The Emperor blinked, shook the green bead pouch in his hand, and after a moment of silence, said:

“Mei’er’s temperament is as pure and elegant as a chrysanthemum. I really like her.”

After speaking, he patted Shen Mei Zhuang’s hand and left.

He didn’t mention anything about having Shen Mei Zhuang assist with managing the Six Palaces.

A few days later, it was heard that the Emperor had rewarded Hua Fei with many green chrysanthemums, which made Hua Fei very happy.

Shen Mei Zhuang then told Zhen Huan everything, and Zhen Huan advised her that if there was an opportunity, she should support An Lingrong.

It’s always better to share the Emperor’s favor than to be the sole recipient.

That way, even if Hua Fei and the Empress want to target her, they’ll have to put in more effort.

Zhen Huan also mentioned that An Lingrong was timid and told Shen Mei Zhuang to guide her, reminding her not to be too anxious about everything, and to keep a calm heart.

Shen Mei Zhuang thought Zhen Huan’s advice made sense, so she told Zhen Huan that she would recommend An Lingrong to the Emperor when the time came.

One night, Huan Bi was complaining to Zhen Huan, saying that the eunuchs in the palace had been lazy lately, even arguing with her over small things like the little seal.

Zhen Huan replied that after being sick for so long, this was to be expected, so Huan Bi shouldn’t take it too seriously.

Just then, they heard someone crying outside the hall, and upon listening closely, it was Xiao Yun Zi.

Zhen Huan guessed that it was because his older brother had been sick for over a month with no one to take care of him.

So, she and Huan Bi went outside and asked Xiao Yun Zi what had happened.

Xiao Yun Zi knelt with a thud and said, “My older brother works in the Fourth Imperial Warehouse. He’s been sick for over a month and hasn’t gotten better. That’s why I’m so upset.”

Zhen Huan comforted Xiao Yun Zi and told him to go take care of his older brother in the Fourth Imperial Warehouse.

The winter in the Forbidden City was really cold!

Zhen Huan looked at Huan Bi, who was supporting her, and then at Xiao Yun Zi, who was crying so sadly over his older brother. She felt a pang of sympathy and thought it was time to have a heartfelt talk with Huan Bi.

After they entered the room, Zhen Huan began to talk about the words her father, Zhen Yuan Dao, had said to her the day before she entered the palace.

Huan Bi listened, tears welling up in her eyes: “My lady, do you know everything?”

Zhen Huan nodded, looking at her half-sister, who had always served her as a servant despite being born of the same father. Zhen Huan couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.

Although they shared the same father, her name was not on the family tree. She couldn’t even carry the “Yu” surname in her generation, nor could her mother’s tablet be placed in the family shrine to receive incense.

No wonder Huan Bi had grievances!

Who wouldn’t be troubled by this?

Seeing Zhen Huan nod, Huan Bi couldn’t hold back her tears any longer. She knelt on the floor, grabbing Zhen Huan’s hand and asking:

“Father… what did he say?”

Zhen Huan pulled Huan Bi to sit on the bed.

“Father knows you’ve suffered and asked me to treat you well. That’s why I brought you into the palace. I just hope to find you a good family in the future, so you can become a legitimate wife.”

“My lady, I…”

“Now, do you still want to call me ‘my lady’? You should call me ‘older sister’ instead!”

Huan Bi had been waiting for this moment for a long time.

She had thought no one knew her true identity, and no one acknowledged her existence.

But when she heard Zhen Huan say this, she felt that all her grievances were no longer grievances.

“Older sister…” Huan Bi cried as she threw herself into Zhen Huan’s arms.

Zhen Huan, happy, called her “sister.”

After Huan Bi calmed down a little, Zhen Huan asked her how she felt about the affairs in the harem, and if there was an opportunity, would she be willing to serve the Emperor?

Huan Bi immediately grabbed Zhen Huan’s hand and said:

“Older sister, please don’t misunderstand. I have never thought of serving the Emperor.”

“Huan Bi came to the palace with you not long ago, and I quickly realized that the people in the harem are mostly the type to climb up by stepping on others, always scheming against each other. I really don’t want to get involved in these palace struggles.”

Zhen Huan smiled and patted Huan Bi’s hand:

“I’m relieved to hear you think that way.”

“The reason I asked you is because I don’t want you to take the wrong path in the future.”

“Also, your mother is the daughter of a treasonous official. This identity must not be known by others, or it could bring trouble not just to you and me, but to your father and the entire Zhen family.”

Huan Bi nodded and said, “Older sister, I understand.”

Then Zhen Huan shared her plans for her. She said that if there was a chance in the future, she would have Huan Bi recognize Zhen Yuan Dao as her godfather, and Zhen Huan would acknowledge her as her god-sister.

At that time, her name could be added to the family tree, and her mother’s tablet could be placed in the Zhen family’s ancestral hall to receive incense.

When she got married, she would do so as the second daughter of the Zhen family.

Huan Bi was deeply moved and said:

“Older sister, I didn’t know you’ve thought so much for me.”

“From now on, I’ll stay by your side, and whenever you need me, I’ll do my best to help.”

Zhen Huan reminded Huan Bi to never reveal her true identity to outsiders.

After that, the two sisters tightly embraced each other.

Today, the Shattered Jade Pavilion was unusually quiet.

Because Zhen Huan had been sick for so long without recovering, the eunuchs, led by Kang Lu Hai, stopped paying much attention to serving her.

They were starting to stir.

Privately, they were plotting to find a better way out.

Zhen Huan just hoped they would leave quickly, so the Shattered Jade Pavilion would be left with only “her people.” Then, life would be much more comfortable!

It’s not about how many people there are, but about how loyal they are. Zhen Huan understood this well.

As expected, the next morning, she saw Liu Zhu enter with Kang Lu Hai and two of his little eunuchs.

“I can no longer serve my lady.”

Kang Lu Hai knelt down with a thud, saying it with deep sorrow.

While fake-crying and wiping away his tears, he said to Zhen Huan:

“Just now, the Inner Ministry sent word. Consort Li of Qi Xiang Palace specifically requested me to serve her.”

Zhen Huan had felt a little disappointed when she heard this in her past life.

But now, as she heard Kang Lu Hai say he couldn’t bear to leave her, telling her to take care of herself, she found it somewhat ridiculous.

Zhen Huan didn’t say much to Kang Lu Hai.

She told Huan Bi to call in everyone in the courtyard and told them that she had been sick and couldn’t handle so many people serving her. If anyone wanted to leave Shattered Jade Pavilion, they could get a silver ingot from Huan Bi and leave.

Zhen Huan knew that Huan Bi and Liu Zhu would definitely mock Kang Lu Hai. She originally wanted to stop them, but then thought that with Liu Zhu’s personality, if she didn’t let her speak, she’d probably end up sick.

So, Zhen Huan pretended to be taking medicine, letting Liu Zhu and Huan Bi have their say, settling old scores.

Huan Bi congratulated Kang Lu Hai for finding a good place.

Liu Zhu, who hated evil, said:

“My lady always treated Kang Gonggong well, and Kang Gonggong was like a lapdog, so attentive. But now, he’s climbed up and left just like that.”

After hearing Liu Zhu’s words, Kang Lu Hai kept explaining that it wasn’t his choice…

Liu Zhu didn’t hold back at all and said:

“I didn’t know that cattle can refuse water even if the wall is pressed on their head. Why don’t you go back to tell Consort Li…”

Zhen Huan couldn’t help but feel amused seeing how Liu Zhu looked like she wanted to devour Kang Lu Hai.

She didn’t listen to any of Kang Lu Hai’s words.

Just like in her past life, Kang Lu Hai took the little seal and went to join Consort Li.

Jin Xi, Xiao Yun Zi, and Pei’er stayed behind.