The emperor just doesn't treat everyone equally, and it's none of my business!

"What's your name?" Gu Shijin asked the palace maid she had just left behind while sitting in the upper seat.

The maid knelt on the ground and answered respectfully: "Please give me a name, my lady."

Gu Shijin raised his eyebrows, then said with a smile: "In that case, let's call her Xingzhu."

"Your servant Xingzhu thanks the young master."

Xingzhu is worthy of being an elder in the palace. Not only is she steady and efficient in her work, but she is also very clear about the rules of the palace. With Xingzhu and Xingyue around, Gu Shijin feels much more at ease.

That day, Lu Junze did not turn over Gu Shijin's nameplate. It was not until the next day that Gu Shijin heard that something had happened in the previous dynasty and the emperor had been busy in the imperial study until midnight.

A noble lady of the sixth rank had to pay her respects to the queen every morning.

After staying in Ningyu Pavilion for three years, Gu Shijin was used to being idle. She would sleep until she woke up naturally every day. Now, in order to pay her respects to the Queen, she had to get up before the hour of Mao in the morning, wash and dress herself, and must arrive at Fengyi Palace before the hour of Mao.

Gu Shijin sat in front of the dressing table with sleepy eyes and let Xingyue do her makeup and dressing. Xingyue was very skillful and had tied up Gu Shijin's hair in no time.

"My lady, you are so beautiful." Xingyue looked at her masterpiece with satisfaction.

Gu Shijin shook his head helplessly: "Take off the hairpin on your head."

"Why, young lady?" Xingyue looked confused and said, "This is a reward from the Emperor."

Gu Shijin did not answer Xingyue's words, but looked at Xingzhu: "You come."

Xingzhu bowed and said, "Yes, my lady."

Xingzhu picked up the two jade lotus hairpins on the table, inserted them into Gu Shijin's head, one on the left and one on the right, and then took out a light green palace dress for Gu Shijin to change into.

This outfit is neither outstanding nor too simple, and it suits Gu Shijin very well now.

Gu Shijin put the Lingzhi bamboo pattern jade hairpin back into the dressing box, turned to look at Xingyue, and said, "I have just been favored, so I shouldn't show off too much."

Now everyone in the palace knows that the emperor has rewarded her with a jade hairpin. If she wears it when she goes out to pay her respects to the queen today, wouldn’t she just attract hatred?

Gu Shijin still brought Xingyue with her to Fengyi Palace. She didn't want Xingyue to feel that she was being neglected, so she asked Xingzhu to stay in Ningyu Pavilion to get familiar with the environment.

A noble lady of the sixth rank was the lowest-ranking person who went to pay respects to the Queen. Gu Shijin had just been favored, so it was natural for her to go early.

When they arrived at Fengyi Palace, most of the people had not arrived yet. Only three people came, and they were all nobles.

Everyone had the same status, and Gu Shijin also had a title, so naturally she didn't need to bow down and pay her respects. She walked to the back row, sat down, and waited quietly.

"This must be the emperor's newly promoted sister Jin, right?" A woman in pink palace dress stared at Gu Shijin's face and said, "As expected of someone who is still favored after three years in the palace. Sister Jin is really pretty."

"Thank you for your compliment, sister. How can my weak figure compare with your beauty?" Gu Shijin replied with a smile.

Another noble lady in a light blue palace dress also said, "Yes, Sister Chen's appearance is one of the best in the harem."

The woman in the pink palace dress, Concubine Chen, touched her face when she heard this, looking very proud. Even the emperor praised her for her good looks.

"is it?"

A slightly sarcastic voice was heard. Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Concubine De, dressed in a purple palace dress, walking slowly towards them, followed by a group of concubines.

Gu Shijin and the others immediately stood up and knelt down to salute: "Greetings, Madam Defei."

"This must be Concubine Chen." Concubine De walked straight to Concubine Chen, bent down, lifted her chin with her hand and turned it left and right: "She is indeed beautiful, no wonder even the emperor praises her."

The appearance of Concubine De is not outstanding, even

She felt that the harem with three thousand beauties was a little too dull, and this had always been a concern for her. Fortunately, she had a good family background, and she climbed to the position of Defei not long after entering the palace.

Therefore, Concubine De has always been very averse to people mentioning her appearance in front of her. Concubine Chen is unlucky today.

“Then I wish Concubine Chen will continue to be favored, and can use this face to soon... become the most favored in the harem.” After saying this, Defei flicked Concubine Chen’s chin.

"Ah!" Concubine Chen cried out in pain, and a long bloody mark was left on her face by Concubine De's armor.

"my face."

"Oh, it's all my fault for being careless. How could I have hurt Concubine Chen?" Concubine De caressed Concubine Chen's face affectionately and said, "But Concubine Chen is so beautiful, even if she has a wound on her face, it won't damage her appearance."

There was a hint of malice in Concubine Chen's drooping eyes, but she could not compare to Concubine De in terms of family background, status, or favor, so she could only endure the humiliation.

Seeing Concubine Chen's look, Concubine De took the handkerchief handed to her by the palace maid and wiped her hands with disdain: "Everyone, get up."

"Thank you, Madam Defei."

After this commotion, the hall fell silent. Everyone sat in their seats and no one spoke again.

Gu Shijin picked up the tea on the table and took a sip. He was very grateful to Concubine Chen. If she hadn't made such a fuss, everyone's eyes would have been on her during today's greeting.

After a while, another person came into the hall. After paying her respects to several high-ranking concubines, she walked to an empty seat in the middle and sat down.

"Buddhist scriptures really help people cultivate their character. Sister Sheng has become much more stable." Li Xiuyuan said as soon as Concubine Sheng sat down.

Sheng Jieyu, this was the first time Gu Shijin saw Sheng Jieyu, she really looked... not beautiful, but charming. Sheng Jieyu had only been in the palace for three months, and was sent to the palace by a prince. She was favored from the moment she entered the palace, until a while ago when she contradicted Concubine Rou and was punished by the emperor to copy Buddhist scriptures and confined to Yufu Palace.

However, everyone said that Concubine Sheng was difficult to get along with and was arrogant and domineering, but when he saw Gu Shijin today, he felt that the rumors might be wrong. A person's character cannot be changed by copying Buddhist scriptures.

Concubine Sheng smiled and said, "I am where I am today thanks to Sister Rou Guipin. I will definitely remember your teachings."

Concubine Rou did not come to pay her respects today. Not only Concubine Rou, but several other ladies also did not come, otherwise today would have been even more lively.

Li Xiuyuan: "Sister Rou is not here today. When I meet her someday, I will definitely pass on Sister Sheng's message."

Facing Li Xiuyuan's threat, Concubine Sheng didn't even blink, and said calmly: "Thank you, Sister Xiuyuan."

"The Queen has arrived." The eunuch's voice rang out.

Finally, the boss of the harem arrived.

The queen wore a light-colored palace dress embroidered with peonies and a golden phoenix and rising sun hairpin on her head, looking elegant and graceful.

"Greetings to Her Majesty the Queen. May Her Majesty be blessed with good health and longevity." Everyone stood up and saluted.

The queen raised her hand and said, "Get up quickly."

"Thank you, Queen."

The Queen sat above and looked around, and finally her eyes stopped on Concubine Chen's face.

"What's wrong with Concubine Chen's face?"

Concubine Chen hurriedly stood up, bowed and replied, "My concubine was accidentally scratched on the face by a branch. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

Defei sneered, thinking she was sensible.

The Queen frowned, looked at Concubine De with deep eyes, and said, "You still need to be more careful on weekdays. Go back and ask the imperial physician to take a look, so as not to leave scars."

"Yes, thank you, Queen."