The tributary nations’ visit to court actually had very simple purposes: presenting tribute, flattering, and promoting harmonious development of relations between the two countries. If a prince came, he would try his hardest to snag a princess to take back.

What the court needed to do was also very simple: save face, save face, save face. Use every method possible to establish the great nation’s dignity and intimidate the tributary nations.

Noble Consort Hua was sensible. After all, she came from Zuihuayin, so she could completely set aside her pride to perform a musical piece. Therefore, she prepared a song, which would also allow Gu Chaobei to listen.

Gu Chaobei had personally trained her, so he naturally knew her capabilities. He agreed right then, “We’ll go to your palace tomorrow.”

Noble Consort Hua was overjoyed. She respectfully curtsied and left with three backward glances.

Shen Guiyan heard Gu Chaobei’s voice. Carrying her super-sized belly, she was just planning to show it off to him. Who knew that as soon as he stepped through the door he said, “Just now, I made arrangements with Noble Consort Hua. Tomorrow we’ll go to her place to listen to music.”

Slightly startled, Shen Guiyan pulled the quilt to cover her belly again and nodded. “Alright.”

Gu Chaobei sat at the bedside and leaned close to look at her face.

Shen Guiyan calmly returned his gaze.

No anger, no jealousy. The lake waters in the depths of her eyes reflected calm light, without waves or ripples.

Gu Chaobei laughed lightly. “Beloved consort is still the same as before, making us thoroughly annoyed.”

Shen Guiyan nodded and said, “Your Majesty is also the same as before. Neither of us has changed.”

So many sweet words spoken, yet he could turn around and be equally tender toward others. Shen Guiyan sighed softly. Such a person was the most hurtful to hearts.

Gu Chaobei hummed, turned his head away, and sat at the bedside. It wasn’t clear at whom he was angry. Shen Guiyan didn’t speak, just touched her belly in a daze. The two sides remained deadlocked for a while before Gu Chaobei stood up and left.

Shen Guiyan lowered her eyes and smiled lightly. Whatever she did was wrong, and doing nothing was also wrong—but what could be done? Nothing could be done.

“Master.” Baoshan came over, frowning. “Times have changed. He’s the Emperor now. You shouldn’t be as stubborn as before—accommodate him more.”

“Haven’t I accommodated him enough?” Shen Guiyan looked at Baoshan in confusion. “Whoever he wants to favor, I’ve never stopped him. What more should I do?”

Baoshan sighed. “Master, you don’t understand. Men sometimes just like to see their women jealous. You’re too calm, so naturally His Majesty isn’t happy.”

“If I’m jealous, he’ll be happy?” Shen Guiyan smiled bitterly. “Is this men’s curiosity at work? Never having seen a woman’s crazy side, they expend effort trying to see it. I’m only afraid that once he sees it, he’ll dislike me again.”

“How could that be?” Baoshan pouted. “Master is so wonderful. How could His Majesty not like you?”

“You don’t understand.” Shen Guiyan closed her eyes. “A woman in love is half mad. Some people hide it well, only going mad in private. Some can’t hide it and go mad in public—those mostly frighten away their lovers.”

Baoshan truly didn’t understand. She had seen very clearly just now that His Majesty just wanted to see Master show one unhappy expression. He was annoyed because he didn’t see it. Master was such a clever person—how could she not know?

Gu Chaobei stormed out in anger. Walking down the path, he only then realized—Yonghuai Palace was his palace! Why was he the one who left?

He kicked at the stone lion beside the palace path, kicking while muttering, “Good my ass, same my ass! Even if she felt lost for just a moment, we would immediately say we won’t go. Would it kill her to say something?”

“Your Majesty?” Consort Jiang was just passing by. From afar she saw Gu Chaobei convulsing while kicking the stone lion. She couldn’t help calling out.

Gu Chaobei’s body stiffened. When he turned around, his expression was calm with a smile. He flicked his robe with elegance and charm, exactly as if nothing had happened. “Why are you here?”

Consort Jiang walked over in confusion. “This consort was just going to Yonghuai Palace to pay respects to Noble Consort Your Highness.”

“Is that so? Perfect.” Gu Chaobei coughed lightly. “No need to go. We’ll go sit at your place.”

Consort Jiang was overjoyed. She hadn’t expected that casually walking around could let her pick up an Emperor to bring back. Then wouldn’t it be fine if she came to walk here every day from now on?

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor only brought Zhuiyun. Behind Consort Jiang was also just one palace maid. The two walked in front with their attendants following at a distance.

After walking for a while, Gu Chaobei couldn’t help turning to look at Consort Jiang and ask, “You’ve been by our side for a long time. If one day we didn’t favor you and exclusively favored others, how would you feel?”

Consort Jiang was startled and smiled bitterly. Wasn’t it already like this now? What “if”? However, since His Majesty asked, she naturally had to answer honestly. “This consort would be sad, but also couldn’t force it.”

Gu Chaobei frowned. “Show us your sadness?”

Consort Jiang: “…”

Looking up at the Emperor, Jiang Shi’s eyes were full of misery, her eyes even reddening. Watching her, Gu Chaobei’s brow furrowed even tighter. He turned his head away, murmuring, “That’s how it should be.”

Shen Guiyan’s eyes hadn’t looked sad at all!

Seeing His Majesty’s appearance, Consort Jiang knew it must have something to do with Noble Consort Yan. However, she didn’t plan to ask, afraid of saying something wrong and having the Emperor turn around and return to Yonghuai Palace.

In the harem, who didn’t want the Emperor’s favor?

Shen Guiyan lived peacefully at Yonghuai Palace. She only went to consult with Empress Dowager Nian about state banquet preparations during the morning greetings, then returned to her palace in the evening to dine alone and sleep alone.

Gu Chaobei didn’t come back. Just like when he used to be stubborn with her before, he refused to compromise even slightly. Today he went to Hehuan Palace, tomorrow to Feiyan Palace.

He had his imperial duties, his own things he should do. Shen Guiyan had never hoped he would only look at her alone.

But it still hurt a little.

When Noble Consort Hua came to pay respects, she was radiant, smiling as she talked about how His Majesty was at Huaqing Palace. Consort Xi could also chime in with a few words because the Emperor had also visited her.

Even Lady Fu raised her chin much higher, sweeping her gaze across Yonghuai Palace and saying quietly, “Previously when coming to pay respects, I counted on possibly seeing His Majesty. Now we can never encounter him here anymore.”

Baoshan was slightly annoyed, but Shen Guiyan smiled and said, “His Majesty’s grace spreading throughout the six palaces is a good thing.”

A good thing? When Gu Chaobei heard these two words from Zhuiyun, he angrily smeared an entire memorial.

He had been fussing about for so many days—it wasn’t to hear these two words. Still calling it a good thing? Not seeing him was a good thing? No one daring to wake him in the middle of the night when she kicked off her blanket was a good thing? Being in other people’s palaces where no one dared wake him, causing him to be late for morning court two or three times, was a good thing?

What ghostly good thing!

Zhuiyun said helplessly, “Will Your Majesty still not return to Yonghuai Palace tonight?”

“Won’t return! Whoever wants to return can return!” Gu Chaobei snorted coldly. “Tonight I’ll go to Noble Consort Hua’s place to listen to music.”

“Yes, then this subordinate will inform the Internal Affairs Office.”

The Emperor didn’t like bringing eunuchs by his side. Poor Zhuiyun, this iron-blooded man, could only help with these matters.

Just as Zhuiyun was about to step out the door, the Emperor hurriedly shouted, “Wait!”

Zhuiyun paused and came back two steps. “Has Your Majesty changed his mind?”

“No.” Gu Chaobei said with a dark expression. “Tell the Internal Affairs Office that starting today, resume the tablet-flipping system. Whoever’s tablet is flipped, go to that person’s palace.”

Huaqing Palace was too warm, Hehuan Palace too cool, Feiyan Palace wasn’t fragrant, Fuyin Palace wasn’t beautiful. He didn’t like a single one of these harem palaces. But to just return to Yonghuai Palace like this—the Emperor couldn’t bring himself to do it.

So better to flip tablets. Whoever was flipped, he’d go there. He could also appear somewhat helpless.

Zhuiyun didn’t expose his master’s thoughts and nodded before leaving.

As a result, when the tablets were presented and he flipped the first one—Noble Consort Hua.

“Our hand slipped. Do it again.” Gu Chaobei’s face remained composed.

The eunuch from the Internal Affairs Office raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

The second one—Lady Fu.

The Emperor snorted coldly and turned it back over.

The third was Consort Qing, the fourth Consort Jiang. From beginning to end, he flipped through all the tablets.

Shen Guiyan’s wasn’t there.

The Emperor’s expression was very ugly. He glared at the head eunuch of the Internal Affairs Office, causing him to break out in cold sweat. “Your Majesty?”

“Nothing. We’ll still go to Noble Consort Hua’s palace.” Gu Chaobei turned his head away.

Standing to the side watching, Zhuiyun rarely harbored mischievous thoughts. Knowing the Emperor’s intention, he just wouldn’t tell the head eunuch. The person was being stubborn himself and couldn’t untangle his own pettiness—what was there to say? He had to suffer through his own discomfort.

The tributary people had already entered the capital. Shen Guiyan, wearing the palace dress the Empress Dowager had sent, began busily arranging preparations everywhere.

“I heard Imperial Brother has given you the cold shoulder.” Princess Duanwen bounced along beside her and asked quietly.

Shen Guiyan didn’t even lift her head. “His Majesty is teaching me the rules.”

“What rules?” Duanwen was curious.

“The rule that if you don’t perform to satisfy His Majesty, you get ignored.” Shen Guiyan looked up at Duanwen. “Too domineering.”

Duanwen laughed. “I thought you’d be sad and upset, but seeing your spirited appearance, you’re doing quite well. During these three days of the state banquet, the palace’s security won’t be so strict. Is there anyone you want to see? This palace can bring them for you.”

Someone she wanted to see? Shen Guiyan thought carefully and asked, “How is the Shen family doing now?”

Duanwen said, “You don’t need to worry about that. You’re already a Noble Consort—Imperial Brother hasn’t mistreated the Shen family. Your father has already been promoted to Minister of Works. You also have a younger brother, still young. I heard he’s also going to take the imperial examinations.”

Younger brother? Shen Guiyan frowned. Duanwen must be talking about Shen Guiwen. This year he should only be about ten years old. What imperial examinations—just fooling around, surely.

She still remembered when Shen Guiya repeatedly bullied her before, Shen Guiwen had always stood nearby. Although he never helped, he also never stopped it. His small eyes remained calm as he quietly observed.

That child might be precocious, but he just wasn’t on the same path as her.

“No one else you want to see?” Duanwen asked.

Shen Guiyan shook her head. “The people I care about are all already in the palace.”

Duanwen raised her eyebrows, nodded, and said no more.

These past couple days she had heard quite a bit of gossip, not knowing where it came from. It was all about Noble Consort Yan’s past affairs.

One said she had grievances with the Shen family, another said she had feelings for the former Young Master Gu. The stories were told in vivid detail. She hadn’t been in the capital before, so naturally she didn’t understand much. However, seeing Shen Guiyan’s calm and composed appearance, Duanwen still decided to believe her.

However, the harem was a place of troubles. She should still go find the source to prevent it from reaching Imperial Brother’s ears.