The two women’s conversation was not yet finished. Su Yuru accepted the ointment Zhao Xiaohua gave her and promised to persuade Prince Zhou to use it when he next came to pick her up.
She then lay back down on the bed, about to close her eyes, when she suddenly remembered something. "Right, you said there were four of those jade pendants? Besides the ones I and Su Xiaoqi have, who else has them?"
Zhao Xiaohua shook her head, speaking carefully, as if afraid of letting out the noise of Bashu.
"I sent people back to investigate. I heard there were four, and now only three are accounted for. The whereabouts of one are still unknown."
"And who has the third one?"
"Prince Ning!"
Su Yuru’s eyes widened. "Ning, Prince Ning… no, no, that’s not right. Prince Ning is said to be Lord Shen’s father. Then his jade pendant back then should have been given to my father, which is this one in my hand. How could he possibly have another one?"
Su Yuru found it baffling. At the same time, she felt a pang of regret, thinking to herself how foolish she had been. If only she had known Shen Yun’s status would be so noble, why did she listen to her dead father’s words, ruin that engagement, and find that beggar Su Xiaoqi to marry her? Hadn’t she just pushed away a perfect marriage?
"What, regretting it now? Regretting breaking off the engagement and giving the great marriage to Su Xiaoqi?" Zhao Xiaohua saw through Su Yuru’s thoughts at a glance and pointed it out without hesitation. Actually, regretting it was of little use, because according to her experiences in her previous life, Shen Yun had no intention of acknowledging his lineage.
Su Yuru pouted unhappily. "My fate in this life is sealed, with no hope of marrying him. Can’t I at least think about it?"
In fact, she hadn’t only started regretting it now. As early as when Shen Yun was in Mianzhou city, having just passed the imperial examination, she had taken one look at him and was immediately captivated. He was so handsome. Thinking that she could see him every day for the rest of her life, even if they were impoverished, would have been fine. Why had she been so foolish as to refuse him outright without even seeing him?
"Alas, if only time could turn back, if only life could be lived again!" Then she would have known what came later, wouldn’t have been so confused, and wouldn’t have made mistakes. She also wouldn’t have let her brother, Su Jiamo, choose the wrong person to serve, resulting in their Su family’s once vast fortune being reduced to less than a tenth.
Su Yuru had merely made a casual remark, but it struck Zhao Xiaohua’s soft spot. She was indeed in the very situation Zhao Xiaohua had described. Zhao Xiaohua’s first reaction to Su Yuru seeing through her origins was fear. But she quickly calmed herself down, realizing that Su Yuru’s emotions were born purely from unrequited love.
She reprimanded, "Don't let your mind wander. Your main task now is to win over Prince Zhou and strive to enter his mansion with him."
"Enter the mansion to do what? My current status… is no different from a rat in a sewer. If I go in, I’ll just be a mere concubine. It’s better to be free and unrestrained outside, living a life of pleasure." Su Yuru was somewhat despondent. The reason she didn't want to go with Prince Zhou was not only because she didn't want to be a concubine, but also because she actually disliked Prince Zhou. He was a bit perverted in bed, liking all sorts of strange and messy things. If Zhao Xiaohua hadn’t invited Mei Niang to teach her, she probably would have been unable to cope long ago. Thinking about it was terrifying.
That night, the two women talked a lot and made many plans. But one must know that sometimes plans are not as fast as changes.
The next day, Emperor Yongxing indeed summoned Shen Yun to the palace. Emperor Yongxing asked Shen Yun if he had any interest in Princess Yijiang. If so, he could grant them a marriage as co-wives, which would not disgrace his wife.
Shen Yun’s heart instantly grew cold. Yesterday at the banquet, he had seen Emperor Yongxing remain silent and thought he understood him. After all, their relationship was not that of ordinary ruler and minister. When Emperor Yongxing was still Prince Duan, he had encountered many difficulties and indecisive matters, all of which Shen Yun had resolved for him. On the surface, they were ruler and minister, but in private, they were fellow disciples. Shen Yun’s teacher, Mr. Gu, was also Emperor Yongxing’s teacher. Therefore, Shen Yun treated him with his heart and soul.
"But Yijiang’s feelings… it’s not easy for me to say too much. Actually, it’s just marrying a wife. Don’t worry, I promise you, even with her status as a princess, once Yijiang enters your Shen family’s gates, she will never bully you with her status, nor will she bully Madam Shen."
Shen Yun could not bear to listen further. He refrained from interrupting out of respect for his sovereign, but he was mentally absent the entire time. He did not want to listen, nor did he want to comply.
"Your Majesty, when I took my wife as my wife, I once vowed that in this life, I would only marry her. If I went against this, I would be struck by lightning…" Shen Yun spoke resolutely, which made Emperor Yongxing hesitant again.
Seeing his frown, Shen Yun knew that Emperor Yongxing’s indecisiveness had flared up again. He understood Emperor Yongxing; he knew that he was good in all aspects, benevolent, kind, possessed a heart that loved the people, and was willing to work for their welfare. But his only flaw was his lack of decisiveness. He was indecisive and lacked the necessary judgment. After covering for him at the banquet, he had changed his mind in just one night, which was truly concerning. He didn’t even need to ask; it was definitely Consort Li who had spoken to him last night.
Thinking of this, Shen Yun was filled with melancholy. Consort Li was meddling too much. It seemed he needed to find something for her to do so she wouldn’t have time to set her sights on his ministers. With that thought, Shen Yun said, "Your Majesty, regarding the matter of opening the harem and taking many concubines that the Minister of Personnel mentioned earlier, the Ministry of Rites has made all preparations. The selection of imperial consorts can commence immediately."
Emperor Yongxing was somewhat unenthusiastic. "Selecting consorts? It seems a bit extravagant to select consorts so soon after my enthronement!"
"Your Majesty, please allow me to explain. It is precisely because Your Majesty has just ascended the throne and the harem is empty that we need to select junior consorts to serve Your Majesty and proliferate the royal bloodline." Shen Yun had hit the nail on the head. Emperor Yongxing might cherish his feelings for Consort Li and temporarily have no intention of selecting concubines, but one should not forget that he was very short of heirs. He currently only had two sons and two daughters. He was still young and urgently needed to have more princes to expand the royal lineage.
He approved Shen Yun’s memorial and handed the matter over to Consort Li, the only mistress of the harem, to manage. When the imperial decree arrived at the Jade Essence Palace, Consort Li swept her hand across the low table. "Smash..." The fine Guan ware white porcelain tea cup fell to the ground, shattering into pieces.
"Selecting consorts, taking concubines! You’re a fine Emperor! You were with me last night, saying so many sweet words, saying you wouldn’t fail me, that you wouldn’t let the affection between us disappear… After just one night, you’re already selecting concubines… Wuwuwu, why is my fate so bitter." Consort Li wept uncontrollably on the couch. The palace governess beside her helped her up and whispered, "Your Highness, be careful with your words. This place, the harem, is not a safe place. Don't let any words slip out."
Consort Li was initially very angry, but after hearing the palace governess’s words, she ultimately restrained herself. This was because she knew the palace governess was right. Although the entire harem was currently under her control, and Emperor Yongxing had entrusted the management of harem affairs to her, she did not actually hold the phoenix seal, nor was she the Empress. Once Emperor Yongxing really selected concubines, he might even crown an Empress. But her status… Consort Li lowered her head and cried louder and louder.
Seeing her only crying and not uttering any more foul language, the palace governess did not stop her. After she cried for a while, she had the palace maids tidy up her makeup. Emperor Yongxing would have to come over for dinner later. She had to serve him well!
"I, I am not feeling well today, I cannot serve you," Consort Li said, her face flushed. The palace governess looked at her face, which at first glance appeared well-maintained, but could not withstand close scrutiny. After all, she was over thirty years old. Fine lines were already appearing around her eyes, her skin was becoming rough, and her pores had enlarged. After all, she was someone who had experienced the wind and sand of the frontier. Even the best skincare products after returning could not entirely… alas, what was lost was lost. Some things could not be recovered.