Zhishu was greatly shocked upon hearing these words. Over the years, their young lady had pleaded with His Majesty until her forehead was bruised, all for Xie Xiaohouye. She had almost severed ties with the Shen family and spent nearly every day weeping in the inner courtyard.
She had shown such determination, as if she would remain steadfast for a lifetime if Xie Xiaohouye did not love her. How could she suddenly have a change of heart now?
What exactly happened last night when the young lady sought an audience with His Majesty late into the night?
“But… since this marriage was personally bestowed by His Majesty, and the young lady herself said that Xie Xiaohouye would never agree to a divorce in this lifetime—doing so would be defying the imperial decree—doesn’t the matter of divorce require His Majesty’s approval?”
She tactfully reminded their young lady, who often acted on impulse. Moreover, what would the young lady do after the divorce? She hadn’t returned to the Shen family for three years.
Without support, seeking a divorce would be akin to seeking death.
Shen Si said with certainty, “His Majesty will agree.”
Zhishu bowed slightly and asked Zhi Hua to accompany the young lady to Kunning Palace, where Yuhua Tai Fei resided.
His Majesty’s birth mother, Lingchen Empress, passed away early. In those years, Consort Hui was entrusted with raising him, but she never treated the Crown Prince—who was the least favored and often incurred the Grand Emperor’s displeasure—with kindness. It was Guo Shuyi, who was also of low status and had little influence, who devoted herself wholeheartedly to caring for the Crown Prince. When His Majesty was young, he nearly starved to death several times, and it was Shuyi who secretly provided him with food.
Later, when the Crown Prince ascended the throne and the Grand Emperor moved outside the palace, the New Emperor dismissed the Grand Emperor’s consorts and posthumously honored Guo Shuyi as Tai Fei.
Although it was not permitted by ritual laws, Consort Guo now held a status equivalent to that of the Empress Dowager.
Shen Si walked so quickly that she was slightly out of breath, exhaling faint white mist with each breath. By the time she arrived outside Yuhua Palace, Nanny An, who served by Tai Fei’s side, had been waiting for her for a long time.
“Why is Madam so late? Tai Fei was so worried that she sent someone to inquire, only to find that Madam was not in her quarters?”
Nanny An supported her, sensing that something urgent must have happened for her to come in such haste.
Shen Si stepped inside. Tai Fei was gentle, kind, and indifferent to fame and fortune, so she did not favor luxury or grandeur. Her residence was exceptionally simple and plain.
Additionally, Tai Fei loved to practice Buddhism, so the hall was perpetually filled with the scent of incense oil.
“I apologize for troubling Tai Fei with concern. This subject went to seek an audience with His Majesty early this morning.”
Shen Si was unrestrained in front of His Majesty but adhered strictly to etiquette in front of others. As long as she was not divorced, she remained Xie Queshan’s wife.
Nanny An glanced at her thoughtfully. It was worth noting that three years ago, after Madam insisted on marrying Xie Xiaohouye, she had grown distant from His Majesty. Even in the palace, she deliberately avoided him.
On several occasions when His Majesty came to visit Tai Fei, Shen Si would hurriedly hide herself away.
“What a coincidence, His Majesty is here as well.”
Upon hearing that Gu Lingyun was also present, Shen Si quickened her pace.
“You girl, you’ve finally arrived.” Consort Yushu glared at her, her tone filled with affection and indulgence.
Shen Si first paid her respects, then sat down with a charming smile and apologized, wondering where His Majesty was. “Please forgive me, Tai Fei. I was delayed at His Majesty’s side, as I sought His Majesty’s grace…”
“Tai Fei, I feel much better now. This method truly works.” At that moment, a woman gracefully emerged from the inner chamber.
Gu Lingyun had personally assisted her, then took his seat.
Shen Si raised her eyes to stare at the other woman, her fingers unconsciously tightening, her gaze tinged with a hint of coldness!
Noble Consort Ning!
Why was she here!
Given this woman’s aloof nature, she would never stoop to currying favor with others in the palace. In her previous life, she had rarely visited Tai Fei, hadn’t she?
Zhi Hua quickly made a show of helping her mistress stand up, for one must certainly pay respects upon seeing the noble consort.
Memories of her past life flashed before her eyes—Noble Consort Ning standing by her bedside, holding the hand of the child she had raised, mocking her for overestimating herself.
“Xie Queshan has loved only me from beginning to end. How could you delude yourself into thinking he would grow to love you over time? Even His Majesty adores me deeply.”
This woman was so malicious it made one seethe with hatred. Shen Si didn’t understand how she had provoked her, yet this wretched couple carried on with their nightly revelries next door, their laughter and joy driving her to spit blood several times.
Shen Si snapped back to reality. Though unwilling, palace decorum outweighed all else. Her gaze fixed directly on His Majesty as she reluctantly performed the ritual greeting.
Once she entered the palace, she would make this woman kneel and bow to her.
Tai Fei waved her hand dismissively. “There aren’t so many formalities here. Let’s skip the greetings, don’t you agree, Your Majesty?”
Shen Si looked gratefully at Tai Fei, then turned her eyes to His Majesty.
Gu Lingyun gave a slight nod without looking at her. “Whatever pleases Tai Fei.”
Noble Consort Ning also smiled faintly, supporting her five-month-pregnant belly as she sat down. “Your Majesty, last night’s matter was urgent, but there was no need for you to come personally to see your humble consort.”
“I had matters to attend to last night. Focus on nurturing the pregnancy and avoid unnecessary movement,” Gu Lingyun replied, neither confirming nor denying whether his visit was intentional.
Shen Si clutched her handkerchief, her eyes blazing as she glared at Ning Ruoxue. Wasn’t she supposed to be aloof and disdainful of the emperor’s favor?
“Tai Fei, your humble subject is feeling unwell and must take her leave,” she said, unwilling to witness the intimate exchanges between Gu Lingyun and this woman, her heart aching with frustration.
She stared at the other’s swollen belly, grinding her teeth in resentment. The two children born from that womb—one had become the little prince cherished by His Majesty, the other the young heir she had painstakingly raised. And that child actually wished for her early death.
She couldn’t allow Noble Consort Ning to give birth to these twins. She had to find a way to make her miscarry!
“How could you be unwell? Don’t leave. Let the imperial physician examine you. Rest in the back for now,” Tai Fei said, not oblivious to the fact that the girl likely wanted to avoid His Majesty.
Shen Si bit her lip, stealing a glance at Gu Lingyun before gathering her courage. “Your Majesty, your humble subject has something to discuss with you privately.”
Only then did Gu Lingyun glance at her indifferently, personally instructing Liu Cha’en, “Summon the imperial physician.”
He then stood up, signaling for Shen Si to follow.
Noble Consort Ning stared in astonishment at His Majesty’s retreating figure. Wasn’t Shen Si supposed to avoid the emperor like the plague? Why would she suddenly seek a private audience?
A sense of foreboding washed over her. In her panic, she clutched her belly and cried out in pain, “Your Majesty, your humble consort’s belly hurts terribly!”
Shen Si grew furious at this feigned display. It hadn’t hurt earlier—why now? Clearly, she was trying to prevent her from being alone with His Majesty.
She looked up at Gu Lingyun, her eyes reddening and welling with tears that came effortlessly.
Tai Fei immediately instructed Nanny An to attend to the noble consort. “This old one is most skilled in diagnosing women’s abdominal pains. Even imperial physicians are no match.”
Nanny An hurried over, blocking Noble Consort Ning’s line of sight.
Gu Lingyun led Shen Si into the rear prayer hall.
“What is it?” he asked, looking down at the woman on the verge of tears, his tone even colder than the night before.
Feeling wronged, Shen Si wept as she spoke, “Is Your Majesty deliberately growing closer to Noble Consort Ning to make me give up hope? Or do you find me too… improper, causing you distress? Your Majesty never wanted me in the first place.”
Gu Lingyun couldn’t help but frown slightly at her tear-streaked face: “I come daily to pay respects to Tai Fei. The Noble Consort arrived rather early today.”
Was this meant to explain why they were together?