Someone had told her that if she wanted to climb step by step, she couldn’t make moves against Shen Guiyan. Fu Youyi wasn’t stupid—she could see what kind of attitude the Emperor had toward Noble Consort Yan. So even though Qinghuan said such things, she still smiled and replied, “That previous incident was a misunderstanding. Noble Consort Yan was bitten by a snake and suffered a fright, so it’s only natural she misunderstood.”
She truly had no knowledge of Qingzhu releasing the poisonous snake. Later, some loose-lipped people said it was Herong, someone close to her, who had instigated Qingzhu.
What a joke! Herong was her most trusted maid, far closer to her than Qingzhu. How could she do something without telling her? It could only be that Noble Consort Yan had been misled and wrongly accused her.
But it didn’t matter. Now that she could gain the Emperor’s favor, that was a good thing. Before she climbed to a height that satisfied her grandfather, she wouldn’t act rashly again.
“This bracelet is of fine quality—I’ll give it to Sister Qing Pin.” Concubine Fu reached out and took Qinghuan’s hand. “I’ve heard that Sister has served by the Emperor’s side for a long time. I’ll need your help with many things in the future.”
“You’re too kind.” Qinghuan smiled as she accepted the gift, thinking to herself that this young lady was indeed much cleverer than Concubine Shen.
Without Grand Empress Dowager Wen’s support, Qinghuan had only visited Concubine Shen two or three times after she left the Cold Palace. Face to face they called each other “sister” affectionately, but behind her back, Qinghuan didn’t think very highly of her.
Now in this harem, flowers bloomed in layers—which of Consort Hua or Concubine Fu didn’t have more prospects than Concubine Shen? If she chose one to latch onto, she would never suffer hardship in the future.
On Shen Hanlu’s side, she had also tasted the full spectrum of human warmth and coldness, and saw things much more clearly than before. The last time Qinghuan left her palace, she had already told Xiuping that in the future, if there were any good opportunities, there was no need to keep Qinghuan in mind—she had found another higher branch to perch on.
Once Concubine Fu gained favor, it lasted for three or four consecutive days. The Emperor put on an excellent show, with various rewards flowing endlessly. He even took Concubine Fu’s hand to stroll through the Imperial Garden and chase butterflies.
The foreign envoy didn’t attend the third day’s state banquet, saying their king had urgent matters and had summoned them back, so they were rushing home. But anyone with eyes could see that neither side was very satisfied with this banquet, the marriage alliance hadn’t succeeded, and the envoy left in a hurry without even checking how the beauty they’d sent was faring at the Gu residence.
Shen Guiyan couldn’t help but truly begin to consider Xu Mengdie’s words.
Between the foreign kingdom and the court, was there a possibility of war?
While sitting in Empress Dowager Nian’s palace, she became lost in thought. Empress Dowager Nian glanced at her and set down her teacup. “Noble Consort Yan.”
“This subject is here.” Shen Guiyan quickly came back to her senses, only to meet the Empress Dowager’s somewhat helpless eyes. “You must understand that the Emperor is doing what he ought to do.”
What? Shen Guiyan was confused. She had just been thinking about the matter of war and couldn’t jump back immediately.
“That Concubine Fu is Scholar Fu’s legitimate granddaughter. With Grand Empress Dowager Wen bedridden, Scholar Fu holds the Wen family’s network of connections. Do you understand?” Empress Dowager Nian said.
She naturally understood this. Wasn’t it precisely because of this that Gu Chaobei favored Concubine Fu? What was with the Empress Dowager’s sighing expression?
Shen Guiyan looked at Empress Dowager Nian for a while before she understood.
So the old lady was helping her son by comforting her, afraid she would be heartbroken because Gu Chaobei favored Concubine Fu?
Shen Guiyan laughed softly. “Empress Dowager, if this world were entirely His Majesty’s realm, with no treacherous officials within and no enemy nations without, with peace and prosperity throughout the land, and His Majesty exclusively favored someone else, I might be angry. In my rage, I might even do things I couldn’t imagine myself doing.”
“But that’s not the case now.”
Empress Dowager Nian paused, looking at Shen Guiyan for a moment before lightly slapping her own mouth, saying without good humor, “So this old woman was worrying for nothing?”
Wasn’t that so? She would feel uncomfortable in her heart, but if she threw a tantrum over such a small matter, with what would she stand by his side and advance and retreat together with him?
But this adorable old lady, Empress Dowager Nian—Shen Guiyan could only humor her: “The Empress Dowager is compassionate and feels for this subject. How could it be worrying for nothing?”
Empress Dowager Nian raised her chin with a huff and glanced at her sideways. “Since you’re not upset, then help this old woman with something. Duanwen is returning to Huainan, and it’s only these two months. Help this old woman think of a way to play matchmaker between her and General Yuwen, won’t you?”
Ah, so in the Empress Dowager’s eyes, she had the potential to be a matchmaker? Shen Guiyan lowered her head and thought for a moment. Duanwen and Yuwen Changqing did seem quite compatible. Playing matchmaker shouldn’t be difficult… right?
Yonghe Palace had been cleaned out. To substantiate the rumors of “losing favor,” Shen Guiyan quickly moved back. Zhuiyun secretly came to help, bringing all the silk cords that had previously hung on the partition in the side hall of Xiuzhuang Palace.
Although he said nothing, Shen Guiyan went to count them. Now on the partition in Yonghe Palace, there were eight more silk cords.
Did she still have to wait eight more days for him? Pressing her lips together slightly, Shen Guiyan took a deep breath, then turned around planning to complete the task the Empress Dowager had assigned.
Duanwen was easy to find—she was right here in the palace, either in the Imperial Garden or in Empress Dowager Nian’s palace. Today the sunshine was bright, and Duanwen was practicing sword techniques in the Imperial Garden.
Quite a few palace concubines were nearby watching the excitement.
“Speaking of sword practice, didn’t Concubine Xi perform a sword dance at the state banquet a few days ago?” Qinghuan bit into a pastry and smiled. “Everyone’s in good spirits today—why doesn’t Concubine Xi dance for us too?”
Concubine Xi was sitting in the pavilion with Concubine Fu and Concubine Shen beside her. Hearing this, she only huffed, “If you love dancing so much, why don’t you go do it yourself?”
Qinghuan was rebuffed and her face showed some embarrassment.
Over there, Duanwen had already stopped her movements. Annoyed by the chatter of those women, she turned to leave, only to see Shen Guiyan.
“Noble Consort Yan.”
Shen Guiyan smiled as she approached. “I didn’t expect to find you here. I’m in good spirits today and plan to host a banquet in the Northern Palace. I’m inviting the Princess and General Yuwen to attend together, so I’ve come to inform you personally.”
Without even thinking, one knew whose idea this was. Duanwen forced a smile. “That’s not necessary. Some things can’t be forced. You and Mother should both stop worrying so much.”
Shen Guiyan laughed softly. “Princess, please don’t refuse. You know that I’ve recently become a disfavored, neglected consort. If you don’t come keep me company, I might just die of sadness.”
Where did she look even slightly sad? Duanwen examined Shen Guiyan carefully. “You’ve become even more plump.”
“Stop teasing me. So it’s settled then. The Empress Dowager recently invited General Yuwen to the palace to discuss military strategy, and he’s staying in the Northern Palace, so it’s convenient for him to come and go.”
As a mother, she was really trying hard to play matchmaker—even coming up with an excuse like discussing military strategy. The Nian family didn’t have a single soldier under their command. What military strategy could they discuss?
After thinking it over, Duanwen nodded in agreement. If she didn’t agree, she would surely have to listen to another lecture from Mother later.
“Princess Duanwen and Noble Consort Yan have quite a good relationship,” Concubine Fu remarked.
“Indeed. I heard that some time ago, someone in the palace was spreading malicious gossip about Noble Consort Yan, and two palace maids ended up in the dungeons. When the Princess reacts to this, she should investigate who was stirring up trouble behind the scenes.” Concubine Xi said with a snort.
Shen Hanlu paused, then said, “With such fine weather, why are all you sisters speaking with such veiled barbs? I actually have something good to share with everyone today.”
What good thing could you possibly have? That’s what everyone sitting there was thinking, but since Concubine Shen was still a consort after all, no one actually asked it aloud.
Xiuping brought up a flesh-colored object and, after having all the palace servants withdraw, placed it on the table.
“This item—any woman would love it. It’s much better than the bellybands we wear now.” Shen Hanlu smiled lightly. “Would you all like to take a look?”
Two silk-and-cotton padded half-spheres supported by wire frames in a wrapping shape—this was none other than an essential item for modern women: a bra.
The palace concubines all widened their eyes. Shen Hanlu straightened her back. “This is something I invented. If any of you need one, it’s ten taels of silver each. If you want to know how effective it is, just look at me.”
Concubine Fu’s face flushed red, and she actually stood up and left, presumably because of her noble birth, she disdained such things. Concubine Xi and Qinghuan were much more straightforward—they looked at Shen Hanlu and immediately decided to try it.
Over at the Northern Palace, Shen Guiyan and Empress Dowager Nian whispered together for quite a while, finally settling on a matchmaking scheme.
Both Duanwen and Yuwen Changqing had arrived. When Yuwen Changqing arrived and saw Shen Guiyan, he was quite surprised. “Your Ladyship, Noble Consort.”
Shen Guiyan smiled and nodded. “I’ve come to dine with the Empress Dowager.”
No matter how one looked at it, there was an ulterior motive. Yuwen Changqing sat down and cautiously observed his surroundings, finally meeting the expressionless face of Duanwen across from him.
“Please be seated, General.” Duanwen said.
They weren’t planning to murder him or anything like that, right? Yuwen Changqing followed Duanwen and sat down. When the evening meal was served, it was all delicious delicacies. After just a few bites, the Empress Dowager and Noble Consort Yan both stood up in unison. “This old woman has something to discuss with Noble Consort Yan. You two go ahead and eat.”
…Could the excuse be any more transparent?
Yuwen Changqing also realized what kind of dinner this was. He watched the Noble Consort and Empress Dowager leave with a mixture of tears and laughter, then said softly, “Are they worried the Princess can’t get married?”
Duanwen gave a light snort. “I am as beautiful as a celestial being. How could I not get married? Just eat your meal.”
The Empress Dowager and Shen Guiyan whispered in a corner by the palace wall. “Between Yuwen and Duanwen’s martial skills, who’s slightly better?”
Shen Guiyan thought for a moment. “It should be General Yuwen. After all, he’s a man.”
“Then that’s easy.” Empress Dowager Nian said with a serious expression. “Methods don’t need to be novel—as long as they work. Have Baoshan go arrange for someone.”
“Yes.” Shen Guiyan quickly made a hand gesture to Baoshan in the distance. Baoshan responded with a cat’s meow, indicating everything was going smoothly.
Returning to the table, Yuwen Changqing and Princess Duanwen hadn’t spoken much at all. The Empress Dowager was so worried. After the meal, she said, “I heard there will be a celestial rain tonight. Why don’t the General and Duanwen go out for a walk?”
Celestial rain meant meteor shower, which was also considered a rare spectacle. Duanwen nodded. “Noble Consort Yan also enjoys such things. Why don’t you come along?”
Shen Guiyan glanced at the Empress Dowager and nodded. “Very well. I’ll head back to Yonghe Palace on the way.”
Yuwen Changqing stood up without a word, waiting for them to walk ahead before following.
Empress Dowager Nian’s plan was very simple. Generally, to promote the warming of feelings, it’s about sharing hardships together—nothing else.