jdhmnovel Chapter 265: First Visit to the Palace
Chapter 265: First Visit to the Palace
He Yunshu was overjoyed to hear this, and her love for Cen Jiexiao increased even more. She even began to imagine how free and unfettered she would be if she could live in the world that Cen Jiexiao described.
"If I could live freely like Jiexiao, without being trapped in this deep palace..." He Yunshu thought to himself, his eyes full of longing.
The carriage jolted along, its wheels clattering across the cobblestones as it finally arrived at the palace. The tall, vermilion palace gates stood solemn and majestic, like a sleeping beast, silently gazing down at the passersby.
Cen Jiexiao helped He Yunshu down from the carriage and gazed up at the towering palace walls. The golden glazed tiles gleamed in the sunlight, a majestic spectacle. However, behind this splendor lay endless conspiracies and a vortex of power. Cen Jiexiao couldn't help but feel a strange unease. She knew she was about to enter a treacherous place filled with thorns and challenges. The road ahead was destined to be filled with unknowns and hardships.
As soon as I entered the palace gate, a shrill voice came over: "Hey, isn't this the Empress and Dean Cen?" The voice was like the cry of a night owl, harsh and annoying.
Following the sound, Cen Jiexiao saw a woman in gorgeous palace attire and heavy makeup, swaying her slender waist as she approached them. She was adorned with jewels and gems, her gait graceful, a faint smile of disdain on her face. She was none other than Empress Dowager Li's confidante, Consort Shu, whom she had met briefly at the palace a while ago.
Concubine Shu walked up to the two of them, stopped, looked He Yunshu up and down, and said sarcastically: "Empress, your body is really precious. You just entered the palace, and you need Dean Cen to escort you personally?" Her tone was full of sarcasm and provocation, and there was a hint of disdain in her eyes.
He Yunshu's face darkened, a hint of displeasure flashed across her brows, and she replied coldly: "Shufei, please don't worry about my health." Her tone was firm and she showed no sign of weakness.
"Oh, is the Empress angry?" Concubine Shu covered her mouth and smiled, pretending to be surprised, but her eyes were full of pride.
"I am also concerned about you. After all, the Empress must be more careful in the harem." She looked at Cen Jiexiao meaningfully, with a hint of warning in her eyes, then twisted her waist and walked away, leaving behind a pungent scent of powder.
Cen Jiexiao watched Concubine Shu's departing back and sneered inwardly. It seemed the harem struggle was even more complicated than she had imagined. She took a deep breath and silently warned herself to be cautious and careful at every step.
Cen Jiexiao carefully supported He Yunshu and followed the palace maids, walking towards Fengyi Palace. They walked along the long palace corridor, with towering red walls on both sides like barriers, blocking out the clamor of the outside world. Sunlight filtered through the gaps between the high walls, casting mottled shadows on the ground. The interweaving of light and shadow, the changing brightness and darkness, were like sharp blades, slicing through the seemingly peaceful palace and also slicing through Cen Jiexiao's heart.
Cen Jiexiao was acutely aware of the gazes from the surrounding palace servants. These glances ranged from curiosity to inquiry to disdain, even a subtle hint of hostility, like a venomous snake spitting its tongue, chilling and unsettling. A young maid furtively observed them, her eyes filled with curiosity; an elderly eunuch hurried by, head lowered, as if afraid to look directly at the empress; a richly dressed concubine passed by with a disdainful glance, a faint smile of disdain playing at the corners of her mouth. These glances pricked Cen Jiexiao's nerves like needles, sending waves of unease through her.
She calmly took in all these glances, observing her surroundings with composure. The palace's layout was intricate, with pavilions, towers, and winding paths, like a vast maze. A single mistake could easily lead to disorientation. She memorized the palace's layout in her mind, as if drawing an escape map for emergencies.
This palace is truly thrilling! Cen Jiexiao sighed inwardly. This isn't a palace at all; it's clearly a giant prison, a cage that holds countless women's youth and dreams captive. It's filled with power struggles and deceptions, and the slightest misstep could lead to destruction.
After a long walk, they finally arrived at Fengyi Palace. Cen Jiexiao was stunned by the sight before her. The magnificent palace, with its carved beams and painted rafters, was magnificent and luxurious beyond her imagination. Glazed tiles shone dazzlingly in the sun, the golden eaves were intricately carved with patterns, and golden dragons coiled around the vermilion pillars, appearing lifelike.
Yet, beneath this magnificent exterior, a lingering air of desolation permeated the air, like a heart long decayed beneath a gorgeous robe. Though magnificent, the palace lacked the presence of human life, appearing singularly deserted and dead.
"Your Majesty, please be careful and come in this way." The palace maid who led the way bowed respectfully, then pushed open the door of Fengyi Palace. The heavy palace door made a creaking sound, as if telling an ancient story.
Cen Jiexiao accompanied He Yunshu into the main hall, which was exquisitely decorated with golden nanmu furniture and priceless antique calligraphy and paintings, all of which embodied the royal nobility and grandeur. The floor was covered with soft Persian carpets, the walls were decorated with exquisite embroidery, and the air was filled with the faint scent of sandalwood.
However, this luxurious decoration could not mask the loneliness and oppression that permeated the air. The huge palace seemed empty with only the two of them, and people felt a sense of inexplicable fear.
He Yunshu looked around with a hint of fear in her eyes, as if she was in a huge trap and didn't know how to escape. To her, this magnificent palace was more like a gorgeous cage.
"Sister Xiao, I still don't have any children. How can I survive in this harem?" He Yunshu sighed softly, her tone filled with confusion and helplessness. Her voice was soft, yet trembling, as if she would collapse at any moment.
Cen Jiexiao patted He Yunshu's hand and comforted her, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. You are the Queen, the mother of the country. You have the innate capital and status. In addition, your family background is there, and General He is the pillar of the country. Therefore, Your Majesty, there is no need to worry too much."
"That being said, the hearts of people in the harem are treacherous..." He Yunshu's voice faded away like a wisp of smoke. There was a barely perceptible fear in her eyes, and her slender fingers tightly twisted the handkerchief, as if this could bring her a sense of security.
Cen Jiexiao noticed He Yunshu's uneasiness, gently held her hand, and said softly, "Your Majesty, there's no need to worry so much." She paused, glanced around, and after making sure no one was eavesdropping, she leaned close to He Yunshu's ear and whispered, "This harem is indeed as you said. People are treacherous, like a battlefield. Here, if you're not careful, you can end up in ruin."
He Yunshu's breathing became a little rapid. She looked at Cen Jiexiao nervously, waiting for her next words.