Chapter 968: Wanting Too Much

Clocking out and heading home.

A low-key carriage was parked at the gate, its appearance suggesting it was rented from a carriage service, and even the driver was one of their men.

Chunxiang’s sister-in-law whispered to Chen Guanlou, “She’s been here for at least half an hour—the woman inside says she’s waiting for you. You didn’t go and stir up trouble with some respectable girl, did you?”

“Joking? I never play around with virtuous women.”

Chen Guanlou was utterly unbothered, never fearing any woman would come knocking demanding he take responsibility.

His affairs were always mutual, cash settled, no such nonsense as sneaking off with a maiden and being hunted down for accountability.

He stepped forward, before he could speak, the carriage curtain drew back, revealing a face both familiar and strange.

Palace maid Bi Lv!

The personal attendant of Consort Liu.

Years had passed; her face bore the weariness and hardship of time, no longer the youthful beauty of her youth.

Time truly is a butcher’s knife.

No matter how beautiful a girl, she cannot withstand time’s erosion.

“How did you get out of the palace? And why come to me? Come in, let’s talk.”

Nothing brings a person to the Three Treasures unless they have a purpose!

Since this concerns Consort Liu inside the palace, speaking at the gate is inconvenient—better to invite her inside.

Bi Lv secretly exhaled in relief; before coming, she had feared Chen Guanlou might have risen in status and no longer recognize her.

Fortunately, he remained unchanged, even his appearance unaltered—still as dashing and carefree as ever.

He invited her into the courtyard.

He set up a table and chairs in the yard, boiled water, and brewed tea.

Bi Lv surveyed the small courtyard: a few new pieces of furniture had been added, the peach tree in the corner bore fruit, still green and unripe. Overall, little had changed.

“I’ve heard in the palace that the Prison Warden Chen gains gold by the bushel—officers in the Heavenly Prison all come begging at your door. Why, after all these years, haven’t you bought yourself a grand mansion? Why still live here?”

“I have a grand mansion! The Marquis’s household bought me a three-hall residence years ago. But I still prefer this place. This is home!”

Chen Guanlou said casually.

He placed the brewed tea before Bi Lv. “It’s been years—we’ve both changed.”

Bi Lv lightly touched her cheek. “I’ve grown old.”

“How have things been for you in the palace?”

“Not easy. Consort Liu hasn’t been favored for nearly a year—our maidservants have suffered along with her.”

Chen Guanlou nodded knowingly, expression one of helpless sympathy.

He brought out a plate of pastries and set it on the table, gesturing for her to help herself.

“Consort Liu has Prince Seven. At the very least, Prince Seven will one day receive a princely title. Wait a few more years—when the new emperor ascends, you and Consort Liu will leave the palace with Prince Seven to live in his princely residence. Better days lie ahead.”

This is why palace consorts go to such lengths to “seduce” the emperor—you must have a child. With a child, your future is secured. Whether boy or girl, it’s better than being childless.

No one wants to spend the rest of their life beside a dim lamp and ancient Buddha, becoming a nun with no desires. Who would willingly choose that over a life of silk robes and jade meals, served by maids and servants, adorned with beautiful jewels, holding supreme status and rank?

Consort Liu may lack favor, but as long as she has a son, she has a future, a hope.

“I’m afraid we won’t live to see that day,” Bi Lv murmured, biting her thin lips.

Chen Guanlou said nothing.

Bi Lv had to continue: “As the princes grow older, the pressure on Lady Liu grows heavier.”

“What pressure?” Chen Guanlou scoffed. “Is your lady harboring ambitions to vie for the succession? Tell her to abandon that thought now—she risks losing her life. Tell her it’s my advice.”

Bi Lv looked embarrassed. “Not exactly ambition for succession. But as a mother, she wants the best for her child. Seeing the princes grow up, reaching marriageable age, she’s become so anxious she can’t sleep.”

Chen Guanlou sneered. “So she wants to marry Prince Seven to a top-tier noblewoman, using her in-law family to vie for the throne? Utter fantasy!”

Bi Lv was too embarrassed to speak, so she lifted her teacup to hide behind it.

Chen Guanlou added, unbidden: “Go tell her—stop dreaming nonsense. Preserve your life, stay within your bounds, wait for Prince Seven to be granted his own princely mansion. When the emperor dies, leaving the palace to live with your son is better than anything else.”

“But… my lord, life in the harem is hard. Without the emperor’s favor, every step is fraught with danger. Even if we don’t vie for succession, we must still fight for other advantages.”

“What kind of fight?” Chen Guanlou sneered. “Tell me—let me help you think it through.”

Bi Lv bit her lip, hesitating: “The Ministry of Household Affairs is preparing for a selection to replenish the emperor’s harem. Lady Liu wishes to promote a few beauties to serve him.”

“Oh!”

Chen Guanlou understood.

“Your lady’s mind is at it again—trying to control a few beauties to win favor for her, right?”

Liu’s ambitions were truly boundless.

Bi Lv nodded.

“You came to ask me to help you find beauties?”

“My lord, do you have connections?” Bi Lv asked urgently. “You know my lady’s situation—her family has no influence, she knows no officials in court. After much thought, we could only turn to you. Are there any virtuous girls, beautiful and willing to enter the palace to serve the emperor? Lady Liu still has some standing in the Ministry of Household Affairs—we can maneuver. If they’re selected, it eases her burden and shows her devotion to the emperor.”

Chen Guanlou felt his teeth ache.

He had met Emperor Jian Shi—a plump, pudgy, scholarly middle-aged man. But lately, his actions had grown increasingly erratic. That scholarly air was surely gone.

Not yet repulsive—but certainly no longer appealing.

Just because he wore the emperor’s skin, every woman in the harem scrambled to throw herself at him.

Once, that timid, delicate Liu had now gone to great lengths to find beautiful girls to send into the palace for him.

This devotion…

He wanted to mock it. Then he thought better—this was normal. One shouldn’t interfere in others’ lives.

He suddenly recalled Zhao Jinming, desperate to send his daughter into the palace for favor, and asked offhandedly: “What about the daughters of convicted officials?”

Huh?

Bi Lv was clearly taken aback.

“If you don’t mind they’re daughters of convicted officials, I can help arrange a connection. Whether you reach an agreement, that’s up to you.”

“Daughters of convicted officials? Have they been charged?”

Bi Lv meant: did the families of convicted officials, including their daughters, face punishment?

Chen Guanlou shook his head. “Apart from the convicted official himself, all family members have been safely cleared. If you’re willing to accept them, they even have silver to offer. What do you say? If you can’t decide, go back and consult Consort Liu. Once you’ve decided, send someone to negotiate directly with the official’s family. After that, handle the rest yourselves—don’t come back to me.”