Chapter 21: Sarcasm

It was as if she had done it countless times before.

Qi Yixiu was indeed very satisfied.

"Since you've worked hard today, my dear consort, what kind of reward would you like?" Qi Yixiu stood and stretched his shoulders.

"Your Majesty, save the rewards for now. It wouldn’t be worth much at this moment. Once there’s more saved up, I’ll ask for something big." Shen Chuliu smiled with curved eyes, charming and sweet.

Qi Yixiu sat back down and pulled her into his arms. "So greedy?"

"Your Majesty, this is the study," Shen Chuliu said shyly.

"Hmm?" Qi Yixiu stared at her.

Shen Chuliu grinned mischievously. "Then... if Eunuch Chusi turns around, we can just pretend it’s not the study."

She wrapped her arms around Qi Yixiu’s neck. "Your Majesty, I’m not exactly tired, but I am a bit hungry. If I eat a bit more tonight, you’re not allowed to stare at me. Otherwise, I’ll be too nervous to eat."

Qi Yixiu was speechless. "What other consort eats like you do?"

It’s not that others can’t eat — it’s that none dare eat like this in front of him.

But Shen was different. She ate a lot, but did so gracefully. It made it hard to dislike her.

"Your Majesty owns the riches of the world. My elders at home used to say that our Dayi Dynasty, during the Qingyuan reign, is at its most prosperous. I’m not asking for a mountain of gold or silver — just a few more bites. You mustn’t be stingy," Shen Chuliu pouted and acted spoiled.

"Hahaha, alright, alright. I won’t be stingy. You really are..." He knew she was just being playful, but he rather liked it.

Qi Yixiu put her down and held her hand as they left the study.

Dinner was lavish as usual. Shen Chuliu ate until she was about 80% full — any more wouldn’t be good for her health.

That was already a lot. Most consorts attending the emperor’s meals could only eat until they were 30% full, if that.

Shen Chuliu mused: no wonder the more favored a consort was, the slimmer her waist — they were probably all starving.

After dinner, Qi Yixiu and Shen Chuliu went for a stroll in the small garden to cool off.

"Did you read much at home?" Qi Yixiu asked.

"Well, it depends on what kind of books Your Majesty means. If you’re asking about the Four Books, Five Classics, Records of the Grand Historian, or Doctrine of the Mean... then I only skimmed Nüjie a little. But if you mean all sorts of miscellanies, travelogues, and those storybooks I read in secret behind my elders’ backs — then I’ve read extensively!"

Qi Yixiu almost spit out his tea.

First time. That was truly the first time.

Not just among women — even men wouldn’t dare say such things in front of him.

No well-bred lady would admit to reading only miscellaneous books, and say it so boldly too.

"Your Majesty... I only tell you this because I know how generous you are. You’d never look down on me for it. Please don’t make me eat my words," Shen Chuliu tugged gently on his hand, her tone pitiful.

"You’re saying it like that — what else can I say?" Qi Yixiu truly didn’t mind what books women read.

As long as they weren’t harmful.

After all, as a child, he too disliked the classics and only liked wild histories and odd tales.

Still, most women, even if they had read such books, wouldn’t say so. At most, they’d claim to have read poetry and essays — to seem cultured and refined.

But Shen dared to say anything.

"What’s your given name, dear consort?" Qi Yixiu’s interest clearly grew.

"I was born on the first day of the third lunar month, so when my mother was alive, she named me Chuliu."

The imperial city of Dayi was in the southern regions. On the first day of the third month, the willows were just budding, their most beautiful.

So the name was quite fitting.

"In my family, all the girls of my generation have ‘Bi’ in their names. I’m the only one with a different name. I think mine is quite nice. What does Your Majesty think?"

"Mmm, it’s a nice name," Qi Yixiu complimented her.

Most women’s names emphasized dignity. Shen Chuliu’s name wasn’t particularly grand, but it wasn’t vulgar either.

It was lively and fresh — it suited her well.

"I know Your Majesty’s name too," Shen Chuliu said with a smile.

"Getting bold, aren’t you?" Qi Yixiu pinched her hand.

"No — everyone should know it, so they know to avoid using it. I didn’t understand as a child, but I learned from books later. Yi means joy, Xiu means governance. Your name really is a good name."

"My name was chosen by the Ministry of Rites," Qi Yixiu said, watching her reaction.

"But Your Majesty, it suits you. Joy for the people, governing the realm. Your name is the best in the world," Shen Chuliu said seriously.

Her big eyes blinked up at him. Even knowing she was flattering him, you couldn’t bring yourself to call her out on it.

Especially with the look that said, “Please don’t ruin it for me or I won’t know what to do!”

Qi Yixiu’s heart softened. "In the future, no more loose talk."

"Mm-mm, thank you, Your Majesty!" Shen Chuliu grinned like a bootlicker and held up her tea. "Your Majesty, have some tea."

After drinking, Qi Yixiu looked at her under the moonlight. Her fair skin seemed to glow with a misty light — beautiful.

This girl really had been holding back.

So he pinched her waist with some annoyance.

Then pulled her close. "It’s late. My dear consort, it’s time to attend to me for the night."

Shen Chuliu shyly nodded and followed Qi Yixiu back.

There was still a bit of fuss once they returned. After bathing separately, they finally got into bed.

Qi Yixiu was deliberately rougher with her that night.

So much so that Shen Chuliu nearly cried.

"Your Majesty is bullying me," she muttered miserably.

Qi Yixiu was satisfied and called the servants in to help wash up.

"I’ll save up for you. One day, when there’s enough, I’ll grant you the title with the character Yue — how about that?"

After saying it and getting no response, he looked down — only to see the little consort had already fallen asleep with her lips pouted.

She looked thoroughly wronged.

Qi Yixiu chuckled, pinched her soft red lips, and closed his eyes.

Shen Chuliu, pretending to be asleep, thought: Yue? Not dignified enough. Don’t care for it.

The next morning, Qi Yixiu went to court. Shen Chuliu also headed early to Fengzao Palace.

On the way, Jimei whispered, "My Lady, I think your bracelet was left in the imperial study. I didn’t get the chance to mention it until now."

"Mmm, you’re thoughtful. It’s alright," Shen Chuliu smiled.

Jimei wisely said no more.

She had already brought clean clothes and a new bracelet. But a master’s personal belongings couldn’t just be lost.

Seeing that her mistress seemed to have things in hand, there was no need to worry.

Morning greetings were always a battlefield.

Since Lady Wei was pregnant, she didn’t attend. Shen Chuliu, having served the emperor the night before, was naturally the center of attention.

Fortunately, she had a strong mind and an open nature, so she wasn’t afraid of scrutiny.

And she was quick-witted — even He Xiuyi didn’t dare say anything too harsh.

But that Li Baolin clearly looked down on her. Her words were sharp.

"Sister Shen may not serve the emperor often, but when she does, it’s not short, is it? You went over in the afternoon, didn’t you?"

A sarcastic jab — implying that since Shen Chuliu couldn’t serve him frequently, she made her time with him last as long as possible.