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

Seeing that she remained silent, Zhao Li's heart pounded with anxiety.

This Imperial Concubine looked indifferent, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Is he angry or not?

He stood there nervously for a while, too afraid to move.

Shen Jiayu glanced around at everyone, her clear voice carrying an undeniable authority, "Since everyone's here today, let's talk about my rules."

Granny Meng and Zhao Li took the lead in kneeling down, "Please give us your instructions, Your Highness."

The palace servants followed them, and they all knelt down.

Everyone held their breath and listened attentively.

Shen Jiayu slowly began, "I've always had a bad temper, but I won't be harsh on palace servants without reason. With me, mistakes can be corrected. Things you don't know can be learned. But—"

"There's one thing that's most important," Shen Jiayu emphasized, her eyes sharpening from a casual tone. "Zhao Li, do you know what it is?"

After hearing her words, Zhao Li was already filled with apprehension, and now his back was covered in cold sweat.

The fact that he was sent to serve the Consort shows that he is not a stupid person.

At this moment, Zhao Li realized that this Noble Consort was not easy to fool; in fact, she was extremely perceptive.

After pondering for a while, Zhao Licai replied in a low voice, "What Your Highness is referring to is loyalty."

Shen Jiayu said directly, "Yes, it's loyalty."

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines, finally realizing the intention behind their new master's words.

This is a form of criticism.

Realizing this, everyone bowed even lower.

Shen Jiayu's voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear to everyone: "Before, you were all in the Empress Dowager's palace, and naturally, you were loyal to the Empress Dowager. Now that you've been assigned to Yihua Palace, I wonder who you will be loyal to from now on?"

Zhao Li took a deep breath and mustered his courage to speak: "This servant is loyal to Your Highness, Consort."

Granny Meng followed closely behind: "This servant is loyal to the Noble Consort."

Everyone exclaimed in unison, "It's Consort Gui!"

Shen Jiayu was fairly satisfied: "Remember what you said. Let me make this clear from the start: if anyone changes their mind one day, don't blame me for turning my back on you without mercy."

The others replied, "We wouldn't dare."

Shen Jiayu pointed at Zhao Li from a distance and said slowly, "From now on, you will no longer be called Zhao Li. I will give you a new name, Zhao Bingzhong."

It was renamed.

It is a reward, a constant reminder to Zhao Li and the others, and a new beginning.

Zhao Li kowtowed: "This servant, Zhao Bingzhong, thanks Your Majesty for bestowing upon me this name."

Shen Jiayu waved her hand and said, "Get up, everyone."

Everyone then stood up.

Shen Jiayu then said, "Today is the first time we, master and servant, have met. This little gift is a token of our greeting. From now on, we, master and servant, should work together."

Hongling took out the red envelope she had prepared long ago.

Seeing that Granny Meng and Zhao Bingzhong had accepted them, the rest of the people dared to take them.

After handing out the red envelopes, Shen Jiayu dismissed them, saying, "You may all leave now and go about your business."

The group withdrew as instructed.

Only after leaving the main hall did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Having served in the palace for many years, they had only a handful of masters who could make them so terrified.

The crowd looked at each other, filled with awe and respect for this Noble Consort.

The young palace maids, being quite young, couldn't resist and quickly tore off the red envelopes.

His eyes widened when he saw the face value of the banknotes inside.

They surrounded Granny Meng and Zhao Bingzhong.

"Granny, Steward, look! The master has given out such a large reward!"

Granny Meng and Zhao Bingzhong exchanged a glance.

Granny Meng looked at everyone and said, "Take it. After this experience, you all know what you should and shouldn't do from now on."

After the crowd dispersed, Zhao Bingzhong let out a long sigh, his gaze distant. "Granny," he said, "to be honest, when the Empress Dowager sent me to Yihua Palace, I was reluctant. Firstly, I had heard that Consort Gui was arrogant and difficult to serve. Secondly, I felt that serving a younger concubine was less dignified than serving the Empress Dowager. But after what just happened, I am completely convinced of Consort Gui's virtue. I underestimated her before. Our Consort Gui is insightful, intelligent, and formidable."

Granny Meng chuckled, "This is nothing! Bingzhong, there's plenty of time. Just wait and see what surprises the Noble Consort will bring you in the future."

She had long foreseen the future of this Noble Consort, which can only be described in four words.

It has unlimited potential.

*

Today is the day the new concubine enters the palace.

The palace was bustling with activity.

Everyone at Yihua Palace was busy with their own duties in an orderly manner.

Shen Jiayu directed Hongling and Lü'e to put away the things they had brought from home.

After receiving the guests from various palaces, Granny Meng registered all the congratulatory gifts and put them into the storeroom.

Zhao Bingzhong also went out with two eunuchs to collect the allowance for Yihua Palace, as well as the pills that Shen Jiayu brought. They were being tested at the Imperial Hospital, and if there were no problems, they would bring them back on the way.

The remaining palace maids and eunuchs did some sweeping and cleaning work.

Inside the main hall, after tidying up the things she had brought from home, Shen Jiayu placed the two-layered carved wooden box in a hidden compartment by the bedside.

After doing all this, she had the items in the hall rearranged according to her own habits.

After a busy day, Shen Jiayu finally got everything sorted out and could finally rest.

Hongling poured her a cup of tea, while Lü'e massaged her shoulders and legs.

Shen Jiayu took it and drank a sip of hot tea to moisten her throat.

Hongling asked, "Noble Consort, now that we have some free time, shall we go to Cining Palace?"

Shen Jiayu put down her teacup, glanced at the sky outside, and decisively said, "It'll be dinner time in a little while, it's getting late. Besides, I've been busy all day, and I look disheveled, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to look like that. Tomorrow, after I've paid my respects to the Empress, I'll go and pay my respects to my aunt."

Hongling naturally listened to her.

Shen Jiayu called for Granny Meng to come in and brought out a small table for her to sit on. "Granny, take a rest. If you have nothing to do, let's chat."

Granny Meng smiled kindly and said, "Yes."

Shen Jiayu went straight to the point: "Tell me about His Majesty, Granny."

Back in the manor, Granny Meng told her about the concubines in the harem, but not about His Majesty.

At that time, she had not yet been officially appointed and was not qualified to inquire about it.

Now that she's in the palace, and Meng Mama is one of her people, she doesn't have so many reservations anymore.

Upon hearing this, Granny Meng smiled and asked, "Has the Noble Consort not yet met His Majesty?"

Shen Jiayu shook her head and said, "No."

Before entering the palace for the imperial concubine selection, she had only been to the palace once, when she accompanied her mother to pay respects to her aunt, the Empress Dowager.

During the selection of concubines for the imperial concubines, the emperor did not appear at all; only her aunt and Empress Luo were present.

Therefore, she has indeed never seen His Majesty's face, her nominal cousin and husband.