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

Shen Jiayu's eyes were filled with joy.

That's great! She can eat whatever she wants without any restrictions.

Once she finished her retreat, she took turns tasting all the emperor's meals.

Shen Jiayu smiled sweetly and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Pei Yan's heart stirred slightly as he looked at the woman's joyful expression.

He finally figured it out.

There are only two ways to make her obedient: one is to intimidate her, and the other is to bribe her.

She's a cunning and treacherous little fox.

Looking at the dish in front of her, Shen Jiayu took a deep breath and slowly put some food into her mouth.

However, she is a picky eater; if she encounters something she doesn't like, she will frown and put it aside.

After doing all this, Shen Jiayu secretly glanced at Pei Yan again, and only felt relieved when she saw that he did not react.

After finishing her meal, Shen Jiayu was so full that she sat on the couch, rubbing her stomach to rest. "Your Majesty, tomorrow I will go to Cining Palace first to tell my aunt, and then go to Xuanzheng Hall to serve her later."

Pei Yan glanced at her indifferently and responded with a sound of agreement.

Shen Jiayu felt a little more comfortable in her stomach and became more interested, "Is His Majesty's birthday coming up soon?"

Pei Yan said, "Early June."

Shen Jiayu smiled and said, "Then, Your Majesty, I will make a birthday gift for you myself."

Pei Yan lifted his eyelids to look at her: "You're making it yourself?"

Seeing the scrutiny in his eyes, Shen Jiayu pouted, "Whom does Your Majesty underestimate? Although I am not skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, I am proficient in some things, okay?"

Pei Yan nodded and said, "Then I'm waiting for what you have. But if you've forgotten it again this time, tell me, what should we do?"

Shen Jiayu secretly rolled her eyes.

As an emperor, he's too petty. He's already punished her for this, yet he still holds a grudge.

However, she remained expressionless, clenching her fist as she said, "They really don't learn their lesson and should be severely punished."

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

In just a moment, everything returned to normal.

"You said those words yourself. If you forget them, I will not let you off easily."

Shen Jiayu nodded like a chick pecking at rice.

She blinked and, without making a sound, moved a little closer.

Pei Yan extended his long index finger, pressed it against her brow, pushed her away, and said in a deep voice, "You're being disobedient again."

Shen Jiayu had no choice but to give up.

Pei Yan stood up and said, "It's getting late, you should rest."

Shen Jiayu instinctively wanted to say something, but then she remembered that she couldn't keep him now, so she reluctantly bowed and said, "This concubine respectfully sees Your Majesty off."

Pei Yan looked at her for a while, then turned and left.

*

When Shen Jiayu paid his respects the next day, he did not see Ruan Cainu.

I heard she'll be staying in the palace to rest and prepare for childbirth.

Shen Jiayu smiled and didn't care.

As long as you don't provoke her, she won't bother with you.

With one less concubine to be the center of attention, the other concubines had nothing more to say. They chatted about clothes and headwear, and soon dispersed.

Shen Jiayu remembered that she was going to Xuanzheng Hall today, and she wanted to go and explain to Empress Dowager Shen first.

Unexpectedly, he met Pei Yan in Empress Dowager Shen's palace.

As soon as she entered, both mother and son looked at her. It was unclear what they had been talking about, but Pei Yan stood up and said, "Then I will take the person away."

Empress Dowager Shen waved to Shen Jiayu.

Shen Jiayu was stunned for a moment, still somewhat confused about the situation.

Pei Yan passed by her and scolded in a low voice, "What are you daydreaming about? Aren't you coming along?"

Shen Jiayu then came to her senses and followed him closely.

The entire journey was speechless.

Upon arriving at the Xuanzheng Hall, Pei Yan sat behind his desk and asked her, "Do you remember what I said?"

Shen Jiayu nodded: "No slacking off, no complaining of being tired. If you fail to satisfy His Majesty, you will be severely punished."

Pei Yan glanced at the person and said, "It's good that you remember."

Without saying anything more, he began to handle government affairs.

Shen Jiayu quickly rolled up her sleeves and quietly ground ink for him.

The two were busy with their own things, and the atmosphere was fairly harmonious.

Although she was supposed to be serving someone, Shen Jiayu didn't make herself feel too wronged and didn't just stand there blankly.

After grinding the ink, she would find a book on Chinese history or a travelogue in the study, sit down, and obediently read it while eating pastries.

Occasionally, when I'm tired, I'll take a nap.

Do whatever makes you comfortable.

The day wasn't too difficult to get through.

When handling government affairs, Pei Yan is more stern than usual. He rarely speaks and his expression is indifferent and solemn.

Shen Jiayu did not disturb him rashly, but only occasionally offered him a cup of tea.

The two only exchanged a few words during meals. Most of the time, Pei Yan would forbid Shen Jiayu from being picky about food.

Shen Jiayu was at someone else's mercy and had no choice but to compromise. However, she couldn't eat some of the dishes, so she pushed them aside.

Shen Jiayu was quite impressed by this, thinking that Qing'an truly deserved to be the Grand Eunuch of the Imperial Court; his ability to read people's expressions and moods was now unparalleled.

The dishes she didn't eat today will never appear on the table the next day; instead, they will be replaced with something else. And the dishes she ate a few extra bites of will definitely appear near her the next day.

Shen Jiayu expressed satisfaction with this.

Finally, after enduring ten days, Shen Jiayu could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

She asked, "Your Majesty, how do you find my service?"

Pei Yan remained silent for a moment, then said, "It's acceptable."

Shen Jiayu relaxed completely and sat down in a round-backed chair, her eyes limp and lifeless.

Seeing this, Pei Yan sneered, "Consort Shen, even if you make a mistake next time, it will still be ten days."

Shen Jiayu tensed up again, and she quickly waved her hands, "I won't do it again, I won't do it again."

*

After spending those ten days in Xuanzheng Hall, it was already May.

Shen Jiayu resumed her previous life.

Every day, he would go to Fengyi Palace to pay his respects, and then go to Cining Palace to accompany Empress Dowager Shen in worshipping Buddha.

But that day is fast approaching.

Empress Dowager Shen had said that the Buddhist worship would end in two months, but there are still a few days left.

On that final day, Empress Dowager Shen looked at Shen Jiayu and couldn't help but sigh.

Shen Jiayu asked, "Why did Aunt sigh?"

Empress Dowager Shen said, "I will miss you dearly. I wonder how often Ayu will be able to visit me in the future?"

Shen Jiayu snuggled against her and said sweetly, "If Aunt doesn't mind, I'll come every day."

Empress Dowager Shen shook her head: "Having you spend so much time with me has already delayed your relationship with the Emperor. After you've served him in bed in a few days, you should focus your attention on that."

Shen Jiayu retorted, "Ayu can handle both, so Aunt doesn't need to worry."

Empress Dowager Shen stroked her silky black hair. "Very well. But I'm not greedy. I'll be content if Ayu comes every three to five days."

Shen Jiayu promised, "Ayu will definitely come to keep my aunt company often."

Empress Dowager Shen's eyes grew increasingly gentle and loving.