As soon as Virtuous Xiu Rong entered and saw the Emperor holding Shen Cairen in his arms, the two of them entangled and flirting, her face turned as ugly as if she had eaten something foul.
"Your Majesty, this humble consort has something to say!" she trembled with anger.
Li Yuanke acted as if deaf, letting her kneel on the ground while he captured Shen Shixi's rosy lips and kissed her. At first, Shen Shixi felt embarrassed and tried to struggle, but seeing that Li Yuanke seemed to be doing it on purpose, she simply went along with it.
As a former office drone in her past life, even after all these years, she still couldn't resist the urge to "complete all tasks assigned by the boss."
Wasn't it just hugging, embracing, and kissing? This wasn't difficult!
Before her transmigration, she would see couples like this on the streets every day.
But for Virtuous Xiu Rong, this was nothing but humiliation.
She was so furious she nearly spat blood. "Shen Cairen! As an imperial consort, not only do you fail to advise His Majesty to diligently attend to state affairs, but you also bewitch the sovereign in broad daylight, neglecting governance. You are nothing but a calamitous seductress who brings ruin to the nation!"
Li Yuanke burst into laughter.
Shen Shixi was quite annoyed; she had originally wanted to watch Li Yuanke make a fool of himself.
Good heavens, was Virtuous Xiu Rong insane? She was actually targeting her!
In an instant, she understood—Li Yuanke, that black-hearted scoundrel, was using her!
Well, she hadn't expected that aside from her duties in bed, she still had other uses.
"The ancients said, 'Do not look at what is contrary to propriety.' Virtuous Xiu Rong, you just watched me and His Majesty kiss without even blinking. Do you also want to try? How about letting you have a turn?"
Virtuous Xiu Rong trembled all over with rage and wept, "You… you… you are utterly unreasonable! Your Majesty, how can you stand by and watch Shen Cairen humiliate this humble consort?"
Li Yuanke pinched Shen Shixi's chin and warned, "Stop talking nonsense!"
Shen Shixi slapped his hand away. "Virtuous Xiu Rong, do you have desires?"
Thinking she meant carnal desires, Virtuous Xiu Rong bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes. "Your Majesty, please grant this humble consort death!"
If it weren't for the fact that a consort's suicide would bring disaster upon her family, she would have dashed her head against a wall right then.
Shen Shixi was bewildered.
[Is this woman insane? She can insult others, but when someone retaliates with a few words, she wants to die. Does she think death is something to be proud of?]
Li Yuanke chuckled and tapped her head. "Speak properly!"
Shen Shixi decided not to dwell on it and continued,
"Your desire is fame! Someone like you, who thinks of nothing but fame all day, should first discipline yourself strictly. Otherwise, you're just seeking empty reputation. You boast about upholding propriety and strictly observing women's rules, but do you uphold womanly virtue?"
"You accuse me of seeking empty reputation, of not upholding womanly virtue? You… you… you are slandering me!" Virtuous Xiu Rong could not accept this.
"Womanly virtue means the Three Obediences and Four Virtues—obeying one's husband after marriage. As His Majesty's consort, you should think what His Majesty thinks and worry what His Majesty worries about. Have you done that?"
"In what way have I failed?" Virtuous Xiu Rong retorted, her neck stiff and face flushed.
Shen Shixi said, "Before I entered the palace, your reputation in the court and among the people was excellent, even better than the Empress's. As a consort in the inner palace, you diligently admonished His Majesty, offering advice on every matter. With you by his side, His Majesty is like Yao and Shun reborn, with hopes of becoming a wise ruler in a prosperous era.
"Virtuous Xiu Rong, congratulations. In the future, the Biographies of Empresses and Imperial Consorts of Great Zhou will surely have a place for you. If I were you, I would die now. If you live too long, who knows when your persona might collapse."
Virtuous Xiu Rong’s face changed dramatically. “Shen Cairen, you’re talking nonsense! I never wanted to leave my name in history; I was only fulfilling my duty as a consort…”
“Your duty is to serve His Majesty. Only if all the civil officials were dead would it fall to you to admonish His Majesty day after day.” Shen Shixi sneered coldly. “The Qinghe Academy your second uncle founded enjoys great prestige in the Northern Lands. Do you think your so-called ‘Virtue of Declining the Imperial Carriage’ contributed even a little to that? And because of it, every girl from your Song family has married into high status. How dare you claim you haven’t been stepping on His Majesty to build your own reputation!”
Did Emperor Taizong of Tang truly like Wei Zheng?
What a joke. If he’d had any choice, who would enjoy being nagged at every day? If Li Yuanke liked it, he wouldn’t have kept her here just now.
If she didn’t speak up now, Virtuous Xiu Rong would later submit a memorial denouncing both her and Li Yuanke.
Then they’d really become famous throughout the court.
“Your Majesty, this concubine is wronged! This concubine harbors no such thoughts. This concubine’s heart is wholly devoted to Your Majesty. Shen Cairen keeps falsely accusing this concubine!”
Virtuous Xiu Rong was no fool. She used the Emperor to gain fame, and the Emperor surely knew it. But she relied on the fact that even if he knew, there was nothing he could do about it.
This was an open, undisguised scheme.
Li Yuanke did not look at her. “Virtuous Xiu Rong, you may return first. We still have some memorials to review.”
Virtuous Xiu Rong dared not disobey, but she was unwilling to leave. Before departing, she said to Shen Shixi, “I wonder what Grand Tutor Shen would think if he saw how you’ve conducted yourself today?”
Li Yuanke’s brows and eyes darkened, a fierce aura surging within him.
Shen Shixi leaned against him, giving a radiant smile. “One fulfills the duties of one’s position. Serving His Majesty well, obeying His Majesty, and safeguarding everything concerning His Majesty is my duty! As for admonishments, wait until the day you become Empress to speak to me of such things!”
Virtuous Xiu Rong swayed slightly, looking at the Emperor with tearful eyes. But the Emperor lowered his gaze to Shen Shixi, his strong arm encircling her waist.
After leaving, the senior palace maid Xianyun saw her pale expression and supported her as they walked away. “Your Ladyship, from now on, perhaps you should refrain from concerning yourself with His Majesty’s affairs.”
How many times had she advised this? Following such a mistress meant living in constant fear every day; no amount of monthly stipend was worth it!
Who knew when she might be banished to the Cold Palace?
Virtuous Xiu Rong suppressed the bitterness in her heart. “His Majesty still listens to advice. It’s Shen Cairen who has bewitched His Majesty, making him forget his duty to be an enlightened ruler. Since I am His Majesty’s consort, how can I not offer admonishment?”
In the past, whenever she said, “This concubine has something to say,” the Emperor would listen. Every time she spoke, the Emperor would praise her and bestow some rewards.
It was all Shen Cairen’s fault, still nestled in the Emperor’s embrace in broad daylight. She would seek out the Empress.
In Fengyi Palace, the Empress felt a headache coming on upon hearing that Virtuous Xiu Rong requested an audience, but she could not refuse. “Let her in.”
Virtuous Xiu Rong entered and, without even taking a sip of tea, began immediately. “Your Majesty the Empress, this concubine went to Qianyuan Palace earlier to see His Majesty, originally intending to say a few words. But Shen Cairen, in broad daylight, was still bewitching the sovereign, engaging in indecent and corrupt behavior.
It was utterly vile and depraved. Such a seductive enchantress who brings chaos to the palace and endangers the state—for the sake of Great Zhou’s realm and ancestral temples, I beg Your Majesty the Empress to have her put to death!”
The Empress was speechless for a long moment.
She, an Empress, could arbitrarily execute the Emperor’s consort? Since when did she possess such authority?
“Virtuous Xiu Rong, do you think Her Majesty the Empress can repeat every word you’ve said verbatim to His Majesty?” Qu Mama said with displeasure.
Virtuous Xiu Rong was about to argue her case when the Empress said, "I will consider what you've said. You may return for now."
Virtuous Xiu Rong, failing to notice the Empress's perfunctory tone, continued to embellish her complaint, "If Your Majesty does not put a stop to this corrupt trend, the other consorts and concubines in the rear palace will follow suit. Wouldn't that become a laughingstock for the world?"
"You make an excellent point. I will give it serious consideration!" The Empress dismissed her.
Qu Mama said with concern, "Your Majesty, you must not take her words to heart. No matter what one does, if His Majesty is unwilling, no one can force him."
The Empress replied, "I understand. It seems His Majesty has grown somewhat tired of Virtuous Xiu Rong as well. I had thought he enjoyed listening to her high-sounding, righteous speeches!"
This Shen Cairen is rather interesting. It appears Virtuous Xiu Rong has suffered quite a few setbacks at her hands.
Virtuous Xiu Rong carries herself with such propriety all day long, like a Buddha statue on an altar. When has she ever been so flustered and ill-composed!
In Qianyuan Palace, Shen Shixi shot a sidelong glance at Li Yuanke and said irritably, "What will Your Majesty give me as thanks?"
[That bastard, using me as a pawn. Hmph, next time I'll just scratch up that pretty little face and see if you feel sorry then!]
Li Yuanke laughed heartily, pressing Shen Shixi down onto the Guifei Couch. "Weren't you also quite angry seeing her like that, Xier?"
"Ha. The amusements between Your Majesty and your consorts are beyond my understanding, and it's not my place to be angry." She pushed him away.
"Did you eat dumplings this morning? Why do I smell such a strong sourness?" Li Yuanke pinched her chin, his gaze intense.
Shen Shixi struggled to sit up. "You're overthinking it! I should go back. I'm tired!"
She yawned, tears welling in the corners of her eyes, her peach-blossom eyes shimmering. Li Yuanke couldn't help but recall the scenes from the night before—her weeping, begging him to be gentler one moment, then complaining he was too fast the next, ordering him about in circles.
Li Yuanke was about to press her back down when Li Fude called from outside, "Your Majesty, an eight-hundred-li express battle report from the northwest! Beisha is invading!"
Li Yuanke had no choice but to release her. "Go back. I will visit you later. Don't wait for me for the evening meal."
Today is the fifteenth!
But Shen Shixi couldn't be bothered to remind him.
Li Yuanke read the report. "Summon Great General of the Right Guard Lin Junji, Commander of the Northern Office Imperial Guards Qin Zhenye, Commander of the Southern Gate Imperial Guards Xue Baicheng, and the Ministers of Revenue and War to see me!"
As soon as Shen Shixi returned, she saw people from the Imperial Household Department helping someone move, and even moving things into her own palace.
Chao En came forward and said, "Mistress, Chen Cainü is moving into our palace. She will reside in the Western Side Hall."
Shen Shixi felt somewhat annoyed, but what could she do?
"Let her be. Keep a close watch on our people. Don't interact with those from her side; just keep your distance."
One can be a thief for a thousand days, but one cannot guard against a thief for a thousand days. Shen Shixi also couldn't be bothered to be on constant guard. Being cautious was enough. If trouble really came, she would meet soldiers with generals and water with earth.
After Shen Shixi took a nap, she heard that Chen Yuxi had come to pay a visit. She sat up. "Invite her in!"
"Shen Cairen, I hope you are well!" Chen Yuxi entered and performed a curtsy. "I have wanted to pay my respects to you, elder sister, ever since hearing of your entry into the palace. I wish to reconcile with you. Fortunately, Her Majesty the Empress is benevolent and granted me this convenience. I hope for your guidance and care in the future!"
I moved here with the Empress's permission.
She signaled her maid to present gifts.
Shen Shixi said, "That's unnecessary. We are both His Majesty's consorts. Attending to His Majesty well is our primary duty. Whether we reconcile or not is of little importance."
You attend to your duties, I attend to mine, we keep to our own affairs without interfering.
"A small token of appreciation, I hope you will accept it, sister!" said Chen Yuxi.
How could Shen Shixi possibly accept her gift? "No need, you may leave!"
Chen Yuxi had not expected her to be so unyielding and could only say, "Sister Shen, I wonder what is planted in the courtyard—may I transplant some flowers and plants?"
"No, you may not. It was planted by His Majesty's order," Shen Shixi replied.
After all, she had already received explicit permission.
Later, Shen Shixi heard that Beisha had allied with Xiling to invade Great Zhou. The emperor had summoned civil and military officials to discuss strategies for repelling the enemy and did not come to the rear palace.