Tonight outside was destined to see rivers of blood, so the Emperor couldn’t sleep. He simply sat at the bedside, watching over her.

How much blood must be shed to secure the imperial throne?

From darkness to dawn, in Luhua Palace, Shen Hanlu had already risen to dress and groom herself. This time Gu Chaobei had given her great hope. Protecting her like this, even elevating her to a semi-divine being with fame spreading throughout the realm—in his heart, he must have some feelings for her after all, right?

If he still disliked her as before, why would he treat her so well?

“Your Ladyship, something major has happened!” Xiuping rushed in urgently, waving for the maids arranging her hair to leave, then whispered in Shen Hanlu’s ear, “Early this morning the palace gates were blocked. Many ministers and some ladies all request an audience with you!”

An audience with her? Shen Hanlu was stunned. “Why? I don’t know that many ministers.”

Xiuping said joyfully, “I heard that last night many court ministers suffered heavenly punishment and died horribly. Everyone else is terrified and all came to beg Your Ladyship to help them atone for their sins.”

Heavenly punishment again. Shen Hanlu recalled what Gu Chaobei had said to her that day.

He said, “I can make you revered by ten thousand people, as long as you cooperate with me.”

How did he know she loved the feeling of being surrounded by stars and moon? Wherever she went, others would bow their heads and respectfully salute her, their eyes filled with awe and admiration. Who wouldn’t love such a feeling?

The identity of semi-divine being was something she’d started herself, but Gu Chaobei directly took it and packaged it. Shen Hanlu felt this man truly deserved to be the one she fancied—so clever.

“Your Ladyship, what will you do now?” Xiuping asked.

“Wait.” Shen Hanlu looked toward the doorway. “Wait until His Majesty arrives first.”

Xiuping raised an eyebrow in surprise. How would His Majesty come so early? He’d never liked entering Luhua Palace…

“His Majesty has arrived.” The eunuch outside announced.

Shen Hanlu smiled and went to greet him. Gu Chaobei’s face also carried a gentle smile. Entering, he said, “My beloved consort…”

Xiuping shuddered, feeling something wasn’t quite right, but her mistress had already waved for her to leave.

With the hall doors closed, Xiuping couldn’t hear what they discussed inside. But moments later the two emerged. Shen Hanlu wore a solemn expression. After seeing His Majesty off, she said to Xiuping, “Xiuping, come, let’s go to the palace gates.”

The Emperor’s token was already in hand. Xiuping was delighted and quickly went to prepare the sedan chair.

“National Uncle Wen is dead. Several of Scholar Fu’s disciples also died.” Yuwen Changqing stood among the crowd clutching his arm, his face grave. “Heavenly punishment…”

Scholar Fu looked terrified. The disciples had died in his residence, dying silently. He’d already ordered reinforced guards, but it was still useless.

Even Yuwen Changqing was injured…

Everyone was anxious and at a loss. Scholar Fu finally completely believed. Trembling, he looked up. “There truly is heavenly punishment. When will this old minister die?”

At these words, the Wen family members and remnant forces of the late Empress Dowager Wen all wore funeral expressions, wailing endlessly.

Yuwen Changqing dutifully cooperated, indicating he wasn’t innocent either and should suffer heavenly punishment along with them.

The palace gates opened to the clear voice of a palace maid: “Consort Shen has arrived.”

Scholar Fu’s knees went soft and he knelt directly. Those behind him also knelt. Yuwen Changqing looked back, somewhat helpless. Their courage was too small.

“Your Ladyship, may you live a thousand years, thousand years, thousand thousand years—” Officials and noble ladies cried out in unison, their voices full of terror and reverence, making Shen Hanlu extremely pleased.

“This is too much.” Shen Hanlu smiled. “This palace is merely an inner palace consort. How can I receive such kowtowing from you ministers?”

Though she said this, she didn’t move from her sedan chair.

Scholar Fu said with trembling body, “Beg Your Ladyship to convey our plea to heaven. We ministers are innocent and should not suffer heavenly punishment!”

“We ministers are innocent!” The crowd behind shouted in unison.

If they were truly innocent, what would they fear? Just stay home, wouldn’t that be fine? Running here to kowtow to her—wasn’t this protesting too much?

Shen Hanlu laughed inwardly but said as the Emperor instructed, “Last night this palace had a dream. I dreamed an immortal said that those loyal to the ruler won’t suffer heavenly punishment. If transgressors are willing to reform, hang licorice at the doorway and they will have their own judgment.”

Everyone looked at each other. Scholar Fu asked quietly, “Can Your Ladyship perform rituals?”

Shen Hanlu frowned. “What does Minister take this palace for? This palace is a consort of the inner palace, not some shamanic witch. Being able to convey heavenly will is purely coincidental. You still expect this palace to dispel disasters for you?”

“We ministers dare not!” Scholar Fu kowtowed. Several women behind him cried themselves hoarse. “Your Ladyship, my husband died so miserably…”

“Those who have already suffered heavenly punishment should be cremated. They will be reborn into wealthy families in the next life.” Shen Hanlu closed her eyes. “This palace must return and cannot stay long. Wait for His Majesty’s ceremony to worship heaven—perhaps it can dispel ancestral anger.”

These words had some flaws. Yuwen Changqing couldn’t help raising an eyebrow to look at her more closely. Fortunately everyone around had been frightened silly and only knew to kowtow and salute, not daring to raise their heads to see Shen Hanlu’s insufferably arrogant expression.

Consort Shen returned to the palace.

The inner palace residents all woke early today. Hearing about Scholar Fu and others kowtowing to Consort Shen at the palace gates, those with guilty consciences quickly brought gifts to Luhua Palace.

“This is truly lively. Originally a semi-divine being, now she’s practically called a true immortal.” Baoshan served Shen Guiyan as she slowly rose from bed, smiling. “Your Ladyship doesn’t know—Noble Consort Fu moved so many treasures to Luhua Palace. Looks like Scholar Fu really has done quite a few shameful deeds.”

Shen Guiyan smiled. “Fortunately my conscience is clear. Saved some money.”

“These people confessing without prompting—His Majesty just needs to glance at who runs to Luhua Palace the most to know who has the most tricks behind the scenes, right?”

“When it concerns matters of life and death, how can they worry about that much?” Shen Guiyan smiled, then suddenly remembered to ask, “Did Consort Hua go?”

Baoshan raised an eyebrow. “Master, if you hadn’t asked, this servant would have forgotten to mention—Consort Hua didn’t go.”

Didn’t go? Shen Guiyan was somewhat surprised. Was Consort Hua assuming herself innocent, or was her courage too great?

Shen Hanlu looked at the room full of treasures, smiling from ear to ear. Everyone around her flattered and praised her. Even the insufferably arrogant Noble Consort Fu now obediently massaged her shoulders. “Your Ladyship, regarding Scholar Fu’s matter…”

“This palace knows what’s appropriate.” Raising an eyelid, Shen Hanlu snorted lightly. “Seeing your sincerity is sufficient, this palace will give you a fragrance sachet. Send it for Scholar Fu to place under his pillow, and he definitely won’t suffer heavenly punishment.”

Noble Consort Fu was overjoyed and quickly accepted it, praising further. “Consort Shen truly has a bodhisattva’s heart. No wonder you can communicate with heaven—you’re someone heaven itself chose.”

“For a divine being like Your Ladyship to still be at the consort rank—wouldn’t that be wronging you?” Concubine Ye said quietly. “Probably your rank should be elevated too.”