Chapter 669: Meeting in the Palace

Calling him foster father, the steward eunuch's attitude toward Shen Xian obviously changed.

As for this, everyone can't help but envy—you don't even care about face?

Soon they were settled; Shen Xian naturally got the best accommodation, a private room, while others shared rooms four to a room.

However, the one living most comfortably is still Ye Zhangqing.

The imperial kitchen usually sees no visitors and occupies a considerable area; at this moment Ye Zhangqing is lying on the Tǎng yǐ, enjoying the service of Bai Hua Xianzi while eating the little pastries made by Zhu Wu—such a life, needless to say, is extremely comfortable.

Silent through the night, the next morning the Huánggōng bustled into action; palace maids and eunuchs each performed their duties, carrying out various tasks in an orderly fashion.

Zhao Zhengping and the others naturally ended up doing the most menial work.

Although they had sent gifts, the steward eunuch did give them some preferential treatment, but obviously it was impossible for them to rise in a single step like Shen Xian.

'Come on, kid, I'll take you to see Consort Hua.'

After seeing to Zhao Zhengping and the others, the steward eunuch turned to Shen Xian and said; hearing this, Shen Xian nodded respectfully.

'Remember, when you go to the consort's palace, be sharp—know what you should and shouldn't know, keep your mind clear at all times, and if you run into any trouble, remember to contact me.'

'Understood, foster father.'

Ah...........

Along the way he also gave Shen Xian some careful advice; watching the two walk off, Zhao Zhengping, who was washing clothes, and Wan Xiang stared at each other.

Wan Xiang muttered even more.

'How about I also get a foster father?'

'What did you say?'

'Nothing.'

To get Wan Xiang to call out, he really couldn't bring himself to do it.

In the blink of an eye three days passed; during these three days, the members of the Dao Yi Sect entered the Huánggōng one after another.

Some became eunuchs, some became palace maids—by whatever means necessary.

Now, while walking in the Huánggōng, fellow disciples would occasionally run into each other, but everyone kept a straight face, pretending not to know one another.

Probably except for Lin Luochen, all the other disciples have already entered the Huánggōng, just waiting for Qi Xiong and the others to give the order.

As for who's doing the best, it's still Shen Xian.

With just a single 'foster father,' he rose straight to the top; later he was placed directly beside Consort Hua—no one knows how he managed it, but he quickly won her favor and was greatly valued.

He now practically serves as the manager of the consort's palace.

'Shen Xian, junior brother, you've actually seen the Emperor of the Great Yuan already.'

At night, Zhao Zhengping and a few others gathered in the room and talked.

'What can be done about it? You could also go take a foster father.'

'No rush, wait for the orders of the Sect Master and Shīzūn.'

Zhao Zhengping curled his lip, 'I'd be bowing to a worthless foster father—if I was going to do it, I'd have done it already.'

But soon he furrowed his brow again.

'Why hasn't Xu Jie had any word at all—did he even enter the palace?'

'By rights, with Xu Jie's abilities as senior brother, he should have entered the palace long ago.'

'I've inquired as well, but there's still no news of Junior Brother Xu.'

'That's strange.'

Right now, aside from Lin Luochen and Xu Jie, everyone else has been confirmed to be in the Huánggōng.

Xu Jie should have been the least likely to run into trouble, but now there's still no word—even Zhao Zhengping feels something's odd; what on earth is this kid doing?

'He couldn't have gone to the Gōulán again, could he?'

But upon further thought it seems impossible—this kid may be unreliable, but he would never make a mistake on something important.

'Let's keep an eye out.'

'Okay.'

Everyone was concerned about Xu Jie and Lin Luochen's whereabouts, and the next morning Shen Xian followed Consort Hua to pay respects to the empress dowager.

They hadn't gone for several days, mainly because Consort Hua and the empress dowager have a strained relationship, and moreover, the harem of the Great Yuan Empire currently has no empress.

The several consorts all eye the situation covetously; Consort Hua, who enjoys the emperor's deep favor, naturally becomes the strongest contender.

Yet the empress dowager happens to dislike Consort Hua and wants to back another consort for the top spot, so their relationship is easy to imagine.

Nevertheless, this surface duty must still be performed—no matter how much she dislikes it, paying respects is obligatory.

Only Shen Xian was brought into the empress dowager's sleeping chambers; as they walked, Consort Hua whispered her instructions.

'When we go in later, you don't need to speak; just follow the rites—if the empress dowager asks you something, you don't have to answer, but remember never to contradict her.'

'Rest assured, my lady, I know.'

'Hmm.'

Soon the two arrived at the main hall; the empress dowager was already seated on the throne, Consort Hua performed a respectful salute, and the empress dowager merely replied in a calm voice.

She then glanced at Shen Xian behind her and snorted coldly.

'Consort Hua, have you found a new lover?'

'Just a personal eunuch.'

'Raise your head.'

Hearing this, Shen Xian could only raise his head helplessly, but at a glance he froze completely.

It wasn't because of the empress dowager, but because of a young man standing beside her—damn, isn't that Xu Jie? How is he in the empress dowager's palace?

The two locked eyes; just now, because Shen Xian had his head down, Xu Jie hadn't recognized him.

At this moment, locking eyes, both were a bit dazed—what on earth is going on?

As for the empress dowager, she didn't notice anything, just gave a casual glance, and spoke calmly.

He's quite handsome, but you need to learn the palace rules well, or you might die without knowing when.

I understand.

He was using Shen Xian to reprimand Noble Consort Hua, and Shen Xian hurriedly lowered his head and spoke.

He doesn't care how the empress dowager and Noble Consort Hua are now; he's just wondering why damn Xu Jie is here.

Was he also recruited as a eunuch to enter the palace? But why would he be assigned to the empress dowager's palace?

Alright, if there's nothing else, you may withdraw.

No direct conflict erupted; the empress dowager waved her hand, indicating that Noble Consort Hua could leave.

Shen Xian took the moment while turning around to sneak a glance at Xu Jie, only to see the empress dowager rise, Xu Jie hurried forward to support her, and when they made contact, the empress dowager's eyes clearly showed a peach-blossom look.

Something's off, these two are definitely off........

At a glance he could see there was a problem; quickly, a shocking guess rose from Shen Xian's heart.

Damn Xu Jie wouldn't have given the empress dowager to... given to... damn a talent like that.

Never would have thought that Xu Jie could be this ruthless.

All the way back to Noble Consort Hua's chambers, Shen Xian found an opportunity and had Zhao Rou bring the news of Xu Jie to Zhao Zhengping and the others.

Zhao Rou is now a palace maid; of course she can't compare to Shen Xian, but since she belongs to Noble Consort Hua's side, they still have many chances to meet.

Who made Shen Xian now the chief eunuch managing Noble Consort Hua's affairs?

At night, Zhao Zhengping and the others received the news of Xu Jie, each with a strange expression: the empress dowager's palace?

Junior Brother Xu really........

Wanxiang opened his mouth, for a moment not knowing what to say.

I thought Shen Xian was already fierce enough, but I didn't expect this Xu Jie to be even fiercer, damn going straight to the empress dowager's place, and doing so silently, with no sign at all.

Now only Junior Sister Lin remains.

He shook his head, Zhao Zhengping opened his mouth to speak.