Zhang Decheng came out of the side room, holding a cloak in his hand. He put it on Song Chengze and said softly, "They are all waiting for the prince in the south of the city."
Song Chengze nodded and strode down the stairs. The wind brought by his lifted cloak made the snowflakes that had just fallen seem to dance in the wind again.
Song Chengze got on the carriage of Prince Rui's palace. As the carriage moved forward, he closed his eyes and carefully thought about something he hadn't figured out at the Ministry of Rites.
The six ministries of the Great Xia Dynasty worked in their respective yamen, each with its own courtyard, located on the east side of the square between Dongning Gate and the main gate of the imperial palace. The six departments were lined up beneath the vermilion palace walls, each with its own entrance.
On the west side of the square opposite are the locations of the Imperial Observatory, the Five Military Commissioners' Headquarters, the Censorate and the Dali Temple.
It could be said that this was the place where the power of the Great Xia Dynasty was most concentrated. Officials who attended court every day could wait in their respective departments before going to court, and then go directly here to work after the court session. On weekdays, if they were late at work and couldn't go home, there was also a unified place for rest.
To the right of Dongning Gate stood a row of rooms where several ministers and other officials would discuss matters. Of course, this room wasn't used much. Generally, the emperor's orders would go directly to the department. If coordination was needed, two or three departments would suffice. In that case, it was more convenient to discuss matters directly with each other's departments.
The offices of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Revenue were right next to each other. When Song Chengze and Prince Jing arrived, the Minister of Rites had already gone home. When the Vice Minister of Rites saw the two princes coming in, he hurriedly bowed and greeted them.
Prince Jing waved his hand and said, "Have you verified the clan records regarding Prince Rui's marriage?"
The Minister said respectfully, "It has been checked. It was brought here yesterday. The rest was checked this morning. They said that after His Majesty has reviewed it, the account can be closed."
King Jing nodded and said to Song Chengze, "In that case, I will go back first. Where is Sixth Brother?"
Song Chengze bowed and said, "Fourth brother, go back. I'll be a little later."
"Okay, don't be too late. You are a newlywed now. No matter what people say outside, when a couple lives together, sometimes it is really a matter of turning a blind eye." After saying that, he lifted the corner of his robe and walked out.
After hearing what King Jing said, the assistant minister and two clerks in the room thought about the series of events that happened to Princess Rui from her engagement to her marriage, and lowered their heads, fearing that their curious expressions would displease King Rui again.
Although Prince Rui has the best temper and is the easiest to talk to among all the princes, he is still a prince after all.
Song Chengze didn't seem to mind the hidden meaning in King Jing's words. After King Jing walked out of the courtyard, he turned around and said to a clerk, "Bring in the things I didn't finish reading a while ago, and also bring in the things that happened during this wedding." After that, he turned and went into the inner room.
There are two rooms in the inner room. The front room is where the Minister of Rites works. He usually goes to the back room when he comes here.
In fact, according to the rules, he should be in the front room, but the Minister of Rites implied that as he was old, it was good for his health to get more sun exposure and fresh air. He kept massaging his legs and stretching in front of him, so Song Chengze took the initiative to go to the back room. Compared with the front room, the back room was a little darker and a little damp in summer.
Lunch was eaten in the Ministry of Rites. Although each ministry had its own courtyard, they were not allowed to make fire and cook. There was only an annex room to boil some hot water for everyone to drink tea.
The meals were all brought in from the kitchens of the six outer palaces. After Zhang Decheng served Song Chengze lunch and poured him tea, he whispered, "It seems to me that Prince Duan has gone to the Five Military Commander's Office."
The Great Xia Dynasty allowed princes to enter the palace with a eunuch to serve them. As for the guards and coachmen, they had to wait at a fixed place outside the palace gate.
"Just now?" Song Chengze paused while holding the teacup.
"Yes, I inquired a little and found out that Prince Duan went directly to the Five Military Commandery from Dongning Gate."
Song Chengze frowned. He came out of Dongning Gate. He didn't go back to Prince Duan's Mansion but turned back. Did he go to Chengtian Palace or to the harem to see Concubine Xiang?
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