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Concubine Xu came to Hehuan Hall to complain, always cursing noisily, for she knew Xiao Jinyan was busy and would hardly appear in Hehuan Hall during the day.

Who would have thought she would see Xiao Jinyan during broad daylight?

The few shouts she had just made were all heard by Xiao Jinyan.

If she wasn’t embarrassed, who would be?

For a moment, the atmosphere inside the room was excruciatingly awkward.

Concubine Xu

Concubine Xu and Tao Chenghui snapped out of it and stepped forward in unison, bowing to Xiao Jinyan with impeccably coordinated movements.

"Your Highness, I wish you peace and safety."

Xiao Jinyan: "Rise."

Concubine Xu and Tao Chenghui straightened their bodies, standing awkwardly in place.

Concubine Xu couldn’t resist complaining. Why would Xiao Jinyan linger here with Shen Chuwei during the day instead of attending to his official duties?

She had made a fool of herself.

No, that’s not right. Tao Chenghui had mentioned that Xiao Jinyan was with Shen Chuwei, which meant she was favored, and that was a good thing.

But for him to linger here during the day—it severely hampered my performance!

In the end, she couldn’t help but cry out, Xiao Jinyan, you should be busy! We need to discuss urgent matters!

Xiao Jinyan: "..."

Even Tao Chenghui couldn’t resist throwing in a complaint at this point, saying, Your Highness, it’s also not right to be in Hehuan Hall during the day without Liu Xi keeping guard. What if someone sees something inappropriate for children? How embarrassing would that be?

Xiao Jinyan: "..."

Shen Chuwei and Concubine Xu locked eyes, trying to communicate with their gazes about how to defuse the current awkward situation.

Shen Chuwei blinked her attractive big eyes a couple of times, withdrawing her gaze to continue fastening Xiao Jinyan’s waistband. When she saw the hanging ornament on the waistband, she paused for a second. The pink sachet matched with the moon-white garment was quite appealing.

After securing the waistband, Shen Chuwei reminded him, "Your Highness, are you off to the Imperial Study Room now?"

Xiao Jinyan spoke softly, "I’ll go in a bit."

Shen Chuwei turned her head to glance at Concubine Xu and Tao Chenghui, I must persist!

Shen Chuwei smoothed out Xiao Jinyan’s robe, which couldn’t have been straighter, and again cautioned, "The Emperor isn’t in a hurry, right?"

Xiao Jinyan scanned Concubine Xu standing by the side and looked down at Shen Chuwei, his gaze penetrating her thoughts.

"I can’t keep the Emperor waiting too long."

Shen Chuwei flicked a non-existent speck of dust from Xiao Jinyan’s sleeve, her eyes curving with a smile, "Then, Your Highness, go early and return early."

Just as the three were about to bid farewell to Xiao Jinyan as he left, he spoke again, "The Emperor has summoned me to the Imperial Study Room at the third quarter of the Wei hour."

All three were taken aback; upon checking the time, it seemed like it was still one quarter to the Wei hour.

Xiao Jinyan sat on the couch, leisurely savoring the hot tea offered by Chun Xi.

Shen Chuwei, Concubine Xu, and Tao Chenghui stood side by side, their gazes fixed on Xiao Jinyan, who was sipping his tea, each of them clutching a small handkerchief in their palms.

Xiao Jinyan took a sip of tea, "Concubine Xu."

The named Concubine Xu, feeling guilty, jumped in fright. It’s over, it’s over, Xiao Jinyan is going to punish me again—

Please, not something like kneeling in the Buddha Hall or copying the Diamond Sutra...

Could it be confinement?

If it’s confinement, wouldn’t that mean I can’t see Shen Chuwei?

Won’t that be the death of me?

No, please!!!

Xiao Jinyan paused his tea-drinking, noting that Concubine Xu was quite aware of her situation.

Concubine Xu took an apprehensive step forward: "Your concubine is present."

Xiao Jinyan languidly said, "You have served as a concubine for some time now."

Clutching the handkerchief in her palm, Concubine Xu inwardly wailed once more. Could it be, this soon, I’m going to be demoted or dismissed?

Doesn’t that equate to being one rank lower than Xueyan?

Not to mention when greeting, I would have to be somewhat cautious when disputing with others.

Xiao Jinyan: "..." He suddenly understood why Concubine Xu had a good relationship with Shen Chuwei, frequently seen in each other’s company—it was because both of them had quite the imagination.

Concubine Xu, with utmost care, replied, "Your Highness, this concubine has not held this position for long." She hadn’t even warmed her seat yet.

Shen Chuwei did understand Concubine Xu quite well, fearing that Xiao Jinyan might demote her in rank.

She looked up at Xiao Jinyan, wondering why he was bringing up this subject.

Xiao Jinyan continued, "This palace has been busy lately, and I will leave the minor affairs of the East Palace in your hands for now."

Shen Chuwei let out a sigh of relief. She had thought that Xiao Jinyan wouldn’t demote Concubine Xu over this matter.

Concubine Xu was stunned on the spot, beginning to doubt her own ears. Was Xiao Jinyan actually asking her to manage the trivial matters of the East Palace?

Wasn’t he going to punish her?

Xiao Jinyan glanced at Concubine Xu with a faint look, her face filled with surprise and disbelief.

Seeing no response from Concubine Xu, Shen Chuwei reached out and nudged her, reminding Concubine Xu to snap back to reality.

Jolted by Shen Chuwei’s nudge, Concubine Xu came to her senses, joyfully bowed, "This concubine obeys the command."

Xiao Jinyan then indifferently said, "Tao Chenghui has been in the East Palace for a year now, be promoted to Lady."

Tao Chenghui was also stunned. It had been a year since she entered the East Palace, and she could count on one hand the number of times she had seen His Highness alone.

As a merchant’s daughter, she had secured her place here solely through her silver.

Suddenly being promoted two ranks felt like being unexpectedly struck by a grand prize.

Seeing Tao Chenghui in a daze, Shen Chuwei reached out and prodded her, trying to pull her back to her senses.

Tao Chenghui, coming back to reality, stepped forward and happily bowed, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Having addressed the official matters, Xiao Jinyan put down the teacup in his hand and looked towards Shen Chuwei, "I am now going to the Imperial Study Room."

Shen Chuwei took two steps forward to see Xiao Jinyan off, waving goodbye, "Your Highness, take care."

She was then pulled by Concubine Xu into the inner room.

Concubine Xu could hardly contain her excitement, "Now, I will handle all of the day-to-day affairs of the East Palace."

Tao Chenghui’s face showed great delight, "I was unexpectedly promoted by two ranks, and from now on, I will be of the same rank as the regular Ladies."

Shen Chuwei offered her congratulations, "Congratulations, congratulations."

Then she turned to Tao Chenghui to offer her well wishes, "Congratulations, congratulations."

After their burst of excitement, Concubine Xu brought up the serious matter.

"Lady Shen, you must also know about that shameless one entering the East Palace, right?"

Shen Chuwei nodded.

Tao Chenghui said, "But luckily, she is not entering the East Palace as the Crown Princess. Since she isn’t the principal wife, you don’t have to worry."

Concubine Xu said, "How can you not worry? Xueyan is a princess, and the fact that she is willing to take a step back and accept the status of a concubine to enter the East Palace shows she is very fond of His Highness. And with His Highness doting on Lady Shen, it’s not the actual thousand one must fear, but the possibility of one in a thousand. It’s better to be cautious."

Shen Chuwei looked at the worried expression of Concubine Xu, her demeanor as if Xueyan was coming to steal her beloved.

She suddenly recalled Concubine Xu’s loud wailing upon arrival, decrying the shameless one for trying to steal her man.

Concubine Xu’s definition had now become — Xiao Jinyan was hers ~

Although Xueyan did not enter the East Palace as the Crown Princess, her status as a princess still ensured that the Emperor provided her with grand preparations.

However, no matter how grand the preparations, in the eyes of Xueyan, they all lacked the procedures befitting a principal wife’s marriage.

On the eighth day of the month, selected for its auspiciousness, everything had been arranged by the Ministry of Rites.

Princess Xueyan, dressed in her splendid ceremonial attire, entered Qimeng Hall in the East Palace.

Inside the hall, lights blazed brightly.

On the square table, two red candles burned vigorously.

Under the wedding canopy of the bed, Xueyan wore a red bridal gown, a shade lighter than bright red, complex and luxurious, adorned with a hundred Blue Sea Pearls.