Chapter Two, After the banquet at the Jade Tower, intoxicated with spring.

I organized my emotions and first went to greet the concubines waiting in the flower hall, and afterwards proceeded to the Kun Ning Palace, Zhao Yang Hall to pay my respects to the Empress, allowing the Ninth Prince to formally meet his biological mother.

I felt quite uncomfortable under his gaze, so I turned around and said loudly: "Young Master Shang, your gaze seems rather rebellious, it offends this palace."

Life is still quite flavorful, but I am currently trapped in this square world of the palace city, unable to escape. I let out a long sigh and half-seriously stirred up emotions while speaking to Shang Bai.

Currently, apart from the Empress, Consort Li, and Yue'er, all other concubines are without offspring. It is said that Consort Li, who was originally a side consort of the royal palace, was supposed to be executed long ago. However, she was discovered to be pregnant one month before the Emperor's coronation ceremony, thus narrowly escaping death.

In order to encourage childbirth and ignite the enthusiasm of the concubines to become mothers, the Empress announced a decree several years ago, stating that for each child born, the biological mother would receive a generous reward. However, over the past decade, only Yue'er has frequently received rewards. The other concubines are not without favor, but they simply cannot conceive.

Fu Xiang lifted the sedan chair curtain, and I carried Xi Er out, handing her over to Cheng Bi, who had been waiting at the entrance of Qian Ren Palace. I then continued forward with Fu Xiang towards the main hall of Qian Ren Palace.

The concubines chatted and laughed along the way, creating a harmonious and joyful atmosphere, while I alone quietly followed the Emperor, leading Wanlu and the wet nurse.

I truly do not know what to say, and I feel a bit helpless and sorrowful. After all, I am a third-rank lady-in-waiting, so why is it that in the six palaces, only a less favored aunt from the Grand Consort's palace is at odds with me? The verbal sparring among the concubines may perhaps never happen to me, for it is only the palace maids who hold me in esteem

Several years later, the Grand Emperor passed away at Qingcheng Mountain. It was only when the Emperor was sorting through his belongings that he informed me that the Grand Emperor had always cherished my mother, Princess Lin'an. Therefore, as soon as I entered the palace, he privately entrusted a letter to the Emperor, urging him to treat me with special consideration.

No matter what, he is a descendant of a military family; relying solely on the emperor, he must not be very willing in his heart

The days in the inner palace are indeed lonely, but the moments that truly belong to me are exceedingly few. Over the past ten years, the total duration may not exceed one hour.

Upon hearing him mention words related to the imperial concubines, a desire to persuade him ignited within me once more. I feigned a bit of disappointment and sorrow as I raised my hand, letting the wide sleeves of my gown rest on the stone table: "As long as the three thousand favors are bestowed upon my good sister, Lady Hua Fei, that would suffice"

Regardless of what happens in his family, as long as it does not further damage the relationship between the Emperor and Yue'er, let him be

Upon this thought, I cannot help but let my imagination soar, envisioning the daily life of the merchants and the emperor in the Qianren Palace

Clearing my throat, I questioned, "Aunt, having walked in the deep palace for many years, how is it that you do not even know the distinction of status? You merely followed a powerful master and now consider yourself a person of importance?" To emphasize my identity, I deliberately pointed to my chest with my orchid fingers, allowing her to see the official third-grade attire I wore, and pronounced each word clearly, "Only those who are born as masters can remain masters for a lifetime"

At first, I was somewhat worried, but later I learned that Shang Baiwen had an urgent matter at home and would temporarily be unable to enter the palace for the next few days

Upon hearing my words, Shang Baiwen immediately became interested and looked at me, saying: "Your Highness, the noble lady, is truly not an ordinary woman; she has long yearned for freedom. It is likely that during her time in the residence of the Grand Princess and the Governor, she was greatly cherished by her parents, which is why she harbors such thoughts"

Shang Baiwen is truly a man of great magnanimity. If he were an ordinary emperor's favored minister, he would have certainly brought evidence before the emperor. Tripping me is undoubtedly an easy task, but more importantly, I have always been inseparable from Consort Hua, Su Liangyue, and she would surely be implicated because of me

After going around in circles, Shang Baiwen has finally fallen into my trap. The canary, yes, the canary, I can finally begin to appeal to emotions and reason with him.

"But Aunt, if Xi'er cannot count to one hundred, does that mean we cannot arrive at Qianren Palace any faster?" Xi'er tilted her head, thought for a moment, and then said this to me after some contemplation

Shang Baiwen received such an ambiguous answer from me, and did not pursue the matter further, yet his expression was one of profound reticence. He did not continue to speak to me, but silently gazed at me, his eyes reflecting a complex array of emotions, leaving me uncertain about his thoughts

In this way, he has no need for the resources of the harem.

I have always been a slow person who is too lazy to compete; even in a life-or-death situation, I fear I would be the last one to escape

The emperor saw the empress waiting for him at the door, and he did not exhibit any emotional fluctuations. He stepped forward and gazed at the empress for a while, then spoke: "I have heard that the King of Yue has gone to the southeastern coast for an inspection; I wonder how he is faring."

It was truly incomprehensible. I cast him a disdainful glance, just as Fu Xiang returned. I immediately took Fu Xiang's hand and left, leaving Shang Baiwen alone in the pavilion to sober up.

I cannot fathom how this mouth of Shang Baiwen came to be. After several exchanges, I have found myself at a loss for words multiple times. I initially thought I could lead him by the nose, but it seems that is no longer possible. I had assumed that after a few drinks, his mind would not be very clear, yet to my surprise, he remains quite sober. His words have left me so startled that I dare not speak.

Although Yue'er is a concubine who relies on the emperor's favor, her feelings for him are genuine, treating him as her own husband. Losing the emperor's affection is not merely a matter of losing favor for Yue'er; the fact that the emperor no longer visits her in the Changan Palace means she has effectively lost her husband

I have always taken pride in believing that my actions are secretive and cautious, allowing me to evade the Emperor's surveillance and control. However, I never anticipated that my business channels were, in fact, sanctioned by the Emperor.

I did not expect him to do this, and I was taken aback. I remained standing there until his figure disappeared.

I stand beside the emperor and suddenly realize that although I have been in the palace for ten years, I have never truly seen his face. Every time I see the bright yellow dragon robe, I bow my head and kneel, shouting "Long live the emperor." Even when he once pinched my chin and questioned me, I only dared to lower my eyes and submit, never having gazed directly upon his countenance.

Shang Baiwen may have truly had too much to drink, and his courage has grown. After seeing that I had not called for him to rise for a while, he unexpectedly took the initiative to say: "Your Highness, I am still in the act of bowing, please allow me to rise quickly."

I am not particularly inclined to be a harsh and severe person, but I can no longer afford to be concerned about so much; I just want him to close his eyes quickly and stop staring at me. The emperor, too, seems to be under some spell, favoring such a rude and disrespectful man. Although I have practiced martial arts since childhood, I cannot recklessly strike him; I can only intimidate him a little. Otherwise, if this matter gets out, it will surely bring trouble upon myself.

"What did you say yesterday? I tried every possible way to persuade you not to eat crabs while drinking, but you refused to listen." I have always found it difficult to manage this girl who loves to eat; when it comes to food, no amount of persuasion seems to work. I didn't want to say anything more, so I hurriedly sent her off to find a restroom, saying, "Do you know where the restroom is in Kun Ning Palace? Make sure you don't go the wrong way."

Having said this, he simply stepped back, retreating to the edge of the pavilion, and continued, "I humbly ask for your forgiveness, Your Highness, for the heat within the Kun Ning Palace is truly stifling, and I have merely come to catch my breath"

"The servants are merely executing the orders of their masters. When the masters summon us to deliver gifts, how can we dare to be negligent?" The aunt fixed her gaze on me as she spoke, directing the young eunuch to arrange the gifts. Then, with a smile that did not reach her eyes, she said to me, "Just like the noble consort, who is subservient to the Empress, we are all the same kind of people, obedient to our orders." After saying this, she raised her hand to cover her mouth with her sleeve and burst into laughter.

Since the departure of Shang Baiwen, this "heartfelt concern," my appetite has improved significantly in recent days. Moreover, since the moon has to go to Qianren Palace every day, she has left the young Princess Chengmin in my Luan Yi Palace for me to help take care of. I have things to attend to every day, and I simply do not have the time to think about Shang Baiwen, making the days pass particularly quickly

Indeed, today is my nephew's one-month celebration, so it is not worth getting upset with such a person

I quickly withdrew my thoughts from Shang Baiwen and respectfully said: "This humble servant obeys the command and thanks His Majesty on behalf of Yun'er." The naming of princes traditionally involves first reporting to the Astronomical Bureau and then consulting the Palace of Imperial Concubines, a process that takes at least a hundred days to finalize. However, the names of Princess Yining, born to the Empress, and the three children of Yue'er were different; they received their names as soon as they turned one month old.

On the face of Shang Baiwen, which brings a sense of tranquility to those who behold it, there is always a smile that is sweet to the point of being cloying. He said, "Your Majesty, the Empress, enjoys enduring favor; indeed, she is a person who receives three thousand affections in one body." He then shifted his tone, "I would like to know, Your Highness, have you ever considered how to survive in the palace without the Emperor's favor? On ordinary days, rewarding the servants, negotiating with the Palace of Internal Affairs responsible for distributing supplies, and exchanging gifts with other ladies in the palace, I fear that your salary alone may not be sufficient."

Knowing that he had arrived, I quickly composed myself and, leaning against the carriage curtain, spoke to him: "Young Master Shang, it has been a long time since we last met. When you saw me today at Qianren Palace, you seemed hesitant to speak. Is there something you wish to discuss with me?"

I suppressed the boundless joy in my heart and said solemnly: "Some people perhaps do not belong to the Ninefold Deep Palace, do not belong to His Majesty, but only belong to themselves. What does Young Master Shang think?"

Speaking of which, the emperor truly treats him exceptionally, not only allowing him to enter the inner palace but also permitting him to drink. It seems the emperor genuinely regards him in a special way

He is truly a disaster for the world. Such a handsome man, although he cannot attain the status he deserves in the face of the royal ancestral rites and laws, as long as he remains by the Emperor's side, he is the greatest threat to the favored concubine of the palace.

"Does Young Master Shang have any grand ambitions?" After I finished speaking, Shang Baiwen turned his back to me, pretending not to want to continue our conversation. He seemed to be pondering my words, and in an instant, he turned back to look at me. Then he said: "I have no great ambitions; I merely wish to pass this life quickly."

The only showgirl of the merchant in the past decade is his sister, Princess Shang Wanquan of Yue, who has long been living apart from King Yue and has become a nun to pursue a life of cultivation

Nearly half a month after the full moon banquet, the moon officially completed her confinement and began to accompany the emperor at Qianren Palace daily as usual

I have always liked little girls, and Cheng Min has been by my side the longest, so I particularly like her and am filled with patience for her. I reached out and pinched Cheng Min's chubby face: "As long as Xi'er counts to one hundred, we can go to Qianren Palace."

I gazed in the direction where Shang Baiwen had disappeared, remaining motionless for a long time

Fu Xiang responded with a sound and then left

Given the current situation, I fear that even if my mother were to use her status as a grand princess to plead with the emperor, it might not guarantee my survival

Why is it that, because he is a man, none of the concubines in the harem can compete with him, thus he looks down upon using such tactics

The Empress seemed to have known for a long time that the Emperor would come with many people, and she had been waiting at the main entrance of the Zhaoyang Hall for quite some time. I had not been to the Zhaoyang Hall for a month, and the Empress appeared to have aged a bit. It was not that she had more wrinkles or gray hair, but rather that she looked far less spirited than before

Thinking of this, I was soon approaching Kun Ning Palace, so I quickly gathered all my thoughts and focused my gaze ahead

I have not spent such a long time alone in this palace city in a while. Although I do not hold favor in the presence of the Emperor, there are always palace maids and eunuchs coming and going around me. Every day, someone inquires about my well-being and serves me tea and water. After enduring such days for a long time, it becomes both tedious and noisy. Sometimes, I even feel that even if they do not speak to me and simply go about their own business quietly, they still disturb me.

"Then you should get up, I can see that you are also drunk, so there is no need to be so restrained." I also cannot fuss over a drunkard, after all, he is already intoxicated and will forget this conversation between us by tomorrow.

"Please forgive me, Your Highness." Shang Bai's response was quite perfunctory, yet he was still perceptive enough to lower his head and no longer look at me

Am I the smartest person in this world? No, I am not even considered the smartest person in this palace. I have no awareness of the hidden truths surrounding me; I am merely an exceedingly foolish ordinary person

In the blink of an eye, the Flower Hall of the Chengqian Palace is right before us

"Yue Jieyu." The Emperor suddenly called out to me, and I immediately composed myself, turned my head, and with a calm expression, I bowed to the Emperor, awaiting his orders. "The name of the Ninth Prince has already been announced to the Palace Bureau. Recently, I have been burdened with state affairs and cannot frequently visit the harem. Today, you shall go on my behalf to inform Consort Hua that the name of the Ninth Prince is Yun, Dayun Yun."

I was still immersed in a melancholic atmosphere, unable to extricate myself. A slightly tipsy voice came from behind me. I quickly stood up and turned around, only to see Shang Baiwen, his face flushed, swaying as he sat across from me. His posture and movements resembled those of a drunkard, yet his eyes were strikingly bright, showing no signs of inebriation.

I cleared my throat and said: "Whether I have much or little money, I have spent ten years in the Luan Yi Palace. Although it is not glamorous, I can still be self-sufficient. Thank you for your concern, Young Master Shang."

Indeed, children change remarkably from day to day. In the first few days after birth, the Ninth Prince looked like a little mouse with wrinkled skin from being soaked. By the time he reached one month old, he not only weighed two to three pounds more than at birth, but he had also grown noticeably, with eyes that were dark and bright, making him quite endearing. As the Moon has never been fond of the insincere bustle of the harem, she feigned illness and did not attend the Ninth Prince's full moon banquet, thus the responsibility of hosting the event naturally fell upon me, his aunt.

As soon as I finished speaking, my aunt's face turned pale in an instant, and then she hurriedly left with the two eunuchs accompanying her

If I were a man, I would have left long ago to establish a career. Unfortunately, I am a woman, and I cannot speak carelessly.

If I were to assist him in front of the Huafei, it would not be to that extent

She whispered to me from outside the soft sedan chair: "Your Highness, it seems that the golden canary from Qianren Palace has been following us for quite some time."

Shang Baiwen nodded slightly, repeating my words with careful enunciation: "The wine is not finished yet." He stopped looking around and asked, "Has the noble lady had too much to drink?"

The empress is indeed completely different from the beauties of the harem said Shang Baiwen, and I do not know if this is a compliment

Many bold concubines have privately discussed this matter, ultimately pointing the finger at the conflict between the Emperor and Empress Dowager Zhang Yi

However, today I could not bear to see Shang Baiwen's hesitant and indecisive demeanor, as if he wanted to speak but held back. A nameless anger surged within me, and without waiting for Fu Xiang to act, I lifted the curtain of the sedan chair and stepped out, directly facing Shang Baiwen, who was bending over to speak to me.

Taking advantage of this lull, I began to silently speculate about the purpose of his visit. I have no grievances with him from the past, nor any enmity recently; our only serious interaction was during our conversation in the pavilion. What could he possibly want from me?

When the Emperor first left the palace to establish his residence, he took his first concubine, who was the mother of the Crown Prince. It is said that during this concubine's pregnancy, the Grand Emperor and the Empress Dowager felt that the Emperor was neglecting his studies, so they replaced his previous tutor with Shang Baiwen. Since then, the two were almost inseparable during the day, and this continued for over a decade. They would go to the study together in the morning and learn the principles of governance from the Grand Emperor in the afternoon. Since then, they were almost inseparable during the day, and this continued for over a decade. They would go to the study together in the morning and learn the principles of governance from the Grand Emperor in the afternoon

Not achieving this wish can be considered my foremost regret in life

I rolled my eyes, and the face of Shang Baiwen immediately surfaced in my mind: "The canary that Your Majesty keeps in the Qianren Palace"

That being said, Empress Dowager Zhang Yi truly knows how to navigate social dynamics. Although over the past decade she has secretly pressured the Emperor to depose Yue'er dozens of times, she has still put in considerable effort in public. Even though she herself went to Fengtai Mountain, she specifically left someone behind to wait for Yue'er to give birth and to present the full-month gift.

When I came out, Shang Baiwen was still standing at the door. I only exchanged a glance with him and guessed that he was waiting for me here. What could he possibly want from me? I initially wanted to ask him directly, but given that we were right in front of Qianren Palace, I could only remain silent and walked towards the soft sedan, as usual instructing the eunuchs carrying the sedan to return to Luan Yi Palace.

He ... ? ... Is he implying to me that he intends to turn a blind eye, as if he had never picked up this item?

I did not linger at the entrance, but rather entered the hall ahead of him, exchanged a few pleasantries with the Emperor, and then came out.

After much consideration, in order to preserve the position of the moon, I have decided to step forward and negotiate with Shang Baiwen.

In fact, the emperor is quite distinguished in appearance, but the heroic spirit between his brows is slightly inferior compared to that of my several brothers, and when compared to the celestial demeanor of Shang Baiwen, it falls short by an additional three points

I truly do not understand who compiled the books that I listened to while following behind my brothers when I was young

Such a lofty man should be an unattainable illusion in the hearts of the people, and he should not be revered by me as "husband"

"Aunt, when will we arrive at Qianren Palace?" Princess Chengmin, at the age when she loves to talk, kept asking me questions non-stop as I held her in my arms while sitting in the soft sedan chair.

A gentle breeze wafted through the pavilion as I sat on the stone bench, waiting for Fu Xiang to return. Kun Ning Palace is the residence of the Empress, and ordinary men are not permitted to enter. Therefore, there are no guards stationed in the back garden. Moreover, today is the full moon banquet for the Ninth Prince Yun, and all the palace maids and eunuchs are busy assisting, leaving the back garden completely deserted.

The emperor did not appreciate the decisions made by Empress Dowager Zhang Yi regarding the selection of concubines, thus rendering most of them infertile. In an effort to eliminate Empress Dowager Zhang Yi's control over the harem, he executed all the concubines. However, this did not deter Empress Dowager Zhang Yi; the absence of concubines was of little concern, as there would still be the selection of talented women once the emperor ascended the throne

Shang Baiwen is truly exceptionally intelligent, effortlessly guessing my thoughts. I pondered for a moment; acknowledging this unachievable desire is not a problem, so I said: "Who wouldn't want to watch their brothers ride and fight all day long?"

Fu Xiang followed behind me as we walked towards the eastern side hall of Kun Ning Palace where the banquet was to be held, glancing back at the man in the pavilion and asking, "Your Highness, who is he?"

His response left me speechless once again

Indeed, you have come to me for a matter. I said to Fu Xiang: "Let him come over; to avoid any suspicion, you may listen in from the side."

My maid Fu Xiang followed me and, after escorting me to a pavilion in the back garden, suddenly began to experience severe abdominal pain

On this day, the moon sent her little maid Cheng Bi to the Luan Yi Palace, saying that she would take Princess Cheng Min to the Qian Ren Palace after her afternoon nap. Recently, I have been accompanying Princess Cheng Min every day and have not had much opportunity to leave the confines of the Luan Yi Palace. Thinking that this was a good chance to go out for a stroll, I instructed Cheng Bi to return to the Qian Ren Palace first, planning to take Princess Cheng Min to the Qian Qing Gate myself once she woke up.

Perhaps the emperor still cannot bear to see anyone think that King Yue is better than him

Last time, Fang Zhixuan came to my palace and gave me the profits from the previous business deal. At that moment, I was quite wealthy, so I instructed Fang Zhixuan to help me craft a delicate and charming gold lock for the Ninth Prince outside the palace. Today, the gold lock has just arrived, and I immediately put it on the Ninth Prince, making the little one appear quite noble.

The moment he took my hand, I was initially overwhelmed by a mix of shyness and anger, but after feeling the object that slipped into my sleeve, all that remained in my heart was sheer panic. I had taken countless precautions to prevent too many outsiders from knowing about my dealings, but now, not only had I let others know, but I had also revealed it to him

It is well known that King Yue is the biological son of Empress Zhang Yi. In the past, Empress Zhang Yi had once joined forces with her brother, Prime Minister Yang, to strongly recommend King Yue as the crown prince, but they were repeatedly rejected by the Emperor. Even to this day, it seems that the Emperor has not let go of his feelings regarding King Yue, as he even brings him up in front of the Empress, who is closely related to Empress Zhang Yi.

Shang Baiwen perhaps did not expect my movements to be so swift, and there was a hint of surprise on his face. After a moment of being taken aback, he once again greeted me, saying: "I deeply apologize for disturbing Her Highness, the Consort. " He straightened his back, his expression somewhat awkward and constrained. After glancing at the expressionless Fu Xiang beside him, he suddenly took my hand and slipped something from his sleeve into my own sleeve.

I can truly infuriate myself to the point of bleeding from all seven orifices

What I do not know is that Shang Baiwen, since he picked up my belongings, has never thought of reporting me to the Emperor. He spends his days in the company of the Emperor, and on one occasion, he happened to hear the Emperor asking Su Liangyue about how my business was doing, whether I had incurred any losses, what goods I might be purchasing for the palace, and who was assisting me with the procurement of goods.

I couldn't help but glance at Shang Baiwen a few more times. Although he was not wearing the light blue shirt he had on when I first met him, seeing him in his drunken state always reminded me of the awe I felt upon our first encounter. His eyes still carried a hint of drowsiness, making him truly a sight that evokes pity in others

Your Majesty, may you have peace. I, your humble servant, have many inquiries. I am still lost in my thoughts when the inquiries have already reached the palanquin.

Before I could exchange any auspicious words or pleasantries with the concubines who came to congratulate me, the Emperor arrived. He walked into the flower hall and directly came over to take the Ninth Prince, who was in my arms. He first kissed the Ninth Prince and then proclaimed loudly: "Today is the full moon banquet for the Ninth Prince Gu Chongyun, and I am filled with joy. All the concubines in the harem shall receive a reward of one hundred taels of silver!"

Therefore, true solitude is very rare

In the palace, the rules dictate that after the birth of a prince or princess, they must first visit the Empress Dowager in Kun Ning Palace to pay their respects. Following a grand banquet held in Kun Ning Palace for the various consorts, they will then return to the sleeping quarters of their biological mother to hold a private family banquet

"Your Highness, do not be anxious; all is calm and peaceful, and everything is well." Shang Baiwen seemed to have once again guessed my thoughts, and without further inquiry, he directly offered his words of comfort. Seeing that I did not respond immediately, he performed another bow and proceeded towards Qianren Palace.

Is the lady waiting for someone?" Shang Bai asked as he stood up from the stone bench, following my movements to look around.

Since that day, whenever I hear any news or rumors about the emperor, even if it is just him saying that a certain imperial dish is not tasty, I break out in a cold sweat, fearing that he might suddenly recall something about me and come to question me.

Alternatively, due to the fact that his father is a high-ranking general with military power, his sensitive identity makes it inconvenient to grant him an official position, thus he has always held a nominal title as a companion student.

I helplessly waved my hand and said: "I am waiting for my maid to return with me; the wine is not yet finished"

Although Fu Xiang is said to love eating, he is always able to awaken those in a dream with a single word at critical moments. I recalled the fragments in my mind about the questions regarding Shang Bai one by one, and finally guessed that it was on that day in the pavilion when I made a large gesture, causing something to fall to the ground, which he picked up.

Now, let us consider that the Emperor, in order to prevent any communication between the former dynasty's harem and his own, has prohibited any confidants of the concubines from entering the palace. Family letters must be opened and inspected, and any items sent to the palace from their maternal families must be listed and submitted for his review. With such stringent measures in place, which concubine would have the opportunity to disrupt the harem? Furthermore, Shang Baiwen is the first healthy man, who is not a son of the Emperor, to enter the harem in the ten years since the Emperor ascended the throne.

Every time, I obediently follow behind the queen, observing her every action, which can be considered as my way of showing my concern for Yue'er. After finally finishing all the tasks, the family banquet officially begins. Today, for some reason, the emperor keeps insisting that I drink, and after just a few cups, I no longer wish to cooperate with him. Seizing the moment when the toasts are being exchanged, I feign drunkenness and slip away to the back garden of Kun Ning Palace to enjoy the breeze.

Thus, over the past ten years, in the three Miss Show contests, apart from Yue'er, the others have either died or are unable to give birth

He appears to be quite intelligent and cautious, I wonder if he will once again guess my intentions and quietly follow me

The emperor did not respond directly to the empress, nor did he continue to engage with her, but instead strode confidently into the Kun Ning Palace. Upon seeing the emperor enter, I paid my respects to the empress and then followed with my entourage.

As I just reached the entrance, I saw Shang Baiwen, who was about to enter. The moment he saw me, he broke into a broad smile, but this smile sent a chill down my spine. Flattery without reason is either deceitful or malicious

The ninefold deep palace may sound terrifying, yet there are guards, palace maids, and eunuchs coming and going everywhere, with shadows present in every corner, making it far from quiet. I reside alone in a palace, but there is almost no time and space in the Luan Yi Palace that truly belongs to me. Usually, when I go to bed at night, there are palace maids on duty in the front hall.

I was listening from the side, thinking that the emperor had changed his attitude towards the empress and was about to draw closer to her, so I intended to engage her in casual conversation. However, upon hearing this news, the empress's already unsightly expression instantly became even more unpleasant. Like a startled bird, she took a step back as the emperor approached her, her hands stiffly maintaining the gesture of salutation, and with a trembling voice, she said to the emperor: "As for the matters concerning King Yue, how would I know?"

I made a great effort to widen my eyes, trying to make my gaze as fierce as possible, staring intently at the palace maid before me. Truly, a tiger does not show its power, and you do not know that I am the emperor's cousin. Today, let me show you who the true master is!

At this moment, Wanlu leaned close to my ear and whispered, "Your Highness, if we do not go to the flower hall soon, I fear that Her Majesty the Empress and the other esteemed ladies will arrive, and it would be inappropriate to keep everyone waiting."

The concubines present did not expect the Emperor to come here in person to announce the decree instead of waiting in the Kun Ning Palace. For a moment, they all forgot to pay their respects and greet the Emperor. It was only after the Emperor finished delivering this decree, which was worthy of celebration throughout the palace, that they all awoke from their stupor and performed their bows of gratitude. I was even slower to react than they were; it was only when the Emperor fixed his gaze upon me that I knelt down to express my thanks.

It seemed that only then did Shang Baiwen truly see who I was. I had already taken my seat, but I stood up and stepped back a few paces, deliberately keeping my distance: "So it turns out it is Her Highness, the Consort of Luan Yi Palace. May the Consort be well. It is my humble self who has disturbed your enjoyment."

My heart is almost softened into a puddle by Xi'er, how can I still care about so much: "If Xi'er cannot do it, would Auntie help Xi'er count?" As soon as I finished saying this, the sedan chair came to a stop, and I knew that we had arrived at Qianren Palace

I was heading to the flower hall of the Chengqian Palace for a banquet, accompanied by Wanlv, Fuxiang, and a wet nurse holding a child. From a distance, I spotted an aunt from the Shoukang Palace approaching with two young eunuchs carrying gifts. It is well known that the Chengqian Palace and the Shoukang Palace have always been at odds. If it weren't for the emperor mediating between them, it is likely that the noble consort Zhang Yi would have already harmed Yue'er.

In summary, it is best not to answer such questions directly

"Why have you stopped speaking, Your Highness?" Shang Bai asked, perhaps having opened the floodgates of conversation. Seeing that I remained silent, he took the initiative to steer the discussion. "Your Highness has followed your father and brothers to the front lines since childhood, surely you aspire to be a valiant female general, am I right?"

The emperor nodded with unmistakable joy and said to everyone present: "My beloved consorts need not be overly formal, let us proceed together to the Kun Ning Palace!"

Little did I know, after listening to my words, Shang Baiwen suddenly smiled at me and said: "Are you referring to yourself, Lady Jieyu? Do not be anxious, although His Majesty does not favor you, he indeed treats you quite well. Even if you do not have his affection, it does not matter."

However, the moon has always been rather negligent in handling interpersonal relationships and has never held a small family banquet. Therefore, the Empress simply went through all the procedures of the full moon banquet in the Kun Ning Palace.

When my soft sedan passed by Qianxi Si, I instructed the eunuchs to stop. Sure enough, Fu Xiang quickly noticed that someone was following from a distance behind.

Speaking of which, Consort Zhang Yi is actually a distant cousin of the Empress Dowager. Her relationship with the Emperor should not have deteriorated to such an extent, yet she simply does not approve of the various choices made by the Emperor—except for the Empress. When she is at Shoukang Palace, she always refers to the Empress as "my daughter-in-law." It is indeed strange how the Empress has managed to win her favor so completely

Please make way

Fu Xiang probably thought that her master had been scared silly, so she came over to support me. Taking advantage of this moment, she cleverly placed the item from my sleeve onto herself, and then lowered her voice to say to me: "Your Highness, this Young Master Shang seems to be a favored person close to His Majesty. How did he come to know about your business?"

My mother has always believed that children, regardless of gender, should undergo extensive training. Therefore, my siblings and I have followed our father in his military campaigns, and I grew up in a coastal military camp. Influenced by my father and brothers from a young age, I was immersed in the affairs of warfare and military training, always dreaming of becoming a strong woman like Princess Pingyang, who dedicated her life to the battlefield. However, due to my lineage and family background, even though the retired emperor knew I was not as gentle and quiet as an ordinary official's daughter, he still summoned me to the palace, incorporating me into the emperor's harem. I was deeply influenced by my father and brothers from a young age, immersed in the affairs of warfare and military training, always dreaming of becoming a strong woman like Princess Pingyang, who dedicated her life to the battlefield. However, due to my lineage and family background, even though the retired emperor knew I was not as gentle and quiet as an ordinary official's daughter, he still summoned me to the palace, incorporating me into the emperor's harem.

I took the initiative to get straight to the point, but to my surprise, Shang Baiwen remained silent for a long time. I waited in the carriage for him to speak, and just when I was about to urge him to do so, he finally spoke: "I humbly request Your Highness to deign to come out and converse with your humble servant."

It is unclear whether he is truly drunk or, like me, pretending to be drunk in order to escape.

Isn't Wan Lu the aunt from the palace of Empress Zhang Yi?

He raised his right hand to caress the patterns on the stone table and said casually, "Only those who have experienced freedom will always yearn for it, unlike the canaries in the six palaces, who, after being carried out of their homes in palanquins and taken into the Zhengshun Gate to be conferred as consorts, still believe they can enjoy wealth and honor, feeling immensely pleased in their hearts."

How could I dare? I am merely a third-rank concubine, after all, different from my aunt. Although I obey the orders of Lady Hua, it is out of respect for someone of higher status than myself

He and I are alike; both of our fathers are military generals. I have loved horseback riding and archery since childhood, and my brothers have also served in the military one after another. Why does he not share the same aspirations? Even if General Shang does not favor him, he should not be so disheartened.

I began to look around anxiously, hoping that Fu Xiang would quickly sense my urgency and return to my side. Had I known this would be the case, in addition to Fu Xiang, I should have also brought others along.

If he were a woman, Yue'er might still have a chance to compete with her. However, he is a man, and Yue'er's advantages become uncertain. Even though Yue'er is already a mother of three, it is hard to guarantee that the emperor will not one day grow tired of her

Thinking of this, I feel a bit angry again. If it weren't for the fact that I indulged Fu Xiang the day before, and out of a moment of weakness rewarded her with a few crabs and a pot of wine, she wouldn't have had an upset stomach during the full moon banquet. How could I have encountered Shang Baiwen at the pavilion of Kun Ning Palace?

Shang Baiwen was well aware that engaging in buying and selling would violate the palace rules, which is why he has always been filled with curiosity about me. He believed that the emperor harbored some unclear and ambiguous thoughts towards me, so he wanted to come and test me. Little did he know that I was completely oblivious to the intricacies of the situation.

Fu Xiang, this girl, truly does not know where she has gone; it has been a long time, and she still has not returned

At this moment, I was reminiscing when the aunt, who was tasked with delivering gifts, approached me. I hurriedly led Wan Lu and the other servants to pay our respects to the aunt, expressing our heartfelt gratitude for the kindness of the late Empress Dowager Zhang.

If Shang Baiwen is as close to the emperor as that, then once he knows, it is equivalent to the emperor knowing as well? Moreover, what Shang Baiwen found is something that belongs to the Chengde Princess, who lives with the Empress Dowager Zhang Yi.

Fu Xiang, with a pained expression, left the pavilion while clutching her stomach, repeatedly claiming that she knew.

The emperor brought his first concubine into the royal residence at the age of thirteen. Over the course of twenty years, he fathered a total of thirteen children, most of whom were born to the concubines of the royal palace. However, they all died one after another before the emperor ascended the throne

My salary ... ... Speaking of money matters, I cannot let anyone close to the emperor know about my dealings in trading items from both inside and outside the palace. Although such activities are not uncommon, they are typically carried out by bold palace maids and eunuchs. If exposed or reported, they would face severe punishment. While I may not be beaten to death, I would certainly fall into the hands of the empress or the noble consort Zhang Yi, who would use it against me, potentially implicating Yue'er as well

As I rose, I turned my head to adjust my cloak, and only then did I see Shang Baiwen standing behind the emperor

Today, he wore a long robe of purple and gold, with an amulet hanging from his waist, his eyes fixed on the floor, lost in thought

Since we are all here, it is best to pay a visit to the Emperor and offer our greetings, to avoid it reaching the Empress's ears, lest she remembers me for it one day