Ch 51: Is There Really Such a Good Thing? [QT]

Shen Yunxuan dared not look too closely, obediently curtsying in proper etiquette.

The Emperor sat down and said plainly, “Rise. How are you adjusting to the palace? Is there anything you need?”

Shen Yunxuan smiled and replied, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. Everything is well. I brought many familiar belongings with me, so I lack nothing.”

“I’ve heard that Minister Shen gave you a grand send-off—ten miles of red dowries, no less. It seems he values you greatly,” the Emperor remarked casually, his gaze briefly sweeping over her as he sipped his tea.

Shen Yunxuan’s heart tightened. She detected some dissatisfaction in his tone regarding her family, likely because the Shen family’s efforts to secure her position through the Empress Dowager displeased him. Shen Xiuyuan had achieved little in recent years, and sending his daughter to the palace might seem like an opportunistic move to curry favor—something the fair and impartial Emperor would certainly disapprove of.

Her thoughts raced, and Shen Yunxuan decided to reveal a bit of her situation. She smiled faintly and said gently, “My father values me now because I’ve become a consort, and he wishes to show his respect for Your Majesty. In the past, I was raised by my grandparents and rarely saw my father. He hardly concerned himself with my affairs. I am truly grateful for Your Majesty’s kindness, which has made my days very comfortable.”

The Emperor was slightly surprised. The Empress Dowager had told him that Minister Shen adored his daughter and, fearing for her future after missing the selection process and reaching marriageable age, had sought to place her in the palace under the Empress Dowager’s care.

If Shen Xiuyuan didn’t care much for this daughter, why go to the lengths of appealing to the Empress Dowager to send her to the palace? The Emperor didn’t doubt Shen Yunxuan’s words—such things could easily be verified. Besides, it was rare for a consort to speak openly about strained family relations. The fact that Shen Yunxuan admitted it suggested a significant rift with her family.

Initially, the Emperor had assumed Shen Xiuyuan was using his daughter to gain favor at court, leaving a poor impression of both Shen Yunxuan and her family. Yet, meeting Shen Yunxuan, he noticed her calm demeanor, as though she had endured much and gained wisdom. She exuded a quiet confidence, making him feel inexplicably at ease in her presence.

Thus, instead of showing a cold face, he probed further, and her answer intrigued him. He glanced at his chief eunuch, Li Defu, who discreetly left to instruct others to investigate Shen Yunxuan’s relationship with her family.

Noticing Li Defu’s departure, Shen Yunxuan took the opportunity to add, “My grandmother often worried about my marriage, fearing I’d be bullied without a strong backing. Unfortunately, she passed away before she could arrange a match for me. If she knew I had become Your Majesty’s consort, she would undoubtedly be delighted.”

“Oh?” The Emperor’s interest piqued. “Why do you say that? It’s often said, ‘Entering the palace is like stepping into a deep sea.’ Are you not afraid of being bullied or lacking support here?”

Shen Yunxuan smiled. “Your Majesty is a fair and reasonable ruler. As long as I act uprightly and properly, I believe I won’t offend you. If anyone treats me unjustly, I can always appeal to Your Majesty for fairness. With such assurances, what is there to fear?”

“So, you expect me to back you up,” the Emperor said with a smile. It was the first time he’d heard such reasoning, and it did have merit. He indeed prided himself on fairness, but the palace was far from a place of pure reason—there were countless ways to deal with people.

For now, those concerns were for another day. The Emperor had come in a sour mood, but after speaking with Shen Yunxuan, he found himself cheered. Remembering that she must have had a busy day settling into the palace and had waited long for his arrival, he instructed the servants to prepare a meal.

Shen Yunxuan couldn’t help but compare the Emperor to Shao Kun. On the day she married Shao Kun in her previous life, she had waited alone in the bridal chamber for half the night, only to be informed that he had already left for the battlefield. The news, like a bucket of cold water, extinguished her hopes and excitement.

Shao Kun’s actions made it clear to the entire household that she was not valued as a new bride, leading to numerous difficulties in gaining a foothold in the family. When he returned three years later, he secretly brought back his lover and warned her not to harm the woman. He never touched her and treated her with indifference.

By contrast, the Emperor, despite his initial displeasure with this marriage, had come to show her proper respect. When he sensed a possible misunderstanding, his demeanor softened, and he even dined with her.

Most importantly, the Emperor had no lover. In her past life, she had never heard of any favored consort in his harem. Promotions and demotions among consorts were based on merit and conduct, not favoritism.

As a husband, Shen Yunxuan preferred the Emperor—he was like a superior who rewarded her fairly for her efforts. This was far better than someone like Shao Kun, who was unreasonable and ungrateful.

Moreover, as Shen Yunxuan ladled a bowl of soup and brought it to the Emperor, she stole another glance at his face. His features were handsome yet commanding, far more striking than any man she had met in her previous life.

In her past life, she had never experienced true marital intimacy with Shao Kun. This time, she was determined not to endure a lonely existence again. With such a handsome and noble husband, what more could she ask for?

Entering the palace turned out to be better than Shen Yunxuan had imagined. She felt cheerful, her appetite hearty, and she tried every dish, eating quite a bit.

The Emperor, accustomed to people behaving stiffly around him—whether consorts or ministers—was intrigued by Shen Yunxuan’s ease while dining. He asked almost absentmindedly, “Were you particularly hungry today?”

Shen Yunxuan smiled. “Not at all, Your Majesty. It’s my first time having imperial cuisine, and I was curious. The food is so delicious that I couldn’t help but eat more. Thanks to Your Majesty’s generosity, I’ve had the best meal of my life.”

Indeed, it was her first time enjoying such exquisite food. In her previous life, even when attending palace banquets, the dishes were lukewarm and ordinary compared to these meticulously prepared meals. This was the finest work of the imperial chefs! Life’s pleasures were often limited, so she was determined to enjoy what she could. After all, living well was a blessing, especially in this second chance at life.

The Emperor noticed her lingering gaze on the dishes when she could no longer eat, her reluctance to part with the delicious food evident in her expression. For the first time, she seemed youthful and lively, a stark contrast to her earlier composed demeanor. He couldn’t help but laugh. Who would have thought such a seemingly steady person had a penchant for food?

He instructed, “Li Defu, inform the imperial kitchens that today’s meal was exceptional. Let them know it’s a reward from the Consort, and ensure they continue their good work.”

Li Defu responded cheerfully, “Yes, Your Majesty. It’s a joyous day, so they should share in the celebration.”

Shen Yunxuan, pleased by the Emperor’s gesture of face-saving, added with a smile, “I would also like to reward the staff of Anhe Palace so they too can share in the joy.”

The Emperor had no objections, and Zhuang Mama, along with Qinglan, began distributing the rewards. Shen Yunxuan had already given out welcome gifts upon her arrival, but this reward, sanctioned by the Emperor, carried a special meaning. The mention of the “joyous occasion” by Eunuch Li spread a celebratory air throughout Anhe Palace, filling it with smiles and liveliness.

After the meal, the palace maids served digestion tea and prepared Shen Yunxuan and the Emperor for their evening rest. Shen Yunxuan was surrounded by attendants offering only the finest items. As she sat in front of the mirror, Qingzhu and Qingmei combing her hair, she couldn’t help but think: no wonder people spoke of “riding on the coattails of power.” Life as a consort truly was like that of a celestial being—who wouldn’t enjoy it?

The Emperor, observing her reflection, suddenly felt a sense of familiarity. A moment later, he recalled: wasn’t she the woman he had encountered at the temple during his recent retreat?

Back then, Shen Yunxuan’s chanting had been serene and devout, her voice carrying a calming rhythm that had soothed his restless mind. He had lingered there for quite a while. Who would have thought they were already connected by this thread of fate over a month ago?

Perhaps that peaceful encounter had dispelled his earlier frustrations, and this interaction only deepened his appreciation. By the time they retired for the night, the Emperor’s impression of Shen Yunxuan had improved significantly, making him inclined to treat her with tenderness.

Shen Yunxuan, moving from initial nervousness to complete ease, found herself unbothered and even relishing the experience. After all, the Emperor was a sovereign unlike any man she could encounter in any other world.

As the night progressed, the initial discomfort passed, leaving Shen Yunxuan entirely pleased. By the third call for water, the Emperor, mindful that it was her first night, refrained from further demands. He felt a deep sense of satisfaction, both physically and emotionally. Being with Shen Yunxuan seemed to erase all his worries; even in such an intimate setting, they seemed perfectly in sync.

When Shen Yunxuan nestled against him, he ignored court protocols and held her close, sharing the same quilt. As Emperor, he could indulge in his whims, and he saw no reason not to.

Outside, Li Defu glanced at the night sky and thought to himself, The dynamics of the palace are about to change. Having served the Emperor for many years, he had never seen him pay much attention to women. Busy with state affairs, the Emperor rarely spent more than three to five nights a month in the harem. Yet tonight, calling for water three times in a single evening showed clear favor for Shen Yunxuan. Was the palace about to see the rise of a favored consort?

Still, it was only her first day in the palace. Time would tell. For now, he resolved to give her more consideration and respect while the Emperor’s favor lasted.

Qinglan and the other attendants were delighted for their mistress but maintained their composure, their month of rigorous training under Zhuang Mama evident. Their calm and dignified demeanor immediately established authority over the staff of Anhe Palace. Even Li Defu silently praised their discipline and remarked that the character of a mistress could often be discerned from her servants. Shen Yunxuan, it seemed, had a firm hand in managing her household.

Zhuang Mama, the mastermind behind much of this success, had already retired to her room. She understood the importance of Shen Yunxuan’s first impression on the Emperor and the palace staff and chose to stay out of sight for now to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.

When she heard that the Emperor’s impression of Shen Yunxuan had shifted from indifferent to favorable, she breathed a sigh of relief. The first hurdle had been successfully overcome. With the Emperor’s favorable attitude, other consorts were unlikely to trouble Shen Yunxuan in the short term, giving her mistress a significant advantage.

Zhuang Mama lay awake, reviewing her remaining connections in the palace and mentally organizing the staff of Anhe Palace. She even brainstormed strategies for training them. Though it was late, she felt energized and eager to begin implementing her plans.

That night, many in the palace struggled to sleep. The servants of Anhe Palace were excited and elated; the other palaces were busy speculating about the new Consort Shen; Madam Shao recited prayers quietly in the small Buddhist hall; and Shen Xiuyuan reflected that having a consort from the Shen family brought honor to their name.

Shen Yunrong, however, spent the night drinking alone in her room. With fine wine and lavish dishes laid out, she alternated between laughing and crying before becoming utterly intoxicated. She knew that after this day, she would never have the chance to become a consort again. But she didn’t regret her decision. The Emperor was a man who neither cherished nor cared for women, always preoccupied with state affairs. Even when she delivered soup to him, she was met with reproach.

Her past life in the palace had been filled with rivalry and deceit, and a simple scheme to frame another for a false pregnancy had landed her in the Cold Palace. The riches of the harem had been intoxicating, but the desolation of the Cold Palace was terrifying. Even as she died, her heart yearned for the Shao family and a lifetime of devotion from Shao Kun—a husband who would care for and protect his wife.

To say Shen Yunrong admired Shao Kun was not entirely false. In her previous life, fueled by dissatisfaction and a refusal to give up, she had immersed herself in thoughts of the Shao family and longed for Shao Kun. Unconsciously, she had already fallen for him.

Now, she had willingly sent Shen Yunxuan into the palace to take her place, and she didn’t regret it in the slightest. Instead, she even pitied Shen Yunxuan. By now, Shen Yunxuan must have experienced the Emperor’s cold indifference. Their fates had completely swapped—let Shen Yunxuan inherit the destiny of the Cold Palace, while she soared freely with Shao Kun.

Shen Yunrong dreamed sweet dreams all night, filled with happiness and the image of Shen Yunxuan in misery.

Ironically, Shen Yunxuan also slept peacefully. She had expected some anxiety after entering the palace, yet she felt utterly at ease in the Emperor’s arms, dreaming of using her knowledge from the future to benefit the nation. In her dream, endless golden rice fields stretched before her, and the country thrived with prosperity.

The next morning, the Emperor awoke to the voice of Li Defu. Turning, he saw Shen Yunxuan smiling in her sleep, clearly enjoying her dream.

He couldn’t help but smile as well. Watching her for a moment, he impulsively reached out and pinched her cheek. It was soft, like dough.

Shen Yunxuan opened her eyes in confusion. “Your Majesty?”

The Emperor asked with amusement, “What were you dreaming about to make you so happy?”

Shen Yunxuan thought for a moment, then sat up and smiled as she gestured, “I dreamed of a vast rice field, stretching endlessly, golden and beautiful! There were fish jumping around—it was so delightful.”

As the Emperor rose and began dressing, he chuckled. “You’re quite the glutton, dreaming even of food. How about a full fish banquet today?”

“That would be wonderful! Thank you, Your Majesty!” Shen Yunxuan decided not to explain that her dream wasn’t about food, choosing instead to graciously accept the offer. She got out of bed, retrieved a pouch from a box, and, with some hesitation, said, “Your Majesty, I embroidered this pouch for you. Would you allow me to tie it on you?”

“By all means,” the Emperor said, dismissing the palace maid who had been preparing his accessories. Shen Yunxuan tied the pouch to his waist and adjusted his collar.

Last night, the Emperor had worn his daily attire, but today, he donned a dragon robe for court. This was Shen Yunxuan’s first close look at a dragon robe, and combined with the Emperor’s youthful and commanding presence, she couldn’t hide the admiration in her eyes.

Noticing her gaze, the Emperor smiled again and pinched her cheek lightly. “After breakfast, go pay your respects to the Empress Dowager, then rest well. I’ll visit you another day.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Shen Yunxuan replied, slightly embarrassed at how often he pinched her cheek. Her face was a little flushed as she curtsied to see him off, hoping the servants hadn’t noticed.

The Emperor left in high spirits, absently rubbing his fingers as he boarded the imperial palanquin. He suddenly felt that having the Shen family send their daughter to the palace wasn’t such a bad thing after all. At least she provided a comfortable haven for him, and for that alone, he could overlook Shen Xiuyuan’s machinations with the Empress Dowager and the old princess.

After the Emperor’s departure, Shen Yunxuan checked the time and understood why he had woken her. Today, she was to pay her respects to the Empress and the Empress Dowager. Given that the Shen family had relied on the Empress Dowager, she would need to spend extra time there. If she didn’t wake early for breakfast, she would be hungry all morning.

Moreover, after the previous night’s exertion, her body felt a little sore. Rising early allowed time for a massage to ease her discomfort and ensure she appeared composed and refreshed, avoiding unnecessary enmity.

Shen Yunxuan took her time with breakfast and dressed carefully. Zhuang Mama assigned Qinglan, the steadiest of her maids, to accompany her and gave numerous instructions, making Shen Yunxuan laugh. Zhuang Mama seemed more nervous than she was, as if she were preparing for battle.

Zhuang Mama sighed, “I feel uneasy. It’s been ten years since I left the palace, and the consorts then are no longer here. I don’t know any of the current ones, and I worry I won’t be able to help you.”

Shen Yunxuan patted her hand reassuringly. “Don’t worry, we’ll take things slowly. I trust it won’t take you long to figure out the dynamics of the palace.”

Unlike her previous life, where she rarely saw the Emperor, Shen Yunxuan now, as a consort, had frequent opportunities to meet the Empress, the Empress Dowager, and other consorts. Especially after being ennobled as a marquise, she had gained considerable status and was familiar with their temperaments, making her interactions smoother.

The Empress was dignified and the epitome of a mother of the nation. Following the Emperor’s example of fairness and order, she managed the harem strictly by the rules. Since there were no favored consorts, the Empress had a relatively easy time and even treated the noblewomen of the court kindly, seemingly with an intent to strengthen ties between the Emperor and his ministers’ families.

Later, after the Empress’s death, the Emperor elevated Consort Shu to the rank of Noble Consort Shu and entrusted her with managing palace affairs. Though Noble Consort Shu’s son became the Crown Prince, the Emperor never established another Empress. As the daughter of the Chancellor, Noble Consort Shu was somewhat ostentatious but faultless in her conduct. Having given birth to the Emperor’s eldest son, her position was secure. Aside from her ambition for the title of Empress, she was never known to cause trouble.

However, Shen Yunxuan, as a noblewoman in her past life, had no knowledge of the palace’s secrets or the true personalities of the consorts. Noble Consort Shu had been the ultimate victor of the previous life, and Shen Yunrong had been sent to the Cold Palace for framing her with a false pregnancy. This made Shen Yunxuan particularly cautious.

She wouldn’t resort to harming others, but she also knew there might be unseen complexities. Her own life experiences had taught her that appearances and rumors were often misleading. She had to stay vigilant and not let her guard down.

Currently, aside from the Empress and Consort Shu, there was also Consort Li, who, like Shen Yunxuan, held no title. Additionally, there were Consort Lan and Consort Chen, along with a few low-ranked concubines. Compared to emperors of previous dynasties, the current Emperor’s harem was relatively small, and he was sparing in granting promotions within the harem.

Consort Chen was a talented scholar with a proud temperament, often disregarding others. Consort Li loved dressing up and raising pets; she greeted people warmly with a friendly demeanor. In contrast, Consort lan rarely smiled. Shen Yunxuan vaguely remembered not seeing her later, suggesting she either passed away from illness or was demoted due to misconduct.

As for the low-ranked concubines, Shen Yunxuan had no impressions of them. In her previous life, several consorts had entered the palace later and were not present yet.

When Shen Yunxuan arrived at the Empress’s palace, she met the few consorts she had thought about.

She followed protocol in paying her respects to the Empress. The Empress scrutinized her for a moment, pausing briefly on her radiant complexion, and said, “Consort Shen, now that you’ve entered the palace, we are all sisters. You must serve the Emperor diligently, help expand the royal lineage, and never engage in jealousy or harm others. Do you understand?”

Shen Yunxuan respectfully replied, “I understand and will abide by Your Majesty’s teachings.”

The Empress, satisfied with her composure and humility, nodded approvingly. “Good. Introduce yourself to the other sisters.”

Shen Yunxuan greeted Consort Shu and Consort Lan, while Consort Li and the others paid their respects to her. This marked her formal entry into the ranks of palace consorts.

Consort Li, who was beautiful, noticed Shen Yunxuan’s distinct and elegant demeanor and smiled, “Sister, your appearance is truly remarkable. I wonder why I’ve never seen you before in the boudoir circles. You must have been hiding yourself well.”

Shen Yunxuan replied with a smile, “I used to accompany my grandmother to Buddhist practices and rarely went out. In recent years, I was observing filial mourning at home and couldn’t socialize. But when it comes to beauty, Sister Li is unmatched. I happen to have a set of pink hair ornaments that would suit you perfectly. I’ll have them sent to you later.”

Surprised by Shen Yunxuan’s gift and apparent amiability, Consort Li smiled in response and said no more.

Consort Shu, known for her keen awareness of palace matters, was unsettled by her inability to gather information about Anhe Palace the previous night. She decided to tread carefully with Shen Yunxuan, exchanging only a few polite remarks before retreating.

The others, aware of the Emperor’s favor for Shen Yunxuan and his public acknowledgment of her, refrained from causing any trouble. Everyone acted cautiously, maintaining the peace of the harem, which allowed Shen Yunxuan to pass her second test with a good start in her relationships with the consorts.

Next, the Empress led Shen Yunxuan to pay respects to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager enjoyed peace and quiet and rarely received visits from the consorts. Once they arrived, the Empress exchanged a few words of concern and excused herself, leaving Shen Yunxuan alone with the Empress Dowager.

Shen Yunxuan performed a deep bow and said, “I owe my place in the palace to Your Majesty’s grace. Thank you for your benevolence, Empress Dowager.”

The Empress Dowager smiled kindly. “Rise, my dear child. Come closer. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?”

Shen Yunxuan answered bashfully, “I enjoy reading miscellaneous books, especially travelogues. I find the things described in them utterly fascinating.”

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