boat shoes to prop myself up. Two nights should be enough." 。Xie Ning was pondering what he could eat for lunch. As someone of his status, it was said that he couldn't order dishes, he could only eat...Xie Ning, like others, knelt on the ground.

Actually, when I was being dragged to kneel by the palace eunuch, I didn't know what was going on. But seeing everyone else kneeling down in unison, with the eunuchs' foreheads almost touching the bluestone floor, I also clumsily followed suit. 。It took a while to realize that the emperor had arrived. 。The Emperor has arrived!Xie Ning and Bian, just like always, knelt down respectfully without daring to raise their heads. 。Looking at the bluestone pavement 。Because someone diligently swept every day, the ground wasn't dirty. However, over time, moss would naturally form within the bricks, with deep green lines crisscrossing like a go board spreading throughout the bricks. 。It's not just the brick itself, even the surface of the bricks has pits and scratches from being used for so long. Inside, there are shades of green, some deep, some shallow. 。Xie Ning was engrossed and very pleased with himself, until a pair of black boots embroidered with gold dragons stopped in front of him, stepping on the stone brick. 。The embroidery on the boots is so good! The dragon eyes are so lively. 。The emperor's boots are really clean, not just the shoe face but even the boot shaft is spotlessly clean, without a speck of dust. 。Xie Ning didn't think the emperor stopped because of him. 。

It has been two and a half years since I have been in the palace.

Speaking of two years, it's not a long time. But for the people in the palace, it's already a generation of new people replacing old ones. Last month, there was a batch of newly selected palace maidens, and this batch has already faded like yesterday's flowers. 。Xie Ning's last time seeing the emperor was when he entered the palace. 。

At that time, the last level emperor was personally selected, and he only saw the emperor's dragon robe.

Over thirty people entered the palace together. They were all given the title of court lady at the same time. Among them, Liang was once favored and given the title of noble consort. Li later ascended to power and was given the title of honorable concubine. The others, like Xie Ning, remained unknown and forgotten by everyone. 。Just like the flowers in this garden, they bloom in spring and wither in autumn, yet no one comes to appreciate them. 。Xie Ning didn't originally know why, after hearing that there were so many vicious and unbelievable things happening in the harem, they were all done by Zi. But now he gradually understood. 。

Without a steadfast heart, enduring such day-to-day loneliness, people would truly be slowly warped and changed.

Sometimes Xie Ning truly envies the palace servants on the border. 。We have prospects and can strive for promotions and salary increases. We also have the opportunity to leave the palace when we turn twenty-eight. 。"What is your name"Xie Ning was startled, hearing the emperor say again, "Look up and answer..." 。"I... am Xie Shi, a talented woman from Yingxiang Pavilion. I respectfully request your well-being, Your Majesty." 。She was a fifth-rank court lady in the harem of Emperor Yongkang of the Xia Dynasty. 。This was the entirety of Xie Ning's conversation with the emperor. From beginning to end, Xie Ning remained in a state of utter bewilderment. 。Even if the emperor allowed one to look up, one must still lower their eyes. To look directly at the dragon would be a crime. 。So, after the emperor and his retinue had left, as people buzzed around gossiping, Xie Ning was deep in thought. He had met the emperor twice before, but he still didn't know what he looked like... Was this a blessing to have seen him Don't be ridiculous. 。Now even the emperor's height, weight, and features are unknown. No one knows what his eyebrows, eyes, nose look like. 。When facing absolute power, especially when they hold your life and honor in their hands and you're powerless to resist, surviving is the most important thing. 。Xie Ning looked at the faces surrounding him, some familiar and others completely unknown. 。The emperor's charisma was truly powerful. Just one remark he made to himself, and now people saw him as if he were coated in gold, everyone vying for his attention. 。Back at Yingxiang Pavilion, Xie Ning rushed into the room and sat down, kicking off his shoes: "These shoes are too much trouble..." 。Two maids rushed over to pick up the shoes: "My lady, please don't do that. New shoes always need some breaking in, just wear them more." 。"Its feet were like the hooves of a pig tied up in chains..."

The voice was soft, but both palaces heard it. 。The elder of the two, Qinghe, said, "I'll go borrow a pair of boat shoes to prop myself up. Two nights should be enough." 。Xie Ning was pondering what he could eat for lunch. As someone of his status, it was said that he couldn't order dishes, he could only eat according to the set portions, whatever the kitchen served. 。When you encounter something edible, of course it's a stroke of luck, but the probability isn't very high. Most of the time what is sent over is food that isn't very appealing or that one wouldn't want to eat in the first place. 。

So over the past two years since Xie Ning entered the palace, the greatest result has been -- he has gotten along well with the kitchen staff.

I'm not very good at cooking myself, but I've read a lot of food blogs and recipes. Thanks to my vast knowledge, I get along with the kitchen staff and can occasionally get what I want to eat. 。Just like the snacks in the house now, they don't have things like osmanthus, sesame oil, lard, or sugar inside. They taste crispy on the outside and refreshing on the inside, truly not greasy at all. 。How about having some steamed vegetables for lunch Steamed vegetables are warm and comforting, just a few drops of chili oil and a drizzle of garlic sauce will make them irresistible. I bet you'd finish two bowls! 。

Of course, this bowl is not a sea bowl, it's just a little bigger than a teacup.

After Xie Ning had calculated this, he discovered that the two palaces in the house—Qinghe and Qingmei—both seemed a little dazed.

A person holding a cloth, wiping the corner of the table repeatedly, without even changing positions. 。The other one sat beside the door with a bag, but their efficiency was far less than usual. 。Before Xie Ning could call Qinghe to the dining hall, someone entered the courtyard. 。

There were originally three people living in the Yingxiange, besides Xie Ning himself: a Liu Cairen and another person whose surname was unknown. The latter died from a cold after only a few days of moving in.

Liu Cairen thought that Yingxiang Pavilion was too deserted and remote, so he found a way to ask someone to change his residence. Only Xie Ning remained here. 。Originally, there was talk about more people moving in, but after a year and a half, no one has moved in yet. 。Xie Ning actually thought this was good, peaceful 。When Liu Cairen was still around, Xie Ning was actually a little afraid. 。Because Liu Cai Ren's eyes were like sharp knives, constantly staring at people or things. Xie Ning felt uneasy, unsure what she was thinking. They stayed silent together, afraid of saying or doing something wrong that would be caught by her. 。

Therefore, Yingxiangge is usually quite lively with people coming and going, let alone the distinguished guests who have arrived today.

Qinghe was stunned at a glance, and hurriedly went out to greet him with a bow and well-wishes. 。Xie Ning also slowly stood up. 。The man who came was a retainer, about thirty years old. He wore a robe of green hemp cloth, well-made and neatly tailored. 。Xie Ning slowly retrieved this person from his memory. Fortunately, he was very approachable with a handsome face and an upright posture. The corners of his eyes always seemed to have a hint of a smile, making people feel good and wanting to get closer at first glance. 。This man is not to be offended. The person belongs to the Yingxiang Pavilion, which belongs to the Houyuan (inner garden). This person is precisely Zhou Bingchen, the deputy chief eunuch of the Houyuan. 。

This person may not hold absolute power of life and death, but you definitely shouldn't offend him.

A powerful eunuch and a low-ranking, unfavored scholar - anyone who isn't stupid knows who has the upper hand. 。Grandmaster Zhou was courteous. 。Xie Ning greeted the guests politely. 。

"Don't be so polite, Mr. Xie."

Zhou Bingchen smiled brightly: "The talented person is overjoyed, let's congratulate the talented person." 。Xie Ning was momentarily stunned, but Qing He immediately reacted, a smile blooming on her face. She said cheerfully, "Master Xie has always looked after our Ying Xiang Ge. As talented individuals, we are fortunate to have received such grace and will never forget Master Xie's guidance and care." 。Xie Ning was a beat slower than the lotus, just now understanding Zhou Bingchen's words. 。

This great joy can only mean one thing.

That's what Qing He said, she said she received the saint's grace. 。To put it simply: the emperor needs to sleep!Qinghe looked at her own talented person's silly appearance and became anxious. Zhou Gonggong is such a big man, how could he be so disrespectfulZhou Bingchen smiled and didn't care at all. Which one in the harem doesn't think day and night about the emperor's favor Once their wishes are fulfilled, their reactions are all kinds of things. Zhou Bingchen has seen more than Xie Cairen who is more out of control, there are also those who talk nonsense, some who faint with joy on the spot, this daze isn't a big deal at all. 。Later, palace maids and Shang Palace will come to dress up and attend to Xie Cairen, explaining how to serve the Emperor. Just follow their instructions, Cairen. 。Xie Ning finally calmed down, Qinghe had already cleverly taken a heavy pouch and respectfully presented it to Zhou Binchen. 。"With even more deference, I'd like to say thank you, Father-in-law, for your constant guidance and care. This is a small token of our appreciation, please don't find it wanting." 。Zhou Binchen certainly wouldn't disdain 。

It's not that he has so much money, even the mosquitoes on him are being hacked down.

By this point in his career, money was no longer the top priority for him. 。Xie Cairen has been in the palace for almost three years now, but she hasn't received any favor. Although she holds the title of a talented woman, the little money she has is only enough to support herself, not much different from the commoners in the palace. 。What's taken out wouldn't be some great gift either. 。Zhou Bingchen's smile as he accepted it was a statement of his attitude. 。After receiving the money, their relationship became closer. It would be easier to get along from now on. 。If they refuse to accept, that's what will make people feel uneasy and anxious. 。

Though I don't know how far Xie Cairen can go, making a good connection now is never a bad thing.

It's unnecessary for him to take action himself in this matter. It was fortunate that after a period of quiet in the Houyuan, someone finally stepped forward. Zhou Binchen made a special trip here just for this reason. 。

(The End)rve the Emperor. Just follow their instructions, Cairen. 。Xie Ning finally calmed down, Qinghe had already cleverly taken a heavy pouch and respectfully presented it to Zhou Binchen. 。"With even more...