Chapter 27: Rather Refreshing

By midday, the young eunuch changed his story, claiming that Attendant Wei had given him ten taels of silver.

He said it had only been a careless remark that had been blown out of proportion, and out of fear, he had falsely accused Shen Chuliu.

The story was full of holes, but since there were three pregnant women in the palace, Qi Yixiu likely didn’t want to stir things up. So he simply ordered the eunuch to be caned to death.

It was declared that the servant had acted recklessly, implicating consorts.

In any case, that was the conclusion.

Qi Yixiu did nothing to Attendant Wei, which meant that even if she had been wronged, she could only bear it in silence.

At Cuiyun Pavilion, Chisu relayed all of this.

Shen Chuliu smiled faintly. “I suppose I should thank His Majesty for being willing to hear me out.”

She had long since seen through Qi Yixiu’s indifference.

She wasn’t expecting love or affection. As long as she could survive each matter, she only cared about the benefits.

Because of that, even though Attendant Wei’s situation was pitiful, she felt no sympathy.

In the harem, who wasn’t living on edge, walking on thin ice? Without a secure position, who had the right to pity anyone?

“Talented Lady, are you upset?” Chisu asked cautiously.

“I’ve no reason to be happy,” Shen Chuliu said with a cold smile. “Get ready. I imagine I’ll be summoned soon.”

She had been promoted not because she was wronged, but because her sharp tongue had left an impression on the emperor.

Yes, her family background meant the emperor couldn’t dismiss her entirely—but whether he liked or protected her was another matter.

Even if she hadn’t cleared her name today, she wouldn’t have ended up like Attendant Wei.

But whether her days would go well in the future—that was another question.

“Yes, understood,” Chisu replied, not fully understanding, but asking no more.

Sure enough, that night, Qi Yixiu summoned her.

At the Taiji Palace, after paying her respects, Shen Chuliu looked at Qi Yixiu with a mixture of grievance and frustration.

“What’s wrong, my beloved?” Qi Yixiu asked, in a good mood and happy to indulge her. “I’ve just promoted you, and you're still unhappy?”

“Your Majesty! You said you’d punish those who spread rumors, but you let Attendant Wei off,” Shen Chuliu stomped her foot. “I know she’s pregnant, but once she gives birth to a royal heir, she should still be punished.”

“Mm, alright. I’ll listen to you,” Qi Yixiu said with a smile.

“Ugh, forget it. Talking about this just makes me angry,” Shen Chuliu sighed.

“Tsk, such a fiery temper. No one can win an argument with you, and you’re still angry?” Qi Yixiu teased.

“If others are angry, it’s because they tried to frame me and failed, and they’re frustrated with their own incompetence. If I’m angry, it’s because I did nothing and still got framed. Not the same at all,” Shen Chuliu said, looking him in the eye, every word deliberate.

And she wasn’t wrong.

Yesterday, Consort Li had been summoned to bed precisely because someone wanted to put a target on Shen Chuliu’s back.

So now Qi Yixiu was curious to see how she would return the favor.

“Consort Li is a bit lacking in sense,” he said.

Shen Chuliu gave him a sidelong glance. “Your Majesty is terrible. I’m not falling for that.”

Qi Yixiu raised a brow. “What do you mean?”

“You watched me and Consort Li argue and found it entertaining. I won’t give you the show. I don’t like Consort Li. If someone sets her up someday, I’ll be the first to throw a shovel of dirt on her grave. Let her have a taste. If her tongue isn’t as sharp as mine, she’ll just have to suffer.”

Shen Chuliu huffed.

“Hahaha! Truly vengeful, aren’t you?” Qi Yixiu hadn’t expected such a blunt remark.

Most women in the harem tried their hardest to present themselves as virtuous and pure, couching every jab in flowery language.

Even if they took a jab at someone, they’d say it was “accidental” or “unintentional,” then try to walk it back with some moral excuse.

But not her.

She didn’t even bother disguising it. She openly said, “I don’t like her, and I’ll take her down if I get the chance.”

Qi Yixiu had to admit—he admired that.

He and Empress Dowager Li had risen to power with Empress Dowager Feng’s support, but not without their share of arrows in the dark.

He never truly believed in the supposed goodness of harem women.

Even if some really were kind and gentle—he didn’t like it.

He had no interest in delicate, clinging vines.

There were many beauties in the harem. Shen Chuliu was stunning, yes, but it was her personality that made Qi Yixiu want to look at her more.

Pretty faces were easy to come by. A personality that amused him? Much rarer.

Qi Yixiu didn’t care whether her boldness was real or an act. If it was real, it meant she was interesting. If it was fake—so what? As long as it was convincing.

“My beloved is certainly sharp-tongued. Someday, I should give you a title—let’s call it ‘Shrew.’”

“If it’s Your Majesty’s gift, I have no choice but to accept the decree. But really, Your Majesty, you’re too fickle. Last time you promised me a different title,” Shen Chuliu pouted.

Qi Yixiu pulled her into his arms. “If it’s from me, you have no say. And you still dare complain?”

He pinched her nose as he spoke.

“Your Majesty, look—it’s almost the Mid-Autumn Festival. The moon’s getting lovelier each night. Let me accompany you for a moonlit stroll,” Shen Chuliu said, eyes sparkling.

Qi Yixiu let her awkwardly change the subject and took her hand. “Then tonight, I’ll take you for a walk in the imperial garden.”

“Night stroll by candlelight. Thank you, Your Majesty,” Shen Chuliu beamed.

Once they were outside, Qi Yixiu said, “Come, sit on the palanquin with me.”

“Your Majesty, I wouldn’t dare,” Shen Chuliu pouted.

“Oh? Why not? Trying to imitate Lady Ban?” Qi Yixiu looked at her, his expression unreadable.

“You’re half right,” Shen Chuliu smiled. “But I’m no Lady Ban, with her virtue of refusing to ride. I’m just a lowly Talented Lady—I don’t have such lofty ideals. I truly must refuse Your Majesty’s kindness—not out of pride, but because I’m timid.”

“Tonight, sharing a seat with you is thrilling. But come tomorrow, the other consorts will want to tear me apart.”

“I’ve already been falsely accused once. It was Your Majesty’s mercy that elevated me to Talented Lady. If I don’t keep a lower profile, next time, I may not be so lucky. Please, Your Majesty, be kind—spare me the glares.”

She tugged gently at his sleeve, pitifully swaying.

Qi Yixiu stared at her for a long time. She put on her pitiable act, equal parts aggrieved and adorable.

“In that case, I won’t sit either. Let’s walk to the garden together.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Shen Chuliu said cheerfully.

And just like that, she began chatting about the beauty of the garden.

Under the moonlight, Qi Yixiu’s gaze flickered. This woman—she really was clever.

She didn’t bother with righteous speeches, which would only disgust him.

Instead, she laid everything out openly and plainly.

It was, in fact, rather refreshing.