Upon receiving the imperial decree, the entire Yunxiang Villa was thrown into chaos. Xiao Tao, while packing her luggage, wiped away tears, saying, "Miss...no, Your Majesty, once you enter the palace, how can I possibly follow you?"
Lin Yun gently patted her shoulder and said softly, "Silly girl, it's not like we'll never see each other again. You're helping me by watching over the business outside the palace."
She solemnly addressed the crowd, saying, "After I enter the palace, the business of the shop will be handed over to you. I will arrange for someone to deliver the raw materials for the rouge. Manager Chen will be in charge of the general accounts, and Xiao Tao will go to the palace once a month to report to me."
With tears welling up in his eyes, Manager Chen said, "Don't worry, Miss, I will do my best and never let you down."
Xiao Tao wept bitterly, "Miss, I can't bear to part with you..."
Lin Yun's eyes also reddened: "My dear, the palace is not suitable for you. Live a good life outside, and I will find you a good husband in the future."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Tao hugged Lin Yun and burst into tears, leaving Lin Yun with a mix of emotions.
Having transmigrated from the modern era to this one, she only wanted to live a peaceful life, but fate has led her to this point.
Lin Yun then turned to the other employees and said gently, "Thank you all for your help these days. Although I have entered the palace, Yunxiang Pavilion's business will continue as usual, and your wages will be paid as normal. If you have any difficulties, you can go directly to Manager Chen."
Everyone knelt down, their voices choked with emotion: "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"
Everyone was reluctant to part with Miss. She was beautiful, kind-hearted, and generous; they would never find such a good employer again. Luckily, they could still work here; otherwise, it would be worse than death for them.
Three days later, Lin Yun officially moved into Yanxi Palace.
Emperor Yongzheng specially dispatched the Imperial Guards to escort him, and the grand scale of the procession drew the attention of everyone in the harem.
In a fit of anger, Consort Nian smashed her most beloved jade hairpin in Yikun Palace, while the Empress silently twirled her prayer beads, a shadow passing over her eyes.
Yanxi Palace has been renovated and exudes exquisite luxury in every aspect.
As soon as Lin Yun stepped into the palace gate, she saw the Emperor standing with his hands behind his back at the entrance of the main hall, looking at her with a smile.
"Your Majesty?" She was somewhat surprised and quickly stepped forward to pay her respects.
Yongzheng helped her up and said gently, "This is your new home. Are you satisfied?"
Lin Yun looked around and said softly, "I am flattered by your kindness."
Yongzheng held her hand, his gaze deep: "I said I would give you the best."
He paused, his tone suddenly turning serious, "However, the palace is not like the outside world, you must be careful."
Lin Yun nodded: "Your Majesty, I understand."
Yongzheng gazed at her and suddenly asked, "Will you blame me for dragging you into this trouble?"
Lin Yun smiled slightly, her gaze frank: "Your Majesty gave me the opportunity to choose, and it was my own decision. Since I'm here, I'll make the best of it."
Yongzheng felt a warmth in his heart and pulled her into his arms: "With you here, I feel at ease."
The two embraced and entered the main hall. After exchanging a few words, the emperor went to the front to handle state affairs.
Lin Yun stood in the main hall of Yanxi Palace, looking around.
The interior of the hall was exquisitely furnished, with carved rosewood furniture covered with brocade cushions, and a few freshly picked peonies in celadon vases by the window, their fragrance lingering in the air.
Four palace maids and four eunuchs stood neatly outside the hall, bowing respectfully, awaiting her instructions.
Granny Li stepped forward and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, my surname is Li, and I was specially assigned by the Emperor to serve you."
These palace maids and eunuchs were all carefully selected; please give your orders.
Lin Yun smiled slightly, her gentle gaze sweeping over everyone: "Please stand up. From now on, we are family. There's no need to be so formal."
The palace maids and eunuchs looked up, all curious about this Consort Yun.
Lin Yun noticed that they were about sixteen or seventeen years old, with delicate features and proper manners. She asked softly, "What are your names?"
The head maid curtsied and replied, "Your Majesty, we named our children according to the four seasons. I am Chunlan, and these are Xiahe, Qiuju, and Dongmei."
Lin Yun nodded, then looked at the four eunuchs.
The head eunuch stepped forward and said respectfully, "We have named them according to the principles of fortune, prosperity, longevity, and happiness. This servant is Xiao Fuzi, and these are Xiao Luzi, Xiao Shouzi, and Xiao Xizi."
Lin Yun pondered for a moment, then said, "Chunlan and Xiahe will serve me personally from now on, taking care of my daily life and grooming; Qiuju and Dongmei will clean and tidy the outer room, at the behest of Granny Li. Xiaofuzi is clever, so he will be the messenger eunuch; Xiaoluzi, Xiaoshouzi, and Xiaoxizi will be responsible for welcoming and seeing off guests. Everyone should do their own job. If you have any questions, feel free to ask Granny Li or come directly to me."
The crowd responded in unison, "Yes, Your Majesty!"
Seeing that Lin Yun had made arrangements in an orderly manner, a sense of relief flashed in Li Mama's eyes. Her mistress was a shrewd and capable person. She said, "Your Highness, rest assured, this old servant will teach them well and will not trouble you at all."
Lin Yun smiled and said, "With Granny here, I feel at ease."
After exchanging a few polite words, everyone dispersed. Lin Yun went to her room to rest, leaving Chunlan and Xiahe to attend to their own business.
——
At noon, Chunlan and Xiahe brought lunch, which included bird's nest and shredded chicken soup, steamed shad, cherry meat, pickled goose feet, ham and bamboo shoot soup, rouge goose breast, and jujube paste and yam cake as dessert. There was also a pot of aged Pu'er tea.
Chunlan and Xiahe exchanged a glance, both secretly astonished. This honor was far beyond what a concubine could receive; it was almost on par with that of a Noble Consort. Their mistress was truly favored!
Lin Yun couldn't eat that much by herself, so she only ate the rouge goose breast and the bird's nest and shredded chicken soup, giving the rest to the servants. Everyone was overjoyed and kowtowed to express their gratitude, saying how kind their mistress was.
In the afternoon, Lin Yun changed into a light outfit with the help of Chunlan and Xiahe, and took a nap on the soft couch.
The Yanxi Palace was quiet, with only the occasional chirping of birds coming from outside the window.
She closed her eyes to rest, but her mind was filled with thoughts. The crops in Yunxiang Villa had long been ripe and should have been reported, but the Emperor was too busy with many state affairs to attend to them, so she hadn't mentioned it.
Now that I'm in the palace, I need to find something to do. I'll mention it later.
As evening fell, Xiao Fuzi rushed in, her face beaming with undisguised joy: "Your Majesty, Eunuch Su from the Emperor's side has come to say that the Emperor will be staying at Yanxi Palace tonight!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire Yanxi Palace sprang into action.
Although the Empress was bound to make this trip on her first day in the palace, everyone was still very happy that she actually came. The more favored the Empress was, the more face they felt.
Granny Li quickly directed everyone, and Chunlan and Xiahe prepared fragrant soup and clothes for the Empress.
Qiuju and Dongmei cleaned the hall, while Xiaoluzi and Xiaoshouzi prepared tea and snacks.
Lin Yun sat in front of her dressing table, looking at herself in the bronze mirror.
Chunlan styled her hair into an exquisite bun, adorned with coral hair ornaments and pearl hairpins;
Xia He then helped her change into a light pink embroidered silk dress, with a light gauze shawl over it, which made her skin look as white as snow and her features as beautiful as a painting.
She took a deep breath, suppressed her nervousness, and told herself to take it easy.
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