Chapter 6: 006册封

In the early spring, the weather was fickle, alternating between warmth and chill.

Xiahou Shangle sat in the flower hall continuing to read. By nature, she had never enjoyed bustling crowds, and since marrying into the Yue Dynasty, she had become increasingly aloof.

"Mistress..."

Holding her book, she listened intently to Xuewu's words. It seemed the maid had some unspoken difficulty. Only then did Xiahou Shangle set her book down and lift her eyes to look at the brocade box in Xuewu's hands.

A gift was rejected?

"Does Miss Yan not accept it?"

It was quiet—so quiet that only the breathing of the mistress and servant could be heard in the flower hall.

After a long while, Xuewu finally let out a long breath. Looking up at Xiahou Shangle's calm expression, she spoke softly.

"The Emperor said... he wants you to deliver the gift in person!"

Another bout of silence followed. Xiahou Shangle's already fair complexion turned even paler. Bai Yuchen was openly humiliating her. No matter what, she was the head of the inner palace, the Empress of a nation, yet he was asking her to personally deliver a gift to a woman who had not even been formally invested.

Seeing Xiahou Shangle's pale face, Xuewu also felt that the Emperor was going too far. However, she did not speak further; she had firmly remembered Xiahou Shangle's words—that no matter the circumstances, one must never discuss the Emperor's actions.

Just as Xuewu thought Xiahou Shangle would fly into a rage, she saw the Empress wearing a faint smile.

"Then let us go!"

"But... but..."

"But what?"

Standing at the door, Xiahou Shangle looked at the hesitant Xuewu, frowning in silence. It took a long moment before Xuewu spoke.

"The Emperor ordered that Mistress bring the Empress's Golden Seal."

Clenching her hands, Xiahou Shangle felt a dampness in her palms. A surge of pain struck her heart, yet her face remained calm as she lowered her clenched fists.

"Wait for me a moment."

After retrieving the Golden Seal from her sleeping quarters, Xiahou Shangle said nothing more and left Fengqi Palace with Xuewu. Neither of them spoke a word along the way.

Although they did not know which palace Yan Ruyu resided in, finding the most bustling area in the inner palace was quite easy.

Along the way, they could hear the gossip of palace maids and eunuchs. They spoke of nothing but how the Empress was unfavored, and how the Emperor had taken a concubine on only the third day of his wedding. They discussed how gentle and beautiful the Yan family's daughter was, how much the Emperor doted on her, and how her wedding ceremony was no less grand than the Empress's own.

Xiahou Shangle acted as if she heard nothing, merely tightening her fists and continuing forward with steady steps. Xuewu followed behind, her heart aching for her mistress; her mistress must be suffering greatly!

*Chongyan Palace.* When Xiahou Shangle saw these three characters, a cold sneer rose in her heart. As expected, she was deeply favored by the Emperor; even the name of the palace revealed how much Bai Yuchen doted on Yan Ruyu.

"The Empress has arrived!"

It had to be said that the palace eunuchs were incredibly sharp-eyed. As soon as they saw Xiahou Shangle's bright red phoenix robes, they began the announcement. Yet, despite the announcement, no one came out to welcome her.

Xiahou Shangle's expression remained composed as she walked forward unhurriedly. Before long, she entered the main hall of Chongyan Palace. The palace was exceedingly luxurious, decorated even more opulently than Fengqi Palace.

"Ruyu greets the Empress."

A soft, delicate voice reached Xiahou Shangle's ears. Turning around, she saw a woman dressed in similarly bright red robes, her head lowered and her hands placed at her waist. That splash of bright red stung her eyes.

In the Yue Dynasty, only the Empress was permitted to wear bright red. She had not expected Yan Ruyu to openly wear a bright red wedding gown reserved for the Empress. Xiahou Shangle bit her lip, but just as she was about to speak, she saw Bai Yuchen pull Yan Ruyu into his arms, his eyes brimming with an indescribable affection.

"I told you, there is no need for formalities!"

"This concubine greets the Emperor!"

Xiahou Shangle bit her lip. After performing her salutations to Bai Yuchen, she looked at him with a cold, indifferent expression while sizing up Yan Ruyu. The woman had a small, exquisite face with delicate features and a graceful figure that exuded a flirtatious charm. Her flawless face bore a playful smile—the kind of woman who would instantly trigger a man's protective instincts.

"This concubine knows the Emperor brought Miss Yan into the palace today, so I have specially brought a gift for her."

Xuewu stepped forward holding the brocade box, but it was taken by a young eunuch. Yan Ruyu's small face was filled with bashfulness.

"Ruyu thanks the Empress!"

Though she said this, she remained tightly held in Bai Yuchen's embrace, making her appear even more coy. Bai Yuchen looked at Xiahou Shangle provocatively, his tilted chin seemingly saying: *Look, this is the woman I dote on. Even if you are a Princess of the Mu Dynasty, in my eyes, you are nothing more than a discarded wife!*

"Empress, bring the Golden Seal and stamp it here!"

As soon as Bai Yuchen finished speaking, his confidant, Eunuch Hai, approached carrying a roll of yellow silk. Xiahou Shangle took the silk and gave it a cursory glance. A trace of an imperceptible cold sneer flashed across her lips, but Bai Yuchen caught it. He did not speak, merely letting out a cold snort before turning his gaze back to the woman in his arms.

Once the seal was set, Xiahou Shangle put away the Golden Seal. She looked calmly at the two people openly flaunting their affection before her and spoke leisurely.

"If the Emperor has no other business, then this concubine shall take her leave!"

Bai Yuchen held Yan Ruyu, his eyes filled with mockery and disdain. He neither told Xiahou Shangle to leave nor told her to stay. Although Yan Ruyu felt slightly awkward in his arms, her face bore an irrepressible joy. As expected, the Emperor favored her; though the Empress held a higher status, she was merely an unfavored Empress.

Xiahou Shangle locked eyes with Bai Yuchen for a moment, noticing the secret glee on Yan Ruyu's face. Her hands, hidden by her long sleeves, clenched slightly before relaxing. Ultimately, she chose to withdraw her gaze and lower her head.

"Does the Empress have some dissatisfaction with my investiture of Ruyu as Noble Consort Yu? There isn't a single smile on your face."

Bai Yuchen's cold voice was like a blade, leaving Xiahou Shangle no room to evade. She raised her head and offered Bai Yuchen a bright smile.

"Then this concubine wishes the Emperor and Noble Consort Yu a long life together until your hair turns white! If there is nothing else, this concubine shall take her leave!"

*Growing old together.* What an ironic phrase. In the inner palace, which woman could an Emperor truly grow old with?

Yet, one could not say Xiahou Shangle was wrong. For newlyweds, "growing old together" was a standard blessing; her words were, in fact, an unassailable blessing!

A flash of displeasure crossed Yan Ruyu's delicate face, but it vanished instantly.

"Then Ruyu thanks the Empress for her auspicious words!"

Xiahou Shangle gave a shallow smile and elegantly turned to leave Chongyan Palace. As Bai Yuchen watched her straight, unyielding back, something flickered in his heart, yet he could not grasp it. He abruptly released his tight grip on Yan Ruyu's arm.

"Your Majesty..."

"I am tired. I wish to be alone for a while!"