Starting with being handed over to the Imperial Concubine, building a family with a thousand-year hi

However, this New Year's Day, there were significantly fewer people giving gifts to Wei Zhongxian.

With the addition of the loyal and filial Grand Eunuch Su Mu to the palace, the Emperor greatly valued him. The story of Su Mu killing the Grandmaster and protecting the royal family yesterday morning had already spread throughout the palace.

Everyone knew that Su Mu was already a favorite of the emperor and a powerful Grandmaster-level expert. To gain a foothold in the palace, currying favor with Su Mu was far more effective than currying favor with the disgraced Wei Zhongxian.

People came in droves to give gifts to Su Mu—from the Grand Steward of the Inner Court and eunuchs of all ranks to second-rank officials like Li Lianqing, and even members of the Xiao imperial family personally came to his door.

The golden flames within Su Mu's body had not yet dissipated, and his entire body was surrounded by a golden halo. This strange appearance must not be seen by outsiders.

He immediately sent a message to Feng Bao, lying that he was seriously injured and recuperating, and was unable to receive any guests. He asked Feng Bao to receive the gifts on his behalf and express his gratitude.

Many people secretly cursed Su Mu for putting on airs, but after learning that even members of the Xiao royal family were turned away, their dissatisfaction dissipated considerably—if they couldn't even see the royal family members, being rejected themselves wasn't shameful.

Within an hour, the entrance to the library was filled with gift boxes of all sizes, piled up like a small mountain.

The newly crowned Empress Lin Wen did not send anyone to deliver gifts; instead, she personally visited the palace with all the concubines in her harem.

Eunuchs were ultimately servants of the royal family, and their status was not as high as that of the emperor's favorite concubines. However, under normal circumstances, the concubines in the harem would not easily provoke top eunuchs who held great power.

Especially figures like Wei Zhongxian and Su Mu, who not only control the inner court but are also powerful martial artists, are highly respected within the royal family. Offending them, even with family backing, would make life in the harem anything but easy.

When Situ Wan was Empress, she would personally send gifts to Wei Zhongxian every New Year's Day, and that was the reason.

Lin Wen had never given Wei Zhongxian any gifts in previous years, but this year she not only prepared a generous gift for him, but also paid him a personal visit. She knew very well that in order to gain a foothold in the palace, she not only had to rely on the Tianwu Sect, but also had to win over the forces in the inner court.

Although Wei Zhongxian has lost power, he has served in the palace for many years and has deep roots. Winning him over will allow me to quickly understand the situation in the palace and consolidate my position as empress.

Wei Zhongxian had no courage to refuse the Empress's generous gift, so he quickly accepted it and then went to Shude Palace in person to express his gratitude—Lin Wen had not yet moved into Fenghe Palace and was still temporarily residing in Shude Palace.

He knew perfectly well that Lin Wen's overtures today were merely an attempt to leverage his connections in the palace for mutual benefit.

Today, Shude Palace is exceptionally lively, with a constant stream of people coming to deliver gifts, mostly concubines and direct descendants of the royal family.

Everyone was very busy, and most of them only exchanged a few simple pleasantries, put down their gifts, and left in a hurry. Lin Wen did not insist that they stay, and greeted them all with a smile.

Only when Wei Zhongxian arrived was he specially invited by Lin Wen to the elegant teahouse in the palace and received privately.

"Please sit down, Eunuch Wei." Lin Wen waved her hand, dismissing the maid beside her, and personally poured Wei Zhongxian a cup of hot tea.

"This old servant is unworthy of such praise! Thank you, Your Majesty!" Wei Zhongxian quickly stood up, bowed deeply, and expressed his gratitude in an extremely humble manner.

"No need for such formalities, Eunuch Wei." Lin Wen gestured for him to sit down, her tone carrying a deeper meaning. "When Situ Wan was Empress, Eunuch Wei took good care of me. Now that I have succeeded her, I'm sure you will continue to support me as always."

Wei Zhongxian's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly declared, "This old servant is utterly loyal to the royal family and unwavering to His Majesty the Emperor. Naturally, I will do my utmost to assist Her Majesty the Empress, and I have absolutely no ulterior motives!"

These words were extremely clever, demonstrating his loyalty while subtly drawing a line between himself and Situ Wan and the Situ family—his previous favor towards Situ Wan was only because she was the Empress and a representative of the royal family, not because he favored the Situ family.

Lin Wen was well aware that he had not offered any assistance to the Situ family during their rebellion yesterday, but she did not point it out—she needed his help at this moment and did not want to offend Wei Zhongxian over trivial matters of the past.

"Loyal people deserve to be rewarded." Lin Wen smiled, then changed the subject, his tone becoming somewhat displeased, "It's just that some people, once they find a powerful backer and achieve some merit, become arrogant and disrespectful, even refusing to acknowledge their former masters."

Wei Zhongxian held his teacup, head bowed and silent, but he already knew in his heart that Lin Wen was talking about Su Mu.

He knew Lin Wen's personality well: proud, arrogant, and extremely controlling, she couldn't tolerate the slightest grievance. Su Mu had embarrassed her in public yesterday, and she must be holding a grudge.

However, Su Mu now wields immense power and possesses formidable strength, so he dares not make any rash comments and can only remain silent to avoid getting burned.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Lin Wen didn't press him. She changed the subject, her tone carrying a hint of boasting: "Eunuch Wei, I have some good news to tell you—my grandfather is the sixth elder of the Tianwu Sect, and he's already a half-step Grandmaster. He'll be breaking through to the Grandmaster realm soon!"

The reason she brought this up was to demonstrate that her backer was powerful enough to make Wei Zhongxian fear her and submit to her as he feared Situ Wan.

A hint of shock flashed in Wei Zhongxian's eyes. He quickly stood up again, bowed, and said, "This old servant congratulates the Sixth Elder on his imminent breakthrough, and congratulates Your Majesty the Empress!"

"Eunuch Wei, there's no need for such formality. It's too distant." Lin Wen waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit down, and casually asked, "There must have been quite a few people who came to give you gifts today, right?"

Wei Zhongxian gave a wry smile and replied truthfully, "There are some, but much fewer than last year."

He was a smart man and knew what Lin Wen wanted to hear—he didn't mind fewer people giving him gifts; he was already very fortunate to have remained in the palace after the Situ family's rebellion and not been held accountable by the royal family.

Most of the experts who quelled the rebellion yesterday received rewards, but he received nothing. Wei Zhongxian knew in his heart that in the eyes of the emperor and the royal family, he was already an unreliable person.

Everyone in the palace realized this and, fearing they would be implicated, distanced themselves from him, naturally no longer daring to come and curry favor or offer gifts.

A knowing glint flashed in Lin Wen's eyes, and he immediately reassured her, "Don't worry, Eunuch Wei. You are loyal to the royal family. With me here, I will ensure that you remain the Grand Eunuch of the Inner Court, and no one will dare to touch you."

She deliberately ignored the fact that Wei Zhongxian hadn't made a move yesterday—she needed Wei Zhongxian's connections, and Wei Zhongxian needed her protection; the two were essentially using each other.

"Thank you so much for your kindness, Your Majesty! This old servant is deeply grateful!" Wei Zhongxian quickly rose to express his gratitude, his tone extremely earnest. "If Your Majesty ever needs my services in the future, this old servant would gladly go through fire and water for you!"

Despite their differing intentions, they reached a tacit understanding: Lin Wen would rely on Wei Zhongxian to consolidate her power in the palace, while Wei Zhongxian would rely on Lin Wen to regain the royal family's trust.

Just as Wei Zhongxian swore his allegiance, a loud bell suddenly rang throughout Shude Palace, and then spread throughout the entire palace, deafeningly loud!