“His Majesty doesn’t like women who are scheming.”
“He doesn’t like those who vie for favor.”
“He doesn’t like those who put on acts, who are hypocritical and pretentious!”
The more Shen Rou spoke, the more silent Ming Yueni became.
Ming Yueni looked quietly at Shen Rou, revealing an obedient smile. “Sister Consort Rou, is there anything else?”
“There is! Accompanying the ruler is like accompanying a tiger; there is so much to be careful of! However, you don’t need to worry about all that.”
With a shallow smile, Shen Rou sighed sincerely and amiably toward Ming Yueni: “You are different.”
Ming Yueni asked curiously, “Why?”
Shen Rou acted mysteriously, answering with a question instead: “Sister Ni’er, do you know how many years it has been since a newcomer entered this imperial harem?”
Ming Yueni shook her head.
She had not been allowed to leave the Duke’s Mansion and had only heard people mention it—in the ten or so years since His Majesty ascended the throne, the imperial harem only had the Four Consorts.
The Four Consorts all had powerful backing and backgrounds.
Therefore, even though she was only titled a Beauty and held a lower status, she was not discouraged in the slightest.
Ming Yueni hid the ambition in her eyes. It didn’t matter where her starting point was; she would naturally climb up step by step!
She would stand higher than everyone else!
Only then could she take her revenge and send the Duke’s Mansion and the Crown Prince to their graves! Only then could she protect her mother and younger brother.
These thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant. Ming Yueni looked up and saw Shen Rou holding up two fingers toward her.
Ming Yueni astutely guessed, “Two years?”
“To be exact, two years and three months!” Shen Rou sighed with an emotional expression: “Sister Ni’er, you are the fifth to enter the palace, and you are the youngest among us.”
“You are also the only one whom His Majesty took the initiative to bring into the imperial harem.”
“So, you are different!”
There was no jealousy or malice in Shen Rou’s eyes; instead, she was very friendly toward Ming Yueni, like a caring older sister.
Also, somewhat like Yin Guo and Fulai.
Ming Yueni pondered inwardly: Could Shen Rou be His Majesty’s person?
She had to be careful! She couldn’t give herself away!
“Sister Ni’er, where would you like to stay? These three rooms are the best in Furou Palace, besides my bedchamber.”
Shen Rou showed Ming Yueni around, letting her choose her own residence.
Ming Yueni did not hesitate and chose the room furthest away from Shen Rou!
Shen Rou’s expression showed disappointment and regret: “Sister Ni’er, isn’t it too far? I still wanted to find you at night to talk about secret girl talk.”
“Sister Consort Rou, I go to bed early, so I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep you company,” Ming Yueni smiled politely and obediently, tactfully declining.
“Sigh, alright.”
Regretful as she was, Shen Rou didn’t force the issue. She instructed Xiao Que to take some people to tidy up and organize the room, so Ming Yueni could move in tonight.
But very quickly!
Yin Guo brought people over.
“Is the Beauty staying here? Very well, please wait a moment, Beauty.”
Yin Guo was swift and capable. Clapping her hands, she ordered the eunuchs and maids to furnish the room from the inside out.
They laid out brand new embroidered cloud-brocade silk bedding and hung light cherry-red soft misty-silk bed curtains.
A gilded flying-bird dressing table, a set of yellow rosewood tables and chairs, a red sandalwood desk, a wardrobe, a beauty’s couch… bird-and-flower paintings, portraits of ladies, and glazed lamps.
Finally, they set up a screen featuring double-sided embroidery of peonies and a gold-filigree enamel incense burner…
Everything inside and out was brand new!
Elegant and classical, yet not lacking in luxury.
Ming Yueni stared blankly, an indescribable feeling rising in her heart.
A faint sigh drifted into her ear: “Indeed, people just cannot be compared to one another.”
Ming Yueni lowered her eyes, not knowing what to say.
Immediately after, another group of people entered, carrying items in their hands or arms, or carrying chests in pairs…
Yin Guo introduced them one by one: “These are His Majesty’s rewards—gold and silver jewelry, three sets of pearl and jade earrings, three boxes of Eastern pearls, and fifty bolts of silk and satin.”
“There is also a set of treasured study items. His Majesty specifically instructed the Beauty to practice writing diligently and not to neglect it.”
Ming Yueni blinked and nodded obediently, “Okay.”
“All of you, come over.” Yin Guo continued her introductions, arranging six maids and four eunuchs to serve Ming Yueni.
“This servant pays respects to the Beauty!”
“Sigh~ Being liked versus being disliked, the treatment really is different.” Shen Rou sighed repeatedly, sounding a bit sour.
Ming Yueni was quick-witted and cleverly called the palace servants to bring all the rewards over. “Thank you, Sister Consort Rou, for saving my life! I will borrow these flowers to offer to the Buddha; please, Sister Consort Rou, take your pick first!”
“Sister Ni’er is so sweet, but there’s no need. I was just speaking casually.”
Shen Rou waved her hands repeatedly. They were bestowed by His Majesty; she wouldn’t dare take them.
But Ming Yueni forcefully pressed a box of Eastern pearls into her hands.
“Living in Sister’s palace from now on, I ask that Sister take good care of me.”
“Alright then.” Shen Rou accepted it, her eyes curving into a smile.
After watching for a moment, Yin Guo interjected: “Beauty, please go inside and take a look. If you lack anything, feel free to tell this servant.”
As soon as Ming Yueni entered the room.
Shen Rou immediately leaned close to Yin Guo and asked her quietly, “Where did this delicate little beauty come from?”
“She fell from the sky,” Yin Guo joked with a familiar attitude.
She then restrained her expression and instructed Shen Rou strictly: “An oral decree from His Majesty: you are to keep a close eye on her.”
“How should I keep an eye on her? Do you want me to sleep in her bed?”
“Her Ladyship Consort Rou, if you sleep on the bed, where will His Majesty sleep?”
“Then should I sleep under the bed?”
Yin Guo’s mouth twitched. Keeping a straight face, she shot her a freezing glare.
Shen Rou lost her nerve, shrinking her neck and smiling apologetically: “This Consort was just joking, you absolutely must not tell His Majesty!”
At this moment, Ming Yueni came out.
The two instantly assumed their respective roles; master was master, and servant was servant. They stood with a distance of two or three people between them.
With sharp intuition, Ming Yueni glanced at them, walked over, and said to Yin Guo: “Sister Yin Guo, I am not lacking anything. But the things I left in the Chen Palace…”
“Rest assured, Beauty. This servant will have someone bring them over shortly. This servant still has matters to attend to, so I will take my leave first.”
“Sister Yin Guo, wait!”
Ming Yueni caught up to Yin Guo, took her hand, and placed a gilded, openwork bracelet into her palm.
Ming Yueni smiled as beautifully as a flower, her voice soft and sweet as she thanked her: “Thank you, Sister Yin Guo, for taking care of me. I won’t forget it!”
“You are too polite, Beauty.”
Yin Guo generously and openly accepted the bracelet.
She looked at Ming Yueni with a beaming smile, speaking with hidden meaning: “Beauty, your good days are just beginning. Rest well, and absolutely do not let your face get injured again.”
Ming Yueni touched her cheek.
The medicine was very strong. Her face was no longer as frighteningly swollen now, but to present herself to others, she still needed to heal slowly.
Ming Yueni nodded obediently: “Take care, Sister Yin Guo.”
The Imperial Study.
Yin Guo bowed and reported: “Your Majesty, everything has been arranged properly over at Furou Palace.”
Beichen Yuan kept his eyes lowered on the memorial, not even lifting his head. “What did Ming Yueni say?”
Yin Guo immediately reported everything in full detail.
Upon hearing this, Beichen Yuan let out a cold snort. Not a single word mentioned him.
Was this fondness? Admiration?
Acting pitiful and obedient, she had even fooled him.
If it had been anyone else, their head would have long since moved from its shoulders! But Ming Yueni… Beichen Yuan loosely clenched his hand, grasping only empty air.
His brow was cold, stern, and profound, his imposing aura oppressive.
A flash of desire swept past the depths of his eyes. Beichen Yuan bent his fingers and knocked on the desktop. “Issue my decree—”
Yin Guo knelt on the ground, her expression exceptionally astonished upon hearing this.
She secretly exchanged a glance with Fulai; the latter’s face was blooming with a smile as he repeatedly winked at her.
Yin Guo lowered her head. “This servant will go arrange it right away.”