The group of people spent another day or so to arrive at the relay station in the provincial capital, Xuzhou.

Here, people from several other counties continued to gather.

After waiting for an entire day, they were finally all gathered.

There were a total of ten large carriages headed towards the capital with the officials leading the way.

The carriages, which were originally spacious for ten people, were now packed with twenty people. It was very crowded.

Each carriage was followed by a eunuch in charge.

The eunuch in charge of Lin Jiabao's carriage was surnamed Zhao. He was about thirty-five years old, not tall, and very skinny.

His expression was very serious, and he was very strict with them. Everyone was very afraid of him.

Along the way, everyone gradually became familiar with each other.

Especially those who came from the same place, most of them formed small groups.

Lin Jiabao was the only Shun 'er from Pei County, so he was vaguely excluded.

Lin Jiabao did not take the initiative to approach and obediently listened to the eunuch in charge's arrangements.

GonggongZhao saw that Lin Jiabao was very obedient, and his attitude towards him was quite amiable.

After traveling for nearly half a month, they finally arrived at the relay station on the outskirts of the capital.

The relay station was very big, and there were already many carriages parked in the stable.

People from all over the country were gathered here.

"Get out of the carriage and take your things.

Don't talk, don't look around, follow me. "GonggongZhao said.

Everyone got out of the carriage and did not speak. They lowered their heads and followed. GonggongZhao took them to a large bunk room to settle down.

There were a few basins of water in the room for them to wash their faces and hands.

Then, he took them to eat dinner and gave each of them a bowl of corn porridge and a coarse noodle soup.

Although it was simple, it was much better than the biscuits they had on the road.

They were very hungry after a day, and everyone wolfed down the food.

GonggongZhao had them go to the toilet, then took them back to the bunk room and locked the door.

After entering the room, everyone scrambled to find a place to sleep. Those from the same village also helped each other to occupy a good spot.

Lin Jiabao was small and weak.

He was squeezed to the door.

Lin Jiabao didn't want to fight with them, so he hugged his little bundle and slept on the outermost part of the bed.

"Hey, go to sleep.

Don't lean on me! "The girl sleeping next to him yelled at Lin Jiabao.

This girl was also from Lin Jiabao Village. She was very rude to Lin Jiabao.

She looked at him as if he was something dirty.

Lin Jiabao didn't say anything. He just moved closer to the door.

Lin Jiabao was very tired after a day, so he quickly fell asleep.

The next day, GonggongZhao woke them up before dawn. After breakfast, everyone boarded the carriage again.

The carriage entered the capital and stopped at the Imperial City.

After getting off the carriage, everyone was shocked by the majestic city wall.

Lin Jiabao looked at the vermilion city wall. It was very, very tall, and the city wall stretched on endlessly.

Under the morning light, the palace with red walls and yellow tiles looked especially solemn.

Today was the day that the palace servants entered the palace. Xuanwu Gate was opened early.

First, they were taken to the five outer halls for the first round of screening.

The first round of screening was very simple. The main thing was to see if they looked neat, if they could speak clearly, if they had any disabilities, if they smelled bad, etc.

Although the process was simple, there were nearly a thousand people entering the palace this time. The waiting time was very long.

Lin Jiabao was assigned to a group of Shun 'er people. They passed the first round of screening without a hitch.

It was already noon when everyone in the group was screened.

Then, they were taken to eat lunch. The food in the palace was better.

Each person was given a bowl of vegetable porridge and white steamed buns.

The vegetable porridge didn't only contain vegetables, but also minced meat.

They only had dry rations on their way here. They hadn't eaten meat in a long time. They all swallowed their saliva when they smelled the aroma.

Lin Jiabao drank a mouthful of porridge. It was very delicious. He unconsciously swallowed faster.

"It's a white steamed bun. It's so delicious!

I've never eaten such a delicious steamed bun, "a Shun 'er said as she took a big bite of the steamed bun.

"It's true. It's delicious, delicious," several other Shun 'er said in unison.

"Tch!

It's just a few white steamed buns, "a fine-looking Shun 'er said disdainfully.

Lin Jiabao also looked at the white steamed bun in his hand. The Lin family rarely ate white steamed buns. Because there were many people in the family, they usually ate them with cornmeal.

Lin Jiabao took a bite of the steamed bun and chewed slowly. There was a faint sweetness. It was really delicious.

Everyone ate a lot for lunch today. Lin Jiabao ate two steamed buns and a bowl of porridge.

Lin Jiabao rubbed his small belly. This was the most filling meal he had eaten in half a month.

In the afternoon, a steward came to take them to a large bathhouse and had them wash themselves clean.

Then, they had to go into a room one by one and be naked for two old nannies to examine.

Lin Jiabao stood stiffly and turned around according to the old nannies' instructions.

Then, he went to a small couch and lay down so that the nannies could examine his lower body.

One of the nannies saw that he was handsome and even touched his body. "Your skin is so slippery."

Lin Jiabao's face flushed red. He didn't dare to move or speak.

After the examination, the old nannies had him get up.

One of the nannies dipped a brush into the cinnabar in a porcelain bowl on the table and touched Lin Jiabao's inner arm.

After that, the nannies didn't make things difficult for him. They let Lin Jiabao get dressed and leave.

Lin Jiabao left the room and went to a large courtyard.

The people who had examined him were already waiting on the side. Lin Jiabao stepped forward and stood with them.

Lin Jiabao was lost in thought as he looked at the bright red dot on his arm. This was the cinnabar mole that symbolized chastity.

Suddenly, a commotion came from the other side of the courtyard. A girl was dragged out from another room. "Nannies, spare me! Nannies, spare me!

Spare me! "The girl cried loudly.

Several strong eunuchs pressed the girl to the ground and hit her with long and thick wooden sticks.

"What do you think the palace is? Dirty and smelly people can come in.

Anyone who dares to play dirty here will die. "An old nannies shouted in front of everyone in the courtyard.

The girl's cries grew softer and softer until they couldn't be heard. Only the sound of the sticks hitting her flesh could be heard.

Blood splashed out along the sticks. The girl's lower body was a bloody mess.

The people around them were scared to death and didn't dare to make a sound.

A few of the more timid ones almost fainted.

Lin Jiabao didn't dare to look again after a few glances. His face was deathly pale.

After a while, the girl was confirmed to be dead and was dragged away, leaving a large pool of blood on the ground.

This was the first time Lin Jiabao saw a dead person. It was also the first time he understood the cruelty of the palace.

He secretly told himself that he mustn't make any mistakes. His family was waiting for him. He had to leave the palace safely.

By the time their team of Servants finished their inspection, it was already time for dinner.

They went to eat dinner. Dinner was the same as lunch: minced meat, vegetable porridge, and steamed buns.

After what happened in the afternoon, everyone looked pale.

Lin Jiabao felt a little nauseous when he thought of the scene he saw in the afternoon.

He forced himself to drink a bowl of porridge and eat a steamed bun.

At this time, the eunuch in charge came in with a nanny wearing a dark gray palace dress. Everyone put down their bowls and stood up when they saw them.

"This is Xi Mama. For the next month, you have to learn the rules of the palace from Xi Mama," the eunuch in charge introduced them.

"I am Senior Servant Xi. You thirty Shuang'er palace attendants will be under my care for the next month.

From tomorrow onwards, you will all learn the rules and etiquette of the palace from me.

Now, I will give you the palace dress. You can't wear your own clothes when you enter the palace.

Now, go and change. Then, take your things and gather here.

I will take you to your living quarters. "

"Yes."

Yuan Fu found that the Crown Prince was very strange these days, especially today.

After the morning court, the Crown Prince didn't deal with government affairs. Instead, he sat in the inner study for a long time.

His expression looked so … happy, so … excited.

In the afternoon, the Crown Prince didn't go to the Northern Military Camp. Instead, he took him to wander around the palace.

The more they walked, the more remote the paths in the palace became.

The sky gradually darkened.

"Your Highness, where are you going?" If they continued walking, they would reach the outer five palaces.

At this time, a group of people wearing pea-green palace clothes was walking towards them. Xuanyuan Hancheng was delighted when he saw the color of the palace clothes.

Xuanyuan Hancheng quickly stepped forward. Yuan Fu hurriedly followed him.

Xi Mama walked on the palace road with a group of palace servants. She saw two people coming from afar.

The person in the lead was wearing a dark purple robe with golden edges.

A eunuch followed behind him. When they got closer, they saw that he was the Yuan Fu of the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace.

The person in the lead was …. "Greetings, Your Highness!" Xi Mama stepped forward and knelt down.

As soon as Xi Mama knelt down, Lin Jiabao and the others behind her also hurriedly knelt down.

"You are …?

Where are you going? "Xuanyuan Hancheng asked Xi Mama, but his eyes were looking behind her.

Soon, Xuanyuan Hancheng found the person he had been thinking about.

Lin Jiabao was wearing a pea-green palace servant robe and was kneeling there. Xuanyuan Hancheng clenched his fists and restrained himself from stepping forward.

Lin Jiabao was only 12 years old at this time. His little face was still childish.

He was wearing a loose palace servant robe, which made him look particularly petite.

The baby's face was not good. He lowered his head and two small dimples could be vaguely seen. He was so cute!

"Your Highness, I am Xi Mama of the outer five palaces. Today is the day that the new palace servants enter the palace. Behind me are the palace servants who will enter the palace this time.

There are more people entering the palace this time. The outer five palaces cannot accommodate them. I am going to take them to Xili Palace. "

"Get up." Xuanyuan Hancheng stared at Lin Jiabao. "Quickly take them to settle down."

"Yes."

Xuanyuan Hancheng reluctantly took a few more glances at her before quickly leaving.

If he did not leave, he was afraid that he would be so excited that he would hug Lin Jiabao.

It was not the time yet, and he did not want to scare him.

"Xili Palace …" Xuanyuan Hancheng whispered happily.

Yuan Fu was puzzled by the Crown Prince's expression. The Crown Prince had been staring at the group of palace servants just now. Could it be that he had taken a fancy to someone?

Yuan Fu thought about it and shook his head. He did not see any beautiful girl just now.

And these palace servants were very young. They had not grown up yet.

He must be thinking too much.

Lin Jiabao and the other palace servants had to memorize the palace rules with Xi Mama every morning. In the afternoon, they would learn how to behave and behave.

Almost everyone who entered the palace was illiterate. They could only memorize the rules of the palace and memorize the roads in the palace. They had to remember the roads to the Shangyi Bureau, the Imperial Kitchen, and other palaces.

In addition, they also had to know which places were forbidden to enter, and other taboos.

These were not difficult for Lin Jiabao. His eldest brother had taught him some words. As long as he put his heart into it, he could remember them.

He could memorize them faster than others.

Etiquette and proper behavior were more difficult for them.

When walking, they had to lower their heads, lower their eyes, lower their chest, and be silent.

They had to pay attention to how to bow and kneel.

When answering, they had to speak clearly and concisely.

Their voices had to be neither soft nor loud. They had to speak steadily and neither fast nor slow.

They also had to learn how to make tea and how to serve tea.

Their hands and feet had to be nimble and light. The cups, bowls, and utensils placed on the plate must not make a sound. The tea must not spill.

Lin Jiabao was very serious about learning. He practiced hundreds of times every day.

Yuan Fu was sure that the Crown Prince had taken a fancy to one of the palace servants in the Xili Palace after nearly a month.

The Crown Prince went to the Xili Palace almost every day. He would sneak into the courtyard and peek in through the window.

Yuan Fu was on tenterhooks every time he followed him.

The Crown Prince would even climb up a tree in the courtyard of the Xili Palace and look at the palace servants in the courtyard.

Aiyo!

Your Highness the Crown Prince, what are you trying to do?

If this was seen by the patrolling guards in the palace, what should they do?!

It would be too embarrassing!

Yuan Fu was about to go crazy.

He had been with the Crown Prince for so long, but he never knew that the Crown Prince had such a hobby.

He liked a Shun 'er, and at such a young age!

Yuan Fu was really curious. What kind of Shun 'er could seduce the Crown Prince like this?

One day, in the inner study, Xuanyuan Hancheng called Yuan Fu to him and dismissed all the servants.

"I think you have guessed that your future master is in the Xili Palace.

I have a task for you now. You must do it well.

How is your relationship with Mama Lin from the Imperial Point Room in my mother's palace? "

Xuanyuan Hancheng thought about it and decided to put Jia Bao in his mother's palace. His own palace had not been cleaned up, so he was not at ease.

The Imperial Point Room was a small kitchen in his mother's palace that specialized in making tea and pastries. There was not much work to do, so it was not very tiring.

There were not many people in the Imperial Point Room, so there were few disputes.

He knew about Mama Lin. She was his mother's dowry and was born in the household. She was related to his mother's trusted aide, Mama Zhou, by marriage.

Mama Lin was good at cooking, so she had some face in front of his mother.

Moreover, Mama Lin had a good temper. She would not easily scold or beat the palace servants.

He would be more at ease if he put his baby there first.

"This … our relationship is quite good." Yuan Fu said after some consideration. He was quite popular in the palace.

Xuanyuan Hancheng nodded. "Have Mama Lin pick him to work in her Imperial Point Room and take care of him.

His name is Lin Jiabao. In the palace, he is called Anzhu. He is 12 years old and is from Pei County.

His eyes are big, and he has two small dimples on his face.

Go to the small warehouse. If you don't do it well this time, you don't need to follow me anymore. "

"Yes.

This servant will definitely do it well. "Yuan Fu saw the Crown Prince's serious expression and hurriedly replied.

Yuan Fu received the Crown Prince's orders and went to Empress's Yongshou Palace.

When Yuan Fu arrived at the Imperial Point Room, Mama Lin was making pastries with several palace maids.

When she saw Yuan Fu, she put down what she was doing and went forward to greet him.

"Gonggong Yuanfu, why are you here at this time? Does the Crown Prince have any orders for you?"

"Well, the Crown Prince ate the kidney bean cakes made by your Imperial Point Room when he was at Empress's place last time. He liked them very much.

When he went back to the Eastern Palace, the chefs made them as well. The Crown Prince said that the taste was different.

So I came here. "

"Then I'll go make them now. Gonggong Yuanfu, please wait a moment." Mama Lin was very happy to hear that the Crown Prince liked the pastries she made.

"Mama, don't be in such a hurry. Let the servants do it.

I'm not in a hurry … haha … "Yuan Fu hurriedly pulled Mama Lin back.

Mama Lin saw Yuan Fu's expression and knew that he had something to say.

She instructed the palace maids to make the pastries, then pulled Yuan Fu out of the kitchen and went to the back room.

Mama Lin brought Yuan Fu to her room.

As the supervisor of the Imperial Point Room, Mama Lin's room was relatively large, with an inner and outer room.

Mama Lin led him to the outer room and sat down. "Gonggong Yuanfu, what's the matter?"

"Mama Lin, we've been friends for a long time.

To be honest, I really have something to ask of you this time. "Yuan Fu said to Mama Lin," There are new people in the palace this time, and they'll be assigned tomorrow.

As for me, I have a distant relative among them.

Mama Lin, you're so kind and gentle, and your cooking is so good. It would be great if I could work under you. "

"That's it? It's not a difficult matter."

Mama Lin thought that it was something difficult. She didn't have many people to begin with, so it wouldn't be a problem to have one more person come over.

"Then I'll take it that you agree!

Haha, Mama Lin, you've helped me a lot this time. "Yuan Fu excitedly told Mama Lin about Lin Jiabao's situation.

"That relative of mine is very obedient and sensible. I'll have to trouble Mama Lin to take care of him in the future." As Yuan Fu spoke, he took out a brocade box from his chest and handed it to Mama Lin.

"I heard that Mama's birthday is next month. This is a small token of my appreciation. Mama, please don't dislike it."

"Oh, Gonggong, you're too polite.

Don't worry, I'll definitely take good care of him. "Mama Lin accepted it with a smile.

The two of them chatted for a while, then Mama Lin and Yuan Fu returned to the kitchen.

"Mama Lin, the kidney bean pastries are ready. Please take a look." Yu Shuang, the oldest of Mama Lin's subordinates, was holding the pastries for Mama Lin to inspect.

Mama Lin looked at the shape of the pastries, then took one and tasted it.

She nodded and said, "It's pretty good." Then, she gave a few more to Yuan Fu to try.

"This is the taste. It's really delicious.

Mama Lin taught me well. I'm really fortunate to work under you. "Yuan Fu praised Dali.

Mama Lin was also very proud. Yu Shuang was her right-hand man and had learned about 70% to 80% of her cooking skills.

After that, Yuan Fu put the pastries into a food box and returned to report on his task.

After Yuan Fu left, the other two palace maids came over.

"Mama Lin is really amazing. Even His Highness the Crown Prince wants our pastries!" Yu Ling, who was the youngest and the most lively, said.

"That's right!

We're really fortunate to be able to learn how to make pastries from Mama Lin. "Yu Long, who was slightly older, also flattered from the side.

When Mama Lin heard this, she was naturally happy. "Alright, you guys have the sweetest tongues. Hurry up and get to work."

At night, Mama Lin returned to her room and opened the brocade box.

Inside the box was a jade tablet. The jade tablet was very clear and very clear.

It was carved with pine trees and the word 'longevity'. It was very delicate.

Mama Lin played with the jade tablet in her hand and couldn't bear to put it down.

Underneath the jade tablet was a stack of square banknotes. Mama Lin secretly thought that Yuan Fu was really thoughtful.

When she unfolded the banknotes, Mama Lin's eyes widened.

The banknotes were actually worth ten thousand taels of silver. It really gave her a fright.

So much money ah!

Mama Lin thought that the people she had to take care of weren't as simple as Yuan Fu's distant relatives … Thinking of the Yuan Fu's background … Sigh!

Since she had already agreed, she could only do as she was told.

Mama Lin carefully put away the banknotes and went to bed early.

She was prepared to go to Xi Li Palace early in the morning and didn't dare to delay.

In Xi Li Palace, in Lin Jiabao's room, everyone was discussing where they would be assigned to tomorrow.

"If you ask me, it's better to be assigned to the palace of a favored noble lady. That way, our days will be better." A Shun 'er said.

"How can there be such a good thing? I heard that many palaces don't even want Shun 'er palace attendants.

Moreover, His Majesty loves Her Highness Empress the most. That Yong Shou Palace isn't that easy to enter. "Another Shun 'er refuted him.

"That's right. I've already asked around with the steward. The places we go the most are the Shanggong Bureau, the Shanglin Bureau, and the imperial kitchen."

"It would be great if we could work in His Highness the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace."

A delicate Shun 'er said, "That time I secretly took a look. His Highness the Crown Prince is extraordinarily handsome and his voice is very gentle."

"His Highness the Crown Prince …" A Shun 'er mysteriously lowered her voice. "I heard from Xi Mama and a few eunuchs that a palace maid accidentally offended His Highness the Crown Prince and was immediately beaten to death."

"Really? It's too scary." Everyone unconsciously thought of what they saw on their first day in the palace.

"It's really scary …"

"If you ask me, it's better to go to the imperial kitchen. There's a lot of delicious food there." A Shun 'er said.

"Haha, you only know how to eat …" Everyone laughed. Their worries and fears about tomorrow dissipated a lot.

Before going to bed, Lin Jiabao silently prayed that God would bless him and not assign him to His Highness the Crown Prince's palace.

Cat Pounces in Chinese