The bright moon hangs high, beckoning him down from his pedestal.

Life at the imperial palace was leisurely, and Shen Qingruo would occasionally take a stroll in the garden.

On this day, she was passing by a waterside pavilion with her palace servants when she happened to meet Liu Rusi, who was also there enjoying the scenery.

When Shen Qingruo saw her, she remembered listening to her innermost thoughts and felt inexplicably awkward.

But considering that Liu Rusi and Shen Wangxi were relatives, and if she were still a princess, she would also be considered related by blood, she didn't avoid them.

In contrast to Shen Qingruo's embarrassment, Liu Rusi looked at Consort Zhao, who was surrounded by many palace servants, with envy in her eyes.

Today, Shen Qingruo wore a light green soft gauze dress, her black hair was simply tied up and adorned with a few small and exquisite pearl hairpins. She looked noble and elegant, yet still retained a girlish tenderness.

Liu Rusi looked down at her obviously ordinary silk dress and compared it with Shen Qingruo's overall demeanor. The desire to climb the social ladder and live a life of luxury grew stronger in her heart.

Shen Qingruo spoke first, her voice soft and sweet: "Miss Liu is also here to enjoy the scenery?"

Liu Rusi quickly bowed and greeted the Imperial Concubine with utmost humility: "This humble woman, Liu Rusi, pays her respects to Your Highness."

"No need for formalities." Shen Qingruo gestured for her to rise, then sat down on a cushioned stone bench laid out by the palace servants, and pointed to the seat opposite her, "Sit down."

After thanking her, Liu Rusi carefully sat down opposite her.

Shen Qingruo sized her up, her tone casual: "I've heard Miss Liu is from Jiangnan? Do you have any relatives there?"

Liu Rusi lowered her eyelashes, her voice mournful: "Your Majesty, I am indeed from Jiangnan. However, my family has fallen on hard times, my parents passed away early, and I have no other relatives left."

As she spoke, she secretly observed Shen Qingruo's expression.

Shen Qingruo nodded, seemingly lost in thought.

She continued to ask about the local customs and scenery of Jiangnan, and Liu Rusi answered them all respectfully and humbly.

However, while Liu Rusi appeared respectful on the surface, she secretly sized up Shen Qingruo, who was standing close by, and became increasingly alarmed with each glance.

How could this imperial concubine have such a slender and supple waist, yet her breasts are full and rounded, and her hips are plump and rounded, making her proportions unbelievably perfect?

Her bone structure was exquisite and her skin was outstanding. Up close, although she was not wearing any makeup, her skin was so smooth that you could not see any pores.

Liu Rusi secretly compared herself to the imperial concubine in front of her, only to find that she was far inferior in terms of figure, skin, and aura.

Shen Qingruo asked again, and seeing that she seemed a little distracted, she gently called out, "Miss Liu?"

Liu Rusi snapped back to her senses and quickly lowered her head to cover up her mistake: "This humble woman has been impolite, please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Her initial confidence in rising to power began to wane after facing Shen Qingruo's stunning beauty.

Seeing her flickering eyes, Shen Qingruo didn't bother to ask further, and simply said, "It's alright. I'm a little tired, I'll head back now."

She stood up, and the palace servants immediately rushed forward to surround her.

Liu Rusi hurriedly got up to see him off.

Watching Shen Qingruo's departing figure, she began to worry.

Can she really gain the Emperor's favor from Consort Zhao?

-

In the afternoon, Liu Rusi was led by a palace attendant to a secluded courtyard, where Shen Yinian was standing with his hands behind his back.

Feeling uneasy, she stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "This humble woman, Liu Rusi, greets Your Highness."

Shen Yinian turned around, his gaze falling on her, and asked directly, "Have you seen Father Emperor during your time at the palace? What progress has been made?"

Liu Rusi lowered her head, her voice trembling with fear: "Your Highness, His Majesty is always accompanied by the Imperial Concubine, and I have not yet found a suitable opportunity to approach her."

"But I will do my utmost..."

"Do your utmost?" Shen Yinian interrupted her, his tone flat yet carrying an invisible pressure. "I do not keep anyone in my service who only talks big but has no real skills."

Liu Rusi trembled and lowered her head even further.

Shen Yinian changed the subject, his tone softening slightly: "However, speaking of which, my ancestors had some connection with your Liu family."

"If I were to give you a choice now, allowing you to return to Jiangnan, bestowing upon you the title of County Princess, and guaranteeing you a life of wealth and leisure for the rest of your days, would you be willing?"

He stared at Liu Rusi and slowly asked, "Or do you still want to stay in the palace and try your luck for a higher position?"

Liu Rusi was stunned.

County princess? She had never imagined that there was such a way out.

But in just a moment of hesitation, the desire for power and wealth overwhelmed everything else.

A county princess from a different surname may sound noble, but when she meets the concubines in the palace, she still has to kneel and pay her respects.

What could be more honorable than becoming His Majesty's woman?

She raised her head, ambition rekindled in her eyes, and said firmly, "I have fallen in love with Your Majesty at first sight, and admire your countenance. I am willing to stay in the palace and serve Your Majesty."

Shen Yinian saw the ambition in her eyes, and the corner of his mouth curled up slightly. He was quite sensible.

"Very good." He took two steps closer, lowering his voice slightly, "Then do you know the specific connection between your Liu family and the royal family?"

Liu Rusi shook her head blankly.

Shen Yinian looked at her and slowly explained the history between the two families: "Your Liu family ancestor made a pact with the Shen family ancestor to marry each other for generations."

"The Shen family holds power, and the Liu family controls the finances; they rely on each other."

"My great-grandmother was from the Liu family."

Liu Rusi opened her eyes wide in shock. She only knew that her family seemed to have been a wealthy family, but she did not know that there was such a secret past, that they were related to the royal family by marriage.

Seeing her shocked expression, Shen Yinian continued, "This morning, my father summoned me and gave me instructions regarding your matter."

"His original plan was indeed to find you, give you the title of county princess, and sever all ties with your past relationship."

"But since you have chosen the path of entering the palace, you must think carefully about how to make good use of your identity as a descendant of the Liu family and the old agreement so that you can enter the palace legitimately."

His words were suggestive.

The path has been shown to her; whether she can follow it or not is up to her.

Liu Rusi was processing the news, feeling both excited and apprehensive. She bowed to Shen Yinian again and said, "I understand, thank you for your guidance, Your Highness."