The most dissolute couple in the capital

Besides expressing his gratitude in court, Li Zhao chose another day to submit his petition to the palace.

She wore a newly made prince's casual robe, with a crimson brocade embroidered with a four-clawed python pattern in gold thread. Her hairstyle was simple, with only a jade crown binding her long hair, neat and tidy.

On her way to Kunning Palace, the palace servants and eunuchs along the way saw her from afar and all bowed their heads in respect, addressing her with new forms of greeting:

"Your Highness, Prince Yan."

Li Zhao went to Kunning Palace to pay his respects to the Empress, and then went to see the Emperor.

When she arrived, the Emperor was still discussing matters in the front hall, so Li Zhao was led to a side hall to wait. She casually picked up a book and flipped through a few pages. Less than half an hour later, there was a commotion outside, and the Emperor entered.

"His Highness the Prince of Yan has returned."

This remark was half a joke and half a scrutiny, but Li Zhao actually bowed deeply to it.

"Your subject Li Zhao thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness."

The emperor raised his hand: "Rise. Today we are at home, there is no need for such formalities."

"Now that you've been granted a title, you need to demonstrate your true abilities. I've reviewed the reports on the orphanages you ran in those prefectures and counties. The accounts are clear, and the staffing is well-organized. They've indeed been done beautifully. But Zhao'er, you must understand that if this method is to be implemented nationwide in the future, even if you had three heads and six arms, you still couldn't outrun the thirteen circuits of Da Ning."

Li Zhao raised his eyes: "The orphanage needs to be expanded, and we cannot rely on your son alone. We can manage the three cities, but if we want to expand it to a region or even the whole country, it is beyond human capacity. I believe that we should establish regulations, define official positions, and appoint subordinates, following the example of the Ever-Normal Granary, with local officials assisting and the central government supervising. This is the only long-term solution."

The emperor looked at her:

"You must establish an official office."

"Yes."

"Who is in charge?"

Li Zhao did not answer immediately, but pondered for a moment before speaking: "It can be handled by either the Ministry of Revenue or the Ministry of Rites; I dare not overstep my bounds. As for the drafting of regulations and the initial personnel arrangements, I am willing to work with the Ministry of Personnel."

This is the transfer of power.

Having just been enfeoffed as a king, Li Zhao not only needed the emperor's trust but also the approval of his ministers.

It's not enough to win people over with political achievements alone; you also need to share the benefits appropriately. The orphanage, a position that instantly earns prestige, would create a host of new official posts if promoted nationwide. Li Zhao could use these positions to cultivate his own faction while also allowing his officials to share in the benefits and gain some political credit.

A win-win deal.

The emperor smiled and said, "You've thought of everything."

"Your subject dares not."

"No need for modesty," Li Yu waved his hand. "I approve of this. You draft the regulations first, and then submit them to me for review. As for personnel, besides the old staff from the Princess's residence, I grant you special permission to select other female officials to assist in the operation."

He paused, his tone becoming more casual:

"The orphanage is mostly inhabited by women and children, so it's convenient to employ a few female officials."

Li Zhao immediately expressed his gratitude.

The emperor looked at her and said, "I see you've lost a lot of weight in the year you've been away. When you're traveling, you need to have someone you like."

He raised his hand.

Before long, two young men entered with the eunuch and knelt down to pay their respects.

"Your humble servant Siqin (Siqi) greets Your Majesty and His Highness Prince Yan."

Li Zhao looked up.

Both were around twenty years old, with well-proportioned figures and delicate features. The one on the left had softer features and looked quieter; the one on the right had a sharper jawline and a more composed expression. Both were meek and obedient, behaving very respectfully.

The Emperor said in a calm tone, "These two are both from good families, and we know them well. One is skilled at playing the zither, and the other at chess; both are gentle in nature. I've assigned them to work in your palace's tent. When you're tired from reviewing official documents, it'll be good to have someone beside you grinding ink and playing the zither to relieve your fatigue."

The social atmosphere in Da Ning was open, and it wasn't unusual for a princess to keep male lovers, especially since she was now a real prince. When these two said they were "inside the tent," anyone with eyes could see what they really meant.

Li Zhao thought for a moment and then understood his father's intention.

The current imperial consort is He Yuanlang, the son of the He family, who were promoted by the emperor himself, so their loyalty is beyond doubt. However, if she were to truly ascend to the throne, having only one powerful family in the inner court would inevitably become a hindrance in the future.

At the same time, whether one can maintain proper boundaries in the face of beauty and whether one can properly arrange the people around them are both skills.

How can someone who can't even manage his own backyard manage the world?

Li Zhao replied calmly, "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for the reward."

Seeing that she neither hesitated nor rushed to refuse, the Emperor nodded in satisfaction: "Now that you are a prince, you should have the proper pomp and circumstance. Ignore the gossip of others."

"Your subject understands."

Li Yu glanced at the two kneeling men again, then waved his hand: "Get up. Serve His Highness Prince Yan well from now on. If you do anything wrong, I will hold you accountable."

"Your servants obey!" the two replied in unison.

"Alright," the emperor put down his teacup, "you should rest for the next couple of days. The procedures aren't urgent. We can deal with them after the investiture ceremony."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I take my leave."

Upon returning to the Prince of Yan's residence, He Yuanlang was already waiting at the entrance to greet him.

Seeing that Li Zhao's carriage had come to a stop, He Yuanlang immediately stepped forward and personally lifted the carriage curtain: "Your Highness must be tired today. The manor has prepared your favorite rock sugar pear and white fungus soup, which is just right to soothe your throat."

Li Zhao got out of the carriage, nodded, and then pointed to the two handsome men who followed him down: "These are the two men my father bestowed upon me, Siqin and Siqi. He said they would be added to my tent for service."

He Yuanlang's expression paused only briefly, his smile never fading: "Your subject obeys. Should these two stay with you in the front courtyard, or how should they be accommodated?"

Li Zhao thought for a moment: "Let's clear out the side courtyard."

He Yuanlang nodded.

The couple walked together into the mansion. Not long after their marriage, Li Zhao left the capital, and the two did not have much time together.

As they reached the corner of the covered walkway, He Yuanlang spoke again: "While Your Highness was away, I organized the household accounts according to Your Highness's rules. Your Highness can take a look when you have time. Also, the Cymbidium goeringii that the Empress Dowager bestowed upon me last month—I was worried that Your Highness's study was too damp, so I moved it to the flower hall for now."

"You did a thorough job."

"Your Highness is busy outside, so these small matters at home are only to be addressed by your subject. By the way, this morning, someone from the Ministry of Works asked when the plans for the residence's renovation would be finalized. If Your Highness has some free time..."

"Just follow the rules," Li Zhao interrupted him. "The number of courtyards should be the right number of courtyards, and the number of rooms should be the right number of rooms. As long as the layout is correct, there's no need to worry about anything else."

"What about the inner courtyard?"

"Leave the inner courtyard as is," Li Zhao said. "For the outer courtyard, demolish the west wing and expand it outwards, leaving a separate courtyard to serve as a study and meeting hall. Also, get a larger side room to store documents. Let them do whatever they want with the rest."

He Yuanlang hummed in agreement and wrote down every word she said.

Upon reaching the entrance to the inner courtyard, He Yuanlang asked again, "What would Your Highness like for dinner?"

"Something light is fine." Li Zhao paused for a moment. "Just set it out in your yard. I'll come over when it's ready."

He Yuanlang's tone then carried a hint of joy: "Your subject obeys."