Xiao Jingzhao quickly reached out and pulled Jiang Shuyue, "No need to change carriages. The road into the mountains is not like the official road. The road surface here has not been cleared for a long time, and the snow on the road has just melted, so it is still a bit slippery."

"But……"

"No buts. You don't need to get off the carriage at the main gate of the palace. No one will see that you and I are riding in the same carriage."

Xiao Jingzhao knew exactly what Jiang Shuyue was thinking.

With Xiao Jingzhao's words, Jiang Shuyue felt much more at ease.

She didn't want the girls to see her and Xiao Jingzhao together, which would only arouse unwarranted jealousy.

At the palace gate, palace attendants were orderly greeting the noble ladies and gentlemen who had just alighted from their carriages.

The noble ladies all went out in their finest attire, each one charming and beautiful, a riot of colors.

A palace maid led the noble ladies to their accommodations.

The young men who stepped down from the carriage were all in high spirits and dressed in a dashing manner.

Some men, as soon as they got off the carriage, stared at the beautifully dressed girls with eyes like bees, wishing they could stick close and get a closer look.

Unfortunately, eunuchs were already waiting on the side, leading the young masters who had just gotten off the carriage to another side.

After everyone had settled into the palace, a pretty figure turned back from the corridor.

A sharp-eyed palace maid followed her and said, "Miss, are you going back to find someone? All the young ladies have gone to Bixia Courtyard to settle down, and there's no one else here right now."

Today, the palace maids are all on high alert when they are on duty.

Princess Yonghe has given the order that they must take good care of all the young ladies and that there can be no mistakes.

Du Yutong stopped in her tracks and asked, "Are you sure no one's coming from outside?"

The palace maid curtsied and said, "The steward has already made arrangements. The young ladies and misses have settled in first. The young masters and misses will arrive a little later. Right now, they have all gone to Songtao Courtyard to settle in. There shouldn't be anyone else coming outside."

"No, I have a close friend who hasn't arrived yet. Maybe she was delayed on the way." Du Yutong continued walking out.

Seeing that she couldn't dissuade her, the palace maid had no choice but to follow behind her.

The maid, Zhu'er, silently followed.

Du Yutong arrived at the palace gate and saw a group of guards standing on both sides.

Upon seeing Du Yutong emerge, a guard stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Miss, please wait. Wild beasts often roam the mountains. For your safety, it would be best if you did not go out alone."

The thought that the hunting grounds were not far from the palace made Du Yutong feel apprehensive.

She glanced up at the road she had come from; colorful birds flew through the woods, but there was no sound of car wheels.

Zhu'er stepped forward, tugged at her sleeve, and whispered, "Miss, let's go inside and settle in. It's possible that Miss Jiang is held up by something and can't come."

Du Yutong frowned. "Sister Yue'er said she would come. She always keeps her word and won't fail to come."

"Miss, all of you who arrived earlier or later today have been accommodated in Bixia Courtyard. Please go in and have lunch first."

At the urging of the palace maids, Du Yutong had no choice but to go to Bixia Courtyard with her maid Zhu'er to settle down.

Jiang Shuyue was nowhere to be seen until lunchtime.

...

On the wide mountain path through the forest, the gravel and dead branches on the road surface had been cleared away, and the carriage became much smoother as it climbed halfway up the mountain.

Even through the curtains, you can feel the fresh air, and the crisp chirping of birds rises and falls.

The carriage paused briefly, and then Xiang Song's voice rang out from outside, "Master, all the people in front of the palace have been dismissed."

Xiao Jingzhao lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, "Go directly to the inner palace."

Jiang Shuyue looked out through the gap in the carriage curtain and saw that the palace gate was wide open, with guards in tight-fitting clothes on both sides.

"Your Majesty, there seems to be no one else at the gate. May I go down?"

"No rush. We'll have lunch in the inner hall first, then we'll go with Yonghe to settle in."

Hearing this, Jiang Shuyue was quite certain that Xiao Jingzhao had already arranged her schedule.

She had to admit that he was thorough in his work and won her heart.

A moment later, the carriage stopped, and Xiang Song reported, "Master, Miss Jiang has arrived at the inner palace."

Xiao Jingzhao lifted the curtain again, "Please, Yue Niang."

This time, Xiao Jingzhao did not reach out to help Jiang Shuyue.

Jiang Shuyue did not hesitate and stepped out.

Xiao Jingzhao took the red fox fur cloak from the clothes rack, got off the carriage, and draped it over Jiang Shuyue. "It's windy on the mountain, but it'll be fine once we're inside the palace."

"Miss."

Before Jiang Shuyue could turn around, Qiuju caught up.

Jiang Shuyue pulled her cloak tighter and looked around.

This is a separate palace.

Looking around, the palace walls are surrounded by towering ancient trees.

Pavilions and towers, covered walkways, pine and cypress trees standing tall in the garden, and winding paths leading to secluded spots.

The antique architecture makes you feel as if you are in a paradise.

Everywhere was lush and green, and occasionally you could see a little snow that hadn't been cleared away under the trees.

Jiang Shuyue's gaze lingered on the lush greenery in the garden.

Xiao Jingzhao said, "There are no plum blossoms here, but there is a plum garden in the imperial palace. Yonghe invited everyone to appreciate the plum blossoms there."

At this moment, a palace maid came out to greet them, and Xiao Jingzhao led Jiang Shuyue and Qiuju into the palace.

"Your Majesty, Miss Jiang, this servant has already had lunch prepared and will serve it shortly."

As we entered the hall, Eunuch Ma greeted us with a broad smile.

Jiang Shuyue responded with a faint smile, and Xiao Jingzhao instructed Eunuch Ma, "Serve the meal."

The group went straight to the dining hall, where a palace maid brought over a copper basin to help them wash their hands.

Qiuju took Jiang Shuyue's cloak and hung it on the nanmu clothes rack.

Jiang Shuyue whispered to Qiuju, "There are people serving you here. Go and have lunch with Gao Mu."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!