Duke Wei would not lead them through the entire imperial palace, which would have taken them through the Xie Ting Gong, then across the main hall and the Imperial Garden, to the South Park. They came out of the Washing Clothes Alley and directly exited the Anfu Gate, walking east along the long palace road.

  Chao Sheng was not familiar with Yu Jia, only knowing that she should also be from the same batch as himself in the palace, and then like Feng Yan, directly entered the Huanyi Alley - actually, there were many beauties in Huanyi Alley.

  It's been said before that the more remote and desolate a palace is, the more beautiful women it has.

  Chao Sheng thought that this principle might be known by everyone in the palace, but the emperor might not necessarily know it.

  The sky is getting darker and darker, it's not even noon yet, but it looks like it's already approaching dusk.

  They walked forward along the wall root, Wei Gonggong slightly bowed his waist, holding his hands, walking very fast, and there was no sound of footsteps.

  Yu Jia raised her head to glance at the sky and shrank her shoulders slightly.

  After entering the Yanxi Gate, they arrived at the East Palace.

  Wei Gong spoke in a low voice with the gatekeeper, and Chao Sheng couldn't help but turn his head to look north.

  Of course, from here nothing can be seen except for the high palace walls.

  Can't see the Smoke and Cloud Palace.

  Even Chao Sheng was somewhat uncertain, perhaps the location of the Smoke and Clouds Palace was not in the direction she remembered.

  Wei Gong entered the door, Chao Sheng came back to his senses and hurriedly followed.

  This is her first time back in the East Palace.

  Compared with other places in the palace, it seems there is nothing different.

  Yu Jia looked around and couldn't help but ask: "Excuse me... Lord Wei, where will the two of us be assigned to work?"

  "Regardless of which household you are assigned to, you must serve with all your heart. You two are still young and look honest, remember not to listen to things you shouldn't hear and not to say things you shouldn't say."

  Chao Sheng and Yu Jia promised together.

  "Over there is the Chongwen Pavilion, where the princes and nobles study. Further ahead is the Jiade Palace..."

  Chao Sheng and Yu Jia remembered the names of the palaces and roads.

  It's said that the imperial palace is one of the easiest places not to get lost, with straight roads and square buildings. After passing by the Hall of Jubilant Virtue, next in line are the Hall of Imperial Favour, the Hall of Luminous Righteousness, and the Hall of Glorious Heaven. Wei Gong stopped his steps and said seriously: "From today on, you will all be serving at the Autumn Palace."

  In the Autumn Palace lived several princes, Yu Jia was both surprised and delighted, excitedly shining her eyes.

  This is simply a step to heaven!

  Compared to serving in the Imperial Palace, being able to come to the Eastern Palace to attend to the master is no ordinary blessing!

  Yu Jiaqi used to envy Feng Yan and the others for being selected into the Rear Palace, but now that she thinks about it, she feels that she is actually luckier. Those who entered the Rear Palace might end up doing anything, possibly serving women who had just entered the palace without imperial favor or rank. Or perhaps they would be assisting the female officials in charge of managing the palace's affairs.

  What great prospects does it have?

  Even if there is, how many more years will it take? How can it be compared with entering the Eastern Palace?

  Yi Qiu Palace is different from other palaces. It was originally a garden, later converted into a palace, and became the residence of young princes.

  "In the middle is Maple Pool, to the west is Pine Wave Pavilion where the Second Prince resides. To the east is Splendid Leaf Residence where the Fourth Prince resides. The Eighth Prince, being still young, also lives with the Fourth Prince. The Sixth and Seventh Princes are both young and have not moved in yet."

  Yu Jia looked west and then looked east.

  Chao Sheng's heart was also racing.

  The one who has been waiting on him is none other than the Second Prince.

  The eldest prince has passed away, the third prince is the son of the empress and has already married and moved out of the palace to build his own estate. The sixth prince was born to the empress, while the seventh prince was born to the noble consort, both were extremely precious like jewels. The eighth prince's mother died in childbirth, so he didn't have a mother to care for him, therefore he actually moved into the Yi Qiu palace earlier than the sixth and seventh princes.

  The second prince is half a year older than the third prince, and the third prince has already married, but he is still confined in the palace.

  I heard he has leg disease and is of a cruel disposition...

  Duke Wei glanced at them and continued walking forward.

  There are many maple trees planted along the edge of Maple Pool, and it's probably named after them. Now the leaves are still green, layered on top of each other like a piece of green gauze, reflecting off the calm and clear blue water, making it look especially secluded.

  Suddenly, Wei Gonggong stopped and bowed his head, saying: "Your humble servant has seen the Second Prince."

  Chao Sheng and Yu Jia also hurriedly paid their respects.

  It's really not easy to judge others carelessly, just thinking of the Second Prince, I met him in person.

  "Hmm," he said in a rather casual tone with a hint of impatience: "How come these two look so unfamiliar?"

  "Your Highness, these two palace maids are new arrivals today."

  "No wonder I've never seen it before, lift your head and let me take a look."

  Chao Sheng slightly raised his head, but his eyes didn't dare to look up.

  She could only see the Second Prince sitting there, with a large auspicious cloud embroidered on the hem of his robe with silver thread.

  Yu Jia glanced quickly at the Second Prince's face. The Second Prince was only seventeen or eighteen years old, with a fair complexion and handsome features, his hair tied up in a jade crown, lounging lazily in a wooden chair.

  The beauties who entered the imperial palace made an invaluable contribution to the improvement of the royal breed. The emperor was not ugly, and the concubines were also beautiful, so even if the children they gave birth to were not good-looking, they would still be quite presentable.

  However, there was indeed a hint of evil aura between the Second Prince's eyebrows, making him look gloomy and lacking the vigor that a young man should have.

  "It's barely passable. That reminds me, I'm also short of someone over there."

  The tide was born in one's heart, and all of a sudden, only Wei Gonggong said: "This is all because the slave didn't think it through. These two are from Huan Yi Xiang, and they can handle needlework. If the second prince doesn't mind, these two palace maids will be arranged to serve in Song Tao Ge first?"

  "What's the point of having so many? One is enough." The Second Prince looked at the two of them, pointed with his hand: "Her then."

  The person he is referring to is Yu Jia.

  Duke Wei hastily said: "The Second Prince has taken a liking to you, it's your good fortune."

  Yu Jia came back to her senses and hastily knelt down to thank him.

  She was somewhat unexpectedly flustered, and the bundle in her hand wasn't held steady, the knot at the corner came undone, and the pendants fell to the ground with a clatter. One silver bangle rolled forward, stopping only when it hit the leg of the Second Prince's chair.

  "Old Master Wei was startled: 'You little girl, why are you so careless and sloppy?'"

  Yu Jia also was at a loss: "Your Highness spare me, Imperial Father spare me..."

  The second prince didn't get angry, but instead smiled meaningfully: "Indeed, with new people comes new things, it's not boring anymore."

  "Is there anything new?" someone asked from behind a clump of maple trees.

  The second prince slightly nodded his head back: "Fourth brother has arrived? Wei Gonggong gave you two additional palace maids, but I took one of them first."

  Someone pushed aside the green leaves and walked over slowly.

  A drop of rain falls on my forehead, slightly cool.

  Chao Sheng caught a glimpse of the man out of the corner of his eye, wearing a light blue robe with a hint of gray bamboo shadow at the cuff, like the misty mountains after rain.

  ——————————————

  Sorry everyone, I'm running out of time today, will update again tomorrow.

  Seeking evaluation, seeking recommendation, seeking patronage~~~

  Depressed me bought a box of dental floss at a low price... After picking my teeth, I still have to spend more effort to pick out the remaining broken threads of floss.