Chapter 29: Shen Meizhuang Pledges Allegiance

Nian Shilan looked at Shen Meizhuang, who was crouching on the ground, through the bronze mirror and said mockingly:

“His Majesty chose your name plate last night, and you received his favor for the entire night. Shouldn’t you be resting well at this time? What brings you to my palace?”

[The weasel paying respects to the hen—harboring no good intentions!]

[What are you showing off? If it weren’t for me, could you have received this first favor?]

Shen Meizhuang knew that Consort Hua had misunderstood and immediately replied humbly:

“This concubine is merely a lowly Noble Lady, far less noble than Your Highness. To receive a night of favor is already a great honor.”

According to the rules, a Noble Lady could only receive half a night of favor.

“This concubine just went to pay respects to Her Majesty the Empress as per the rules. Now, I have come specifically to thank Consort Hua for her grace.”

It truly was a case of pulling one hair and moving the whole body. The Emperor had suddenly come and left abruptly last night, yet it had led to Shen Meizhuang, who had opposed her at every turn in her previous life, coming to Yikun Palace… to express gratitude?

“Noble Lady Shen, your words leave me puzzled.”

Nian Shilan genuinely did not understand.

Since Shen Meizhuang had come, she had no intention of speaking in riddles.

“This concubine heard that His Majesty came to Your Highness last night. His Majesty favors you greatly. If it weren’t for Your Highness speaking on my behalf, I fear I would have performed a scene of ‘returning the jade intact to Zhao,’ becoming the laughingstock of the entire rear palace.”

[Returning the jade intact to Zhao? That scene isn’t yours to perform—it belongs to your dear sister.]

“You are quite sensible,” Nian Shilan said.

Sensible?

Perhaps.

Given Shen Meizhuang’s nature, she would not have eagerly come to flatter Consort Hua.

But she had indeed, as Consort Hua had anticipated, become the first among the new consorts to receive favor. This indicated that the voice in Consort Hua’s heart was likely credible.

It also meant that her own future would most likely unfold as Consort Hua had imagined.

For a well-bred lady like Shen Meizhuang, who had never faced setbacks, the idea of adultery was utterly unacceptable.

She feared that one day she might actually commit such an act, and even more so, she dreaded the truth being exposed to the world afterward. Not only would her reputation be ruined, but the entire Shen clan would suffer.

Which of the women who entered the palace lived for themselves?

She did not know what the future held, but she would never allow such a thing to happen.

Therefore, compared to the fate of the entire Shen clan, flattering Consort Hua was nothing.

Or, to put it more bluntly, she had not come to flatter Consort Hua but to eavesdrop on her inner thoughts.

Watching Songzhi select a gold hairpin from the jewelry box, Shen Meizhuang stood up.

“This concubine will help Your Highness with your hair.”

Nian Shilan loved being flattered and indulged. Seeing someone who should have been her adversary being so submissive and respectful, she simply assumed that Shen Meizhuang had submitted to her abilities because of the events of the previous night.

“How thoughtful of you to show such filial piety~”

She glanced sideways at Songzhi.

Understanding her meaning, Songzhi immediately handed the hairpin to Shen Meizhuang.

Shen Meizhuang praised softly, “Your Highness possesses unparalleled beauty and dignified elegance, unmatched by anyone in the rear palace. It is this concubine’s fortune to serve you.”

Shen Meizhuang had said similar words to Nian Shilan in her previous life, but that had been during a joint palace audience.

At that time, Nian Shilan and the Empress were at odds. To embarrass the Empress, she had deliberately made things difficult, focusing on the phrase “unparalleled beauty.”

Now that the Empress was not present, there was no need to trouble someone who had come to pledge allegiance.

Zhou Ninghai entered the room, his lowered gaze flickering toward Shen Meizhuang before he leaned close to Nian Shilan to whisper.

Nian Shilan could not help but glance at Shen Meizhuang.

Shen Meizhuang’s expression remained unchanged, but she guessed she should know what Zhou Ninghai was referring to.

[Shen Meizhuang actually voluntarily drank the contraceptive decoction?]

Nian Shilan was someone who couldn’t hide her thoughts and couldn’t help asking, “Did the Emperor not intend for you to conceive?”

The attending matron, Madam Liu, had already explained last night: after being favored, if the Emperor said “keep,” it meant he permitted the imperial consort or concubine to have offspring; if he said “do not keep,” it meant she must drink the contraceptive decoction.

Thus, even without hearing Consort Hua’s inner thoughts, Shen Meizhuang could understand her words.

She knelt down. “Your Highness, please forgive this humble concubine’s offense. It was my own decision not to keep it.”

Consort Hua had once mentioned false pregnancy. Shen Meizhuang didn’t know the details of that false pregnancy, but she believed she would never resort to faking pregnancy to compete for favor. That left only one possibility: she had been framed for false pregnancy.

As long as she drank the contraceptive decoction and couldn’t possibly become pregnant, she would avoid falling into that trap.

Moreover, who in this world would willingly shorten their own life?

She also feared that if she truly became pregnant, she might face premature labor.

Nian Shilan wasn’t one for overthinking and assumed this was Shen Meizhuang showing sincerity toward her, viewing her in a new light.

[If you had been this sensible in my past life and hadn’t opposed me at every turn, why would I have had someone push you into the water? Why would you have had to suffer in the chilly spring cold?]

Past life?

Consort Hua was actually… reborn!!!

Shen Meizhuang’s heart pounded wildly. No wonder Consort Hua knew everything.

Falling into the water…

Coming to Yikun Palace was indeed the right decision.

Shen Meizhuang secretly rejoiced, though her palms grew cold from excitement.

Nian Shilan wasn’t a petty person either. She glanced at the jewelry box and casually picked out a gem-studded gold hairpin to reward Shen Meizhuang.

[Only if you are this obedient and well-behaved can I feel at ease letting you learn to assist in managing the Six Palaces.]

“I heard you like chrysanthemums. The Flower House has cultivated some Green Chrysanthemums. I’ll have them all sent to you later.”

Since the Emperor would reward her anyway, why not do her a favor?

“The contraceptive decoction is cold in nature. You don’t need to drink it after being favored in the future.”

Shen Meizhuang stared fixedly at Consort Hua, somewhat unable to believe it.

[If you are blessed to bear children, then bear them. In this lifetime, I have no such blessing.]

“You may leave.”

When Shen Meizhuang left Yikun Palace, her hand holding the brocade box trembled slightly.

“Miss, are you alright?” Caiyue supported Shen Meizhuang tightly. “Did Consort Hua reprimand you? I told you Consort Hua is arrogant—”

“Silence!”

Shen Meizhuang cut Caiyue off in time and admonished her, “The rear palace is full of eyes and ears. From now on, whether in public or private, do not speak recklessly, especially not criticizing your superiors! Is that clear?”

“This servant knows her offense. This servant will never dare again.”

Both Caiyue and Caixing were Shen Meizhuang’s dowry maids, and Shen Meizhuang naturally knew their loyalty. She understood that Caiyue was concerned for her and didn’t want to worry her, so she explained:

“Consort Hua only appears arrogant and domineering, but in truth… she is actually…”

Shen Meizhuang couldn’t quite say “Consort Hua is an extremely good person,” especially since she had only treated her well after seeing her respectful and obedient.

Otherwise, the outcome would have been being pushed into the water in the chilly spring cold.

But then again, in interactions between people, if one is neither respectful nor compliant and constantly opposes others, why should they treat you well?

Half to herself, Shen Meizhuang mused aloud, her voice calm and measured:

“She is not a bad person, and perhaps in the future, she may even become a good one.”

The “good or bad” she referred to was not about Consort Hua turning from evil to good, but rather how Consort Hua affected her personally.

Returning to Changxi Hall, Caixing joyfully came forward to greet her, “Mistress, look quickly!”