Chapter 4: Reward

The table was filled with food, and Shen Chuliu saw that there were indeed dishes she liked.

Of course there were—there were dozens of dishes.

While eating, she didn’t go out of her way to be overly proper, but she also didn’t completely let loose.

She came off as composed, proper, and pleasant to watch.

After the meal, she was taken to wash up.

Within the Taiji Hall, there was a place specifically for bathing and grooming concubines who had attended to the Emperor, with matrons assigned for the task.

Given Shen Chuliu’s noble background, the matrons didn’t dare treat her casually just because of her lower rank.

At this time, Qi Yixiu was going over memorials.

Once Shen Chuliu finished washing up, she was escorted to the bedchamber and seated on the imperial bed.

She wore a loose beige ruqun, much like sleepwear.

After waiting for a while and feeling a little bored, she lay down on the dragon bed and closed her eyes to rest.

She didn’t need to pretend she was so relaxed she fell asleep—she truly was just resting.

Hearing movement at the door, she sat up and got off the bed. “Your Majesty.”

“Mm, is my beloved consort sleepy?” Qi Yixiu asked.

“Your Majesty, not really. I was just growing a bit anxious while waiting, so I lay down. Shall I serve Your Majesty?” Shen Chuliu replied.

Qi Yixiu had already washed up himself, so there wasn’t much that actually needed serving.

He climbed onto the bed, and as he looked at the girl’s beautiful hair, he praised how well it was maintained.

Then he hooked his arm around her waist.

The red waves were turned, and the night passed without further words.

Early in the morning, Qi Yixiu, who had to attend court, awoke to see the girl still sleeping beside him.

Thinking of the previous night, he smiled.

As for the Shen family’s daughters—he didn’t know about the others, but this one was certainly delicate. Still, in the matters of the bedchamber, each had their own charm. He didn’t dislike it.

“Your Majesty.” When Shen Chuliu opened her eyes, Qi Yixiu was already on the ground changing clothes.

Four palace maids were attending him. Outside, it was still dark.

“You’re awake? I have to attend court. If you’re tired, rest a while longer,” Qi Yixiu said.

Shen Chuliu scorned him inwardly. If you truly cared about me staying, you wouldn’t sound so reluctant.

“Your Majesty, I should go pay respects to the Empress anyway. It’s actually closer from Taiji Hall today.” Saying this, she rose.

Qi Yixiu nodded. “Very sensible.”

As Qi Yixiu departed, Shen Chuliu respectfully saw him off.

Only after he left did Zirui come in to attend to her.

She didn’t dare talk much—after all, this wasn’t Cuiyun Pavilion.

Shen Chuliu changed into a light purple ruqun. After having her hair done, the sky had brightened. Though it was still a bit early for morning greetings, by the time she walked there, it would be just right.

Today, she would likely be the first to arrive.

After leaving Taiji Hall, Zirui seemed to have been released from a seal and said, “I saw Eunuch Chusi send rewards to our place.”

Rewards after serving the Emperor were the norm for newcomers—but she wasn’t a newcomer. That meant the Emperor was pleased with how she served him?

Tsk. That would definitely breed resentment.

“Mm,” Shen Chuliu simply replied and headed for Fengzao Palace to greet the Empress.

Sure enough, she was the first to arrive at the palace gates.

She was welcomed in, and the entire hall was still empty, just her alone.

Shen Chuliu whispered, “I’ll have to get up a dozen times today.”

Everyone else outranked her.

And sure enough, before long, everyone began to arrive, and Shen Chuliu had to rise and greet them repeatedly.

“Oh my, isn’t this Shen Baolin? So early! Truly well-mannered. I remember when Meiren Cao served His Majesty—she either wouldn’t come or would arrive last,” Jieyu Li said with a smile, looking toward Meiren Cao who had just entered.

After saluting and taking a seat, Meiren Cao replied, “Shen Baolin comes from a distinguished background, so of course her manners are excellent. I can't compare. But Sister Li, you surely can.”

These two were clearly rivals. Meiren Cao’s comment was a jab at Jieyu Li’s low birth.

“What are you two saying now?” Shufei Feng and Consort Yi entered one after the other.

They weren’t particularly late today.

“Oh, Shufei and Consort Yi are here,” said Meiren Cao. “I was just speaking with Sister Jieyu Li about whether birth background affects propriety.”

Jieyu Li smiled. “I may come from a humble background, but we’re all imperial consorts now—why should birth still matter?”

Consort Yi smiled too. “To Meiren Cao, of course it matters. For those of us born low, we simply can’t make a decent appearance.”

Meiren Cao was momentarily stunned and panicked a bit—she’d been focused on Jieyu Li and forgot that Consort Yi’s family was just a sixth-rank official, and one who had even been in trouble...

“Consort Yi…”

“That’s enough. Is it such a big deal?” Consort Yi smiled and looked at Shen Chuliu. “What do you think, Shen Baolin?”

Shen Chuliu stood up. “Consort Yi, are you speaking to me? I was just distracted and didn’t catch the conversation… it’s entirely my fault.”

“Tch, as expected, no one in this harem is simple,” Consort Yi said coolly but with clear implication. “Everyone thought Shen Baolin was one who didn’t compete. Turns out she just hides it well.”

Shen Chuliu smiled again. “You’re right, Your Highness. Everyone in the palace wants favor. I’m not particularly capable—if His Majesty is willing to bestow his favor, that’s my good fortune.”

“This Shen Baolin certainly has a sharp tongue,” Shufei Feng laughed. “I rather like her.”

At that moment, Xiuyi He and Xiurong Song arrived.

Things became even livelier—Xiuyi He was known for her chatter.

Since Shen Chuliu had served His Majesty last night, she was bound to say something.

Sure enough: “Shen Baolin looks fresh and radiant today. There really is a difference after spending the night with His Majesty. Meiren Cao is already expecting—when will you have some news of your own?”

Shen Chuliu thought to herself, You’re really too idle. One day you’ll trip over that mouth of yours.

“I’m not as fortunate as Meiren Cao or Your Highness Xiuyi. Just being able to see His Majesty is already a great blessing,” Shen Chuliu said with a bashful expression.

Just then, the Empress appeared.

The Empress always wore a frosty expression. Beautiful, yes—but far too intimidating to approach.

“The Empress Dowager’s birthday is coming. How are your preparations?” she asked directly.

Generally, when they said “Empress Dowager,” they meant Empress Dowager Li—the Emperor’s birth mother, formerly Xianfei.

But if they referred to “Empress Dowager Feng,” then they meant the Empress Dowager of Cuirui Palace—the Emperor’s legal mother, the former Empress.

However, palace women sometimes also referred to Empress Dowager Li as Cian Empress Dowager, because she lived in Cian Palace, and Empress Dowager Feng as Cirui Empress Dowager, since she resided in Cuirui Palace.

Everyone replied that they were well-prepared.

Shufei Feng smiled. “There’ll be a real celebration at Cian Palace. I heard my aunt is preparing a grand gift.”

“The harmony between the two Empress Dowagers is truly a blessing for us all,” said Consort Yi with a smile.

The others echoed her sentiment.

Shen Chuliu glanced at Shufei Feng, thinking, This woman is in a high position but doesn’t hold favor. Must have something to do with that aunt of hers as well.

After the morning greetings, everyone dispersed from Fengzao Palace.

Someone invited Shen Chuliu to linger, but she made the excuse that she hadn’t had breakfast yet and returned to her residence.

She really hadn’t eaten—that dog Emperor didn’t feed her.

Back at Cuiyun Pavilion, after her delayed breakfast, she received a pair of glazed glass earrings from the Emperor.

They were quite exquisite.