==Chapter Seven==
Shen Shiyuan only learned that Qin Baolin had visited after waking up. She tilted her head slightly and couldn't help but smile, her eyes curving into crescents.
Entering the palace was truly wonderful—surrounded by servants, dressed in fine silks and brocades, and even having people come to pay their respects to her.
Such prestige indeed.
Qingzhi watched her smug, secretive smile, the corners of her eyes and brows brimming with spring-like delight—so blatant yet somehow impossible to dislike. Qingzhi couldn't help but be amused by her. Collecting her thoughts, she softly reminded:
"Does Mistress wish to rise? Soon, perhaps news will come from the imperial presence."
Shen Shiyuan also thought of something and hurriedly got up, calling for water to wash and prepare to dress elaborately, ready to welcome her first night of service in the palace.
Seeing her so excited, Qingzhi hesitated for a moment, wanting to speak but holding back.
If Mistress was this eager, what if no message came from the imperial presence? Wouldn't her hopes be dashed?
But with Mistress in such high spirits, Qingzhi couldn't bear to say anything discouraging. She could only pray silently that since this was Mistress's first day in the palace, the Emperor might grant her some face.
Far beyond Yuzhao Hall, all the imperial concubines in the rear palace were eagerly awaiting, wanting to know whether the Emperor would visit the rear palace today, and if so, whose hall he would go to.
Chaoyang Palace, the residence of the Virtuous Consort.
The Virtuous Consort sat before her dressing table, not having the palace maids fan her, instead holding a round fan and swaying it idly. Her expression was indifferent, her eyes half-lidded without a trace of drowsiness. She simply sat there, or rather, waited.
Zhu Jin, seeing Her Ladyship so subdued, couldn't help but feel distressed and quickly suggested:
"It's still early. Why not have the small kitchen prepare a bowl of chilled soup? The Emperor has been busy all day and must be quite agitated inside."
Her implication was to use this as an excuse to invite the Emperor over.
The Virtuous Consort casually raised a hand, cutting off Zhu Jin's words.
Zhu Jin fell silent but didn't understand. If Her Ladyship wanted to see the Emperor, why wait so passively?
The Virtuous Consort had always been one to fight and contend for attention, and the Emperor, in turn, indulged her, making her increasingly unrestrained.
Today was a rare display of such restraint.
After a long while, the Virtuous Consort slowly said, "What do you think of Shen Meiren's appearance?"
Zhu Jin was momentarily speechless. Even if she tried to deceive her conscience, she couldn't say that Shen Meiren was unattractive. After a pause, she replied:
"Shen Meiren is indeed as beautiful as flowers and moonlight, but Your Ladyship and she each have your own charms. Besides, who in the palace isn't fair of face?"
The Virtuous Consort gave a slight, wry smile but offered no response.
Zhu Jin cleared her throat softly before continuing, "Your Ladyship has accompanied His Majesty for many years. The affection between you is not something Shen Meiren can compare to. Moreover, the Emperor is not so shallow. Could Your Ladyship be overestimating Shen Meiren?"
Having served the Virtuous Consort for years, Zhu Jin naturally understood her. Though the Virtuous Consort seemed inactive today, her behavior clearly indicated she had begun to feel threatened by Shen Meiren.
The Virtuous Consort's eyes flickered slightly, neither affirming nor denying Zhu Jin's words.
Overestimating?
She didn't think so.
She meant no offense, but if the Emperor truly didn't value appearance, why would all the imperial concubines selected for the rear palace be outstanding beauties?
Losing interest in continuing the conversation, the Virtuous Consort said plainly:
"Let's just wait."
Zhu Jin swallowed her words and stood silently to the side, not daring to persuade further.
Imperial presence.
Zhou Liming gently pushed the door open and entered. The person at the head of the room heard the movement, looked up, and nodded slightly:
"What is it?"
Zhou Liming bowed respectfully. "Huang Guian is outside requesting an audience."
Huang Guian was in charge of the Office of Imperial Affairs. When he came to the imperial presence, there was naturally only one matter at hand.
Qi Chuyan set down his brush, lifted his eyelids, and fixed his gaze on Zhou Liming, asking pointedly, "Has Shen Meiren's green head plaque been prepared?"
Zhou Liming, of course, did not know whether it had been prepared, but his reply was flawless:
"Eunuch Huang has always been thorough in his duties."
Now he was calling him Eunuch Huang.
Qi Chuyan glanced at him with a faint, ambiguous smile. "Let him in."
Zhou Liming rubbed his nose and swiftly went out to usher Huang Guian inside. Huang Guian carried a tray and, after bowing respectfully, presented it to Qi Chuyan.
Huang Guian was indeed thorough in his duties. Shen Shiyuan's green head plaque had already been prepared—a crabapple flower pattern carved from jade, which truly suited her.
Thinking of her, Qi Chuyan did not hesitate for a moment before flipping Shen Shiyuan's plaque.
He had always followed his whims. Since he thought of her, of course, he had to see her. Why should he deny himself?
When the news reached Yuzhao Hall, Shen Shiyuan had just finished bathing. She emerged from the bathing chamber, loosely dressed in her nightgown, and sat before the dressing table, admiring herself in detail.
She had flawless skin—fair and delicate—that even she herself couldn't help but adore. Her slightly rosy cheeks were framed by eyes as dark as black pearls, a small and elegant nose, and full, crimson lips. Her figure was delicate and well-proportioned. Even as she looked at herself in the bronze mirror, she couldn't help but feel immense delight.
She found it hard to imagine that anyone could dislike her.
Qi Chuyan must surely like her too. Otherwise, why would he have taken a fancy to her after just one meeting and insisted on having her? And now, he had even brought her all the way back to the imperial palace.
In truth, she had recognized him the moment she saw him at the imperial summer palace.
That day, when the man had appeared in the front courtyard of Shen Mansion, Qi Chuyan thought she was arrogant and presumptuous, lacking any sense of discernment. But she wasn't foolish.
How could she not see that he was someone of high status when a Prefectural Magistrate of a whole province allowed an outsider to sit in the principal position?
She simply couldn't be bothered to care.
She didn't understand such matters, nor did she understand the ways of the world. But she understood one thing: whoever provided for her, she would please.
At that time, she was Shen Wenjun's concubine, so of course, she had to devote herself wholeheartedly to Shen Wenjun alone.
But now, she was no longer his. From the moment she became Qi Chuyan's imperial concubine, she would naturally have eyes only for Qi Chuyan.
—As long as he gave her what she wanted.
Shen Shiyuan wore a nightgown made of cloud-patterned brocade, so soft and smooth that it made her feel as if she were floating. Beneath her feet were blue stone bricks, and atop her head were golden hairpins and jade hairpins. Who wouldn't want to live such a good life?
She would never return to the days when she could be bought and sold for a mere three taels of silver.
Mama was right. With such exceptional beauty bestowed upon her by heaven, she was destined to enjoy all the riches and honors life could offer!
When the imperial carriage arrived at Changle Palace, Shen Shiyuan did not wait obediently in Yuzhao Hall. Instead, she leaned against the gate of Changle Palace. The moment the imperial carriage came to a halt, before Qi Chuyan even stepped down, his eyes fell upon her.
She was draped in the pale moonlight, its silvery glow spilling over her shoulders like a thin veil. The lotus-shaped lamp in the corner swayed gently, its warm light melting into the air, casting faint halos upon the hair at her temples and the edges of her sleeves. Intertwined with the moonlight, the interplay of light and shadow made her beauty seem almost ethereal.
Until she smiled—that radiant expression instantly made one forget all about moonlight and warm lamplight.
Shen Shiyuan had waited for Qi Chuyan for quite some time, growing impatient. Forgetting all about formal greetings and etiquette, she eagerly rushed toward him, her voice sweet and clinging:
"Your Majesty!"
Qi Chuyan caught her in his arms. Though her figure felt soft and full in his hands, she seemed as light as a butterfly, drifting effortlessly into his embrace.
For a moment, Qi Chuyan’s gaze darkened imperceptibly.
His hand slid downward, finally settling at her waist. He tilted his head to glance at her, his narrow eyes beneath long lashes seeming both affectionate and indifferent, making his thoughts impossible to read. All that could be heard was his lazy, amused tone:
"No sense of propriety."
Shen Shiyuan found his words tiresome, thinking him rather dull. With a beauty like her throwing herself into his arms, all he needed to do was happily catch her and feel overjoyed. Why bring up propriety and spoil the mood?
Still, being new to the palace, Shen Shiyuan dared not be too reckless. Listlessly, she pushed him away.
Qi Chuyan paused, watching her with interest, curious to see what she would do next.
What could Shen Shiyuan do? If he wanted propriety, she would give him propriety.
Shen Shiyuan took a step back, her waist bending gently as she half-crouched. Pouting at Qi Chuyan, she said, "This concubine greets Your Majesty."
Before her crouch could settle properly or her waist find its balance, she stood up again, her spirits instantly lifting. Clinging to him once more, she tried to nestle back into Qi Chuyan’s embrace. Lifting her chin slightly, she spoke with a mix of coquettishness and pride:
"Now Your Majesty can’t possibly say this concubine lacks propriety."
Qi Chuyan could hardly bear to watch. He wanted to say something but feared she might repeat the performance. Instead, he simply took her hand and led her inside, saying perfunctorily: "Yes, yes, you’ve learned propriety quickly and well.""
Shen Shiyuan couldn’t tell sincere praise from perfunctory praise. If she could make someone compliment her perfunctorily, that was still a skill of hers.
Thus, she happily wrapped her arm around Qi Chuyan’s as they walked into the hall, chattering nonstop:
"Yuzhao Hall is truly beautiful. Your Majesty really didn’t lie to this concubine."
It took Qi Chuyan a moment to recall what she meant—it was the morning after her arrival at the imperial summer palace, when he had coaxed her by saying he would arrange a more beautiful palace for her to live in.
But in truth, Yuzhao Hall had been prepared by the Empress’s orders through Zhongsheng Hall.
The Empress had always been adept at discerning his thoughts. He had specifically mentioned Shen Shiyuan in his letters, and knowing the Empress’s temperament, she would not deliberately make things difficult for Shen Shiyuan. On the contrary, due to his regard for her, she would likely arrange Shen Shiyuan’s residence with extra care.
Indeed, things had unfolded as he expected. Shen Shiyuan was assigned to Yuzhao Hall, a palace without a principal position yet favorably located.
Shen Shiyuan was exceptionally pleased and delighted.
Yet, it was precisely her delight that gave Qi Chuyan pause.Asking himself honestly, had he truly kept this matter in mind?
The answer was obvious.
If Shen Shiyuan hadn’t brought it up, he would have long forgotten he had ever made such a promise.
Qi Chuyan’s gaze darkened briefly before quickly returning to normal. Meeting Shen Shiyuan’s eyes, which were filled with his reflection, he gently stroked her cheek with one hand:
"Just a side hall, and you’re this happy?"
Shen Shiyuan said matter-of-factly, "At that time, Your Majesty only promised to give this concubine something prettier, not necessarily the prettiest."
Qi Chuyan raised an eyebrow—she was easily satisfied after all.
Just as this thought crossed her mind, Qi Chuyan saw the woman cover her lips and declare with unwavering confidence:
"As for the prettiest, Your Majesty will surely give it to this concubine in the end. There's no need for me to be impatient."
Qi Chuyan paused, and that indescribable feeling rose within her again. Where did she get such confidence, believing he would do exactly as she said?
Yet the woman remained utterly certain, her eyes seemingly holding boundless starlight, making it difficult to refute her words.
After a long while, Qi Chuyan finally pinched the soft flesh at the nape of her neck and remarked with an inexplicable tone:
"Shen Meiren is indeed confident."
Her current demeanor was just like when they first met—her brows and eyes brimming with the audacity of one spoiled by favor.
It made one's heart itch to watch, and it was too much trouble to ponder whether her words held deeper meaning.
In this harem, ambitious individuals were everywhere. Her straightforwardness, even if she harbored some scheme, was so shallow that it hardly warranted any serious consideration.
Author's Note:
Xiao Qi: So confident?
Daughter: (Puzzled) Isn't that right?
[Exactly! Absolutely right!]
[Hehe, glad you sisters like this character setting. Xiao Qi is quite the sly one.]