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

The concubines' ruthless attack on her was not solely due to Consort Chen's influence.

Furthermore, Consort Zhu had been favored for many years and possessed a proud and aloof personality.

Some of the concubines had long disliked her pretentious and aloof demeanor, and this was simply an opportunity to make trouble for her.

Consort Zhu always kept to herself in the palace, so when she fell to the ground, no one was willing to help her.

Most of the concubines watched this scene with indifference.

The remaining small group consisted of those who disliked Consort Zhu in the past, who spoke sarcastically and made sarcastic remarks.

After making a scene, they left triumphantly.

Consort Zhu was helped up with difficulty by Huanxiang.

Huanxiang brushed the dust off her clothes while protesting, "Noble Consort, they've gone too far!"

Consort Zhu watched their retreating figures, trembling all over: "I will remember this grudge."

This is nothing yet. They shouldn't be too smug. Just wait and see.

Huanxiang looked at the wounds on the back of her hand and her eyes reddened: "Noble Consort, let's go back to the palace quickly, this servant will apply medicine for you."

Consort Zhu felt no pain, only humiliation.

She looked up at the sky, forcing back her tears.

This thing is the most useless item in the palace. The only way to win it back is through our own abilities.

Consort Zhu left the place with a resolute look in her eyes.

*

After Shen Jiayu's investiture ceremony, the weather suddenly turned cold.

The temperature didn't feel like late autumn at all; it was almost as cold as the dead of winter.

The Imperial Observatory reported that this winter will be extremely cold, and Kyoto may experience months of heavy snow; preparations should be made as soon as possible.

Before the words were even finished, the palace was still reeling from the shock.

Empress Dowager Shen caught a cold and began to cough. Things weren't much better for the two princes in the Imperial Study; their companions also fell ill one after another.

On this day, all the concubines in the six palaces were in Shen Jiayu's palace.

The concubines still take turns paying their respects, but it's not the four concubines anymore, but the three concubines who hold power.

This is the difference between having power and not having power.

Just as the concubines were showering him with flattery, and the Yihua Palace was exuding an air of nobility and elegance, a loud announcement suddenly rang out from the palace gate: "His Majesty has arrived!"

It was an unusual occurrence for an emperor to appear during the provincial ceremony.

The concubines were overjoyed and quickly rose to pay their respects.

Shen Jiayu also stood up from the main seat and gave a slight curtsy.

Pei Yan strode up to Shen Jiayu and gently took her arm.

Shen Jiayu raised her eyes slightly, somewhat surprised by his arrival.

Pei Yan pressed her down to the seat diagonally below him, then sat down at the head of the table: "No need for formalities."

The concubines then rose.

Pei Yan inquired about the recent situation of the eldest and second princes, and then said, "This year it is cold, so I intend to stay at the temporary palace for a few months and return at the end of the year."

Upon hearing this, all the concubines were overjoyed.

Staying in this palace for too long is really stifling. The imperial palace is not only more comfortable in terms of temperature, but also has better scenery.

Those of lower rank can still live in a pavilion or a garden, without having to be mindful of the Empress's mood every day. Wouldn't that be more comfortable?

However, it is still unknown which concubines His Majesty will bring along. If it's not my turn...

With this thought in mind, the excitement in the eyes of the concubines gradually faded, and they felt uneasy.

Consort Li smiled and said, "Your Majesty is wise. The climate at the temporary palace is pleasant and best for recuperating. I believe the Empress Dowager and the two princes will recover quickly. I just wonder, among the consorts, which one will Your Majesty take with you?"

After Consort Li finished speaking, the hall fell silent.

The concubines looked at the head of the table with a hint of anticipation in their eyes.

Pei Yan glanced around the hall and said calmly, "There aren't that many concubines in the harem, and it's indeed cold this winter, so let them all go."

The concubines were overjoyed upon hearing this and hurriedly expressed their gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Pei Yan responded and then said, "The three of you can prepare everything for this trip. It will be the same once we arrive at the imperial palace."

The three people he mentioned were Consort Li, Consort Hui, and Shen Jiayu.

The three of them agreed in unison.

After telling Pei Yan about this, he didn't stay there any longer and got up to leave.

After he left, the palace became lively, with the concubines chatting and laughing about which clothes and jewelry to bring.

Shen Jiayu listened for a while, but showed little interest in the matter.

She grew up in Beiyuan and was not afraid of the cold; whether she went to the palace or not made no difference to her.

But the concubines were in high spirits, and Shen Jiayu let them chat and laugh for quite a while before sending them away.

Inside the main hall, only Consort Li and Consort Hui remained.

They also had to discuss the matter of the palace together.

Consort Li looked at Shen Jiayu, a smile appearing on her charming and affectionate face: "Sister Consort Chen is still young. If there is anything you don't understand, feel free to ask me. I will help you make a decision."

Before Shen Jiayu could reply, Consort Hui scoffed, "With the Empress Dowager here, why doesn't Consort Chen consult her instead of asking you?"

Consort Li had intended to show off, but Consort Hui's retort left her looking somewhat displeased. However, she quickly recovered and said, "The Empress Dowager has not been feeling well lately, so why trouble her? Consort Hui, on the other hand, has to manage the affairs of the imperial palace while also taking care of the Second Prince. It's difficult to do two things at once. If anything goes wrong, you should go before the Emperor to apologize."

Consort Hui's expression also turned cold: "I don't need Consort Li to worry about my affairs."

Shen Jiayu, unwilling to engage in pretense, said directly, "There are precedents for everything; let's just follow the established procedures."

Consort Li and Consort Hui said nothing more, tacitly agreeing with these words.

After everyone had completely dispersed, Shen Jiayu had several female officials from the Imperial Bedchamber Bureau and the Imperial Food Bureau summoned.

This was the first time she had formally summoned them after bestowing the title upon them.

Shen Jiayu didn't waste any time and went straight to the point, telling them that she would be going to the imperial palace in a few days and instructing them to make preparations.

They were dismissed in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

Seeing this, Hongling hurriedly asked, "Your Majesty has just assumed power in the palace, shouldn't you give her a few more words of advice?"

Shen Jiayu shook her head: "No need."

There's no need to criticize or be too harsh on them right now; just let them be.

Whether these female officials in the two bureaus can continue to be used, and who should be dismissed, will become clear within two months.

That will be the time when she truly establishes her authority and power.

Collecting her thoughts, Shen Jiayu said, "Go to the Leopard House and tell them we're taking Lin Shuang with us. Have the palace servants in charge of her prepare everything. Also, go see the two palace ladies and tell them that all of Lin Shuang's expenses will be covered by the allowance from Yihua Palace."

Hongling accepted the order and left.

After giving these instructions, Shen Jiayu led Lü'e out of the palace gate.

Empress Dowager Shen was in poor health, and she was always concerned about her. Every day after paying her respects, she would make sure to visit Cining Palace first.

Empress Dowager Shen always said that it would be enough to come every two days, so as not to cause her any trouble.

Shen Jiayu refused to listen to this advice and came every day without fail, personally feeding Empress Dowager Shen her medicine and leaving only after she had rested.