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

October 6th, the tenth year of Zhaoqi.

The morning glow was like brocade, and the breeze was cool and refreshing.

From Jinghe Gate to Chengqian Gate, all the vermilion gates of the palace were wide open.

Leading the way were the Imperial Guards' iron cavalry, their banners billowing, exuding a solemn and imposing aura.

The emperor's carriage emerged from the inner palace, followed closely by the carriages of the women of the harem.

They were also accompanied by guards.

The entire procession stretched for miles, a truly magnificent sight.

The imperial palace was located hundreds of miles outside the capital, requiring a five-day journey to reach.

However, there are royal villas along the way where one can rest and spend the night.

After leaving Kyoto, the roads became much worse. They were no longer the flat and wide bluestone roads, but just ordinary official roads, which were quite bumpy.

The concubines in the palace had never suffered such hardship. After a day of riding in a carriage, they looked exhausted and complained incessantly.

Shen Jiayu was in excellent spirits.

The roads in Kitahara are even more rugged and difficult to travel, but she has gotten used to it over the years, so this is nothing to her now.

During the daytime journey, aside from the time spent accompanying and caring for Empress Dowager Shen, she even had the leisure to appreciate the scenery along the way and read some leisurely books and anecdotes to pass the time.

Midway through the journey, she boarded the imperial carriage, where she could barely feel the bumps and swaying of a regular carriage.

Shen Jiayu was greatly shocked.

So he stayed put and wouldn't leave, clinging to Pei Yan's side the whole time.

On October 11th, they finally arrived at the imperial palace.

The palaces had already been allocated.

Led by the guiding eunuch, Shen Jiayu checked into the Wangyue Tower.

This place is luxurious and grand, with the most important part being a three-story building. Standing on the upper floor, you can enjoy a wide view and have a panoramic view of the entire palace.

Moreover, Wangyue Tower is very close to the Zichen Palace where the emperor resides.

Shen Jiayu was very satisfied with this and settled down here with his people.

She and Hongling and Lüe spent most of the day just organizing the trunks and putting away the clothes.

The others weren't idle either; Zhao Bingzhong led the young eunuchs to clean the area again.

Meanwhile, Granny Meng gave instructions to the assigned maids, telling them to behave themselves and do their jobs well.

Shen Jiayu still follows the same rules: only the two head palace maids, Hongling and Lü'e, are allowed to enter the inner chambers, and no one else is allowed to enter without permission.

As for cleaning inside the building, that was Tao Yao and the others' job.

The eunuchs and the newly assigned maids were only allowed to work outside.

After everything was settled, it was completely dark.

After having her meal, Shen Jiayu went to bed early.

The next day, all the concubines gathered at Consort Li's Ningfang Terrace.

Consort Li sat at the head of the table, picked up her teacup, took a slow sip, and then said, "My dear sisters, are you all settled in? If there is anything lacking, please tell me and I will have them make corrections."

After a night's rest, the concubines looked much better. Upon hearing this, one of the concubines said, "Thank you for your concern, Consort Li. We are all well."

Consort Li smiled and nodded: "That's good."

After this topic was brought up, another concubine remarked, "This imperial palace grounds are truly vast; there are several gardens alone. Behind my residence is the plum garden. I wonder how beautiful it will be when the plum blossoms bloom in a few days."

Others echoed this sentiment.

"Next to the palace where I live is the lotus pond, which is now in full bloom. I heard that the palace has many hot springs, so warm water was diverted to the pond, which is why the lotus flowers are in full bloom this season. It is truly a wonder."

"There is also the place where the concubines live, next to which is an island in the middle of the lake, surrounded by water on all sides. The island has pavilions and towers, and lush flowers and trees, which is very elegant."

Shen Jiayu saw it from the third floor of Wangyue Tower yesterday.

Next to her palace was a garden of early camellias.

The camellias, small and bright red, are in full bloom, creating a magnificent sight as far as the eye can see, with their clusters layered upon layer.

When she has time, she will take Lin Shuang inside to play for a while.

As the concubines were having a lively discussion, Consort Lan suddenly said, "The scenery of the imperial palace is beautiful, but it's a bit of a hardship for the sisters who don't have sedan chairs. The palaces are scattered in different places, making it inconvenient to pay their respects."

Upon hearing this, Consort Li raised an eyebrow: "The reason I summoned you all here today is to discuss this matter. I've been thinking that the palace grounds are quite vast, and it would be inconvenient for you sisters without sedan chairs to come and pay your respects. Perhaps we should waive the formality? Consort Hui, Consort Chen, what do you think?"

Her gaze fell on the two people inside the hall.

Consort Hui glanced at Shen Jiayu, and seeing her lowered eyes and silence, she spoke up: "It is certainly a good thing that Consort Li has considered the needs of all the younger sisters. However, the morning and evening greetings are a rule in the palace, and also an opportunity to enhance the relationship between sisters. Abolishing them all at once would be inappropriate. Perhaps we should think of a compromise."

Consort Li pondered for a moment, then said, "Then let all the younger sisters come to pay their respects once every ten days. That makes it three ten-day periods each month, with the sisters taking turns visiting Ningfang Terrace, Wangyou Pavilion, and Wangyue Tower."

This time, Consort Hui remained silent, clearly agreeing with this compromise.

Consort Li then asked with a smile, "Consort Chen, what do you think?"

Shen Jiayu is happy that she doesn't have to get up so early every day, nor does she have to witness their "sisterly affection".

Thus, the matter of paying respects was settled.

After sitting for a while longer, the concubines dispersed.

As soon as Shen Jiayu returned to Wangyue Tower, she saw a familiar figure.

A smile bloomed on her face as she went to greet him, "Your Majesty has arrived?"

Pei Yan led her into the building, looked her around for a moment, and then sat down with her on the soft couch. "I came to see you. Are you settling in well?"

Shen Jiayu didn't sit properly, staying close to him: "It's alright."

Pei Yan responded calmly, then added, "If there are any unsuitable ones, just let them change them."

Shen Jiayu nuzzled against him: "Your Majesty knows that I am now a second-rank Consort Chen, bestowed upon me by His Majesty. If I have any grievances, I will naturally show the demeanor befitting a Consort Chen."

Pei Yan raised an eyebrow slightly: "So imposing?"

Shen Jiayu nodded, then shook her head. "It's not impressive. Poor Ayu is too."

She pouted, hung her head, and looked pitiful.

Pei Yan rarely saw her like this, and his heart stirred slightly. "Why are you like this?"

Shen Jiayu hugged his neck tightly, her voice muffled, "Is Your Majesty going to be busy next?"

The backlog of memorials delayed by travel these past few days definitely needs to be dealt with.

And then there's the heavy snowfall that's about to fall in Kyoto; all the response measures and plans will have to be decided by him.

While traveling, Shen Jiayu also heard that he would be going to the palace to offer sacrifices to heaven and pray for blessings in a few days, which would take several days.

Because of this busy schedule, the two of them probably won't see each other for more than half a month.

So that's why he was so downcast. Pei Yan sighed, his voice softening slightly. "How about I summon you as soon as I'm done with my work?"

Shen Jiayu looked up at him and said earnestly, "Your Majesty, I must be the first!"

Pei Yan's Adam's apple bobbed, and he let out a short laugh: "Okay."

Shen Jiayu sniffed and hugged his waist tightly.

*

In the days that followed, Shen Jiayu lived a very regular life.

He would visit Empress Dowager Shen every day, and after returning to the palace, he would take Lin Shuang on excursions to various places, including the tea garden, the koi pond, and the island in the middle of the lake.

Frost's frame has grown larger, now about the size of a regular dog. With a place to run around, it's excited and full of energy every day.

During this time, it encountered the concubines of the six palaces, and without exception, they were all greatly frightened when they first saw it.

Those who were timid would leave hastily after bowing.

The bolder ones wanted to go up and touch it.

However, Lin Shuang has a temper and does not allow strangers to touch her, so we had to give up.

By the morning of that day, Shen Jiayu had just finished washing up and had not yet eaten.

Then came the announcement that Consort Li was leading the other consorts to Wangyue Tower.

Today is not a day for paying respects.

Shen Jiayu stood by the window and looked downstairs.

All the concubines from the six palaces have arrived.

They came with menacing airs, clearly not with good intentions.