Chapter 4: A palace Full of Eyes

Shen Yanzhi had just stepped into Yunlan Palace when three maids hurried toward him.

"Your Highness!"

He stopped. "Yes?"

"What did His Majesty say?"

"Did he scold you?"

"Were you frightened?"

Shen Yanzhi looked from one anxious face to another.

"...Should I answer according to age?"

The three maids blinked.

"The eldest first? The youngest first?"

The youngest maid covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.

The head maid sighed. "Your Highness has changed so much after waking up."

"So everyone keeps telling me."

Before anyone could speak again, a eunuch announced from outside.

"An imperial decree!"

Every servant immediately knelt.

Shen Yanzhi copied them a heartbeat later.

"I'm never getting used to this..." he thought.

The eunuch entered carrying an elegant wooden box.

"By His Majesty's order."

He placed it carefully on the table.

"His Majesty heard that Consort Shen has recovered and sends these pastries from the imperial kitchen."

Shen Yanzhi stared at the box.

"...Pastries?"

"Snow lotus cakes."

"That's all?"

The eunuch looked confused.

"...Should there be more?"

"No. I was simply expecting... less."

The eunuch didn't understand.

The maids looked ready to faint.

After the eunuch left, the youngest maid whispered excitedly,

"Your Highness! His Majesty has never sent desserts to another consort!"

Shen Yanzhi opened the box.

"They're just cakes."

The three maids gasped together.

"They're imperial cakes!"

"...Do they taste different?"

The room fell silent.

The youngest maid finally answered,

"They're... more expensive."

Shen Yanzhi picked one up.

"So even desserts have ranks."

He took a bite.

"...Actually, that's very good."

The maids smiled with relief.

---

Meanwhile...

Inside the Imperial Study, Xiao Chengyuan signed another memorial.

Eunuch Li stood quietly beside him.

After several moments, the Emperor suddenly asked,

"Did he accept them?"

"The pastries?"

"Mm."

"Consort Shen thanked Your Majesty."

"And?"

"He asked why he had received them."

The Emperor paused.

"What exactly did he say?"

"'That's all?'"

Xiao Chengyuan looked up.

"'That's all?'"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Silence filled the study.

Then...

A faint smile appeared on the Emperor's face.

"He expected something else."

"I believe so."

"Interesting."

---

That afternoon, word spread through the palace.

His Majesty had sent food to Yunlan Palace.

Within an hour, every consort knew.

Within two hours, every servant knew.

Within three...

Even the palace cats probably knew.

---

Shen Yanzhi sat by the window with another cake.

A maid rushed inside.

"Your Highness!"

"What happened now?"

"Consort Lin is outside."

"Who?"

"Consort Lin."

"Do I know him?"

The maid stared.

"...You've met him many times."

"Right."

Shen Yanzhi sighed.

"I really need the previous owner's memories to come with a handbook."

Before he could prepare himself, a cheerful voice came from outside.

"Brother Shen! May I come in?"

Shen Yanzhi put the cake down.

"Please."

A handsome young man entered with a bright smile.

"I heard His Majesty rewarded you."

"He sent cakes."

Consort Lin leaned closer.

"Do you know what everyone is saying?"

"I'm almost afraid to ask."

"They say His Majesty has finally noticed you."

Shen Yanzhi nearly choked on his tea.

"Over cakes?"

Consort Lin nodded seriously.

"In the palace..."

He lowered his voice dramatically.

"...cakes are never just cakes."

Shen Yanzhi stared at him for a long moment.

Then he looked at the untouched pastry on the table.

"This place is insane."

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***