The next day, when Shen Shixi woke up, the sun had already passed through the window lattice, and Li Yuanke was still there.
"Why didn't you go to court?"
Seeing such a handsome face first thing in the morning was quite pleasing to the eye.
She pinched Li Yuanke's cheek, and he grabbed her wrist. Having slept well, his morning grumpiness naturally dissipated. "Do you still know your place?"
Who in the world would dare to lay a hand on his face!
None of the other consorts in the rear palace had the audacity she did!
"I don't!" Shen Shixi shook her head. Seeing him on the verge of losing his temper, she threw herself at him and kissed him fiercely. "Husband!"
Li Yuanke still wore a stern expression, but a hint of amusement flickered in his eyes. "You little troublemaker, you'll be the death of yourself sooner or later!"
Shen Shixi acted as if she hadn't heard him, clambered over him to get out of bed, and called out, "Bai Pin, Bai Pin, I'm hungry!"
Li Yuanke hurriedly covered his vital parts.
Since the emperor was present today, she naturally couldn't exercise, so Bai Pin hadn't woken her up.
Once the two of them were ready, Li Fude served breakfast. With the emperor there, the morning meal was exceptionally lavish, and Shen Shixi ate heartily.
Halfway through the meal, she suddenly remembered something. "Bai Pin, did you go to Fengyi Palace to ask for leave on my behalf today?"
That was close! She had actually forgotten to clock in for work, and the key point was that she had even worked overtime last night.
"Replying to my lady, this morning His Majesty already ordered this servant to request leave for my lady from Her Majesty the Empress!" Bai Pin said.
She had called for her lady this morning, but her lady hadn't woken up. The emperor had woken up and told her to request leave for her lady.
Shen Shixi breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Your Majesty. Please eat more!"
She placed a small steamed bun in Li Yuanke's bowl. "Once my little kitchen is set up, I'll have someone prepare some delicious food for Your Majesty."
Li Yuanke glanced at her sideways but said nothing more.
Shen Shixi actually didn't like talking much during meals either; yesterday had purely been to pave the way for requesting the small kitchen.
She probably managed to disgust Li Yuanke in the process.
At Fengyi Palace, as it was the fifteenth day of the month, everyone except Shen Shixi had gone to pay their respects.
"Last night, Cairen Shen attended to His Majesty. She has served two nights in a row now. Indeed, the sisters of the Shen family are different. When Consort Shu was still alive, His Majesty favored her, and now he has transferred that favor to Cairen Shen. His Majesty is truly a man of deep affection!" Consort Qing remarked.
"Cairen Shen had already removed her jade plaque, yet His Majesty still went. Presumably, he was concerned about whether Cairen Shen was unwell?" Beauty Fan added, twisting the knife.
She remained untouched to this day. Without the Empress's care, she would have no place in the rear palace.
Having entered the palace only a few days ago and already receiving such concern from His Majesty, Cairen Shen was not to be underestimated.
The Empress glanced at the new consorts. Sure enough, displeasure was written on every face.
"It has only been two days!" the Empress said gently. "His Majesty is a wise ruler and will naturally distribute his favor equally. Sisters, there's no need to worry too much. This consort will speak with His Majesty and arrange for him to summon you as soon as possible!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress!" the newcomers chorused their gratitude, also breathing a sigh of relief.
Having entered the palace, not being summoned to serve was utterly humiliating.
"Sister Shen didn't come to pay her respects today?" Jiang Cairen, who had been demoted to Cairen because of Shen Shixi, was utterly resentful.
"She has only been in the palace for a few days, yet she is already acting arrogantly due to favor and skipping the morning greetings. Your Majesty the Empress, the ancestral rites and laws cannot be disregarded. This must not be tolerated!" Jiang Cairen said.
The Empress was inwardly furious—what a fool, so blatantly trying to use her as a weapon. "Shen Cairen has taken leave today. His Majesty is still in her palace at this moment. Could she possibly abandon the Emperor to come pay respects to me?"
How late was it already, yet the Emperor remained in Zhaoyang Palace. Was Shen Shixi trying to become a Daji?
Consort Rong glanced at the sun outside. The Emperor had never stayed in her palace until this hour; he always left before dawn. Indeed, it seemed His Majesty had never truly held her in his heart.
Consort De also looked out. The sun was glaring. That seductive fox Shen must not be allowed to remain. If she were to bear a son in the future, would any other woman's son ever have a chance to rise?
Virtuous Xiu Rong also gazed outside. "From then on, the sovereign no longer held morning court." Was the Emperor indulging in the harem, neglecting state affairs, aiming to become a tyrant?
Chen Cainü looked at the sun outside and made up her mind: she must seize that commanding position of Zhaoyang Palace.
Today, the Empress was to lead the consorts to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, but the Dowager only received those of consort rank and above. Thus, the Empress took only Consort De, Consort Qing, Consort Qiong, and Consort Rong with her. The remaining consorts could only watch enviously, sighing at their helplessness.
Who knew when they would have the chance to pay respects to the Empress Dowager?
Chen Cainü looked toward Fengyi Palace behind her. This scene fell into Yuan Zhaoyue's eyes—sure enough, Chen Yuxi must also have her sights set on Zhaoyang Palace.
But Yuan Zhaoyue had her eye on it. Her name contained the character "Zhao"; originally, she should have resided in the left side hall of Zhaoyang Palace.
Left was noble, right was humble. If she moved in now, she could only occupy the right side hall. Moreover, she was still merely a Cainü and had not yet attended the Emperor.
But once she did, the Emperor would surely favor her.
Her mother had taught her many techniques for pleasing men—this was her advantage over those noble-born ladies.
She was willing to lower herself to please a man, not merely be treated as a tool for bearing heirs.
Zhaoyang Palace—she was determined to live there.
Upon leaving the Empress Dowager's palace, the Empress learned that the Emperor had just departed Zhaoyang Palace. Not only had he granted a private kitchen, but he had also taken Shen Cairen to Qianyuan Palace to accompany him.
"Chen Cainü has been waiting outside Fengyi Palace all along, awaiting Your Majesty's return. Yuan Cainü is also waiting for Your Majesty," the senior palace maid Ting Qin reported.
"Have someone divert Yuan Cainü away. I will see Chen Cainü first," the Empress said.
Since she intended to place someone in Zhaoyang Palace, Chen Cainü naturally held greater value for exploitation.
Jiang Cairen happened to encounter Yuan Cainü and kept her talking for a while. The Empress's Phoenix Carriage passed by not far away, causing Yuan to miss the first opportunity.
Chen Cainü had seized the advantage.
Inside Fengyi Palace, Chen Cainü knelt before the Empress and pleaded, "Your Majesty, this humble one resides in the side hall of Shouxian Palace, originally by Your Majesty's gracious favor and special selection of a favorable location. However, I fear I may disturb Consort Qiong's daily culinary pursuits. I dare to request Your Majesty to assign me a different palace residence!"
The Empress pressed her forehead. "It was my oversight. Consort Qiong does have a passion for cooking, regardless of the hour. It must indeed be inconvenient for you to live there."
"Your Majesty oversees the affairs of the rear palace, with countless duties each day. Such trivial matters should not trouble Your Majesty."
"This is no trivial matter; one's residence is of great importance. Do you have a particular palace in mind? If convenient, I would be willing to grant your wish."
Chen Cainü hesitated, seeming deeply conflicted about whether to speak.
Ting Qin said, "Chen Cainü, if you have something to say, please speak. Her Majesty still has many matters to attend to today."
Chen Cainü hurriedly said, "Your Highness, perhaps this humble one should go keep Shen Cairen company? In the past, my elder sister had some unpleasantness with Shen Cairen's elder sister. Now that we are both consorts of His Majesty, I wish to get along well with Shen Cairen and serve the Emperor together."
"That would indeed make for a fine tale. Then you may move over. This palace will have the Imperial Household Department assist you with the move."
"Thank you, Your Highness the Empress!"
Shen Shixi was still unaware that someone had occupied her palace quarters. At the moment, she was staying in Qianyuan Palace. Li Yuanke was diligently writing as he reviewed memorials, while she lay on the Guifei Couch by the window reading a storybook.
"Your Majesty, Virtuous Xiu Rong requests an audience!" announced Li Fude.
"Not now!" The Emperor was somewhat annoyed, wanting to finish reviewing the memorials as soon as possible.
"Why not let her in?" Shen Shixi quickly sat up, full of enthusiasm. "Your Majesty, this humble one wishes to meet Your 'Admonishing Consort.' In ancient times, there were admonishing ministers; today, there is an admonishing consort. Let this humble one broaden her horizons!"
Li Yuanke threw down his brush, pulled her into his arms, and said, "You little rascal, so eager to see me embarrassed, are you?"