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

Shen Jiayu's birthday.

The Yihua Palace was bustling with activity.

First, the palace servants of the palace paid their respects to Shen Jiayu, led by Granny Meng and Zhao Bingzhong, kneeling in a large courtyard.

Shen Jiayu accepted the gift with a smile, and then said, "Those who serve at Yihua Palace, except for those who are entitled to monthly allowances, will each receive an extra twenty taels of silver this month."

She has plenty of money right now.

When he entered the palace in the spring, he brought 60,000 taels of silver from home, but he never touched the money.

The rewards from the Emperor and Empress Dowager Shen were more than enough for her to manage.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Duchess brought her another 20,000 taels of silver.

Now, she has 80,000 taels of silver in her hands, plus a little over 1,000 taels of loose silver.

Shen Jiayu didn't plan to touch the 80,000 taels of silver. She had it stored away and kept only a little over 1,000 taels for daily expenses.

On such a wonderful day, I was in a good mood and was naturally very generous with my spending.

The crowd in the courtyard erupted in excitement.

Almost everyone was unable to contain their excitement.

Working at Yihua Palace is truly a wonderful job.

With Consort Zhaoyi in the emperor's favor, the palace maids also gained power and prestige. The extra silver they received on occasions such as Consort Zhaoyi's promotion, birthday, and festivals was more than their annual monthly allowance.

The treatment here is the best in the six palaces, and the palace servants working in other palaces are extremely envious of them.

They had no choice but to pledge their lives to this kindness and compassion!

Overjoyed, everyone expressed their gratitude in unison.

This morning, in addition to the porridge and side dishes, the small kitchen prepared "Ten-Ingredient Longevity Noodles" early in the morning.

This bowl of noodles is also special; the noodles must not be broken. After being cooked in deer bone broth, it is topped with ten kinds of toppings, including ham, bamboo shoots, and shrimp, symbolizing longevity and good fortune.

A small, delicate bowl was served, still steaming hot.

Shen Jiayu didn't have any other breakfast and ate the whole bowl of longevity noodles.

From 9:00 AM onwards, congratulatory gifts from the concubines of the six palaces arrived one after another.

Although their relationship was distant and cold, they at least maintained a semblance of politeness.

All the concubines in the six palaces were sent over, and no one was shortchanged.

Shen Jiayu had Lü'e check each item, and only after confirming there were no problems did she order them to be stored in the storeroom in the west wing of the hall.

The emperor's reward was personally delivered by Chief Steward Qing.

The first item was a luxurious and precious gilded and jeweled crown.

The crown is gilded and openwork, carved with openwork floral patterns, and the crown surface is inlaid with multicolored gemstones and pearls, and adorned with multiple layers of pearl and jade tassels.

When Shen Jiayu was promoted to Zhaoyi, the Imperial Household Department also sent her a golden crown, which she was to wear on major celebrations. However, that crown was far less magnificent and exquisite than the one before her.

In addition to this, the emperor also bestowed upon him twelve bolts of brocade, twelve bolts of Yuezhou silk, ten bushels of South Sea pearls, ten bushels of rare pink pearls, and two luminous pearls presented as tribute from vassal states.

This reward is undoubtedly very generous.

The emperor would never remember the birthdays of ordinary concubines; he would simply bestow gifts upon them according to custom.

In previous years, when Empress Luo celebrated her birthday, the emperor would personally bestow gifts upon her.

Upon closer inspection, the two are not much different.

The extent of his favoritism and bias towards Shen Jiayu is self-evident.

Others may not know, but Qing'an knows it best.

Therefore, he became even more respectful to Shen Jiayu. "Your Majesty, His Majesty also said that he would go to Cining Palace after he finished dealing with state affairs."

During a casual conversation earlier, Empress Dowager Shen mentioned that she wanted to hold a banquet at Cining Palace to celebrate Shen Jiayu's birthday.

If the emperor had time, he would come over; if he didn't, the aunt and niece would have a simple, lively gathering.

Upon hearing this, Shen Jiayu smiled faintly: "Then my aunt and I will wait for Your Majesty."

Qing'an bowed and said, "Then this servant will return to report."

In the afternoon, Shen Jiayu went to Cining Palace.

Unexpectedly, Li Mama and Chuhe, the ladies-in-waiting by Empress Dowager Shen's side, took the lead in congratulating her on her birthday.

Shen Jiayu paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "You've all been so thoughtful. Today, like Yihua Palace, we're all sharing in the joy."

In her palace, one could say "reward." However, in Empress Dowager Shen's Cining Palace, saying "reward" would be somewhat inappropriate. Therefore, Shen Jiayu used a more euphemistic way of speaking, but the meaning was the same.

The people in Cining Palace were overjoyed and repeatedly expressed their gratitude.

Shen Jiayu accepted their gifts one by one and was then escorted into the main hall.

Just as he was about to pay his respects to Empress Dowager Shen, who was sitting upright on the soft couch, she said, "Today is your special day, so let's not stand on ceremony."

Shen Jiayu then gave up, sat down next to Empress Dowager Shen, and deliberately asked, "I wonder what birthday gift Aunt has prepared for Ayu?"

These words made Empress Dowager Shen laugh, "You, that's all you're thinking about."

She clapped her hands, signaling the palace servants to bring it up.

A lifelike jade bonsai was presented to Shen Jiayu.

The entire piece of jade is lustrous and translucent. The flowers and leaves are exquisite and translucent, with clear and distinct patterns. The petals are either fully open or about to bloom. The branches and leaves are arranged in a pleasing and orderly manner, and are lush and vibrant.

Despite being cold jade, it has been carved to resemble a vibrant life.

The birthday gift that Empress Dowager Shen gave her was not much different from the coral tree given to the emperor.

Shen Jiayu said happily, "Ayu will display it in the palace every day for everyone to enjoy."

Empress Dowager Shen embraced her, her voice warm and loving: "As long as our Ayu is happy."

Just as the gifts were being presented, an announcement was made: "His Majesty has arrived!"

It turned out that the emperor had arrived.

As soon as Pei Yan entered, he saw Shen Jiayu sprawled out in the Empress Dowager's arms, laughing at something. He couldn't help but scold, "Sit properly, you have no manners."

Before Shen Jiayu could speak, Empress Dowager Shen interjected in her defense, "It's her birthday today, let her be happy and indulge herself. Why be so strict? Can't our Ayu even snuggle in her aunt's arms?"

Pei Yan didn't say anything more.

Shen Jiayu gave him a smug smile and continued to snuggle in Empress Dowager Shen's arms.

The three chatted for a while. Most of the talking was done by Shen Jiayu and Empress Dowager Shen, while Pei Yan listened from the side.

He didn't get up until dinner was ready.

Empress Dowager Shen went ahead.

The emperor and his concubine were behind.

Shen Jiayu deliberately bumped into Pei Yan. When he stopped, she reached out and hooked her hand around Pei Yan's palm, saying smugly, "My aunt has allowed me to be so presumptuous for a day."

Pei Yan narrowed his dark eyes, grabbed her restless little hand, and lowered his voice: "Only thinking about today, not tomorrow, is that it?"

Shen Jiayu pouted, "I didn't do anything, Your Majesty. Are you so petty as to hold a grudge against me?"

Pei Yan looked at her quietly, and said expressionlessly, "Remember."

Shen Jiayu choked and glared at the person angrily.

Pei Yan teased her, "Not only will you remember it, you'll also be punished."

Shen Jiayu was unconvinced and her rebellious nature flared up. She shoved her forehead hard into his chest and left.