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

A rough count suggests there are no fewer than 100,000 of them.

Shen Jiayu listened intently with her eyes lowered, and finally fell into a warm embrace.

The Duchess's eyes reddened, and she held her tightly, choking back tears, unable to speak, "My...my daughter, she's entered...entered the palace...take good care of yourself..."

Hearing her mother's trembling voice, Shen Jiayu felt a pang of sadness. The only thing she would miss about leaving home this time was her parents.

She hugged him back tightly.

After the mother and daughter calmed down a bit, it was already getting dark, so they went to have their meal together.

But once they entered the main hall, the atmosphere became unusual.

The Duke of Zhenguo arrived early and sat in the main seat, his gaze long and deep, as if lost in distant memories.

He forced a smile when he saw Shen Jiayu.

He said, "My daughter has grown up and is very beautiful."

The Duchess shed tears again upon hearing these words.

Shen Jiayu helped her to the main seat, then returned to the lower part of the table, lifted her skirt, and knelt down.

"Your daughter kowtows to express her gratitude to her parents for raising her over the years. After entering the palace, I fear I will not be able to see my father and mother often. I hope my father and mother will take good care of their health."

Shen Jiayu was not the biological daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo and his wife.

Her biological father was Xu Dingyuan, a great hero who quelled the rebellion in the northern border. He was renowned for his military achievements and fame, but as the saying goes, the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind.

Xu Dingyuan died in a battle to defend the city. The city was saved, but he died for his country. His wife followed him in death, leaving behind only an orphaned daughter who was less than a year old.

When the news reached the capital, it shocked the court and the public. The six ministries of the cabinet held an emergency meeting overnight to discuss how to settle the orphans of meritorious officials.

Xu Dingyuan had a close friend in the capital named Shen Weixing, who had just inherited the title of Duke Zhenguo.

Upon hearing the tragic news of his friend's death, the Duke of Zhenguo personally went to the palace to request an imperial decree from the reigning Emperor Kangyuan, asking for both permission to guard the border and permission to raise the orphaned girl.

The Duke of Zhenguo is one of the eight dukes, and also a young and talented duke. The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is a rare and wonderful place.

Emperor Kangyuan naturally agreed.

Later, the newlywed Duke and Duchess of Zhenguo traveled to Beiyuan together. When they saw the thin and timid little girl, their hearts softened beyond measure.

The couple renamed the baby Jiayu, meaning "auspicious and blessed," like a precious gem.

For decades afterward, the couple had no other children. It's unclear whether this was due to their lack of fortune or some other reason.

The couple poured all their love and effort into nurturing that nearly withered seedling in the border town into the vibrant and fragrant plant it is today.

Now that their daughter is about to leave, how could the couple not be heartbroken and grief-stricken?

The Duchess burst into tears the moment Shen Jiayu knelt down, sobbing uncontrollably.

Even the usually reserved Duke of Zhenguo couldn't help but turn his face away, his eyes reddening.

After performing the full ceremony, Shen Jiayu rose and knelt on her mother's lap, silently comforting her.

*

Inside the palace.

This talent show attracted the attention of all six palaces (East and West).

All the concubines were waiting for news of the investiture. Even though they were somewhat prepared, they were still shocked when they heard that the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's family had been made a Noble Consort.

This investiture can only be described in eight words.

Break with ancestral traditions.

To be showered with the utmost honor and favor.

She entered the palace as a third-rank noble concubine, only one step away from the principal position. Even before she had served the emperor, one could see how favored she was by the emperor.

The other concubines were naturally filled with envy.

But if we discuss it in detail, besides envy, is there really no jealousy?

How could there not be?

This position of Imperial Concubine is something that most imperial concubines, after ten years of ups and downs, never attain.

But for Consort Shen, it was something easily obtained, so who wouldn't be jealous?

Despite their jealousy, none of the concubines dared to show it in the slightest.

Otherwise, if you cause any trouble, that person in the Cining Palace is not someone to be trifled with.

Considering their own future prospects, whether to be jealous and ostracize or to curry favor and flatter, the concubines had basically reached a conclusion in their hearts after some deliberation.

*

Yongxin Palace.

This is the residence of the highly favored Consort Qi.

At this moment, the faint sounds of conversation could be heard coming from inside the side hall.

"Are you sure you've found out? Is it really a third-rank Noble Consort? Or have you misheard?"

Qi Ronghua was in the prime of her life, with fair skin and a beautiful face, and she was considered one of the most beautiful women in the palace.

At this moment, she frowned, her beautiful willow-leaf eyebrows furrowed, and kept asking questions.

The palace maid replied, "Your Highness, I have inquired and found out that the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's family holds the rank of a Noble Consort of the Third Rank."

Upon hearing this, Qi Ronghua's face instantly turned ugly.

Previously, rumors circulated in the palace that this Shen family daughter was exceptionally beautiful and had unparalleled looks; some even said she was the most beautiful woman in the world. This news had already instilled a sense of crisis in her.

Hearing the news that a woman from the Shen family had been conferred the title of Noble Consort made her feel even more resentful.

She had been in the palace for three years and was highly favored by the emperor. Since her position as a sixth-rank Baolin, she had risen rapidly to the fourth-rank Ronghua, enjoying immense prestige.

But now, her little bit of glory pales in comparison to the Shen family's daughter.

When that person entered the palace, she became a Noble Consort, two ranks higher than her, and she had to bow to a newcomer instead.

What a humiliation.

Qi Ronghua closed her eyes and pondered for a moment, then slowly opened them and said in a low voice, "No, we absolutely cannot just sit here and wait to die."

The palace maid beside her, upon hearing this, her eyes flickered, and she asked in a low voice, "Does Your Highness mean to take some action?"

Qi Ronghua's gaze was resolute as she coldly stated, "Of course, we must take action!"

She was unwilling to simply relinquish the emperor's favor to someone else.

"Does Your Highness intend to eliminate this Consort Shen without anyone knowing...?" The palace maid made a gesture to silence her.

Qi Ronghua was startled and exclaimed, "What nonsense are you spouting! If the Empress Dowager finds out, I'll be dead!!"

The palace maid immediately knelt down.

Qi Ronghua said irritably, "What I mean is, we need to find a way to win His Majesty's favor, even if it's just to get him to favor me a few more times before she serves him. Otherwise, once this Consort Shen has served him, His Majesty might not remember me for a while."

After she finished speaking, she beckoned to the palace maid, signaling her to come over and cover her ears, "Listen to me, you go first..."

"This servant understands." The palace maid nodded repeatedly and hurriedly went to carry out the order.

Watching the palace maid's departing figure, a cold glint appeared in Qi Ronghua's eyes. "The Emperor's favor I've worked so hard for cannot be easily taken away by anyone, not a single one!"

She emphasized the last few words, as if giving herself courage.