These past few days, Feng Moheng had come to the Ninglan Courtyard almost daily.
Shen Yuling saw through it clearly—his actions were undoubtedly deliberate.
On the first day, Shen Yuling had specifically instructed the kitchen to prepare a nourishing fish soup. However, Liu Jingyi used the excuse of poor health to snatch the soup away.
On the second day, the mansion’s tailor crafted several new garments tailored to Shen Yuling’s measurements. Unexpectedly, Liu Jingyi’s maidservant arrived first and picked out the finest pieces.
On the third day, the Princess Chang received two precious rolls of pearl gauze from His Majesty. She kept one for herself and sent the other with Feng Moheng for the Princess Consort—Shen Yuling. Yet, halfway back, Liu Jingyi intercepted it, leaving Shen Yuling without even a glimpse of the gauze.
In light of all this, Xi Tong had been seething with frustration lately.
“Liu Ji is too much! You are the rightful mistress of the mansion, the Princess Consort, yet she openly snatches your belongings!”
Shen Yuling leaned listlessly on the soft couch, her gaze somewhat vacant, as if lost in thought. Yet the words she spoke did not match her expression at all.
This demeanor was merely a performance for certain eyes.
“Feng Moheng must be feeling quite smug lately, with Liu Jingyi fighting and scrambling for his attention,” Shen Yuling remarked, her tone tinged with sarcasm.
“He doesn’t seem to mind the exhaustion. Returning to the mansion each day, he not only makes promises to Liu Jingyi but also comes to the Ninglan Courtyard to placate me. Does he truly believe he can have it both ways?”
Xi Tong listened with a puzzled expression, blinking her eyes as she asked, “How did Feng Moheng change his heart so quickly? Could it be that you’re too beautiful, and he’s utterly bewitched?”
Shen Yuling extended a finger and lightly tapped Xi Tong’s forehead.
“Don’t talk nonsense,” she chided. “He’s clearly using me. Can’t you see that?”
“But it’s fine. For now, let’s pretend to be heartbroken and distressed these next few days.”
Shen Yuling narrowed her eyes slightly.
“I recall that in three days, Feng Moheng will take Liu Jingyi and me out to admire the flowers.”
“When the time comes, remember to have the Shen family guards disguise themselves well and find an opportunity to ‘assassinate’ Feng Moheng.”
“Let’s see what choice Liu Jingyi, who believes she loves him, will make in a moment of crisis.”
At this, Shen Yuling’s lips curved into a meaningful smile.
“And as for me, whom he has always believed does not love him—I will be willing to risk my life to save him.”
Xi Tong replied crisply, “Don’t worry, Miss. Everything has been arranged.”
“The people the master assigned to you from the Shen family are all reliable, loyal, and will not make any mistakes.”
Shen Yuling gave a soft “Mm” and lowered her head slightly, as if suddenly remembering something.
She asked seriously, “How many of the people in the Ninglan Courtyard now were placed here by Quan Minghe?”
Xi Tong blinked her clear, innocent eyes. “All of them.”
Shen Yuling: “…”
The night was deep and tranquil, the moonlight serene and poetic.
Shen Yuling once again arrived at the luxurious Yaohua Palace.
She walked gracefully into the room and sat on the opulent bed. This time, she could properly take in the splendor of the palace.
The walls were coated with fragrant pepper-infused mud, from which a delicate aroma wafted.
Golden bricks paved the floor, gleaming brilliantly.
Yellow tiles covered the roof, glazed and radiant with color.
Copper-capped roof, gilded and gleaming.
Silk embroidered curtains, thin and translucent.
Curtains swaying with the breeze, graceful as startled gowns.
This palace was truly magnificent, with carved beams and painted rafters.
As it was still early spring, the night air carried a slight chill.
Fortunately, silver charcoal was burning inside the room—the finest charcoal in the palace, emitting a faint, delicate fragrance as it burned.
Looking around the room, various rare ornaments adorned the space, exquisitely shaped and crafted with unparalleled skill.
Even though Shen Yuling had seen many fine things since childhood, her eyes now revealed a hint of unconcealed awe.
Indeed, wealth and splendor could dazzle the eyes.
The evening drum sounded leisurely at the hour of Xu, as the night deepened.
Quan Minghe had finished his dinner at Weiyang Palace before coming to Yaohua Palace.
As soon as he stepped into the bedchamber, his imposing presence instantly captured Shen Yuling’s gaze.
He wore a luxurious purple gilded robe.
The robe was adorned with black dragon patterns, as if they were about to burst from the fabric and soar through the clouds, exuding an aura of dominance.
On his head rested a gem-studded crown, as if a river of stars had descended upon it.
Quan Minghe approached with measured steps, carrying the majesty of a deity and an innate air of nobility.
His commanding presence, which seemed to look down upon the world, could almost make one overlook his handsome features at first glance.
Initially, Shen Yuling had only thought of using Quan Minghe to achieve her goal of revenge.
But now, her heart was beating out of rhythm.
For some reason…
she longed to win the heart of this male protagonist, who had no romantic inclinations.
Shen Yuling felt her heart thumping wildly.
Powerful and handsome, he merely wanted a little white rabbit—and she could certainly play the part.
This was her life, after all. Beyond revenge,
wealth, power, and men—she wanted them all!
Lan Ying, the palace maid serving nearby, hurriedly whispered a reminder, “Your Majesty has arrived, Your Highness. You must pay your respects.”
Shen Yuling snapped back to reality and quickly rose from the bed, walking gracefully toward Quan Minghe.
When she reached him, she imitated what she had seen before, bending her knees slightly in a curtsy.
“Greetings to Your Majesty.”
However, she had never learned the palace etiquette, and her curtsy was incorrect.
The depth of her bow was wrong, and so was the placement of her hands.
In the Qian Dynasty, the etiquette practiced by noble families and imperial relatives differed from that of the palace.
The emperor’s residence naturally distinguished itself in every detail to signify its supreme status.
Palace etiquette was exceptionally strict; even a simple curtsy involved many nuances, with every movement conveying reverence for those of higher rank.
When ministers or their relatives entered the palace, they were meticulously instructed by matrons beforehand to ensure their conduct adhered to protocol and avoided any breach of etiquette.
But clearly, Shen Yuling had entered the palace secretly, so no one could have taught her these rules.
Quan Minghe frowned slightly, then waved his hand.
His tone remained gentle: “There’s no need for formalities during this period. Once you officially enter the palace, I will have etiquette matrons teach you the palace rules.”
Quan Minghe walked past Shen Yuling and approached the soft couch.
He lifted the hem of his robe and sat down gracefully, his every movement exuding the dignified bearing of an emperor.
Shen Yulin also walked gracefully to his side and slowly took a seat.
“Why did Your Majesty summon me to the palace tonight?”
Quan Minghe raised his eyes slightly, his expression calm.
“Bai Hua sent word that you seemed to have been mistreated in the Junwang Mansion?”
Shen Yuling stubbornly lifted her chin. “No, I am the Princess Consort, and I have the Shen family backing me. Who could possibly bully me?”
Stubborn to the core.
Quan Minghe didn’t expose her, merely raising an eyebrow slightly.
He said indifferently, “Then it seems you don’t need the pearl gauze I brought.”
Turning his head toward the door, he called out, “Li Ming, take the palace dress made of pearl gauze to Liu Zhaoyi. Didn’t she come asking about it today?”
“Pearl gauze?”
Shen Yuling had always loved beautiful things. In the past, no matter how openly or secretly Liu Jingyi competed with her for other items, she had never taken it too much to heart.
But pearl gauze—in over a decade in this world, she had never even seen it, as it was a tribute item.
“Does Your Majesty know everything…”
After a moment of silence, Shen Yuling seemed to recall something, her expression turning somewhat somber.
“When I was at home, my father and mother doted on me. Whatever good things they had, they would give them all to me.”
“But ever since I went to the Prince’s residence, the Prince… he didn’t like me. Liu Ji targeted me everywhere, making things difficult for me at every turn.”
Quan Minghe’s face showed no trace of emotion.
His expression and voice remained indifferent.
“If you’ve been wronged, why not speak up?”
Shen Yuling pursed her lips, her delicate face tense with seriousness.
“Because… it’s embarrassing, humiliating.”
She was the esteemed eldest daughter of the Shen family. How could she let others know she was being bullied by a mere concubine?
If word got out, not only would she lose face, but her family would also be disgraced.
For these noble families, losing their heads was nothing to fear, but losing face was unacceptable.
Originally, after hearing her words, Quan Minghe had genuinely begun to feel sympathy for her.
But unexpectedly, Shen Yuling suddenly turned her head.
Pointing at the pearl gauze, she said, “Your Majesty, wearing a dress made of pearl gauze can cover up all the humiliation. Then, Your Majesty will see the most beautiful Shen Yuling.”
She turned back to look at him, her charming fox-like eyes blinking.
“Does Your Majesty want to see?”
Quan Minghe’s calm expression nearly faltered, but fortunately, he had always been adept at concealing his emotions.
He coughed lightly, masking the laughter that almost escaped.
“You certainly know how to scheme.”
Quan Minghe lifted his chin slightly, and Li Ming, standing nearby, immediately understood.
He handed the Pearl-Gathering Snow Gauze Dress made of pearl gauze to Lan Ying, who stood beside him.
Quan Minghe said, “Go change into it.”
Shen Yuling acknowledged and stood up, heading toward the screen in the inner chamber.
Lan Ying followed behind her into the inner chamber, holding the dress.
“Your Ladyship, the Pearl-Gathering Snow Gauze Dress was originally intended by His Majesty as a reward for Liu Zhaoyi. However, after Bai Hua reported your news in the palace today, His Majesty sent the dress to our Yaohua Palace.”
Lan Ying wore a smile, genuinely happy for her mistress.
“It shows that His Majesty must be very fond of you.”
From now on, she would be serving Consort Shen, and her future was entirely tied to Consort Shen’s fate.
The more favor Consort Shen gained from the Emperor, the happier she naturally was.
Shen Yuling caressed the exquisite and luxurious palace dress. Though a smile hung on her lips, it did not reach her eyes.
Fondness like that for a pet was nothing to boast about.
Then let’s see if she could win this Emperor’s heart.