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

Pei Yan was touched, but his face remained expressionless: "You feel sorry for me?"

Shen Jiayu stopped and readily admitted, "Yes."

The woman's eyes were like a clear spring, bright and pure, without a trace of impurity, reflecting his image.

Pei Yan pulled her into his arms and whispered in her ear, "I understand."

After being carried for a while, Shen Jiayu grew tired of standing and struggled to get out. "Your Majesty, are you still digesting your food...?"

Pei Yan then led the person towards the imperial garden on the side.

The garden of the imperial palace is larger. Compared with the Jade Terrace and Brocade Garden of the imperial palace, this place is lush with flowers and trees, with winding paths leading to secluded spots, and has a unique charm.

While holding his arm, Shen Jiayu chattered on and on, saying, "I've been busy these past few days. Your Majesty believes I'm capable of managing the palace, so I naturally can't let you down. That's why I've been reviewing the memorials."

Pei Yan responded and then said, "If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask Mother for help."

Shen Jiayu smiled and said, "I know! Right now it's just a matter of looking at the palace rules and past precedents, which isn't difficult. However, after some time, I will have to reorganize the Six Bureaus. The real challenge is yet to come."

It's better to go through with the restructuring of the Sixth Bureau openly. This is to prevent anyone from being dissatisfied with her forceful methods and secretly filing complaints.

Although Shen Jiayu wasn't afraid, it was better to make things clear so there would be no worries and perhaps even an unexpected surprise.

The man beside her spoke in a calm and clear voice: "If you encounter any problems you can't solve, come and tell me."

See? An unexpected surprise is coming.

This is tantamount to saying that he'll take care of whatever she does.

Shen Jiayu couldn't help but smile, her eyes curving into crescent moons. "Your Majesty also feels sorry for me!"

Seeing her joyful and excited appearance, Pei Yan didn't say anything, but took her hand and slowly strolled around.

Shen Jiayu picked a few pretty green plum blossoms, intending to take them back and put them in a vase.

At this time of year, the green plum blossoms are just beginning to open, most of them still in bud. They're perfect for being placed in a vase, where they can bloom and be enjoyed for many days.

On the way back, a fine, salty sleet suddenly began to fall, and Pei Yan pulled Shen Jiayu to hide in the warm pavilion for a while.

The climate at the imperial palace was pleasant; the sleet melted as soon as it fell, and then stopped, turning into a flurry of snowflakes falling.

The palace servants from Wangyue Tower promptly brought over a cloak and a fur coat. Shen Jiayu put on the white fox fur coat, which enveloped her in white down, leaving only her fair and bright face visible.

Pei Yan found it very cute, but before he could touch that little face, Shen Jiayu left the warm pavilion.

She didn't use an umbrella, but wore a white fox fur coat, walking through the snow and waving at Pei Yan.

Helpless, Pei Yan grabbed an oil-paper umbrella and went to find her. "What if you get cold?"

Shen Jiayu smiled and said, "No, it's much colder in the Northern Plains. I'm used to it."

She ran away in a flash.

By the time Pei Yan caught up, her hands were already freezing cold.

Pei Yan looked displeased and scolded her.

Shen Jiayu, seemingly unaffected, even dared to slip her arms into his embrace, asking him to warm her up.

It snowed at the imperial palace. Although the snow on the ground was not very thick, the flowers, trees, pavilions and towers were all covered in silvery white.

Such beautiful scenery is best enjoyed from Wangyue Tower.

As dusk fell, palace lanterns were hung throughout the palace, and the white snow shimmered and glittered in the dazzling lights, creating a dreamlike scene.

Shen Jiayu found a spot on the third floor with a good view, had a table and chairs set up, and sat there to enjoy the snow and drink wine.

She remembered what happened after she got drunk last time, so she didn't dare to drink too much this time, just taking small sips.

Looking at the tall, slender man opposite her, she sighed, "Life like this is truly wonderful."

Pei Yan lifted his eyelids and looked at her: "What kind of days?"

Shen Jiayu thought for a moment and said, "My family is safe and sound, no one is bothering me, and Your Majesty is by my side, enjoying the snow and drinking wine."

Even though she was drunk, her cheeks were already slightly flushed.

Pei Yan looked at her calmly.

When she first entered the palace, he thought his cousin was too spoiled and domineering, and that if she wasn't strictly disciplined, she might cause trouble.

At that time, not only will the palace and the Empress Dowager lose face, but the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion will also be disgraced.

But after spending more time with her, he discovered that she was actually a very easily satisfied girl.

As long as it doesn't involve matters of principle, he's willing to indulge her little bit of spoiled behavior.

He used to be busy with government affairs for months on end and never thought about any of his concubines, but now he feels that it is actually good to have her in the palace.

*

The snow at the imperial palace lasted for two days before it stopped.

Even though the palace was warm, it was covered with a thick layer of snow.

After having breakfast, Shen Jiayu had nothing to do, so she played with Lin Shuang in the courtyard.

With a mischievous glint in her eye, she crouched down, secretly rolled a large snowball, and threw it at Lin Shuang.

Caught off guard, Lin Shuang was hit and then ran away quickly.

Shen Jiayu was overjoyed and threw the ball at it again, but this time Lin Shuang had experience and dodged it skillfully.

Despite missing several snowballs in a row, Shen Jiayu was not discouraged and continued to try, this time aiming at Hongling.

Hongling was startled by the cold snow, and then said aggrievedly, "Your Majesty."

Why hasn't my lady changed her temperament? She used to ambush them from time to time back in Beiyuan, and she's still like that now.

Shen Jiayu lied through her teeth: "It was Lü'e who smashed it."

Hongling could never beat her in a fight, but she could bully Lü'e. With this excuse, she grabbed a cold snow ball and threw it at the unsuspecting Lü'e.

Sensing the chill behind her, Green Calyx belatedly realized what had happened, turned around, and sighed helplessly.

Shen Jiayu smiled and said, "You guys have fun."

Watching the little palace maid building a snowman and Lin Shuang frolicking in the snow, she was in a good mood. She stood and watched for a while, then rolled a clean little snow ball and went upstairs.

Upon entering the third floor, where the charcoal baskets were burning, a wave of heat hit her. Shen Jiayu casually took off her cloak and then ran to the window.

"Has Your Majesty finished painting?"

He had mentioned painting her at the tea garden last time, but hadn't managed to. Today, he happened to have some free time, so he picked up his brush again.

Pei Yan put down his brush and said, "Take a look."

Shen Jiayu leaned closer and saw that the painting vividly depicted Lin Shuang and a woman in a fox fur coat standing alone in the snow. The woman's features were indeed very similar to hers.

Shen Jiayu praised, "Beautiful! Your Majesty, I must thank you handsomely."

Pei Yan raised an eyebrow: "How can I repay you?"

Shen Jiayu tilted her head and said, "Your Majesty, please extend your hand."

Although Pei Yan did not understand the meaning, he still extended his right palm.

Shen Jiayu chuckled to herself and placed the small snow dumpling in his palm.

Pei Yan: "..."

His palm was warm, and the snow dumplings melted quickly, leaving only a puddle of water in the blink of an eye.

Pei Yan looked at her: "So you're a little liar."

Shen Jiayu chuckled twice and found a clean handkerchief to wipe it off for him: "Let His Majesty feel the temperature of the snow."

Pei Yan lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on her neck.

He had actually noticed it that day, but hadn't had a chance to question it. Now was the perfect opportunity to confront him, "Didn't you say you were going to keep it to borrow my power? Why are you wearing it every day?"