When Xue Ying was taking a break from work, she secretly rushed to find Shu Nuan outside Sheng Palace. She was very envious of Shu Nuan due to the fact that it didn’t take long for her to move to Sheng Courtyard. Her envy was well-founded. After all, Shu Nuan was now favoured by Prince Sheng!
However, Shu Nuan felt that this was not true.
She was afraid that she would annoy the Prince Sheng one day, and thus would naturally not act willfully in the courtyard.
***
Meanwhile, within the Jade Courtyard…
Sheng Gu was used to drinking medicine early in the morning and was in the garden. She was trimming flowers under the morning sun. Seeing her close-fitting maid Ah’Bi speaking hesitantly near her, Sheng Gu couldn’t help but ask, “What’s the matter?”
Ah’Bi informed, “Princess, there was news from Sheng Palace earlier that Prince Sheng spent last night with a… female slave. And now she even lives in Sheng Courtyard.”
Hearing this, the scissors in Sheng Gu’s hands abruptly cut off the stem of a flower.
As she gently put the scissors on one side of the stone, she frowned slightly and confirmed, “A slave?”
“Yes. It was reported that she was brought back from the Qing kingdom, which was vanquished by the Prince recently. Your faithful servant heard that… Prince Sheng likes her very much.”
How could her Uncle favor a slave he didn’t like? If he didn’t like her, how could he let her stay in Sheng Courtyard…?
She knew that her fourth Uncle had never bestowed favour on anyone before. Let alone having them live in the Sheng Courtyard.
Sheng Gu did not speak and kept her silence. Suddenly, she coughed a few times and then huffed for a moment, before saying, “Is she in Sheng Courtyard right now?”
Ah’Bi nodded, “Yes.”
“Come… let’s go take a look at her,” said Sheng Gu as she got up.
***
After bidding Xue Ying farewell, Shu Nuan went back and tidied up her things. She cleaned the bedchamber again but when she stopped for a sip of tea, the sound of footsteps came from outside.
Without waiting for Shu Nuan to let them in, the people outside entered of their own accord.
Shu Nuan stood in place, staring at the intruders in a momentary standstill. However, Ah’Bi, who was the maid closest to Sheng Gu, took the lead.
“Don’t you know to pay respects to Princess Gu?”
Hearing this, Shu Nuan had no choice but to kneel in respect.
Sheng Gu looked at her. Naturally, she didn’t remember seeing her more than half a month ago. And after seeing the shackles on Shu Nuan’s body, she finally calmed down a little. She looked at Shu Nuan casually, and asked, “Why are you shackled?”
Shu Nuan glanced at her restraints, but before she could answer, Ah’Bi, who was beside Sheng Gu, uttered, “Princess, you must know that slaves with no freedom will forever remain shackled in their lives.”
Sheng Gu nodded as if she had only just realised it.
“Ah! We heard fourth Uncle likes you very much and thought he would remove your bonds.”
Ah’Bi continued without pause, “Your Highness is surely overthinking it. At most, the Prince only has a temporary interest in her. No matter what, she is still just a slave.”
Sheng Gu looked at Shu Nuan, who kept her head down and did not speak up. Sheng Gu felt a little better and coughed. She told Ah’Bi not to talk anymore and sent her to fetch some snacks before leaving.
***
When Sheng Qianmo came back from the palace, he was accompanied by Sheng Zhiyu. He told Sheng Qianmo that he had stopped by to see his niece Sheng Gu, but upon entering the ShengHe Palace, he headed straight for Sheng Courtyard.
Sheng Qianmo inquired, “Didn’t you come to see our niece?”
Sheng Zhiyu replied noncommittally, “I’ll go see her later.”
Then he turned to look at Sheng Qianmo and smiled mysteriously.
“Fourth Brother, I heard the people in your barracks say that you brought a slave back to the palace. I even heard that the slave is a former princess of the Qing Kingdom…”