As things got busier in the Nanyang Imperial Palace, everyone gradually put aside the grudges and grievances of the inner palace and began to work.
The various concubines in the harem and the ministers invited to the coming-of-age ceremony began preparing gifts for the princess one after another.
...
On this day, Zhao Zhongquan and Xiaxiazi came out of the outhouse together. Xiaxiazi was fastening his pants while looking at Zhao Zhongquan with a shifty eye.
Xiazi leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Master, His Majesty didn't specify which consort would be in charge of the Ninth Princess's coming-of-age ceremony. Does that mean we and the Imperial Household Department will handle it together?"
Zhao Zhongquan nodded, indicating that this was the meaning.
Because the previous banquets were organized by the concubines in the harem, there were either attempts to poison the Ninth Princess or constant infighting among the concubines, causing chaos in the harem.
So this time, they decided to exclude the harem and have these people handle it together.
"Master, do you think we can skim a little profit..."
Xiazi licked her lips, rubbed her hands together, and licked her lips again, looking excited.
Every major event in the palace is a recognized opportunity for people to make money off each other.
"Master, look, the Imperial Kitchen needs money to buy vegetables and meat, Anqing Palace needs to be redecorated, and the invitations... well, you've already finished those, so let's not talk about that. The Ninth Princess's coming-of-age ceremony clothes also cost money..."
"That adds up to quite a bit of silver!" Xiazi counted on her fingers.
Now we can finally make a fortune!
Once we've saved enough money, we're sure to marry a beautiful and devoted wife!
Zhao Zhongquan poked Xia Xiazi's head and looked around: "You, you're not using your mind in the right place!"
"Do you think this is some ordinary Mid-Autumn Festival banquet or New Year's Eve banquet?" Zhao Zhongquan's tone was stern.
"This is for the coming-of-age ceremony of the Ninth Prince!"
If too much money is spent, someone will surely accuse them of embezzling the money for the coming-of-age ceremony. If too little money is spent, not only will it lose face for the royal family, but it will also be easily misunderstood as her being unwilling to spend money on the Ninth Princess.
"Besides, such a big incident just happened in the palace, His Majesty is in a bad mood and furious, and you still have the mind to skim some profits here?!"
"Don't you want your life?!"
"Be extremely careful when it comes to matters involving the Ninth Princess," Zhao Zhongquan earnestly advised.
"This is something that could cross His Majesty's bottom line."
Zhao Zhongquan gripped Xia Xiazi's shoulders, looked straight at him, and said seriously.
Seeing his master's serious expression, Xiaxia knew there was no room for negotiation, so he could only nod awkwardly in agreement.
"Yes, disciple will follow Master's teachings and will never do anything that crosses the line."
"Let's have a meeting with Old Li from the Imperial Household Department in a bit!"
Zhao Zhongquan rubbed his forehead; he'd been so busy lately, he was practically dizzy. Old Li, on the other hand, was enjoying his leisure time. They were both working in the palace, so he couldn't be allowed to be idle!
"Pull Old Li along and discuss the goals and budget for the coming-of-age ceremony."
"We're all in the same project team, so why should we do all the hard work while he gets all the credit?" Zhao Zhongquan snorted, thinking to himself that Old Li was a real sly old fox who knew there was no profit to be made this time, so he simply shrugged and didn't care about anything.
"Have a meeting?"
"Targets and budgets for lower levels?"
"What...what project team?" Xia Zi looked completely confused.
"Master, what does all this mean?" Xiazi scratched his head, unable to understand.
Zhao Zhongquan was taken aback. He had heard these words from Yun Duoduo and had gradually gotten used to expressing them this way: "It's about discussing together what kind of coming-of-age ceremony we should have and how much it should cost."
"Go quickly!"
"Anyway, bring Old Li over here!"
Zhao Zhongquan kicked Xiazi in the butt, and Xiazi cried out "Ouch!" and stumbled away.
...
A moment later, Chief Steward Li, Zhao Zhongquan, and Xiao Xiazi from the Imperial Household Department sat around a table.
On the table were three thick, dark blue ledgers, each used to record different expenses.
"Old Li, what are your thoughts?"
Steward Li stroked his smooth, stubble-free chin, his eyes gleaming: "For the Ninth Princess's coming-of-age ceremony, first of all, her portrait should naturally be hung everywhere."
Old Li was an expert at currying favor with his superiors. If Yun Beiye knew that the idea of hanging up Yun Duoduo's portrait was his, he would definitely reward him.
After all, it's obvious to anyone with eyes that Yun Beiye loves his daughter very much and wants to show her off to other countries.
"Hanging up the princess's portrait will make it look more formal," Steward Li continued.
"We need to gather all the painters in the palace and have them paint portraits of the princess, then select the best one."
Zhao Zhongquan nodded in agreement.
"Also, the food for the Ninth Princess's coming-of-age ceremony must be made with the best ingredients."
"Hey, when it comes to kitchen purchasing, how can things work without Aunt Wu?" Manager Li looked around but didn't see anyone else.
"Aunt Wu knows best what the Ninth Princess likes to eat."
"Xiaxia, go to the imperial kitchen and call Aunt Wu over."
Upon receiving the order, Xiazi quickly ran out to the imperial kitchen to drag Aunt Wu away.
A moment later, Aunt Wu came in quickly, panting, carrying a pot of sizzling meat. She followed Xia Zi in.
As soon as Aunt Wu entered, the rich aroma of meat filled the entire room.
"Eunuch Li? What's the rush? This old woman still has meat stewing in the pot!"
Aunt Wu frowned and pointed to the meat in the pot. For her, buying groceries and cooking were the most important things in the world.
"Please sit down, let's discuss the Ninth Princess's coming-of-age ceremony."
Manager Li, all smiles, pulled out a stool next to him.
He knew that although Aunt Wu's official rank was not high, she had been in the palace for many years and had a very good relationship with the Ninth Princess. This was someone he couldn't afford to offend and had to maintain a good relationship with.
"Ah, so that's what it is."
Upon hearing that it was related to Yun Duoduo, Aunt Wu quickly put the pot she was holding on the table and sat down.
"So you called me here because you wanted to ask about the dishes and meat from the imperial kitchen. Well, you've come to the right person. This is something I know best!"
"As for the meat to be used for the coming-of-age ceremony, we have to send someone to Liu's butcher shop in the west of the city early in the morning to buy it."
"The meat at Liu's Butcher Shop is the freshest, and they have a wide variety of meats. If you go too late, they'll be sold out!" Aunt Wu said confidently.
"How much do you want to buy?" Zhao Zhongquan asked, as he didn't know much about kitchen purchasing.
"There will be nearly thirty or forty officials coming this time, each bringing two family members, so that's a total of sixty to eighty people."
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