I traveled through time and space and became a drama queen in the harem!

First entry into the palace

Lin Chen hadn't slept well all night. Although she'd tried her best to calm herself, her mind was still swirling with chaotic thoughts. She was clearly just an ordinary urban office worker, so how had she ended up traveling to this completely unfamiliar ancient world? And to become one of the emperor's favorite concubines—this plot felt like something straight out of a novel. The problem was, she wasn't in a novel; she'd actually traveled to a world filled with palace intrigue and complex relationships.

The next morning, Lin Chen was awakened again by the gentle woman. She sat up drowsily and saw the gentle woman walk in with a bowl of steaming porridge. She said softly, "Miss, you're awake. The imperial kitchen has delivered breakfast. Please enjoy it."

"Thank you." Lin Chen smiled at her. Although he was still full of doubts in his heart, he had to at least maintain a decent attitude on the surface.

The woman smiled softly and lowered her head gently, saying, "Miss, if you feel that the taste is not to your liking, you can always give me instructions."

Lin Chen simply waved her hand, indicating she had no special requests. She was still pondering the information she had received yesterday. Phoenix Palace? Phoenix Dynasty? She still didn't have much memory of this dynasty; everything seemed hazy. But regardless, now that she was already there, she had to adapt to this new environment as quickly as possible.

"What are you planning to do today?" Lin Chen asked casually. She didn't expect any specific answer, but at least she wanted to know how the daily life in the palace operated.

The woman replied gently, "Miss, there are arrangements at the palace today. If you would like to go out for a walk, you can ask at any time. Many of the palace's nobles will be gathering in the garden. If you wish, you can go there."

"Hmm..." Lin Chen nodded, thinking to herself, since there are so many nobles in the palace, as one of the emperor's favorite concubines, she should have many visitors. She couldn't help but wonder what these so-called nobles and concubines were like. She had been told her status in the harem, but she knew very little about the true situation of these people in the palace.

So, Lin Chen decided to take a walk around the garden first to see what the palace was like. After all, understanding the surrounding environment was the first step for her to adapt to her new life.

After a quick wash and freshening, Lin Chen donned a gorgeous palace dress, tied her hair into an exquisite bun, and left the room. She discovered that the palace's grandeur and majesty far exceeded her imagination. The palace's corridors were incredibly spacious, lined with vivid murals, and the carved beams and painted buildings gave off an overwhelming sense of luxury. She could almost imagine that behind every brick and stone lay the immense wealth and power.

Following her steps, she entered the gardens outside the palace. The scenery was indeed as beautiful as the legends had it: pavilions, winding paths, emerald green grass covered with colorful flowers, and the air was fresh and refreshing, like a paradise on earth. And amidst this tranquil scene, a number of women in gorgeous palace attire were leisurely strolling or chatting.

Lin Chen stood aside, quietly observing these women. Their speech and behavior were elegant and graceful, revealing no trace of nervousness or anxiety. Her eyes gradually swept over the women, trying to find some useful clues. She noticed that some women had beautiful faces and elegant temperaments, seemingly ladies of the nobility; while others had gentle faces, light makeup, and a hint of intelligence in their eyes, looking like favored concubines.

"It seems that the concubines in the harem are of both noble aristocratic origin and commoner origin, and their identities are different." Lin Chen concluded silently in his heart.

Just as she was lost in thought, a woman in gorgeous palace attire suddenly approached her. The corners of her mouth curled up slightly, revealing a gentle smile: "Lady Lin, how are you feeling today?"

Lin Chen looked up and was stunned when she saw the woman in front of her. Although she didn't know her, she could tell from her tone and demeanor that she was of high status. She smiled slightly and replied politely, "I feel fine today, but I'm a little uncomfortable with the environment here."

The woman chuckled softly, her eyes flickering. She didn't seem to think there was anything special about Lin Chen's answer. "The palace is different from the outside world. Since Concubine Lin is His Majesty's most beloved concubine, she will definitely adapt in the future. Although the harem is complicated, it also has many warm places."

Lin Chen's heart moved, and he secretly paid attention to the other party's words. Warmth? In the harem, a place full of intrigue and deception, warmth seemed to be a luxurious word.

"Thank you for your concern." Lin Chen lowered his head slightly, still maintaining a gentle smile.

"Rules?" Lin Chen's heart trembled slightly, realizing that she had just traveled through time and knew almost nothing about the rules of the harem. No matter how calm she tried, she couldn't avoid feeling uneasy about the complex relationships in the harem. After all, being one of the emperor's favorite concubines meant she had to face more power struggles and complex interpersonal relationships.

"Yes," the woman nodded, seemingly not intending to hide too much. "In the harem, there are not only struggles between concubines, but also divisions of power within the palace. Everyone has their own supporters, some from the powerful within the palace, some from external forces. If you want to survive here, you must learn to distinguish right from wrong, and even know how to win over powerful people."

After hearing this, Lin Chen's heart tightened. She finally understood that this palace was not as peaceful and beautiful as she had just seen. Hidden behind it were complex schemes and struggles.

"It seems that I have to find out about the situation in the palace as soon as possible." Lin Chen made up her mind silently. Since she had traveled here and could not turn back, she could only learn to survive in this deep palace.

Seeing that Lin Chen seemed lost in thought, the woman smiled softly and turned to leave. "Since Lady Lin has no further questions, I will take my leave and discuss this with you later."

Lin Chen nodded, watching her figure gradually disappear around the corner of the garden. Her heart was churning, and she felt as if she had embarked on a path of no return.

Lin Chen, returning to the palace, finally realized that this harem was not all about fighting and deception; she could choose her own path. Perhaps, the most important thing was not how much favor she received, but how to use that favor to find her own foothold in this maze of power.

Chapter 3: Fate's Strange Arrangement