The Imperial Clan Court was not located within the Imperial Palace, but it wasn't far, situated in Ze Kanmin Lane.
Ze Kanmin Lane was a network of seven crisscrossing avenues that housed the Five Mansions and Six Ministries, serving as the administrative heart of the entire Great Yu.
It was different from the imperial clan courts of ancient times in his previous life.
The Great Yu Imperial Family ruled over the seven great Merit Clans and relied heavily on the system of establishing princely mansions. This required the Royal Family to be powerful, and as a result, the status of the Imperial Clan Court, which oversaw the Royal Family, naturally rose as well.
Even though it had virtually no external authority beyond managing the members of the Royal Family, it still held a transcendent status among the Five Mansions and Six Ministries.
Compared to other Government Offices, however, the entrance to the Imperial Clan Court was far quieter.
When Zhao Ci arrived, he presented his identification token and was promptly led into a side office of the Imperial Clan Court.
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a figure finally made a leisurely late entrance. It was Prince Gong, Zhao Yan, who had hosted the auction the day before.
Zhao Ci bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Seventh Imperial Brother!"
"Lao Shi, no need to be so formal!"
Zhao Yan still looked as frail as ever, but he commanded respect nonetheless.
His slightly pale cheeks always held a faint smile, which, combined with his gentle, scholarly air, made it easy for people to feel an affinity for him.
He smiled faintly. "Before yesterday's auction, Father Emperor appointed me as the Right Imperial Clan Court. For the next three years, I will be presiding over the mansion competitions. If the Tenth Prince's Mansion runs into any problems in the future, feel free to come find me."
Whoa!
'The Right Imperial Clan Court... a legitimate First-Grade Official Position. That's basically the referee for the mansion competitions.'
'To have reached such a high position at his age... it's impossible to say he isn't talented.'
'And yet, he was still brought down by Zhao Huan, branded as 'not outstanding enough' and 'crushed by the Dragon Qi.''
'It was almost laughable, really.'
Zhao Ci smiled and cupped his hands. "Then I'll be troubling you often in the future, Seventh Imperial Brother. No! I have to trouble you today, Brother Huang. This is Miss Li of the Zhu Family, and she's the first Mansion Official of my Tenth Prince's Mansion. I must ask you to help register her."
Hm?
Zhao Yan's gaze sharpened. He cast a curious glance at Zhu Li but didn't ask any questions.
He simply smiled and rose to his feet. "Come with me!"
With that, he led the two toward the rear offices, and they soon arrived in an incredibly spacious courtyard.
The courtyard was empty of buildings, containing only a forest of steles arranged in neat rows. Each stele was engraved with names, and all the names at the top began with Zhao.
"Here! This one is yours!"
Zhao Yan pointed to a nearby stele. Only Zhao Ci's solitary name was carved on it; the space below was completely empty.
He took out a stone chisel and handed it to Zhao Ci. "Carve Miss Li's name on it, and she will be your Mansion Official. From now on, you will share honor and disgrace..."
Zhu Li whispered, "Why does this feel like we're getting married?"
Zhao Ci: "..."
Zhao Yan: "..."
Zhu Li asked with an expectant look, "Your Highness Prince Gong, what kind of official can I become?"
Zhao Yan cleared his throat. "You can't be an official just yet. Although you've established your mansion, the official commencement isn't until after the imperial examinations conclude and the final roster is settled. At that time, each mansion will be given 'official position points' based on the number of members, which can be used to claim posts in the four ministries of Revenue, Works, Punishments, and War. There's no need to be too hasty right now."
"Oh..."
Zhu Li was a little disappointed. Ever since realizing her own value, she wanted the Tenth Prince's Mansion to soar to the heavens more than anyone.
Zhao Yan just smiled faintly, saying nothing as he quietly watched Zhao Ci crouch on the ground and carve Zhu Li's name.
He then let out a soft sigh. "There are many paths to establishing a mansion, yet you've chosen the most perilous one. You must be more cautious in your future endeavors!"
"Thank you for your guidance, Brother Huang!"
Zhao Ci knew he was referring to his meddling in the alchemy business. Although it wasn't a tangible offer of help, the warning came from a place of goodwill.
It was strange, really. The laws of the Zhao Clan stipulated that once a prince entered the Imperial Clan Court, they were completely cut off from any chance of vying for the throne.
If anything, it made the relationships between the Princes a little purer.
He didn't linger any longer. He cupped his hands in farewell to Zhao Yan and left with a proud and ambitious Zhu Li.
Before leaving, he glanced back at the forest of steles. A total of ten members of the Imperial Family and its extended clan had established mansions in the same year as him. Most of their steles were already more than halfway filled, while his own had just two lonely names hanging on it.
'Official position points are allocated based on headcount. Not recruiting a full staff will put me at a huge disadvantage.'
'I need to poach a few people.'
"I remember now!"
Zhu Li suddenly slapped her forehead. "Before I left this morning, Luotang asked me to recommend someone to you. She said if you could recruit him as a Mansion Official, he would be a huge help."
Zhao Ci's eyes lit up. "Who is it?"
"Zhuge Xiao!"
"That name sounds familiar!"
"He was the one in the wheelchair at the auction yesterday."
"I remember him. Is he that impressive?"
"Very impressive!"
Zhu Li nodded with a serious expression. "I heard from Grandmaster Kan that the Ba Shu Zhuge Clan specializes in the Qimen Skill. Zhuge Xiao is the prodigy of the Zhuge Clan's younger generation. Whether it's Arrays that borrow the power of heaven and earth, or the military arts of coordinated attacks, his talent is exceptionally high. Even if his cultivation level isn't high, he's an excellent choice for a Mansion Official. If you're interested, Luotang will find a way to arrange a private meeting for you two."
Zhao Ci seemed lost in thought, then shook his head. "No need..."
Zhu Li grew anxious. "Why not? Are you afraid he'll outshine you? Once he's your Mansion Official, we all prosper or suffer together. The achievements he earns are achievements for all of us!"
Zhao Ci: "..."
'Why does she seem more invested in this than I am?'
'I've recruited a real tryhard.'
He pointed across the street. "Look over there. Who are those two?"
Zhu Li looked where he pointed and was instantly dumbfounded. She was shocked to see Zhao Yong pushing Zhuge Xiao's wheelchair, heading toward the Imperial Clan Court from afar.
Neither of them had taken a carriage. They were chatting animatedly the whole way and seemed to have really hit it off.
Zhao Yong had dark circles under his eyes, clearly from a poor night's sleep, yet he put on no princely airs at all as he pushed Zhuge Xiao's wheelchair.
"Bad news! The shitter's been taken!"
Zhu Li rolled up her sleeves, ready to march over.
Zhao Ci quickly stopped her. "What are you doing?"
Zhu Li stated matter-of-factly, "Poaching him! Before the deal is sealed!"
Zhao Ci grimaced. "Forget it! Recruiting Mansion Officials is all about the right time, the right place, and the right people. Zhuge Xiao has been in Lingge for less than a day and has already decided to be Zhao Yong's Mansion Official. They must have had a prior arrangement. They're already here to register. Do you think a few words from us are going to change anything?"
"A few words might not work, but a few punches and kicks just might!"
"Can the two of us even beat them right now?"
"Good point. You're a bit useless right now..."
"..."
"But are we really just going to let them have Zhuge Xiao?"
Zhu Li rolled her sleeves back down, still looking indignant.
Zhao Ci spread his hands. "Look at Zhao Yong. He's so exhausted he looks like crap, but he's still willing to humble himself and push Zhuge Xiao's wheelchair. You can't fault him for that. In contrast, I haven't established that rapport or trust. Even if I did manage to recruit the man, I wouldn't dare turn my back to him."
"That's true..."
Zhu Li nodded and let him pull her reluctantly onto the carriage. She still looked at him with a hint of exasperation, as if disappointed he wasn't living up to his potential. "I'll forgive you this once. But you're supposed to be the boss from now on. Can you be a little more diligent?
Recruit more talent, do more to win people's loyalty! Otherwise, with low numbers and a divided team, we won't achieve anything great!
If you, the boss, don't do well, then I, your subordinate, lose face when I go out."
Zhao Ci: "..."
'How did I not realize yesterday that she was the queen of the rat race?'
'I've seen plenty of bosses who push their employees to the breaking point.'
'But an employee pushing their boss? Now that's a rare sight.'
Zhu Li said, "I have a brilliant plan for winning people over!"
Zhao Ci rubbed his head. "I'm listening!"
Zhu Li's eyes, practically glowing green, locked onto the cloth bags filled with ingredients in the carriage. "Hurry up and go to Wangshu Palace to visit Lady Jing and get cooking as soon as possible. Your subordinate is hungry, and a hungry subordinate's loyalty is easy to win."
[Zhu Li's Current Wish]: The Tenth Prince's Mansion's strongest Alchemist wants to eat. Wish Completion Reward: Comprehension Value +10, Taotie Talisman x1.
Zhao Ci: "..."
...
The carriage rumbled toward the Imperial Palace.
After several days, Zhao Ci once again saw the Huang Duzhe he had been so fondly thinking of.
He tipped them some silver coins as usual and instructed his driver to buy them some Yangzhi Ganlu after their shift was over.
Only then did he have the eunuch on duty go to Wangshu Palace to announce them.
After all, while he could enter and exit the Imperial Palace freely, Zhu Li could not.
"You're surprisingly nice, you know? Actually buying them Yangzhi Ganlu."
Zhu Li looked as if she'd seen a spark of humanity in Zhao Ci. Her expression held a trace of appreciation, but it was mixed with heartache. "But you've established your own mansion now. Every expense will be deducted from your own assets. The one running the house needs to know how much things cost. I suggest you spend your money where it matters most in the future."
Zhao Ci's head was buzzing. "And where would 'where it matters most' be?"
Zhu Li pointed to her own nose with a dead serious expression. "By treating me! I'm your true confidante."
[Zhu Li's Current Wish]: The Tenth Prince's Mansion's strongest Alchemist wants to drink Yangzhi Ganlu. Wish Completion Reward: Comprehension Value +10, Taotie Talisman x1.
Zhao Ci: "..."