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

Shen Jiayu focused on trimming the flower branches in her hands and calmly said, "No need to change them. We won't go to Xuanzheng Hall tonight."

Upon hearing this, everyone serving in the hall was stunned and filled with doubt.

Not going to Xuanzheng Hall?

But His Majesty has summoned...

If I don't go, wouldn't that be disobeying an imperial order?

This is no small matter. If His Majesty is truly angered, he will inevitably be displeased. And if His Majesty angers the Empress, it will be difficult for the Empress Dowager to intercede on his behalf.

Hongling hesitated for a moment, then tentatively asked, "So, what does Your Highness mean?"

Shen Jiayu used force to cut off the side branches that were growing diagonally, leaving only the main branch with buds about to bloom. She admired it for a moment before saying, "In a little while, go to Xuanzheng Hall and tell them that I am unwell and cannot serve the Emperor for the time being."

Having a reason to go is better than simply not going.

Hongling and the others in the hall exchanged glances. Although they didn't understand the intention, they still agreed.

My lady has always acted with discretion and restraint.

They didn't understand these unusual actions tonight, but they trusted the Empress.

Her Majesty must have her reasons for doing this!

Hongling replied, "This servant understands."

Shen Jiayu gave a soft "hmm" and continued pruning the flowers. The only sounds in the hall were the rustling of scissors opening and closing and the soft rustling of leaves.

*

Unlike the tranquility of Yihua Palace.

The atmosphere in Xuanzheng Hall could be described as cold, solemn, and oppressive.

After serving the tea, Qing'an carefully wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. He quickly summoned his apprentice, "Go to Yihua Palace and check on Consort Chen. Has something happened?"

Logically speaking, Consort Chen should have arrived by now.

He went to report this before dinner.

She had originally thought that if Consort Chen arrived in time, the Emperor and Consort could dine together.

His Majesty probably thinks so too.

Therefore, dinner time tonight will be about half an hour later than usual.

Unexpectedly, Consort Chen Zhao did not arrive for a long time.

Now that the emperor has finished his meal, and it is getting dark outside, there has been no further news.

His Majesty's expression grew increasingly grim; though he remained silent, his eyes and brows conveyed a chilling intent.

He served her with trepidation.

Having finally managed to get out, I definitely need to send someone to check on what's going on with Consort Chen.

Having received the instructions, the young apprentice obeyed and left.

Qing An was filled with anxiety and anticipation, and couldn't help but pace back and forth under the corridor.

Before long, the young apprentice returned.

Qing An was taken aback.

This amount of time is not enough for the young apprentice to travel back and forth to Yihua Palace.

How did you get back?

Just as he was about to frown and ask a question, he saw several palace maids emerge from the night not far away.

Upon seeing the person's face, Qing'an's eyes lit up.

He took a few steps forward to greet her, but suddenly realized that the imperial concubine's palanquin had not arrived. His heart tightened, and he hurriedly asked the person who came, "Miss Hongling, where is Consort Zhaoyi?"

Hongling first curtsied according to custom, and then said in a dignified but not arrogant manner, "Today, our Ladyship has suddenly fallen ill and is feeling dizzy, making it inconvenient for her to attend to His Majesty. We hope that the head steward will convey this to His Majesty and ask for his understanding."

Qing'an was taken aback.

Feeling unwell?

But just now, when he went to Yihua Palace, Consort Zhao's complexion was rosy and radiant.

Qing'an knew the truth in his heart, but dared not say it aloud. He only said, "Since Her Majesty is unwell, it is naturally inconvenient for her to come. I will trouble Miss Hongling to make this trip. I will go in and inform His Majesty now."

Hongling bowed gracefully: "Thank you for your trouble, Steward."

After bowing, she turned and left with her two maids.

As Qing'an watched the figure gradually disappear into the darkness, a wave of melancholy washed over him.

The task was assigned to him.

But this is a difficult matter to handle.

Upon hearing the news, His Majesty will likely be displeased.

Qing An smiled bitterly, looked at the majestic and tightly closed hall, took a deep breath, raised his hand to open it, and slowly stepped into the hall.

He tried to walk as quietly as possible, finally stopping in front of the bed in the west hall, and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, the head maid of Yihua Palace just came by."

The man sitting upright on the soft couch, looking at the chess score, slightly raised his head.

Qing An was filled with trepidation, but he forced himself to say, "The palace maids of Yihua Palace said that Consort Zhao is feeling unwell and is unable to come to Your Majesty's bedchamber. Please forgive her."

Pei Yan put down the chess manual, his voice deep and slow: "Has the imperial physician gone to examine him? Why hasn't anyone come to report to me?"

Qing'an didn't dare to respond for a moment.

Seeing his silence, Pei Yan grew even more displeased: "How can you be such a steward? Don't you know anything about the situation in the harem?"

Qing An knew she couldn't hide it any longer.

He knelt down, closed his eyes, and said, "Your Majesty, this servant has not heard any news of any concubines in the harem being unwell."

Pei Yan narrowed his dark, ink-like eyes.

His aura suddenly turned cold.

He naturally understood what Qing'an meant.

In other words, a person is not sick, but claims to be ill.

This accident was unexpected, wasn't it?

When I left here before, I was quite obedient, except for the occasional spoiled behavior.

What's going on here now?

Pei Yan remained silent for a moment, then asked in a cold voice, "Has the harem been quite lively lately?"

The implication of these words is that she is asking if another concubine has offended her.

Qing'an understood, and he bowed even lower: "Since Consort Hui woke up, everything in the palace has been as usual."

That means nothing happened, and no one bothered her.

well.

She took her anger out on him.

Thinking of this, Pei Yan's expression grew even colder.

This cousin of mine is getting more and more arrogant and presumptuous; now she doesn't even take his words seriously.

He said that he could be more lenient with others, but not with him.

Moreover, he had previously stated that no one was allowed to avoid him, or they would be severely punished.

It's time to really discipline her and teach her a lesson.

Pei Yan, with a cold expression, swept his sleeves and entered the bedchamber.

*

The next evening.

Qing'an came to Yihua Palace again. After paying his respects to Shen Jiayu, he said, "Your Highness, His Majesty has summoned you to serve him tonight."

Shen Jiayu said calmly, "I understand."

Qing'an hesitated for a moment, then said, "His Majesty also said that if the Empress is still unwell, we must carry you to the Xuanzheng Hall so that Imperial Physician Guo can treat you."

Shen Jiayu: "..."

She smiled slightly: "Your Majesty is so considerate of me."

This forced her to go.

also.

She'll go; she never intended to hide forever.

Qing'an chimed in, "Your Majesty's favor is unmatched in the harem. His Majesty's treatment of you is different."

After everyone left, Shen Jiayu sat down at her dressing table. Hongling asked her, "Does Your Highness wish to dress up elaborately tonight?"

Shen Jiayu shook her head.

She reached out and pulled all the hairpins and ornaments off her head, leaving only a white jade hairpin to hold her black hair in place.

She wasn't wearing brightly colored dresses, but rather a pale white ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) with a plain-colored gauze overlay.

Her simple, elegant attire only accentuated her natural beauty. It brought to mind the phrase "extreme simplicity breeds brilliance."

This word couldn't be more fitting for her at this moment.

After getting dressed, Shen Jiayu stood up and said, "Alright, let's go."