Taking advantage of the others' inattention, Song Xibai hurriedly stepped forward to switch children.
To everyone's surprise, Yuan Shen waved his hand.
"It doesn't matter, the siblings look exactly alike anyway, no one else will know. Zhaojing, you really make your father proud."
He was in a great mood.
Even Song Xibai was surprised that Zhao Jing was so bold, not at all intimidated in front of so many people.
Yuan Shen tucked Zhao Jing's arm back into the swaddling clothes and turned to Song Xibai.
"Go back to your palace first and settle the children in."
Song Xibai nodded, her smile never changing.
The two were surrounded by a large group of palace servants as they left the Hall of Supreme Harmony and boarded the imperial carriage.
"The grand investiture of the harem has been postponed. The others haven't arrived yet. You can choose first. Which palace would you like to stay in?"
Song Xibai looked at him in surprise: "Can I choose whatever I want?"
“Originally, I wanted you to take charge of Kunning Palace, but those old ministers were vehemently opposed, and two censors almost remonstrated to the death.” Yuan Shen snorted as he said this, “If Kunning Palace is not acceptable, what can they say about the other palaces?”
Song Xibai clicked his tongue twice: "Imperial censors have always been like this, pursuing fame for all time, regardless of whether the monarch they serve will be attacked and scolded because of them. Your Majesty, please don't be angry."
"That's absolutely right. I haven't done anything that would anger heaven and man. They're all crying and making a scene. Anyone who didn't know better would think I'm some kind of tyrant!"
Yuan Shen said angrily.
Suddenly, he heard Zhaojing in his arms make a "poof" sound. He looked down and saw that his daughter had blown a bubble, and his mood immediately brightened.
"Does Zhaojing also side with Father Emperor?"
Watching the interaction between the father and daughter, Song Xibai couldn't help but laugh out loud: "She's still too young! How could she understand these things?"
The imperial carriage passed through the Qianqing Gate and came to the Jiaotai Hall from the side. The two men, carrying the child, got off the carriage and walked into the Kunning Palace to look around.
Kunning Palace has been uninhabited for over a decade, making it appear somewhat empty, but it must be said that it is truly a large place! It's almost as big as the former East Palace.
Afterwards, the two visited several other places, including Yongshou Palace, Jingren Palace, Yanxi Palace, and Chengqian Palace.
In the end, Song Xibai chose Changqing Palace, which is south of Yongshou Palace.
Yuan Shen frowned slightly.
"This place is a bit small, how about we choose Yongshou Palace up ahead?"
“Yongshou Palace used to be where Consort Shu lived, and I don’t want to move in now.” Song Xibai shook her head. “Who knows if Consort Shu left anything there?”
Speaking of Consort Shu, Song Xibai recalled something.
"By the way, how is she now? Where is she?"
"After her burns healed, Mr. Jin asked her if she wanted to be sent back to the Shu family, but she refused and is still staying with Mr. Jin."
Yuan Shen wasn't too concerned about Consort Shu's whereabouts. He was still thinking that since Qingqing didn't like Yongshou Palace, he could let someone else live there. There was no need to renovate it; a little tidying up would suffice.
It wasn't that he was stingy, but rather that the national treasury was low, and he used most of the emperor's private funds to replenish the national treasury.
Let's save as much as we can!
"Could it be that Consort Shu is trying to seduce Mr. Jin?" Song Xibai's imagination ran wild.
Yuan Shen was amused by her: "What nonsense are you thinking? She's old and disfigured, who could she possibly seduce? Besides, Mr. Jin isn't that kind of person."
Song Xibai thought about it and agreed. Since she was already a defeated opponent and couldn't cause any trouble, it wouldn't matter if he spared her life.
Changqing Palace originally housed only two low-ranking concubines, who lived in side halls. The main hall was unoccupied, but the palace staff cleaned it frequently, so the palace looked spacious and clean.
After settling on accommodations, Feng Jia immediately sent people to move things from the warehouse.
Large pieces of furniture, such as beds, cabinets, and couches, were brought into the house first, followed by tables, chairs, desks, screens, calligraphy and paintings, antique ornaments, bed curtains, and so on.
Seeing that they wouldn't be able to finish their work anytime soon, Song Xibai pulled Yuan Shen to rest in a side hall.
This time, Song Xibai only brought her wet nurse with her to the palace; the others entered later through the Donghua Gate. After she finished her stroll, Dingxiang, Wei Hong, and Fuliu arrived as well.
The once somewhat deserted Changqing Palace suddenly became lively.
After putting the child down, Song Xibai talked to Dingxiang and the others about their future plans.
Such a large palace can't be managed with just Wei Hong and a few others like before; that would be too much work. All the palace maids, head maids, servants, and eunuchs need to be arranged.
The rest is fine; with Granny Fangqi around, Song Xibai doesn't really need to worry too much.
Although Granny Fangqi occasionally has selfish motives, she is generally competent. Besides, even if Song Xibai wanted to replace her, she wouldn't find someone more trustworthy or suitable.
However, choosing the head eunuch of the palace is not easy.
Several eunuchs around Yuan Shen were promoted. Feng Jia became the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial, which was equivalent to the Grand Eunuch; Liu Ji became the Director of the Directorate of Imperial Seals; and Jin Xiang was special, concurrently serving as the Director of the Palace Guard and the Directorate of Penal Affairs.
However, because the Shenxing Division (貫刑司) was the same as the new emperor's name, it was renamed the Punishment Division (惩戒司).
To Song Xibai's surprise, Chen Dafu, who was originally by the side of the fake emperor, was not purged and was still in charge of the Imperial Household Department.
On the surface, it seems like a demotion, but if you think about it, he was a confidant of the fake emperor! It's already a miracle that Yuan Shen was spared his life, let alone executed. How could he even give him a position?
Although the Imperial Workshop only managed woodenware and trinkets, it was still one of the Twelve Imperial Workshops!
After listening to Feng Jia's explanation, Song Xibai frequently glanced at Yuan Shen.
Yuan Shen had no choice but to explain to her what happened on the day of the palace coup.
“If Chen Dafu hadn’t rushed over at that time, I would have been seriously injured even if I hadn’t died. He saved my life and deserves to be rewarded. Moreover, after the traitor escaped, Chen Dafu voluntarily confessed a lot of things, including the treasures the traitor had hidden, which can also be considered as meritorious service.”
Yuan Shen would only refer to himself as "朕" (Zhen, the imperial "I") when there were outsiders present.
Song Xibai asked in surprise, "Isn't this considered betraying his master? Can we trust him to be used?"
"It depends on how you look at it. To the traitors, he is a traitor, but to me, he is a man who abandons darkness for light and redeems himself through meritorious service."
Song Xibai pursed her lips: "Alright! Anyway, he's getting old, so let's just consider it as taking care of him in his old age."
But Song Xibai would not keep such a person by his side, much less entrust him with important responsibilities.
After much thought, Song Xibai finally thought of someone.
The eunuch from the Eastern Palace's small kitchen!
She sent someone to deliver a message to her father-in-law, asking if he was willing to come over.
Who would refuse such a good thing?
Immediately, Eunuch Lai bid farewell to the head of the imperial kitchen, and without even having time to pack his bags, he ran all the way over.
As soon as he entered the door, the father-in-law burst into tears, knelt down and kowtowed three times, leaving his forehead bruised.
Song Xibai was startled by his appearance and quickly called Wei Hong to help him up.
"What are you doing, Grandfather! Get up, get up! We've known each other for so long, don't you know our master's temperament? You're being too formal!"
Wei Hong helped him up while scolding him playfully.
Grandpa Lai stood up, supporting himself on his knees, his chubby face beaming with smiles.
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