Chapter 9: Gradually Drifting Apart

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Gu Tan’s restoration to favor was entirely expected by Zuo Li. She had been married into the family for a full ten years, and during that time, no matter who gained favor, none surpassed Gu Tan.

Of course, this excluded the woman Li Qian secretly cherished.

Sometimes Zuo Li wondered at the cruel twists of fate: the woman Li Qian loved most was gone, and she herself had once been happy, perhaps even able to win some of Li Qian’s love. But then Gu Tan entered the Eastern Palace.

And the favor she received was enduring and unwavering.

Zuo Li’s thoughts darkened with doubt. If the woman Li Qian treasured were still alive, and Gu Tan was there too, who could possibly contend with whom?

Yet these were only idle musings.

When they first married, Li Qian could not be said to love her deeply, but there was a measure of warmth. How did things drift so far apart as time passed?

She could not explain.

In her heart, a faint suspicion lingered: was it because she could not bear children?

The thought brought her pain, and strengthened her resolve to support whichever concubine might conceive in the future, so that if she bore a child, the baby could be kept close.

Perhaps Li Qian would not then overlook her so completely.

These thoughts she kept hidden, though everyone’s hopes varied. If Shen Quanyi knew, she would surely say, “A man who does not love you simply does not, no matter how many children you bear. For his heart does not hold you at all.”

Zuo Li had lost count of how long it had been since Li Qian last came to rest in Huai’an Courtyard. Today, she sent for him, hoping to share an evening meal, but only received word that he did not know when he would return.

Disheartened yet stubborn, she insisted on waiting.

But sitting there, she eventually dozed off, only to be roused abruptly by noises outside. Furrowing her brow, she had just been nodding off at the table when she heard Yulan’s voice. Squinting, she sat up as Li Qian entered.

Her heart lifted with joy, and she quickly rose to greet him. Zhang Desheng, understanding the mood, quietly withdrew as Zuo Li personally assisted Li Qian in removing his cloak.

Li Qian stood still, tall enough that when he looked down, he saw Zuo Li’s focused hands undressing him. His gaze flickered to her bare hair, devoid of pins or rings, dressed entirely in plain colors. When had she abandoned her hair ornaments?

Zhang Desheng had already reported, but Li Qian had little desire to come here recently. In the past, when he did, Zuo Li would repeatedly ask where he had been resting, questions that dragged on endlessly.

At first, newlywed and fresh, such inquiries had some charm; but over time, Zuo Li’s obstinacy irritated him. He loathed being probed so thoroughly, and gradually lost interest in visiting.

Yet Zuo Li had changed long ago. No longer stubborn, she was now tolerant, gentle, and virtuous.

Still, Li Qian did not wish to come, knowing full well that her change was but a disguise.

After studying her a moment longer, he thought, “Well, a meal won’t hurt.”

“Please try this golden pea shoot soup,” Zuo Li said softly, dismissing the maid beside her as she personally served Li Qian.

He took the bowl and sipped; the broth was indeed fresh and light.

Zuo Li smiled, pleased her effort was not wasted. The soup was carefully prepared using an old hen, simmered slowly in pure water, then fresh pea shoots added and gently boiled—a delicate task.

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“I heard that Mistress Shen has recovered well. Originally, the three entered the palace together, but two fell ill. Fortunately, the one who did not collapse was seen by the doctor and is now well. With the new year approaching, the empty rooms remain unused; it wouldn’t be proper otherwise.”

Zuo Li spoke as if chatting casually with her husband, her tone warm and gentle. Meeting Li Qian’s probing gaze, her eyes still held a hint of kindness.

Li Qian withdrew his eyes indifferently and accepted the tea offered by a maid to rinse his mouth. Zuo Li handed him a cloth to wipe.

“The Crown Princess is truly virtuous. If a concubine were half as capable as you, I would have no worries,” Li Qian said, then rose. He beckoned Zhang Desheng, who entered promptly to help him don his cloak.

“I have eaten my fill. Crown Princess, please enjoy your meal.”

Li Qian’s tone was somewhat vexed, and Zuo Li sensed it clearly. Yulan nearby became anxious, thinking the Crown Prince had come with difficulty; if she did not seize the moment to mend their relationship and instead brought up matters of service, it was sure to provoke him.

Zuo Li sat quietly, watching Li Qian’s figure grow more distant, just as on countless occasions before.

And she herself had passed from hurt and anger at the start, to a barren well of emotion, utterly still.

Yulan was alarmed. Zuo Li was clearly not yet thirty, but she lived like a walking corpse, devoid of any vitality.

Suddenly, Zuo Li smiled, gazing at the flickering candlelight on the table. She picked up silver chopsticks and prodded at the flame, which danced more brightly. Then her expression shifted; she seized a pair of scissors and snipped off a blackened, curled wick.

The candle dimmed immediately, as if on the verge of going out.

She knew Li Qian had still granted her some dignity. Mistress Wang was now certain to gain favor, and Mistress Shen would not lack affection in the future. As for Mistress Yang, her ruined face meant she was of no use; another would be sought eventually.

That very night, Li Qian summoned Mistress Wang to attend him. The next day, Zuo Li generously rewarded her with many fine gifts. Those in the rear residence quickly understood: Mistress Wang had secured the Crown Princess’s support and thus had a strong backing.

Shen Quanyi, having rested for half a month, did not expect such excitement in the rear household. Whether it was Gu Tan’s regained favor or the fact that among the three concubines who entered the Eastern Palace together, Mistress Wang was the first to be favored, all was a topic of gossip.

In the room, a blue-and-white porcelain censers emitted faint fragrance that drifted silently into the night.

These days, Shen Quanyi finally slept peacefully, thanks to the doctor’s prescribed calming incense.

Listening to the information gathered by Tao Ye, she was indifferent. The women confined in this house had their fortunes and humiliations dictated by the whim of one man.

This was the realm of concubines’ rivalry.

But Shen Quanyi intended to watch Zuo Li closely. One who possessed power regarded love as but a small part of existence.

Standing by the window, her thoughts wandered afar.

Her face frosted with coldness, Shen Quanyi finally returned to herself and closed the window.

In truth, Shen Quanyi’s health was nearly restored, but she wished to avoid these sharp intrigues a while longer.

“Honestly, whether in appearance or otherwise, Mistress Wang cannot compare to our mistress. For her to be so favored, our mistress will surely be favored a hundredfold in the future…” Tao Ye spoke with longing, imagining Shen Quanyi reigning supreme in the rear household.

Hearing this, Xing Ye’s heart skipped a beat. Having lived alongside Shen Quanyi, she roughly understood her nature. She gave Tao Ye a warning glance, but it went unheeded.

Shen Quanyi adjusted the silver-white embroidered cloak over her shoulders, glancing faintly at Tao Ye with a half-smile.

“Oh? And what exactly do you propose I do about it?”

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Tao Ye’s eyes brightened, thinking Shen Quanyi had finally acknowledged her loyalty, and she spoke presumptuously without restraint.

“Pardon my boldness, but though Mistress is merely a concubine, with such a face, whatever she desires, she will not be denied. Look at Mistress Wang—she’s not as good as you, yet she has won the Crown Prince’s favor. And since he will one day ascend the throne, with favor, Mistress might even be granted the title of consort…”

“Do you realize that with just these words, several people could have been publicly flogged?” Shen Quanyi’s voice cut through sharply.

Even Xing Ye was startled by her stern rebuke. Tao Ye’s lengthy speech about vying for favor abruptly ended. She fell silent and realized she had overstepped.

But it was too late; Shen Quanyi was angry. Tao Ye knelt immediately.

She begged for forgiveness, but Shen Quanyi did not speak. When she looked up, her dark, deep eyes fixed coldly on Tao Ye.

“I am merely a lowly concubine. Clearly, I am unworthy of your lofty ambitions. I shall not waste your time. Go seek your wise master or those who share your ideals.”

Tao Ye’s eyes were swollen from crying; tears fell onto the floor, quickly forming a damp patch. Now truly afraid, she pleaded, “Mistress, please do not cast me out. If sent away, I will have no life left.”

Shen Quanyi shook her head. Time and again, she had seen that though Tao Ye bore no ill will, her reckless nature would one day cause trouble if manipulated by others.

“Tao Ye, it is not that I wish to keep you, but you know well that even if I punish you now, you will not admit fault. Your willingness to accept punishment is only because you want to stay.”

Tao Ye was taken aback by Shen Quanyi’s words but, upon reflection, felt ashamed. Indeed, she still did not believe she was wrong.

Seeing her expression shift repeatedly, finally settling into reluctant submission, Shen Quanyi knew she could not convince her otherwise.

“Xing Ye, bring two taels of silver and give it to Tao Ye,” Shen Quanyi said decisively, her mind made up.

Tao Ye’s heart sank. She looked coldly at Xing Ye, resentment growing. They had come together, yet now she was being expelled while Xing Ye had become Shen Quanyi’s favored confidante.

“Thank you, Mistress. I will remember today’s lesson and never forget it,” Tao Ye said as she accepted the silver. She cast a deep look at Shen Quanyi, then turned and left.

Xing Ye opened her mouth, then knelt and pleaded, “Mistress, please allow me to see Tao Ye off.”

There was no need to make things difficult over such small matters. Shen Quanyi waved her off. Seeing this, Xing Ye hurried after Tao Ye. The maids lived in small quarters beside the Qingting Courtyard, where even Yang Siqiu’s maid resided.

Living close made it easier to attend to their mistress.

When Xing Ye arrived, Tao Ye had already packed her belongings.

“At this point, you don’t need to pretend anymore. What do you want?” Tao Ye, now dry-eyed, snatched the bundle from Xing Ye’s hands and shoved her. Xing Ye stumbled and hit the edge of the kang platform.

“You’re now one with Mistress Shen, but there’s no need to flaunt it before me. With such an unambitious mistress, I doubt you’ll gain much in the future.”

Tao Ye clenched her fists and turned to leave, but paused. Her foot at the door hesitated before stepping back.

“Big Sister Xing Ye, one last thing: people strive upward like water flows downhill. Today she drives me away, and I accept it. But even if she did not, I would not want to stay here. I will leave on my own.”

Xing Ye said nothing in reply, merely standing under the eaves to watch Tao Ye depart. She had done all she could.