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

After leaving the Empress Dowager's residence, Consort Lu sat in the sedan chair and coughed forcefully for a while.

Her maid, Qinghe, asked worriedly, "Your Highness, are you alright?"

Lu Zhaoyuan suppressed the itch in her throat and shook her head, saying, "I'm fine."

Qinghe breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good. The Empress Dowager just bestowed some high-quality bird's nest. I'll stew it for you when I get back, so you can nourish yourself properly."

Lu Zhaoyuan responded.

When the topic of rewards came up, Qinghe smiled faintly: "The Empress Dowager still remembers you, Your Highness. Not only today, but she often sends gifts to you, showing her great care."

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhaoyuan was momentarily dazed: "The Empress Dowager cares for me, but that care is because of my father. Only after witnessing the Empress Dowager's interaction with Consort Chen today do I realize that the relationship between aunt and niece is ultimately different."

The Empress Dowager's concern for her was tinged with politeness and distance.

As for Consort Chen, it was a genuine affection and closeness from the bottom of his heart.

It's obvious which is farther and which is closer.

Let alone the Empress Dowager, even His Majesty, since entering the palace, has kept his gaze fixed on Consort Chen and has never once looked at her.

This is what made Lu Zhaoyuan feel disappointed.

She initially thought the rumors in the palace were unreliable, and that His Majesty favored Consort Chen and bestowed upon her high position and honors out of affection.

But today, His Majesty first led Consort Chen into the palace, and afterwards, his heart and eyes were filled with Consort Chen.

Is this how His Majesty and Consort Chen get along?

All these behaviors gradually shattered Lu Zhaoyuan's understanding of the world.

She vaguely realized that she might be wrong.

She had never seen His Majesty's gaze so indulgent and gentle.

Could it be that His Majesty has truly developed feelings for Consort Chen?

Lu Zhaoyuan's heart slowly sank to the bottom of the abyss, feeling utterly cold.

Her thoughts were somewhat disordered.

Outside the sedan chair, Qinghe suddenly lowered her voice: "I've heard that this Consort Chen isn't the biological daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's family. It's strange, really, why does the Empress Dowager like a niece with no blood relation so much?"

She clearly treats her like her own daughter.

Their relationship was even closer than that of a typical mother and daughter.

After a long while, Lu Zhaoyuan's low voice came from inside the sedan curtain: "Among aristocratic families, lineage has always been valued more than bloodline. The Empress Dowager and Consort Chen are of the same lineage, inheriting the glory of the Shen family. Moreover, Consort Chen's biological father is the renowned Xu Dingyuan. In fact, only a family like the Duke of Zhenguo's is worthy of her birth."

Qinghe nodded, remained silent for a moment, and said, "Actually, our family isn't bad in terms of social standing. If our master were still alive, we might be able to rival the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, and Your Highness's rank would definitely be higher than it is now."

Lu Zhaoyuan's eyes dimmed slightly.

Her father...her father is no longer alive.

In fact, we've already relied too much of my father's kindness and influence to get to where we are today.

How much is left...?

Lu Zhaoyuan started coughing again. She covered her mouth with a handkerchief and slowly calmed her breathing.

She longed for the Emperor to still hold a place for her in his heart before this affection ran out.

So, it's best if it's not what she thinks, otherwise, she really doesn't know what to do.

"Your Majesty, you cannot love her..."

*

Lingxingzhou.

After everyone had left, Empress Dowager Shen was feeling unwell and lay down on the couch to rest with her eyes closed.

Granny Li personally watched as the palace servants brewed the tonic and brought it in. "Your Majesty, please drink your medicine and then go to sleep."

Empress Dowager Shen opened her eyes and took the medicine bowl.

Taking advantage of the moment, Granny Li carefully spoke up: "I was watching inside the palace just now, and Consort Zhao's expression seemed a bit off."

Empress Dowager Shen sighed, "You noticed it too?"

Li Mama nodded: "Yes, Consort Zhao kept looking in His Majesty's direction, but His Majesty didn't seem to notice her much. Consort Zhao seemed a little disappointed."

Empress Dowager Shen tilted her head back and drank the tonic. She put down the bowl, her expression somewhat helpless: "That's normal. In the palace, there's only one Emperor, but so many concubines. Every concubine wants His Majesty's attention, but His Majesty's heart only has so much space, how can it be enough? Moreover, my son's emotions have always been reserved and deep, not easily revealed, making him difficult to understand. If one's heart is entirely focused on him, it's inevitable that one will get hurt."

Granny Li found some calming incense, added powder to it, and said, "The Empress Dowager is right. Matters of the heart cannot be forced. You can bestow these generous rewards and extra care, but His Majesty's heart is beyond your control."

The Empress Dowager rested her head on her hand, her eyes filled with a distant, wistful gaze: "Zhilan is a very deep-thinking child. I only hope she can figure things out. Everything else is fine, but I'm afraid these two children will run into each other."

Granny Li slowed her movements, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Does the Empress Dowager mean... Consort Chen?"

The Empress Dowager rubbed her temples and sighed softly, "Yes. That child, Ayu, although she is sensible and well-behaved in my eyes, I know that she is proud at heart and capable, not much less so than I was back then. Just look at how she has handled palace power recently; she has been truly efficient and decisive. If she wants to win His Majesty's heart, she will do it all, and will not allow anyone else to covet even a little bit."

Granny Li took the seal mold out of the incense burner, lit some calming incense, and then placed the lid back on. Wisps of sandalwood incense escaped through the cracks, filling the air with a delicate fragrance. "So, Your Majesty, do you mean to take charge of this?"

Empress Dowager Shen waved her hand, her face half-hidden and indistinct in the rising incense smoke. "I'm old, what can I do to interfere? Let the young people handle their own affairs. I just don't want Zhilan to do anything wrong. Otherwise, I'll have to let her father down."

Granny Li was not surprised by these words.

In the Empress Dowager's heart, Consort Chen is now on par with His Majesty.

Whom they side with and whom they abandon is self-evident.

There's not even a comparison.

It would be best if Consort Zhao could think things through. Perhaps the Empress Dowager could offer her some compensation. Otherwise, her fate might not be good.

No one knew her master's methods better than Granny Li.