Just watch, Shen Guiyan. Even if she knew nothing, even if she didn’t understand propriety, she had good fortune—destiny included transmigration, so coming here meant she was destined to reign supreme. So what if someone was smarter than her? So what if they were prettier? So what if they were more talented? Could they overcome heavenly mandate?

Passing before Shen Guiyan, Shen Hanlu couldn’t help but turn her head to look at her, revealing a meaningful smile.

Shen Guiyan looked up, gazing back calmly. Her eyes were clear and clean, as if she’d just come out for a stroll and happened to see an acquaintance passing by—she only nodded slightly with nothing else.

Shen Hanlu snorted lightly, turned her head, and continued toward the Temple of Heaven.

Consort Hua had been watching her the whole time. At first feeling unwilling, her gaze still held much viciousness. But when she saw Shen Hanlu stand on the Temple of Heaven without bowing to the Emperor, she was startled and quietly asked Shen Guiyan, “Your Highness, forgive this concubine’s ignorance, but what is Consort Shen…?”

People raised among the common folk, though they didn’t understand propriety, still knew that if being invested as Empress, Consort Shen should wear a phoenix crown and bow before the Emperor to receive the phoenix seal. Never mind that Shen Hanlu’s modified hat didn’t quite look right—now standing on the Temple of Heaven, it looked more like she was about to perform the heavenly sacrifice together.

Shen Guiyan smiled and said quietly, “Red base with gold trim skirt, black crown with white ribbon hat. It doesn’t matter if you don’t recognize it—just listen to His Majesty’s decree.”

Consort Hua raised an eyebrow. Seeing that smug expression on Consort Shen’s face, she thought—could it be her worries were excessive?

“Shen Shi can reach Heaven’s voice, so naturally I cannot let her remain at the consort rank.” Gu Chaobei said seriously. “From this day forth, I order Shen Shi to cut her hair and enter Tongtian Temple, assuming the position of High Priestess. She may move between palace and common realm, praying for favorable weather and abundant harvests for our dynasty, listening to Heaven’s will, guiding the realm.”

Shen Hanlu’s smile froze on her face. She looked up, staring blankly at the Emperor.

What was a High Priestess? Wasn’t it supposed to be Empress?!

Gu Chaobei smiled and supported her. “High Priestess, bow to Heaven.”

“No…” Shen Hanlu wanted to shake her head. How could it be High Priestess? How could it possibly be High Priestess? That was an official position from the previous dynasty. If she performed the bow, wouldn’t she no longer be Gu Chaobei’s consort?

“High Priestess, I know you’re unwilling to have your cultivation hindered by worldly official duties.” The Emperor said with utter seriousness. “But you are different from ordinary people and can no longer serve in the palace. You have your value—stabilizing the nation for me. I will certainly help you reach paradise early.”

You’re the one who should reach paradise early—your whole family should reach paradise early! Shen Hanlu was furious, her body trembling slightly. He’d deceived her—he actually deceived her!

“Your Majesty, didn’t you say you would invest…” Shen Hanlu unwillingly tried to ask more.

But upon asking, she realized that Gu Chaobei had indeed said he would invest her, but hadn’t said it would be as Empress. The two words “Empress” were something they had filled in themselves.

Gu Chaobei hadn’t lied—she had dug the pit for herself to jump into.

Her heart sank, her face pale. Shen Hanlu nearly couldn’t stand.

Gu Chaobei reached out, gently supporting her, saying quietly, “I told you—you cannot do unnecessary things on the Temple of Heaven. Have you forgotten?”

Shen Hanlu looked up, her eyes full of tears. She had actually, actually liked Gu Chaobei very early on. It was just that they’d met too late—she hadn’t seen him when she first arrived. Otherwise she never would have followed Gu Chaodong—she would have stayed by his side for life!

Was there no chance now? After all this time, he could still be so heartless in pushing her away, without the slightest hesitation. He truly had never loved her.

Why?

She’d read transmigration novels and watched movies so many times. The female leads in modern times couldn’t do anything—stupid, foolish, weak. Why could they defeat supporting female characters far stronger than themselves and easily rise to the top? Why was it that when it came to her, though she’d fought even harder than them, she still couldn’t come out well?

“Bow.” Gu Chaobei’s voice sounded by her ear. Shen Hanlu really didn’t want to, but her back went numb as someone pressed her into a bow toward Heaven.

The assembled officials lowered their heads, the consorts bowed. From this moment on, Shen Hanlu was no longer a person of the rear palace, but the High Priestess of Tongtian Temple.

“Why…” Tears fell on the Temple of Heaven. Shen Hanlu asked unwillingly.

Gu Chaobei didn’t know what “why” she was asking about, but still answered in an excellent mood, “This is the glory the High Priestess requested for herself.”

Pretending to dream of celestial beings bestowing plaques—from that moment she’d been lifting a rock to drop on her own feet, delivering herself for the Emperor to use. Not using her would be wasteful.

She’d requested it all herself.

Shen Hanlu sobbed aloud. The sky darkened and rain began falling at just the right moment.

The Emperor didn’t stop her, letting her cry loudly in the rain. Officials were shocked, consorts also looked sideways. Truly Heaven’s chosen High Priestess—when she cried, rain fell from the sky. She truly conveyed Heaven’s will.

Consort Hua wiped the sweat from her face and laughed lightly.

Indeed, her worries had been excessive. Shen Hanlu had used too much force and sent herself straight out of the palace. With Herong already dead, she could continue sleeping soundly.

Shen Guiyan looked at Shen Hanlu’s figure. No matter how much she hated her, she couldn’t help feeling some sympathy.

Why? Because if the High Priestess was female, she needed to cut half her hair and never marry. She didn’t know if Shen Hanlu would regret it. If she’d known, wouldn’t it have been better to honestly remain the First Young Madam at the Gu residence? Why create so much trouble?

However, she was somewhat worried—the High Priestess had truly great power. Giving it to Shen Hanlu, was it really alright?

The ancestral worship ceremony ended just like that. Luhua Palace was emptied. Shen Hanlu accepted the inauguration ceremony, cut half her hair, and went to Tongtian Temple. Tongtian Temple was near the imperial city, actually not far, but everyone in the palace joyfully went to see her off.

“Who would have thought the High Priestess had such great abilities? From now on we’ll have to rely on the Priestess to look after us.” Imperial Concubine Fu smiled.

Shen Hanlu’s face was numb without expression. Hearing this, she turned to glance at Imperial Concubine Fu and snorted coldly. “Herong received heavenly punishment, but her mistress has not. However, given Your Highness Imperial Concubine’s appearance, you cannot become Empress.”

As these words fell, it was like a thousand-pound boulder dropping. Imperial Concubine Fu’s face turned deathly pale.

The High Priestess’s words were heavenly mandate. If heavenly mandate said she couldn’t become Empress, what should she do?

But why was the High Priestess targeting her?

Shen Hanlu boarded the carriage without looking back, her eyes cold, making even the driver shiver. Imperial Concubine Fu nearly collapsed to the ground—it was Consort Ye who supported her.

Shen Guiyan sat in the palace setting up a chess game, with Gu Chaobei sitting opposite her.

Gu Chaobei said, “Is Yan’er satisfied with this outcome?”

Shen Guiyan placed a black piece, saying softly, “Isn’t it His Majesty who is satisfied? If Your Majesty is satisfied, this concubine is naturally satisfied.”

There seemed to be a tail wagging behind him. The Emperor smiled ingratiatingly. “I know you and she have always had grievances, so I won’t let her have her way. Whatever she wants, I deliberately won’t give. Does watching this make Yan’er a bit happier?”

The one unchanging rule for pleasing women was to dislike who she disliked and always stand on the same side as her, not sympathizing with the enemy. This way, the probability of marital harmony exceeded eighty percent.

Shen Guiyan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She glanced at him. “Your Majesty is clearly doing things for yourself, yet still comes to seek this concubine’s praise.”

With Shen Hanlu as High Priestess, her words were Heaven’s will. Who among the court would dare disobey? Those who didn’t obey could be dealt with using “heavenly punishment”—assassinating them one by one. Who would still dare oppose the Emperor’s will?

This was simply a cover for slaughtering disloyal ministers, a perfect excuse that left no handle to grasp.

But it probably wouldn’t last too long. When too many were slaughtered, someone would become suspicious, and someone would resist.

“I just wanted Yan’er to be as happy as me.” Gu Chaobei smiled. “Tomorrow there’s nothing scheduled. I’ll have the Shen family enter the palace to see you. How about it?”

The Shen family? What was there to see about them? Shen Hanlu had just been sent out of the palace. Logically, the person Madam Shen would most want to see should be her.

Shen Hanlu’s identity had never been exposed, but her closest people couldn’t possibly fail to recognize her. It was just that with her special status now, no one dared acknowledge her.

“Your Majesty arranges it—this concubine has no objections.” When he did things, he always had his reasons anyway.

Gu Chaobei smiled and touched his nose. “Perfect timing—I hear Shen Guiwu will arrive in the capital tomorrow. I’ll take you out to welcome him. Afterward, your family can reunite—it will be even more perfect.”

Shen Guiwu, the Shen family’s second son. Like Shen Guiyan, he was born to Concubine Qin.

Shen Guiyan’s eyes widened. She suddenly understood what His Majesty was doing.

Was the Shen family to be taken as her backing?

Empress Dowager Wen was paralyzed in bed, still not recovered. The Wen family’s court power was gradually being eroded by the Emperor. National Uncle Wen had died miserably under heavenly punishment. If National Uncle Wen didn’t return soon, the Wen family would lose their position in the realm.

Because of his substantial abilities and recommendations from both Yuwen Changqing and Scholar Fu, Shen Guiwu had quickly gained National Uncle Wen’s trust. Several days ago, National Uncle Wen had received the message and began secretly returning to the capital. Shen Guiwu was the vanguard, naturally arriving first.

Gu Chaobei was already prepared to receive him.

Shen Guiyan was stunned, unable to recover. Second brother was coming back. Since he’d been sent to the military camp in childhood, it had been many years without seeing him. Remembering how he’d told her to take good care of Concubine Qin when he left, Shen Guiyan couldn’t help reddening her eyes.

“Hey, what’s this about? Why are you crying over perfectly good news?” The Emperor looked up and saw her face, getting a fright. He quickly went over to embrace her belly. “Everyone says pregnant women can’t cry.”

Shen Guiyan bit her teeth. “I’ve wronged second brother. I have no face to see him.”

“What’s wrong?” Gu Chaobei was puzzled. After thinking, he thought of Concubine Qin’s matter.

Concubine Qin had died mysteriously, with no explanation yet.

“Your Majesty, can you help this concubine investigate the truth of how my birth mother died tragically back then?” For the first time Shen Guiyan felt panicked. She looked up, tears falling pitter-patter. “Second brother will resent me. Not only did I fail to care for her, I let her just disappear like that…”

What kind of person was the Shen family’s second son to frighten his Yan’er like this? Gu Chaobei felt some heartache. Thinking of the Shen family matter, his face stiffened.

“Now… I cannot investigate yet.”

How to investigate? One investigation would implicate the foundation. The Shen family was built up by his own hand and hadn’t yet played its role—how could he overturn it himself?

Shen Guiyan stared at him blankly. “Cannot?”

“I’m sorry.” Gu Chaobei gently pressed his forehead to hers. “Wait for me a bit longer, alright?”

Wait again. Shen Guiyan closed her eyes and turned her head away.

“Yan’er, don’t resent me.” Gu Chaobei sighed.

Her heart ached unbearably. Shen Guiyan bit her teeth and nodded. “This concubine doesn’t resent you.”

Resenting him was useless. She herself hadn’t climbed high enough and didn’t yet have the ability to manage such matters. He was the Emperor—his eyes held not just one person, but the entire situation. How could he collapse one corner for her?

Still, she felt so sad.

Her round belly also ached slightly. The child probably also felt sad and kicked her. Shen Guiyan endured it, wiped away her tears, and looked up with a smile. “Then tomorrow, Your Majesty will come fetch this concubine.”

Gu Chaobei opened his mouth to say something, but the words reached his lips and he swallowed them back, pressing his lips together. “Alright.”

After saying this word, the Emperor stood up himself, walked to the carved screen partition, and tied a silk cord on it.

The reason the Wen family’s power was greatest was because National Uncle Wen Shoushan held four hundred thousand troops, and Yuwen Changqing held another hundred thousand garrison troops. More than half the court’s military strength was under Empress Dowager Wen’s control.

Now Empress Dowager Wen had fallen. National Uncle Wen was naturally returning to arrange matters. The Wen family was a prestigious clan of a hundred years—they absolutely couldn’t just collapse like this.

Shen Guiwu had left the capital five years ago. Returning now, even the city gates looked different. He only remembered that when he left, rain and snow were falling. Today returning, the willows swayed gracefully.

He’d heard this realm was obtained by an imperial prince left in an outer residence. He’d heard his most beloved younger sister had happened to marry this prince.

Dismounting before the city gate, the imposingly heroic youth took a deep breath and slowly entered the city.

Shen Guiwu didn’t like the Shen residence, but the first thing he did upon returning was still to go look—in these five years, Concubine Qin hadn’t been able to send him a single letter home. He didn’t know how she was doing.

Scholar Fu and others received news of his return and all sent people to receive him first. However, he evaded them. Not taking the main gate, he threaded through the alleys and lanes near the Shen residence, finding his way with practiced ease to the courtyard wall of the Shen family’s rear courtyard.

“Second brother.”

Just as he was about to climb the wall, someone called him.

Shen Guiwu turned back to see a refined woman in a cross-collar ruqun dress standing in the distance, looking quite unfamiliar.

Just as he was about to move closer, he saw her smile—smiling with reddened eyes as she said, “I still understand you best—you definitely wouldn’t use the main gate.”

Yan’er? Waves rose on Shen Guiwu’s calm face. He strode over in a few steps and scooped her up. “Yan’er!”

Only upon lifting her did he discover—such a big belly.

“Put her down!”

Gu Chaobei had originally planned to be courteous and respectful to his brother-in-law.

However, what kind of older brother lifts his sister up the moment he sees her? Did he still think Yan’er was a child of a few years old?

His hands were pried open and his sister was carried away by someone else and set on the ground. Shen Guiwu frowned and turned to look at the person beside him.

Flying brows reaching his temples, a pair of peach blossom eyes gentle and affectionate. It was as if all the willows outside the city flew into this person’s eyes—spring in the third month, making one dazed. Wearing a blue-green long robe with silver dark patterns embroidered on the collar, truly a picture of elegant nobility.

However, his expression seemed not very friendly.