Chapter 16: Subtly Meaningful

The emperor was handsome, so that part wasn’t unpleasant.

After both had enjoyed themselves, they lay down. It was the height of summer, and even though Shen Chuliu rarely sweated, at a time like this it couldn’t be avoided.

Fortunately, with them both sweaty, there was no reason for disgust.

After having water brought in and washing up, they lay down again.

Qiyi Xiu, having been satisfied, was in the mood to be tender.

Shen Chuliu, drowsy, fell asleep first.

The night should have passed peacefully, but in the middle of the night, she was suddenly woken up by Chusi.

Shen Chuliu was slow to wake, groggy, hearing Chusi muttering something—she could only make out a few words: “vomiting and diarrhea,” “lips pale,” “crying in panic.”

Clearing her mind, she realized they were talking about the Second Prince.

She sat up quickly.

Qiyi Xiu frowned and got out of bed. “You lie down. I’ll go check on the Second Prince.”

“Your Majesty, don’t worry—it sounds like heatstroke,” Shen Chuliu said, not daring to stay in bed. She hurried to dress.

“Stay here. I’m going first,” Qiyi Xiu said with a nod, then left.

It seemed that although Consort Feng wasn’t especially favored, the Second Prince was still clearly important.

Shen Chuliu slowly finished dressing. Zizhu came in to assist. “Baolin?”

“Yes, find a young eunuch with a lantern to escort us. We’re going back.”

“Baolin, there’s no need to rush. His Majesty said you should just rest. He might return shortly,” said Li Chun, a palace maid from Taiji Palace.

“Thank you, Sister Li Chun. But with the Second Prince like this, His Majesty must be very worried. I shouldn’t stay. Could you have someone light the way for me?” Shen Chuliu asked.

“Of course. It’s dark and the roads are hard to walk. Take care, Baolin.” Li Chun curtsied.

Shen Chuliu thanked her and left with Zizhu.

As they walked ahead, Yushui said behind them, “She’s quite obedient.”

“Well, she’s from a marquis’s household—of course she knows the rules. Not like those from small families. If it had been Jieyu Li tonight, she definitely wouldn’t have left. She’d have caused a scene already,” Li Chun replied.

As they spoke, they began tidying the dragon bed.

Meanwhile, Shen Chuliu, supported by Zizhu, found the night air refreshing.

It was around 11 PM—not late by modern standards, but in the ancient palace, that was already deep into the night.

The eunuch with the lantern was polite all the way, and she rewarded him with silver.

Then she asked for some pastries and ate before going back to sleep.

Fortunately, she didn’t need to present herself in the morning and could sleep in.

At Fuyang Palace, Consort Feng was in tears, while the Second Prince’s face had turned pale as paper from diarrhea.

The child had always been healthy. Now, Consort Feng was worried he might’ve been harmed, or worse. She cried uncontrollably—some of it genuine, some clearly performative.

Qiyi Xiu frowned. “Enough, it’s just a case of heat exhaustion. But how were your servants taking care of him?”

Qiyi Xiu was generally a gentle person, but this was his only son. Naturally, he was angry.

He immediately ordered the caning of the servants who had been caring for the prince.

After taking medicine, the prince’s diarrhea gradually stopped and he finally fell asleep.

The imperial physician confirmed it wasn’t serious—just dehydration from the diarrhea. After some light saline solution, he was better.

Only then did Consort Feng stop crying. “I panicked for a moment. It was Baolin Shen who served Your Majesty last night, wasn’t it? Now it’s so late, it would be too tiring for Your Majesty to return. I’ll send her some gifts tomorrow to apologize. Please stay and rest here. It’s almost time for morning court anyway.”

Her words were clever—better than pretending to be considerate by urging him to leave.

Qiyi Xiu gave a quiet “hmm” and allowed her to help him rest in her own quarters.

The next morning, before Shen Chuliu even finished her hair and makeup, a palace maid from Consort Feng’s palace arrived.

Hearing this, Shen Chuliu went out to greet her personally. “Miss Chanjun, welcome.”

“Oh, Baolin, please go inside—it's so hot. I’ve come on behalf of my lady to offer an apology,” Chanjun curtsied as she entered.

“Please rise. There’s no need for such formalities.”

“Yesterday’s events ruined your evening with His Majesty. My lady feels terrible. She specially asked me to deliver these fabrics, and she said you mustn’t come in person to thank her—this heat is too much to endure,” Chanjun said, mimicking Consort Feng’s tone.

Shen Chuliu smiled and thanked her. “Consort Feng has really thought too little of me. Last night was an accident. But I must ask—how is the Second Prince?”

“He’s fine now. Just a bit of heatstroke. It’s been so hot lately, and the Second Prince still has to attend classes at the Hongwen Hall. It’s no wonder. Thankfully, it wasn’t serious—he’ll be well after a few days of rest,” said Chanjun.

“That’s a relief. Children are always vulnerable when sick. The consort must be exhausted.” Shen Chuliu shook her head. “I’m deeply grateful for her gift. Since Her Ladyship is so thoughtful, I won’t insist on visiting to thank her. Please give her my respects.” She bowed in the direction of Fuyang Palace.

Chanjun quickly stopped her. “They always say Baolin Shen is well-mannered—and it’s clearly true. Please rest. I’ll take my leave now.”

Shen Chuliu asked Zizhu to see her out.

When Zizhu returned, she said, “Consort Feng is really considerate. Chanjun may not be from her family, but she’s served her for years. Definitely her right hand.”

“Our Consort Feng has always cared for her people,” Shen Chuliu smiled. “Since she gave it, there’s no reason to refuse. We’ll accept it.”

Zizhu and Zirui inspected the items. Seeing nothing wrong, they put them away.

“But I wonder,” Zizhu asked, “with her acting so graciously, will the Empress hold it against you?”

“I’m just a lowly Baolin. Whether I’m rewarded or punished, I can only accept it. Her Majesty the Empress doesn’t care for small matters. It should be fine,” Shen Chuliu replied.

Consort Feng was overly virtuous. As for herself, her rank was too low to be drawn into the intrigues of higher ranks.

It didn’t mean she was being pulled into Consort Feng’s camp.

At least she knew that Baolin Li was now aligned with Consort Feng.

In the inner palace, taking sides could be both good and bad. In the short term, it offered protection. But in the long run, they were all serving the same man—unless one truly gave up seeking favor, it was easy to be dragged down.

On that point, Consort Yi had miscalculated.

Ever since she aligned with Consort Feng, her time with the emperor had decreased.

That was likely not just Shen Chuliu’s imagination.

But Baolin Lu, after aligning with the Empress, had more time with the emperor. The implications of that were truly... thought-provoking.

“I was wondering,” Zirui said, “will His Majesty go to Mount Qingliang this year? Last year, he only brought Consort Yi. This year, who knows?”

“This late in the season? Impossible. They left in May last year. We’ll just stay here at Anxin Palace. Our Cuiyun Pavilion is out of the way, but at least it’s not as hot. Look at the other places—no shade at all. It’s suffocating.”



Author’s note on the emperor’s thinking:

Consort Yi had been favored for years, but still chose to side with Consort Feng. The emperor felt she had wasted his favor. Baolin Lu, being of low rank and rarely favored, had every reason to rely on the Empress—that was more acceptable.

That said, Consort Yi was still the most favored.

As for the demoted Lady Wei… well, her story hasn’t been told yet.