Chapter 44

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

Compared to a few days ago, Sun Churuo's expression and appearance have changed enormously.

Especially that face — painted with delicate, heavy makeup and adorned with all kinds of jewelry, it simply pushes her presence to the maximum.

Hah!

If they didn't see each other often, Shen Yao truly wouldn't recognize that this flamboyant, domineering person is Sun Churuo, that consort who was once privately called the most steamed-bun-like, who didn't dare make a sound when trouble came, only daring to hide in the palace and secretly shed tears.

Time and power truly can change a person's bearing.

Shen Yao sighed with emotion, thinking: the women of the Huang Hou — every moment they are undergoing changes visible to the naked eye.

Even she herself, isn't she also different from when she first entered the palace?

It's just that Shen Yao's change is relatively small, and with the System's existence, she can still steady her mindset most of the time.

Unlike others, blown about by this Palace Selection turmoil, unable to have a single peaceful day.

After Shen Yao sat down, she coldly watched these people in the great hall flattering Sun Churuo without pause.

Sun Churuo stood at the very center of everyone; no matter what others said, she greeted them all with a smiling face.

Perhaps she's truly complacent — Sun Churuo's attitude toward Shen Yao is obviously not respectful.

Although she can use the home-field advantage of Changle Palace as an excuse, anyone who understands knows.

This is Sun Churuo feeling she now has the confidence, the bottom, to provoke Shen Yao, who is one rank above her.

As for who exactly gave Sun Churuo that confidence? The Emperor, the Third Prince, the Front Court situation, and the Sun Family — all of these count as reasons.

"How enviable — power really is the best beauty tonic for a woman.

If this were before, who would believe Sun Churuo could fight her way out among so many consorts?"

On the surface Shen Yao remained steady as Mount Tai; secretly she pulled the System in her mind to complain.

No choice — there are too many people right now, she's a guest here, and can't be so tactless as to usurp the host's role.

Helpless, Shen Yao could only sit properly and gossip with the System.

Fortunately, the System at this time was especially considerate — or maybe the previous melons had made it too full — it couldn't help jumping out wanting to share with someone.

A discussion without an audience is imperfect; the System and Shen Yao coordinated tightly, one person one System, you say a line I say a line, taking turns, keeping the conversation going that was about to collapse.

"Time and fate — this Sun Churuo's luck is too good; the Emperor has been looking for a human shield, and the Sun Family happened to jump into the pit.

But thirty years east of the river, thirty years west — later the Sun Family will have plenty to suffer."

The System these days, because it kept watching the Court, learned many literary, bookish sentences.

These words coming from a creature that only speaks mechanical sounds is strangely amusing.

Shen Yao couldn't help a snort of laughter; even as she lowered her eyes and head she didn't forget to pick up a handkerchief to cover her curling mouth corner. "What human shield? The Emperor isn't one who likes forced buying and selling either — Sun Churuo couldn't control her own greed for more, who can she blame?"

Like with her — Xiao Yanchen similarly used words to probe and win her over.

Pity Shen Yao had already seen through Xiao Yanchen's moves; she didn't fall for it at all.

At this moment Sun Churuo suddenly jumped out saying she could do it — which indirectly saved Shen Yao from the vortex.

Shen Yao temporarily doesn't want to clash head-on with Xiao Yanchen — an Emperor's heart, truly fleeting and ruthless.

If not for the System constantly emphasizing the Emperor still cares about her, Shen Yao would suspect Xiao Yanchen has already started liking the new and tiring of the old.

The change is too fast, like a tornado.

The System feels that with the conditions Xiao Yanchen offered, aside from the Host it follows, everyone else would find it very hard to refuse the temptation.

"People differ from people — you chose it yourself, then you must persist walking down that path.

On the Front Court side, officials have already submitted memorials probing the Emperor's arrangements for next year's Imperial Selection.

Don't believe me? Once the Emperor nods and loosens his mouth, those aristocratic clans lying low will again pull out all the stops to send noble daughters into the palace."

Shen Yao is very familiar with this sort of thing — because it's very much like the scene back when she entered the palace, the Retired Emperor selecting princess consorts for several Princes' heirs.

Only now the situation is reversed — the hot stove has shifted from those Prince Manors to the Imperial Palace.

Who told those Princes' heirs who caused trouble these years to all be harshly dealt with by the Emperor.

Lightly: spend a lifetime as idle noblewomen in the Prince Manor; heavily: can't even keep their own lives.

【46】 Lightly: spend a lifetime as idle noblewomen in the Prince Manor; heavily: can't even keep their own lives.

Xiao Yanchen may give these nephews face, but other officials who've smelled blood won't stop.

Kick them while they're down, take their lives!

Generally, as long as the Emperor shows the slightest abnormality in Court, there are officials ready to kick them while they're down and attack them fiercely.

It's also because the Retired Emperor's condition in Yichang Garden isn't good, so he can't manage Court affairs.

And with the Retired Emperor retreating like this, the other timid ones naturally wilted.

On this, the System's view is the same as Shen Yao's: "If the Emperor holds an Imperial Selection next year, Host, your situation will become very uncertain."

After all, Shen Yao's public persona is the Noble Consort Niangniang favored above the Six Palaces.

Otherwise it can't explain how Shen Yao managed to give birth twice in these years since entering the palace, raising five imperial heirs under her knees.

Others struggle immensely for a single pregnancy — even those who pay with their lives are not few — why is Shen Yao so special?

Once those noble daughters who love to overthink and scheme their way smoothly into the palace, Shen Yao will be the first to bear the brunt, facing obvious targeting and impact.

For this, the System is still somewhat worried about the Host — after all, two fists can't fight four hands; if someone traps her, wouldn't its years of diligent work become a wedding dress made for someone else?

Shen Yao gave a light humph, conveniently pulling the System's over-imagining thoughts back on track.

"You're overthinking — my situation has always been decided by the Emperor."

That is to say, as long as the Emperor hasn't grown tired of Shen Yao's existence, then Shen Yao is absolutely safe in the palace.

Don't forget, Weiyang Palace is now full of spies the Emperor arranged to send over.

Some are out in the open, some are in the dark; Shen Yao even feels that instead of calling Weiyang Palace her own, it would be more accurate to call it Xiao Yanchen's second lair.

Oh, Xiao Yanchen's first lair is Taiji Hall.

"System, you still don't understand men enough." Even knowing many things, even using methods more advanced than ordinary calculation to calculate probability, the System is ultimately not human, lacks the Seven Emotions and Six Desires of humans, and cannot understand some of humanity's complex thoughts.

A saying goes well: where there are people, there is the jianghu.

The jianghu is not only fighting and killing; even more of it is human relations and worldly wisdom.

Shen Yao finished chatting meaningfully with the System, and Sun Churuo, standing in the crowd, also seemed to sense something and turned back to look at Shen Yao, who was drifting outside the crowd.

One person standing, one sitting; one expression calm, one bearing haughty — like two scroll paintings of different styles, the contrast distinct.

Shen Yao smiled first, nodding at Sun Churuo in acknowledgment.

Seeing this, Sun Churuo withdrew her gaze thoughtfully and continued smiling like a flower with the others.

No one understands what the two of them thought of in that instant their gazes met.

Inside the bureau, many behaviors carry unknown deep meanings.

Shen Yao stayed in Changle Palace for a short while, then really found it meaningless (after all, she couldn't keep watching the other consorts curry favor with Sun Churuo), found an excuse, and left.

Hu—

Wearing the cape that had just been draped over her, Shen Yao rubbed her palms, looked up at the distant buildings, "No sedan chair, let's walk through the garden."

Qiu Yue nodded in agreement, gestured from afar to have the little eunuchs carrying the sedan chair trail behind them.

Creak, creak—

Stepping on the soft snow, the ground was left with a patch of faint footprint traces.

Shen Yao paid no mind to the fact that her shoes and socks would very likely get stained wet from the snowflakes.

She strode forward until she stood at the garden entrance, gazing inside.

The fresh flowers that had bloomed earlier were now withered; the pines and cypresses common in the garden remained, only wrapped in a layer of white clothes, appearing exceptionally thin and emaciated.

Qiu Yue stood less than three meters from Shen Yao, holding a warm stove that retained only residual heat, waiting for her master to summon her at any time.

But Shen Yao did not speak; this sudden whim to come to the garden was just to vent the stifled anger in her heart.

After standing for about two ke, Shen Yao spoke, turned to look at Qiu Yue, "Have the slaves bring the sedan chair over, let's return to the palace."

"Yes."

Hearing the movement, Qiu Yue hurriedly waved for people to come over.

Shen Yao smiled, "When we return to the palace, have someone send them some ginger soup, and reward them with some silver money.

In the Nine Cold Days, it's not easy for anyone."

Hearing this, Qiu Yue smiled and nodded, "The Empress is kindhearted; this servant understands."

Supporting Shen Yao's hand as they walked toward the sedan chair, Shen Yao pondered Qiu Yue's words "kindhearted" as she walked — they should not be referring to her.

Having transmigrated through several mission worlds, Shen Yao could feel the hollowness and void emanating from the very bottom of her heart.

Turning her head, she looked at the Red Wall and the buildings inside it, not far from the garden.

Even from far away, Shen Yao could still hear bursts of laughter and cheerful voices coming from Changle Palace.

Cold silence and clamor intertwined, composing a unique symphony.

Presumably, this is the Huang Hou.

Bending to sit in the sedan chair, the lifted curtain was lowered again, as if isolating the outside world.

Shen Yao closed her eyes, ignoring the System's voice calling her in her mind; after all, right now she didn't want to deal with anyone.

…

Sun Churuo became Imperial Consort Sun before the New Year, thinking she could at least climb another step after the New Year, snag a Noble Consort position to try out; if things went well, the Empress Position wasn't unthinkable.

But desperate reality told Sun Churuo that what she thought was merely what she thought.

On the First Day of the New Year, Sun Churuo received an earth-shattering piece of news: the Third Prince Xiao Jin, whom she regarded as her lifeline, the essential staple for ascending to the Empress Position, suddenly fell ill and took to his bed.

When the news arrived, Sun Churuo was laughing and chatting with Shen Yao, preparing to perform the ancestral sacrifice.

One a Noble Consort, one an Imperial Consort — by rights their relevant positions should be clear.

But Sun Churuo was so favored by Xiao Yanchen that she got carried away, feeling she could contend for it.

The result: this side hadn't even contended out a winner, and the other side had an incident.

Shen Yao watched Sun Churuo run off in a panic, then turned around calmly, straightened her clothes, and continued waiting for the auspicious day of the sacrifice.

Until this sacrifice was completed, everyone dispersed and returned to their palaces.

Leaning on Qiu Yue's hand, Shen Yao asked why Sun Churuo hadn't returned yet.

Qiu Yue's expression was agitated; she said softly, "Your Highness, the Third Prince is unwell; Imperial Consort Sun is personally nursing him."

Hearing this, Shen Yao showed no change in expression, "And the Emperor?"

Qiu Yue glanced a few times at Taihe Palace not far away, "The Emperor is still performing the ancestral sacrifice."

The implication: no time and no inclination to attend to the Third Prince's matter.

"How are Jin'er and the others?"

Besides Xiao Yan and Xiao Zhinian being too young, Xiao Jin and Xiao Yu are already six, so naturally they must follow Xiao Yanchen to perform the ancestral sacrifice.

Xiao Yue had been coughing a few days ago, so this time she wasn't brought out by Shen Yao.

"The Fourth Prince and Fifth Prince are all well; our people didn't say anything."

"Mm, let's return to the palace."

Shen Yao returned to the palace with incomparable calm.

Not long after returning, Xiao Jin and Xiao Yu, who had been taken by Xiao Yanchen to participate in the ancestral sacrifice, were sent back by Wei Zhu.

Seeing it was Wei Zhu who came, Qiu Yue hurried over to ask a few questions about the Third Prince's latest condition.

Hearing this, Wei Zhu let out an "aiyo," slapped her thigh, and pulled Qiu Yue off to a corner.

Qiu Yue looked completely baffled. "Eunuch Wei, what's wrong with you?"

Could there be other hidden circumstances among them that Wei Zhu found inconvenient to reveal?

Wei Zhu sighed, her expression anxious. "Miss Qiu Yue, the Third Prince's matter is somewhat complex; it's said, it's said to implicate some forces inside and outside the palace.

When you have time, quickly tell Noble Consort Niangniang, let Niangniang be careful in ordinary times, don't get dragged into it.

The Third Prince probably won't live long. The Emperor is very angry, and is currently demanding the slaves in the Torture Chamber investigate with all their might," even not ruling out that later the Court's certain Violent Institutions might be mobilized to conduct a joint investigation.

This is the first time in these years Wei Zhu has seen the Emperor externalize his anger emotions.

You must know that in Wei Zhu's eyes, the Third Prince didn't have the importance of the Second Prince, Fourth Prince, or Fifth Prince, but unexpectedly, the Emperor flew into such a great rage.

Heh!

There must definitely be some reason unknown to them all inside this.

What Wei Zhu can do now is not much, but based on her relationship with Weiyang Palace, she still spoke up to give a warning.

Whether it's useful or not, let's not speak of that for now; at the very least, she has already done enough to have a clear conscience.

Qiu Yue:... Hey, this affair has blown up, truly making one unable to figure out heads or tails.

Turning around, she conveyed Wei Zhu's words to Shen Yao, who had already removed her makeup and washed up. While helping her master tidy her clothes, Qiu Yue couldn't understand why Wei Zhu would say this.

How does it feel somewhat severe, like one careless move would drag one's own household into it?

They've been staying honestly in Weiyang Palace but haven't done anything at all.

Scratching her head, Qiu Yue was still pondering, when Shen Yao at her side had already realized the situation was unfavorable.

"Qiu Yue, have our people been acting recklessly outside during this period?"

Like investigating news, spending money to poach people, that sort of thing.

Qiu Yue subconsciously shook her head. "Niangniang, because you never gave instructions, this servant just had them do their proper duties well," nothing else was instructed.

Shen Yao contemplated for a moment, then spoke up. "No need to contact them for now. The meaning of Eunuch Wei's words might be that the Huang Hou is about to change."

As for what kind of change, Shen Yao could smell the taste of coming wind and rain within it, yet couldn't discern the specific matters.

Forget it, let's wait and see for now. Now that trouble has broken out at the Third Prince's side, an investigation will certainly be launched using this as a breakthrough point. When the time comes, no matter who gets implicated, it won't be herself.

During these days in Weiyang Palace, she has been a pure and spotless white lotus flower, like one just emerging from the water's surface.