“Yan’er is unwell, it would be better to speak while standing.” Gu Chaobei looked at Shen Guiwu, frowning slightly.

Shen Guiyan’s eyes were red. She completely ignored what Gu Chaobei had said. The moment her feet touched the ground, she ran back to Shen Guiwu, looking up at him and saying, “You’ve finally come back.”

Shen Guiwu stood there in a daze for a moment, looking at Shen Guiyan, then turning to look at Gu Chaobei. He pressed his lips together and knelt down on one knee.

Gu Chaobei’s eyelids lifted, and his anger subsided a little. This person at least had some sense.

“There’s no need for formalities outside,” he said softly. “Yan’er missed her brother dearly, so I specially came out with her to welcome you. Get in the carriage and return to the palace.”

Shen Guiyan helped Shen Guiwu up and very naturally pulled him to walk beside the Emperor. “No one is at the Shen residence. We’ll see them in the palace later. I… have something I need to tell you.”

Gu Chaobei glanced at her sideways and snorted.

This was truly strange. Usually, Shen Guiyan was calm and composed. Even while carrying a child, she came and went without any change in expression. No matter what happened, she had never lost her composure. Today, just because her biological brother had returned, she seemed like a completely different person. She had never been this dependent on him. Leaning beside her brother, she now seemed like a naive and innocent young girl.

This feeling was not pleasant at all. Originally, he had planned to use family affection to win over Shen Guiwu, but now he had only made himself gloomy.

Why had Yan’er never been this relaxed and trusting in front of him? It was as if she had removed all her armor.

Had he failed to give her a sense of security?

Shen Guiwu chuckled softly and stroked Shen Guiyan’s hair, then climbed into the unremarkable-looking carriage, taking the small road back to the palace.

“Before coming back, I was wondering how you were doing and whether you were being wronged. Now it seems my worries were unnecessary. You’re doing very well.” The young man whose body was full of murderous energy was only a gentle older brother when he met Shen Guiyan. Looking at her belly, he said, “I must have been away from the capital for too long. Fortunately, I can return now and be here for my nephew’s birth.”

Shen Guiyan pursed her lips, her voice hoarse. “Second Brother, Yan’er has wronged you.”

“What do you mean?” Shen Guiwu raised an eyebrow.

“Concubine Qin… Concubine Qin is gone…” Gripping her brother’s sleeve, Shen Guiyan’s eyes looked like the Milky Way had fallen into them as tears streamed down. “I… I couldn’t protect her. She came to help prepare me for my wedding, combing my hair, and then she just collapsed. They said it was arsenic poisoning, but I couldn’t get Father to find the murderer.”

Second Brother and she both loved Concubine Qin the most. That gentle mother had protected them as they grew up. Though she appeared timid and weak, time and again she shielded them fiercely beneath her. Finally, finally she would no longer be bullied. Second Brother had returned and now had the ability to protect her, yet she had already turned to dust, unable to enjoy even a bit of happiness.

Shen Guiwu’s eyes also reddened. His resolute face became so heavy that it made Shen Guiyan’s heart tighten.

Second Brother would scold her, wouldn’t he? He had doted on her most since childhood, but whenever she made a mistake, it was always Second Brother who came to discipline her.

Shen Guiyan had already told Gu Chaobei in advance that this was her biological brother, and no matter what Shen Guiwu said or did today, it must not be considered as disrespect to the throne.

Steeling herself, she waited for a while, but instead of her brother’s scolding, a broad palm landed on her head.

What makes people cry most is not cold reprimands, but rather a bit of warmth in the cold. Shen Guiyan couldn’t hold back. Lying in her brother’s arms, she cried until the heavens and earth turned dark.

“It’s not your fault. You didn’t yet have the ability to protect her properly.” Second Brother Shen’s voice was also hoarse. “At least you’re still well. Concubine Qin watching from heaven would also be comforted.”

The crying inside the carriage didn’t sound like a woman’s gentle sobbing, but more like a lost child who had finally found home and was crying out loud.

Sitting on the shaft, Zhuiyun slowed down the pace. This crying made even his heart ache. He didn’t know how heartbroken his master must feel.

Gu Chaobei sat on the left side of the carriage while the Shen siblings sat on the right. Those two seemed to be in a world of their own that he couldn’t enter.

Yan’er was his, and the child in her belly was also his. How was it that now, he seemed like the outsider?

The Emperor’s mood was unpleasant, very unpleasant. Throughout the journey, his face was gloomy. When they reached Yonghe Palace, he didn’t get out of the carriage. He just glanced sideways at Shen Guiyan and said, “You and General Shen go first. I will come later.”

“Alright.” Shen Guiyan nodded with a smile. Her tears had already been wiped away. Without even looking at him, she got out of the carriage and began telling Shen Guiwu about recent events. Shen Guiwu followed her, gently tilting his head to listen. If the two weren’t biological siblings, Gu Chaobei would really want to rush over and slash Shen Guiwu with a knife.

Being a brother was fine, but why be so gentle about it?

Kicking the carriage wall, the Emperor said with a dark face, “Go to the North Palace.”

Zhuiyun rubbed his nose, feeling that His Majesty’s temper had been rather moody lately.

The Shen family was already waiting in the side hall. Shen Guiyan first went back to change into palace attire. After getting dressed up, she brought Shen Guiwu to the front hall first.

“The imperial palace is truly a fine place,” Shen Guiwu said with a smile. “It’s also suitable for you to rest and recuperate.”

Shen Guiyan tugged at his sleeve and said in a low voice, “Yan’er’s pregnancy is something no one else knows about. Brother, don’t mention it, otherwise you’ll harm me.”

Shen Guiwu was startled, pressed his lips together, and nodded. His little sister had been clever since childhood. Whatever she said, he should just listen. It would never be wrong.

After having tea and refreshments in the front hall, Shen Guiyan had Baoshan invite Master Shen and his wife.

Having been granted the title of Marquis Zhongjun, though without real power, he was still a marquis. Master Shen looked radiant, and Madam Shen had also regained her former arrogant air. When she entered, it was only after Marquis Zhongjun pulled at her that she belatedly knelt down to pay respects.

“Father.” Shen Guiwu stood up and nodded slightly toward Master Shen. Master Shen looked at him and inevitably thought of Concubine Qin again, his smile somewhat awkward.

“Please sit, both Father and Mother.” Shen Guiyan sat in the main seat and said softly, “This time, His Majesty graciously allowed you both to enter the palace for a visit. Second Brother has also returned, so we can be considered reunited as a family.”

Madam Shen was extremely unwilling to come. She didn’t like Shen Guiyan, but Shen Guiyan had become a Noble Consort, the highest-ranking in the harem. She had no choice but to show some deference.

One of the most annoying things in a person’s life is seeing someone they dislike doing better than themselves.

But there was no helping it. When Shen Guiyan prospered, the Shen family enjoyed collective glory. She had nearly been divorced by Master Shen. To have her current blessings, she would have to lower her head.

“You’re still the most accomplished one.” Master Shen looked at Shen Guiyan with a smile. “It’s also because of you that His Majesty has shown favor to the Shen family. Now Guiwu is in the military, Guiwen has also entered the court as an official, and the Shen family relatives all have positions where they can display their talents. As your father, I must thank you on their behalf.”

Shen Guiyan smiled but said nothing.

Shen Guiwu spoke up. “Father, I heard that Concubine Qin has passed away. Where is she buried?”

Master Shen’s expression stiffened as he glanced at Bao Shi.

Bao Shi clutched her handkerchief and pressed her lips together. “Where else could it be? Naturally… naturally she was buried in the ancestral tomb. After all, she was a member of the Shen family. How could we let her corpse lie exposed in the wilderness…”

“You’re lying.” Shen Guiyan let out a cold laugh.

Bao Shi was startled, her expression changing. “What does Your Ladyship mean by this?”

Shen Guiyan turned to look at her. “If Concubine Qin’s grave is not in the Shen family ancestral tomb, then what? Does Mother know that this is the imperial palace? I am now a Noble Consort personally conferred by His Majesty, no longer someone who can be brushed aside with a few words.”

Bao Shi’s eyes shifted about as she said with displeasure, “I’m not brushing you aside. We did retrieve her body and bury it in the ancestral tomb. You… even if you’re now a Noble Consort, you’re still part of the Shen family. You must follow the Shen family rules and think of the Shen family. Even if you’re not currently favored, even if you were the favored Empress, you still have no right to shout at me!”

Not favored? Shen Guiwu looked at Shen Guiyan with some surprise. If he wasn’t seeing things, it was the current Emperor who came to meet him today, wasn’t it? If she truly wasn’t favored, how could Yan’er have left the palace with the Emperor? They even seemed quite close.

Shen Guiyan laughed lightly and stood up. “I cannot shout at you? Then I shall relay these words to His Majesty. If this is deceiving the Emperor, then it will be you, Mother, who has implicated the entire Shen family!”

With that, she moved to leave.

Bao Shi’s face turned white with fear. She quickly stood up to block Shen Guiyan’s path. Before she could open her mouth, her shoulders felt heavy as several guards immediately restrained her.

“How dare you! You dare to block the Noble Consort!” Baoshan stepped forward with imposing presence. “Madam, look clearly. This is Yonghe Palace, not your unreasonable courtyard. To offend the Noble Consort, no matter who you are, you will be dragged out!”

Bao Shi had never suffered such humiliation. She immediately said angrily, “I’m an elder! Even if she’s a Noble Consort, she’s still a junior. Is there any precedent for a junior to lay hands on an elder?”

Master Shen frowned and said in a low voice, “Enough! Aren’t you embarrassed enough? Must you cause a scene even in the palace?”

Bao Shi looked at Shen Guiyan with resentful anger in her eyes, her face flushing red with rage.

Shen Guiyan stood before her and said with a light laugh, “Yan’er won’t lay hands on Mother. Yan’er respects Mother very much.”

“But the ones restraining you are not Yan’er. Mother, look to your left. This guard is already from three generations of service and is over forty years old. He is not your junior.”

Shen Guiwu couldn’t help but laugh. Master Shen didn’t know what to say either. If Bao Shi weren’t Guiwen’s biological mother, he really would want to divorce this undignified wife.

Bao Shi was so angry she gritted her teeth, saying in a low voice, “What an impressive Noble Consort you are! Too bad you’re not favored. Next year I’ll send Guiyi into the palace as well. Then we’ll see how smug you can be!”

Baoshan was so angry she wanted to take advantage of the chaos to slap her a couple of times. What kind of elder was this? Selfish, short-sighted, doing nothing but harming her own family. To have such a mother was truly a calamity.

Shen Guiwu couldn’t listen any longer. He had never liked this woman who had mistreated him and his sister since childhood. He hadn’t expected that after all these years, she was still just as arrogant.

Just as he was about to step forward and push this person out—out of sight, out of mind—the Emperor, who had changed into his dragon robes, stepped in with one foot. He lifted his head with a face full of innocence. “The atmosphere doesn’t seem quite right, does it?”