"It's getting late, shall we go back inside and rest?"
Pei Zhi nodded in agreement: "Okay."
Xiao Chengci extended his hand, and Pei Zhi placed her hand on his.
Xiao Chengci glanced down at the chessboard. He had won this game by retreating in order to advance.
Xiao Chengci knew from the beginning that neither he nor Shang Huai could completely possess Pei Zhi.
Xiao Chengci was also prepared for this.
There's nothing I can't accept, because nothing is more important than Pei Zhi.
I can accept it, but surely it's okay to take advantage of Pei Zhi's soft heart to get some benefits?
That night, Pei Zhi was almost completely cooperative.
Pei Zhi would cooperate with whatever position Xiao Chengci wanted, and she would agree to it no matter how many times Xiao Chengci wanted it.
Xiao Chengci barely slept a wink all night, as he still had to attend the morning court session.
Xiao Chengci rested for only a short while before preparing to attend the morning court session.
When Xiao Chengci got up, he specifically asked the palace servants to call Pei Minxue to get up as well.
Because Xiao Chengci returned to his residence yesterday in Pei Minxue's carriage.
Xiao Chengci boasted that he was worried that if he used Pei Minxue's carriage, Pei Minxue would not have a carriage to go to the morning court.
Pei Min was so sleepy he could barely keep his eyes open. Surely his Pei family wasn't so poor that they only had one carriage?
But Pei Minxue had no choice; he dared not disobey the emperor's decree.
On the carriage back to the palace, Pei Minxue leaned against the carriage and dozed off.
Xiao Chengci, however, was in high spirits. "Minxue, later in the court, you should take the initiative to suggest that the inner palace be repaired."
Pei Minxue mumbled a reply, "Yes, Your Majesty is right."
Xiao Chengci kicked Pei Minxue with his foot, "Did you hear what I said?"
"Huh?" Pei Minxue's mouth dropped open. "Your Majesty, what did you say?"
"I say, you are to propose the repair of the harem in the court."
Pei Minxue rubbed his eyes. "The harem is full of concubines. Are you going to repair the harem for them?"
"I have noticed that the harem has fallen into disrepair over the years. The most important thing is to properly renovate my bedchamber and the back garden."
"It would be best to build a larger stage so that people can be invited to perform in the palace in the future."
"Also, I think the lake in the garden should be cleaned up. It's always lotus flowers, and I'm tired of seeing them. It should be properly restored, and some fish should be raised in it."
"Especially in the back garden, those flowers are all too ordinary. Find a few palace servants who know how to grow flowers and get some rare varieties."
"And one more thing..."
Pei Minxue couldn't stand it anymore and interrupted Xiao Chengci.
"Your Majesty, I served as an official in the previous dynasty. What you are saying concerns matters of the inner palace. Is it really necessary for you to tell me these things?"
Pei Minxue simply wanted to remind His Majesty that the matters His Majesty mentioned were not for him to handle.
Moreover, he didn't really want to hear it.
He was so sleepy that his eyes were drooping.
If it weren't for the fact that the person pulling him aside to talk was His Majesty, Pei Minxue would have fallen into a deep sleep.
"Although these are matters of the inner palace, I believe it is best to leave them to you to handle."
"Therefore, I will entrust you with the tasks I just mentioned."
"If you have any shortages, need any manpower, or require anything, just let me know, and I will have everyone fully cooperate with you."
Pei Minxue was tired. "Your Majesty, you see I am getting old. Why don't you allow me to retire and return to my hometown?"
Pei Minxue really wanted to resign from his official post; after all, he had a large and powerful family business.
It seems he doesn't need to worry about his younger sister anymore.
Pei Minxue doesn't plan to have ten or eight children in the future; one son will suffice.
As for her son's future, that can only be decided by his aunt.
"What?"
"How do you know that Zhizhi promised me that she would come to the palace to accompany me for three days every ten days from now on?"
Pei Minxue shrugged, "I don't know."
Xiao Chengci continued, "What?"
"Why do you know why Zhizhi was willing to enter the palace? Of course, it's because she cares about me."
Pei Minxue pursed his lips, "I will do my best to fulfill what Your Majesty said before."
Xiao Chengci patted Pei Minxue's shoulder lightly, "If there's anything you're unsure about, just ask Zhizhi for her opinion."
"No matter where in the harem is being repaired, Zhizhi's opinion must be the top priority."
Pei Minxue didn't understand: "If that's the case, why doesn't His Majesty just hand over the task of repairing the inner palace to Zhizhi?"
"How can I let Zhizhi do chores?"
“Repairing the harem is also a complicated matter, Zhizhi just needs to enjoy it.”
Pei Minxue gritted his teeth and nodded. "Alright, alright, then my sister will enjoy the good life."
As the older brother, he has to work two jobs, right?
"Those who are capable should be given more work; I have faith in you."
Pei Minxue stared at Xiao Chengci with dead fish eyes, not wanting to say another word.
In the imperial court, Pei Minxue advocated for a major overhaul of the harem.
All the officials in the court knew that Pei Minxue was His Majesty's lackey.
Suddenly, Pei Minxue proposed a major overhaul of the harem, presumably with the Emperor's permission.
There are some things that His Majesty cannot say aloud, so he can only ask his subordinates to do so. The court officials all understand this principle.
Moreover, a major overhaul of the harem is a good thing.
Doesn't this mean that His Majesty is about to bring someone into his harem?
If no one is coming in, and everything is fine, why bother with repairs?
No one objected to Pei Minxue's suggestion.
The Ministry of Revenue, which is usually very stingy, surprisingly advocated for the renovation of the imperial harem, saying that only when the harem is stable can the country be at peace.
The Ministry of Revenue took the lead, with the support of funds.
The other ministries, including the Ministry of Works, all expressed that they could help them in any way they could, and that they would do their best to assist them.
After the court session ended, all the ministers had smiles on their faces.
Only Pei Minxue knew that some of these people would cry later.
After court, Pei Minxue did not return to his residence, but instead followed His Majesty to stroll through the inner palace.
Xiao Chengci pointed and gestured, while Pei Minxue discussed the matter with His Majesty and took notes.
Xiao Chengci mainly wanted to carry out major renovations around his bedroom.
Pei Minxue wondered if he was hallucinating: "You mean, you toppled Changqiu Palace?"
"Changqiu Palace is the residence of empresses throughout history. How can it be demolished so easily?"
Seeing Pei Minxue's agitation, Xiao Chengci said, "I didn't say I wanted to overthrow him."
“Look at the gate of Changqiu Palace, the paint is all peeling off.”
"And these floor tiles are all cracked."
"And another thing, who designed this roof? It's so ugly!"
Pei Minxue hoped His Majesty could remain calm: "The paint on the door is chipped; it can be replaced."
“If the floor tiles are cracked, they can be replaced.”
"As for the roof, we can remove the parts that His Majesty finds unsightly and replace them with new ones."
Xiao Chengci glanced at it and continued to nitpick.
"Look, this wall is all blackened, and this pillar too."
Xiao Chengci kicked the pillar, but it stood firmly without reacting at all.
Xiao Chengci waved his sleeve: "This pillar is too ugly, let's just tear it down!"
In short, Xiao Chengci wanted to demolish Changqiu Palace and build a new palace for Pei Zhi to live in.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
