As for Consort Zheng and Consort Yun.
One resides in the main hall of Xihuai Palace, the other lives in the main hall of Yaoyue Palace.
Additionally, Xihuai Palace is also home to Sun Jieyu and Wu Jieyu, while Yaoyue Palace houses Liang Jieyu and Li Jieyu.
The remaining Chen Jieyu, who was previously Honored Lady Chen, lives in Zhaohua Pavilion.
Living with Chen Jieyu in Zhaohua Pavilion is Honored Lady Dou.
At the moment, all of these arrangements seem to be in accordance with the rules.
Except for...
Lady Bai and Lady Yang.
These two were promoted from Lady status and currently do not have a proper residence.
The rank of Lady is seventh grade, half servant and half master.
A random room could be arranged, but a separate courtyard is not possible.
Now that they have been promoted to Honored Lady, a residence should be arranged.
Xia Ruqing studied the palace blueprint, deep in thought.
"Where should they be placed?"
Zi Su suddenly chimed in.
"Mistress, isn’t Precious Stream Pavilion empty now?"
"And the neighboring Orchid Mo Pavilion is vacant too!"
Xia Ruqing took a look.
"These places... seem a bit too large for a single Honored Lady?"
"Several Jieyu are living together in cramped quarters!"
"Giving them such large places doesn’t seem quite fair!"
Xia Ruqing shook her head.
The old saying goes, it’s not poverty you fear, but inequality.
Meaning, you can give less, but you cannot be biased, or peace will be hard to come by in the long run.
"Here’s the plan!"
"Let the five Jieyu each live in a hall, and arrange for the Honored Ladies to reside within the palace!"
Zi Yue quickly supported this idea.
"Mistress, that’s a wonderful idea!"
"Before their promotion, the Jieyu mistresses all lived in the side halls of the palace!"
"Now that they are promoted, it’s only proper for each to have their own place!"
"Surely, there won’t be any complaints!"
Xia Ruqing nodded.
With that decided, she picked up her brush and began sketching again.
Chen Jieyu moved to Lijing Pavilion.
Sun Jieyu resides in Yaoguang Hall, Wu Jieyu is in... Orchid Mo Pavilion.
The remaining Lady Liang occupies Qingya Residence, Lady Li resides in Precious Stream Pavilion.
Xia Ruqing finished drawing and took a long breath.
"This should settle it!"
The five Jieyu are finally arranged; next comes the Honored Ladies.
There are only three Honored Ladies.
"Lady Dou is the birth mother of The Eldest Princess! However, the Emperor has ordered that she is not to see The Eldest Princess again, so... let’s place her a bit farther away!"
"Let her continue living in the side rooms of Zhaohua Pavilion!"
"The remaining Lady Bai and Lady Yang will all be accommodated in Xifu Palace!"
Since Noble Concubine Shih moved out, Xifu Palace has been vacant for too long.
Now arranging for two people to move in can add some life to the place.
Having completed all this.
Xia Ruqing stretched lazily.
"Finally sorted out!"
"This year, there’s likely to be a consort selection, perhaps a large one; we must make space in advance!"
She smiled wryly.
Zi Yue then consoled.
"Mistress, no matter what the selection, none of these new entrants can match you!"
"Indeed, mistress, the Emperor has a heart for you!" Zi Su also persuaded.
"The Emperor is postponing it; maybe it will just keep getting delayed!"
Xia Ruqing was amused yet helpless.
"Why postpone it?"
"If things continue like this, the court officials outside might start rumors, labeling me as a jealous woman; I don’t wish to bear such a reputation!"
"Those aspiring to enter the palace have their own ambitions; it’s not my place to hinder them!"
Zi Yue and Zi Su fell silent.
Xia Ruqing quietly sipped tea.
Before long, Xiao Xizi suddenly reported that Little Zhuzi had arrived.
Xia Ruqing was a bit puzzled.
"Why has he come?"
"Bring him in quickly!"
Speaking of Little Zhuzi, he truly is worth being Li Shengan’s apprentice.
Having studied in the palace for years, he has become ever more clever and astute.
To have him run errands now would be quite the waste of talent.
Once Little Zhuzi entered, he immediately knelt down.
"Greetings to the Empress!"
Xia Ruqing motioned for him to rise.
"Get up!"
"Coming over so late, is there something amiss?"
Little Zhuzi quickly replied with a smile.
"Don’t worry, Mistress, there’s nothing wrong!"
"It’s just that some fresh fruits arrived from the south today, and the Emperor bade me to deliver two baskets for you to taste them!"
"Oh!"
Xia Ruqing nodded with a smile, her eyes brightening.
"What kinds are there?"
Little Zhuzi clapped his hands, and several little eunuchs carried in some baskets from outside.
The finely woven bamboo baskets were covered with red cloth, with white mist still rising from them.
As they passed by, a chill enveloped the air.
Ice has been kept inside!
Though it is spring, fruits aren’t easy to store.