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

The tenth day of the third month of the reign of Emperor Zhaoqi.

The weather was fine and sunny, and the sky was spotless.

With the Duke and Duchess of Zhenguo watching her go with great reluctance, Shen Jiayu boarded the carriage bound for the palace.

The heavy, black wheels rolled over the bluestone slabs with a dull thud.

Shen Jiayu was very calm, and even had the time to lift the curtain and admire the scenery along the way.

As the noise and bustle gradually subsided, the carriage came to a stop.

We've arrived at the imperial city.

With the help of palace maids, Shen Jiayu slowly stepped down from the carriage and looked at the majestic and imposing palace before her.

Red walls and green tiles, carved beams and painted rafters, resplendent in gold and jade.

Standing here again, I am still awestruck by the magnificent grandeur of the palaces.

From this day forward, this will be the place where she will fight and struggle her entire life.

Shen Jiayu withdrew her gaze and followed the palace eunuch who was leading the way, passing through several long palace streets and finally stopping in front of a palace gate.

She looked up and saw three large, gilded characters engraved on the plaque above the vermilion gate—Yihua Palace.

Shen Jiayu silently recited the three words: "nourish the body and mind, and receive the glory." The meaning was indeed very good.

The palace eunuch leading the way explained, "Your Highness, this Yihua Palace is one of the finest places in the palace. It is elegant and noble, and most importantly, it is close to the Emperor's Xuanzheng Hall. This Yihua Palace has been specially allocated to Your Highness, for your exclusive residence."

Shen Jiayu nodded slightly and gave a wink to the person next to her.

Hongling immediately understood, stepped forward, handed a purse to the eunuch who was leading the way, and said softly, "You must be tired from your journey, sir. Please take this money to have some tea."

The official who was leading the way pretended to refuse, and after some back and forth, he finally accepted the silver.

He smiled broadly as he tested the weight in his hand.

Consort Shen, as expected of a noble lady from a duke's family, is generous and lavish. It's no wonder he was so eager to do this job.

After putting away the silver, he bowed respectfully and said, "Then this servant will take his leave."

After the eunuch left, Shen Jiayu said calmly, "Let's go inside."

Hongling and Lü'e helped her step into the palace gate.

From a distance, I could vaguely see two rows of palace servants standing neatly in front of the main hall.

As she approached, Shen Jiayu recognized the head nanny—it was none other than Granny Meng, who had previously taught her palace etiquette.

Upon seeing her, Granny Meng smiled slightly and performed a standard kneeling bow, saying, "This servant greets Your Highness, may Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings and peace."

The palace servants behind her knelt down in a flurry.

Shen Jiayu suppressed the dark glint in her eyes and said in a calm voice, "Get up, all of you."

Granny Meng rose and asked with a smile, "Since we parted that day, has Her Highness the Noble Consort been well?"

Shen Jiayu said, "Everything is fine."

Granny Meng continued, "It is good that Your Highness is well. From now on, I will serve Your Highness here. Please move to the main hall."

Shen Jiayu keenly sensed something amiss: "The main hall?"

The harem of the Jing Dynasty was strictly hierarchical, with only those of the rank of principal or above residing in the main hall. Although her initial title was quite high, residing in the main hall was still not in accordance with the rules.

Granny Meng explained, "When Her Majesty the Empress came to the Empress Dowager's palace to pay her respects, she mentioned in casual conversation that Consort Gui was only one rank away from being promoted to the rank of Consort. She suggested that instead of going to the side hall, it would be too much trouble to move around, and that Consort Gui should just stay in the main hall."

Now that the matter has been formally approved, and the Empress herself has spoken, Shen Jiayu naturally wouldn't refuse. "Let's go."

There were steps leading up to the main hall. Shen Jiayu slowly climbed them and began to look around.

The space under the eaves is spacious, and on the flower stand under the left window, there are several exquisitely trimmed potted plants, lush and vibrant.

On the right is a small-leaf sandalwood chaise lounge, with a tea table beside it. A beaded curtain hangs halfway down, blocking most of the sunlight, making it a perfect spot for an afternoon nap.

Upon entering the main hall, one is immediately struck by its magnificent and opulent atmosphere.

The main hall has five bays. The main bay is where guests are entertained and matters are discussed. A gilded lacquered throne is placed at the head of the table, covered with brocade cushions. Incense is burning in a bronze incense burner with animal heads on the side. Below are two rows of sandalwood armchairs for people to sit on.

The east and west sides are separated by antique shelves and beaded curtains. One side is a small study where one can read or play chess. The other side is the living and dining area, with a very large chaise lounge by the window, complete with soft pillows and a small table.

The inner palace was at the back, still separated by a beaded curtain, and was quite spacious inside. The bed was still made of rosewood, with a brocade curtain embroidered with a hundred flowers and phoenixes hanging above it, elegant yet tasteful, now tucked away on a golden curtain hook.

On one side of the inner hall is a row of mother-of-pearl inlaid cabinets used for storing things. On the other side is a set of exquisitely carved dressing table inlaid with mother-of-pearl.

Shen Jiayu took a quick look around and got a general understanding of her accommodation. Overall, she was quite satisfied.

After reading it, she returned to the front and sat in the main seat.

Granny Meng led the palace servants in and introduced them to Shen Jiayu one by one.

"Given the rank of Consort Gui, there should be eight palace maids and six eunuchs at her disposal. Upon learning that Consort Gui had brought two palace maids with her, the Six Bureaus of the Inner Palace assigned six palace maids and six eunuchs to her."

"This is our palace's head eunuch, Zhao Li. This is Xiao Jiangzi, this is Xiao Shunzi, and this is…"

When Granny Meng pointed to someone, that person would curtsy to Shen Jiayu.

Shen Jiayu watched quietly without asking a single question.

After Granny Meng finished introducing everyone, they held their breath and waited for her instructions.

Inside the hall, you could hear a pin drop.

Only when Shen Jiayu drank tea did the crisp sound of the tea lid clinking against the teacup make everyone's hearts hang in suspense, and they dared not breathe.

Finally, Shen Jiayu put down her teacup, looked at Zhao Li, and said calmly, "I remember you. I saw you at Cining Palace when I came to pay my respects to my aunt after the New Year this year."

When the Duke of Zhenguo and his wife brought her to the capital, it was New Year's Eve. After the tenth day of the new year, when more than half of the year had passed, she accompanied her mother to pay her first respects to her aunt, the Empress Dowager.

Zhao Li's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly stepped forward, bowing his head as he replied, "Your Highness has a good memory. It was this servant who led the way for Your Highness and the Duchess, and the Duchess even gave them a reward."

Upon hearing this, Shen Jiayu nodded.

At this moment, Granny Meng stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Replying to Consort Gui, the palace is a deep and treacherous place. You can't do without trusted confidants. This servant and Zhao Li both come from Cining Palace. Including these palace maids and eunuchs, they were all appointed by the Empress Dowager. They are all trustworthy people."

Shen Jiayu had already sensed it; she knew what was going on when she saw Granny Meng.

The Empress Dowager's aunt arranged for her to have trusted and capable people, which has two sides. There is a good side and a bad side.

On the bright side, she has people she can rely on, and in the future, her Yihua Palace will be as solid as an impregnable fortress, making it difficult for others to infiltrate and blocking many harmful attacks.

There was a downside: some of the people sent by the Empress Dowager's aunt were not clear about who they were truly loyal to.

Then it will depend on her abilities.