When Jiang Yunshu woke again, it was already the afternoon of the following day.
She stared at the unfamiliar bed and the unfamiliar room, murmuring to herself, "Did I transmigrate again?"
Had she not been handed a script for a noble family feud or a palace intrigue, but rather a quick transmigration plot?
Just then, two young palace maids lifted the curtain and entered. "Sister, you're awake?"
"The Chief Eunuch assigned us to serve you. Please let us know if you need anything."
The two maids, no older than seven or eight, were fair-skinned and sweet-faced—one named Xiazhi, the other Xiaoman.
At the mention of "Chief Eunuch," Jiang Yunshu realized she hadn’t transmigrated again.
So… she wasn’t dead?
Memories from before she lost consciousness flooded back, and Jiang Yunshu’s face abruptly flushed red.
Back then, she had truly run out of options and, in desperation, tried one last gamble.
She had long noticed that Xie Lin always stared at her eyes.
Though his gaze held no trace of desire, the fact that he looked at her at all meant he must have some interest in her, right?
Who would have thought that her gamble would actually carve out a path to survival?
The all-powerful Chief Eunuch Xie Lin had actually been so… inexperienced at first.
But from awkwardness to mastery, his progress had been alarmingly swift…
Jiang Yunshu felt her face burning and quickly shook off the memories. She glanced around the opulent room and asked, "Where is this?"
Xiazhi answered, "This is Weiyang Palace—the Chief Eunuch’s private quarters."
Jiang Yunshu froze, then looked down at the white jade bed beneath her. "So this is… his bed?"
Xiazhi smiled. "Yes."
Jiang Yunshu knew the question was foolish—there was only one bed in Xie Lin’s quarters, so of course it was his.
But she couldn’t fathom that someone as cold and unapproachable as Xie Lin would let her sleep in his bed.
Had he carried her back here himself?
Had Xie Lin slept in this very bed last night, sharing it with her?
Too embarrassed to ask the maids, Jiang Yunshu swallowed her questions and hurriedly rose from Xie Lin’s bed.
"Did the Chief Eunuch say where I’ll be staying from now on?"
She assumed that since Xie Lin had assigned her attendants, he must have arranged lodging for her—proof that she was, for now, allowed to live.
Xiazhi replied, "The Chief Eunuch said you’ll be staying in his quarters from now on."
Jiang Yunshu stiffened. What? Staying in Xie Lin’s quarters?
He wasn’t planning to send her out of the palace?
She was supposed to be a palace consort who had been ordered to follow the late emperor in death!
Yesterday, Xie Lin had carried her back to Weiyang Palace in front of so many witnesses—shouldn’t he have secretly sent her far away, outside the palace?
Instead, he was hiding a "deceased consort" right in the palace, in his own quarters…
Even knowing that the most dangerous place was often the safest, Jiang Yunshu couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath.
Xie Lin truly had nerves of steel!
Her emotions tangled, Jiang Yunshu wondered—from now on, she would really be living in Xie Lin’s quarters?
Though his residence was vast and luxurious, far grander than her old chambers in the Marquis's Mansion, and the white jade bed alone could probably buy a mansion in the capital…
But staying here meant she’d have no privacy at all.
Jiang Yunshu comforted herself—compared to survival, what did privacy matter?
That she was alive at all was already a stroke of unbelievable luck.
She asked Xiazhi, "Did all the consorts follow the late emperor in death?"
Xiazhi nodded. "All except Consort Wu, who was with child."
Jiang Yunshu didn’t know whether to feel relieved or uneasy.
Her mind flashed to Xie Lin’s merciless, ruthless demeanor… yet that same demon had pulled her out of hell.
Unable to make sense of it, she decided not to dwell on it. For now, she was alive!
Every extra day was a victory.
Every extra meal was a feast!
She turned to the two maids. "I need water, food—no, first, I need a bath!"
Weiyang Palace had its own kitchen, so Xiaoman immediately went to fetch food.
Xiazhi led the way to the bathing chamber.
The path from the bath back to the quarters was one Jiang Yunshu hadn’t walked herself—Xie Lin had carried her while she was unconscious. Now, she finally saw it for herself.
The bathhouse was some distance from the main quarters, but a long covered corridor connected the two, ensuring that even in rain or snow, the journey would be sheltered.
Jiang Yunshu placed her robes on the red jade couch beside the pool and slowly stepped into the white jade bath. The warm water soothed her body and her mind.
So comfortable…
The rumors were true—Xie Lin really did indulge in extravagance.
A massive bath like this, fed by constantly flowing fresh water, was a luxury even in the modern world.
Leaning back, Jiang Yunshu didn’t want to leave, but her stomach growled in protest.
"Have Xiaoman bring the food here."
She had the maids serve her meal right by the bath, eating while soaking.
"This is delicious! And this too!"
Jiang Yunshu couldn’t stop praising the food—Weiyang Palace’s chefs were leagues above those at the Marquis's Mansion.
Xiazhi and Xiaoman watched her eat while bathing, their discomfort palpable.
Though young, they had already spent three years learning palace etiquette, their manners ingrained to the bone. They were the most disciplined among their peers, which was why they had been chosen to serve in Weiyang Palace.
But remembering Jiang Yunshu’s unique status—the only woman to ever get close to Xie Lin, the only one allowed to stay in Weiyang Palace—
The two maids exchanged a glance and held their tongues.
One held a dish for her, the other a bowl of soup. "Eat slowly, sister. Have some sweet soup to wash it down."
Once full, clean, and fragrant, Jiang Yunshu asked, "Aside from the quarters and bathhouse, am I forbidden from going elsewhere?"
Xiazhi’s answer surprised her.
"The Chief Eunuch said you may roam freely within Weiyang Palace—just not beyond its gates."
Xiaoman added, "Everyone in Weiyang Palace is loyal to him."
Jiang Yunshu was stunned. She had free rein of the entire palace?
If so, why hadn’t Xie Lin assigned her to one of the side chambers instead of making her stay in his own quarters?
Puzzled, she stepped into the courtyard—and was instantly awestruck.
Weiyang Palace lived up to its reputation as the grandest residence in the imperial grounds.
Towering pavilions, majestic halls—it was a sight to behold.
By Jiang Yunshu’s estimate, the palace was dozens of times larger than her old Yunshu Courtyard back home.
As she wandered, she encountered a few young eunuchs and maids, who bowed nervously, their gazes a mix of curiosity and fear.
Jiang Yunshu frowned. "Why are all the servants in Weiyang Palace so young?"
Xiaoman explained, "Only the kitchens, tea rooms, and laundry houses have older eunuchs and maids—those tasks require skill or strength."
"Everyone else serving in Weiyang Palace is under ten."
"The Chief Eunuch values cleanliness. He finds adults… unpleasantly odorous. Aside from young children, he can’t bear having others near him."
Jiang Yunshu: …?
No one else was allowed close?
Last night, she hadn’t noticed this habit of Xie Lin. Though he remained impeccably dressed, his expression cool and detached, his breathing never once faltering—they had been so close…
She couldn’t help but recall Xie Lin’s ethereal, almost celestial beauty.
Jiang Yunshu’s cheeks flushed again. It was hard to say whether Xie Lin had taken advantage of her last night—or if she had taken advantage of him…
