Chapter 17: Picking on the Soft Ones

Cuiyun Pavilion was indeed a good place. On one side it was next to the Imperial Garden, and on the other, there was a small grove of osmanthus trees.

Last autumn, their fragrance had lingered for a whole month.

Since it was close, Shen Chuliu had collected quite a bit of osmanthus blossoms last year.

“Well, that’s true. Even though our place is a bit remote, it’s refined and peaceful. Living somewhere out of the way brings peace of mind. I heard Zilin Pavilion has been quite a mess lately,” Ziru said.

“Cai Cairen still hasn’t given up?” Shen Chuliu chuckled. “What’s the point? The more she fusses, the more embarrassing it is. I doubt she doesn’t already know that her miscarriage wasn’t due to Wei Attendant.”

“You’re right, my lady. But even if she understands, it doesn’t mean she can let it go. She can’t afford to offend anyone else, so this is all she can do. She used to be at odds with Jieyu Li even during her pregnancy. Now she doesn’t even dare,” Zizhu shook her head.

“Only picking on the soft ones, huh?” Shen Chuliu shook her head. “No wonder she was demoted after losing her child.”

“Enough, it’s getting hot. I’m going to lie down for a bit. Let’s take a walk in the Imperial Garden around dusk,” Shen Chuliu said.

The maid responded and helped her lie down in the outer room.

The Imperial Garden was indeed a place full of gossip and drama—truly lived up to its reputation.

Shen Chuliu took her maids to the spot where the lotus flowers were currently blooming best. There, she spotted a few people in a pavilion.

She was already there, so there was no reason to avoid them.

As she approached, she saw Ning Cairen and Jieyu Li’s maids standing outside the pavilion, along with one less noticeable maid belonging to Zhang Yunu.

Entering the pavilion, Shen Chuliu greeted the two consorts, and Zhang Yunu greeted her.

“Where’s Shen Baolin coming from?” Ning Cairen asked, giving her some face.

“Just from Cuiyun Pavilion. I thought it was unbearably hot, so I came to look at the lotuses. Didn’t expect to run into Jieyu and Cairen here,” Shen Chuliu replied.

“Shen Baolin really is unlucky. You finally got a night with His Majesty, and it got disrupted. What a shame…” Jieyu Li shook her head.

“It couldn’t be helped. The Second Prince’s condition was more important,” Shen Chuliu responded calmly, showing she didn’t feel embarrassed at all.

Ning Cairen laughed. “Shen Baolin is a clever one. Sister Li, don’t mistake her for a fool.”

“I wouldn’t dare assume anyone’s a fool. Those who truly are don’t even dare show their faces,” Jieyu Li laughed.

Shen Chuliu smiled too. “You’re teasing me now.”

“By the way, Shen Baolin might not know this yet, but we’ll be having two new sisters joining us soon,” Ning Cairen said.

“Are they the two young ladies we saw at the Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration?” Shen Chuliu asked.

“Exactly. One is Miss Chen, second legitimate daughter of the Minister of Personnel. The other is Miss Wu, the sixth daughter of the Duke of Qi’s household. That Wu family is quite similar to yours—both honored for past military merit,” Ning Cairen said.

In truth, the Duke of Qi’s household had noble lineage, but only retained their title now. The Shen family, however, not only held a title but also commanded troops.

Though the Duke of Qi’s title was higher—granted back in the previous emperor’s reign—the Shen family had more real power.

Still, Miss Chen couldn’t be underestimated either, as her father, the Minister of Personnel, was promoted after the current emperor ascended the throne.

“So these two young ladies are likely to receive high ranks upon entering the palace?” Shen Chuliu asked, feigning naivety.

“Look at yourself—you’re only a Baolin. How high could they go?” Ning Cairen nearly said the emperor was stingy outright.

Indeed, Qi Yixiu was rather frugal when it came to conferring ranks on women in the harem.

Maybe because Shen Chuliu had left a good impression, despite Ning Cairen’s veiled attempts to stir trouble between her and the newcomers, she didn’t make things difficult.

Her family background probably helped too.

That night, Shen Chuliu was summoned again. This was expected, since the previous night had been disrupted by Consort Feng—making up for it now was natural.

In Taiji Palace, after the passion had passed, Qi Yixiu pinched Shen Chuliu’s cheek. “Didn’t I tell you to stay? Why did you go back?”

“I’m just not used to it. Taiji Palace is too big. It doesn’t bother Your Majesty, but when you’re not around, it feels scary,” Shen Chuliu said with a smile.

Qi Yixiu chuckled. He had expected some proper, rule-abiding excuse.

After all, it wasn’t protocol for a Baolin to be left alone in the dragon bed.

But her answer was unexpected, and oddly refreshing.

“What did you do during the day?” Since it was still early, Qi Yixiu wasn’t sleepy and began chatting with her.

“I woke up late in the morning, received Consort Feng’s gifts, then lay down again for a while. In the afternoon I went to the Imperial Garden. Ran into Sister Li and Sister Ning, and also Little Sister Zhang. We chatted for a bit.”

“Oh? What did you talk about?” Qi Yixiu asked casually.

“Hmm, Your Majesty must be tired.” Shen Chuliu gently patted his shoulder with her delicate white hand.

Qi Yixiu laughed. “Trying to change the subject? Hmm? What are you hiding from me?”

“Nothing… just that new sisters are entering the palace. How should I react?” Shen Chuliu mumbled. “If I congratulate Your Majesty, I feel awful inside. But if I don’t, I’d seem rude and ignorant.”

“Hahaha, so you didn’t know what to say?” Qi Yixiu laughed out loud.

“Your Majesty… don’t tease me. Just let me off this time, won’t you? Next time when I’m not in the dragon bed, I’ll give a proper congratulation—how about that?” Shen Chuliu pouted playfully.

“Alright, alright, whatever you say, my dear,” Qi Yixiu said.

He had seen countless women act coy and charming.

But Shen’s way of doing it was… well-behaved in its own way. He had to admit, it was endearing.

“You’ve been in the palace for over a year now,” Qi Yixiu suddenly said.

“Yes, over a year,” Shen Chuliu murmured, drowsy.

Seeing her sleepy look, Qi Yixiu lifted her chin. “Already sleepy? I haven’t given permission yet.”

And with that, he covered her again.

Warm fragrance and soft jade—once was never enough.

Lately, there had been no morning court, so Shen Chuliu stayed in Taiji Palace for breakfast.

That in itself was a rare honor. Qi Yixiu didn’t usually let consorts eat breakfast with him in the palace.

Since there was no court today, he leisurely shared breakfast with her before sending her back.

The palace attendants couldn’t help but notice—wasn’t this young consort on the rise? She had been summoned three or four times in the past month.

That was a far cry from before, when once every three or four months was already good.

Back in her own quarters, after rewarding the eunuchs, Shen Chuliu felt at ease.

She had put effort into gaining favor, and now the results were showing.

This pace was perfect—nothing too overwhelming, just steady progress.

And now, with newcomers arriving, her rising favor would balance things nicely. A win-win.

Sure enough, a few days later, Qi Yixiu issued a decree:

Chen and Wu were both granted the title of Baolin and assigned to live in Qingyin Pavilion.

At the same time, both Lu Baolin and Shen Baolin were promoted to the rank of Xiaoyi.

An Yunu was now An Baolin. Judging by this pattern, after giving birth, she too would likely become a Xiaoyi.