Chapter 7: A Slap in the Face

With this latest development, many people quickly lost interest in Miao Xiaoyi.

"An Yünyü only served the emperor once in forever, and now she's pregnant? That's unbelievable," Zizhu exclaimed.

Shen Chuliu chuckled. "That's good."

"Huh? What did you say, Baolin?" Zizhu asked in confusion.

Shen Chuliu laughed but didn’t explain further. She didn’t want to mislead these young girls.

"It's nothing. Since she's pregnant, shouldn’t we go pay her a visit?"

"Yes, we couldn’t go see Beauty Cao because of her pregnancy, but Yünyü An entered the palace with you, so it’s appropriate to visit. We’ll prepare something for tomorrow. No food, of course—how about a pair of earrings?" Zizhu suggested.

Zirui nodded. "That works. I’ll find a pair that’s pretty but not too expensive." It wasn’t stinginess—if it was too valuable, An Yünyü wouldn’t be able to wear them anyway.

Shen Chuliu lay on her couch, thinking over everything.

She hadn’t wanted to enter the palace in the first place. With the soul of a modern person, how could she possibly have been willing?

But in this world, things didn’t happen just because you wanted or didn’t want them to.

The third branch of the Marquis of Jing'an’s household was entirely made up of military men.

The old marquis had even saved the late emperor’s life in the past.

Shen Chuliu's father, the second master of the Shen family, died in battle on the northern frontier. When the news came, her mother Ye, who was about to give birth, was so distressed that it triggered early labor. She barely survived delivering Shen Chuliu and passed away soon after from grief and injury.

The second branch was left with only one child—Shen Chuliu.

She didn’t live in complete misery; the household provided enough to eat, and her grandmother was reasonably kind.

But even "kindness" had its ranks.

She had three older female cousins, two of whom were already married. Below her were two younger sisters—one the legitimate daughter of the third branch, and the other an illegitimate one.

The illegitimate one didn’t count for much, but Shen Chuliu had been selected during an imperial consort draft, which clearly wasn’t because of her grandmother’s supposed affection.

Despite being born into the Marquis of Jing’an’s household, she was just an orphan with no parents—why would the family truly value her?

Her entering the palace was purely to clear the way for her cousin.

She had made it clear she didn’t want to go, but her grandmother, who had always seemed loving, had coldly laid things out for her: if she didn’t want to enter the palace, then she could marry Prince Xun as a concubine.

Prince Xun was the late emperor’s youngest brother, known for being reckless. The late emperor gave him the title "Xun" (meaning 'disciplined') in hopes that it would inspire him to behave.

This prince was nearing forty, with probably a hundred concubines already in his household.

That was the "alternative" her kind grandmother gave her.

She’d never felt close to her family. Carrying memories of her past life, born without parents, it was hard to be emotionally attached to anyone.

Still, she had thought of them as family. But when she showed even a bit of unwillingness to enter the palace, everyone’s expression changed.

On top of that, all the property from the second branch was under her grandmother’s control. That was when she realized—

So she was the only child of the second branch? True. But only because she was a girl and lucky enough to grow up. If she had been a boy, she likely wouldn’t have made it.

With that in mind, she accepted her fate and entered the palace. At least outwardly, she was still the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Jing’an. Her father was a war hero. Women of this time rarely had much choice anyway—she might as well gamble everything.

As for her useless family? Ha.

She had already gambled everything. If she won, everyone would go their own way. If she lost and her whole family was executed, they could only blame themselves. After all, it wasn’t her idea to enter the palace.

Thinking of all these things, she slowly fell into a deep sleep.

The next day during morning greetings at Fengzao Palace, someone brought up An Yünyü’s pregnancy.

"His Majesty still spent the night with Miao Xiaoyi last night? He may be easygoing, but she’s too thoughtless. Yünyü An just became pregnant—how could she not suggest the emperor visit her?" said Concubine He Xiuyi.

"I wouldn't dare presume to direct His Majesty’s thoughts," Miao Xiaoyi retorted.

"Oh my, it seems you haven’t heard, Sister Xiuyi. His Majesty assigned Miao Xiaoyi to live in the side pavilion of Zilin Pavilion. It’s one of the best places in the palace, quite close to Taiji Hall too," Jieyu Li said with a laugh.

She brought it up because He Xiuyi had tried and failed to move into that area when she first entered the palace.

Talented Lady Ning chimed in, "His Majesty truly dotes on Miao Xiaoyi."

The group began gossiping, each person adding a comment about Miao Xiaoyi.

Shen Chuliu had been watching the scene with amusement, but for some reason, He Xiuyi couldn't stand her calm demeanor and said sharply, "Shen Baolin was the most glamorous when she entered the palace—the top-ranked of this batch. Yet after a year, she’s overshadowed by someone new. Miao Xiaoyi dances well—why don’t you learn from her? At least then His Majesty might realize you have talent too."

"How unreasonable of you, Xiuyi! What proper young lady would shamelessly throw herself at a man like that? If I ever dance, it’ll be for my own enjoyment, never in front of a crowd. Though you’ve always been blunt with your words, it doesn’t mean you should insult me. And really—look at her name and then look at mine!"

The others were stunned—this was the first time Shen Chuliu had spoken so sharply.

Then they recalled Miao Xiaoyi’s name—and someone stifled a laugh.

Wei Wanyi… sounded like “plaything.”

Once one person got it, the others did too. Soon, laughter spread through Fengzao Palace like wildfire. Even the usually icy empress cracked a smile.

Jieyu Li laughed the loudest. "Oh my, Shen Baolin is so sly! She's right, that name is one of a kind in this palace."

Miao Xiaoyi didn’t understand what they were laughing at, but she could sense the humiliation and shot Shen Chuliu a hateful glare.

Shen Chuliu remained unbothered.

After morning greetings, a group of Baolin and Yünyü set off to visit An Yünyü.

No one thought to invite Miao Xiaoyi—anyone ranked higher than her wouldn’t lower themselves unless they had a reason or a personal connection.

Not far outside Fengzao Palace, they saw Miao Xiaoyi standing in the path, her maid beside her.

She glared at Shen Chuliu. "Shen Baolin, I was personally appointed a seventh-rank Xiaoyi by His Majesty. How dare you show me such disrespect?"

Shen Chuliu nearly laughed aloud at the sight.

So she dared to glare at her? Shen Chuliu, with her naturally misty apricot eyes, was already lovely when calm. But when angry, her presence was even more commanding.

Her grandmother might not have loved her dearly, but she’d taught her how to carry herself.

"Respect you? Are you dreaming? If His Majesty hadn’t given you that title, I wouldn’t even bother looking at you."

Zirui was startled, but she didn’t try to stop her mistress. It wouldn’t look good to intervene now.

"You! You’re insubordinate!" Miao Xiaoyi shouted.

Shen Chuliu sneered and strode right up. "And what can you do about it?"

"My rank is higher than yours! Don’t push me! Jixiang—slap her!" Miao Xiaoyi ordered.

But the maid Jixiang didn’t move, clearly afraid.