When Consort Ye mentioned this, Shen Hanlu also realized—with Gu Chaobei elevating her to such heights that she could now reach the Emperor’s ears, wasn’t it rather unjust for her to remain at the consort rank, even below Shen Guiyan?
Receiving the prostrations of ministers and winning the allegiance of the six palaces, with her current momentum, shouldn’t she be the one to become Empress?
Imperial Concubine Fu’s hands tightened as she forced a smile. “Consort Ye is right. His Majesty should indeed consider this matter.”
However, with Shen Hanlu’s lowly background, her becoming Empress would be quite laughable. Even if she could hear Heaven’s will and had Heaven’s protection, so what? Becoming Empress required more than just that.
After muttering these thoughts to herself, Imperial Concubine Fu quickly recited some Buddhist verses—better not have any heavenly punishment fall upon her.
“Your Highness,” a young palace maid entered from outside. “His Majesty has left court and sent word requesting you to dine at the Northern Palace for the midday meal.”
Consort Shen nodded. “This palace is aware.”
Empress Dowager Nian had never particularly enjoyed crowds and noise. For His Majesty to invite her to dine, could it be that the Empress Dowager also believed in heavenly punishment and was too embarrassed to lower herself to plead with her directly, so she was being summoned instead?
Shen Hanlu felt as if she could already see the Empress’s throne beckoning to her.
Imperial Concubine Fu lowered her eyes. “Congratulations, Your Highness. This concubine will take her leave first so as not to disturb Your Highness’s preparations.”
Consort Ye behind her also curtsied and withdrew.
Naturally, Shen Hanlu wouldn’t ask them to stay. She turned to change into a moon-white flowing immortal gown, dressed herself up, and headed to the Northern Palace.
After leaving Luhua Palace, Imperial Concubine Fu lingered on the palace path for quite some time before finally going to Huaqing Palace.
Consort Hua was leisurely trimming flowers. Upon seeing her arrive, as if she had expected it, she smiled lightly. “Younger sister, sit for a while. This palace will come once these flowers are trimmed.”
“Very well.” Imperial Concubine Fu was willing to wait and sat in the front hall. Hong Zhi beside her brought tea and said softly, “Imperial Concubine, you carry the scent of green incense.”
Luhua Palace constantly burned green incense to create the appearance of a misty celestial realm. Imperial Concubine Fu glanced at Hong Zhi. “This palace finds it strange—with everyone’s hearts now filled with trepidation, why doesn’t Consort Hua go get a whiff of this green incense?”
Consort Hua finished trimming the flowers, gently set down the scissors, and arranged the blossoms. “If there truly were such a thing as heavenly punishment in this world, you wouldn’t have seen this palace today if you came.”
Imperial Concubine Fu was startled.
“Has Imperial Concubine’s hands never been stained with fresh blood?” Consort Hua narrowed her eyes at her. “Never done anything with a guilty conscience?”
Nonsense—if she truly had a clear conscience, why would she go look at Shen Hanlu’s expression? Fu Youyi didn’t speak, but Consort Hua laughed.
“This palace doesn’t believe in any heavenly punishment, but His Majesty does, so this palace cannot refute it. If this palace were required to bow before that brainless person, this palace would be unwilling.”
Imperial Concubine Fu frowned, somewhat embarrassed and annoyed. The way she spoke made it sound as if she too were brainless.
“Now the entire realm believes in her, revering her as divine. Does elder sister think she can remain just a consort without even an official title? I fear that after the ancestral worship ceremony, she’ll soar to the heavens.” Imperial Concubine Fu said, “Whether elder sister believes or not, if His Majesty truly makes her Empress, what shall we do?”
Consort Hua’s smile faded and her expression darkened somewhat. Everyone wanted the Empress’s position. With no one currently occupying it, naturally everyone felt at ease. But if Shen Hanlu truly took that seat, how could that be tolerated?
Her first thought was of Shen Guiyan, but Shen Guiyan now seemed completely indifferent to worldly competition, refusing to show the slightest desire to compete no matter how much she provoked her. If she didn’t compete, the chances of the Empress position going to Shen Hanlu only increased.
The people in the palace weren’t blind either. With Shen Hanlu’s current position rising like the midday sun, those who fawned and flattered only grew in number. Consort Shen, who previously had no power or backing, would now have her own faction. If they didn’t intervene now, it would be too late later.
After preparing herself, Shen Hanlu joyfully headed to the Northern Palace. Passing by Yonghe Palace on the way, she thought for a moment, had them stop, and walked in herself.
Shen Guiyan was in the courtyard looking at the newly bloomed flowers outside, utterly at leisure. As soon as Shen Hanlu entered, she smiled. “Elder sister.”
Except for Baoshan, all the palace servants in Yonghe Palace knelt down upon seeing Shen Hanlu, more terrified than when seeing His Majesty himself.
Shen Hanlu was extremely satisfied with this situation. She didn’t bow to Shen Guiyan either, but went over and sat beside her. “Younger sister has been invited by His Majesty to dine at the Empress Dowager’s palace. I happened to be passing by and thought to come see elder sister.”
The words “I’m here to gloat” were practically written across this person’s face. Shen Guiyan chuckled softly and brushed her sleeves. “Congratulations.”
Shen Hanlu smiled and said in a low voice, “Elder sister must feel quite displeased, yes? Younger sister is about to snatch away what belongs to you again.”
First Gu Chaodong, then Gu Chaobei—in the end, they would all fall into her hands.
Shen Guiyan raised an eyebrow. Looking at her smug expression, she sighed. “If you remained humble and respectful in your current glory, this palace might feel uneasy, thinking you had matured considerably. But seeing how you cannot contain yourself, this palace truly has no choice but to feel pleased.”
A grasshopper may jump high, but it won’t survive past autumn.
Shen Hanlu’s expression stiffened, her gaze darkening. “Your Highness still harbors resentment toward this concubine? Aren’t you afraid of heavenly punishment falling upon your head?”
“Heaven is just.” Shen Guiyan smiled lightly and looked up. “Whoever commits wrongs and harms lives will receive punishment. No one is pardoned by Heaven and can escape retribution. This palace is not afraid. What about you, Consort Shen?”
Shen Hanlu was stunned.
“If you’re going to dine, hurry to the Northern Palace. The Empress Dowager has never liked waiting for people.” Shen Guiyan waved her hand and, supported by Baoshan, slowly entered the inner hall.
Shen Hanlu stood there for a while before coming to her senses. She snorted coldly and turned to leave.
Shen Guiyan must be jealous of her—she must be. How could anyone be so indifferent when their husband was about to be stolen, yet still talk about retribution and consequences?
She… she wasn’t afraid of retribution.
Thinking for a long while along the way, Shen Hanlu only calmed down when she thought of Gu Chaobei’s face. Entering the Northern Palace, her face was once again full of smiles.
“This concubine greets His Majesty and the Empress Dowager.”
She bowed with a beaming smile, but upon raising her head, she unexpectedly found the atmosphere heavy.
“Rise and be seated.” Empress Dowager Nian rolled her eyes, for some unknown reason looking rather displeased as she picked up her chopsticks first to begin eating.
The Emperor sat to one side, looking at her. “Does Consort Shen know that a very important person died last night?”
Shen Hanlu nodded. She had heard: “It seems National Uncle Wen has passed.”
“Indeed, that was Empress Dowager Wen’s own elder brother, the only son of National Uncle Wen.” Empress Dowager Nian said with a grave expression, “Though he normally exploited the common people and didn’t know his place, being burned to death in his own room is still shocking.”
Shen Hanlu swallowed. This had nothing to do with her.
“If National Uncle Wen learns of this, he will surely return to court. With his daughter suffering a stroke and his son gone, when his fury erupts, even this throne of mine will tremble thrice.” Gu Chaobei said with great distress, “What should be done about this?”
He must be consulting with her for a solution. Shen Hanlu presumptuously answered, “National Uncle Wen died due to heavenly punishment. As long as everyone in the realm believes in this concubine and believes in heavenly punishment, then even if National Uncle Wen wants to place blame, he cannot defy Heaven itself.”
Empress Dowager Nian and the Emperor exchanged a glance, both inwardly laughing.
“Consort Shen is clever. During the ancestral worship ceremony, I intend to grant you an investiture.” The Emperor said this one sentence.
Shen Hanlu was overjoyed, her eyes lighting up. Consort Ye had been right—His Majesty truly intended to grant her an investiture!
At such an important ceremony as the ancestral worship, naturally it would be impossible to invest a mere consort. What would be invested could only be an Empress.
“This concubine thanks His Majesty for his grace!” Shen Hanlu immediately knelt down, her body trembling with excitement.
Gu Chaobei only smiled without speaking. Empress Dowager Nian looked at Shen Hanlu and clicked her tongue twice, also saying nothing.
Consort Shen would be invested as Empress at the ancestral worship ceremony!
This news came from the mouth of Nanny Qiujin of the Northern Palace, making it one hundred percent credible. The rear palace immediately erupted in turmoil.
“Your Majesty, Consort Shen is of lowly birth and insufficient to receive such an honored investiture.” Even Consort Hua panicked and hurried to kneel before the imperial presence. “There are more than just Consort Shen in the rear palace capable of being worthy of that position. How could Your Majesty just…”
“Only she will do.” The Emperor looked at Consort Hua. “Beloved consort need not say more. Return.”
Consort Hua was infuriated, but Gu Chaobei had already resumed reading memorials. Having no choice, she could only leave the Imperial Study. Walking along the palace path full of anger, she happened to encounter Consort Shen.
Shen Hanlu now had her eyes on top of her head. Previously when seeing Consort Hua she at least knew to bow, but now she didn’t even descend from her sedan chair, lifting her chin. “Consort Hua elder sister seems quite angry.”
Consort Hua laughed coldly and stopped. “Younger sister is certainly in the limelight now, but unfortunately, no matter how good the rank, it cannot compare to Noble Consort Yan’s importance in His Majesty’s heart. What is there to be so proud of?”
Shen Hanlu’s expression darkened. Consort Hua’s sharp tongue was formidable—whatever she cared about, that’s exactly what she would say. Though Shen Guiyan was currently out of favor, Yonghe Palace’s food, clothing, and provisions were still the best in the rear palace. Though His Majesty gave no rewards, he also didn’t allow anyone to bully Noble Consort Yan.
“When younger sister can finally surpass Noble Consort Yan, only then will this palace willingly congratulate younger sister.” Consort Hua swept her sleeves and left.
This was an obvious provocation. If it were Shen Guiyan, or even Imperial Concubine Fu, they wouldn’t fall for such a trick. But Shen Hanlu was foolish—having been flattered excessively recently, she thought herself standing alone at the heights of the rear palace, helping His Majesty with affairs and about to be made Empress. What did a mere Noble Consort like Shen Guiyan amount to?
So this young lady wanted to court death again.
Regardless of what rumors spread outside, Shen Guiyan didn’t believe Shen Hanlu would become Empress, so she calmly continued nurturing her pregnancy. Her feet had been somewhat swollen lately, and Baoshan was lovingly massaging them.
“Consort Shen’s tail is practically reaching to the heavens.” Baoshan said disapprovingly, “Acting like a petty person who’s gained success—truly unpleasant to watch.”
Shen Guiyan, comfortably reclining and embracing her belly, hummed twice and glanced sideways at the screen partition beside her.
Several dozen silk cords were already tied on it. When Gu Chaobei announced his intention to invest Shen Hanlu, he didn’t come to add two more.