Sun Jiacheng looked at the Fourth Prince, paused for a moment, and tried to persuade him: "Your Majesty, the Changchun Palace was previously occupied by the Empress. I'm afraid it's not appropriate to arrange for other concubines to live there."
Su Peisheng glanced nervously at the Fourth Prince and then winked at Sun Jiacheng, but Sun Jiacheng didn't see it and continued, "The concubine can live in Yongshou Palace or Yanxi Palace."
Before Sun Jiacheng could finish speaking, the Fourth Prince said with slight displeasure, "Lanqin lives in Changchun Palace, so there's no need to discuss this matter any further..."
Sun Jiacheng was slightly surprised, but seeing Su Peisheng winking at him, he had no choice but to remember it and say no more.
When Su Peisheng saw Sun Jiacheng out, Sun Jiacheng couldn't help but ask Su Peisheng, "What did His Majesty just do...?"
Su Peisheng knew that he was puzzled by the Fourth Prince's disregard for ancestral rules and etiquette in arranging for Lanqin to live in the Empress's palace. He glanced around the room, turned to the side, and whispered a reminder: "The Emperor just thinks that the palace you arranged for your concubine is too far away."
Sun Jiacheng quickly bowed to Su Peisheng before leaving. If Su Peisheng hadn't reminded him, he might have offended the new emperor.
Meanwhile, since the Seventeenth Prince took command of the Imperial Guards and the Imperial Bodyguards, he has made comprehensive adjustments to the defense of Beijing. He not only replaced the original leaders with his trusted subordinates, but also strengthened the inspections at the city gates and on the streets. Even the patrol teams have been arranged with strict schedules to ensure that they can monitor people entering and leaving the city at all times, not even letting merchants and vendors go unchecked.
When Fourth Master learned of this, he praised Seventeenth Master highly, secretly glad that he had trusted Thirteenth Master's recommendation and kept Seventeenth Brother. Now it seemed that this decision was correct.
Although the Thirteenth Prince and the Seventeenth Prince were cautious and did not find anyone suspicious entering the capital, the city remained peaceful for several days. Officials from various regions gradually moved into the inns and guesthouses in the capital, and preparations for Kangxi's funeral were carried out in an orderly manner. However, the more peaceful the situation, the more nervous the Fourth Prince became.
The Fourteenth Prince suddenly went silent, which might mean he was plotting something bigger. The Fourth Prince was unsure of what to do, and after much thought, he decided to go to Yonghe Palace in person.
Su Peisheng followed the Fourth Prince to the entrance of Yonghe Palace. Just as Su Peisheng was about to step forward to announce the arrival, the Fourth Prince stopped him. Su Peisheng had no choice but to retreat and follow the Fourth Prince inside. Without any prior notice, the palace maids and eunuchs of Yonghe Palace were astonished by the arrival of the new emperor and quickly stepped aside, not daring to utter a sound. Even after the Fourth Prince entered the room, Consort De remained unaware.
"His Majesty has arrived!" Su Peisheng whispered a reminder. Consort De turned around. Because the Fourth Prince had not yet held his enthronement ceremony, although the late Emperor had already decided on the succession, Consort De really didn't know how to treat the Fourth Prince properly.
Before Consort De could hesitate, the Fourth Prince stepped forward with a relaxed smile, bowed slightly, and asked, "How is Mother?"
This was the first time the mother and son had met since their argument at Changchun Garden.
Consort De could only sigh, nod and smile bitterly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Everything is well!"
The Fourth Prince looked around at the furnishings of Consort De's residence, then sat down in front of her and said, "Your Majesty, I intend to invite you to live in Shou'an Palace!"
Ning Shou Palace is the Empress Dowager's palace. The Fourth Prince said this so that Consort De would understand that he would still respect her, his biological mother, as the Empress Dowager.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty! But I'm used to being in charge here!" Consort De seemed not to understand what the Fourth Prince was saying.
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