Entering the palace means entering a high position; I'm His Majesty's cousin, who am I afr

After the emperor departed, Hongling and the others immediately entered the hall.

Upon entering, they found Shen Jiayu sitting on a soft couch, lost in thought, unlike her usual self.

Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were slightly watery.

It must have been something that happened just now.

Hongling paused for a moment, then went to pour a glass of water and handed it to Shen Jiayu.

Shen Jiayu took it, lowered her head, and sipped it slowly, finishing it little by little.

She only came to her senses after drinking all the tea.

Looking at the handkerchief that the emperor had thrown on the small table, Shen Jiayu slowly recalled everything that had just happened.

At first, everything went smoothly, and she had all the initiative.

It's developing as she expected.

But then...

Shen Jiayu touched her swollen lips, feeling a clear, burning pain that lingered in her mouth.

She gave a cold laugh.

Her cousin was truly difficult to deal with.

She made a move, and he countered with a move of his own.

Nothing is allowed to escape his control.

After this experience, Shen Jiayu understood that the most difficult person to deal with in the harem was not anyone else, but her autocratic cousin.

But it's alright this way.

If the emperor's heart were so easily controlled and manipulated, it would be far too boring.

Shen Jiayu prefers evenly matched confrontations.

The more aloof, cold, and unpredictable an emperor's heart is, the greater the sense of accomplishment when he finally obtains it.

No?

*

Tonight, the Emperor will grace Yihua Palace with his presence.

The concubines were naturally disappointed.

Just as he was feeling depressed, he suddenly received news that His Majesty had returned to the Xuanzheng Hall.

The concubines were puzzled.

Aren't we staying at Yihua Palace tonight?

Why did you leave?

Could it be that Consort Shen has angered His Majesty, or is there another reason?

The concubines had many speculations in their minds and tossed and turned all night without sleeping.

The next day arrived.

When paying respects at Fengyi Palace.

Consort Li, seated at the head of the right, looked at Shen Jiayu and said meaningfully, "I heard that His Majesty visited Sister Shen last night?"

Shen Jiayu replied succinctly, "Yes."

Consort Li didn't care about her attitude.

Over the past ten days or so, everyone in the six palaces, both east and west, has come to know the nature of this Consort Shen.

He prefers to be alone and doesn't want to get close to anyone.

Consort Li's eyes darkened, and she asked tentatively with a smile, "Sister Shen is His Majesty's cousin. Among the newly entered concubines, His Majesty should naturally visit Sister Shen first. But I wonder why His Majesty didn't keep her overnight?"

Upon hearing this, all the concubines looked at Shen Jiayu. Even Empress Luo, sitting on her throne, turned to look at her.

Shen Jiayu said calmly, "A few days ago, I heard that my aunt was going to spend two months practicing Buddhism, a solitary and solitary practice. I was worried about leaving my aunt alone, so I requested permission to accompany her in her practice. Therefore..."

The concubines understood what she hadn't finished saying: since they were practicing Buddhism and cultivating themselves in seclusion, they couldn't break their vows.

Therefore, His Majesty only visited last night and did not stay overnight.

This cleared up their doubts.

But the other concubines couldn't help but wonder whether Consort Shen was clever or foolish.

Although Qingxiu won the Empress Dowager's favor, he could not serve her in bed. Was this a case of losing more than he gained?

Consort Li suddenly realized, "So that's how it is. Sister Shen is truly filial."

The other concubines also chimed in with their opinions.

But what they really think in their hearts remains unknown.

*

Empress Dowager Shen was naturally aware that the Emperor had visited Yihua Palace last night.

So as soon as Shen Jiayu arrived at Cining Palace, she asked about this matter.

"How is your relationship with the emperor?"

Shen Jiayu thought for a moment and replied, "That's fine."

Empress Dowager Shen repeated those three words in her mind, and without asking anything further, she simply said, "Then I can rest assured."

If it comes to the future of her position in the harem, she can still help and intervene.

But she couldn't interfere with the younger generation's love and hate, because love is something that can't be forced.

Besides, Ayu said it was pretty good, so it must be quite nice.

Empress Dowager Shen suppressed these thoughts and beckoned to Shen Jiayu: "This morning's breakfast includes fragrant bamboo shoots, tender cabbage, and lotus leaf-wrapped vegetarian rolls, all of which are your favorites."

Shen Jiayu's eyes lit up, and she went over to help Empress Dowager Shen to sit down at the dining table. She happily pouted and said, "Auntie still loves Yu'er the most."

Empress Dowager Shen tapped the tip of her nose and said with a doting smile, "Stop being silly and eat quickly."

After spending these days together, the aunt and niece's relationship has deepened and they have become increasingly close.

Their relationship was even warmer and more intimate than that of an ordinary mother and daughter.

Shen Jiayu was so hungry that she couldn't wait any longer.

Without any pretense of decorum, he sat down next to Empress Dowager Shen and began to eat heartily.

Empress Dowager Shen shook her head repeatedly, scolding with a smile, "You little glutton, eat slowly. No one's going to take it from you. Don't choke or burn yourself."

Shen Jiayu's mouth was stuffed full, bulging out.

She didn't have time to speak, so she could only nod in response.

Seeing her adorable appearance, Empress Dowager Shen's smile grew even wider.

*

Shen Jiayu never expected to see the emperor again so soon.

Two days later.

After paying her respects, she hurried to Cining Palace.

Upon arriving at the palace gate, they saw the imperial carriage already parked in front of it.

Shen Jiayu alighted from the palanquin and entered Cining Palace with a normal expression.

Upon entering the main hall, Shen Jiayu found it quiet and thought no one was inside. But as she walked in, she saw the most noble mother and son in the world sitting opposite each other on the couch, neither of them speaking.

The atmosphere was rather subtle.

A smile played on Shen Jiayu's lips as she gracefully stepped forward.

"Aunt, Your Majesty."

Empress Dowager Shen patted the seat next to her and asked gently, "Back early today?"

Shen Jiayu sat obediently beside her and explained, "Her Majesty the Empress didn't rest well last night and was a little tired, so she sent us back after paying her respects."

Empress Dowager Shen smiled and said, "That's perfect, let's have our meal."

Shen Jiayu asked, "Would Your Majesty like to come along?"

Empress Dowager Shen turned her head to the person opposite her and asked, "I wonder if the Emperor would do me the honor?"

Pei Yan nodded slightly: "If Your Majesty does not find it troublesome, then I would be more than happy to oblige."

Empress Dowager Shen smiled and ignored him, pulling Shen Jiayu to sit down at the dining table.

Pei Yan narrowed his dark eyes as he looked at Shen Jiayu's slender and graceful back.

Unexpectedly, his cousin had two faces.

That night, when she faced him, she was aggressive and unrestrained.

Today, I'm being quite shrewd in this Cining Palace.

Pei Yan's lips curved into a barely perceptible smile.

interesting.

This cousin seems to be much more interesting than he imagined.