Chapter 134 Shen Meizhuang is Favored

The Emperor has finally entered the harem!

Nearly two months have passed since the new concubine entered the palace, and two or three snowfalls have already occurred in early winter. Finally, the Emperor has begun to summon the women of the harem.

On the first day, Yinzhen went to Jingren Palace. Since it was the fifteenth, no one paid much attention, taking it as the Emperor showing respect to the Empress. After all, Empress Yixiu's position was now secure, and others saw her as separate from the other concubines.

It wasn't until the next day, when Yinzhen stayed overnight at Consort Hua's Yikun Palace, that everyone suddenly realized that the Emperor had begun to favor his concubines again.

While marveling at how favored Consort Hua truly was, the newlyweds couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement, dreaming about their own future.

Finally, amidst the newlyweds' anticipation, on the third day after Yinzhen left Yikun Palace, he began to summon new concubines.

As if completing a task, after summoning the three noble ladies—Manchu, Mongol, and Han—for a day each, Yinzhen temporarily halted the summoning of new consorts and began to move around the various palaces. Consorts with children, in particular, received special favor.

“My lady, I heard that green chrysanthemums are blooming in the greenhouse. It’s a wonderful sight to see them blooming in winter. Would you like to go and take a look?” Caiyue noticed Shen Meizhuang’s bored expression and told her the news she had heard while getting her meal, hoping to cheer her up.

"Green Chrysanthemum?" Shen Meizhuang raised her head listlessly, but seeing the curious looks on Caiyue and Caixing's faces, she became unusually interested.

"Yes, yes, that's absolutely true."

"Your Highness has always loved chrysanthemums, why don't we go take a look?" Cai Xing chimed in, wanting to cheer up Shen Meizhuang. After all, they had witnessed their mistress growing increasingly forlorn these past few days.

“Alright, let’s go take a look.” Knowing the two maids’ good intentions, Shen Meizhuang smiled and nodded in agreement.

"Yes." Caiyue excitedly helped Caixing pack her things for the trip.

As Shen Meizhuang watched the two figures walk away, her smile gradually faded. She knew Caiyue and Caixing were worried, but she couldn't bring herself to express the disappointment in her heart.

Since she began serving the emperor, she couldn't say that she had devoted her whole heart to him, but his demeanor and appearance were truly captivating to Shen Meizhuang.

She had originally thought that with her looks and qualities, she could secure a place in the Emperor's heart. But unfortunately, she was treated no differently from Consort Fucha and Consort Borjigit, so how could Shen Meizhuang not feel disappointed?

In particular, compared to them, the Emperor clearly cared more about the concubines who had children. Thinking of this, Shen Meizhuang couldn't help but touch her belly, feeling a little expectant...

Soon, Shen Meizhuang put on her cloak and led Caiyue and Caixing to the greenhouse.

In the warm greenhouse, the large, dark green chrysanthemums, blooming under artificial intervention, caught Shen Meizhuang's eye, making her exclaim in amazement and lifting her spirits considerably.

"It really is a chrysanthemum, and a green one at that. This is the first time I've ever seen one."

"It's so beautiful! Do you like it, my lady?"

Hearing Caiyue and Caixing's exclamations, Shen Meizhuang couldn't help but nod. "I like it. The palace's methods of cultivating flowers are truly extraordinary. It's just a pity..."

"What a pity?" A dignified male voice came from behind the three of them, startling them. When they turned around, they saw the Emperor, who had entered at some point, standing quietly behind them with two eunuchs.

When Shen Meizhuang saw Yinzhen, she was pleasantly surprised and quickly led her stunned maid to pay her respects.

"This concubine greets Your Majesty."

"Get up. Consort Shen hasn't said what she regrets yet," Yinzhen asked with a smile, twirling the ring on his finger.

Shen Meizhuang was initially delighted that the Emperor remembered who she was, but then she hesitated. However, she dared not deceive the Emperor in front of Yinzhen. After hesitating for a while, she finally spoke, "This concubine only feels that chrysanthemums are autumn flowers. Forcing them to bloom against the season, though beautiful, diminishes their noble character."

"You're quite bold," Yinzhen smiled, his tone gentle and without any hint of blame, which made Shen Meizhuang relax a lot. "I suppose Consort Shen really likes chrysanthemums in autumn?"

"Yes, I admire the chrysanthemum's noble spirit of 'preferring to die fragrant on the branch rather than be blown away by the north wind.'"

Shen Meizhuang answered with her head bowed and eyes lowered. When she mentioned her beloved chrysanthemums, no matter how respectful she was, she couldn't help but reveal her joy in her eyes.

Yinzhen looked at her with a half-smile, watching her blurt out the words so obliviously. His mischievousness kicked in, and he suddenly said, "What a fine line, 'Rather die fragrant on the branch than be blown away by the north wind.' Consort Shen doesn't seem like someone who's only read the *Classic of Poetry* and *Rules for Women*."

Shen Meizhuang was startled, suddenly realizing that she had let something slip. She hadn't even established a relationship with the Emperor yet, and her private confession was just about intimate moments. Now that she had been exposed, it would be deceiving the Emperor.

Shen Meizhuang hurriedly knelt on the ground, explaining in a slightly flustered manner, "Your Highness, please forgive me, Your Highness only..."

"Alright," Yinzhen said before she could finish, reaching out to help her up and patting her hand reassuringly. "It's nothing serious."

"The world generally admires the idea that 'a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent,' so I understand your reservations during the selection process; there's no need to worry. However, I prefer your current talented appearance. In the future, don't hide it from me."

Looking at Yinzhen's gentle and comforting face, Shen Meizhuang was deeply moved. Feeling the distance between them, she boldly leaned against Yinzhen's chest and said softly, "Thank you, Your Majesty. Meizhuang will never deceive you again."

Yinzhen casually put his arm around her shoulder, enjoying the warm atmosphere, and their relationship instantly became much closer.

"I regret missing the autumn chrysanthemums, so now I can only try to please you with these green chrysanthemums. Next year, I will give you a room full of autumn chrysanthemums. Will you be happy, Mei'er?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Meizhuang is overjoyed."

Shen Meizhuang looked up from Yinzhen's embrace, her gentle and tender eyes gazing shyly at him, her heart completely devoted to him.

That day, after Shen Meizhuang returned to Xianfu Palace, the people in charge of the greenhouse delivered a row of green chrysanthemums, making her residence vibrant with life. Furthermore, at dinner time, Yinzhen sent someone to deliver a plaque, changing her residence from "Changxi Hall" to "Cunju Hall".

When the Emperor suddenly bestowed a reward, everyone in the harem naturally wanted to find out the news. When they learned that it was because Shen Meizhuang had a chance encounter with the Emperor in the greenhouse, countless people became jealous. Why couldn't it be them who had met the Emperor?

That day, Yinzhen had arranged to stay overnight at Yikun Palace. Seeing that although the Emperor had bestowed gifts, he had not changed his itinerary, everyone sighed at Consort Hua's secure position and laughed at Meizhuang for having gained nothing. However, how much envy and resentment was in these words is unknown.

Unfortunately, we saw this joke too early.

Yinzhen stayed one night in Yikun Palace, then spent three days alone in Yangxin Hall. When he entered the inner palace again, he stayed three nights in Shen Meizhuang's Cunju Hall and bestowed upon her the title "Hui".

In an instant, Shen Meizhuang became the most popular woman, causing the concubines in the harem to secretly smash countless things.