==Chapter Ten==
Shen Shiyuan's good mood for the day was utterly ruined. She returned to Yuzhao Hall with a dark expression.
Lüe was waiting inside the hall and was taken aback to see her mistress return in such a foul mood. Not knowing what had happened, she could only look questioningly at Qingzhi.
Qingzhi gave a slight shake of her head in response.
Shen Shiyuan plopped down in front of the dressing table with a thud. The more she thought about it, the more wronged she felt, her beautiful eyes nearly welling up with tears. Since childhood, she had never received much affection from her parents, which made her feel utterly pitiful. Even before being sold off, she had learned to be extra tender with herself, hiding away any little treasures she came across for her own enjoyment.
Later, after encountering one or two kind souls, she became even more indulgent toward herself, unwilling to suffer even the slightest grievance.
That group led by Cairen Lu had actually gathered so brazenly to call her stupid. Such slander and contempt were something Shen Shiyuan simply could not accept.
Even though she had already taught Cairen Lu a lesson on the spot, in Shen Shiyuan's view, it was far from enough.
Making Cairen Lu pick flowers for her was payback for calling her stupid, but her good mood for the day had been ruined, and she hadn't yet reclaimed her dignity.
Suddenly remembering something, Shen Shiyuan hurriedly turned to ask Qingzhi:
"Did you remember everyone in that group today?"
Qingzhi hadn't expected her mistress to hold such a grudge. She immediately nodded. As a servant, having sharp eyes was of utmost importance. She reassured her, "This servant noted them all down."
Meiren Zhang, Cairen Lu, and two Baolins—all of them usually enjoyed little favor.
Idle people, when gathered together, and with her mistress suddenly rising to prominence, easily became targets for gossip.
Regardless, they had provoked first, so it was only right for her mistress to retaliate.
Qingzhi wasn't afraid of her mistress being domineering. Only those without backing would always think of swallowing their anger. Now that her mistress was in favor, if she didn't act assertively now, when would she? Besides, her mistress had just entered the palace and was being looked down upon by those of lower rank. If she didn't make an example of someone, others might think her an easy target.
Hearing this, Shen Shiyuan finally relaxed, afraid that someone might have been left off her revenge list.
When wronged, Shen Shiyuan's first instinct was, of course, to complain. But she at least remembered that this was the imperial palace. Even back at Shen Mansion, when Shen Wenjun had official duties, she knew better than to disturb him. So, she had been holding in this resentment all along.
After listening for a while, Lüe finally grasped the gist of what had happened. Seeing her mistress slightly calmer, she tried to divert her attention:
"The Imperial Kitchen just delivered the meal. Would Mistress like to eat first?"
Shen Shiyuan turned her head away, her cheeks puffed out in anger. "I'm too angry to eat. How could I have any appetite?"
Lüe and Qingzhi exchanged a glance, growing concerned. They hurried over to coax her gently:
"Mistress, it's not worth ruining your health over others."
Shen Shiyuan pursed her lips, clearly swayed but still resentful. It was only after Lüe coaxed her repeatedly that she reluctantly ate a little. Still, with emotions churning inside, she barely touched her food.
By the time dusk fell, Shen Shiyuan could no longer hold back.
In her view, no matter how busy Qi Chuyan was, it was already evening—time to rest—and surely he would have time to avenge her.
Shen Shiyuan eagerly summoned Qingzhi:
"Go quickly and invite the Emperor here."
Qingzhi was stunned.
Just go and invite him so bluntly?
Shen Shiyuan didn't see anything wrong with it at all, looking at Qingzhi with urging eyes. She was already imagining what expression she should wear and what words she should say when Qi Chuyan arrived.
Under her mistress's eager gaze, Qingzhi could only bow in acceptance, no matter how reluctant she was.
Just as she was about to turn around, she heard Xiao Linzi knocking on the door from outside.
Xiao Linzi swiftly bowed in greeting and said somewhat hesitantly:
"His Majesty has summoned the Yanxi Palace to attend him tonight."
Qingzhi immediately halted in her tracks. Shen Shiyuan slightly furrowed her delicate brows. Yanxi Palace?
She glanced inquiringly at Qingzhi, who whispered, "Yanxi Palace is where Yang Zhaoyi resides."
Oh, Shen Shiyuan understood.
But she still looked at Qingzhi in puzzlement:
"Why aren't you going yet?"
Qingzhi gave a bitter smile, suspecting her mistress hadn't grasped the situation. She tried to remind her, "Mistress, His Majesty has summoned Yang Zhaoyi to attend him tonight. He will surely go to Yanxi Palace."
Yang Zhaoyi had always been favored. Moreover, after her miscarriage earlier this year, she had gained even more of the Emperor's pity. No one had ever dared to intercept her favor.
Not even the Virtuous Consort would do such a thing.
Shen Shiyuan frowned, still caught up in her annoyance, and paid little heed to Qingzhi's words. She lifted her chin slightly:
"So what."
If it were anyone else, it might be different, but it happened to be Yang Zhaoyi. During today's morning greetings, two names had been added to her list of disliked people: one was the Virtuous Consort, and the other was Yang Zhaoyi.
Seeing her raise her pointed chin with such an arrogant demeanor, yet appearing so young and beautiful, Qingzhi thought she didn't seem annoying at all. Instead, she resembled a pampered cat acting spoiled, making one want to indulge her.
In any case, Qingzhi couldn't resist. She could only analyze the pros and cons for her mistress:
"But if the Emperor doesn't come, your actions might offend Yang Zhaoyi."
Even if he did come, it would still cause offense.
Shen Shiyuan nodded lightly, not understanding why Qingzhi had specifically pointed this out. "From the moment I entered the palace, haven't I already offended her?"
Qingzhi was left speechless.
Shen Shiyuan was well aware of her own beauty. Of course, she knew what she had come for. There was only one Qi Chuyan, and his favor was limited. If she seized a portion, others would have to share less. If it were Shen Shiyuan in their place, regardless of whether the other party acted intentionally or not, she would despise them deeply.
This had nothing to do with love or affection; it was purely about personal interests.
With her stunning beauty, it was impossible for the other imperial concubines not to feel some wariness toward her.
Qingzhi was surprised. She hadn't expected her mistress to be so perceptive. Realizing this, Qingzhi decided not to persuade her any further.
They say youth is reckless. Since her mistress had just entered the palace, a little recklessness could be understood. Besides, as long as she had the Emperor's favor, what was recklessness? It was merely the spirit of youth.
Having made up her mind, Qingzhi didn't hesitate any longer and immediately turned to leave Yuzhao Hall.
She had to reach the Emperor before the imperial carriage headed to Yanxi Palace. Otherwise, once the imperial carriage entered Yanxi Palace, not only would the degree of offense be different, but whether she could even see the Emperor would be uncertain.
Having spent a long time in the palace, Qingzhi was familiar with all the small paths and deliberately chose a shortcut. Moreover, Changle Palace was not far from the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and she walked quickly, so she actually managed to arrive before the imperial carriage set off for Yanxi Palace.
When Zhou Liming saw her, he was utterly stunned.
He stepped forward to block her way and asked in bewilderment, "Why are you here?"
He had just seen Qingzhi at Yuzhao Hall last night, so of course he knew who she served.
What was Shen Meiren up to again?
Had venting her anger on Cairen Lu during the day not been enough to satisfy her?
When Qingzhi was stopped, she didn’t feel embarrassed. Instead, she sighed, her face filled with anxiety and worry:
"My mistress has been crying ever since she returned from paying her respects this morning and refuses to eat. I truly had no other choice, so I dared to come and ask His Majesty to visit her."
Zhou Liming fell silent, a rare occurrence for him.
Did he believe Qingzhi’s words? Half of it, perhaps.
During the journey back from Wuzhou, he had witnessed the delicate temperament and stubbornness of that Shen Meiren. If she had been angered to tears, Zhou Liming naturally believed it.
But as for Qingzhi coming to the imperial presence on her own initiative to request His Majesty’s presence—Zhou Liming didn’t believe that for a moment.
Without her mistress’s permission, would Qingzhi dare to do such a thing? Especially knowing that the Emperor had summoned Yanxi Palace for tonight’s service, coming to request his presence now would only bring resentment upon her own mistress!
Zhou Liming hesitated. Yang Zhaoyi had always been favored, and he was reluctant to offend her.
But when he thought of Shen Meiren’s face, she wasn’t someone easy to offend either.
Zhou Liming chose to leave this dilemma to the Emperor.
As the saying goes, it’s better to offend the King of Hell than the little devils. Compared to Yang Zhaoyi, Shen Meiren was not particularly clever. If she found out that he had stopped her maid, she might hold a grudge against him. Yang Zhaoyi, on the other hand, even if she learned of today’s events, would only direct her resentment toward Shen Meiren.
Zhou Liming asked Qingzhi to wait outside while he went in to report.
Inside the hall, Qi Chuyan had already heard some commotion outside. Seeing Zhou Liming enter with a hesitant expression, he asked without surprise:
"Who is it?"
Zhou Liming forced a smile and replied without hesitation, "It’s someone from Yuzhao Hall."
He reported Qingzhi’s words verbatim.
Qi Chuyan toyed with the brush in his hand and raised an eyebrow, asking:
"Was she really crying?"
Zhou Liming didn’t dare to give a definitive answer, as he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes. But judging by the Emperor’s attitude, he instantly felt relieved that he had come to report.
He clicked his tongue inwardly and tentatively inquired, "Your Majesty, would you like to visit Shen Meiren? Shen Meiren is new here and must be feeling uneasy."
Qi Chuyan fixed a steady gaze on Zhou Liming, nearly amused.
Would Shen Shiyuan feel uneasy? More likely, she had been dazzled by the luxury as soon as she arrived at Yuzhao Palace yesterday.
After a moment, Qi Chuyan tossed the brush aside and said with a smile:
"Fine, let’s go see your Mistress Shen."
Zhou Liming’s smile nearly froze. What did he mean by "fine"? As if he had reluctantly persuaded him.
Fortunately, everyone in the hall was a trusted confidant of the imperial presence and wouldn’t gossip. Otherwise, if Yang Zhaoyi found out, even if she didn’t cause trouble for him, she would likely harbor displeasure toward him in her heart.
Zhou Liming knew his place very well. Even though he served in the imperial presence, he was ultimately just a servant. The imperial concubines in the rear palace were the Emperor's intimate companions—their statuses were fundamentally different.
Qingzhi waited outside, her heart filled with anxiety, both nervous and worried.
Her nervousness and worry stemmed from the fear of displeasing the Emperor.
As for Yang Zhaoyi? From the moment she stepped out of Yuzhao Hall, Yang Zhaoyi was already destined to be offended.
When the hall doors were pushed open and she caught sight of the Emperor's figure, Qingzhi couldn't help but widen her eyes slightly in surprise, swallowing nervously.
Even though she had come on her mistress's orders to invite him, deep down, she never truly believed the Emperor would actually leave with her.
After all, Yang Zhaoyi enjoyed deep favor and held considerable authority within the palace. Who would dare imagine that a newly entered Meiren could rival her?
Qingzhi didn't dare think it, and naturally, no one else did either.
When the news reached Yanxi Palace, Yang Zhaoyi's smile froze completely at the corners of her lips:
"What did you just say?"
Author's note:
Xiao Qi: Really crying?
Daughter: Could it be fake?
[You'll know once you go.]
[Cough, my daughter is the type who would intercept favor like this.]