Having only left the palace for a day, how had the perfectly fine Consort Jiang ended up looking like this?
Naturally, she couldn’t stop the guards who had come to take the woman away. She could only listen as a palace maid behind her quietly explained what had happened: “Yesterday, Consort Jiang was serving in Luhua Palace the whole time. Then somehow Consort Shen was poisoned, though fortunately it wasn’t serious. The imperial physician came and induced vomiting to resolve it. Consort Jiang has probably just finished receiving her punishment from the Empress Dowager.”
Jiang Shi had offended Shen Hanlu? That couldn’t be right. Previously, she had gone to pay respects at Luhua Palace quite diligently—why would Shen Hanlu make things difficult for her? Besides, what benefit would there be in targeting Jiang Shi?
Stopping in her tracks, Shen Guiyan watched as Jiang Shi was dragged away, then turned around and said, “Let’s go to the Eastern Palace instead.”
“Better not,” the young palace maid behind her quickly said. “Recently at the Eastern Palace, the Empress Dowager has been in poor spirits. Even when Consort Shen went to pay respects, she didn’t get a pleasant reception. You’d best not go—return first and have an imperial physician examine you.”
Poor spirits? Empress Dowager Wen should be getting everything she wanted now, shouldn’t she? What could possibly be troubling her? Still, she needed to be careful with this pregnancy. After glancing in the direction where Jiang Shi had disappeared, Shen Guiyan decided to return to Xiuzhuang Palace first.
She was right not to go to the Eastern Palace—right now, it truly was filled with explosive tension. Even standing at the entrance, one could get splashed by sparks.
“Since entering the palace, this son has done everything according to Mother’s instructions. Why must Mother still treat this son this way?” Gu Chaobei stood below, his expression extremely pained, mixed with anger, disbelief, and a series of other complex emotions—vivid and lifelike.
The Empress Dowager was somewhat flustered. Looking at the two corpses that had been brought up as evidence below, she frowned and said, “Why does the Emperor think this was done by this dowager? This dowager relies on you—it’s not even enough time to do that, so how could I…”
“They’re all people from the Inner Palace, still wearing the uniforms of the Inner Palace guards,” Gu Chaobei said, closing his eyes with deep pain. “The route I took returning from the hunt was never disclosed to outsiders—only people in the imperial palace knew. Besides Mother, who else has the authority to send palace guards outside the palace?”
Empress Dowager Wen fell silent. It was true that only she had that authority, but this time it clearly wasn’t her doing. This foolish emperor had definitely been manipulated by someone, coming here to pin the blame on her.
Who could have manipulated him? Around him were Yuwen Changqing, her trusted confidant; the useless Consort Zhuang; the unfavored Consort Yan—who else could persuade him to do such a thing?
The Empress Dowager couldn’t figure it out, and strangely, she didn’t even blame Gu Chaobei in her heart. Looking at him like this, he must have been used by someone.
“This dowager will order a thorough investigation of this matter. The Emperor can rest assured,” Empress Dowager Wen consoled him. “This dowager would never harm the Emperor’s life.”
“This son doesn’t believe it. If Consort Yan hadn’t blocked that arrow for me, I would have died on the road,” Gu Chaobei said, looking at the Empress Dowager with the sulking expression of a child, his guard up. “This son will never trust Mother’s words again!”
This wouldn’t do at all. The Empress Dowager quickly pulled him closer. “Consort Yan blocked an arrow for you?”
“Yes, I originally didn’t like her and had always treated her poorly. Now I feel terribly guilty,” Gu Chaobei said dejectedly. “She’s even carrying a child, and now her pregnancy has been disturbed again. I truly don’t know what to do.”
Empress Dowager Wen thought for a moment, looking at Gu Chaobei’s appearance, and tentatively said, “How about this dowager rewards Consort Yan generously?”
“As Mother pleases. This case is also handed over to Mother to investigate. This son is too tired and will return to rest first,” Gu Chaobei said with an unhappy expression. “Tomorrow’s morning court session—I won’t attend that either. Mother can go by yourself!”
The very picture of a child’s temperament—watching him made the Empress Dowager both exasperated and amused. She pressed her hand to her forehead and said, “Yuwen, won’t you help persuade him?”
Yuwen Changqing said helplessly, “Empress Dowager, this subject did try to persuade him, but the Emperor truly suffered quite a fright. Seeing that they were all people from the Inner Palace, he became angry with the Empress Dowager.”
“But it truly wasn’t this dowager,” Empress Dowager Wen sighed and waved her hand. “Forget it, forget it. Indulge him a bit more. After all, he’s still a child—his hair hasn’t even fully grown in yet. Just don’t actually anger him.”
Gu Chaobei was still a child? Yuwen Changqing laughed inwardly. Well yes, with that act of his, he truly could fool quite a few people.
The Emperor was unhappy, and the Empress Dowager issued edicts to appease him. Everyone in the palace began offering their flattery. Shen Guiyan’s side received a promotion to the rank of Pin first, though she still resided in Xiuzhuang Palace with the finest food, clothing, and provisions.
The Emperor still hadn’t calmed down.
So he must not like Shen Guiyan. No matter—they immediately stuffed many more beauties into the harem. But the Emperor still hadn’t calmed down.
For three consecutive days he didn’t attend morning court, and the front court descended into chaos. Although normally whether Gu Chaobei was present or not made little difference—after all, everyone followed Empress Dowager Wen’s words anyway—but with him truly absent and the Empress Dowager unable to actually sit on the dragon throne, the court officials felt uneasy.
With no other choice, the Empress Dowager had to personally go see the Emperor.
Shen Guiyan inquired about Jiang Shi’s whereabouts and learned she had been confined in the Court of the Imperial Clan. To be imprisoned for so many days without even clarifying the matter—how truly wronged she must feel.
“Consort Shen loves to make trouble over nothing. Why do you concern yourself with her?” Grand Empress Dowager Nian sat above, cracking melon seeds, and snorted twice. “Ate something wrong herself, yet she can blame others for it. A perfectly good ally—she locked her up in the Court of the Imperial Clan herself. How ridiculous.”
Jiang Shi had wanted to rely on Consort Shen, but after this sudden incident, those thoughts were probably completely severed. Shen Guiyan thought for a moment and said, “May this concubine plead for mercy to have Jiang Shi released?”
Grand Empress Dowager Nian smiled. “It’s the perfect time—just go plead with Empress Dowager Wen, and she’ll definitely agree immediately.”
Right now, every method was being used to try to make the Emperor happy. If she went to have Jiang Shi released, Empress Dowager Wen naturally wouldn’t refuse, especially since Jiang Shi was also considered favored.
No sooner said than done. Shen Guiyan went to the Emperor’s sleeping quarters, where the Empress Dowager happened to be acting as a mediator, trying to get the Emperor to attend court.
“Your Majesty, Empress Dowager,” Shen Guiyan entered and paid her respects. The Empress Dowager quickly beckoned her over. “Does Consort Yan have some matter?”
Shen Guiyan smiled slightly. “This concubine wishes to vouch for Jiang Shi. Some days ago, because of the matter of Consort Shen’s poisoning, Jiang Shi was confined to the Court of the Imperial Clan. This concubine believes that Jiang Shi is not the kind of person with such a vicious heart.”
The Empress Dowager paused and glanced at the Emperor.
The Emperor stood by the window and finally turned to look. “I don’t like Consort Shen. She had the nerve to send my Consort Jiang to the Court of the Imperial Clan—stirring up trouble. I find her annoying just looking at her.”
Shen Hanlu was, after all, the Empress Dowager’s person. The Emperor used to show some consideration, but now he was saying such things directly. Shen Guiyan looked at the Empress Dowager’s expression—she was slightly displeased, but probably thinking that one Consort Shen naturally couldn’t compare to the importance of her relationship with the Emperor, she said:
“Since the Emperor doesn’t like her, then just confine her to the Cold Palace. As for Consort Jiang, Consort Yan can go fetch her from there.”
So easily agreed to? Shen Guiyan’s heart skipped a beat, then she knelt to express her thanks.
Gu Chaobei snorted, his expression improving considerably. He finally deigned to turn and look at Empress Dowager Wen. “Does Mother truly have no intention of killing this son?”
Empress Dowager Wen smiled with a benevolent expression. “This dowager adores you—it’s not even enough time to do that. How could I kill you? The Emperor must not listen to the slanderous words of petty people. Come attend court properly with this dowager.”
“Alright.” After hesitating for a while, Gu Chaobei finally agreed, though his face still showed some reluctance.
This assassination had laid an excellent foundation for him. He could use it as a stepping stone to become wary of the Empress Dowager, and she would think it perfectly natural. Gradually ceasing to obey the Empress Dowager, and finally opposing her—that too would be within reason.
Throughout this process, Empress Dowager Wen wouldn’t be suspicious at all. She wouldn’t think he had any kind of plan, but rather that he was sulking.
It truly was a perfect assassination. As for the truth—only he alone knew it.
When Shen Guiyan went to the Court of the Imperial Clan to fetch Consort Jiang, she was being mocked by a palace maid delivering food.
“Still complaining that our food here isn’t good enough? Then why doesn’t Your Ladyship return to the palace? Coming here, do you still get to be picky?” The palace maid rolled her eyes and placed hard steamed buns and preserved vegetables before her.
Consort Jiang was so angry she cried, feeling utterly unwilling, when she heard Shen Guiyan’s voice: “Biyue, come back to the palace with me.”
The palace maid jumped in fright, turned to see the magnificently dressed Shen Guiyan, and quickly knelt to pay respects. Jiang Biyue stood there stunned, taking a long time to react. “You’ve come to take me back?”
“Yes, I vouched for you with the Empress Dowager. I timed it right—Consort Shen has already been sent to the Cold Palace,” Shen Guiyan smiled and extended her hand toward her. “Come back and eat good food. No need to eat steamed buns.”
Jiang Biyue looked up at her, feeling as though Shen Guiyan was bathed in golden light.
People always especially remember those who rescue them from difficult circumstances. Looking at Jiang Shi, Shen Guiyan finally felt relieved.
She probably wouldn’t try to harm her in the future—she could trust her with confidence.
While things were joyful here, over at Shen Hanlu’s side, she was dumbfounded.
“Send me to the Cold Palace?” Shen Hanlu said in disbelief. “On what grounds?”
“I heard that Consort Yan went to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor and said something. The Empress Dowager directly ordered Consort Yan to fetch Consort Jiang from the Court of the Imperial Clan, then commanded you to move to the Cold Palace.”
Shen Guiyan! Shen Hanlu was so angry she slammed the table as she stood. “I knew it was her! It must have been her who had Jiang Shi poison me too. She just can’t stand to see me doing well!”
Talented Lady Qing stood beside her and sighed. “Now that Your Ladyship has gone to the Cold Palace, who knows when you’ll be able to turn things around. Those two, Jiang and Yan, joined forces to frame you—Your Ladyship has been so wronged.”
Shen Hanlu turned to look at her and frowned. “If you get the chance, you must cry out my innocence before the Emperor! The one who did the poisoning was Jiang Biyue—I haven’t wronged her.”
That day, the things she ate had only been touched by two people: Qinghuan and Jiang Biyue. Qinghuan was her most devoted attendant and would never harm her, so it could only have been Jiang Biyue.
Originally, she had thought sending Jiang Biyue to the Court of the Imperial Clan would be the end of it. But then Shen Guiyan returned, rescued Jiang Biyue, and instead sent her to the Cold Palace?
How could she accept this!
“Qinghuan is merely a lowly Talented Lady. Since entering the palace, I haven’t even served the Emperor once. How could I cry out injustice for Your Ladyship?” Qinghuan said in a low voice.
Shen Hanlu waved her hand. Looking at the things around her being packed up, she pressed her lips together and said, “Go find the Empress Dowager. Tell her you’re my person. First, have the Empress Dowager seek justice for me. If that doesn’t work, I’ll use my last bit of strength to help you rise to power!”