NOVPUBConsort Li anxiously patted her on the shoulder. “Yunqing, don’t talk nonsense!”
Shen Roujia, upon hearing this, suddenly opened her eyes, her gaze cold as she tightly pressed her lips together.
Gu Yunqing, however, fearlessly shouted, “Cousin, what are you afraid of? There are no outsiders here.”
As she spoke, Gu Yunqing suddenly whispered, “Cousin, look over there. Isn’t that Nanny from Consort Shu’s side?”
Consort Li’s voice faltered slightly. “Yes.”
Gu Yunqing, with a mix of malice and excitement, said, “Cousin, your chance has come. Why is that nanny secretly bringing an outsider into the side hall?”
Consort Li looked a bit flustered. “Oh dear, Yunqing, it’s better if you don’t get involved in palace matters. Let’s go back to the banquet.”
Gu Yunqing, however, thought her cousin was being too timid.
“Cousin, you’re currently favored by the Emperor. No matter how influential Consort Shu is, if you have something against her, aren’t you securing your future and your child’s protection?”
Consort Li seemed to hesitate.
But Shen Roujia couldn’t bear it anymore. This Gu Yunqing was definitely not a good ally.
Aren’t you pushing your cousin into the spotlight?
She was truly an ordinary troublemaker.
Although she hadn’t met Consort Li, judging from her tone, she seemed to be a non-confrontational person.
Thinking of this, Shen Roujia restlessly shifted her position, even considering leaving this place quickly.
Listening to such brainless talk was truly exasperating.
Did they really think the inner palace was like their little courtyard?
Any minor schemes dared to be used recklessly.
No wonder Gu Yunqing couldn’t outwit Gu Zhi, with such petty behavior, she couldn’t even be presentable.
As expected, Gu Yunqing did not disappoint. She directly led Consort Li towards a certain direction.
Shen Roujia lost interest. She glanced lightly at a hidden path in the forest, then turned and left with a small smile, taking Xiao Fu with her.
Xiao Fu kept her head down, not daring to say or ask anything, afraid of causing any trouble for Shen Roujia.
Xu Zening was surprised to see Shen Roujia returning so soon.
As soon as Shen Roujia sat down, she teased Xu Zening, “I think there’s been a thief in the palace.”
Xu Zening frowned slightly. “What did you see on your way out?”
Shen Roujia smiled mysteriously, without explaining.
It wasn’t until Consort Jia appeared with her chubby son that the crowd gradually became serious.
Even though the Emperor had punished her in other ways, everyone tacitly acknowledged that Consort Shu’s child had died because of her.
Since then, Consort Jia had indeed become more cautious and restrained. At this moment, she even appeared a bit pitiful.
The Emperor noticed that Consort Jia had become much thinner. Seeing her face, which resembled the late Empress, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy.
“Bring Seventeenth here so I can have a good look.”
This Seventeenth Prince, named An, resembled Consort Jia more and had a delicate appearance.
But because he was chubby and quiet, he earned a lot of the Emperor’s favor.
Shen Roujia’s eyes held a hint of mockery. After all, she was a legitimate bedmate and had given birth to a big, chubby boy. From the Emperor’s perspective, the living are always more precious than the dead.
One day, Consort Jia, relying on her family’s power, would stand by the Emperor’s side again.
Those who were sacrificed were always the lesser folks.
Though Shen Roujia thought this, her expression remained indifferent. She casually chatted with Xu Zening.
“These fruits are so sour.”
