In her previous life, she had lived less than three months after entering the palace.
She was the first among the new consorts to die.
Fu Ju was her personal maid. "Mistress, Jiang Cairen has been demoted. It’s clear the Emperor has taken a dislike to her. Since you live in the same hall as her, you’re bound to be affected. Even Lady Li has already been summoned to serve the Emperor, yet it still hasn’t been your turn. If you fall behind in the beginning, you’ll keep falling further behind."
Xu Murong’s eyes turned cold. Indeed, in her previous life, Fu Ju had said the same thing. She had sent heavy gifts to the Empress, asking to be moved to Zhaoyang Palace.
The Empress was only too happy to comply and arranged the transfer.
Zhaoyang Palace was a newly renovated palace, decorated both inside and out with fresh splendor, its furnishings opulent and luxurious. At the time, she had been overjoyed.
Who could have imagined that, until her death, the Emperor never once visited her?
She lived in the west side hall, where a vast patch of land later grew corn taller than a person, forming a green curtain that completely blocked the doors and windows.
She complained to the Emperor, but he only said, "Who told you to move there?"
That was the end of it.
Later, she got into a conflict with someone in the Imperial Garden, was pushed into the lotus pond, and drowned.
"Then what do you suggest?" Xu Murong didn’t want to doubt Fu Ju.
"Mistress, in my humble opinion, if the Emperor summons you to serve him tonight, there’s still a chance. But if he never summons you, you’ll have to find another way out."
Xu Murong remembered that tonight, the Emperor would not summon her. The one to serve him would still be Shen Shixi.
"What way out?" She wanted to hear it.
"I’ve heard that Zhaoyang Palace has been newly decorated. Even Consort Rong wants to move in—it must be wonderful inside. Why not beg the Empress to let us move to Zhaoyang Palace and keep Mistress Shen company?
I’ve heard that the Emperor and Mistress Shen shared a deep bond even before he ascended the throne. The generous rewards she received today are proof enough that the Emperor treats her differently. He’s sure to visit often in the future, and we might be able to benefit from that."
In plain terms, it was about using Shen Shixi to attract the Emperor’s favor.
In her previous life, she hadn’t known, but now Xu Murong could see clearly: there were likely many others with the same idea.
After noon, it was said that the imperial carriage had gone to Zhaoyang Palace and hadn’t left even by dinnertime. With no imperial summons issued, the entire rear palace knew the Emperor would likely spend the night at Zhaoyang Palace.
Since giving birth to two children, Consort De had rarely been summoned to serve the Emperor. Even when the Emperor visited Baoci Palace, it was mostly for a meal, and he seldom stayed overnight.
Knowing she couldn’t keep the Emperor, she had arranged for Pan Xuan Shi, the daughter of the Honglu Siqing Shaoqing, a fifth-rank official, to live in the side hall among the new consorts who entered the palace this year.
Out of the five palace candidates arranged by Xinguo Gongfu this year, only Lady Pan was selected.
Consort De needed help to secure the Emperor’s favor, and she would also need allies in the future struggle for the Crown Prince. By laying the groundwork early, she could remain invincible.
At this moment, Pan Xuan Shi’s maid was very anxious. "Mistress, the Emperor went to Zhaoyang Palace and hasn’t left yet. It looks like he’ll stay there tonight. Your background isn’t inferior—you should have been summoned to serve him earlier."
Pan Xuan Shi was also anxious. Among the twelve of them who had entered the palace, the later one was summoned, the thinner the favor would be. If the Emperor became infatuated with someone, wouldn’t they have to wait forever?
They could wait, but not endlessly.
When Li Yuanke entered Zhaoyang Palace, Shen Shixi was squatting in the vegetable garden, watching the seeds sprout.
"What are you looking at?" Li Yuanke didn’t have anyone announce his arrival, quietly approaching instead.
Startled, Shen Shixi turned too abruptly, lost her balance while squatting, and tilted sideways toward the ground.
Li Yuanke dodged backward. Though he could have easily caught her with a simple lift of his hand, he watched her tumble onto her backside and burst into laughter.
【That bastard, always enjoying my misfortune. Just wait until you fall into my hands!】
Shen Shixi shot a resentful sidelong glance at Li Yuanke, only to see his smile freeze on his face. Unaware that he had once again overheard her inner cursing, she reached out toward him. "Your Majesty, won’t you help your humble consort up?"
Li Yuanke hesitated for a moment before stepping forward. He took her hand and pulled her up, gripping her waist firmly. "Just now, when I didn’t help you, you didn’t curse me in your heart, did you?"
Shen Shixi pouted her red lips and stamped her foot. "How could Your Majesty think of me that way? Am I the kind of person who says one thing and means another? If a single stumble can bring Your Majesty a moment of joy, I am truly honored!"
【Who would have thought I’d get to play King You of Zhou for once? Might as well light the beacons to amuse the lords, all for a laugh from my beloved Consort Li!】
Li Yuanke was so furious he felt smoke rising from his seven orifices. As the exalted emperor, he had been privately likened to a country-wrecking seductress. Pinching Shen Shixi’s chin, he demanded, "You truly don’t blame me?"
Shen Shixi couldn’t be bothered to engage. Instead, she traced Li Yuanke’s brows and eyes—his brows like painted peaks, his gaze like a dream. "Your Majesty is truly beautiful. My painting skills are poor; I can capture Your Majesty’s form, but never your spirit!"
【If it weren’t for this scoundrel’s genuinely good looks, I’d rather die than enter the palace!】
Li Yuanke let out several cold laughs, hoisted her up, and prepared to enter the palace. Noticing some newly sprouted green shoots, he asked, "What’s planted here?"
"Just some plant seeds I collected over the years while traveling outside. I’m experimenting with growing them myself. Most are foreign food crops. If any prove high-yielding or filling, Your Majesty can witness them firsthand, making it easier to promote them in the future."
Li Yuanke gave her a deep look, then slung her over his shoulder and strode toward the palace gates.
"Put me down, yue, I’m going to throw up, I’m really going to throw up!" Shen Shixi’s stomach was pressed uncomfortably against his shoulder, and she angrily pounded his back.
Li Fude watched from behind, his eyelids twitching incessantly. Good heavens! How dare you lay hands on His Majesty in full view of everyone? Should I pretend not to see, or simply not see at all?
Fortunately, Li Yuanke, fearing she might vomit on him, set her down but kept a firm grip on her. Once inside the hall, he placed her on his lap. "Did you get into a fight while paying your morning respects?"
"No, they’re all Your Majesty’s beloved consorts and favored concubines. As a newcomer, how could I be so reckless as to clash with those of senior standing? They say one night as husband and wife brings a hundred nights of affection. You and I have only shared one night, while you and them have enjoyed many nights of marital bonds."
"Nonsense! What foolish talk is this? I only established the Empress after ascending the throne. Where would so much marital affection come from?"
"Oh, my mistake. Aside from the Empress, the rest of us are nothing but lowly concubines, unworthy of the spotlight. Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I overstepped and flattered myself!"
Li Yuanke was nearly driven to despair. He slapped her buttocks in frustration.
Shen Shixi shifted closer, settling directly onto the upper part of his thigh. He hissed in pain, lifted her up, and snapped, "Are you trying to cripple me?"
Shen Shixi rolled her eyes, tilted her head, and leaned against his shoulder, murmuring softly, "Your Majesty, I wish to ask for a favor."
Li Yuanke replied irritably, "Do you even need me to grant you favors? Go on, how do you plan to ask?"
Shen Shixi's face lit up with a smile. She wrapped her arms around his neck, cradled his head, and planted several big kisses on him. Li Yuanke was left with saliva all over his face from her kisses. He covered Shen Shixi's mouth with his hand, saying, "I forbid it!"
Shen Shixi bit his palm gently, her teeth lightly grinding against it. Li Yuanke felt a jolt run through his entire body and released her, his heartbeat quickening slightly.
Glancing outside, the sun was still high in the sky. He had never been one to deny himself.
"Keep me company for a rest!" He picked up Shen Shixi and carried her into the inner chamber.
After another round of intense activity, they both lay down quietly and slept soundly.
Li Yuanke had dinner at Zhaoyang Palace, and that evening's meal was exceptionally lavish.
Even when dining with the Empress, the Empress would stand to serve him a few bites and only dared to sit after receiving the Emperor's permission. Shen Shixi, however, plopped herself down directly, eating heartily and even more voraciously than the Emperor.
Between bites, she complained, "The meat filling for this braised lion's head wasn't kneaded long enough. The one at Xihu Yuemanlou is the most authentic."
The eunuch serving the braised lion's head to the Emperor paused, unsure whether to put it back or place it on the plate.
Li Yuanke's chopsticks reached for the mandarin fish nearest to him.
"Mandarin fish should be seasoned with Shaoxing wine to bring out its crab-like flavor and achieve an elegant, pleasing color. This one seems to have been prepared with Qiuyuebai from the capital—still lacking a bit in taste."
He slammed his chopsticks on the table. "Are you going to eat or not? If not, go to sleep!"
He hadn't eaten his fill!
He truly admired that mouth of hers—eating while chattering nonstop, never idle for a moment.