You take on two husbands, I'll turn around and marry the tyrant and rule the world.

The next day was a bright and sunny day, and a stream of gifts were delivered to the Warm Sunshine Pavilion.

Chu Nianci saw a chest full of gold and silver ingots, as well as many bracelets and necklaces on the mahogany table.

Even though she was always well-off, her eyes lit up and her heart warmed when she saw so many yellow and white things.

Holding the box, Tuanyuan was even more excited than when he saw Duanmu Qingyu in person. He swallowed hard and said with a smile, "His Majesty sent Eunuch Jingxi to deliver the reward just as dawn was breaking."

Chu Nianci got up from the bed, touched a heavy gold ingot with fascination, and said with a smile, "Your Majesty really understands me."

Giving her gold instead of silver notes would have suited her much better.

Tuanyuan grinned from ear to ear: "His Majesty's generous reward has actually given our treasury an extra five hundred taels!"

She had been promoted to head palace maid in the past two days and was receiving flattery from half of the palace staff in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Her eyes were practically slits: "Following His Majesty, we have no worries about food or clothing, and we can never spend all the money. His Majesty is truly beautiful inside and out, and may he live a long and healthy life!"

Chu Nianci just smiled... You haven't seen him take off his mask.

As the two were talking, Manbao chimed in, "Your Highness, you don't know, Kunning Palace has been quite lively these past few days."

They were people who served the emperor. Apart from paying their respects to the emperor during the palace service, they did not need to go to the empress's residence on ordinary days. They could only hear news from other people.

Chu Nianci said with great interest, "Tell me about it."

"Her Majesty the Empress has finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel. I heard that she was even favored while attending to her illness, and her handkerchief... bled." Manbao said while peeling chestnuts.

Chu Nianci was startled.

The aphrodisiac can indeed bewitch people's minds, but how could it cause bleeding?

With Duanmu Qingyu's obsessive cleanliness and stubbornness, the Empress could never get close to him.

Mr. Horn.

She suddenly remembered that when she first entered the palace, Aunt Lan had mentioned that in the previous dynasty, there were eunuchs and palace maids who would pair up for sexual relations. When they tried to have sex, the eunuchs often couldn't perform well. At that time, the saying "Mr. Horn" was quietly circulating in the palace... There were long, thin objects made of wood, jade, and even iron.

The thought that Empress Lin might have been served with that thing sent a chill down Chu Nianci's spine, but she couldn't feel any sympathy—after all, this was something she had asked for herself.

"...Even the Empress Dowager gave a reward. No matter how jealous the ladies of the palace were, they still had to give gifts on the surface." Manbao continued, "The others were fine, but the gift from Consort Shu was the most eye-catching: a ruyi ivory fan and a large bowl of golden oranges."

Chu Nianci smiled slightly after hearing this.

Anyone with a discerning eye knows that the word for fan sounds like "scatter," and while oranges seem to symbolize many children, they also have a hidden meaning of "childlessness" in folk tradition.

"I heard that the Empress's face turned pale at the time, while the other concubines pretended to be stupid and kept praising her."

Being showered with favors is also a way of accumulating resentment.

"Consort Shu has known His Majesty since childhood and originally thought she would become the Empress, but the Empress beat her to it. How could she be happy about that?" Manbao added, "With Consort Shu's family background, even if she embarrassed the Empress to her face, the Empress would have to endure it—that's the confidence that comes with one's birth."

The head of the civil officials was ultimately more trusted by the emperor than the military generals who commanded the troops.

She dared to be so flamboyant precisely because civil officials had no military power, so no matter how much trouble she caused, it wouldn't offend the emperor.

Not to mention the concubines in the palace, even Chu Nianci sometimes couldn't help but envy Consort Shu for being able to rely on such a position.

But family background can only determine the first half of one's life; it cannot change one's destiny. She believed that in this palace, relying on family background could only provide temporary stability. If she truly wanted to forge a future, she would have to rely on her own scheming.

Manbao leaned closer, first glancing at her mistress's expression, before whispering, "Your Highness, Consort Bai was released today. I heard it was the Empress who pleaded with the Empress Dowager, saying that with only a month until New Year's Eve, it was unlucky to keep someone locked up. The Empress Dowager granted her request, and Consort Bai went to Kunning Palace early this morning to express her gratitude."

He curled his lip: "That one is the best at feigning innocence, constantly wiping away tears and crying out that she's wronged, desperately trying to curry favor with the Empress, completely ignoring everyone else. Many concubines were furious, but the Empress protected her openly and secretly, so no one dared to say a word."

Chu Nianci was somewhat surprised... she didn't expect it to be so fast.

She knew all along that with the Grand Commandant's power, Consort Bai would eventually emerge, but her eyes still darkened. The Grand Commandant's influence was undeniable; having a powerful family background made all the difference.

"Where is Consort Shu?" Chu Nianci asked. "With her temper, would she tolerate Consort Bai's arrogance in front of her?"

"It's strange, but Consort Shu only said a few sarcastic things to her face, and then nothing more."

Chu Nianci lowered her gaze slightly, already understanding seven or eight parts of the situation.

Tuanyuan, cheeks puffed out, asked in bewilderment, "Has Consort Shu changed her personality?"

"The sea is always unusually calm before a storm," Chu Nianci said calmly. "Be more vigilant these next few days. Let's not cause trouble, but let's not get dragged into it by anyone either."

Manbao bowed her head and responded, then said, "Your Highness, Consort Bai's maids have been secretly preparing clothing for the prayers these past two days."

Hooked.

A few days ago, she had Manbao go to the Fourth Treasury to spread the word.

It is said that His Majesty is slightly unwell and once dreamed of a red light flashing beside the Purple Star, indicating that a lucky person can resolve the misfortune. If anyone is willing to set up a clean place in Plum Valley to pray for blessings, or to perform a sacrificial dance and pray, they may receive the protection of Heaven and will be richly rewarded. They may even have the opportunity to serve in the Emperor's bedchamber.

Chu Nianci sneered inwardly.

Consort Bai, just you wait.

The anniversary of Empress Xiaoxian's death is approaching.

If you're content with your lot, fine. But if you really want to win favor... dance before burning paper money for the deceased, and you'd better be prepared to accept the "great favor."

The plan is actually simple; anyone with eyes can see through it.

Normally, Consort Bai might not have fallen for the trap, but now that she's even come up with such a foolish idea as having the Grand Commandant's Mansion put pressure on His Majesty, she's already blinded by the thought of serving him in bed.

At that moment, the beaded curtain at the door suddenly rustled, accompanied by a clear, laughing voice: "Sister Ci, the whole palace is in chaos, you really know how to find peace and quiet."

Chu Nianci laughed upon hearing this; upon recognizing the voice, she knew it was none other than Shen Lanbing.

She sent Tuanyuan to greet the guests.

The curtain was lifted, and a beautiful woman in palace attire walked in slowly, her face beaming with a warm smile.

Shen Lanbing wore a red fox fur-trimmed cloak, which Hongying, who was following behind her, helped her take off, revealing a sky-blue jacket and a dark pleated skirt underneath, which looked elegant and graceful.

Chu Nianci stood up with a smile.

According to their social standing, she should have gone out to greet them, but since they had known each other since childhood and their relationship was different, these formalities were waived.

"Bing'er, the snow on the road hasn't been cleared yet, why did you come in person?" She stepped forward and took Shen Lanbing's hand, which was icy cold to the touch. She quickly instructed Manbao to turn the charcoal brazier on higher.

"If I don't come, you won't come to see me either." Shen Lanbing gently tapped the tip of her nose.

"I just wanted some peace and quiet..."

"What do you mean by peace and quiet? You've clearly forgotten about me," Shen Lanbing said with a smile. "I've come to see you today, sister. If I've disturbed you, please don't blame me."

Chu Nianci took her arm and sat down with her. In just one glance, he noticed the faint dark circles under Shen Lanbing's eyes.

I fear that these past few days, the palace has been so desolate, and the longing for the emperor has only exacerbated her lovesickness.

Shen Lanbing possesses exceptional beauty and figure, making her stand out even in the harem filled with beauties.

Unfortunately, if they fail to attract the attention of the emperor, they will ultimately be buried in obscurity.

True sisters are rare in the imperial harem, but the bond between two people since childhood is always different.

Chu Nianci felt a pang of bitterness in her heart. Even someone as proud and aloof as her had to scheme and plot in this deep palace... But on the surface, she pretended not to know and her smile remained warm.

"I heard you live in Yuxiu Palace. I should have gone to see you sooner. I feel bad that you had to make the trip yourself."

"It's me who's bothering you, sister," Shen Lanbing said softly.

Tuanyuan served hot tea, bowed his head, and stepped aside. Manbao cleverly retreated to the doorway and stood guard.

Chu Nianci looked at her, a knowing smile in his eyes.

"Sister, is there something you need today?" she asked, feigning ignorance.

"A-Ci is getting better and better at teasing people these days," Shen Lanbing said reproachfully, but her expression was somewhat evasive. "Can't I just come to see you for no reason?"

Even so, a hint of sadness still inadvertently flashed across her eyes.

With so many women in the harem, if we don't find a way, we might not even get to see the emperor.

Now that the Empress and Consort Shu are blocking my way, the only person I can ask for attention is my former close friend.

The thought of having to resort to such despicable means made her blush without her realizing it.

Chu Nianci waited for her to continue, but after a long while he didn't speak, he stared intently at her.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Shen Lanbing felt embarrassed by her gaze.

"Look at the beauty," Chu Nianci said with a grin.

Shen Lanbing blushed and turned her back to him reproachfully.

"Hey, stop pretending. Is there anything we can't talk about?" Chu Nianci pointed at her hand. "If you don't tell me, there's nothing I can do to help you."

Helpless, Shen Lanbing turned to look at her. Although she still had a stern face, her clear and beautiful eyes were full of shyness.

A moment later, Shen Lanbing placed an exquisite sachet with a love knot in her hand.

"Aci, if it's convenient, could you please deliver this to His Majesty for me..." Her voice was so soft that only she could hear it.

"What? Say it again." Chu Nianci pretended not to hear clearly and blinked at her.

"It's... a gift for His Majesty." Shen Lanbing's ears turned bright red.

Chu Nianci tilted her head, looking completely innocent: "Ah, what should I give you?"

Shen Lanbing stood up shyly to leave, but Chu Nianci quickly grabbed her and whispered in her ear, "Since you have such a heart, why not give it to His Majesty yourself?"

Shen Lanbing paused, a look of melancholy spreading across her eyes: "Her Majesty the Empress is truly virtuous, able to stay by His Majesty's side every day... while I can hardly even see her once."

After she finished speaking, a hint of melancholy silently welled up in her eyes.

Chu Nianci remained silent and took the document to examine it closely.

It was a double-sided Suzhou embroidered sachet with a love knot design. The dragon embroidered with gold thread was so lifelike that even the dragon's eyes were made of more than a dozen kinds of silk threads, making it so vivid that it seemed as if it could really look over.

The spices used inside were insect repellents such as lavender, jasmine, mint, and bougainvillea from Jiangnan, and there were no ingredients that Duanmu Qingyu could avoid. However, bougainvillea can cause allergies in many people. Remembering that His Majesty had an allergic reaction to seafood a few days ago, she picked out the bougainvillea petals one by one.

The embroidery alone would take countless days and nights, not to mention the precious beads.

It seems that she began preparing stitch by stitch from the day she met Duanmu Qingyu.

"Bing'er," Chu Nianci sighed softly, "why use this double-sided embroidery... His Majesty can't see inside anyway, why go to such great lengths?"

"It's his problem if he can't see," Shen Lanbing said, her cheeks still flushed, but her tone was gentle yet firm. "I've done my best, and that's enough."

Chu Nianci's heart stirred slightly, and she gently held the sachet in her hand: "I understand. I will find a way to deliver it to His Majesty and convey my sister's affection."

She was truly in love, which is why she was so devoted and unconditionally loving, regardless of the outcome.

Chu Nianci sighed inwardly... Having experienced so much in her past life, she could no longer give her heart so unreservedly.

But how could such a deep-thinking and unpredictable emperor cherish Shen Lanbing's deep affection?

The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed them back.

A person who is deeply in love cannot be persuaded to change their mind.

Shen Lanbing is usually a clear-headed and rational person, so why is she so obsessed with love?

Perhaps the most difficult thing to understand in this world is the word "love".

Chu Nianci originally only wanted to test how much effort she had put in, but he never expected it to be so profound.

Seeing her lower her eyes and remain silent, Shen Lanbing spoke softly, "Sister... do you think I'm stupid? I know, but I can't control it."

Chu Nianci raised her eyes, suppressing the helplessness in her heart, and put on a friendly smile: "Bing'er came to see me today, so that's why? With His Majesty around, you've thrown sisterly affection to the winds?"

"Look at what you're saying," Shen Lanbing blushed again, reaching out to gently poke her forehead, "How could I forget my sister? Hongying, quickly bring me the gift I prepared for my sister."

Hongying's eyes were already red when she saw her former mistress. She smiled and bowed, saying, "I've wanted to see you for a long time, but there are too many rules in the palace, so it's always inconvenient. My uncle asked me to pass on a message to you that everything is fine at home, and your medicine has been sent to Jiangnan. You can rest assured."

Chu Nianci smiled and nodded.

Hongying then presented a brocade box containing a pair of jade pendants of excellent quality, lustrous and translucent, clearly of considerable value.

A hint of helplessness flashed across Chu Nianci's eyes... She couldn't accept something so valuable.

"My sister is biased," she said deliberately, putting on a stern face. "She gave His Majesty such an exquisite sachet, but gave me such a vulgar thing."

Shen Lanbing panicked: "I... I only prepared this... Whatever you want, sister, I will definitely go and find it."

"I want the one my sister is wearing." Chu Nianci pointed to the old sachet at her waist, which was made of ordinary materials but had exquisite embroidery.

Shen Lanbing was slightly taken aback, then untied it and handed it to her, her eyes softening: "This... I used to embroider it for fun."

Chu Nianci took it, sniffed it, and found that everything was the same except for the rare bougainvillea.

But then she deliberately frowned: "But I'm not familiar with His Majesty. How can I give him something without any reason?"

"Who told you to deliver it in person?" Shen Lanbing leaned closer, her voice soft. "Deliver it discreetly. If he asks, just mention it... If he doesn't ask, take it back."

As she spoke the second half of the sentence, her voice lowered, and the tips of her ears turned blush.

Seeing her embarrassed and annoyed expression, Chu Nianci couldn't bear to tease her any longer and thought about setting a trap for herself.

How could one not personally reap the rewards?

Then Zhan Yan smiled and said, "Alright, enough joking. The weather is nice today, let's not stay cooped up inside, how about we go to Meiwu to play Cuju? His Majesty is at the Cuju field today, I'll take my sister to see him and ease her longing."

Shen Lanbing's eyes lit up, but then she looked shy and embarrassed, which was temporarily masked by a smile.

Before leaving, Chu Nianci changed into a purple-blue fur cloak, while Tuanyuan wore the blue-green dress of a third-class palace maid.

Upon hearing this, Chu Nianci nodded and led the group out of the hall, heading straight for the polo field.

After the snowfall, the eaves of the palace were covered with a blanket of white snow, but the palace paths had been swept clean.

The two, accompanied by their maids, soon arrived at Taiye Pond behind the Imperial Garden, where the polo field was nearby.

A cheer could be heard from afar.

The polo field is located on the west side of the palace wall. It was originally an exquisite royal palace built during the reign of the previous emperor, but it was mostly destroyed during the wars. Now, the dynasty has only been established for twenty years, and the people are still struggling. No one has repaired it, so it has been converted into a polo field.

Meiwu and Taiye Pond are not far away.

Chu Nianci pulled Shen Lanbing along and looked in the direction of the sound...

Several people were chasing after a leather ball in the middle of the field.

One of them, dressed in a black robe with arrow-sleeved sleeves, was tall, agile, and handsome—it was none other than Emperor Duanmu Qingyu…