Chapter 4: 004 Taking Concubines

The so-called royal greetings were nothing more than polite pleasantries. Although Xiahou Shangle disliked them, seeing the benevolent and approachable Grand Empress Dowager, her habitually cold face revealed a hint of a smile.

Bai Yuchen gazed at Xiahou Shangle, a cold sneer constantly hanging from the corners of his mouth. He had intentionally come to pay his respects alone to tell everyone in the imperial palace that he did not welcome the Yuefeng Princess of the Mu Dynasty. His first intention was to embarrass Xiahou Shangle, and his second was to see how she would react to such a situation.

"Very well, I shall call you Le'er from now on. This name brings me great joy!"

The Grand Empress Dowager spoke softly, and Xiahou Shangle nodded with a faint smile.

"Father knows that the Grand Empress Dowager holds Buddhism in high regard. Before his departure, he specifically asked Shangle to bring a gift for you. I hope the Grand Empress Dowager will like it!"

Xue Wu immediately stepped forward to present two brocade boxes. The Grand Empress Dowager’s face lit up with joy, and her fondness for Xiahou Shangle’s conduct grew even more.

"Mo Yuan, bring the gifts up for me to see!"

Mo Yuan responded and took the boxes, presenting them before the Grand Empress Dowager. One box contained a string of dark, lustrous Buddhist prayer beads, while the other held a yellowed Buddhist scripture.

"These are obsidian prayer beads, capable of warding off evil and bringing good fortune. Additionally, Father had someone seek out a unique copy of the *Lotus Sutra*. I hope it meets the Grand Empress Dowager's wishes."

Xiahou Shangle spoke calmly. Her eyes caught sight of Bai Yuchen beside her, and she gave him a slight, smiling nod. Before the Grand Empress Dowager could even speak, Bai Yuchen opened his mouth.

"The Empress is truly thoughtful!"

That single phrase, "truly thoughtful," caused a shift in Xiahou Shangle's gaze, but it passed in an instant before she regained her composure.

"The Emperor overpraises me. This is merely a token of my father's affection!"

She did not want to engage in a dispute with Bai Yuchen or turn against him just yet. Before she had figured out why he had agreed to marry the daughter of his former enemy as his Empress, Xiahou Shangle told herself she must not lose her footing, nor could she lose her reason and calm.

"Le'er, why did you not come with Chen'er?"

The Grand Empress Dowager glared at Bai Yuchen and ordered Mo Yuan to put the boxes away. Early this morning, she had heard palace maids gossiping that the two had not consummated their marriage last night, and even went as far as to say that Xiahou Shangle had lost the Emperor's favor.

Coupled with the fact that she had only seen Bai Yuchen come to pay his respects alone this morning, and linking it to the maids' rumors, the Grand Empress Dowager felt compelled to ask.

"The Emperor was considerate of the fact that Shangle was exhausted from the wedding yesterday and specifically allowed her to sleep a little longer. That is why she did not accompany the Emperor to pay his respects. I hope the Grand Empress Dowager will forgive Shangle's rudeness!"

As she spoke, Xiahou Shangle had already risen and bowed deeply to the Grand Empress Dowager. Bai Yuchen merely sneered; what a fine excuse. It both silenced the unfavorable rumors in the palace and preserved his dignity as Emperor. It seemed he had truly underestimated Xiahou Shangle.

"Is that so? I thought the two of you were incompatible, as the maids suggested! Seeing that you can be so considerate of one another, I am relieved!"

The Grand Empress Dowager said this, but she could still tell that the two were not as harmonious as Xiahou Shangle claimed. She did not call her out, merely hoping that Bai Yuchen would treat Xiahou Shangle well.

"Grandmother is worrying too much! Those rumors in the palace are spread by gossips. The Empress is magnanimous and virtuous; how could Chen'er not like her?"

When he spoke of "liking," a mocking smile appeared on Bai Yuchen's face. Like her? What a joke. This woman was his disgrace; he was being more than merciful by not killing her, let alone "liking" her.

A faint smile hung on Xiahou Shangle's lips, but she understood that Bai Yuchen was merely trying to make the Grand Empress Dowager believe they were a loving couple. She did not expose his lie, but she could not understand what his ultimate goal was.

"If Chen'er thinks so, then I am at ease. You must remember your words; you must treat Le'er well in the future!"

The Grand Empress Dowager glanced at Xiahou Shangle, who sat poised in her chair with a calm, faint smile, and felt reassured. Seeing her grandson marry a dignified Empress meant she could face the ancestors of the Bai family even in death!

"Rest assured, Grandmother, Chen'er will certainly not mistreat the Empress!"

As Bai Yuchen spoke these words, a flash of irony crossed his eyes. He withdrew his gaze from Xiahou Shangle, stood up, and bowed to the Grand Empress Dowager.

"Grandmother, I have been reflecting for a few days and wish to ask for your permission to take Yan Ruyu, the daughter of Chancellor Yan, as a consort. Furthermore, Chen'er has already discussed this with the Empress last night, and she has agreed to it!"

Xiahou Shangle was startled. To take a consort—on the very second day of their wedding, he was announcing his intent to take a consort right in front of her. The implication was unmistakable. On one hand, he claimed he would treat her well, while on the other, he used the appointment of a consort to overturn his own words. Moreover, he claimed she had already agreed. This was not only a way to signal to others that he held her in contempt, but it was also a profound insult to her status as a princess of the Mu Dynasty!

Yet, she could not say no. If she refused, she would appear narrow-minded, and it would lead people to say that the Princess of the Mu Dynasty was a jealous woman. The current Xiahou Shangle was not just a princess, but a representative of a nation. No matter how much grievance she felt, she had to endure it with a smile.

Meeting Bai Yuchen's mocking gaze, Xiahou Shangle clenched her hands beneath her sleeves and revealed a brilliant smile.

"Though the daughter of the Yan family is excellent, Chen'er, it is improper for you to take a consort so soon after your wedding. I do not wish to be accused of the Imperial Family mistreating a Princess. Do not mention the matter of taking a consort again; unless three or five years have passed, I will not grant it!"

The Grand Empress Dowager looked at Bai Yuchen sternly and stated her opinion with determination. This was something Xiahou Shangle had not expected. She could have remained silent, but meeting Bai Yuchen's eyes, she immediately realized this was a trap he had set for her, leaving her no choice but to speak.

"Shangle thanks the Grand Empress Dowager for looking out for her. However, the Emperor did indeed discuss the matter of the consort with Shangle. Miss Yan possesses both virtue and talent, and furthermore, Shangle's health has always been somewhat frail. The Emperor possesses a body of immense value; it is only human nature to have more people to attend to him. I hope the Grand Empress Dowager will grant Miss Yan permission to enter the palace!"

Her words were earnest, and combined with the sincerity in her eyes, the Grand Empress Dowager had no reason to doubt whether she truly meant them. Instead, she grew even more fond of this sensible Empress.

A princess of a nation was indeed different; her heart was exceptionally broad. The Grand Empress Dowager nodded with a smile. Indeed, aside from the Empress, there were not many concubines in the inner palace, and the Six Palaces could not remain empty forever.

"Since Shangle has spoken, then I shall grant it. Find a day and let Miss Yan enter the palace!"