Gu Ningning buried her head against his chest, complaining, and Shen Que laughed,
“I’ll take you to the shop in the south of the city today.”
Only then did Gu Ningning’s face light up. She helped him remove his court robe and picked a simple white garment for him to change into.
Shen Que’s gloom had lifted considerably, and he watched her bustling about with a smile.
Once they were seated in the carriage, Shen Que immersed himself in reading while Gu Ningning sat beside him. She took out her purse and emptied all the coins onto the table.
The silver mixed with copper coins clattered across the surface, the noise drawing Shen Que’s attention.
He looked at her strangely. “You still carry this much money with you?”
Gu Ningning, like a miser, swept the coins toward herself. “There are too many spies in Chaoyan Courtyard. I’m afraid it would be stolen if I left it there.”
She separated the silver from the copper, carefully counting it—a little over one hundred taels in total.
Though she could not take this silver with her after completing her mission, it was earned from her hard work attending to Shen Que.
She felt it necessary to allocate it properly, leaving the majority for Xiao Tao and reserving a small portion for spending that day.
After a moment’s thought, she set aside an even smaller part from her portion to please her boss—Shen Que himself.
The carriage had not yet left the Eastern Palace when she heard voices quarrelling.
It was about Secondary Consort Yun and Jieyu Zhou—rumor had it Jieyu Zhou would soon be promoted to Zhaoyi.
Zhaoyi Zhou had not paid her respects to Secondary Consort Yun for several days. Yun’s personal maid, Lüzhu, went to remind her, only to be met with sarcastic remarks from Zhou Zhaoyi and her personal maid Yi Qiu:
“It’s not like you’re the Mistress of the Household, though you are a Secondary Consort. Why should you pay respects? I’ve heard in other houses, only the Mistress of the Household pays respects.”
“Sister, you should return quickly. I’ve not heard Your Highness say she should pay respects to Secondary Consort. Next time, let Secondary Consort ask Your Highness properly. If Your Highness agrees, our mistress will definitely comply.”
Shen Que had taken a simple carriage that day, so no one realized he was inside.
Gu Ningning pricked her ears, listening intently to the gossip until the voices faded into the distance. She sipped her tea, feeling slightly unsatisfied.
After finishing the tea, she realized it was Shen Que’s. Taking advantage of his inattention, she returned the cup to its original spot and even topped it up slightly to repay him.
Shen Que had observed all of her actions but did not comment.
The carriage soon stopped at the busiest street of Jingcheng. Though Gu Ningning had experienced many book worlds, she had always been occupied with missions and had never been able to stroll the streets, so she looked around with curiosity.
Jingcheng was filled with officials and nobility. Shen Que and Eunuch Chang’s appearances drew too much attention, so he only spoke to her,
“I have business today and cannot accompany you. Have Xiao Linzi go with you.”
Shen Que immediately regretted his words.
Gu Ningning’s eyes brightened the moment he said, “I have business today,” and she quickly replied,
“Then Your Highness, you handle your affairs. This concubine shall not trouble you!”
She looked every bit like she was hastily trying to leave him behind.
Shen Que felt frustrated. He still wanted to speak to her, but she had already run far ahead.
Ungrateful!
Recalling her pitifully counting coins, he suppressed his annoyance and instructed Xiao Linzi,
“Follow her. Whatever she wants to buy, pay for it. And…”
His face darkened slightly. “Do not let her come into contact with other men.”
Xiao Linzi nodded repeatedly and hurried to catch up with Gu Ningning.
With Boss Shen paying in full, Gu Ningning finally felt her days were improving.
If such treatment continued daily, she wouldn’t mind serving tea or changing clothes for Shen Que more often.
She bought many delicacies, purchasing a portion of everything she passed, regardless of its appearance.
She could not bring home gold, silver, or jewels, but delicious food provided genuine enjoyment. No need to worry about health or gaining weight—she felt delightful.
She not only bought for herself but also for Meiren Lin and Xiao Tao, purchasing many jewelry pieces for Xiao Tao.
Xiao Tao’s daily life serving a hopeless cannon fodder boss was grueling.
She wanted to save money for Xiao Tao, so he could marry well and avoid being implicated after her death.
As for Meiren Lin and Zhaoyi Bai… she had little ability to assist them, except leaving them some strategies in advance. Whether they survived depended on themselves.
In five months, the heroine would enter the Eastern Palace. Once everything was arranged, the heroine would receive Shen Que’s poison in the plot, die on the spot, and Gu Ningning would return to the modern world with salary and bonus.
She was delightfully thinking this when she suddenly felt a gaze on her. Looking up, she met Shen Ting at a nearby tavern window.
He wore white robes, the sleeves embroidered with an ostentatious plum blossom. His phoenix-like eyes were full of charm, thin lips slightly upturned, exuding the air of a gallant gentleman.
The recent period of official reshuffling was critical, with the Ministry of Personnel overseeing appointments, assessments, transfers, promotions, and demotions.
Shen Que had arranged a meeting with the Minister of Personnel, while Shen Ting had scheduled with the Deputy Minister, both subtly competing to place their allies in positions.
Shen Ting, having drunk some wine, opened a window to sober up and spotted Gu Ningning downstairs buying snacks.
The girl wore a pale pink Yunyan silk-padded coat with a small cape. Though unadorned, her beauty was striking.
Though only seventeen, her gestures carried a soft charm of a young wife, clearly from frequent indulgence.
Her little attendant had hurriedly helped her wear a veil. While the face was hidden, the delicate figure beneath the thin gauze was still visible.
Even the experienced Shen Ting had to admit she was extraordinary.
Remembering recent intelligence from spies placed in the Eastern Palace, he sneered. Just then, the Deputy Minister of Personnel came out to sober up, and Shen Ting asked him,
“If a man likes a woman, what should he do?”
The Deputy Minister pondered briefly, “He should offer substantial gifts to ask for her hand.”
Shen Ting continued, “And if the woman is already married, a concubine of another?”
“Then he should negotiate with her husband to see if he can part with her.”
“And if the husband refuses?”
The Deputy Minister hesitated. “Then… he must take her by force, or wait until the husband tires of her, and then claim her.”
Shen Ting snapped his fan shut and laughed, “So, in your eyes, giving up is never an option?”
The Deputy Minister pursed his lips. “Whether to give up depends on who raised the matter. If Your Highness raises it, there is no giving up.”
Shen Ting suddenly laughed aloud, “I understand now.”
His tone was ambiguous. The Deputy Minister glanced down at the street.
But Gu Ningning had long since left. Naturally, he had seen nothing.