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

Chu Nianci brought Tuanyuan to Yukun Palace.

Upon entering, I saw Manbao and another eunuch, Fugui, standing as punishment in the corner...

The two men had basins of water on their heads, and their belts had been pulled off.

In this freezing weather, if you touch the basin, your pants will fall down, and if you shake your head, you'll get soaked in water.

So the two of them could only stretch their necks and remain motionless.

Only Consort Shu would come up with such a vicious way to punish someone.

Chu Nianci's lips twitched as she read this, feeling both annoyed and amused.

I warned Manbao long ago not to gamble at the Four Treasurys, but this kid dared not listen.

"Serves you right," she muttered under her breath.

Manbao's eyes darted around, her face full of grievance, but because she was carrying a basin of water on her head, she dared not move much, only mumbling, "My lady... save this servant..."

A young palace maid saw that Chu Nianci had arrived, went in to announce her arrival, and returned to say that Consort Shu was taking a nap and asked her to wait in the corridor.

The weather was a bit gloomy, and the corridor faced northwest, so the northwest wind lashed at my face in gusts, like tiny knives.

Consort Shu is using a combination of harsh measures and sweet rewards to deal with me.

Chu Nianci pulled his fur cloak tighter around himself.

She hugged the hand warmer tightly, not in a hurry, and stood quietly.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, we saw the officials from the Imperial Hat Office and the Imperial Workshops leaving the main hall.

After the Empress was placed under house arrest, Consort Shu took power and was busy preparing for the New Year's Eve banquet.

Immediately afterwards, the people from the Water Conservancy Bureau also came out.

Consort Shu was always particular, even insisting that the water she drank had to come from Yuquan Mountain, which was a hundred miles away. Every day, the cost of transporting water alone was over a hundred taels of silver, which shows how extravagant she was.

This banquet must be even more extravagant.

Just then, Li De'an led two eunuchs carrying trays toward them.

Upon seeing Chu Nianci, he stopped and asked with a smile, "Why is Your Highness standing in this windy spot?"

Chu Nianci respectfully replied, "The Consort Shu has not yet awakened; I will wait here."

Li De'an understood...

This is being left here to set the rules.

Considering that Chu Nianci came from the Hall of Mental Cultivation and was favored by the Emperor, he took the opportunity to raise his voice and say, "I see. Then I will not deliver these snacks for now, but will come back later."

Before the words were finished, the curtain clicked.

The head palace maid, Lü Qiao, who served Consort Shu, came out with a smile: "Her Highness has woken up. Please, Madam and Eunuch Li, come in."

In truth, Consort Shu was never asleep; she was merely giving Chu Nianci a hard time.

Unexpectedly, Li De'an came to return the gift, and he quickly asked Lü Qiao to come out and greet him.

Green-curled lowered her eyes and turned to the side, first inviting the chief attendant into the hall.

The plan failed.

A hint of displeasure flashed in her eyes, but she had no choice. She had Lü Qiao accept His Majesty's return gift and then ordered someone to see Li Dapang out.

Only then did they allow Chu Nianci to enter.

Chu Nianci stepped into the hall and was greeted by a magnificent scene.

The room is filled with carved and inlaid sandalwood furniture, and a tall purple jade incense burner in the center emits wisps of smoke, exuding luxury and nobility.

Consort Shu did not sit in the main seat, but instead wore a silver-red fur-lined jacket and leaned against a soft couch embroidered with Shu brocade by the window.

The soft afternoon sunlight streamed through the mother-of-pearl-inlaid window, making her skin appear even whiter and more radiant than a blooming peony. Her sharp gaze and overall air of unapproachable wealth and nobility were captivating.

Consort Shu was squinting as she gently massaged her cheeks with a jade wheel.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to Consort Shu," Chu Nianci said, bowing respectfully. "The other day, Your Majesty bestowed upon me a piece of red coral, which was far too precious. I have come here to express my gratitude."

Consort Shu glanced sideways, her gaze landing on Chu Nianci's bright face, filled with arrogance and jealousy.

She knew in her heart that the most important thing right now was to deal with the Empress and support capable people.

But when she thought about how the emperor's favor towards Chu Nianci was about to surpass her own, she realized that he was very close to winning the emperor's favor.

That jealousy was impossible to suppress.

Especially when she looked at that face that was even more beautiful and charming than her own, Consort Shu felt increasingly unhappy.

Her tone was icy: "You allow palace servants to gamble while you busy yourself currying favor; do you know your crime?"

Chu Nianci hurriedly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I was busy helping Consort Lan recover her health and was indeed negligent. Please punish me."

Helping Consort Lan with her health was the Emperor's decree, so it's understandable that there was some oversight.

Consort Shu changed the subject: "Hmph, you've been promoted to the rank of Lady!"

"Your favor with the Emperor is almost catching up with mine."

"If this continues, won't they soon be stepping on my head?"

Green Qiao, who was standing to the side, sighed inwardly, but she knew she couldn't persuade her mistress.

Consort Shu became increasingly angry as she spoke.

"The New Year's Eve banquet is approaching, and each palace must prepare some gifts to ensure His Majesty and the Empress Dowager enjoy themselves. Consort Jia is skilled at playing the zither, and Noble Lady Yue is skilled at playing the flute. I saw you playing polo quite well..."

She gestured to Lü Qiao, "Go and fetch the leather ball, then kick it for me to see."

Green Qiao turned around and presented a painted leather ball.

This is clearly a deliberate act of humiliation.

Performing for the emperor was a way to curry favor.

Performing in front of imperial concubines would make one resemble a street performer.

Chu Nianci had anticipated that Consort Shu would make things difficult for her, so she remained calm and simply lowered her head.

"Your Majesty, I do know how to kick a few times," she said calmly, "but that's on the polo field. If I were to accidentally kick something and break it among all these precious jade artifacts in the palace, wouldn't that be a waste of Your Majesty's beloved possessions?"

Consort Shu raised her eyebrows: "You can't do it in the palace, go outside and kick it."

"Your Majesty, in the dead of winter, you made me kick in the snow. I don't mind, but if word gets out, people will say it's a punishment for me, which will damage Your Majesty's reputation," Chu Nianci said in a voice that was neither humble nor arrogant. "His Majesty often praises Your Majesty's benevolence. If I were punished for my mistake, what would His Majesty think if he found out?"

Consort Shu frowned slightly.

"Your Majesty," Chu Nianci said, "His Majesty has only visited me these past few days because Consort Lan is still recovering from her serious injuries. How can that compare to Your Majesty's favor?"

It seemed that what she said made sense, and Consort Shu felt a little better.

Seeing this, Lü Qiao hurriedly stepped forward to persuade her, "Your Highness, that's true. Consort Hui is actually quite dutiful; she's sent people to inquire about your well-being these past few days."

Consort Shu's expression softened slightly, but she still waved her hand with a stern face: "Get up."

Chu Nianci quickly said, "Your Majesty, speaking of gifts, I have acquired a few rare items, which I have come to present to Your Majesty."

As she spoke, she mysteriously pulled several books out of her sleeve.

His eyes darted away, and he spoke haltingly.

"But... this thing... I don't know if I can show it to Your Majesty... If it's discovered, I don't know if I'll be punished."

"What exactly is it?" Seeing her like this, Consort Shu became even more curious.

Chu Nianci then took out "Beating the Heartless Lover" and "The Secret History of Emperor Ming".

Tuanyuan, who was standing to the side, was stunned.

Isn't this the storybook that my great-uncle brought over a few days ago?

What's so special about it?

Consort Shu took the book and was immediately captivated after flipping through just a few pages.

Soon, her eyes reddened slightly, and her cheeks flushed.

"Your Majesty...please don't say that I gave you this book," Chu Nianci whispered.

Consort Shu was captivated by the very first sentence.

In heaven, we wish to be birds flying wing to wing; on earth, we wish to be trees with intertwined branches...

She was raised in a prestigious family and was proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but this was the first time she had ever read a popular folk tale.

The plot in "The Secret History of Emperor Ming" felt as if it were about himself and the emperor.

Seeing her lost in thought, she looked as if she were about to cry.

Chu Nianci sighed inwardly.

She never intended to do that.

But if it weren't for Consort Shu's relentless pressure, she would never have wanted to do this.

In the Forbidden City, the most taboo thing is to be overly kind and to sympathize with others indiscriminately.

She had no choice but to resort to any means necessary to deal with this person who was always trying to get herself into a mess.

Otherwise, she would become the outlet for her anger.

As time went on, she no longer had a place in the palace.

"Your Majesty, as I read this book, it's as if I'm witnessing the love between you and His Majesty. 'In heaven, we wish to be birds flying wing to wing; on earth, we wish to be trees with intertwined branches.' Isn't this just a description of you and His Majesty..."

Consort Shu nodded repeatedly, her hands holding the book trembling slightly.

Her eyes were already red.

Chu Nianci looked somewhat uneasy and pleaded, "I'm afraid Her Majesty the Empress can no longer tolerate me... Whenever I think of this, I feel truly terrified, as if I were a lone bird without a branch, with nothing to rely on."

Her voice trailed off, revealing helplessness: "If Your Highness does not abandon me, I am willing to follow you."

Consort Shu was already impatient.

She called him over today.

It also implies a recruitment effort.

Seeing how radiant she was, I was momentarily blinded by the acid stove.

Knowing that Chu Nianci had a past grudge against the Empress, the Empress had repeatedly tried to get rid of him.

Consort Qiao was originally the Empress's person. The fact that Chu Nianci was able to escape that scheme shows that she has the means to do so.

Clever and resourceful, yet lacking any family background to rely on, and having thoroughly offended the Empress...

No one is more suitable to be the knife in her hand than Chu Nianci.

Consort Shu waved her hand impatiently, her tone arrogant: "Alright."

"I know your loyalty. If the Empress ever wrongs you again, just come to Yukun Palace. I will stand up for you. Luqiao, go and get the Hetian jade bracelet to reward her."

Now that they've established their authority, they should at least offer some benefits.

Consort Shu believed that the way to manage subordinates was nothing more than a combination of hard work and sweet talk, something she was already very familiar with.

Chu Nianci looked at the jade bracelet that Lü Qiao handed over, which resembled a pool of water.

...A few books were exchanged for this priceless treasure.

This business is incredibly profitable.

Therefore, she expressed her sincere gratitude: "With Your Majesty's protection, I feel at ease."

"Alright, I'm tired too. You may all leave now."

"Your Majesty, I take my leave. As for my useless servants..."

"Take it away." Consort Shu picked up the storybook again and turned away without looking up.

Chu Nianci bowed and withdrew, a faint smile playing on her lips as she turned away.

After coming out, looking at Manbao and Fugui...

Her palace also needs a thorough overhaul...

They led Manbao out of Yukun Palace, turned a corner, and walked to a secluded spot.

He knelt down with a thud, grabbing at Chu Nianci: "My lady, please save my brother! They...they're going to give my brother to Eunuch Wei as his godson..."

Chu Nianci ignored him; she couldn't interfere in matters of deception and cover-ups among servants.

"My lady," Manbao whispered in her ear, "Consort Yue often curses you in private. My brother works in the Imperial Workshop and discovered that Consort Yue had someone make yin-yang bottles. I suspect she intends to harm you."

"My lord, only by rescuing my brother can we find out what really happened."