Chapter 101
Song Qingyuan buried her face in his chest and said sullenly, "I'm not wronged. I'm just... a little unwilling to accept it." She had worked so hard to build a great empire, but before she could celebrate, someone parachuted in a deputy, and this deputy was sent by the chairman himself to seize power. This feeling was really aggrieved.
"I'm going to find my father!" Shen Yanzhi turned around and was about to leave.
"Don't go!" Song Qingyuan grabbed him. "The emperor's words are true. The imperial decree has been issued. Going will be useless. Instead, it will anger His Majesty. They'll accuse you of being ignorant and being seduced by a woman. That's exactly what they want."
Shen Yanzhi stopped and punched the pillar next to him, making a dull "bang" sound. "I can't even protect you!"
Song Qingyuan looked at his red eyes, walked over with a distressed look, took his hand, and blew gently on his raw knuckles. "Your Highness, this isn't your fault. This is an open conspiracy, and we can't escape it." She raised her head, her eyes clear and firm. "However, people are mortal, but rules are alive. The Eastern Palace is my home, and I am the mistress of it. If she wants to come in, she can. But once she does, she has to abide by my rules."
She paused, a cold smile suddenly curling her lips. "I can even turn a dead end like the Salt Bureau around, so why would I be afraid of a living person? His Majesty asked her to branch out, but he didn't say she should be the head of household. No one is allowed to touch the accounts of the Eastern Palace or the business of 'Imperial Fresh'."
Shen Yanzhi looked at the fighting spirit that had been rekindled in her eyes, and the depression in his heart dissipated a little. He knew that his little fox had never been a sheep to be slaughtered.
"The Weiyuan Marquis Shen family was founded through military merit and has a strong family tradition. Shen Ruyi is the only legitimate daughter of this generation. She has been spoiled since childhood. I heard that she is proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. She is well-known for her talent among the noble ladies in the capital. Her temperament... I'm afraid she is not as gentle as the rumors say." Shen Yanzhi reminded.
"Wenliang?" Song Qingyuan sneered, "If she was truly Wenliang, she wouldn't have accepted this imperial decree. If she had been obedient, I would have let her live a peaceful life as a concubine, enjoying fine clothes and delicious food, and spend the rest of her life in peace. If she had any thoughts that she shouldn't have..."
Song Qingyuan didn't say anything else, but there was no longer any trace of frustration in those bright eyes. Instead, there was the excitement and sharpness of a hunter seeing his prey.
"It just so happens that the business of 'Yupinxian' is on the right track, and I was bored to death. Now, someone comes to my doorstep to cheer me up." She stood on tiptoe and patted Shen Yanzhi's face, "Your Highness, cheer up. Even the family fight requires the unity of husband and wife. You can't hold me back."
Shen Yanzhi was amused by her lighthearted words, and the heaviness in his heart was mostly dispelled. He took her hand in his backhand, pulled her into his arms, and lowered his head to kiss her lips.
"Okay, I'll do as you say. My Crown Princess, you can fight me however you want. This Eastern Palace will always be yours."
Outside the window, the night deepens, and a war without the smoke of gunpowder is about to begin after dawn.
Three days passed in a flash.
For three days, the atmosphere in the Eastern Palace was somewhat tense. The servants walked on tiptoe and spoke softly, fearing they might offend their masters. Everyone knew a new master was arriving in the palace—the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Weiyuan, personally appointed as a concubine by the Emperor.
Tingyu was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. She tried several times to persuade Song Qingyuan to give the new Concubine Shen a warning, such as treating her harshly in her living quarters or deducting a few points from her allowance.
"Your Majesty, you can't be so kind! Before you even enter the house, those gossipers outside have already started gossiping, saying that Concubine Chen is the real golden branch and jade leaf, and that she and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince are a perfect match made in heaven. They also say... they also say that you come from a merchant family and are not presentable, and now you are usurping the throne!" Tingyu was so angry that her face puffed up.
Song Qingyuan, however, sat leisurely in the courtyard, a pair of scissors in hand, meticulously trimming the withered leaves of a pot of Clivia. Without even looking up, she said calmly, "Other people have their mouths, and they can say whatever they want. If we get impatient and get angry, wouldn't that just play into their hands and solidify our reputation as guilty and jealous?"
"Can……"
"No buts." Song Qingyuan snipped off a yellow leaf and dropped it into the bamboo basket at his feet. "If the water is too clear, there will be no fish; if the person is too cautious, there will be no followers. If I act flawless, people will think I'm cunning and difficult to approach. I'll occasionally reveal a few 'flaws', so that they think I'm just a lucky businesswoman, and then they'll let their guard down."
She put down the scissors, picked up the teacup beside her, and blew away the foam. "Besides, why should we do something like this to show our power? It's too cheap."
Tingyu nodded, not quite understanding.
The auspicious time had arrived, and Shen Ruyi's magnificent sedan chair, surrounded by eunuchs and palace maids, was carried in from the side door of the East Palace. According to the rules, concubines did not perform formal formalities when entering the palace, and did not use the main gate to show their distinction from the main wife.
Song Qingyuan sat upright in the main hall, while Shen Yanzhi sat beside her, expressionless, playing with a jade ring in his hand, without even raising his eyelids.
Soon, a figure in pink palace dress walked in gracefully, led by palace servants.
Song Qingyuan looked up.
It must be said that Shen Ruyi was indeed a beauty. She had a slender figure, a delicate, willow-like figure, a small face the size of a palm, eyebrows like distant black, eyes like autumn water, and a look of tenderness and pathetic charm. She wore no makeup, dressed in simple and elegant clothes, and wore only a simple jade hairpin in her hair. She looked like a delicate white lotus that could not withstand the cool breeze.
"My concubine Shen Ruyi pays homage to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the Crown Princess." She bowed gracefully, her voice so soft that it could squeeze out water, and her posture was extremely humble.
Shen Yanzhi still didn't respond, as if he didn't hear it.
Song Qingyuan had no choice but to speak in a gentle voice: "Sister Shen, please get up quickly. Once you enter the East Palace, you are a family. There is no need to be so polite."
She motioned Tingyu to come forward and help Shen Ruyi up.
Shen Ruyi stood up and looked at Shen Yanzhi timidly with her watery eyes. She quickly lowered her head and said softly, "I entered the palace by the emperor's order, but it was not my wish. I know that my status is humble and I dare not compete with the Crown Princess for glory. I only hope to serve His Highness and the Queen, and share their worries, and I will be satisfied."
This statement was absolutely flawless. She not only demonstrated her status as a gift from the Emperor and her strong backing, but also acted subserviently, making it difficult for anyone to find fault with her. If Song Qingyuan showed even the slightest dissatisfaction with her, word would spread that the Crown Princess was jealous and intolerant.
Song Qingyuan sneered inwardly, but a warm expression played on his face. "Sister, what are you talking about? I'm so happy you can come. Your Highness is so busy with official duties, and I often feel overwhelmed managing this huge Eastern Palace on my own. Now that you're here, I can finally relax a little."
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