Chapter 12: Embarrassment
Now, this had nothing to do with her, and she didn’t want to interfere or get close.
“Baolin, Shen Baolin was really disrespectful to you,” said Moxiang, Lu Baolin’s maid.
“So what if she didn’t give me face? She’s proud of herself,” Lu Baolin snorted. Considering they were outside, she didn’t say much more, and simply let Moxiang help her back.
When she returned to Cuiyun Pavilion, a palace maid reported that in the morning, His Majesty had gifted her a pot of pomegranate blossoms in full bloom.
Potted pomegranates weren’t the same as those grown in the ground, but they were very pretty for display.
Shen Chuliu really liked them.
“Just place it on the windowsill in the outer room,” she smiled. “It’s a lovely sign.”
When Zirui came in to help her change, she whispered, “Baolin, should we stop using the contraceptive sachets? With His Majesty gifting you this flower, maybe he hopes for you to bear a child?”
“Nonsense. I like the flower, that’s all,” Shen Chuliu flicked her forehead. “Don’t bring this up again.”
Zirui had no choice but to nod.
Silly girl, overthinking things.
Let’s first see if Consort Cao and the Honored Lady An can manage to deliver their children safely.
On the nineteenth of the fifth month, as usual, everyone went to pay respects at Fengzao Palace. Consort Shu announced she’d be hosting a banquet in the palace the next day.
“I noticed the lotus flowers are blooming beautifully. Though there are many places to admire them in the palace, I also have good tea and snacks at my place, so I invite all my sisters to come enjoy them with me. Would you all be interested?”
“If Sister Consort Shu is inviting, how could we not go? I’ll be there first thing in the morning,” Consort Yi readily agreed.
Consort Shu then invited the Empress: “Your Majesty, would you also consider joining us?”
The Empress nodded slightly. “Then I shall go tomorrow as well.”
With the Empress attending, no one dared decline.
In the Dayi Dynasty, customs were quite open. Other than not being allowed to leave the palace freely, the rules weren’t overly restrictive for women.
There was no strict ban on women participating in politics either.
So a consort inviting the Empress wasn’t odd—it was completely acceptable.
Etiquette and propriety were enforced, of course, but beyond that, there weren’t rigid restrictions.
Even Consort Cao, who was pregnant and resting, hesitated for a while but in the end didn’t dare not go.
Consort Shu held significant influence and was the only one among the Four Consorts. She also had the Second Prince.
Who could afford to slight her?
Shen Chuliu wasn’t worried. She was just a minor consort—nobody would waste their efforts scheming against her.
The next morning, after greetings, everyone began heading to Fuyang Palace.
Fuyang Palace was one of the larger palaces in the inner court. With few consorts currently in residence, it housed only Consort Shu and the Second Prince.
It was tastefully decorated, and just past a small pavilion lay a spacious courtyard, where the lotus flowers were blooming beautifully in the pond.
She had already prepared the space: beneath the hall was a perfect spot for lotus viewing, tea drinking, and conversation.
It was refreshingly cool.
Once the Empress was seated, everyone else sat according to rank.
Aside from the elusive Beauty Liu and Talented Lady Zhao, who had reported illness the day before, everyone was present.
Consort Shu showed her gracious side by ordering goose-down cushions for the two pregnant consorts and specially prepared tea for them.
Shen Chuliu was seated next to Yao Baolin, with Li Baolin on her other side.
Li Baolin had suffered a miscarriage earlier in the year—circumstances still unclear.
“People think she’s all kindness and grace,” Li Baolin sneered.
Shen Chuliu offered her a piece of pastry. “This red bean cake is one I love. I had it at His Majesty’s place the other day and it tasted just the same. Would you like to try it, Sister?”
Li Baolin thought she was showing off, but upon reflection, Shen Chuliu’s favor wasn’t even stronger than her own.
She then understood Shen Chuliu didn’t want to hear her complaints. Though it felt strange, she accepted the gesture. “Thank you, Sister.”
Whether it was just about the pastry or a hidden warning—only she knew.
“His Majesty will be along shortly. In the meantime, why don’t we all enjoy some tea?” Consort Shu said with a smile.
Everyone was startled—they hadn’t expected the Emperor to come.
The lower-ranking consorts began murmuring: truly, Consort Shu commanded respect.
The Empress remained calm and composed, seated with perfect poise.
Everyone quieted their chatter, afraid a single misstep would cost them favor.
When Qi Yixiu arrived, everyone rose immediately to greet him.
A hundred beauties bowing in unison to the Emperor—it was a truly dazzling sight.
“No need for ceremony. Today Consort Shu has invited you to admire the flowers; I’m just here to join the fun,” Qi Yixiu said, walking over to help the Empress up before sitting beside her. “Empress, your attire today is particularly beautiful—more beautiful than the lotus blossoms.”
The Empress’s cold face broke into a smile, captivating in its own right.
“Your Majesty compares the Empress to lotus flowers, but in truth, she’s more like the most radiant peony,” He Xiuyi said with a grin.
“For once, your words are pleasing,” Qi Yixiu replied with a chuckle.
Everyone laughed at that.
Shen Chuliu thought to herself: with He Xiuyi’s mouth, even the Emperor knew she had no filter.
People like her—well, it had pros and cons.
The good part was, the Emperor knew exactly what to expect from her and wouldn’t bother taking offense.
The downside was, her favor likely wouldn’t go any further.
After a while, Consort Yi suddenly said, “Your Majesty, look at how Talented Lady Miao is dressed today. She matches the lotus blossoms perfectly. It reminds me of her dance from the other day—it’s truly unforgettable.”
Qi Yixiu glanced lazily over and saw Miao Cairen in a pink-and-white gown, indeed resembling a freshly blooming lotus.
She stood awkwardly and said, “Thank you for your praise, Consort Yi.”
“Mmm, since Consort Yi wishes to see it, why don’t you dance again for us?” the Emperor said suddenly.
Miao Cairen’s expression changed. She stammered, “Your Majesty…”
“Are you afraid the banquet will be too dull for Consort Shu? Miao Cairen, shouldn’t you be getting ready?” Consort Yi added with a smile.
The Emperor, having said his piece, paid her no further attention.
Consort Shu then brought out fruit wine and poured for the Emperor and Empress, inviting them to try her homemade brew.
Miao Cairen bit her lip and had no choice but to go change.
Her new dance costume was again pink and white, tight-fitting, with an open back.
This wasn’t unusual—she used to wear things like this as a dancer. But now she was a consort to the Son of Heaven, no longer a dance girl.
Wearing such attire amid a crowd of elegant, glamorous consorts, she felt like a duck among a flock of cranes—clumsy and out of place.
Accompanists were ready, and she knew more than one routine.
But with so much weighing on her mind, how could she dance well?
Before long, the Emperor frowned. “Forget it. Since becoming my consort, Miao Cairen seems to have forgotten her roots. Never mind, she doesn’t need to dance.”
Miao Cairen turned pale but didn’t dare beg forgiveness, and could only retreat to change.
The banquet remained lively. Consort Yi even stepped forward and played a tune herself. The melody was elegant and nimble—truly pleasant to hear.
“Baolin, Shen Baolin was really disrespectful to you,” said Moxiang, Lu Baolin’s maid.
“So what if she didn’t give me face? She’s proud of herself,” Lu Baolin snorted. Considering they were outside, she didn’t say much more, and simply let Moxiang help her back.
When she returned to Cuiyun Pavilion, a palace maid reported that in the morning, His Majesty had gifted her a pot of pomegranate blossoms in full bloom.
Potted pomegranates weren’t the same as those grown in the ground, but they were very pretty for display.
Shen Chuliu really liked them.
“Just place it on the windowsill in the outer room,” she smiled. “It’s a lovely sign.”
When Zirui came in to help her change, she whispered, “Baolin, should we stop using the contraceptive sachets? With His Majesty gifting you this flower, maybe he hopes for you to bear a child?”
“Nonsense. I like the flower, that’s all,” Shen Chuliu flicked her forehead. “Don’t bring this up again.”
Zirui had no choice but to nod.
Silly girl, overthinking things.
Let’s first see if Consort Cao and the Honored Lady An can manage to deliver their children safely.
On the nineteenth of the fifth month, as usual, everyone went to pay respects at Fengzao Palace. Consort Shu announced she’d be hosting a banquet in the palace the next day.
“I noticed the lotus flowers are blooming beautifully. Though there are many places to admire them in the palace, I also have good tea and snacks at my place, so I invite all my sisters to come enjoy them with me. Would you all be interested?”
“If Sister Consort Shu is inviting, how could we not go? I’ll be there first thing in the morning,” Consort Yi readily agreed.
Consort Shu then invited the Empress: “Your Majesty, would you also consider joining us?”
The Empress nodded slightly. “Then I shall go tomorrow as well.”
With the Empress attending, no one dared decline.
In the Dayi Dynasty, customs were quite open. Other than not being allowed to leave the palace freely, the rules weren’t overly restrictive for women.
There was no strict ban on women participating in politics either.
So a consort inviting the Empress wasn’t odd—it was completely acceptable.
Etiquette and propriety were enforced, of course, but beyond that, there weren’t rigid restrictions.
Even Consort Cao, who was pregnant and resting, hesitated for a while but in the end didn’t dare not go.
Consort Shu held significant influence and was the only one among the Four Consorts. She also had the Second Prince.
Who could afford to slight her?
Shen Chuliu wasn’t worried. She was just a minor consort—nobody would waste their efforts scheming against her.
The next morning, after greetings, everyone began heading to Fuyang Palace.
Fuyang Palace was one of the larger palaces in the inner court. With few consorts currently in residence, it housed only Consort Shu and the Second Prince.
It was tastefully decorated, and just past a small pavilion lay a spacious courtyard, where the lotus flowers were blooming beautifully in the pond.
She had already prepared the space: beneath the hall was a perfect spot for lotus viewing, tea drinking, and conversation.
It was refreshingly cool.
Once the Empress was seated, everyone else sat according to rank.
Aside from the elusive Beauty Liu and Talented Lady Zhao, who had reported illness the day before, everyone was present.
Consort Shu showed her gracious side by ordering goose-down cushions for the two pregnant consorts and specially prepared tea for them.
Shen Chuliu was seated next to Yao Baolin, with Li Baolin on her other side.
Li Baolin had suffered a miscarriage earlier in the year—circumstances still unclear.
“People think she’s all kindness and grace,” Li Baolin sneered.
Shen Chuliu offered her a piece of pastry. “This red bean cake is one I love. I had it at His Majesty’s place the other day and it tasted just the same. Would you like to try it, Sister?”
Li Baolin thought she was showing off, but upon reflection, Shen Chuliu’s favor wasn’t even stronger than her own.
She then understood Shen Chuliu didn’t want to hear her complaints. Though it felt strange, she accepted the gesture. “Thank you, Sister.”
Whether it was just about the pastry or a hidden warning—only she knew.
“His Majesty will be along shortly. In the meantime, why don’t we all enjoy some tea?” Consort Shu said with a smile.
Everyone was startled—they hadn’t expected the Emperor to come.
The lower-ranking consorts began murmuring: truly, Consort Shu commanded respect.
The Empress remained calm and composed, seated with perfect poise.
Everyone quieted their chatter, afraid a single misstep would cost them favor.
When Qi Yixiu arrived, everyone rose immediately to greet him.
A hundred beauties bowing in unison to the Emperor—it was a truly dazzling sight.
“No need for ceremony. Today Consort Shu has invited you to admire the flowers; I’m just here to join the fun,” Qi Yixiu said, walking over to help the Empress up before sitting beside her. “Empress, your attire today is particularly beautiful—more beautiful than the lotus blossoms.”
The Empress’s cold face broke into a smile, captivating in its own right.
“Your Majesty compares the Empress to lotus flowers, but in truth, she’s more like the most radiant peony,” He Xiuyi said with a grin.
“For once, your words are pleasing,” Qi Yixiu replied with a chuckle.
Everyone laughed at that.
Shen Chuliu thought to herself: with He Xiuyi’s mouth, even the Emperor knew she had no filter.
People like her—well, it had pros and cons.
The good part was, the Emperor knew exactly what to expect from her and wouldn’t bother taking offense.
The downside was, her favor likely wouldn’t go any further.
After a while, Consort Yi suddenly said, “Your Majesty, look at how Talented Lady Miao is dressed today. She matches the lotus blossoms perfectly. It reminds me of her dance from the other day—it’s truly unforgettable.”
Qi Yixiu glanced lazily over and saw Miao Cairen in a pink-and-white gown, indeed resembling a freshly blooming lotus.
She stood awkwardly and said, “Thank you for your praise, Consort Yi.”
“Mmm, since Consort Yi wishes to see it, why don’t you dance again for us?” the Emperor said suddenly.
Miao Cairen’s expression changed. She stammered, “Your Majesty…”
“Are you afraid the banquet will be too dull for Consort Shu? Miao Cairen, shouldn’t you be getting ready?” Consort Yi added with a smile.
The Emperor, having said his piece, paid her no further attention.
Consort Shu then brought out fruit wine and poured for the Emperor and Empress, inviting them to try her homemade brew.
Miao Cairen bit her lip and had no choice but to go change.
Her new dance costume was again pink and white, tight-fitting, with an open back.
This wasn’t unusual—she used to wear things like this as a dancer. But now she was a consort to the Son of Heaven, no longer a dance girl.
Wearing such attire amid a crowd of elegant, glamorous consorts, she felt like a duck among a flock of cranes—clumsy and out of place.
Accompanists were ready, and she knew more than one routine.
But with so much weighing on her mind, how could she dance well?
Before long, the Emperor frowned. “Forget it. Since becoming my consort, Miao Cairen seems to have forgotten her roots. Never mind, she doesn’t need to dance.”
Miao Cairen turned pale but didn’t dare beg forgiveness, and could only retreat to change.
The banquet remained lively. Consort Yi even stepped forward and played a tune herself. The melody was elegant and nimble—truly pleasant to hear.
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