The palace gates had relaxed their restrictions. Due to the state banquet, officials ranked fifth grade and above throughout the court had all dressed formally to enter the palace. There were people in the Imperial Garden, people along the palace corridors—they might as well have placed chairs on the rooftops and seated people there too.

Yuwen Changqing finally found a grotto in the artificial mountain where he could hide and catch his breath. But then he heard two palace maids chattering away outside.

“Hey, hey, did you see the eldest young master of the Gu family? The one wearing the sapphire blue jade crown?”

“I saw him. He’s truly refined and elegant like jade. If such a noble gentleman would even glance at me, I’d be willing to marry into his household as a bed-warming maid.”

“Dream on! With Young Master Gu’s lofty standards, how could he possibly fancy you?”

Yuwen Changqing sneered coldly. Women’s mouths just never stopped running, no matter where they went.

He was about to step out and give them a scare when he heard the palace maid continue: “That’s true. I heard that Young Master Gu has always been in love with that person in Yonghuai Palace. What a pity about the misunderstandings—now she’s already a consort, so naturally she won’t look back.”

“But if I were Consort Yan, I’d choose Young Master Gu. At least he’s devoted. Though our Emperor is even better-looking, just seeing all these ladies in the harem makes one’s heart troubled.”

Yuwen Changqing narrowed his eyes and slowly sauntered out to face the two palace maids, one tall and one short. “The palace seems to have a punishment of tongue-cutting, specially designed to cure difficult ailments like excessive talking. Would you two like to try it?”

The two palace maids shrieked in fright. They truly hadn’t expected anyone to be behind this artificial mountain—their faces turned pale.

Yuwen Changqing stroked his chin and suddenly asked curiously, “How does this general look?”

The tall palace maid’s lips trembled as she said, “The general is naturally refined and elegant like jade, dashing and suave.”

Yuwen Changqing nodded with satisfaction. “Then how do I compare to His Majesty?”

The short palace maid swallowed. “This servant still feels His Majesty’s dragon countenance is handsome and distinguished…”

“You two death-wishers actually dare to discuss His Majesty’s dragon countenance behind his back!” Yuwen Changqing’s face immediately fell. With a wave of his hand, he seized the two women and walked outside to hand them over to the palace guards. “Lock these two in the imperial prison. Report to His Majesty that this general has captured these insubordinates who offended their superiors!”

“Yes!” The guards received the command and led the two palace maids away.

The tall palace maid cried out while blaming the short one: “Why did you have to say that? If you’d just complimented the general a couple times, we wouldn’t be in this mess!”

The short palace maid said innocently, “How was I supposed to know the general was so petty…”

The petty General Yuwen watched the two depart, his brow slightly furrowed.

Gossip could destroy reputations; accumulated slander could melt bones. How had the matter between Gu Chaodong and Consort Yan spread through the palace again?

“General Yuwen.” Princess Duanwen called to him softly.

Yuwen Changqing turned around and raised an eyebrow. “The Princess actually came to the Imperial Garden.”

Princess Duanwen smiled and asked him, “Did the general just have those palace maids arrested because they said something?”

Yuwen Changqing nodded seriously. “They were discussing His Majesty behind his back, and they even dared to say to this general’s face that this general isn’t as good-looking as His Majesty.”

Was that really the reason? Duanwen looked deeply at Yuwen Changqing, thought for a moment, then smiled. “If the general has no other business at the moment, could you come help this princess with something?”

“Please command me, Princess.” Yuwen Changqing clasped his hands in respect.

“Consort Yan is in charge of arranging the state banquet venue. There’s a particularly large drum that fell to the ground earlier—five palace servants together found it difficult to lift. If the general doesn’t mind, you could follow this princess to help move it.”

Yuwen Changqing raised an eyebrow. Only Princess Duanwen could think of using him, a grand general, for manual labor.

Remembering how he’d gotten drunk last time and Princess Duanwen had looked after him all night, Yuwen Changqing didn’t refuse. He nodded. “Very well.”

Then he followed Duanwen toward the inner palace.

When she wasn’t fighting, Princess Duanwen was still quite dignified—phoenix crown atop her head, splendid robes draped over her body, walking quietly beside him. Yuwen Changqing glanced at her sideways and suddenly asked, “Her Ladyship the Consort should be nearly four months along—why is she still working so hard?”

Duanwen said, “She’s always had a worrying nature. After three months the fetus should be stable, and Mother Empress says it’s actually good for her to move around more now.”

Yuwen Changqing’s eyes flickered. Thinking of Shen Guiyan’s face, he chuckled softly. “If Her Ladyship the Consort bears an imperial prince, he should be even more handsome than His Majesty. If it’s a princess, the world will gain another beauty.”

Duanwen glanced at him sideways but said nothing.

The two entered Juhuan Pavilion. Everything had already been cleaned and arranged—red carpets on the floor, golden palace lanterns everywhere, pearls hanging in strands—extremely luxurious.

Shen Guiyan was standing in the center watching palace servants hang red silk. The drum on the ground beside her hadn’t been moved yet.

“Why has General Yuwen come?” Seeing Yuwen Changqing, Shen Guiyan was somewhat surprised.

Duanwen said, “General Yuwen has the strength to lift a cauldron, so this princess asked him to come help.”

Yuwen Changqing came forward to pay his respects, looked at the enormous drum, and asked curiously, “Is someone going to perform drum-beating?”

“No, this is for Consort Shen’s use. She signed up for the opening dance.” Shen Guiyan said, “To prevent damaging the drum surface, this princess was still thinking of a solution. Fortunately the general has arrived.”

Yuwen Changqing smiled, grasped the drum rings to test them, then beckoned four palace servants to come lift it with him.

Shen Guiyan stepped aside and watched them steadily place the drum in the very center, letting out a breath of relief. “Many thanks to the general.”

“Your Ladyship is too kind.” Yuwen Changqing rubbed his nose. His butcher’s cleaver was being used to swat mosquitoes, but after not seeing her for so long, seeing her ruddy complexion and good appearance, he surprisingly also felt relieved.

Swat mosquitoes it was—he was happy to do it.

“It’s getting late. His Majesty and the foreign envoys should be arriving soon. The general may find a seat to rest and wait for the banquet to begin.”

“Very well.” Yuwen Changqing nodded, turned to casually sit in an empty seat, and watched Shen Guiyan continue bustling about.

Her palace robes were voluminous—one couldn’t tell how large her belly had grown. But whereas she’d been slender before, now she was quite plump, with a faint soft glow on her face.

She must be doing well.

The people around gradually increased, though there were very few consorts. Princess Duanwen said that today at the state banquet many consorts would perform—they were probably all in the rear palace halls preparing.

Consort Shen was naturally among them, and the most excited at that.

However, times had changed. She was no longer the newly-arrived, rule-ignorant, brainless transmigrator. Now she was an upgraded super invincible thunderously dignified transmigrator.

What did transmigrators rely on? Besides being different from everyone else, one absolutely must follow local customs, understand the people’s ways and sentiments and the masses’ level of appreciation. She would never again make such a huge mistake as that belly dance!

Now she had endured hardships and tasted gall, finally waiting for this day when foreign nations brought tribute.

The books all said it—when foreign nations brought tribute was when transmigrators showed their talents. Foreign musical instruments that might be guitars or pianos, brain teasers, calligraphy and art exhibitions—all were moments for her to shine brilliantly.

She had waited so long, just waiting for this chance to turn things around.

This time Shen Hanlu had seriously rehearsed a drum dance that she planned to present shortly.

The foreign ministers had already arrived. Grand Empress Dowager Nian also slowly arrived. Palace lanterns and pearls everywhere gleamed brilliantly. The Emperor changed into a pale yellow dragon robe at the last moment and ascended to take his seat with great elegance.

Beside him was only Shen Guiyan’s seat, because everyone else had to perform, and after performing, they would naturally exit directly.

Gu Chaobei had deliberately gone back to dress up elaborately. There was no trace of haggardness on her face. Her hair was arranged perfectly, her dragon robe neat and tidy. Without her, he was doing just fine.

But when he turned his head to see Shen Guiyan, Gu Chaobei’s heart unexpectedly felt somewhat warm.

She was smiling as she watched below, her profile gentle, her body without sharp edges. It was as if she’d never quarreled with him at all—as long as he moved closer again, he could still approach her just the same.

His lips moved. Gu Chaobei suddenly wanted to hear her voice.

But before he could speak, that strangely-dressed foreign envoy below stood up again. “This subject has heard that the women of the Heavenly Dynasty possess both beauty and talent. I wonder what surprises today will bring?”

What surprises—can’t you just wait and see for yourself? Why stand up to ask? Gu Chaobei was displeased in his heart, but still smiled on his face. “The ambassador need only watch carefully.”

When the assembled officials were seated and all around had quieted, the sound of national music slowly arose. After playing an introduction, it changed to the gentle sound of silk and bamboo strings.

Shen Hanlu came on stage wearing properly formal dance attire. She rolled back her water sleeves, stepped onto the drum and struck a pose, then began dancing in harmony with the music.

She had truly improved considerably from before—no more wild demon dancing. Though her body was still rather stiff, she’d chosen her materials well. Dancing on the drum, wearing bright red dance robes that matched the drum perfectly, it still looked quite good.

Shen Guiyan nodded slightly and turned her head to look at Gu Chaobei, wanting to see his expression.

Instead, their gazes collided.

Somewhat flustered, she turned her head away. Shen Guiyan’s face reddened. Why wasn’t this person watching the perfectly good dance—why was he looking at her?

Gu Chaobei had also been a bit embarrassed, but seeing Shen Guiyan actually blush, his playful mood arose and he just kept staring at her fixedly. Below, Consort Shen was smiling with complete absorption, but above, the Emperor hadn’t spared a single glance.

When the piece ended, Shen Guiyan applauded with red ears. Consort Shen looked up with a breathless smile, only to meet Gu Chaobei’s gaze—his neck turned as if he had a stiff neck and couldn’t turn away.

What was going on?

“Marvelous, absolutely marvelous! This subject has never seen such a dance before!” The foreign envoy laughed heartily and came forward. “The women of the Heavenly Dynasty are truly remarkable.”

Duanwen rubbed her eyes vigorously and muttered, “Do my eyes have a problem or does he? Though the dance was decent, it didn’t reach the level of ‘marvelous,’ did it?”

Grand Empress Dowager Nian said calmly, “Social flattery—why take it seriously? However, Consort Shen’s willingness to set aside her dignity and come present such a dance is still worthy of praise.”

Duanwen grumbled, “There are plenty more people setting aside their dignity coming up. Mother Empress, you just watch slowly.”

She wasn’t wrong. Showing one’s face before the Emperor was something the harem consorts scrambled to do. After Consort Shen came Consort Hua, whose piece on the white plum blossom moved all four quarters. After her came Consort Xi, also with a dance, but more skilled than Consort Shen’s—absolutely spectacular.