Her words were earnest, almost tinged with sorrow and grievance. She had expected Jieyu Zhou to be pleased, but unexpectedly, he let out a cold snort as if she had stepped on a sore spot, then glared at her.
So this was one of the earliest reasons Jieyu Zhou became cannon fodder: remembering the good but forgetting the punishment.
Before house arrest, she had been one way; after house arrest, she was exactly the same—no progress at all.
Jieyu Zhou was completely unaware of her impending cannon fodder fate and turned to speak with Zhaoyi Zhao.
Zhaoyi Zhao smiled and flattered her, “Sister, this golden hairpin looks beautiful on you and matches your outfit perfectly.”
A trace of pride flashed across Jieyu Zhou’s face. “This butterfly hairpin was personally chosen for me by your highness, you know.”
And just like that, the second reason for Jieyu Zhou’s cannon fodder status appeared: poor judgment of people.
It was almost as if the words “fool” were written across her face.
Gu Ningning, on the other side, watched the drama unfold, while Jieyu Zhou was nearly driven mad with anger.
She had been in the Eastern Palace for a year and a half; your highness had visited her courtyard only three times, each time staying just a short while.
She had thought your highness was devoted to state affairs and had no interest in the harem, until a few days ago, when she overheard someone say that when your highness had been at Gu Ningning’s side, Gu Ningning had truly been favored.
She nearly choked on her anger, thinking for a long time but unable to figure out why. Not wanting to tell anyone and become the subject of ridicule, she spent entire nights pondering.
But the original author had clearly not endowed this character with much intelligence; no matter how many nights she stayed up, she could not figure it out, only ending up with dark circles under her eyes.
Unable to find a reason, she could only curse Gu Ningning and vent her frustration on the servants of Luoxue Courtyard.
Thus, the third reason for her cannon fodder status emerged: lacking emotional intelligence.
They said it was easy to provoke the king of the underworld but hard to deal with his minions; those who served you, especially those who served you personally, were not to be offended.
Not to mention Gu Ningning, but in the Eastern Palace, which courtyard had no traitors?
But there was no way to expel them. Treat them well, and they might occasionally pass along some news. Treat them badly, and next time they might come for you.
If you couldn’t strike directly, it was better to maintain a friendly relationship.
Meiren Lin peeled a grape for her, and she ate it, pondering Jieyu Zhou’s eventual downfall. “Just wait, the real fun is yet to come.”
At that moment, a eunuch spy announced from outside, “His Highness the Crown Prince your highness has arrived—”
Inside, the women immediately gathered, bowing to greet Shen Que. Gu Ningning lowered her gaze amidst them, soon catching sight of the corner of Shen Que’s robe.
It was a dark, imposing robe, embroidered with a golden phoenix about to take flight.
As she admired the craftsmanship, calculating its cost in terms of a worker’s years of wages, she felt a gaze fixed on her.
She instinctively looked up, and her eyes met Shen Que’s phoenix-like gaze.
Gu Ningning: …
They silently regarded each other for a moment before Shen Que looked away and said calmly, “Everyone, rise.”
The group of women stood up together, all in bright, elaborate clothing. Gu Ningning, in the middle, looked like a cabbage among flowers.
Shen Que’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. These past few days, the court had been tense due to accusations from Huai’an Wang’s people, and whenever there was a moment of leisure, he found himself thinking of Gu Ningning.
He missed her lazily lying on the table reading, missed her curling up in his arms to sleep peacefully, missed her clumsiness and delicacy, and even missed her occasional moments of charm.
Yun Secondary Consort stepped forward with a smile. “Your highness has been busy lately, rare time to gather with the sisters. This concubine has prepared many of your favorite dishes—please have a few more bites.”
Shen Que responded with a slight “hmm,” his detachment long familiar to her, leaving her unshaken.
His gaze drifted across the table briefly, and all the women lifted their faces, hoping for his favor.
His eyes lingered on Jieyu Zhou and Gu Ningning. Gu Ningning felt a prickling tension, as if the teacher was about to call on her, and quickly lowered her head.
Shen Que: …
He cleared his throat lightly and finally said, “Jieyu Zhou, move up a seat.”
Jieyu Zhou felt as if she had hit the jackpot and happily shifted forward a few places, unaware of the displeasure on the faces of the others in the room.
Meiren Lin pressed her lips together. Zhaoyi Bai looked down silently. Zhaoyi Zhao’s expression stiffened, and Yun Secondary Consort clenched her hand under the table.
Zhaoyi Zhao recovered first, pressing her lips into a smile. “Your highness truly favors Sister Zhou. Even Sister Gu from a few days ago cannot compare.”
“…” Gu Ningning: Just because you’re scheming among yourselves, why drag a washed-up favored concubine into it?
She forced a smile. “I dare not hope for your highness’s favor. I only wish for a peaceful life and good relations with my sisters.”
Yun Secondary Consort spoke up, “Sister Gu is timid; don’t scare her too often.”
Even the gentle and composed Zhaoyi Bai rarely joined arguments but smiled this time. “Sister Gu is honest and upright; see, you’ve frightened her.”
Zhaoyi Zhao was stifled twice and finally sulked into silence.
Shen Que had finally come to the back courtyard, and naturally, the women seized the opportunity to perform.
The first to step forward was Zhaoyi Zhao, dressed in a light purple ruqun. She had chosen it with great care, and it suited her delicately charming appearance.
She bowed slightly to Shen Que. “Today is the winter solstice. This concubine has prepared a dance for your highness.”
Shen Que responded with a brief “hmm,” lifting his gaze to indicate she could start.
A performance, huh? Hiss, this banquet felt like a company annual party.
Shen Que was the big boss, Yun Secondary Consort the small boss, there were scheming colleagues, and the workers surviving in the cracks.
Gu Ningning only watched a while before sensing something amiss. Zhaoyi Zhao was from a noble family and normally put herself on display like a prized dish. Today, her every movement in the dance was seductive, reminiscent of Jieyu Zhou.
Looking around, most of the women’s attire today leaned toward coquettishness; even usually aloof Zhaoyi Bai had a begonia flower in her hair.
Meiren Lin, slightly embarrassed, explained, “Your highness has favored both you and Jieyu Zhou. Both of you are charming. The other women, seeing this, assumed your highness prefers this style and dressed accordingly.”
Gu Ningning gasped and, seeing Meiren Lin’s similarly coquettish makeup, warned, “Wrong direction. Your highness doesn’t like coquettishness. He prefers someone with a heroic appearance, intelligent and independent, decisive in action, with a touch of cunning.”
This was the original novel heroine Gu Qingcheng’s character, whom Shen Que had been infatuated with.
Meiren Lin clearly did not believe her, and there was no way to explain.
Shen Que on the high seat glanced at Zhaoyi Zhao twice more. Encouraged, Zhaoyi Zhao danced even more earnestly. Jieyu Zhou bit her lip, deliberately pinched a piece of pastry, and offered it to Shen Que to divert his attention.
“This pastry is quite good, your highness, please have a piece.”
Shen Que glanced at her but did not move or accept it.
Jieyu Zhou awkwardly withdrew her hand after a long pause.
Gu Ningning had also tasted the pastry; sweet but not cloying, it melted in the mouth. Too good for that dog of a man to eat.
She picked up a piece to eat but happened to notice Shen Que looking at her.
Startled, she dropped the pastry onto the table. A nearby maid hurried to retrieve it, but inexplicably, she saw a trace of amusement in Shen Que’s eyes.
This is really freaky!