Gu Chaobei turned to glance at Shen Guiyan, a slight gleam in his eyes. “Why didn’t you hand her over to the Ministry of Justice to determine guilt?”

Shen Guiyan raised the corners of her lips. “If the witness’s testimony can establish Lady Fu’s guilt, how would Your Majesty handle it?”

If it were an ordinary palace concubine, she wouldn’t have taken such a roundabout approach. But this happened to be Scholar Fu’s legitimate granddaughter, and the Emperor’s current biggest headache was precisely Scholar Fu.

If she could use this opportunity to deal with him, it would certainly be much better than simply punishing Lady Fu.

Gu Chaobei stroked his chin and thought for quite a while before answering her. “If guilt can truly be established, we will confine Lady Fu to the Cold Palace, then wait for Scholar Fu to come beg us for clemency.”

Scholar Fu dared to be so long-winded yesterday precisely because Lady Fu hadn’t been convicted. Once convicted, Scholar Fu would only be able to concede step by step.

Shen Guiyan nodded, stood up and went out to call, “Baoshan, bring Qingzhu up.”

Baoshan smiled and went in response.

Gu Chaobei turned over and got up, walked to Shen Guiyan’s side and took her hand. “Yan’er, you’ve helped us tremendously again.”

Shen Guiyan smiled slightly. “This subject concubine is idle in the harem with nothing to do. Being able to help Your Majesty makes this subject concubine very happy.”

Gu Chaobei lowered his head and kissed her lightly on the cheek, his voice full of tenderness. “You truly are the best.”

Her face slightly flushed, Shen Guiyan’s heart softened. She turned to look at Gu Chaobei’s profile, just about to say something when she heard Baoshan let out a piercing scream.

That scream echoed throughout Yonghe Palace. Hearing it made Shen Guiyan’s heart tighten. Generally, when there was such a scream, without even thinking, it certainly meant a death had occurred.

Qingzhu.

Shen Guiyan’s expression darkened. She pulled Gu Chaobei and ran toward the side chamber.

Baoshan had collapsed sitting at the chamber entrance. Zhuiyun had already heard the sound and came in. He was guarding the doorway and had just been about to help Baoshan up when Gu Chaobei behind them spoke up and asked, “What happened?”

Zhuiyun’s hand paused. He looked up and pointed inside the room.

Shen Guiyan ran to the doorway to look.

Qingzhu’s small body was hanging from the beam, already motionless.

Gu Chaobei froze, then his eyes immediately reddened.

This method of death again—exactly the same as Consort Zhuang back then.

Zhuiyun went up to untie the rope. Qingzhu’s body was already stiff. She had stayed in this chamber for two hours. In the interim, she hadn’t let out any screams, yet someone had been able to infiltrate this place and silently strangle her to death.

Shen Guiyan’s eyes widened. She had never seen a corpse before. Seeing Qingzhu’s deathly pale face in Zhuiyun’s arms, her heart felt stuffy and blocked. She turned and began to vomit.

“Your Highness.” Baoshan hurriedly stood up, supporting her with slightly trembling hands. “Be careful of your body. Don’t look anymore.”

Gu Chaobei stood at the doorway stiff for quite a while, then lowered his eyes and said, “Take the body down to deal with it. Treat it as suicide from fear of punishment. There’s no need to investigate this case further.”

After speaking, he turned to look at Shen Guiyan. “Come back to Yonghuai Palace with us. Your palace—wait until we’ve investigated clearly before returning.”

Shen Guiyan was vomiting violently, with no time to even express thanks. After she finished vomiting, Gu Chaobei didn’t show any disgust. He took out his own handkerchief to wipe her mouth for her, then pulled her along and left Yonghe Palace.

Qingzhu was the witness. With her present, Lady Fu’s guilt could be established. But now that she was dead, it would be impossible for Lady Fu to be punished while innocent.

Then who killed Qingzhu should also be clear.

All along the way, Shen Guiyan’s mood was extremely heavy. Another death—how could the lives of people around her be so cheap, like cabbages, gone just like that when someone said so?

When she died someday, would there be a group of people waiting for her in the underworld, throwing cabbages at her?

“Don’t overthink it.” Gu Chaobei said softly. “It’s not your fault. Just recuperate properly at Yonghuai Palace.”

The hidden hands in the palace reached out from who knows where—how could it not be her concern? Shen Guiyan lowered her eyes, her thoughts turning several times. As soon as she arrived at Yonghuai Palace, she took up brush, ink, paper, and inkstone to play at painting.

Seeing that she was drawing designs for palace dress styles, Gu Chaobei didn’t ask much. He only turned to instruct Zhuiyun to first thoroughly investigate all the palace servants in Yonghe Palace and replace all unreliable people.

“Stay here for two days first.” Having arranged everything, the Emperor walked behind her and said softly, “We will protect you.”

“Alright.” Shen Guiyan smiled and lowered her head, continuing to sketch.

Qingzhu was dead. Two days later, Lady Fu could not be convicted and was released back to her palace, with the Emperor personally welcoming her. Shen Guiyan didn’t go to watch. Baoshan went and came back to squat beside her, talking for half an hour.

She said, “That Lady Fu’s eyes are practically on top of her head. She can’t see her own status clearly at all. When the Emperor apologized, she even dared to show him attitude. This servant thinks her brain might not work very well. However, National Uncle Wen also came—the one who used horse carriages to torment refugees, fat-headed with big ears. If you didn’t know better, you’d think he was a nouveau riche landlord. When His Majesty saw him, he was very respectful though.”

“Lady Fu returned to Hehuan Palace, and His Majesty even rewarded her with things. Such a venomous-hearted person—Master should stay far away from her in the future.”

Shen Guiyan listened while finishing the palace dress design on the paper with one brush.

“Lady Fu’s family background is illustrious. For her to obtain a high position in this harem won’t be difficult at all.” She said softly. “What I’m more curious about is why she specifically targeted me. What benefit would she gain from harming me?”

Baoshan pressed her lips. “Right now, who in the harem isn’t watching Your Highness’s belly? The only dragon bloodline—until other palaces produce news, you’ll be at the center of the storm.”

Shen Guiyan nodded. She knew this too. She picked up the finished palace dress design and stood up, preparing to go out. “Let’s go pay respects to Empress Dowager Nian. After so many days, Her Majesty should also be better.”

“Yes.” Baoshan went out to prepare the sedan chair.

Empress Dowager Nian was more than just better—it was exactly as if nothing had happened. She glanced at her from the corner of her eye as she entered and said with a tsk-tsk, “Noble Consort Yan, with such a big belly, why are you so lively?”

Shen Guiyan had already grown accustomed to Empress Dowager Nian’s way of speaking. She smiled and curtsied. “Because in the future, this subject concubine wants to give birth to a lively little Imperial Prince.”

Empress Dowager Nian hummed and raised her hand to point at the seat beside the couch she was sitting on. Shen Guiyan understood and sat down.

“Never mind whether it’s an Imperial Prince or Princess—it only counts after being born. Something happened in the palace again, didn’t it?”

“Empress Dowager Your Majesty has keen eyes and ears.” Shen Guiyan smiled. “Indeed something happened, but His Majesty has already ordered no further investigation.”

Empress Dowager Nian nodded. “The Emperor is like torrential waters stopped at the dam—he knows the proper measure of when to stop. This dowager doesn’t worry about him.”

However, she was somewhat worried about this daughter-in-law who looked so soft and weak, only she wasn’t comfortable saying such mushy things out loud.

Shen Guiyan smiled and took the paper from her sleeve. “This subject concubine is dull-witted and can only crudely imitate. I wish to ask Empress Dowager Your Majesty for a favor.”

Empress Dowager Nian glanced sideways. The paper Shen Guiyan held showed a palace dress design, seemingly in a high-waisted cross-collar style, but with some modifications to conform to current popular aesthetics.

Just from looking at this, Empress Dowager Nian understood Shen Guiyan’s thoughts. She laughed lightly and took it. “Sending clothes to this dowager? At least make the real thing next time. Don’t make this dowager spend time waiting.”

Shen Guiyan said in a low voice, “Empress Dowager Your Majesty, please forgive this offense. These clothes can only be made by Empress Dowager Your Majesty herself.”

However Empress Dowager Nian had protected her pregnancy back then, that was how Shen Guiyan wanted to protect hers. But using the same method twice wouldn’t work, so the process needed to be modified.

“This dowager understands.” Empress Dowager Nian’s eyelids flickered as she glanced at Shen Guiyan’s belly. “Putting in more effort is a good thing.”

Shen Guiyan nodded. She had waited with difficulty for this child—she would certainly protect it well.

Thus two days later, Empress Dowager Nian began wearing the high-waisted cross-collar palace dress style from back then again. What was somewhat different was that this palace dress now had better colors and designs. The concubines who came to pay respects all praised it repeatedly.

“Does Noble Consort Hua like this dowager’s clothes?” Empress Dowager Nian looked at Noble Consort Hua and asked.

Noble Consort Hua was slightly startled and nodded. “Empress Dowager Your Majesty looks very beautiful wearing this outfit.”

“Then this dowager will give you a set. It happens that I made two extra sets earlier—one for you and one to send to Noble Consort Yan.” Empress Dowager Nian said with a smile. “Just looking at these clothes reminds this dowager of when imperial favor was at its peak back then…”

Some of the assembled palace concubines knew the story behind this, others didn’t. On the way back they asked each other about it. Hearing more about the imperial family matters of the past, everyone’s hearts were filled with envy for Empress Dowager Nian’s imperial favor. Who knows who said that this palace dress style brought imperial favor—for a moment, everyone’s thoughts were stirred.

Noble Consort Hua maintained a calm expression and went to Yonghuai Palace to deliver the clothes.

Shen Guiyan hadn’t gone out these past two days, tinkering with things at home. Now her belly had already grown by a full circle. Baoshan beside her exclaimed, “Those who don’t know would think Your Highness is carrying twins!”

Noble Consort Hua announced herself and came in. Shen Guiyan hurriedly lay down on the bed.

“Your Highness is feeling unwell. This subject concubine has brought the clothes bestowed by the Empress Dowager.” Noble Consort Hua looked at Shen Guiyan and smiled. “In a few more days, it will be time for tributary nations to present their tributes. Your Highness can conveniently wear these clothes to attend.”

Shen Guiyan feigned a delighted expression and accepted the clothes to look at them. “Perfect. After becoming pregnant, wearing other palace dresses hasn’t been very comfortable. This is just right.”

Noble Consort Hua smiled faintly. “Perhaps Empress Dowager Your Majesty made them specifically for you. Your Highness is very close to Empress Dowager Your Majesty’s heart.”

These words sounded somewhat strange. Shen Guiyan looked up at Noble Consort Hua in surprise.

However, Noble Consort Hua’s face remained perfectly composed without any expression, as if that tone just now was something she had misheard.

“I’ll accept the clothes. Sister Noble Consort Hua, please return first.” Shen Guiyan pressed her lips.

“Yes.” Noble Consort Hua stood up and left the palace hall. She lingered in the courtyard for a while.

It was precisely when the Emperor should be leaving court. By stopping for this moment, she could just happen to encounter Gu Chaobei returning.

“Why is beloved consort here?” Gu Chaobei seemed to be in a good mood today. Seeing Noble Consort Hua, he happily put his arm around her shoulder just like before. “Coming to see Yan’er?”

Noble Consort Hua’s face reddened. She nodded. “Delivering clothes to Noble Consort Yan.”

Gu Chaobei smiled with narrowed eyes. “Then we can feast our eyes.”

“Your Majesty is still so improper.” Noble Consort Hua gently chided, then thought about it and said, “I wonder if Your Majesty has time tomorrow?”

“What’s the matter?” Gu Chaobei raised his eyebrows.

Noble Consort Hua said, “This subject concubine has prepared a musical piece for the state banquet. I’d like to ask Your Majesty to listen to it first.”