Shen Guiyan smiled and straightened up, not taking Bao Shi’s words to heart. The Shen family didn’t owe her anything—they had raised her and arranged her marriage. But with her birth mother’s violent death and the truth unclear, she truly had little affection left for the Shen family.

Gu Chaobei walked over and reached out to pull her along: “We should go in.”

“Mm.” She nodded and followed him through the door.

“At least he’s still a son-in-law on the surface. Seeing his elders and not even knowing to greet them—truly ill-mannered.” Bao Shi muttered, looking at Gu Chaobei’s retreating back.

Shen Shiqing tugged at her, frowning. Gu Chaobei was now at least a vice-general of the Eastern Camp with some power and influence. How could she, a mere woman, speak of him this way? Fortunately they were far apart—that side might not be able to hear…

“My birth mother died early, so I am indeed ill-mannered.” Gu Chaobei turned back to look at Bao Shi: “So what of it?”

Bao Shi was startled by his gaze and stepped back. Shen Shiqing hurriedly cupped his hands: “My wife misspoke.”

“No matter. Say whatever you like.” Gu Chaobei smiled brilliantly: “After all, you are an elder.”

Shen Shiqing smiled awkwardly. Bao Shi pursed her lips and didn’t dare speak again. Shen Guiyan pulled Gu Chaobei’s hand: “You needn’t pay them any mind.”

“I don’t want to pay them mind either. I just think that mad monk who read your fortune back then was a fraud.” Gu Chaobei turned around, his face serious: “Being born into such a family—that’s eight generations of rotten luck. Yet he said your fate was extremely favorable.”

Shen Guiyan sighed helplessly. She only remembered when she was five years old, playing in the courtyard, when a mad monk with a long string of purple prayer beads climbed over the courtyard wall, grinning as he said: “Born holding phoenix jade, naturally blessed with good fortune. Pity about the great tribulation at hairpin age, great joy at double ten, but white hair brings great sorrow.”

She also thought he was a fraud.

Shaking her head, no longer thinking of these things, Shen Guiyan followed Gu Chaobei into the Crown Prince’s manor. The winding corridors and pavilions were considerably larger than the Gu manor.

There was no ceremony for establishing an official consort—the Crown Prince was merely using the occasion to host guests from all quarters and facilitate connections. With the Emperor critically ill and the Empress’s faction temporarily making no moves, quite a few people were waiting for the Crown Prince to ascend. So many people came today.

Walking to the main hall, someone came to usher them in. Only then did Shen Guiyan see the appearance of Her Ladyship the Consort who had ascended to heaven in one step.

A consort-colored double-breasted jacket embroidered with gold, with a pale moon-colored long skirt inlaid with pearls inside—extraordinarily gorgeous. The hairpins and jewelry adorning her head nearly overshadowed the Crown Princess to the side.

More importantly was that person’s face.

As soon as Shen Guiyan saw her, she froze. Those brows and eyes, that nose, that face—if it wasn’t Shen Guiya, who could it be?

Perhaps there were people in the world who looked identical, but when she looked over, her gaze carried three parts showing off, five parts hatred, and two parts coldness—truly making her feel it couldn’t be more familiar. Shen Guiyan locked eyes with her for a moment, drew a deep breath, and lowered her gaze.

What was going on? Hadn’t she drowned herself? The corpse had already been buried. Why would she appear here?

“How about it, wife? Surprised?” Gu Chaobei asked softly.

Shen Guiyan gritted her teeth and gripped his hand: “This is clearly a fright.”

“What’s there to fear? I’m still here.” Gu Chaobei laughed lightly: “She’s quite useful right now. Wife, don’t have any contact with her. Leave everything to your husband.”

Seeing his expression, she knew he must be plotting something again. Shen Guiyan frowned and glanced at Shen Guiya, suppressing her emotions and sitting down.

Shen Guiya’s death back then was her own doing. The grievances between the sisters—no one could explain them clearly. Now knowing she hadn’t died, her heart felt somewhat relieved but also somewhat heavy.

She was Gu Chaodong’s wife. Now she had transformed into the Crown Prince’s official consort. What was she trying to do?

Han Lu had been watching Shen Guiyan from the moment the couple entered, hatred surging in her heart, mixed with some smugness.

She was Her Ladyship the Consort. Even if Gu Chaobei had now made something of himself and become a vice-general, so what? As long as Shen Guiyan fell into her hands, she could still knead and mold her at will.

“My lord, so many people have come. This concubine is so frightened.” Han Lu turned her eyes and tugged at the sleeve of the Crown Prince beside her, saying softly.

“What’s there to fear? This is the Crown Prince’s manor.” Ming Xun smiled: “If you truly can’t adapt, go stand beside the Crown Princess.”

The Crown Princess Luo Youyu beside them wore a numb expression. Han Lu frowned—she wouldn’t go there. That Crown Princess was fierce as death.

“Han Lu wants to stay by my lord’s side. That way no one will dare harm Han Lu.” She said coquettishly.

The Crown Prince, amid his busy schedule, turned back to look at her: “You’re now an official consort. Who would dare harm you?”

Han Lu pouted, her face full of dejection: “This concubine just fears some will look down on her lowly birth and embarrass my lord…”

The Crown Prince snorted with laughter: “Whoever looks down on you is looking down on this Crown Prince. Rest assured, I’ll back you up in everything.”

That was exactly the response she wanted. Han Lu brightened, her lips curving as she picked up a cup of wine from a nearby table and walked straight toward Shen Guiyan.

“This madam seems to have quite a connection with Han Lu.” She smiled as she offered the cup: “Please drink this cup of wine, madam.”

Shen Guiyan froze. Gu Chaobei beside her had already reached out to take it for her: “My wife cannot drink. Allow me to do so in her stead. Many thanks, Her Ladyship the Consort.”

With that, he drank it all in one gulp.

Han Lu looked at Gu Chaobei, the depths of her eyes profound and alluring: “Han Lu gave the wine to the madam. Why did My Lord rush to drink it? If My Lord wants some, Han Lu will come toast you shortly.”

Reaching out, she took up another cup and smiled at Shen Guiyan: “Does the madam not dare drink? Are you afraid Han Lu has poisoned the cup, or do you think Han Lu is merely a lowly singing girl and disdain to drink this wine?”

Sensing the unfriendly aura radiating from this person, Shen Guiyan pressed her lips together. Knowing she couldn’t avoid it, she simply took it: “Many thanks, Her Ladyship the Consort.”

“No thanks needed. I like you.” Han Lu smiled with curved eyes and brows: “We women should go to the garden and chat for a while, shouldn’t we? It’s full of people here—quite inconvenient.”

Shen Guiyan frowned, but Gu Chaobei had already been called over by the Crown Prince.

“Don’t you dare?” Han Lu leaned closer to her: “Good elder sister, I won’t push you into the pond. You don’t know—that pond water is so cold, bone-chillingly cold.”

Shen Guiyan laughed lightly: “I’m not afraid Her Ladyship the Consort will push me in. Rather, I fear you’ve become addicted to jumping and will go in again yourself, and Guiyan will have to bear this transgression.”

Han Lu: “…” Did this person also read minds?

Laughing to cover her embarrassment, Han Lu said: “So the madam is unwilling to go, is that it?”

Shen Guiyan bowed: “Guiyan must still wait for her husband. Her Ladyship the Consort has great joy today—you should go accompany the Crown Prince instead.”

“Fine.” Han Lu flicked her sleeve, her face darkening as she returned to sit in the main hall. Her complexion never improved after that.

Bao Shi saw Han Lu’s face and was so shocked she actually fainted. There was some commotion at the banquet. Han Lu took the initiative to help escort Bao Shi to a guest room in the rear courtyard, then came out to explain: “From the very beginning, Han Lu has heard people say she resembles someone who has already passed away. It seems it’s true from today’s reactions—quite a few people were frightened, weren’t they?”

Gu Chaodong had originally been in the outer hall. Entering and seeing Han Lu, his face turned deathly pale.

The Crown Prince’s face showed puzzlement.

But Han Lu had long been prepared. She raised her hand and called two people in—two plainly dressed peasants, a man and a woman.

“Today happens to be Han Lu’s great joy. Thinking to repay the kindness of my parents, I’ve brought my birth mother and father to the manor. My lord doesn’t mind, does he?”

The Crown Prince relaxed and smiled: “You are filial. In your own wealth and nobility, you don’t forget your parents. Naturally I don’t mind. Since both birth father and mother are present, she cannot be the person they thought. Everyone need not be alarmed—please continue enjoying the meal.”

Shen Guiyan looked at that couple. Both appeared extremely honest. If not for what Shen Guiya had just said to her, she would almost have believed that Han Lu and Shen Guiya were two different people.

While eating, Han Lu suddenly said she felt unwell. The Crown Prince hurriedly summoned a physician to examine her. After this examination, it turned out she was with child.

The hall filled with congratulatory voices. The Crown Prince was also greatly pleased and embraced Han Lu, nearly promising her the position of proper consort on the spot. Once he had an heir, his chances of smoothly ascending the throne would be even greater. After ascending, he wouldn’t need to worry about the heir issue anymore.

Congratulations sounded all around. Only then did Shen Guiyan suddenly remember—she had married Gu Chaobei for about half a year now, by calculation.

Why was there no movement in her belly whatsoever?

Lowering her gaze, Shen Guiyan felt somewhat dejected. Gu Chaobei beside her didn’t notice. He only sensed there would be a good show to watch.

The Crown Prince had joyous news—what would the Empress’s reaction be?

All the way back, Gu Chaobei pondered this question. Shen Guiyan, however, was contemplating what exactly was wrong. Physician Liu had said her body had no other problems. Gu Chaobei was also normal. So why couldn’t she conceive?

As soon as she entered the northern courtyard, she had Baoshan summon Physician Liu. Gu Chaobei, however, called for Yuwen Houde.

“Her backup plan was also well thought out. Finding two people from who knows where, she can claim they’re her birth parents, and no one can expose her.” Yuwen Houde said indignantly: “Now that she’s with child, once she rises to power, will I still have good days?”

“Why not?” Gu Chaobei said: “His Majesty is critically ill, not on his deathbed. They’re pleased too early.”

Yuwen Houde looked at him respectfully: “What do you think should be done?”

“You wait for now.” Gu Chaobei stroked his chin: “What I’m somewhat hesitant about is that the Crown Prince hasn’t treated me poorly. How the path ahead should be walked depends on the Empress’s attitude.”

If not for him, the Crown Prince would truly be the only imperial prince in this world. If the Empress knew he was also an imperial prince, then the Crown Prince’s position would likely be untenable.

After plotting for so many years, he now found himself in a difficult position. Yan’er said peace and joy were enough, but truly, it wasn’t that simple.

At the Crown Prince’s manor, Han Lu was continuously embraced by the Crown Prince, treasured like a precious object lest she fall.

But Han Lu’s expression still wasn’t very good, her brows furrowed, quite unhappy.

“What’s wrong?” The Crown Prince looked at her: “You mustn’t be troubled now. Whatever makes you unhappy, tell me and I’ll resolve it for you.”