Shen Hanlu bellowed this cry, but Empress Dowager Wen didn’t even lift an eyelid. She asked with a light laugh, “Why are you dissatisfied?”

“This concubine aided His Majesty’s ascension and was personally promoted by the Empress Dowager to the rank of consort. That is merit.” Shen Hanlu frowned, pointing at White Fox. “What merit does she have? She’s merely a dancer. Why should she be elevated above this concubine the moment she arrives? How can this concubine accept this?”

Empress Dowager Wen nodded, looking at Shen Hanlu and asking, “Does Consort Shen still remember her own origins?”

Striking at the vital point—when this question was asked, Shen Hanlu’s face turned livid. She knelt below in silence for a long while before saying, “I remember.”

“This Empress Dowager did not promote Consort Zhuang because of her merit, but because you committed a fault.” Empress Dowager Wen said, “This Empress Dowager made you oversee the imperial harem because she wanted you to serve His Majesty well and handle affairs according to His Majesty’s wishes. Instead, you’ve been petty, jealous and competitive, actually wanting to drive away someone the Emperor favors.”

Shen Hanlu drew in a sharp breath, seeming to understand something.

Empress Dowager Wen’s struggle for power required the Emperor to be absorbed in his harem and neglect state affairs. Yet she had filled the harem with a bunch of ordinary women, preventing the Emperor from taking interest—naturally she’d be obstructing Empress Dowager Wen’s plans!

Slapping her forehead, she blamed herself for understanding too late. Now she’d offended both sides.

Consort Zhuang sat to one side, seductive charm emanating from her eyes and brows as she smiled at the Empress Dowager. “Consort Shen must have just entered the palace and doesn’t quite understand things yet. The Empress Dowager need not be too harsh.”

The Empress Dowager glanced at her and smiled. “You’re a sensible child. This Empress Dowager likes you. If Consort Shen won’t give you ranks, then this Empress Dowager will. Besides Consort Zhuang, aren’t there two more?”

Lily and Narcissus quickly stepped forward.

“You two are also beauties. No wonder His Majesty favors you.” Empress Dowager Wen smiled until wrinkles formed at the corners of her eyes. “One shall be an imperial concubine, the other a lady. As for whether to grant titles, that depends on His Majesty’s wishes.”

What was wrong with courtesans and dancers from pleasure houses? The harem needed precisely such seductresses. Consort Shen talking about bewitching enchantresses who should be expelled—Empress Dowager Wen truly wished she could feed her more pig brains.

If the harem was too desolate and the Emperor focused on court affairs, what would she do? Right now the Emperor was still relatively easy to control, but if he became truly motivated and strove for excellence, she’d definitely hold Consort Shen accountable.

Shen Hanlu had a belly full of anger with nowhere to vent. She knelt before Empress Dowager Wen for a long while, watching as the Emperor thanked her for the grace and personally led Consort Zhuang and the others out. She truly wished she could bash her head on the ground to relieve her frustration.

“You.”

After the Emperor and the others had left, Empress Dowager Wen finally had Fanghua help her up. “Don’t say this Empress Dowager hasn’t promoted you. You should have the bearing of an imperial consort. Why be so petty? The people in the harem will only grow more numerous, never fewer because of anyone. What you must do is use your own abilities to capture the Emperor’s heart, not squeeze out others.”

Shen Hanlu’s expression was still unpleasant. She stood up and said sullenly, “This concubine understands.”

Looking at her like this, she didn’t seem to truly understand. The Empress Dowager sighed. For a moment, she’d rather have supported Shen Guiyan instead—at least she was clever. What a pity that girl wasn’t easy to buy off. She couldn’t trust her.

Consort Shen was stupid, but she could only make do with her for now.

An imperial decree was issued in the palace: White Fox was enfeoffed as Consort Zhuang, Lily as Imperial Concubine Hua, and Narcissus as Lady Xi. Several palace maidens were also made beauties and taken into the harem.

Before Baoshan could worry, another decree arrived above, ordering Noble Lady Yan to move to Xiuzhuang Palace and yield the main hall of Zhuangde Palace to Imperial Concubine Hua.

“Well then, now I don’t even have a main hall to live in.” Baoshan sighed, helping to pack things while muttering, “His Majesty’s harem has truly grown quite large. Who knows when it will be our mistress’s turn.”

Shen Guiyan didn’t care where she lived, but asked, “Consort Zhuang is Miss White Fox?”

“Yes.” Baoshan said, “Only our Emperor would be so absurd—a mere dancer, and right away he grants her consort rank, even giving her the title ‘Zhuang,’ placing her above Consort Shen. This servant listening doesn’t know whether to cry or laugh. Our mistress is even carrying a child, yet she’s only a noble lady.”

White Fox—Shen Guiyan had always heard of this woman. She was said to be Gu Chaobei’s confidante. She’d seen her when going to the training grounds—indeed an otherworldly beauty.

Making her a consort was probably what Gu Chaobei himself wanted, and the Empress Dowager hadn’t blocked it. Shen Guiyan lowered her eyes, finished packing, and followed Baoshan and several nannies to Xiuzhuang Palace.

“This Xiuzhuang Palace is closer to the Emperor’s bedchamber, and the space is also larger.” Nanny Jiawen said from behind, “Noble Lady Yan mustn’t feel wronged. Though it’s a side hall, it’s still better than Zhuangde Palace.”

“It’s quite good.” Shen Guiyan set down her things and looked around. Not only was it larger than Zhuangde Palace, it was also much more luxurious. Though everyone said she was making room for Imperial Concubine Hua, it actually seemed quite nice.

When she left, for some reason Jiang Shi seemed somewhat reluctant to part. Perhaps with so many people coming to the palace her mood was poor. Shen Guiyan didn’t think much of it.

After the various palaces settled down for a while, the Emperor began visiting the harem daily. His favor ran so deep that people couldn’t help competing for it. However, the Emperor still visited Consort Zhuang’s palace most often, and also frequently went to Imperial Concubine Hua, Lady Xi, and Noble Lady Jiang’s chambers. The others couldn’t catch even a glimpse of him.

Several times Shen Guiyan stood at her palace gate and saw Gu Chaobei with his arm around Consort Zhuang’s waist, smiling with utter indulgence.

To say it didn’t hurt would be a lie. She wanted not to look, yet these two always appeared before her. After watching for a while, she grew accustomed to it.

Someone had said that men never have just one woman in their hearts. However painful it was, she could only endure.

“I want to go hunting.” Princess Duanwen said listlessly, “Spring has arrived. The animals in the hunting grounds should all be out. It’s time to go take a look.”

After returning to the palace, Princess Duanwen had been very bored. Apart from paying respects to the Empress Dowager, she would run to Shen Guiyan’s place. Now that the palace was larger, there was even a side chamber next door. Sometimes when Princess Duanwen didn’t want to return, she’d simply sleep there.

“If the Princess wishes to go, wouldn’t it be fine to go with General Yuwen?” Shen Guiyan smiled. “I hear you two fought to a draw again the other day. That’s quite a connection.”

Princess Duanwen didn’t even lift an eyelid, making two humming sounds. “Yuwen Changqing has such a strange temperament. I can’t get along with him. It’s better not to be thrown together. I’ll go ask Imperial Brother—going out to play would be good. Will you come?”

Shen Guiyan looked at her belly. Though it hadn’t grown large yet, it was over two months along. “It doesn’t seem very suitable for traveling.”

“Come with me anyway. I’ll let you have my phoenix carriage—the very stable kind that won’t be bumpy. Plus the hunting grounds aren’t far.” Princess Duanwen’s eyes rolled. “Very few imperial consorts can go to the hunting grounds. This would be a good chance for you to deepen your bond with Imperial Brother.”

Shen Guiyan’s eyes brightened slightly.

If Princess Duanwen took her, she could go, couldn’t she?

“I’ll go tell Imperial Brother right now!” Princess Duanwen’s interest was piqued, and she turned and ran. Shen Guiyan waited in the palace, her palms slightly warm with anticipation.

After half an hour, Princess Duanwen returned in high spirits, laughing. “It’s settled! Both Empress Dowagers have approved this matter. When the time comes, I’ll take you out. We’ll play outside for two days, and you won’t have to see all those women in the palace. You’ll be the only one by Imperial Brother’s side!”

Hunting was an imperial entertainment activity. When the Emperor and Princess went, the Empress Dowager wouldn’t go—after all, she was advanced in years and didn’t enjoy that kind of excitement. As for the other consorts, that depended on the Emperor’s mood.

They could stay overnight at the hunting grounds before returning. The party would include General Yuwen, the second young master of the Gu family, and some military generals—very comprehensive. Shen Guiyan was in excellent spirits. She took out a blue lotus belt, planning to give it to Gu Chaobei.

She’d previously given him a blue pouch—who knew if he still had it. But she truly loved this belt, having embroidered it for a long time. She’d secretly give it to him, and at least he could use it when wearing ordinary clothes.

The harem buzzed for a while over the hunting matter. Everyone wanted to go. Consort Shen even went to beseech the Empress Dowager, but Empress Dowager Wen said that whom to bring was the Emperor’s decision—she wouldn’t interfere.

Baoshan smiled. “Thanks to Princess Duanwen’s cleverness in thinking of this way to build a bridge. Mistress, you’re finally smiling.”

Shen Guiyan touched her own face. “Is it that obvious?”

“Not at all. Mistress isn’t the slightest bit overjoyed or elated.” Baoshan mischievously finished packing and helped her walk outside. “This is a rare opportunity. This servant only hopes Mistress can speak her heart to His Majesty and find comfort for these days of rarely seeing him.”

“Alright.” Shen Guiyan agreed with her.

Everyone departing was gathering at the main palace gate. When Shen Guiyan arrived, the dragon carriage was already at the front.

“Noble Lady Yan, come here.” Princess Duanwen’s expression had for some reason suddenly turned rather unpleasant. She stood by the phoenix carriage beckoning to her.

Shen Guiyan walked over in confusion.

“Noble Lady Yan is coming too?” Gu Chaobei lifted the carriage curtain, raising an eyebrow. “Who gave permission?”

Shen Guiyan’s steps faltered.

Princess Duanwen rolled her eyes irritably. “I gave permission. Imperial Brother won’t allow it? Mother Empress approved it.”

Gu Chaobei pressed his lips together and nodded. “As you wish then.” Then he returned to the dragon carriage.

Nanny Fanghua stood outside, called out for the procession to depart, and bowed to the dragon carriage. “Respectfully seeing off His Majesty and Consort Zhuang.”

Shen Guiyan’s smile faded. She clutched something wrapped in yellow brocade in her hand, standing by the phoenix carriage, somewhat dazed.

He was bringing Consort Zhuang along?

“Noble Lady Yan, you should board the carriage.” Yuwen Changqing rode over on horseback, saying gently, “Don’t fall behind the imperial procession.”

Shen Guiyan didn’t move. The thing in her hand tightened and loosened, nearly falling to the ground. “I don’t really want to go anymore.”

Princess Duanwen frowned, grabbed her, and pushed her into the carriage. “You agreed for this Princess’s sake. What does it have to do with anyone else! Why wouldn’t you go? You must go! Yuwen, have them go ahead in front. This young lady has no use for that ceremonial procession. The two of us will accompany Noble Lady Yan and take our time. How about it?”

Yuwen Changqing paused, then smiled. “Sounds good.”

Shen Guiyan sat in the carriage, staring blankly at the thing in her hands for a while before smiling and pulling back the curtain. “Thank you for today’s kindness, Princess. This item—consider it a small token of appreciation, a gift for the Princess.”

Princess Duanwen was about to mount her horse when she took it and looked—it was actually a man’s belt.

No need to guess whom it was originally meant for. Princess Duanwen’s face darkened. She’d already told Imperial Brother she was bringing Noble Lady Yan, yet Imperial Brother deliberately brought Consort Zhuang along to upset people. This time, even she was angry just watching!

“General Yuwen, it’s yours!”