Chapter 103: Not Concerned About This

A faint smile appeared on Gu Shengyu’s face as he spoke gently, “Third Brother.”

He continued, “I wanted to see you yesterday, but thought you had just entered the palace and would surely need rest, so I came today instead. We’ve met before, though at that time I didn’t know your identity. Now that I think of it, it seems fate brought us together—we saw each other before you even entered the palace.”

Xiao Yan’s voice was calm, his eyes dark and profound, like a deep, quiet pool. “Yes.”

Gu Shengyu’s gaze swept over him. “You probably don’t remember, but as a child you were always attached to me, following me wherever I went. I’ve always regretted not watching over you more closely then. If I had, perhaps you wouldn’t have been lost and spent so many years away before returning.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yan’s brows furrowed slightly. “May I ask, what happened at that time?”

Gu Shengyu sighed. “I was young myself, and my memories are scattered. I only recall it was summer. I went with our royal sister and several consorts to the summer palace. You were very young then, and our father was worried, but you insisted on coming with me. On our way back, we encountered assassins, and you disappeared.”

He shook his head, looking truly remorseful. “Since then, I’ve felt guilty. If I had kept you by my side, none of this would have happened. But at least you returned safe and sound.”

“You must have suffered greatly. Our father will surely...” A sharp flash passed through his eyes, “make it up to you properly.”

Xiao Yan lowered his gaze, musing, “So that’s what happened.”

He had no memory of those events, and Gu Shengyu’s account was brief, but he sensed that things were not so simple.

“Brother, you needn’t be so remorseful,” he said softly. “During all those years outside, I did not suffer.”

Gu Shengyu smiled, “That’s true. You worked in the County Princess’s residence, and she is gentle and dignified—surely she treated you well. The world is full of unexpected twists. When she weds into the palace, your relationship should be quite harmonious.”

Xiao Yan’s eyes suddenly darkened. He lowered his eyelids and smiled faintly. “You are right, Brother.”

“Father must have much to say to you today. Hurry to the Imperial Study; I won’t keep you,” Gu Shengyu said. “Yesterday was the County Princess’s birthday. I was busy and couldn’t congratulate her in person. Today, with nothing pressing, I’ll go visit her.”

Xiao Yan’s hand tightened unconsciously, but his expression remained unchanged. “Then I wish you and Sister-in-law a lifetime of happiness together.”

Gu Shengyu laughed, nodded slightly in response, and then turned to leave.

As soon as he was gone, Xiao Yan’s brows and eyes grew cold and heavy, as if a storm were about to break. Liu Zi’an bowed low, “Your Highness, please go to the Imperial Study. His Majesty is still waiting for you.”

He restrained his expression. “Yes.”

Having just returned to the palace with so many matters to attend to, he could not go to see Shen Nanyuan yet. He would have to wait a few days.

Yet seeing Gu Shengyu heading to the Duke of Zhen’s residence, anger surged through him, making him want to go to her immediately—but he could not. He had to wait, to be patient.

His eyes lowered, his hands clenched tightly, his knuckles turning pale with restraint.

—

“Yuanyuan, in a few days,” Meng Chuyue said, observing her expression, “it’ll be the Kite Festival in the capital. Shall we go out together then?”

Last year’s Kite Festival had already ended before Shen Nanyuan arrived, but she had heard Shen Jinyu mention it and felt some interest, so she nodded. “Alright.”

She paused. “You’ve been busy managing the household lately, haven’t you? How is everything—going smoothly?”

“Quite smoothly,” Meng Chuyue replied, though she frowned, “but there are still people who look down on me because I’m a concubine’s daughter. They speak behind my back, but it always reaches my ears.”

She sighed. “They’re all people who used to serve under my mother. It’s understandable they don’t obey me now.”

The actions of the prime minister’s wife had spread throughout the capital, earning endless disdain. She herself knew she had no face left to remain as mistress, so she requested a divorce and returned to her family.

Before leaving, her only wish was for the prime minister to treat her daughter well.

The legitimate daughter of the Meng family had recovered somewhat, but as she was still part of the Meng family, her mother could not take her away. Thus, it was a bitter consequence.

Now, the highest status in the prime minister’s residence belonged to Meng Chuyue, the daughter of a concubine. Those who resented her dared only to whisper in secret. She smiled, “I don’t mind.”

She had grown up enduring slander because of her birth. She was long accustomed to it.

“My elder sister hates me deeply. Everything I have should have been hers. She wants to take it back, but lacks the strength.”

She had gained everything she wanted, so she treated her sister just as the mistress had. Nothing had changed.

It was only that the legitimate daughter couldn’t come to terms with it and resented Meng Chuyue all the more.

She wanted to reclaim what was lost, but her frail health left her powerless.

Shen Nanyuan nodded slightly.

In fact, compared to the original story, the endings for the Meng family’s legitimate daughter and mistress were much improved here.

In the novel, after all the mistress’s deeds were exposed, she died in prison in shame and rage. The legitimate daughter, upon hearing the news, was overwhelmed by grief and her illness worsened, eventually dying of heartbreak.

Though those events came later in the book, everything had changed, so their endings had changed as well.

Meng Chuyue, though a concubine’s daughter, managed the prime minister’s residence with remarkable skill, making her the ideal candidate for empress. Yet now, even Shen Nanyuan could not foresee what would happen next.

She had believed herself to hold the script, to know all the plot’s twists, but it turned out the script was a false one.

Just then, Shen Sinian entered from outside the Spring Courtyard. He had heard from the servants that Meng Chuyue was visiting the Duke of Zhen’s residence, so seeing her was no surprise. After a brief nod, he said, “I entered the palace today.”

Xiao Yan had been found by the prime minister, so Meng Chuyue surely knew everything. He did not avoid her, and continued, “I heard Xiao Yan is now called Gu Shengyan and has been granted the Jinghua Palace.”

None of this had changed; Shen Nanyuan knew it well.

Shen Sinian went on, “But Xiao Yan has just entered the palace. I wonder if he can handle the affairs within.”

His tone sounded genuinely concerned.

Shen Nanyuan couldn’t help but remark, “Brother, you seem quite worried about Xiao Yan.”