Gu Chaobei held his chopsticks and stared at her, dumbfounded.
Ruined? The shrimp he’d only just taken a few bites of—just like that, ruined?
Shen Guiyan sat down with complete composure, lifted her chopsticks, and ate quietly. Leaving the Emperor beside her with an expression like he’d been struck by lightning, unable to recover for a long time.
After finishing the meal in silence, Gu Chaobei scooped up Shen Guiyan and carried her to the courtyard of Xiuzhuang Palace. He raised his hand and pointed at the sky: “Yan’er, is the moon in the sky round?”
“Round.” Shen Guiyan didn’t even lift her head.
“Are those stars in the distance bright?”
“Bright.”
Whatever you say is what it is. Shen Guiyan stared at the hem of her skirt in a daze, responding perfunctorily.
“You’re angry with me, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
Her mouth answered too quickly—there was a trap ahead, and Shen Guiyan fell right in with a splat.
Gu Chaobei looked suddenly enlightened, holding her with a smile: “If you’re unhappy about something, why don’t you tell me?”
“Me”—the sole title under heaven, lofty and aloof, with the world in his heart. Shen Guiyan lowered her eyes and lifted the corners of her mouth slightly. Perhaps back at Gu Fu there had been things to discuss, but now in this deep palace compound, what was there left to say?
Could she tell this person directly that she didn’t like having her name hung up at the Imperial Household Department, only able to see him depending on his mood? Or could she tell him she didn’t want to see so many people surrounding him, like ravenous wolves dividing meat, sharing the same food with her—the kind that might contaminate the meat with saliva all over their mouths?
If she were a bit more willful, she could say it directly. Gu Chaobei might even be happy, thinking she cared about him.
But what about after? He was the Emperor—it was impossible for the three palaces and six courts to have only one person. So in the future, she would bring it up again, and when she did, he wouldn’t feel happy anymore. He would detest her.
At the thought of being detested by Gu Chaobei, Shen Guiyan’s heart ached and contracted. She pressed her lips tightly together, her face slightly pale.
“What’s wrong?” Gu Chaobei frowned: “Where don’t you feel well?”
“Mm, a headache.” Shen Guiyan said: “I want to go back and rest. The wind here is somewhat cold.”
Gu Chaobei slapped himself on the forehead—he’d forgotten Yan’er was still carrying a child, yet he’d brought her out in the wind.
He quickly brought her back inside, swallowing his questions.
He remembered long ago, Gu Chaobei had once been angry about Shen Guiyan’s indifference, feeling she didn’t have much affection for him. But later Gu Chaobei understood—Yan’er simply took things more philosophically. She was a virtuous good wife.
So he didn’t think at all that Shen Guiyan was angry because of that list.
As soon as she reached the bed, Shen Guiyan fell asleep without saying much to Gu Chaobei. She just nestled gently against him. Gu Chaobei placed his hand on her belly and curiously felt around for a long time, experiencing it for a while before gradually falling asleep.
The next day, the decree conferring consort titles was issued. Since Xiuzhuang Palace had been stained with blood, Gu Chaobei bestowed Yonghe Palace upon Shen Guiyan.
Yonghe Palace was located not far from the Emperor’s sleeping quarters. Moreover, the palace was imposing and magnificent, warm in winter and cool in summer—also an excellent place for nurturing pregnancy. Shen Guiyan received the title of Imperial Noble Consort, immediately drawing sidelong glances throughout the palace. Before the palace was even properly arranged, a large group of people arrived.
Shen Guiyan didn’t mind Consort Hua and Consort Xi coming together. When Consort Shen arrived, Shen Guiyan looked at her twice more.
Shen Hanlu seemed to have truly undergone a complete transformation. Her face was full of compliance. Seeing her, there was no longer the fierce look in her eyes from before, but rather softness like moonlight: “This consort pays respects to Imperial Noble Consort.”
“Rise.” Shen Guiyan looked—there were at least seven or eight more consorts following behind her.
Somewhat troubled, she had Baoshan offer seats. Shen Guiyan looked at them: “You needn’t have come so early. This palace hasn’t even finished arranging things yet.”
“The personnel for Your Ladyship’s palace haven’t been assigned yet. This consort and Consort Hua came to help.” Consort Xi said with a smile: “We’re none of us particularly precious people—we can still help Your Ladyship tidy up.”
As she spoke, she actually stood up, rolled up her sleeves, and prepared to get to work.
Consort Xi had just this kind of straightforward and impulsive nature. Coming from the Drunken Flowers Pavilion, she had no sense of hierarchical status in her heart. The newly promoted consorts beside her were dissatisfied, and their gazes toward her carried two parts more contempt.
They were all imperial consorts—who would want to do palace maids’ work? Wouldn’t that be losing face?
“We consorts are clumsy with our hands and feet. It would be best not to damage anything in Imperial Noble Consort’s palace.” A palace consort with an unfamiliar face spoke up: “Consort Xi has good intentions, but shouldn’t we still let the palace servants handle it?”
Consort Xi looked at her displeasedly: “Who are you?”
Fu Youyi’s face reddened at this question. She hadn’t shown her face much, so it was normal for others not to recognize her. But this Consort Xi truly had no manners—not giving any face at all, asking so directly in front of everyone.
“This consort is the legitimate granddaughter of the Fu family, Fu Youyi, holding the rank of Lady in Hehuan Palace.”
Shen Guiyan froze, turning to glance at her. The Fu family—Scholar Fu’s household?
Consort Xi pursed her lips: “Isn’t it said that palace rules are strict—when superiors speak, inferiors aren’t permitted to interrupt?”
“Consort Xi.” Consort Hua frowned beside her, quietly tugging her hand.
“What? Did I say something wrong?” Consort Xi turned to look at Consort Hua: “Isn’t Imperial Noble Consort the only one in this palace who ranks above us now?”
Speaking without restraint, with no scheming in her heart. Shen Guiyan sighed. For Consort Xi to survive in this palace, she would need to help her quite a bit.
“Enough, don’t argue.” Shen Guiyan spoke: “Didn’t you each bring palace servants? Just lend your attendants to this palace. Counting here, there are seven or eight palace maids—enough to be busy.”
Having palace maids help—naturally everyone had no objections. Shen Hanlu turned to instruct Xiuping behind her: “Be careful. Don’t help only to make things worse.”
“Yes.” Xiuping responded and, together with palace maids from various other palaces, went to help with Baoshan.
A group of magnificently dressed women chatted idly in the great hall.
“Today is everyone’s first time paying respects, and the palace has many new faces. It would be good to get acquainted.” Shen Guiyan looked to the side: “Everyone come forward.”
Several newly arrived palace consorts stepped forward gracefully. Leading them was Fu Youyi, who bowed very properly: “This consort is of the Fu family from Hehuan Palace.”
The woman beside her followed: “This consort is of the Ye family from Feiyan Palace.”
Shen Guiyan examined them all one by one and nodded. These two were more eye-catching than the others. The string of people after them—she’d heard their names but had no impression of them.
Until the last one.
“This consort is of the Gao family from Yeqing Palace.”
Shen Guiyan was startled, staring at her for a long moment before uncertainly calling out: “Jinxiu?”
Lady Gao raised her head. Her face was round and gentle—it was indeed the legitimate daughter of Minister Gao’s household, Gao Jinxiu.
Shen Guiyan’s feelings were very complicated. In her youth, she and Gao Jinxiu had been close friends. Later, Lady Wu had helped her resolve the dowry matter and treated her extremely well.
She never imagined she would also enter the palace.
Gao Jinxiu looked somewhat flustered at the people on both sides and lowered her head. Shen Guiyan came to her senses, only then realizing she’d stared at her too long. She quickly smiled: “I never thought we could be reunited now. Go sit down first. When there’s time, you and I can have a good chat.”
“Yes.” Gao Jinxiu obediently retreated to the side. Two talented ladies beside her quickly pulled her close and whispered: “You actually know Imperial Noble Consort? You’ve struck it rich!”
Gao Jinxiu shook her head and sighed. She had known early on that Yan’er had entered the palace, so this time she absolutely didn’t want to come compete with her. But… alas.
Shen Guiyan steadied her mind, just about to speak a few pleasantries, when there came an “ah” sound from behind.
The voice sounded like Xiuping’s.
Consort Shen became nervous, standing up to look behind: “Xiuping, did you cause trouble?”
Baoshan stood out apologetically: “Just now I didn’t know there was still tea in that teapot and accidentally spilled it all into Xiuping’s sleeve. For disturbing all the masters, please forgive this servant.”
Shen Guiyan glanced at Shen Hanlu: “No harm done. Continue tidying up. Consort Shen needn’t be so tense either.”
Shen Hanlu sat down uneasily. Her eyes pitifully swept over Shen Guiyan several times as she pressed her lips together: “In the past, this consort had many conflicts with Imperial Noble Consort. Now this consort only wishes to peacefully grow old in the harem and doesn’t want to cause more trouble, so I’m terribly afraid Your Ladyship will misunderstand…”
Peacefully grow old? Shen Guiyan smiled. She’d be a fool to believe her. She’d witnessed all of Shen Hanlu’s methods. If it weren’t that she’d just emerged from the Cold Palace and had been consistently obedient without revealing any weaknesses, Shen Guiyan would have long ago reported to the Emperor to send her out of the palace.
She looked truly pitiful in this state. Upon closer inspection, the corner of her mouth seemed to have an injury that had only recently healed. Shen Guiyan was suddenly somewhat curious about what Shen Hanlu had done in the Cold Palace.
In front of so many people, the two of them naturally couldn’t say much. After the palace servants inside finished tidying and came out, Shen Guiyan said: “Everyone may return today. You must be tired from tidying up. Shortly, all attendants should go to Baoshan to receive reward money.”
“Many thanks, Imperial Noble Consort.” The consorts all rose and bowed, each taking their people back. When Gao Jinxiu was leaving, Baoshan very cleverly leaned close to her ear: “Lady, please come again this afternoon.”
Her own master was on good terms with Miss Gao—Baoshan naturally knew this. Guessing that after meeting today, her master would still have words to say, she passed on the message first.
Lady Gao nodded in agreement and left gracefully.
One Shen Hanlu remained in the great hall, not having left.
This was within expectations. Shen Guiyan had already taken out melon seeds, prepared to listen to her speak.
“Imperial Noble Consort.” Shen Hanlu lowered her eyes and began: “Everything before was this consort being young and ignorant. Can Your Ladyship give this consort one more chance?”
I threw your mother in a winter pond then fished her out, then snatched your newlywed husband, then shamelessly attached myself to your current husband—can you give me one more chance?
Shen Guiyan laughed coldly in her heart and remained silent.
Shen Hanlu gritted her teeth, knelt before her, and rolled up her sleeve: “Does Your Ladyship feel the punishment this consort has suffered still isn’t enough? If it’s not enough, this consort is willing to suffer more.”
Her arms were covered in bruises and wounds—marks from whip strikes as well as scars, densely packed, startling Shen Guiyan.
“Where did these come from?”
Shen Hanlu smiled bitterly: “Your Ladyship doesn’t know what kind of place the Cold Palace is. This consort entered intact, but was beaten almost every day, bullied. Inside there are so many madwomen, and also servants who look down on people. That place isn’t the mortal world—it’s hell.”