Chapter 26: Thoughts from All Sides

"You’ve misunderstood me, Sister. I really shouldn’t have said what I did earlier. It was far too easy to misinterpret—I just got flustered." Lu Xiaoyi said anxiously.

"I’ve been in the palace for over a year, and it turns out I’ve been a fool," Shen Chuliu replied with a smile. "I’ve never been good at reading the room."

With that, she took Zirui's hand and walked off, giving Lu Xiaoyi no face at all.

A hypocrite is always more dangerous than a straightforward villain.

She would much rather deal directly with someone like Li Baolin.

"Chuliu," Yao Baolin approached, "are you alright?"

"His Majesty promoted me. Of course I’m alright. Let’s go, time to head back." Shen Chuliu wasn’t interested in chatting further.

Yao Baolin, worried that Shen Chuliu might suspect her involvement, quickly added, "The scheme today was pretty basic. Whoever was behind it likely didn’t mean to completely bring you down. There’s probably someone else meant to take the fall."

Shen Chuliu smiled but purposely didn’t respond.

The two of them returned to Cuiyun Pavilion in silence.

She had left as a Xiaoyi, and returned a Cairen. That was progress, at least.

Though a sixth-rank Cairen wasn’t much, it was still one step closer to the Meiren rank.

"That was terrifying," Zirui said, clutching her chest once they were back in their quarters.

Zizhu, Jimei, and Chisu all hurried over. Zirui had already begun retelling the story.

All three girls looked shocked and frightened.

"What was Li Baolin thinking? Trying to provoke His Majesty into ordering a palace search! I hope she gets her turn soon!" Chisu said.

Shen Chuliu laughed. "Alright, I’ll remember you said that."

Chisu lowered her head, embarrassed. "This servant just got worked up."

"No need to dwell on it," Shen Chuliu said. "Just go over our quarters thoroughly. Li Baolin likely just wanted to embarrass me. Otherwise, she would’ve insisted on the search. Still, it’s best we check, in case someone really did plant something shady here."

The four maids couldn’t sit still. Only Jimei stayed behind to serve her while the others fanned out to inspect everything.

They spent the whole morning combing through everything but found nothing unusual.

They also discreetly reminded Yao Baolin, who had her quarters searched as well.

Cuiyun Pavilion didn’t currently have a lead resident, so it was relatively easy to search thoroughly.

It seemed Li Baolin really had only been trying to humiliate Shen Chuliu.

"Send word to the kitchen," Shen Chuliu said, feeling hungry after the chaos. "Since I’ve been promoted—though the decree hasn’t officially come down yet—they’ll probably add a few dishes."

Zizhu smiled and went off to the kitchens.

In Fuyang Palace, Chanjun massaged Consort Shu's legs while saying, "Please don’t overthink this, Your Highness. We never really intended to do anything serious to that Shen Cairen."

"‘Not serious,’ and now she’s a Cairen! What’s next? Meiren? Jieyu?" Consort Shu huffed.

"Your Highness, even if she becomes a Meiren, a Jieyu, or even a Zhaoyi, so what? You’re the mother of the Second Prince, a titled Consort, niece to Empress Dowager Feng. Who is she compared to you? Why even bother?"

Chanjun was clever and very good at serving Consort Shu. Everything she said hit the right notes.

That’s why, even though Jinxiu had been brought from her natal family, it was Chanjun who had risen to the top.

"Think about it, Your Highness. In the entire palace, only the Empress, you, and Consort Yi hold high ranks. But although Consort Yi is also a Consort, second-rank isn’t first-rank. Her family background is weak, she has no children. She’s favored now, but what about the future?"

"There are only two of you at the top. It looks good now, but long term? That’s not necessarily a good thing."

"And why is that not a good thing?" Consort Shu snapped.

"Because you’re the Second Prince’s mother. In the harem of Great Yi, even the Empress isn’t necessarily more respected than you. You’re the real deal. You think no one’s jealous?"

"Just like today—every time something happens in the palace, no matter how big or small, you can’t avoid getting dragged in. Of the nine concubine positions, only two are filled. One’s not too bright, the other’s temper is off. Consort Yi wouldn’t dare contradict you. That’s good now—but the Second Prince is still young."

He was only three—who could say how he’d grow up?

Chanjun didn’t say that part aloud. Instead, she continued, "No matter who rises up, they can’t take away your advantages. The Second Prince is always at the front of the line."

"The Empress is pregnant. If she gives birth to a legitimate heir..." Consort Shu gritted her teeth.

"Your Highness, seriously. She’s been childless for years. Just because she’s pregnant now doesn’t mean she’ll give birth easily. Even if she does, and even if it’s a legitimate son—she’s a foreign princess. Trying to elevate her child to Crown Prince? Nearly impossible."

"And anyway, why compete with those two? Let them have their children. No matter how many they have, they’ll still come after the Second Prince. You just focus on letting the lower-ranked consorts climb. If anything happens to the Empress, there’ll be no shortage of suspects."

They wouldn’t need to lift a finger—just watch from Fuyang Palace.

"Enough. I know your heart is with me," Consort Shu sighed. "Let’s wait until Mid-Autumn. I’ll recommend a few to be promoted then."

"If Your Highness says so, I’d gladly give my life for you!" Chanjun said, smiling as she massaged her legs.

Consort Shu gave her a light tap. "No need for you to do anything. Just stay by my side and keep me grounded. As long as I and the Second Prince are well, you’ll be well too."

"Thank you, Your Highness. I’ll go check on some desserts. The weather’s cooler now—something sweet would be good," Chanjun said.

Consort Shu nodded, and she left.

In Fengzao Palace, the Empress had just vomited again. She looked pale and weak as she listened to Emei recount the events of the morning.

"Lu Xiaoyi was a bit too eager," Emei concluded.

"His Majesty seems to be quite fond of that Li Baolin," the Empress said coolly.

"This Shen Cairen has certainly caught his attention too," Peilan added.

"Of course. Don’t you know His Majesty’s temperament by now? He’s never liked women who are too stupid or overly soft. Among the newcomers, Lu Xiaoyi is clever and scheming. Shen Cairen is bold and willing to speak up. Li Baolin seems impulsive, but maybe that’s just an act. They’re all playing the game."

The Empress gave a cold laugh. "I’m in no rush. No matter what happens, I’m still the Empress. Let’s see how desperate Feng Su gets."

"Today’s mess was probably her doing. But who she meant to target, I’m not sure. In my humble opinion, Your Highness doesn’t need to worry. They wouldn’t dare go after you right now. Even if rumors start, An Baolin won’t believe them. And His Majesty already ordered them silenced. Nothing will spread. You just focus on your pregnancy. That’s the real priority."

The Empress touched her still-quiet belly. "Send some things to An Baolin. Tell her I have no interest in her child. Every child in this palace will have to call me 'Mother Empress.'"

"Yes, Your Highness," Peilan and Emei replied, and left to carry out the order.