These two usually came and went together, but who knew what happened today? They looked as if they’d had a fight, and even after entering Yonghuai Palace, their mouths didn’t stop.

“What airs you’re putting on! Can’t I even say anything about you? We agreed on things when we first entered the palace—you’ve thrown it all behind you, and now you’re blaming me for not caring about our bond?” Consort Xi’s voice was shrill and loud enough that Shen Guiyan heard it even from the rear hall.

Consort Hua kept a straight face and didn’t quarrel with her. She only glanced around and said with a stern expression, “Consort Xi, I’ve reminded you many times—this is the imperial palace, not our old territory. If you continue making such a fuss, sooner or later you’ll suffer for it.”

“What will I suffer? My conscience is clear!” Consort Xi roared.

Shen Guiyan stepped in. Consort Hua immediately closed her mouth, pulled Consort Xi to stand to one side, and bowed respectfully. “We’ve disturbed Your Ladyship’s peace.”

“What’s going on?” Shen Guiyan looked at them curiously. “Usually you two are such good friends. What matter has made you so angry?”

Consort Xi opened her mouth and wanted to step forward, but was blocked by Consort Hua.

“This consort went to Fuyin Palace today and said the wrong thing, angering Sister Consort Xi. She’s venting her anger at me here.”

Consort Xi had a straightforward nature, while Baihe was inscrutable. Both were the Emperor’s people. Shen Guiyan didn’t intend to say much and just sat above with a smile. “Sisters quarreling is a common occurrence.”

Seeing that Shen Guiyan didn’t plan to ask more, Consort Hua also breathed a sigh of relief and pursed her lips. “Indeed. This consort and Consort Xi have known each other so long—there are always times when we clash. It’s just that she’s still young and likes to make a fuss at the drop of a hat. Please forgive her, Your Ladyship the Consort.”

Consort Xi frowned. “You…”

“There’s also a state banquet tonight. Consort Xi should return with me to prepare.” Consort Hua turned and smiled at Consort Xi. “It wouldn’t be good to delay.”

Consort Xi turned to look at Shen Guiyan above. Shen Guiyan held her tea cup and said very calmly, “Today this consort is feeling unwell. Tonight’s banquet will depend on your performances.”

After hesitating several times, Consort Xi still held her tongue, paid her respects, and took her leave.

Consort Hua respectfully withdrew as well.

Shen Guiyan watched the two women’s retreating backs and beckoned Baoshan over. “Go find out what happened with them.”

“Yes.” Baoshan excitedly set off.

Walking along the palace corridor with palace maids and eunuchs following at a distance, Consort Xi’s anger still hadn’t subsided. Consort Hua said in a low voice, “I don’t understand what you’re thinking. In this palace, can anyone stand alone in glory? She’s certainly someone the Emperor favors in his heart—so what? Does that mean His Majesty won’t favor anyone else?”

“I know he will. His Majesty never favored just one person at Drunken Flower Shade before, and it’s the same in the palace.” Consort Xi said angrily, “But you clearly promised His Majesty you wouldn’t do anything and would just live peacefully in the palace. Why are you doing such wicked things now? Aren’t you afraid that if His Majesty discovers it, he’ll directly expel you from the palace?”

Consort Hua kept a straight face. She was truly too lazy to explain to her anymore. Consort Xi was stubborn and simple-minded, loud and unable to control her mouth. She shouldn’t have gone to find her today—she should have found someone else.

Walking to the fork in the palace road, Consort Xi glanced at Consort Hua and said in a heavy voice, “Don’t say sister didn’t warn you—this world ultimately still belongs to His Majesty.”

“I know.”

They parted ways and each walked back. Consort Xi walked briskly while Consort Hua walked a few steps before encountering Xiuping.

“My mistress invites Consort Hua to come see tonight’s new dance.” Xiuping smiled.

Baoshan went around inquiring and returned, whispering in Shen Guiyan’s ear for quite a while. Shen Guiyan nodded. She could actually roughly guess.

Consort Hua’s feelings for His Majesty were intense—it could be seen in her eyes. Consort Xi also admired Gu Chaobei, but she was more obedient, while Consort Hua was inscrutable.

These two came together but had different ideas. Naturally, disagreements were to be expected.

“What does Your Ladyship plan to do?” Baoshan asked.

“Do nothing. Close the doors to visitors.” Shen Guiyan said, “If anyone else comes making noise, tell them all that I’m nurturing the pregnancy and not receiving visitors.”

Baoshan raised an eyebrow. “Your Ladyship is currently mistress of the six palaces. Is it really alright to do nothing?”

“Do more, err more.” Shen Guiyan bit into a sour plum. “It’s not my turn to take the stage yet.”

Her share of favor was fixed—everyone in the rear palace understood this. What they wanted to compete for now was just the grace Gu Chaobei bestowed when he wasn’t with her. So why should she get involved? Just watch the show.

For the evening banquet, Shen Guiyan asked leave from Grand Empress Dowager Nian, saying she felt unwell. Grand Empress Dowager Nian raised an eyebrow. “There’s a grand fireworks display tonight. You’re not coming?”

Fireworks—those festive things only set off during New Year’s each year. Shen Guiyan took a deep breath and suppressed her urge to join the excitement. “This consort will focus on nurturing the pregnancy.”

“Very well.” Grand Empress Dowager Nian granted permission.

So outside was bustling with activity while Shen Guiyan hugged her tea cup and listened to Baoshan talk. Halfway through the banquet, Xu Mengdie even came to keep her company.

“This subject is somewhat worried.” Xu Mengdie said, “The realm has just been settled, and His Majesty has rejected the foreign marriage proposal. Something might happen.”

What could happen? Shen Guiyan smiled. “You certainly think a lot.”

Xu Mengdie shook her head. “Now my husband and Zhuangzhou are both in the military. If something happens, they’ll definitely have to go on campaign. Mengdie is just a bit afraid.”

With her own husband in the military, if there was a campaign, she wouldn’t see him for several years. It was natural for her to be afraid. From this expression, Xu Mengdie must also really like Gu Chaonan.

Shen Guiyan had Baoshan bring some pastries, wanting to talk about something cheerful. She’d just begun when she heard the thunderous sound of fireworks outside.

“The fireworks display has begun.” Xu Mengdie said.

Shen Guiyan pressed against the window behind the soft couch, trying hard to look. She could only see a little colored light showing past the palace eaves.

“So beautiful.”

Xu Mengdie glanced at her belly and said in a low voice, “Fireworks vanish in an instant. How can they compare to the solidity of a child?”

Shen Guiyan raised an eyebrow, looking at the calm-faced Xu Mengdie. She really wanted to ask what exactly she was thinking.

However, she was still attracted by the sounds outside. Leaning against the window, she watched quietly for a long time.

When the fireworks were nearing their end—which was probably when the second day’s state banquet was ending—before Shen Guiyan could express any thoughts, a palace servant’s voice came from outside to report: “Your Ladyship the Consort, something has happened at the palace banquet.”

Her heart jumped. Shen Guiyan’s first reaction was to glance at Xu Mengdie.

Xu Mengdie smiled slightly and turned to look at the palace servant who entered.

“What happened?”

The palace servant said in a low voice, “There were too many people watching the fireworks. Lady Fu, who was standing beside His Majesty, was pushed down the steps by someone. They say her right hand is broken.”

Lady Fu? Shen Guiyan covered her heart. If she’d been there, the person standing beside the Emperor should have been her. If she’d been pregnant and fallen down, it probably wouldn’t have been as simple as just a broken hand.

Xu Mengdie said softly, “It seems the banquet has ended. Then Mengdie should leave the palace with her husband. Your Ladyship, take care.”

“Mengdie.” Shen Guiyan called out to her. “You’ve saved me—how many times is this now?”

Xu Mengdie turned and bowed. “Your Ladyship need not take it to heart. Mengdie has always considered Your Ladyship as family.”

The words warmed her heart. Shen Guiyan smiled and watched Xu Mengdie leave.

Baoshan asked quietly, “How was Lady Fu qualified to stand beside His Majesty?”

The palace servant said, “She was just unlucky. Today she performed for His Sage Majesty and won full applause. His Majesty, to reward her, let her stand beside the imperial carriage. Who knew there would be so many people watching the fireworks? Behind them, people pressed against people. No one knew where the force came from—it just pushed Lady Fu out.”

Still couldn’t find anyone to take the blame? Shen Guiyan shuddered and immediately instructed Baoshan, “Close the palace gates. Attend to my rest.”

Baoshan said, “Master, aren’t you leaving the door open for His Majesty?”

“Leave what door? His Majesty won’t return tonight.” Shen Guiyan waved her hand. “Early to bed, early to rise. Tomorrow I’ll go pay respects to the Empress Dowager.”

“Yes.” Baoshan was puzzled. She attended to her mistress’s rest but still couldn’t help guarding at the entrance.

His Majesty truly wouldn’t come?

Indeed he wouldn’t. In front of the assembled crowd, Gu Chaobei picked up the injured Lady Fu and headed toward Hehuan Palace, anxiously inquiring all the way. This comforted the hearts of quite a few people from the Fu family at court.

It wasn’t impossible for Lady Fu to gain favor.

With her right hand broken, she could no longer play the zither or dance. His Sage Majesty greatly pitied Lady Fu and immediately promoted her to Consort, also bestowing a pile of rewards. That night he stayed at Hehuan Palace.

Though Scholar Fu’s face remained composed, his eyes were full of joy. When leaving the palace, his steps carried the wind.

Yuwen Changqing asked him, “What are Scholar Fu’s plans next?”

Scholar Fu stroked his beard. “First, let’s see Youyi’s abilities.”

It seemed this old fellow had quite high expectations for Fu Youyi.

Yuwen Changqing smiled without speaking. Only when leaving the palace did he glance in the direction of Yonghuai Palace.

With palace halls layering upon palace halls, looking was futile. He just couldn’t help wondering—if Gu Chaobei gave all that favor to someone else, would Shen Guiyan be sad?

General Yuwen was overthinking it. When Shen Guiyan heard about this matter, she had no reaction whatsoever. She didn’t have any of the affectations a young lady should have. Before going to pay respects at the Empress Dowager’s palace the next day, she even bestowed quite a few items to Hehuan Palace.

For a time, Consort Fu’s momentum was extremely strong, completely overshadowing even Consort Hua. Previously she’d even been sent to the Imperial Clan Court, but now she’d made a comeback and leapt upward. It broke many people’s expectations.

“This consort could tell long ago that Your Ladyship would gain favor.”

Wherever there was a favored consort, there was Qinghuan. Right now Hehuan Palace was warm, and Qinghuan stood smiling beside Consort Fu. “Though we’re both consorts, Your Ladyship and this consort are like heaven and earth.”

Consort Fu’s pretty face carried a rosy glow. She smiled shyly and contentedly. “I also knew long ago that I wouldn’t be buried in this rear palace.”

“Indeed. Look at Consort Hua—she used all her efforts to play a piece she wrote herself, but only received His Majesty’s praise. Your Ladyship is different. Just your excellent calligraphy alone made His Majesty regard you with special attention.” Qinghuan’s eyes shifted. “Last time Consort Yan even dared to frame you. Fortunately it didn’t succeed.”

Consort Fu let out a soft snort and looked at the things Shen Guiyan had sent, pursing her lips.