With everything arranged, the women of Prince Yong's residence packed up the next day and immediately entered the palace, each heading to their respective quarters with the guide.

Lanqin avoided everyone's gaze and entered the palace last. She remained silent the whole way, and even the old nanny couldn't help but glance at her a few more times, wondering what kind of person the Emperor would arrange for her to be in the residence that should have been the Empress's.

It was the first time that the maidservant had entered the palace, and she was very curious about the scenery in front of her. She followed Lanqin around, chattering and looking around happily.

Seeing the little maid's liveliness, the nanny smiled and said, "The place we're going to now is called Changchun Palace, which is the closest palace to the Emperor's residence, Qianqing Palace. You're really lucky to be with Consort Xi; good days are yet to come..."

The maidservant replied with a smile and a proud expression, "Our Lady is the most favored by the Emperor in the Prince's Mansion. Not to mention the palace, if it weren't for her status, she would probably be crowned Empress..." Lanqin quickly glanced at the maidservant, who immediately realized that she had said the wrong thing and quickly lowered her head.

Lanqin smiled and said, "Granny, please don't take offense. The maid was ignorant and said the wrong thing. Lanqin is just fortunate to have received a little favor from the Emperor. It is Lanqin's blessing to be able to live in Changchun Palace."

The old woman was taken aback, not expecting Lanqin to be so humble. She had thought that a pampered concubine would be spoiled and unruly. She looked at Lanqin with new respect and became more talkative.

"Your Majesty need not belittle yourself. Although His Majesty has only bestowed upon you the title of Consort, all of you servants know that Your Majesty is extremely important to him. Changchun Palace was previously reserved for the Empress; this time, it was an exception, bestowed upon Your Majesty. I heard that the Imperial Household Department has approached His Majesty several times about this, but he simply refused to change it, which shows how precious Your Majesty is..." The nanny whispered to Lanqin as they walked. Lanqin suddenly stopped and turned her head to ask, "What? The Empress's residence?"

The old nanny, thinking Lanqin was stunned with joy, continued, "That's right! The Emperor has decreed that Changchun Palace will be reserved solely for Her Highness!" The nanny smiled, her eyes narrowed. Lanqin's heart sank. She was doomed! She'd only just entered the palace and already attracted everyone's attention. Not to mention the gossip among the maids and eunuchs, the Empress would certainly not let it go. But now she was caught in a dilemma. With the nanny urging her on, Lanqin had no choice but to grit her teeth and move forward.

Upon entering Changchun Palace, she was greeted by a dense crowd of kneeling people who respectfully greeted, "May Your Highness, Consort Xi, enjoy boundless blessings and peace..." Their eyes brimming with barely concealed joy. Lanqin noticed the palace's pleasant fragrance, and after curiously looking around, she slowly stepped inside.

The old woman's face was full of wrinkles from smiling, and her voice rose considerably: "Your Highness, please look, this is the Pepper Chamber that His Majesty specially prepared for you!" She then led Lanqin inside, and sure enough, the room was brand new, the walls looked freshly painted, and it was filled with an exceptional fragrance.

Lanqin was amazed by the extravagance inside, but the more she looked, the more worried she became, while the maids were overjoyed. The old woman explained as she walked, "The Pepper Chamber is the most prestigious place in the palace. The walls are plastered with pepper and mud, symbolizing warmth, fragrance, and fertility, signifying 'the fruit of pepper, abundant and plentiful life.' It's a custom reserved for grand weddings in the palace. Apart from empresses throughout history, ordinary concubines cannot receive this special favor; Your Highness, you are the first!"

Lanqin strolled around Changchun Palace. Everything here seemed meticulously arranged; the furnishings and decorations inside were incredibly luxurious. Even many of the flowers and plants in the courtyard were ones Lanqin had never seen before. It seemed to rival the Empress's Jingyang Palace. Thinking of this, Lanqin frowned deeply and remained silent, her mind filled with worry. Her attendants, assuming Lanqin was stunned by the sight of the palace, secretly rejoiced that they had chosen the right master and would enjoy a life of luxury in the future…