“This concubine obeys the decree.” Shen Guiyan nodded and rode back with Consort Zhuang. Gu Chaobei stood on horseback, waiting until they’d gone far before raising his eyes to look at Yuwen Changqing.
“Changqing…”
Gu Chaobei usually called him General Yuwen. When he used his given name, Yuwen Changqing felt uncomfortable all over. He looked up at him. “What are Your Majesty’s orders?”
“What we hunted earlier doesn’t count. How about we compete from the beginning?” Gu Chaobei smiled without warmth. “I’ll compete with you on the quantity of things hunted. If you win against me, I won’t pursue today’s matter.”
Yuwen Changqing really wanted to ask what matter there was today, but thinking of that arrow that had just grazed his shoulder, then looking down at the belt at his waist, Yuwen Changqing chickened out. He nodded with a smile. “Alright. What if this subject loses?”
Need he even ask? Gu Chaobei looked down at that belt.
Yuwen Changqing understood. To put it bluntly, the Emperor was displeased and wanted to take back what Noble Lady Yan had given him, but couldn’t say so directly—he had to go through several roundabout steps.
“This subject understands. Let’s begin then.” Yuwen Changqing mounted his horse, took a deep breath, and his expression turned serious.
Normally, he might have just given the Emperor a way out and yielded the item without much fuss. But today he happened not to want to yield, so they’d just have to let their skills do the talking.
“Is Noble Lady Yan’s pregnancy still stable?” After riding for a while, Consort Zhuang pulled Shen Guiyan down to walk.
Shen Guiyan nodded. “The imperial physicians come to check daily. It’s naturally stable.”
Consort Zhuang smiled. “Does Noble Lady Yan know that palace physicians generally only check the pulse daily for those of consort rank and above? When palace women are with child, at most medical women check on them regularly.”
Shen Guiyan was startled and glanced at her. “What does Your Ladyship mean?”
“This concubine hasn’t been by His Majesty’s side as long as Noble Lady Yan. This elevation in rank was merely His Majesty remembering old affections.” Consort Zhuang said quietly, “Who truly resides in His Majesty’s heart—does Noble Lady Yan not understand?”
So she’d come to advocate on the Emperor’s behalf? Shen Guiyan found it somewhat laughable. What words could he not say himself that he had to convey these bits and pieces of meaning through Consort Zhuang?
“This concubine understands.” Whether she understood or not, she had to say she did. Shen Guiyan lowered her eyes, her thoughts running differently.
Gu Chaobei should still have some lingering feelings for her. She also believed he couldn’t truly be as indifferent toward her as he appeared. But to speak of deep feelings? Unlikely.
The current Emperor had a serious demeanor, lacking his former casual recklessness, but when Shen Guiyan saw him, she could still detect some childishness. In matters of the heart, he was truly a child. If she placed her whole heart in it, surely not even scraps would remain.
Princess Duanwen’s words weren’t without reason.
“Since you understand, this concubine need say no more. In Xiuzhuang Palace, this concubine will do her utmost to protect you. Just focus on nurturing the child.” Consort Zhuang’s eyes were full of sincerity. “What you want, you’ll obtain it all one day.”
Shen Guiyan was somewhat surprised, staring at Consort Zhuang in a daze. This woman’s heart must also hold Gu Chaobei—otherwise she wouldn’t have often accompanied him since her days at Drunken Flower Pavilion. Yet now she was saying she’d protect her. Why?
There was a small detail—Consort Zhuang had mentioned palace rules, that physicians wouldn’t check palace women’s pulses daily.
But Consort Zhuang came from Drunken Flower Pavilion. How would she know these palace conventions, speaking of them even more familiarly than she herself did? Shen Guiyan’s heart skipped a beat. She understood.
These were all words Gu Chaobei had taught her to memorize, weren’t they?
Her feelings somewhat complicated, Shen Guiyan still nodded. “Thank you, Your Ladyship.”
Consort Zhuang led her to sit and rest in the tent, then had the accompanying imperial physician examine her before feeling at ease.
“Consort Zhuang, Noble Lady Yan.” The woman in the tent stood to the side and paid respects. “Are you two also coming to rest?”
There were only two resting tents at the hunting grounds. In the one they’d just entered, Xu Mengdie was inside.
Today, the second young master of the Gu family, Gu Chaonan, was also on the list of those invited to hunt, so Xu Mengdie had come along. Since Gu Chaobei’s ascension, Shen Guiyan hadn’t seen Xu Mengdie at all. Seeing her now actually felt somewhat familiar.
Consort Zhuang looked at this person with no expression on her face and didn’t speak. Shen Guiyan smiled. “You need not be so formal. Come sit with us. Outside the imperial palace, there aren’t so many rules.”
Xu Mengdie smiled and sat beside Shen Guiyan, looking at her belly. “The Noble Lady’s blessings have arrived.”
The things she’d experienced these days couldn’t be discussed here. Shen Guiyan could only smile. But Xu Mengdie seemed to have much to say. Not minding Consort Zhuang’s presence, she took Shen Guiyan’s hand and said, “Noble Lady doesn’t know—after you and His Majesty entered the palace, the household also received blessings. My husband now serves as Military Administrator of the Southern Camp and has prospects. The eldest young master was promoted to Minister of Revenue. Everything is excellent.”
After all, they were once family. Since it concerned their affairs, it wasn’t quite proper for her to listen. Consort Zhuang simply stood up. “This concubine will go outside to look around. You two chat first.”
“Respectfully seeing off Consort Zhuang.” Shen Guiyan nodded, watching as Consort Zhuang and the palace maids went out before looking back at Xu Mengdie.
“It’s been hard on the Noble Lady.” Xu Mengdie squeezed her hand with heartache. “Mengdie can’t help the Noble Lady much, but can only offer the Noble Lady one piece of advice.”
“What is it?” Shen Guiyan looked at her curiously.
“When returning to the palace, the Noble Lady must find a way to ride with His Majesty, sit on His Majesty’s left side, with your shoulder by the window.” Xu Mengdie suddenly lowered her voice.
Why was this? Shen Guiyan frowned. How could she board the dragon carriage just because she wanted to? Moreover, this advice was too strange. Could Xu Mengdie be an immortal who could foresee the future?
“If Your Ladyship wishes to take a gamble, do as Mengdie says.” Xu Mengdie said, “You shouldn’t be content with noble lady rank.”
Shen Guiyan fell silent. Xu Mengdie suddenly changed the subject. “Actually, my husband is also skilled in martial arts. His Majesty probably remembers the kindness from when he was in the household, so he made my husband Military Administrator. But Mengdie has selfish motives—if the Noble Lady prospers in the future and can speak well of my husband before His Majesty to make him Commander of the Southern Camp, that would be even better.”
Where there were benefits, there were naturally motives. Hearing Xu Mengdie’s motive, Shen Guiyan actually felt much more at ease and smiled. “I don’t see His Majesty now. If I can see him, I’ll certainly convey your meaning.”
“That would be good.” Xu Mengdie smiled at Shen Guiyan. “The Noble Lady will have great wealth and honor.”
Shen Guiyan smiled, but felt inexplicably uneasy inside. After sitting for a while, it suddenly became lively outside. The imperial procession must have returned.
“Congratulations, Your Majesty.” Consort Zhuang was first to greet him. Looking at the game laid on the ground, she smiled. “I’m afraid ‘Spring Breeze for Ten Li’ won’t be given away.”
Gu Chaobei was covered in sweat, smiling heartily. “My beloved consort has a sweet tongue. I’ll certainly reward you when we return.”
“Thank Your Majesty.” Consort Zhuang smiled, standing to the side. Shen Guiyan came out of the tent to look. Over twenty animals were actually laid out on the open ground—rabbits, pheasants, everything, and even a wild boar.
Such abundant harvest.
“Has anyone seen General Yuwen?” The Emperor asked with a smile.
Someone nearby answered, “General Yuwen hasn’t returned yet.”
Then he’d probably won. Gu Chaobei smiled, the corner of his eye glancing at Shen Guiyan. He moved aside a bit to let her see all the game better.
Not just rabbits and chickens, but also a fox with undamaged fur that could be made into a scarf for her.
Shen Guiyan looked twice then stopped looking. Princess Duanwen had gone hunting and had been gone a long time without returning.
She couldn’t help looking around worriedly. Though Princess Duanwen was skilled in martial arts, she was still a young woman. What if something happened?
Gu Chaobei wouldn’t think she was looking for Princess Duanwen. Thinking of that belt made him uncomfortable all over. He’d been smiling just now, but his expression darkened again.
Was Shen Guiyan blind? He was better than Yuwen Changqing in every way. What was she looking for? Wouldn’t it be better to just look at him?
“Your Majesty, General Yuwen has returned.” A guard came to report, his expression grave. “Only…”
“Only what?” The Emperor frowned.
The guard didn’t need to continue. In the distance, Princess Duanwen was already returning covered in blood, supporting Yuwen Changqing.
Shen Guiyan was startled. Without waiting for the Emperor to speak, she rushed forward first. “What happened?”
The bloodstains on Princess Duanwen looked terrifying. Shen Guiyan looked her up and down before discovering the blood wasn’t Princess Duanwen’s.
“We encountered a wild bear. This fool charged forward and got clawed by the bear.” Princess Duanwen was exhausted. Without thinking, Shen Guiyan helped support Yuwen Changqing. Yuwen Changqing grinned. “This subject rendered meritorious service saving the Princess. I want to use it to offset my crimes.”
Princess Duanwen rolled her eyes, glancing at the Imperial Brother whose expression was extremely unpleasant in the distance, and said in a low voice, “You’re on your own now.”
After supporting him briefly, Shen Guiyan had nearby guards take over and brought Princess Duanwen to the side to examine her, then went to find clothes for her to change into.
Gu Chaobei sat in a chair with a cold expression, looking at Yuwen Changqing. “My beloved subject truly worked hard.”
“Your Majesty’s decree—this subject dared not be remiss.” Yuwen Changqing had been clawed on the shoulder and also scratched at the waist. Not only was the fine blue lotus belt ruined, it was stained with blood.
The Emperor waved for the imperial physician to treat him, then turned to glance at Shen Guiyan. She’d taken Princess Duanwen into the tent without sparing him an extra glance.
His heart suddenly ached terribly. He didn’t want to argue with Yuwen Changqing about winning or losing anymore. The Emperor returned to the post station with a dark face.
Once the Emperor left, the others who’d hunted some things also followed back. Princess Duanwen’s game was even more than the Emperor’s. She carried over that jar of “Spring Breeze for Ten Li” with a smile. “This is mine now.”
Shen Guiyan said, “The Princess was too careless. Fortunately General Yuwen was there. If he hadn’t been and you’d been scratched like that, how would you marry?”
Princess Duanwen took a sip of wine, smacked her lips, and snorted lightly. “What man would dare marry a woman like me who loves martial arts? If I can’t marry out, so be it. I’ll go train troops in Huainan and come back every year to see you, Imperial Brother, and Mother Empress.”
“It can’t be like that.” Shen Guiyan sighed. “The Princess just hasn’t met someone she wants to marry yet.”
Someone she wanted to marry? Princess Duanwen pressed her lips together. When Yuwen Changqing had rushed forward to help her kill the bear today, she’d actually felt something.