He felt inexplicably irritable, unable to concentrate even on the memorial in his hands. He put it down and glanced at Chang Yue.
“Tell me in detail what happened in the back courtyard yesterday,” Shen Que said.
Chang Yue immediately recounted everything, step by step, including how Meiren Zhou had come to the Chaoyan Courtyard gate last night to dance and compete for favor. Shen Que listened, his brow growing increasingly tight.
Chang Yue guessed it was most likely related to Gu Ningning and cautiously suggested,
“Your Highness, Maid-Concubine Gu is young; having a temper is normal. You are eight years her senior—it would be proper to soothe her a bit.”
Shen Que’s expression softened slightly. Chang Yue continued,
“Although Maid-Concubine Gu has been favored for many days, her rank is still very low. If Your Highness were to raise her rank, it would both soothe her and prevent the other ladies in the mansion from bullying her.”
Shen Que’s expression stiffened, “No need.”
“She is a lazy type. Even if her rank were elevated, she would not appreciate it. It might even draw attention from others in the Eastern Palace.”
“It is better to let her remain a Maid-Concubine for now, quietly learning her duties. If she wishes to stay in the Eastern Palace, she can be granted a position under the eldest son and rise to Secondary Consort. If she does not wish to stay, I will appoint her a female official to serve by my side, giving her status, power, and freedom.”
It was not that he did not want to elevate Gu Ningning now, but her status was low—she had been sent by Prime Minister Gu as compensation for past grievances.
She had no experience or scholarly knowledge. If she were raised to Secondary Consort, her title would be unmerited, and she might even become a subject of ridicule.
He knew he could not provide the tender love a woman desired. His concern for her future, making such calculated arrangements, was a form of compensation.
Royalty had always been cold-hearted. Those in high positions had countless women around them, and both front and back palaces were fraught with danger. Shen Que’s careful consideration for Gu Ningning was a rare kindness.
Eunuch Chang said, “Recently, Zhaoyi Zhao has been secretly instigating Meiren Zhou against Maid-Concubine Gu. Your Highness, what do you think…”
Shen Que frowned and thought for a moment. “Zhaoyi Zhao is jealous and quarrelsome. If Meiren Zhou is given a rank, the sisters will inevitably fall out.”
He picked up the memorial again, this time actually reading it, and said, “These few days, have the kitchen send more of her favorite foods, and prepare medicinal broths for her.”
Her small frame… if not well-nourished, she would not endure his attention.
Chang Yue acknowledged the order.
The Eastern Palace was full of schemes. Not only were Yun Secondary Consort, Zhaoyi Zhao, and Meiren Zhou scheming against each other inside, but Huai’an Wang and the Empress were eyeing from outside.
For a ruler, it was critical not to let others guess one’s thoughts or preferences. Especially since Your Highness had returned to the capital only three years ago and his position was not yet secure, he could not allow Gu Ningning to attract too much attention, even if favored.
Moreover… Gu Ningning herself was not cunning or ambitious; she did not seek to climb the ranks.
News of Shen Que storming out of the Chaoyan Courtyard early this morning quickly spread throughout the Eastern Palace. Within fifteen minutes, even the lowliest servants were gossiping about it.
Gu Ningning was unsurprised.
Around her, the sweeping servant was loyal to Zhaoyi Zhao, the coarse maid to Zhaoyi Bai, and the laundry maid to Yun Secondary Consort.
Chaoyan Courtyard had long been riddled with internal spies…
She had even deliberately elevated a few ranks for the maid she had planted for Yun Secondary Consort, giving her the treatment a malicious female supporting character deserved.
This explained why Yun Secondary Consort, despite Gu Ningning being favored, had not targeted her—who could bear to bully a subservient, capable, and occasionally informative subordinate?
Moreover, even a malicious supporting character had principles. Her real rival was the female lead. Even if the lead was absent, she would not indiscriminately attack a single cannon fodder girl.
Gu Ningning went about her usual routine of greeting Yun Secondary Consort.
As expected, Meiren Zhou did not appear today. Yet the atmosphere in Listening Rain Pavilion was slightly strange. Zhaoyi Zhao’s face was sour, Zhaoyi Bai’s expression was odd, and even the normally composed Yun Secondary Consort remained silent for a moment before calling Gu Ningning to rise.
Only Meiren Lin continued eating steadily, as usual.
Gu Ningning sat beside Meiren Lin. Today, Meiren Lin had brought a bag of sunflower seeds and handed some to her.
Gu Ningning cracked a few open; the seeds were increasingly fragrant. She could not help but ask, “Where did you buy these seeds?”
Meiren Lin smiled at her. Gu Ningning noticed two dimples on her small round face—so cute.
“These were developed by my family’s shop. They aren’t for sale; they are sent to the palace for the ladies and princes. Only my second brother knew I liked them and sent me some.”
Gu Ningning envied her fiercely.
Meiren Lin was the daughter of Jingcheng’s wealthiest family, with five older brothers and only one sister.
Had the Lin family not suffered misfortune a few years ago, she would have proactively entered the Eastern Palace to curry favor with Shen Que—a guaranteed scenario for a cherished favorite.
Gu Ningning secretly pinched Meiren Lin’s round face in playful regret. Meiren Lin lowered her head shyly, then cautiously asked,
“You and Your Highness…”
Though her voice was low, Yun Secondary Consort, Zhaoyi Bai, and Zhaoyi Zhao all turned their eyes toward them.
Gu Ningning calmly cracked another sunflower seed, unfazed. “We had a quarrel. He got angry and left.”
Meiren Lin pursed her lips, lowering her voice further. “Perhaps you should go and appease Your Highness… he…”
After a moment of hesitation, she continued,
“Your Highness conferred the title Jieyu Zhou upon Meiren Zhou early this morning… word is spreading that she will soon be favored!”
“You know Meiren Zhou has always been at odds with us. If she gains favor, our days will only become more difficult…”
In the original story, Meiren Zhou had been the first to die. Gu Ningning had not expected that among all these cannon fodder girls, the most cannon fodder one would manage to rise first…
Estimating Meiren Zhou’s remaining time, Gu Ningning comforted Meiren Lin, “Let’s endure for now. Meiren Zhou is foolish; Your Highness will soon tire of her.”
Meiren Lin hesitated, biting her lip. “But you know her arrogant and overbearing nature. Even if it’s temporary, it’s hard to endure. And if she truly keeps Your Highness…”
She recalled what it felt like to be with Shen Que… mediocre yet strong. If Meiren Zhou could truly withstand being with him every day—
Then she was truly formidable, deserving of the immense fortune she would catch.