Chapter 18 Relocation of the Palace and Recruitment
On this day, Gan Cao was happily busy, and after receiving the imperial decree, he busied himself with moving the palace.
He is now a Cai Nan, a rank of eighth grade, and is a formal palace attendant of the emperor, required to reside in the six palaces.
The Queen and the Palace Attendants Bureau arranged for them to stay at Anle Palace. The Palace Attendants Bureau had already cleaned the palace in advance, and now they only needed to choose their own accommodations.
Anle Palace is a large palace complex in the Western Six Palaces, and the main hall is naturally reserved for the principal positions of the four ministers and nine attendants.
Although the side hall was not as magnificent as the main hall, it was still splendid, making Gan Cao's heart flutter.
However, the male official from the Shanggong Bureau who was leading the way did not stop, but continued to walk deeper into the palace complex, and Gancao naturally had no choice but to follow.
The palace behind was smaller, but it was still fully equipped. If he hadn't seen the palace in front, he would have been very satisfied, but now he felt a little disappointed: the rank of a male concubine of the eighth grade was still a bit low.
“The palace maids can choose any of the side halls here.” As they walked, she introduced the different halls to him: “This is the Jade Pavilion, that is the Lotus Fragrance Garden, the Fragrant Grass Pavilion…”
These side halls are all unique. Although they are smaller than the side halls, they are still exquisite. They are all made of blue bricks and green tiles, and are even better than the mansion of the rich man he longed for when he was a child.
"Do any of you changing rooms live around here too?" he couldn't help but ask.
The palace maid bowed and said with a smile, "Yes, all the ladies have been arranged to stay in Anle Palace, but you will definitely have to choose first."
He made his choice first, and then the remaining girls in the changing rooms could choose.
He was placed first!
This unprecedented level of attention made his heart pound.
The difference in rank was so obvious, even though he was only one grade higher, that he cherished and valued his status as a male concubine even more.
After a while, he finally calmed his excited emotions and carefully selected the Jade Pavilion, which had a good view and good lighting.
The palace servants from the Shanggong Bureau circled the Cuiyu Pavilion on the palace layout map to indicate that it had been occupied.
After the accommodations were chosen, the palace servants from the Imperial Bedchamber Bureau began to move in, carrying in a brand-new bed, bedding, curtains, dressing table, and other bedding, and arranging them neatly.
The people from Shanggong Bureau also began moving in a series of items such as tables, chairs, desks, screens, and porcelain vases.
"What are these things...?" Looking at these objects, Gan Cao could hardly believe it.
The male official from the Bureau of Merit nodded: "These all belong to the young master."
"Piaopeng and Mingxiang also have them?"
"Fewer than Cai Nan, but still some."
Things are different now, really different. He is no longer a poor and destitute commoner, a palace servant named Asakusa; he is now a rank 8th-grade official.
His life became more affluent, no longer just about silk, silver, and pearls, but much, much more!
Like parched fields being nourished by a stream, his heart felt satisfied.
At this moment, he was so grateful for his good looks and figure. What was shameful about using his appearance to please others? What matters is what he had in his hands!
After the officials from the Imperial Bedchamber Bureau and the Imperial Palace Bureau took care of Cuiyuxuan for him, a male official brought over a string of young palace boys who were about fifteen or sixteen years old.
“According to the rules, the male attendant is to be served by two people,” the male official said after bowing. “Your Highness may choose two who are pleasing to the eye.”
Four palace maids? Mao Gen, who had been excited for his mistress, panicked: "Mistress!"
"Don't worry." Gan Cao patted his hand before turning to the palace servant and saying, "I already have one palace servant, so it's okay if you only choose one, right?"
The male official smiled and said, "Of course, Your Highness can register this brother's name under your name as well, so that he can also receive the monthly allowance from the palace servants of Cuiyuxuan."
Although they were all lowly palace men without official ranks, there were still hierarchies among them. The palace men who received the best treatment were naturally those in Zichen Palace and Changning Palace. Now that there were few masters in the palace, even the palace men who served as ninth-rank attendants were highly sought after, let alone the attendants who had some imperial favor.
These palace men went to great lengths to squeeze in front of Cai Nan and let him choose them, but none of them could compare to Mao Gen, who had placed his bet beforehand.
Gan Cao ignored the male official's thoughts and looked at the dozen or so meek palace boys, saying, "Tell me yourselves: where you used to work and what skills you have?"
“Lu Cai Qingxing used to work in a knitting shop and knew a little about needlework.”
...
“Lu Cai Xiao Su used to run errands in the Imperial Bedchamber Bureau. She knew how to style hair and do makeup.”
Hair styling and makeup?
"Let's go with him." Gan Cao didn't hesitate much.
After the male official noted down Mao Genhao and Xiao Su's names, he left.
"Maogen, from now on you will be in charge of the inventory of artifacts and the small storeroom of Cuiyuxuan." Gancao handed the inventory book that Shanggongju had given him to Maogen. "If there are any characters you don't recognize, just ask me." If he doesn't recognize them, he can ask Eunuch Cui.
The small storeroom is empty now, but this quarter's allowance will be delivered this afternoon. In addition to fresh ingredients, other items such as silk fabrics, clothing, jewelry, and decorative objects will be sent to his storeroom.
These things are of utmost importance and must be entrusted to trustworthy people.
"Xiao Su, from now on you'll be in charge of styling my hair and doing my makeup." After making the arrangements for the two of them, Gan Cao frowned slightly as she looked at the entire Cuiyu Pavilion.
As for the sweeping work, the palace servants who were originally in charge of this area can be hired in the courtyard. The pavilion is not very big, so it is not troublesome. It is enough to arrange for Mao Gen and Xiao Su to each take a day.
The two naturally had no objections.
After everything was arranged, Gan Cao carefully measured out his residence, step by step, and mentally visualized every decorative item.
He felt like a duckweed clinging to the soil on the shore; even though he had just settled in, his wandering heart inexplicably found peace.
This will be his home from now on.
In the evening, the Imperial Kitchen delivered dinner, consisting of four dishes and a soup. The food looked much better than before, as if they had changed chefs.
Just smelling the aroma made his mouth water. He restrained his urge to wolf it down and picked up his chopsticks to savor it carefully.
My previously limited palate was instantly captivated, and a genuine sense of happiness welled up within me.
Having worked since childhood, Gan Cao's appetite was naturally larger than that of the noblemen. However, being a man, he had never had a full meal since childhood, and his appetite could not compare to that of women. The portion of four dishes and a soup was not small for him. Therefore, no matter how delicious it was, he only ate half of it, and naturally gave the rest to Mao Gen and Xiao Su.
After he finished eating, it got dark. He was about to try out the brand-new canopy bed and mattress when the same noise came from outside the room.
"Young Master Gan, His Majesty summons you to his bedchamber." The male official of Zichen Palace smiled gently, with a specially made carriage behind him.
Serve him in bed!
Gan Cao's eyes lit up instantly, then she panicked a little: "I haven't washed up yet, and there's no hot spring here. I'm afraid I'll have to go get some hot water first..."
"Please don't panic, Your Highness. There is a hot spring in Zichen Palace," the male official said to him. "Please board the carriage first."
Zichen Palace has hot springs? Yes, even the Imperial Bedchamber Bureau has them, so how could Zichen Palace, as the emperor's residence, not have them?
However, he had served the emperor in bed so many times without even realizing it.
"My lord, it's time to get into the sedan chair." Mao Gen reached out to help him.
Without thinking twice, Gan Cao stepped onto the sedan chair, feeling its softness, comfort, and smoothness.
All this enjoyment is because of Your Majesty.
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