Naturally, Empress Dowager Wen wouldn’t manage such trivial matters as arranging bedchamber attendance—everything was in Consort Zhuang’s hands. Even if Qinghuan ground her teeth to dust, there was nothing she could do.

These people before her were clearly helping Shen Guiyan take revenge on her!

Shen Guiyan was pulled by Consort Zhuang to stand beside the bed. Looking at Qinghuan’s face, which had turned blue either from anger or illness, she smiled and continued Consort Zhuang’s words: “Just now on the way here, Consort Zhuang already discussed with us concubines. To avoid future competition for favor in the palace and people falling ill, from now on the Emperor won’t need to turn over tokens—according to rank, he’ll spread his favor evenly each month.”

“What do you mean?” Qinghuan pressed her lips together.

Consort Zhuang smiled and said, “In a moment, I’ll go seek the Emperor’s agreement. Each month, those of Consort rank and above will attend him three times, those of Pin rank and above twice. As for those below Pin rank, like Consort Xi and Consort Qing, that would be only once.”

Qinghuan frowned. Before she could speak, Consort Xi beside her paid her respects and said, “This concubine thinks this is an excellent idea. It will also prevent certain people from always scheming to appear before the Emperor.”

As fellow Consorts, once Consort Xi spoke, Qinghuan couldn’t say anything. She looked at them with a face livid with rage, then closed her eyes.

If only she hadn’t gotten Shen Hanlu sent away—now all these people were coming after her, and she didn’t even have anyone to protect her.

“Consort Qing seems to have no objections either, so I’ll go discuss this with the Emperor now,” Consort Zhuang rose and pulled Shen Guiyan out. After taking just two steps, she stopped again and smiled. “I forgot to remind Consort Qing—if the Emperor agrees, then sister’s once-a-month bedchamber opportunity will have been lost to your illness.”

Qinghuan was furious, but her body didn’t even have the strength to rise. She could only watch helplessly as those people left.

“Sister White Fox’s tongue is so sharp—look how angry she made that little hussy.”

Walking along the road, Consort Xi couldn’t help laughing aloud.

Consort Hua glanced at her and made a silencing gesture. “See, I told you that you were suited to Zuihua Pavilion, right? But you insisted on entering the palace. Speaking so carelessly—if someone catches you, you’re finished.”

Consort Xi paused and pouted. Consort Zhuang pulled Shen Guiyan close and said quietly, “Consort Yan can rest assured. We three were all personally promoted by the Emperor—we’ll only help you, never harm you. You’re destined to accompany the Emperor for life. You mustn’t be disappointed in him over small matters.”

Rather than saying they were consorts, it was better to say they were subordinates. Shen Guiyan finally understood why Consort Zhuang always spoke up for the Emperor.

What kind of place was Zuihua Pavilion exactly—that still needed investigating. But these three people before her truly wanted to help her.

Shen Guiyan smiled and said softly, “Thank you all.”

Consort Xi said with a beaming smile, “No need to thank us, no need! In the future, if Consort Yan is bored, we’re at your beck and call.”

Consort Hua said nothing. Consort Zhuang glanced at her, and only then did she sigh. “The harem only has the Emperor as a man—it truly is boring enough.”

Consort Xi raised an eyebrow and teased Consort Hua with a nudge. “Longing for spring?”

Girls from brothels spoke boldly. Consort Hua glared at Consort Xi. “That mouth of yours will get you in trouble sooner or later!”

Consort Xi smiled and said, “I’m not afraid. The Emperor said he’d back us up—who dares punish me? Oh right, Lily, if you want men, it’s not impossible. I heard that when spring comes, foreign kingdoms will all come to pay New Year respects. Isn’t that time approaching? Then there’ll be plenty of men to look at.”

Consort Hua flicked her sleeves and walked to Shen Guiyan’s other side with a frown. Consort Zhuang also shook her head. “Narcissus really doesn’t know the rules—don’t say everything that comes to mind. Starting today, better sew that mouth of yours shut.”

Shen Guiyan smiled. Consort Xi was straightforward, which was rather endearing. But in the palace, one should indeed be cautious with words and actions. With Consort Zhuang’s admonishment, she didn’t say more.

Consort Zhuang truly went to tell Gu Chaobei the method she’d mentioned at Qinghuan’s place. The Emperor slapped the dragon throne. “I’m full of vigor—in a month, I visit the harem at least twenty-five days. Beloved consort, your arrangement is far too few days. Consort rank gets five days, Pin rank gets four days.”

“Your Majesty, what about the Consorts and Talented Ladies?” Consort Zhuang raised an eyebrow.

“One day is fine. There are so many Consorts and Talented Ladies—I can’t manage them all anyway,” Gu Chaobei said with a serious expression. “You should also tell the two Empress Dowagers about this method. Say I’ve recently had difficulty choosing whose token to turn over, so I’ve handed it directly to you to arrange.”

“Yes,” Consort Zhuang acknowledged and immediately notified the six palaces.

“Empress Dowager, this servant thinks the Emperor is also quite strange,” Nanny Fanghua said beside Empress Dowager Wen, pounding her legs. “Suddenly having Consort Zhuang arrange bedchamber attendance—didn’t he always hate being managed by others?”

Empress Dowager Wen snorted lightly and half-opened her eyes. “Don’t you know what Consort Zhuang’s original name is?”

Naturally, Fanghua knew this—White Fox.

“She can bewitch her lord, which is a good thing. With this arrangement, the Emperor will enter the harem daily, and this dowager can also rest easy,” Empress Dowager Wen said. “You needn’t overthink it.”

Was she overthinking it? Nanny Fanghua’s heart was full of doubt. Why did she feel that although the Emperor seemed to be exclusively favoring Consort Zhuang, he was actually doting on Consort Yan? Before, he couldn’t be seen even once a month—now suddenly he could see her four times.

But if the Empress Dowager hadn’t thought of it, then she must indeed be overthinking. Nanny Fanghua shook her head and continued pounding.

Under the new system, the most favored was Xiuzhuang Palace. The principal Consort Zhuang had five days of attendance, and the side hall’s Consort Yan also had four days—occupying a full third of the month. Truly standing out from the rest.

Next was Zhuangde Palace—Consort Hua had four days, Consort Jiang had one day.

But other palaces, like Consort Qing’s place—those were desolate.

“Crash!” Qinghuan smashed the medicine bowl and leaned against the bed coughing. Qingluo said helplessly, “This isn’t a solution either. You can’t be so angry you won’t even drink your medicine.”

“They calculated too well!” Qinghuan was furious. Her eyes rolled, and she said, “No, tomorrow I must make a trip to the Cold Palace.”

Qingluo opened her mouth, then could only sigh. “With your condition, how will you go? Aren’t you still ill?”

Being ill was exactly what she needed. Qinghuan lay back on the bed and fiercely closed her eyes.

Shen Guiyan finally didn’t have to wait. Gu Chaobei came to her place nine days a month—she could practically see him whenever she looked up.

Consort Zhuang’s five days were naturally moved to her palace. As soon as Gu Chaobei closed the door, he showed his true colors, holding her and swaying back and forth for a long time without saying a word.

“What’s wrong?” Shen Guiyan patted his back.

Gu Chaobei smiled. “Nothing, I just can’t hold you enough. Alas, so many women in the harem, but not one feels as comfortable to hold as you.”

Shen Guiyan froze and pressed her lips together. She really wanted to step on his foot, but thinking of the dragon patterns on his boots, she slowly drew her foot back.

“If Your Majesty likes it, hold me a while longer.”

Gu Chaobei looked up at her and pouted. “Can’t hold you too long. Later, memorials will be sent over that I need to review.”

Shen Guiyan raised an eyebrow. Sure enough, before long she saw Zhuiyun carrying in large boxes, all filled with golden-yellow memorials.

“Your Majesty is using this concubine as a cover,” Shen Guiyan raised an eyebrow. “There’s a fee for that.”

Gu Chaobei laughed lightly, embracing her. “Beloved consort, name your price.”

Shen Guiyan narrowed her eyes in thought, then turned to fetch many silk cords.

“Each time Your Majesty uses this subject as a cover, this subject will hang one silk cord on this screen. When a hundred are hung, Your Majesty will grant this concubine one wish. How about it?”

Gu Chaobei froze and pressed his lips together. “Whatever wish you have, you don’t need silk cords—I’ll grant it anyway.”

“It’s not like that,” Shen Guiyan smiled. “A hundred silk cords are exchanged for one blank imperial edict from Your Majesty—not just any ordinary spoken wish.”

Gu Chaobei looked deeply at Shen Guiyan.

She was still the same as before—looking like a refined young lady of a great family, yet with a touch of cunning, her eyes bright and sparkling, plotting who knew what schemes.

“Fine, I grant it,” Gu Chaobei said with a smile, pulling her back into his embrace. Why wouldn’t he grant something that could make her happy?

Shen Guiyan smiled and reached out to hang the first red silk cord on the screen.

That night, Gu Chaobei sat at the table reviewing memorials while Shen Guiyan kept him company, grinding ink for him until she grew drowsy and went to rest first.

When Gu Chaobei was serious, he shed all traces of the roguishness he showed when holding her. His gaze was calm and steady, and each character he wrote stroke by stroke was actually quite beautiful.

Watching and watching, Shen Guiyan finally couldn’t help falling asleep.

“Your Majesty, Prime Minister Gu says everything is arranged. The day after tomorrow in court, the new policies can be implemented,” a black-clad figure knelt on the ground, speaking softly.

Gu Chaobei nodded, put away the last memorial, rubbed his temples and said, “You’ve all worked hard too. You may withdraw.”

“Yes.”

Coming without a trace, leaving without a shadow—their qinggong was excellent.

Gu Chaobei yawned, turned to climb into bed, and gently embraced Shen Guiyan.

The realm that belonged to him would eventually return to his hands, wouldn’t it? If she was still by his side accompanying him at that time, that would be his greatest fortune.

“Empress Dowager, the Emperor has been resting in Consort Yan’s palace for two days now,” Nanny Fanghua still couldn’t help adding this remark.

Empress Dowager Wen raised an eyebrow slightly and thought about it. “By rights, Consort Yan should receive favor four days a month. There’s no need to make a big fuss.”

Fanghua frowned. “This servant always feels—Empress Dowager, should you go take a look? Consort Yan cannot serve in bed, yet the Emperor can stay in her chambers for two consecutive days—what are they doing?”

“That makes sense,” Empress Dowager Wen sat up straight. “We can’t let people make trouble right under this dowager’s nose. Later, don’t spread this around. When it gets dark, follow this dowager to Xiuzhuang Palace to see.”

“Yes,” Nanny Fanghua curtseyed in acknowledgment.

Tomorrow’s court session would be when the new policies were implemented. Gu Chaobei still had many things to prepare, so naturally he needed to continue using Shen Guiyan’s place to burn the midnight oil. Shen Guiyan was beside him and inadvertently glanced at what was written on the memorial.

“External relatives without power, imperial clan exclusive governance.”

This line was written too ruthlessly. How could “external relatives without power” be implemented? Wasn’t the Wen family the greatest external relatives? Moreover, there was also the Nian family.

There was a slight sound in the courtyard. Gu Chaobei heard it and stopped his brush.

“What’s that sound?”

Shen Guiyan also cocked her ear to listen. It seemed like someone wanted to say something but was blocked from doing so.