Chapter 24: Deserving Death

“What does Aunt mean by that?” Consort Shu (Feng) picked up on something in the tone.

“Consort Yi is so favored—if she’s promoted, that won’t be good for you,” said Empress Dowager Feng mildly. “An Baolin or Wei shi—one of them is bound to be carrying a boy. It would be better if…”

She trailed off, then waved her hand. “Go back for now. I’ll have to think on this for you. You should also be more sensible. Even if you can’t have another child, you must take good care of the Second Prince. Nothing must happen to him.”

Since the Feng family produced an empress, that achievement couldn’t go to waste. At the very least, she had to ensure the Feng clan’s prosperity for three generations. Even if Consort Shu couldn’t climb higher, her son absolutely must not fall behind.

Over on Shen Chuliu’s side, a palace eunuch trying to curry favor brought her a bottle of lotus blossoms just beginning to bloom.

The flowers were half open, in shades of pale pink and white. Considering it was already August, these must have been among the very last blooms of the season.

Shen Chuliu couldn’t help but feel touched. If it had been something else, she might have brushed it off. But these weren’t valuable—just a thoughtful gesture.

Clearly, her increased attendance in the Emperor’s bed hadn’t gone unnoticed.

She told Chisu to reward the eunuch and smiled. “You went through a lot of trouble finding these. I really like them.”

The eunuch flattered her eagerly. “As soon as I saw them, I knew they were perfect for you, Shen Xiaoyi. Don’t they say only beauties deserve flowers? You’re the perfect match.”

Shen Chuliu smiled and had him sent off.

Looking at the flowers in their white porcelain vase, she admired them. “They say the palace’s weather reflects the Emperor’s mood. Seems like Cuyun Pavilion is enjoying a stretch of clear skies.”

“You’re right, Xiaoyi. We might not stand out, but things are going well for us. I heard that over in Jiyun Pavilion, Li Baolin’s meals have been delayed a few times. It was only after Consort Shu scolded the kitchen staff that they started delivering properly,” Zizhu said casually, as if making idle conversation.

Shen Chuliu laughed. This maid was clever, if a little too proper. Her loyalty was absolute—reminded Shen Chuliu of that devoted maid Xiren from Dream of the Red Chamber.

“Li Baolin may only be a Baolin, but she once carried a royal heir. Though she miscarried, that incident was suspicious. The Emperor surely knows the truth. The Empress has never treated her poorly—so why would someone suddenly interfere with her meals?”

“Now that the Empress is pregnant, isn’t the power over the inner palace in Consort Shu’s hands? It was her own oversight. That she had to scold the kitchen is nothing unusual. And Li Baolin isn’t so foolish—she’s not easily won over,” Shen Chuliu said.

“You’re right. Consort Shu’s methods are quite shallow. But behind her is the Empress Dowager,” said Zizhu.

“Well, it’s got nothing to do with me. They’re not trying to rope me in anyway,” Shen Chuliu said lightly.

“I only worry that now that Xiaoyi is gaining favor, those above might end up dragging you into their battles,” Zizhu said.

Shen Chuliu nodded. “That makes sense. Let’s keep watch for now. All of you, be extra cautious—don’t let anyone tamper with our space.”

“Don’t worry, Xiaoyi. We’ll all be very careful,” Zizhu promised.

She had only just said that when trouble indeed arrived.

The next day, rumors started spreading through the palace—word was that the Empress’s pregnancy was unstable, and that a fortune teller had said the baby needed to be raised alongside other royal children to thrive.

That in itself wasn’t strange. In these times, it was an honor for a concubine’s child to be raised by the Empress.

But then, the rumor continued: the Empress only wanted the child, and the birth mother would be… eliminated.

“That’s a truly vicious rumor,” said Yao Baolin in a hushed voice. “Clearly meant to frighten those who are pregnant.”

Shen Chuliu shook her head. “Her Majesty would never think that way.”

Yao Baolin nodded. “True. If it’s not the Empress, then who would it be? Ah… it seems the palace is about to see some serious unrest.”

“We’re all small figures here. No one would stir things up just for us,” said Shen Chuliu.

“You may be small, but you’re currently favored. How can you say you’re insignificant?” Yao Baolin teased.

Shen Chuliu gave a shy smile. “Even so, I’m still average. Compared to Li Baolin or Lu Xiaoyi, I’m not much. And let’s not even mention Noble Consort Yi.”

“You may not match Noble Consort Yi, but you’re doing well. Plenty of others haven’t even seen the Emperor,” Yao Baolin said.

After a bit of chatting, the two parted ways.

Neither of them had taken the rumors to heart, but the next day, when all the consorts and concubines were summoned to Consort Shu’s Fuyang Palace, Shen Chuliu realized something was wrong.

The Emperor should’ve been in court at this time, not here. And calling everyone together like this—clearly something had happened.

After the formal greetings, Qi Yixiu swept his gaze over everyone. “Bring him in.”

A bad feeling welled up in Shen Chuliu’s heart.

An all-too-familiar eunuch was brought forward. He had clearly been tortured already, limping as he walked.

The moment Shen Chuliu saw him, her heart sank. It was the same eunuch who had delivered the lotus flowers to her days earlier!

There are no coincidences in the palace. One look, and she knew this was a trap set for her.

She hadn’t even stood out much among the newcomers—her favor was only equal to Li Baolin’s or Lu Xiaoyi’s. She should’ve known better than to think a eunuch would “recognize true beauty.”

She watched silently as the eunuch knelt, trembling. “This servant deserves death…”

“Repeat what you said. Where did these rumors start?” Consort Shu glanced meaningfully at Shen Chuliu, though she addressed the eunuch.

The eunuch quivered. “Your Majesty, Consort Shu… it was… it was…”

“Speak,” Qi Yixiu said with a slight frown.

He was normally gentle, but when his face turned cold, most people couldn’t help but kneel and beg.

“It was Shen Xiaoyi. Shen Xiaoyi told this servant to do it. I was greedy for silver…” The eunuch kowtowed frantically.

Shen Chuliu sighed softly. There was only one “Shen Xiaoyi” in the entire palace.

She stepped forward and bowed. “Your Majesty, Consort Shu—this concubine only just arrived and knows nothing of what’s happened.”

“Oh, you're playing innocent now?” Li Baolin said with a smile full of malice. “If you truly knew nothing, why would this servant falsely accuse you? He’s been tortured, after all.”

“Shen Xiaoyi, this servant deserves death, but I didn’t dare lie when His Majesty asked. It’s not a serious offense—just spreading a rumor. Though you slandered the Empress, if you beg His Majesty, I’m sure it won’t be too serious.” The eunuch even tried to ‘advise’ her.

Shen Chuliu glared at him, voice cold. “I’d like to know what proof you have that I slandered Her Majesty. Since when do palace servants get to accuse their masters so freely? Whether or not I’m guilty is not your place to judge. And for speaking as you just did—you truly deserve death.”