Even if she was unwilling, Shen Nanqiao dared not act presumptuously in front of Xiao Momo, so she could only suppress her resentment and bow to Shen Zhinian.
“Greetings… greetings, Rou Daying…”
Zhou’s heart felt even more aggrieved!
Her daughter was a legitimate Firstborn daughter; if she hadn't given up this great opportunity, why would she have to bow to a lowly concubine’s daughter from the past!
Xiao Momo disliked ill-mannered people the most, and seeing Shen Nanqiao's timid and unpresentable appearance, her expression grew even more displeased.
However, her duty was to instruct Rou Daying in palace rules, and she did not wish to concern herself with irrelevant people.
Shen Zhinian, of course, knew that when Shen Nanqiao learned palace rules in her previous life, she suffered greatly at Xiao Momo's hands, crying and wailing every day. Bringing so many people over now was certainly to watch her make a fool of herself.
Unfortunately, things did not go as planned.
She slowly rose, her demeanor graceful, and said with a smile, “I almost forgot, today is my legitimate elder sister’s third day back home. Is there something you need, elder sister, coming here at this time?”
These words undoubtedly stabbed Shen Nanqiao's heart once more!
She stammered, unable to speak, and could only find a random excuse, filled with resentment, and left in a disheveled state.
Zhou did not see the joke, and along with the other female relatives, they all took their leave.
...
Although Shen Zhinian's demeanor was impeccable, Xiao Momo still stayed at the Shen Mansion until the eighth day of the ninth month, explaining the situation in the palace clearly to her. During this period, the two formed some camaraderie.
When Xiao Momo returned to the palace, Shen Zhinian gave her a large red envelope.
Handan asked curiously, “Your Ladyship, you are the master, why are you so polite to an instructing Ma'am?”
Shen Zhinian lowered her head, admiring her newly dyed light pink nail polish.
“The relationships in the Imperial Harem are complex. Since Xiao Momo taught me diligently, I should naturally form a good connection.”
“Moreover, she serves at the Imperial Presence, and sees the Emperor more often than many consorts. Befriending her is naturally beneficial and harmless.”
In her previous life, Shen Nanqiao entered the palace as a Guiren, but never again received the Emperor’s favor. Presumably, a part of the reason was her poor performance at the Shen, which reached the Emperor’s ears.
Shen Zhinian naturally had to avoid this pitfall.
Handan nodded in sudden understanding.
“Chu'er understands.”
In a blink of an eye, it was the ninth day of the ninth month.
According to palace rules, a Daying could bring two serving maids into the palace. Zhou wanted to send people to Shen Zhinian, but she refused, citing that she was used to Handan and Fuqu's service.
Even if she was displeased, Zhou dared not act out.
Her maternal aunt died early, and Shen Zhinian was almost entirely raised by Lin Momo. The only person in the entire Shen Mansion she couldn't bear to part with was Lin Momo.
“Wet nurse, if you wish to enjoy your later years outside, as long as I don't fall out of favor in the palace, no one in the Shen Mansion will dare to mistreat you; if you wish to remain by my side, just wait patiently, I will definitely find an opportunity to bring you into the palace!”
Lin Momo’s eyes were slightly red, her face filled with reluctance.
“This old Chu'er is not talented, but good at taking care of pregnant women and delivering babies. This old Chu'er will guard your courtyard for you, waiting for the day when I can once again serve Your Ladyship!”
After bidding farewell to her family, Shen Zhinian took the carriage sent by the Imperial Palace, leaving the Shen Mansion where she had lived for sixteen years, and officially embarked on a new path in life!
Looking at the solemn, majestic, and grand Forbidden City, a hint of ambition appeared in Shen Zhinian’s charming eyes!
Regardless of her previous life or this one, what she sought was a life of luxury and a noble status.
In her previous life, she married a poor scholar, yet she became a first-rank official’s wife.
In this life, she married the Emperor, who possessed all under heaven. Shen Zhinian believed that she could also hold her future in her hands and obtain everything she desired!
Only those of the consort rank and above could be addressed as “Niangniang” and reside as the main mistress of a palace. The Your Ladyship below them could only live in the side halls on either side of the main mistress.
Shen Zhinian’s residence was the right side hall of Zhongcui Palace, Tingyu Pavilion.
Who in the palace wasn't a shrewd person? Even though Shen Zhinian was just a Daying, she was the only new Your Ladyship to enter the palace with a title. The eunuch leading the way dared not slight her and was very enthusiastic.
“Your Ladyship’s Tingyu Pavilion is an excellent location, close to the Emperor’s Imperial Study, and since there is no main mistress in this palace, you don’t have to go for daily greetings, and you can be more at ease on ordinary days.”
Shen Zhinian motioned for Fuqu to give a tip, and asked with a smile, “May I ask Eunuch, are there any other Your Ladyship living in Zhongcui Palace?”
Having received the benefit, the leading eunuch's attitude became even more respectful, and he spoke without reservation.
“Replying to Rou Xiaozhu, Sun Your Ladyship lives in the left side hall. She is an old servant from the Emperor’s latent residence. After the Emperor ascended the throne and grandly enfeoffed the Six Palaces, she was conferred the title of Changzai.”
“That Sun Changzai… likes liveliness and often interacts with other Your Ladyship in the palace. Now that you’ve moved into Zhongcui Palace, it certainly won’t be lonely.”
Shen Zhinian understood.
Serving the Emperor in the latent residence, yet only receiving the rank of Changzai after the Emperor ascended the throne, she must have a low family background and be out of favor.
Liking liveliness and often visiting other places meant she wanted to find opportunities to encounter the Emperor; she was restless and might even come to cause trouble for her.
People without status, position, and who are restless, do not live long in the palace. The fact that Sun Changzai was still alive and well indicated she had some means and was not as foolish as she appeared.
Shen Zhinian had a general understanding of this new neighbor.
Before long, the group arrived at Tingyu Pavilion, and the leading eunuch bowed and took his leave.
Although this was just a side hall of Zhongcui Palace, its interior decorations were exquisitely elegant, far surpassing anything in the Shen Mansion, and its area was also much larger than Shen Zhinian's room in the Shen Mansion.
Handan couldn't help but exclaim, “Your Ladyship, no wonder everyone says that the most magnificent treasures in the world are in the Forbidden City! If a side hall is this exquisite, how splendid must other places be!”
Shen Zhinian looked up, surveyed her surroundings, and a satisfied smile touched her lips.
In her previous life, when she married into the Lu family, the entire large family was squeezed into a small courtyard with only one entrance. At night, if she even turned over, people next door could hear the sound. It leaked when it rained, was stuffy in summer, and cold winds blew in during winter.
Such a life, in just a few months, had worn Shen Zhinian down to exhaustion, making her look several years older than her peers.
And in this life, she lived in a spacious palace, served by palace staff whenever she went out, destined to enjoy the most glorious and comfortable life!
Shen Nanqiao was eager to suffer, so let her endure the hardships of the Lu family.
A Daying had one ordinary Xiao Zhou Zi and two Ma'am serving her, who were already waiting outside. Seeing Shen Zhinian nod, Fuqu had them come in to pay their respects.
“Xiao Zhou Zi, Xiao Mingzi.”
“Chu'er, Chunhua.”
“Chu'er, Qiuyue.”
“Greetings to Rou Xiaozhu, may Your Ladyship be auspicious!”
Shen Zhinian did not know if any of these three were informants arranged by others. But as she was new to the palace, this was unavoidable, and she could only observe them slowly in the days to come.
She sat in the main seat, looking up at them, her expression stern without needing to show anger.
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