Chapter 11

This is not a professional translation; you have been warned. ʘ‿ʘ

Because they all lived in one place, they had to go back the same way.

From the walking posture, we can see the current situation in the East Palace. Hu Liangdi and a group of eunuchs are in front of her, while Xu Liangyuan’s group is behind her. They almost look like they did not quarrel a while ago. After they came out, they were very quiet and ignored everyone else.

Not far behind Xu Liangyuan, He Liangyuan takes two palace maids to the right rear. Some distance away from He Liangyuan were Liu Chenghui and Ma Chenghui, both of whom are accompanied by a palace maid.

Then there’s Pan Er and Zhao Xi Yue.

The yard where they lived was at the back, and they saw the others enter the yard one by one before arriving at their residence.

After entering the courtyard, Zhao Xi Yue did not care about Pan Er. She led Yu Ping into the East chamber.

Pan Er also went back to the west chamber and Xiang Pu greeted her.

She helped Pan Er to took off her cloak and led her to the warm kang bed in the east room to sit down. She took off her shoes and wiped her hands and helped her changed clothes. After a busy morning, Aunt Qing went to bring a hot tea.

This east and west wing has the same regulation. They both are three rooms with two side rooms, and at the back an additional rear room.

In the center is the hall, in the west of the room is the study, in the east is the partitioned side room, it is opened up and divided into two large rooms and a small room. The second room outside is used for daily living. In the bedroom, a warm kang bed has been set up. There is also a carved bed with auspicious and happiness pattern. There are dressing table, table, wardrobe and screen.

Behind the screen is a small room used as a bathroom.

After drinking hot tea, Pan Er felt more comfortable.

“Do you want to sleep a little longer or have breakfast first?”, asked Xiang Pu.

Because she got up too early in the morning, she naturally didn’t use breakfast. Taking advantage of Pan Er’s effort of serving in Jide Hall, Xiang Pu also got the idea of the general situation.

The East Palace has a special kitchen for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

When meals are to be served, the eunuchs and palace maids will go to the kitchen to get it. Of course, if you want to eat anything, you can also give the menu to the kitchen in advance as long as you don’t exceed the serving size. Also, so that the kitchen can prepare for it and pick up the menu at the appointed time.

But Pan Er is just the lowest Fengyi. There are not many privilege. It’s not easy to expect to eat well. But it’s said that you can also use silver if you want to eat a particular food. This is according to what Xiang Pu inquired but it has not been tested.

In addition, since Fengyi is the lowest concubine of the crown prince, according to the rules, there can be a caretaker Aunt or Mama, four palace maids, and two eunuchs running errands. Before Pan Er came back, the house had already sent people to wait in the side room nearby.

During the conversation, breakfast was brought back.

Breakfast is quite rich, not much, but it’s very delicate. It’s appetizing.

Pan Er was also hungry and ate deliciously even if the small stomach is full within few bites. She also dares not eat more, let the person who did not have time to eat breakfast, Qing Dai, to carry down the food to and also to avoid waste.

After that, Aunt Qing and Xiang Pu helped Pan Er washed her mouth and cleaned her hands. They went to the hall, and Xiang Pu called in two maids and two eunuchs who were waiting in the side room.

“The servant has seen Su Fengyi.”

Two palace maids knelt in front of them, and two eunuchs knelt near the door. This is to avoid misgivings, if the newcomers to the palace dislike eunuchs, these ‘non-men’, so as not to collide with the master.

Pan Er knew it well and said nothing. She put her eyes on the two maids first.

These two maids are very ordinary in appearance, which can only be regarded as pretty girls. One looks a little younger, about fifteen or sixteen years old. The other looks calm and looks like she is about twenty years old.

Sure enough, after they reported their names and ages, Pan Er did not guess wrong. In fact, there is an acquaintance between the two, so Pan Er’s mood is a little complicated.

“Well, no matter what you were used to be called, from now on, you are Bai Zhi, and your name is Bai Zhu.”

Bai Zhu looked at Pan Er and lowers her head without speaking. She was originally called Bai Zhu and Su Fengyi didn’t change her name. And Bai Zhi is that 15 to 16-year-old maid.

They kowtowed and said “Thank you Fengyi for the given name.”.

Next are the two eunuchs, one is Xiao Dezi and the other is Xiao Tianzi. The two eunuchs were not very old. They were both 15 or 16 years old. One was very smart with a thin face, and the other looked simple.

“There are only a few people in our room, but we should always have a clear division of labor, so as not to cause trouble in the future. As for reward and punishment –”

After a pause, Pan Er said, “I won’t be merciful when a person should be punished, and you will be rewarded appropriately if you did a good job. Now, I’m new here. You haven’t got along with me before and you don’t know my temperament very well. However, you should remember that I will not treat you badly in the future as long as you don’t do anything against the master.”

“In the future, Aunt Qing will be in charge of everything in this room. Aunt Qing and I have known each other for many years. I hope you can respect her as much as you do to me. Qing Dai is attentive so she will be in charge of all the refreshments in the house, Bai Zhu will handle the jewelry and the money box, and Bai Zhi for the clothes and the warehouse. As for Xiang Pu, you are in charge of food, all external affairs, you are in charge as well as Xiao Dezi and Xiao Tianzi.”

These words make the faces of several people in the house changeable.

Qing Dai is a simple one. She is honest, and she doesn’t feel left out being in charge of tea beside the master. As soon as Xiang Pu heard that the jewelry money box and clothes had been managed by two new comers, she was forced to take charge of the outside and two little eunuchs, which made her feel a little aggrieved.

As for Bai Zhu and Bai Zhi, they have been in the palace for many years, and they also know the situation in the palace. Su Fengyi’s arrangement seems to be casual, but in fact, it is right to the point.

Compared with the things at the entrance, clothes, jewelry and even belongings are secondary. They have no life and no need to do something else. So from this point alone, they can see that the new master is not easy to deceive and does not trust them.

But they’ve just met and it’s too early to say trust. If Su Fengyi showed great trust in them, they will have doubts with the master’s ability.

Not for the sake of others, but all the people in the palace are seeking benefits for themselves. What kind of master do you want to vote for? Does this master have a future? Everyone has a steelyard in mind. Too naive people can’t live in this palace, but if the master is trying to play, they have to figure out how to behave in the future.

But the two eunuchs didn’t have too much trouble. They also knew that there was no share for them to go in and serve them, so they didn’t have to worry so much about gain and loss.

After the general arrangements, Pan Er excused them and she went back to the room to sleep.

In fact, they know she wanted to talk to Xiang Pu, Qing Dai, and Aunt Qing. They understand this so they find something to do for themselves.

Xiang Pu’s little face still has grievances.

Pan Er asked Qing Dai to serve her in changing clothes. Aunt Qing pulled Xiang Pu over and patted her shoulder. With a smile, she said, “The master trust you, so you should be grateful.”.

The face of Xiang Pu is still muddled.

Still too small, although smart and courageous, but still have to instruct slowly. However, Xiang Pu and Qing Dai were bought by Pei Yong Chang from Yangzhou. They have a longer history with Pan Er compared to the new maids. They’ve just arrived here and the situation in the palace can’t be ignored and they can only be used.

“We used to live in Chen’s house and the girl was just a sojourner there. Now she is a concubine in the East palace. The wife and concubines compete with each other. Ranging from damaging the heirs and taking away their lives. If the girl in the back house is weak and fragile what will happen to her if others decided to move their hands and feet? What they usually do is usually to start with things that goes to the mouth. So you being charge of these things is important. That’s why the master trusts you.”

Aunt Qing’s words made Xiang Pu realize.

She was not stupid at all. She immediately fell on her knees and said, “Miss, no, Feng…, Feng Yi…, master…” Her words were incoherent, and it took a while before she finally got the words straight. “This servant can’t say anything nice. I will give the master good food, and I will not let anyone have a chance.”

“Well, get up quickly,” Pan Er went to the edge of the bed to sit down.

She said to Aunt Qing, “They are both young. Later, aunt should teach them more.”.

“Don’t worry, master. I will teach them well.”

Pan Er said to Xiang Pu and Qing Dai again, “As for you, don’t always think about fighting with others for a while. You are brought in from the outside. The rules in the palace are strict. You can not only ask me and Aunt Qing, but also Bai Zhu if you don’t understand everything.”

Xiang Pu is a bit puzzled, “Feng Yi, aren’t those people not to be easily trusted?”.

Pan Er smiled and said, “It also depends on the situation. These people are all sent by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. There may be others that can be trusted, but there may not be any. As for yes or no, it doesn’t matter if you ask them for advice. If you observe and ponder more in the future, you will naturally have the answer.”.

There is no one who can defend against thieves for thousands of days

“By the way, how can there be someone who can defend against thieves for thousands of days? You just need to do everything well so that others can’t find loopholes, and later we can establish an invincible position. In fact, these people are not useless. The key is how to use them. There are many servants in the palace. It’s not easy to be assigned to a master and serve. Being able to come here means that they have already surpassed many people and have their own advantages. If they are used well, they can help a lot.”

When Pan Er said these words, Xiang Pu and Qing Dai all listened quietly, including Aunt Qing, who also looked thoughtful.

In the Imperial Palace, they are all new people. There are many things to learn but, how can Feng Yi know a lot of these things?

Xiang Pu and Qing Dai soon nod without question. However, Aunt Qing can’t help but take a look at Pan Er.

Pan Er knew that she had aroused suspicion, and quickly changed the topic and said, “Qing Dai, how much money do we have now?”.

Qing Dai went to the wardrobe and found a money box.

Opening the box, all the belongings of Pan Er are here.

Before entering the palace, Pei Yong Chang gave Pan Er five thousand liang using silver ingots of different sizes, a box of gold and silver notes. The silver and gold bank notes are worth one hundred to two hundred liang each.

It can be said that it is well thought out and well prepared.

If you don’t spend the silver carelessly, it will last ten years in the palace. But if you want to get ahead, or do something, it may only take a few years.

A businessman is a businessman. He who does something must have his deep meaning.

Not to mention Pei Yong Chang’s insight, a few years is enough to make people see if Pan Er is a material that can be made. If it is, Pei Yong Chang will only hold her share in the future. If not, these thousands of silver liang are nothing to him.

It’s not that he calculated on the money, it’s just to remind her.

Pan Er thought for a moment and said, “Put away all the extra money and lock it. Leave some silver ingots outside. In addition, you will take some to go out and give each the new person a reward or two. Since you want to use people, you must not be stingy.”.

Xiang Pu responded crisply. After the three people went down, Pan Er laid on the bed. The bamboo-colored mosquito hung low and could she could hear the voice of Xiang Pu faintly.

When the master gave reward, the voice of Xiao Dezi, Xiao Tianzi were very loud.

Pan Er can’t help but think of Bai Zhu.

Bai Zhu is one of the palace maids arranged by the Crown Princess to serve her in the past when she accepted the favor. At that time, two palace maids were arranged, and the other was the princess’ person. As for Bai Zhu, she was not sure.

Why did she say that?

Because she felt that Bai Zhu and the other palace maid were together, but Bai Zhu always did something good for her behind her back.

At the beginning of her pregnancy, because she is right under the Crown Princess’ eyelids, the people who serve her closely are all the princess’ people. This matter can’t be concealed at all. But in those days, Bai Zhu helped her to cover up, it was only known until her pregnancy reached three months.

Also, she had a difficult time giving birth, and her life was in danger. It was also a chance for Bai Zhu to betray her but instead she let her live.

Once she asked Bai Zhu, but Bai Zhu said nothing. She didn’t stay with her for long, and was later released from the palace.

Why she did it has become a mystery.

In fact, Pan Er is a little aware, but this matter has not been verified before. She did not expect in this life, that she and Bai Zhu would have an encounter again.

Pan Er didn’t wake up until noon.

Because she didn’t have to go out, she just dressed herself in the usual clothes and didn’t comb her hair in a complicated bun. She just tied it in a simple bun and inserted a white jade hairpin.

The room seems to have been cleaned again. The furniture is clean and fresh. There is a little water stain on the ground. There seems to be more decorations on the table and duobao shelves. There are evident new paint marks in the hall.

When Pan Er went out, Bai Zhu was changing the window screen with Qing Dai. Xiang Pu and Bai Zhi were holding some chinaware around. Even Xiao Dezi and Xiao Tianzi were not idle. They were standing under the eaves in front of the door, hanging something up.

When Pan Er came out, they stopped to salute her.

Pan Er waved and asked them to be busy. Aunt Qing came in from the outside and told Pan Er that when she was sleeping, the people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the palace came to help with the house management.

The house management means that after the imperial concubine moves into a certain palace, the interior office will be ordered to deliver objects and utensils in line with the regulations. Although Fengyi is only the Crown Prince’s concubine, the crown prince is the heir apparent. When nothing goes wrong he will be the next Emperor. The Crown Prince’s concubine is also treated like other concubines of the Emperor.

According to the regulations, no gold ware is allowed under the Empress and no silver ware is allowed under the concubines, except for reward. According to Pan Er’s example, she can only use copper ware and tin ware as well as porcelain without dragon pattern. These copper ware and tin ware porcelain have the rated quantity, which can’t be exceeded. After being damaged, she can make it up by herself.

In addition to the items sent to the shop, the Ministry of Internal Affairs also sent Pan Er a copy of regulations.

This copy is divided into annual and daily cases, including all the things that the imperial concubine can use from eating to wearing. For example, according to the case of Pan Er, she has an annual salary of 30 Liang, a cloud satin, a plain satin, a Peng satin, a palace silk, a Lu silk, spinning and embroidering, and even includes cotton.

There are no other clothes in the palace, only materials for making by yourself. These things are used for a year.

In addition, there are charcoal, candles, tea, sugar, rice, noodles, mutton, chicken, duck. No, according to Pan Er’s copy, she doesn’t have chicken, duck, fish, sheep and beef. She only has two pounds of pork a day. If she wants something else, she can spend money.

T/N: Harem fight is really not easy. ( ⚆ _ ⚆ )

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