Chapter 2: So-Called Chance Encounter

The Empress gave her a glance. “Meiren Cao is still young and inexperienced. She’ll understand in time. Jieyu Li, you’ve been wronged. I have a pair of bracelets here—not anything special, but wear them for fun.”

“Many thanks for Your Majesty’s reward. Younger Sister Cao’s pregnancy is naturally something to celebrate, and I’m happy for her,” Jieyu Li said with a smile.

The Empress offered a faint smile. “That’s good. There are few children in the palace. His Majesty has been on the throne for four years. The first few were spent in mourning, and now over a year has passed since. It’s finally a joyful event.”

“Your Majesty is the epitome of virtue. We are all fortunate to have you. We hope Your Majesty can soon give birth to a legitimate heir. That would truly be the hope of our Great Yi Dynasty, wouldn’t it?” Consort Shu said with a laugh.

The Empress’s smile remained gentle. “Whether I give birth or not doesn’t matter. The children you all bear are still mine.”

Shen Chuliu silently praised her—that’s the commanding tone a true Empress should have.

Sure enough, Consort Shu looked momentarily awkward.

“Speaking of which, Consort Yi has served His Majesty the most. How come there’s never been any movement in her belly since the days of the Eastern Palace? It’s been six years, hasn’t it?” Consort He turned her attention to Consort Yi.

“If I don’t give birth, aren’t you quite pleased?” Consort Yi shot back without restraint. “Next promotion round, won’t you be Zhaoyi, Consort He?”

Everyone laughed. Generally speaking, bearing a child would naturally earn one a second-rank consort title.

Consort Yi was clearly being wicked—hoping Consort He would forever linger at the ninth-rank level.

“Enough. There’s nothing else today, so this audience is dismissed,” the Empress said, disliking the gossip, and stood up.

The ladies all gave their farewells and left Fengzao Palace.

“If Consort Yi has time, do come sit at my palace. I have some fine tea from the Empress Dowager,” Consort Shu said with a smile.

Consort Yi nodded. “Then I’ll intrude on Your Grace.”

As the two of them walked off, whispers arose behind them. Empress Dowager Feng was the late Emperor’s principal wife, while the current Emperor was the biological son of Empress Dowager Li.

The two dowagers were getting along for now, but who knew about the future?

None of the women in the harem who bore the surname Li, such as Jieyu Li or Baolin Li, were from the Empress Dowager Li’s family.

Baolin Yao and Shen Chuliu were walking when Baolin Lu caught up to them. “The weather’s nice today. Would you elder sisters care to sit in the Imperial Garden?”

“Let’s sit a while—there’s nothing to do anyway,” Baolin Yao agreed.

But Shen Chuliu smiled. “I’ll pass. You two go ahead. I’ll take a stroll through the peach grove—I’m feeling drowsy.”

The two didn’t say much—she was always like this.

They walked toward the Imperial Garden. It was May. The peonies had just finished blooming, and the pomegranates were in full bloom.

The palace of Great Yi was vast, covering an enormous area. Inside the grounds was a small lake called Luming Lake. Legend had it that when the palace was first built, wild deer roamed its banks.

Of course, there were no deer now.

Shen Chuliu, with Ziru, headed toward the peach grove. The peach blossoms had long withered, and there wasn’t much to see—only a quiet spot.

“If Meiren Cao gives birth to a prince, she’ll be exalted,” Ziru whispered.

“She still has to deliver safely. Didn’t Talented Lady Ning have a miscarriage before?” Shen Chuliu shook her head gently. Children were never easy to keep in the harem.

“True, but with some care, it’s not impossible,” Ziru said softly. “If Baolin could bear a child, that would be a blessing.”

“Childbearing isn’t something one can will into existence,” Shen Chuliu said with a smile. “It’s out of our hands. What I’m worried about is Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration. What should I give as a gift? I may only be a Baolin, but I can’t not send anything.”

“We’ve already prepared quite a few things. It’s not far off now,” Ziru said as she fanned her.

Shen Chuliu sat at a stone table and fanned herself. “I really don’t have any talents to speak of. Before I entered the palace, I was no good at music, chess, calligraphy, or painting. I can’t sing or dance either. I thought I’d just get by on my looks, but once I got here, I realized… even my looks are just so-so.” She laughed. “Now I’m fretting. I’ll just have to send something valuable and eye-catching. Hopefully the Empress Dowager won’t be disappointed.”

Behind her, Emperor Qi Yixiu had overheard everything and found it amusing. Which little concubine is this, openly saying she’s no good at anything?

“Let me see which beloved consort is so lacking in self-confidence,” he said mischievously, not at all concerned about startling a little consort.

Shen Chuliu cursed in her heart—What the hell, the Emperor was eavesdropping?! She quickly wondered how much he had heard.

But she didn’t dare hesitate and quickly rose to greet him.

“Greetings to Your Majesty. Wishing Your Majesty ten thousand blessings.”

“Rise. This is Baolin Shen?” the Emperor asked his eunuch.

The eunuch smiled. “Yes, Your Majesty. Baolin Shen likely just came from the Empress’s palace.”

“Is that so? You were out greeting the Empress and decided to wander because you felt sleepy?” Shen Chuliu answered cautiously, “Yes, Your Majesty. I came out after paying respects and felt drowsy, so I decided to take a walk.”

“Oh? Strange that you would walk to see wilted peach blossoms when the pomegranates in the Imperial Garden are in full bloom. Could it be that you’re a flower lover?” Qi Yixiu said with a friendly smile.

Shen Chuliu glanced at the Emperor and thought to herself—he really is ridiculously handsome.

Dressed in a silver-white robe with his hair bound by a jade crown and two thin yellow ribbons hanging down, the shape of his temples appeared even sharper. He had sword-like brows paired with phoenix eyes.

Qi Yixiu’s eyes were especially striking.

When he smiled, they were enchanting. When angry, they were equally captivating.

His lips weren’t too thin or thick, and the shape was exquisite.

He had a high nose bridge and smooth skin.

Even though this man was, technically, “shared,” Shen Chuliu couldn’t complain about sleeping with him.

After all, he was really easy on the eyes.

“Your Majesty, I don’t particularly love flowers. It’s just that when peach blossoms fall, the fruit will come. I was wondering when the peaches would be ripe,” she said with an easy smile.

“Baolin Shen doesn’t have a good gift for the Empress Dowager?” Qi Yixiu looked at her. The young woman smiled mischievously, so he didn’t press the subject further.

Shen Chuliu muttered inwardly but kept smiling. “I may not have much skill, but I still intend to give a proper gift. Regardless of quality, it’s the thought that counts. Sending a gift gives me peace of mind. Even though I’m young, I do understand basic etiquette.”

“Very sensible. Chu Si, go fetch a pair of white jade bracelets and give them to Baolin Shen. Such a thoughtful girl deserves a reward,” Qi Yixiu said.

The eunuch Chu Si responded and left to get them.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. Then on the Empress Dowager’s birthday, I shall wear the jade bracelets Your Majesty rewarded me with,” Shen Chuliu bowed and smiled even more sweetly.

Qi Yixiu helped her up with one hand. “Good. Take your stroll. I have matters to attend to.”

Shen Chuliu rose again and respectfully saw him off.

“Congratulations, Baolin. Looks like you’ll be summoned soon,” Ziru said cheerfully.

Shen Chuliu shook her head lightly and said nothing. After sitting for a while, she returned to Cuiyun Pavilion.