Chapter 5: Rumors Spread Faster Than Arrows

The next morning, Shen Yanzhi was awakened by loud voices outside his room.

"Slow down," he muttered, pulling the blanket over his head. "The empire isn't collapsing before sunrise."

A knock came.

"Your Highness, are you awake?"

"No."

"..."

Another pause.

"Your Highness, we know you're awake."

Shen Yanzhi sighed.

"So honesty isn't rewarded in this palace either."

The maids entered, carrying fresh robes.

The youngest maid grinned.

"Your Highness, everyone is talking about you."

"I've done nothing."

"Exactly!"

"...That somehow made it worse?"

The head maid nodded seriously.

"His Majesty sent you imperial pastries."

"I noticed."

"He has never done that before."

"So I've heard."

"Sixteen times."

Shen Yanzhi rubbed his forehead.

"Sixteen?"

"Before breakfast."

He looked at the ceiling.

"The palace gossip network deserves government funding."

---

As the maids adjusted his robes, another servant hurried in.

"Consort Shen!"

"What happened now?"

"The Imperial Garden gathering has been moved to today."

"Why?"

"The Emperor will be attending."

Shen Yanzhi froze.

"...Can I suddenly become ill?"

The head maid smiled politely.

"No."

"I admire your honesty."

---

The Imperial Garden was lively.

Birds chirped among flowering trees while servants poured tea for the gathered consorts.

The moment Shen Yanzhi arrived, conversations stopped.

Again.

"Do these people rehearse this?" he wondered.

Consort Lin immediately waved.

"Brother Shen! Sit here."

Shen Yanzhi sat beside him.

Consort Lin leaned closer.

"I heard you received imperial pastries."

"You too?"

"What flavor?"

"...Snow lotus."

Consort Lin gasped dramatically.

"The expensive ones!"

"They're all expensive according to you."

"They are!"

Before Shen Yanzhi could answer, a calm voice echoed across the garden.

"His Majesty arrives."

Everyone rose and bowed.

Xiao Chengyuan entered, dressed in black robes embroidered with golden dragons.

His expression remained unreadable.

He acknowledged the gathering with a slight nod before taking his seat.

The Empress Dowager smiled warmly.

"Since everyone is present, let us enjoy today's tea."

Servants began serving refreshments.

One young noble, invited to perform poetry, approached the Emperor.

After receiving permission, he turned toward the consorts.

"If I may..."

His eyes landed on Shen Yanzhi.

"Would Consort Shen honor us by judging my poem?"

Shen Yanzhi blinked.

"Me?"

"Your reputation for elegant taste is well known."

"Whose reputation?" Shen Yanzhi thought.

Before he could politely refuse, Xiao Chengyuan spoke.

"Minister Zhao."

The middle-aged official immediately stood.

"Your Majesty."

"Your son has completed his studies."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"The Ministry of Justice is short of assistants."

Minister Zhao looked confused.

"...It is?"

"It is now."

The young noble's smile disappeared.

"I understand."

He bowed deeply.

"I shall report tomorrow."

Shen Yanzhi slowly turned toward the Emperor.

Their eyes met for only a second.

Xiao Chengyuan calmly lifted his teacup, as though assigning a young noble to government service had nothing to do with the conversation moments before.

Consort Lin whispered,

"...Did His Majesty just steal your poetry judge?"

Shen Yanzhi took a sip of tea.

"I think..."

He watched the unfortunate young noble leave with slumped shoulders.

"...he just received a promotion disguised as a punishment."

Consort Lin blinked.

"You really have changed after your illness."

Shen Yanzhi smiled faintly.

"So everyone keeps telling me."

Across the garden, Xiao Chengyuan heard the quiet laughter from Shen Yanzhi's table.

Without realizing it, his gaze lingered there for a moment longer than it should have.

Eunuch Li noticed.

He lowered his head to hide a knowing smile.

The palace... had begun to change.

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