Chapter 5: 005送礼

The three of them had breakfast at Cining Palace and chatted about domestic matters for a while before a look of fatigue gradually appeared on the Grand Empress Dowager's face, causing Xiahou Shangle to frown slightly.

"Grand Empress Dowager, Shangle thinks there are still matters to attend to at Fengqi Palace, so I shall take my leave first."

The Grand Empress Dowager rested her head on her hand, feeling somewhat drowsy. Hearing Xiahou Shangle's words, she opened her eyes and nodded with a smile toward her.

"Very well. Le'er, from now on, just call me Imperial Grandmother. Chen'er, accompany Le'er back. I am tired as well!"

As Bai Yuchen and Xiahou Shangle rose to perform their salutations, the Grand Empress Dowager waved her hand. Without a word, the two quietly withdrew from Cining Palace.

Bai Yuchen, who had been wearing a faint smile, saw the expression on his face replaced by frost once they left Cining Palace. He cast a cold gaze at Xiahou Shangle; she had actually spoken up for him in front of the Grand Empress Dowager. He truly did not know what this woman was plotting in her heart.

Sensing Bai Yuchen's gaze, Xiahou Shangle met it with an eye as calm as still water. Neither of them spoke. Beside them, Xuewu felt a sudden sense of foreboding for some unknown reason, yet she could not speak; she could only stand quietly to the side with her head lowered in worry.

"Do you think that by speaking for me in front of the Grand Empress Dowager, I will retract the words I said yesterday and change my opinion of you? Then let me tell you, you are quite mistaken!"

Bai Yuchen's words carried no emotion. The coldness revealed in his speech made the surrounding air feel chilling. Xiahou Shangle merely frowned; she had never actually expected that Bai Yuchen would change his attitude toward her just because of a few words she said today!

"The Emperor said he had already discussed it with me, was it not simply because he wanted me to take the initiative to propose bringing Miss Yan into the palace? I thought everything I did today was what the Emperor desired; does it not suit His Majesty's intentions?"

Though Xiahou Shangle's voice was soft, her words were neither humble nor overbearing. She showed no sign of being affected by her lack of favor, nor did her innate noble temperament falter. Furthermore, she showed no dissatisfaction regarding Bai Yuchen's hostile attitude toward her.

She was like a quiet lotus; even as she stood alone in the water, she naturally exuded an air of tranquility and indifference, which felt entirely different from the atmosphere of intrigue within the Imperial Palace.

Bai Yuchen stared straight at Xiahou Shangle. He thought she would avert her eyes from his, but to his surprise, she did not only refuse to look away, but met his gaze with an expression that seemed even colder than his own.

After a long moment, Bai Yuchen let out a cold snort and flashed a mocking, contemptuous smile at Xiahou Shangle.

"Since the Empress is so magnanimous, then I certainly will not let the Empress down!"

Leaving behind those words, Bai Yuchen strode toward Yanshou Palace. Xiahou Shangle clenched her hands into fists tightly within her sleeves, biting her lip as she watched his retreating figure, silently telling herself: *Endure. I must endure.*

"Mistress, let us return!"

"Alright!"

Xuewu spoke softly with concern. Xiahou Shangle turned and gave her a smile, and the master and servant walked toward Fengqi Palace. However, Xuewu felt an unspeakable bitterness in her heart. Back in the Mu Dynasty, how much grievance had her mistress endured?

Yet, having only arrived in the Yue Dynasty for two days, she had already been humiliated by the Emperor twice. On the very second day after the grand wedding, he was openly seeking to take concubines; this was clearly intended to make a mockery of her mistress!

"Mistress, the Emperor openly taking concubines now is truly too unfair to you!"

Xuewu set down a teacup in front of Xiahou Shangle, speaking indignantly with a puffed-up little face. Xiahou Shangle could not help but let out a light chuckle.

What could be done about unfairness? And whom could she blame? Who told her to be born into an imperial family? Who told her to shoulder the heavy responsibility of a political marriage?

If one were to blame, one could only blame her for being born into an imperial family, and even more so for marrying into one.

The daughters of imperial families lived much better lives than those of ordinary families, but once they encountered a political marriage, it was rare that they did not suffer grievances. Imagine a favored child of heaven being told to accept an arranged marriage to a stranger; very few people could accept such a thing with composure!

"Xuewu, have you forgotten what I told you last night? No matter when, do not discuss the Emperor's affairs. If you cannot remember this sentence, I will have no choice but to have someone send you back to the Mu Dynasty!"

Xiahou Shangle showed a rare moment of severity. Hearing her words, Xuewu immediately knelt on the ground, her face filled with worry. If she were sent back to the Mu Dynasty by her mistress, it would mean she had failed the Emperor's entrustment; if the Emperor became angry because of this, her life would surely be forfeit!

"Mistress, I dare not do it again! Please do not send Xuewu back. Before we came, the Emperor instructed Xuewu to take good care of my mistress. If my mistress sends Xuewu back, the Emperor will surely blame Xuewu. I beg my mistress to forgive Xuewu this once!"

Seeing Xuewu's anxious expression, Xiahou Shangle set down her teacup. She had not actually intended to send Xuewu back to the Mu Dynasty; she only wanted Xuewu to remember that the Imperial Palace was full of dangers and that one could lose their life at any moment. If she continued to be so indiscreet, her life would eventually be ruined by her own mouth!

"Xuewu, if you do not want to return to the Mu Dynasty, then you must remember: no matter when or whom you are facing, you must remain vigilant. Even with those closest to you, you cannot trust them completely. In this Imperial Palace, anyone could take your life! You must remember, I am your only mistress! And only I can ensure your safety in this Yue Dynasty palace!"

She wanted Xuewu to remember now that she was the only mistress, and only she could guarantee her safety here. No matter what happened, she, Xiahou Shangle, would always be her mistress!

"Xuewu remembers!"

After this incident, Xuewu no longer dared to speak recklessly. In an instant, she appeared exceptionally mature, and Xiahou Shangle felt much more at ease with her.

Being simple-minded was certainly good, but in the Imperial Palace, simplicity was merely an opportunity for others to harm oneself. She would not allow any danger to befall herself or those around her. Absolutely not!

"Mistress, Miss Yan has entered the palace!"

Xiahou Shangle put down her book. Through the window, she could hear the festive sound of gongs and drums from outside. The palace maids were all saying that the Emperor's intake of concubines was no less grand than the wedding of the Empress two days ago; in fact, the spectacle was even more extravagant.

Hearing those discussions, she merely smiled it off. It was clearly Bai Yuchen's attempt to humiliate her; since she knew his intent, why should she care?

"Prepare a gift and send it over on my behalf!"

Although Xuewu did not understand why Xiahou Shangle, as the mistress of the inner palace, would send a gift to a concubine who had just entered the palace, she understood that her mistress must have her reasons. She immediately responded and went to prepare the gift.

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Xiahou Shangle's mouth. She hoped that after this Yan Ruyu entered the palace, Bai Yuchen's attention would be focused entirely on her, making her own days in the palace a little easier.

"Mistress, would you like to look it over?"

"No need. Your choice of gifts has always been very tasteful; what is there for me to worry about? Hurry and send it over!"