Chapter 42: Those who are good at chess do not understand the strategy of the game; those who are bad at chess do not understand the pieces.
"My lady, are you going to pay your respects again today?"
Beneath the window, Chu Rou was tidying up her makeup at the dressing table. Her gentle and beautiful face shone with a warm glow in the bronze mirror. She raised her hand to take off her pearl earrings and took out a pair of jade belts from her makeup box, carefully comparing her reflection in the mirror.
“In the past, the Crown Princess did not require me to pay my respects to her every morning and evening, which was a kindness of the Crown Princess. Now that we live in a separate residence, if we fail to observe proper etiquette in such a small matter, what will others think of the Eastern Palace? What will they think of my Chu family?”
“But…” Ah-Jun was not unaware of this reasoning, but her daughter-in-law was still not fully recovered and walked with a limp.
“Besides,” Chu Rou turned to look at her, her eyes gentle, “we were able to escape unscathed this time entirely thanks to the Crown Princess. If it weren’t for her help, Yan’s matter wouldn’t have ended so easily.”
Ah-Jun knew she had been careless and already felt guilty. Now, hearing Liang-Di say this, she was speechless and could only lower her head and say, "Ah-Jun knows she was wrong."
"When you go to the Crown Princess today, be careful not to lose your composure. The Crown Princess is not only our mistress, but also someone who has been kind to us."
"yes."
Seeing that she was truly repentant, Chu Rou said nothing more. After getting dressed, she led her people to the main hall. When Shen Yujiao learned that it was Chu Rou who had come, she quickly had Mu Jin welcome her in.
"It's getting hot now, and most of the people in this courtyard are from our Eastern Palace, so you don't need to come every day."
Although Chu Liangdi's external injuries had almost healed, the injury on her leg was not yet fully healed. Seeing her limping over every day, Shen Yujiao felt really bad.
"I've come today for no other reason than to bring Ah-Jun to apologize to Your Highness, and also to ask for a favor on her behalf."
Hearing her say that, Shen Yujiao then looked at the protagonist who had caused a series of troubles. As expected of Chu Rou's personal maid, A-Jun was not only superior in appearance and figure, but also had a scholarly air about her just by standing there. She was not like a maid, but more like a young lady from an official family.
It's no wonder Chu Rou was so agitated at the time, insisting on protecting her no matter what. Just one glance at her was enough to tell how much Chu Rou valued and cared for her.
"This servant greets Your Highness the Crown Princess. May Your Highness be well."
Ah-Jun's kneeling was swift and sincere, which made Shen Yu-Jiao sigh. Then she heard Ah-Jun kneeling there deeply repenting, and the girl's tearful voice made Shen Yu-Jiao feel really bad.
She turned to Chu Rou: "You want to keep her?"
"Yes," Chu Rou also stood up and bowed: "A-Jun was someone I personally saved when I was young. I have kept her by my side since she was a child, and my feelings for her are no different from those for others. Although I am in the Eastern Palace, I have no other desires, except for A-Jun. Now that she is still young, I think I will stay by her side for as long as I can."
“Sigh,” Shen Yujiao shook her head slightly: “Since you have said so, I will not refuse you. However, if this maid wants to serve by your side, I can help her once if she makes a mistake again, but I cannot help her again.”
Chu Rou was overjoyed upon hearing this and immediately knelt down to express her gratitude: "I understand."
Ah-Jun, kneeling to the side, felt a pang of bitterness in her heart. If she weren't so useless, why would her young lady have to beg so humbly?
Seeing this, Shen Yujiao also felt a little uncomfortable. Just as she was thinking of saying something, Mu Nan walked in from outside: "Your Highness, the Crown Prince's letter has arrived today."
Shen Yujiao took the envelope from the tray, her gaze passing over Chu Rou with a hint of unease. After all, they were now nominally sharing the same husband, and accepting the letter in front of Chu Rou felt like she was trying to show off.
Fortunately, Chu Rou did not react as she had feared. Instead, she smiled and teased, "The Crown Prince truly misses the Crown Princess; he sends letters every single day."
Shen Yujiao, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, now felt extremely embarrassed. Her hand, which was opening the letter, paused involuntarily. Ever since she and Jiang Chen separated, Jiang Chen would send someone to the villa every day to deliver a letter. In addition to matters of great importance in the capital, he would also communicate with Shen Yujiao about memorials and political affairs.
Jiang Chen has been here for a while now, and he has his own insights into politics. In fact, he no longer needs to concern himself with Shen Yujiao's affairs. However, the two still keep in touch by letter. On the one hand, Shen Yujiao also wants to know more about politics. On the other hand, the two are not in the same place now, so they have to keep in touch to feel at ease.
"This... The Crown Prince is just worried about Princess Yong'an, so he often sends letters, and he also inquires about Consort Liang in the letters."
"Your Highness, there is no need for this. It is only natural that the Crown Prince and you are in love. I truly have no other thoughts about the Crown Prince."
As she spoke, Chu Rou's expression darkened. After spending time together at the villa, Shen Yujiao realized that Chu Liangdi was not just trying to coax her. Marrying into the Eastern Palace, although it was a difficult marriage to break free from, was also a way for Chu Liangdi to escape the Chu family's cage.
Before her marriage, this girl was probably not much better off than Miss Shen, which is why Shen Yujiao felt genuinely inclined to befriend her.
She was different from Chu Rou, yet she shared similarities with her. Both were exceptionally outstanding and open-minded girls. She had to admit that even though she felt jealous of Chu Rou in modern times, she couldn't bring herself to dislike her at all. Now, facing Miss Chu, she felt even more so.
"If you truly have no feelings for the Crown Prince, won't your days in the Eastern Palace be incredibly boring?"
Hearing the Crown Princess's laughter, Chu Rou also couldn't help but tease, "As a member of the Eastern Palace, I do not receive the Crown Prince's favor, so naturally I need the Crown Princess's protection. With Your Highness looking after me, how could I be bored?"
"Are you thinking of me, or the desserts in my yard?"
With her appetite exposed by the Crown Princess, Chu Rou's cheeks flushed slightly. "When Your Highness practices calligraphy, I can serve you with ink. When Your Highness has a design, I can help with needlework. So, can't I even ask Your Highness for a few cups of tea or snacks?"
She looked so adorable that Shen Yujiao stopped teasing her and simply smiled, "Of course..."
As the two were chatting and laughing, Shen Yujiao noticed Mu Jin winking at her. After chatting briefly with Chu Rou, she asked Mu Nan to send the person back.
"Your Highness, Granny Li says the food is almost done."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yujiao paused in her teacup, then smiled faintly and said, "Since it's almost time, let's pick a good day and go back to the capital."
"yes."
Jiang Chen breathed a sigh of relief when he learned that Shen Yujiao was coming back. He was already tired enough from attending court every day, and he also had to go to the palace from time to time to listen to the Empress's lectures. He didn't know why, but every time he went back, he would be lectured in a daze.
Today he is the Crown Prince, tomorrow he is the cornerstone of the Great Xia Dynasty, and the day after tomorrow he will be the consolidation of the Eastern Palace. Hearing these words gave him a headache and he was puzzled. Did he have to be pressured to have children every day after getting married?
If Shen Yujiao doesn't come back to share some of the burden, he won't be able to handle it.
Jiang Chen never expected that although Shen Yujiao had returned, what was the matter with Chu Liangdi who followed her?
He had lived in the East Palace before, but Consort Chu had never appeared before him. However, after he went to Jiande and returned, he would run into this Miss Chu eight out of ten times when he returned to the main courtyard.
Over time, Jiang Chen began to wonder whether the main courtyard belonged to Shen Yujiao or Consort Chu.
So, on this day, Jiang Chen unusually took the initiative to come to Jingtan Pavilion. When he saw that it was the Crown Prince, Chu Rou hurriedly came out to greet him. Jiang Chen did not stop when he saw her. After entering the inner room, he sat down in a chair with an air of grandeur.
"Are you feeling much better?"
Hearing that the Crown Prince seemed to be in a bad mood, Chu Rou felt a little uneasy, but still replied respectfully, "Your Highness, I'm all right."
"Hmm, I've noticed you've been going to the main courtyard quite often these past few days. It's good that you're respectful to the Crown Princess, but she sometimes prefers quiet, so you don't need to serve her for too long."
"yes."
Seeing that she had agreed, Jiang Chen casually asked about the Chu family. Although he had taken over the Chu Grand Tutor's connections, he was not used to using them. Fortunately, Chu Rou did not keep anything to herself and told him in detail who she could use.
After finishing their business and other matters, Jiang Chen got up to leave. Seeing the Crown Prince leave, Chu Rou also breathed a sigh of relief. Only A-Jun felt a little regretful: "Did Consort just let the Crown Prince go like that?"
Looking at the empty courtyard, Chu Rou's heart felt much more at ease: "Do you think I was joking with the Crown Princess? Ah Jun, it is already difficult to protect oneself in this Eastern Palace. It is rare that the Crown Princess is a kind person. I do not want to get into trouble and cause unnecessary trouble."
“Liangdi…” Ah-Jun thought of something, a hint of worry in her voice. After hesitating for a moment, she tentatively asked, “You’re not still thinking about—”
"Ah-Jun!" Chu Rou suddenly shouted, turning to look at Ah-Jun and saying, word by word, "You are not allowed to say such things again."
"Yes, this servant knows her mistake!"
Jiang Chen naturally had no idea what the mistress and servants of Jingtan Pavilion had said after he left. He only thought that the main courtyard would be quieter from now on, but unexpectedly, after that day, he rarely saw Consort Chu in the main courtyard when he returned from court. However, a few days later, Zhu Yu said to him—
“Your Highness, in the past few days, Consort Liang has continued to come to pay her respects to the Crown Princess every day. However, perhaps fearing that she might disturb you, she has gone back to Jingtan Pavilion first every time you return home from court.”
Okay, very good. Jiang Chen forced a smile. So what used to be a date has now become a clandestine rendezvous, and the two of them have to avoid him?
"What's wrong?" Shen Yujiao saw that Jiang Chen looked pale as soon as he returned, and thought that something had happened to him in court.
"Nothing's wrong with me."
She hadn't thought much of it at first, but hearing Jiang Chen's harsh tone, Shen Yujiao put down her brush with some concern. She walked up to Jiang Chen and asked seriously, "What exactly happened?"
“Nothing happened,” Jiang Chen said, feeling that he couldn’t bring himself to say what was on his mind. He then remembered something else and said to her, “You haven’t been to the palace these past few days. Today, the guards around the Empress told me that Consort Rong slept with the Emperor last night.”
Speaking of this, Jiang Chen felt a little embarrassed. If he hadn't wanted to find a way to dodge the question, he really wouldn't have cared which concubine the emperor had favored last night. But unexpectedly, upon hearing this news, Shen Yujiao smiled.
A few days later, Jiang Chen finally understood the scheme between the Empress and Shen Yujiao—
Recently, there have been many rumors in the palace that Consort Rong, who had been living in a state of near obscurity, has suddenly regained the emperor's favor. Whether it is because the emperor has rekindled his old feelings for her or because of Princess Yong'an's injury, he has summoned Consort Rong to his bedchamber for more than half a month. Not only have high-ranking concubines like Consort Yao, who have been serving the emperor for many years, been overshadowed, but even the several new concubines who entered the palace in this selection have failed to share the emperor's favor.
For a time, Consort Rong was at the height of her fame, and before long, she was promoted to the rank of Jieyu.
When Jiang Chen received the news, Shen Yujiao was playing chess with Chu Rou. Jiang Chen didn't understand the intricacies of the harem, but Chu Rou knew it all.
"Does Your Highness intend to use this to siphon favor from Consort Yao?"
Hei Zi lingered in her hand for a long time, her expression focused: "When Consort Yao was favored, Princess Yongjia was favored, and Prince Huan had someone to rely on. As a result, Princess Huan acted without any restraint."
After saying that, the black piece fell. Chu Rou glanced at it and shook her head slightly at her: "But if Your Highness places your hopes solely on Consort Rong's favor, it would be too risky. Consort Yao has enjoyed the emperor's favor in the palace for many years, and this cannot be changed overnight."
She placed her white piece, and instantly most of the black pieces were captured. Seeing Shen Yujiao's frustration, she said, "A skilled player focuses on the overall situation, while an unskilled player focuses on individual pieces. If Your Highness only focuses on the next few moves, you will inevitably be caught off guard by someone with strategic vision."
Shen Yujiao had only started learning chess in the last few days, and she was far less skilled than Chu Rou in it. Therefore, although the game was already decided, she was not discouraged at all. Instead, she asked seriously, "So, according to you, where should I place the next move?"
Chu Rou tossed the chess piece back into the chess box, lowered her eyes and said in a low voice, "In my humble opinion, Consort Yao's reliance is not entirely due to the Emperor's favor. The inner palace is closely related to the court. Perhaps the Crown Princess should discuss this with the Crown Prince."
Seeing Chu Rou's gentle smile, Shen Yujiao felt a sense of relief. She placed the chess piece in her hand in a corner, looked up and saw Chu Rou's approving gaze, and couldn't help but raise the corners of her mouth.
"I previously thought it was a pity that Miss Chu married into the Eastern Palace, but now I think it would have been even more of a pity for me and the Crown Prince if Miss Chu had not married into the Eastern Palace."
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Author's Note: Jiang Chen: I had no idea that this concubine was meant for the Crown Princess.
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