NOVGO.NET Chapter 2412: Taking Over
Chapter 2412: Taking Over
This process would take at least two to three months.
Since they would not be able to move in immediately, Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan decided to stay in the east side hall of Qianqing Palace for the time being.
In the meantime, they needed to account for and reorganize the countless warehouses in the palace, including precious jewelry and other valuables. Any palace maids, eunuchs, or imperial guards who had escaped with treasures would face strict consequences if they were caught. They were required to return any stolen items, and those who hid or failed to report them would be severely punished.
Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan, as the new masters of the court, needed to establish firm control from the outset to prevent deception and maintain order. Despite being familiar figures due to Shao Yunduan’s prior role as Primus appointed by the late Emperor, many palace staff had seen him before and might have underestimated his authority. Their presence demanded a strict and orderly transition to ensure that the court functioned smoothly and that all assets and staff were properly accounted for.
How many of the Tian Family’s servants would regard the ministers with any respect?
On the contrary, the favored eunuchs, palace maids, and head aunts would likely speak to them with deference and offer benefits to win their favor.
Once a certain impression was formed, changing it was not easy.
At this moment, Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan were taking a firmer stance.
Qiao Xuan, in particular, hoped someone would attempt to hoard items so she could make an example of them.
There were countless tasks that needed attention in the court, keeping Qiao Xuan and Ding Xiang extremely busy. The process of sorting everything out would take at least a few days before things began to settle into an orderly routine.
The palace was vast, and with so few people, the initial period would be challenging.
Fortunately, the siege of the palace had been swift. The palace was mostly intact and undamaged, which spared them the monumental task of reconstruction.
What Qiao Xuan didn’t anticipate was Yang Mu’s discovery of He Zhiqing in the court.
Regardless of the size of the Fourth Prince’s concubines, or those left behind by the late Emperor, including the current empress dowager and the Fourth Prince’s biological mother, everyone was promptly assigned a place to stay.
Most of the Fourth Prince’s concubines had been sent to the North Court for house arrest, making it impossible for them to continue residing in the palace.
Qiao Xuan had decided that after one or two years, once the situation stabilized, those concubines who wished to return home would be allowed to do so, while those who preferred to stay would be retained in the palace for their retirement.
Unexpectedly, He Zhiqing was left out.
She must have been hiding when the others were dispatched. Though a minor noble, her position was maintained only due to the Xie Family. In reality, she had long since lost her favor.
The Fourth Prince had taken her in to gain favor with the Xie Family and to counteract Qiao Xuan, but she had failed in both endeavors. Consequently, the Fourth Prince had no intention of treating her kindly.
When the Fourth Prince ascended the throne, he had given He Zhiqing a noble title for the sake of the Xie Family, but he had never permitted her to be with him.
In the palace, He Zhiqing was almost invisible.
Did she regret her decisions? Perhaps a little. If she had not come to the capital under the pretense of the Xie Family’s influence and had instead stayed in Yuzhang Province, she might have married well and become the mistress of a household.