.
Something's not right, something's very wrong.
This guy usually avoids looking at young women and doesn't say a word, adhering to the ancient precept of "do not look at what is improper, do not speak what is improper." How come he observed Jiang Huan so carefully?
Could it be that he's developed some inappropriate feelings for her?
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