Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

"Who knows."

Shen Zhinian said indifferently, "Consort Kang may really be desperate and can't make ends meet in Chuxiu Palace. She urgently needs to find someone to rely on. Consort Zhuang is known for her benevolence and has a high rank, so she is naturally the best person to rely on."

"Or perhaps... Consort Kang has other plans."

"The people in the palace are all complicated and have never been simple."

Han Dan was taken aback: "Your Majesty means... that Consort Kang might be feigning allegiance?"

"I didn't say anything."

Shen Zhinian said calmly, "Whether Consort Kang is sincere or not; whether she is desperate or seeking another way out, has nothing to do with Yongshou Palace."

Fuqu nodded in agreement: "The harem has never been a place of black and white. Today's friend may be tomorrow's enemy; today's enemy may be temporarily made at peace in the future."

"There are no permanent companions, only permanent interests and trade-offs."

Shen Zhinian gently stroked her slightly protruding belly: "All I want now is to give birth to this child in peace. As for other people's affairs, as long as they don't break the rules of the palace, let them be."

"Yes."

Looking at Shen Zhinian's beautiful face, Han Dan and Fu Qu suddenly understood.

The Empress is no longer the Rouyi who had to be cautious and calculating when she first entered the palace.

She was an Imperial Noble Consort, her position secure, and she enjoyed the Emperor's favor. The child in her womb was likely the little princess His Majesty had long awaited.

The Empress has enough confidence and resources to ignore those underhanded schemes and petty tricks.

Han Dan smiled and said, "Your Majesty is right."

"The most important thing right now is your health and the well-being of the imperial heir. Those other trivial matters should not disturb your peace."

For Shen Zhinian, Consort Kang's defection to Consort Zhuang was merely an insignificant interlude.

As long as Changchun Palace takes care of Consort Kang without overstepping the rules, it's not worth Shen Zhinian expending any extra effort.

Right now, she's more concerned about something else.

In early September of the third year of the Jingtai reign, Fuqu and Zhou Yuhu got engaged.

Zhou Yuhu was the second-place scholar in the imperial examinations, possessing both exceptional talent and good looks, as well as a superior family background. More importantly, he was someone Fuqu herself approved of, someone she considered reliable and trustworthy.

It was agreed that Fuqu would leave the palace and get married two years later.

Time flies, and it is now April of the fifth year of the Jingtai reign.

There are only about five months left until the wedding in September.

A complex mix of emotions welled up in Shen Zhinian's heart.

Fuqu and Handan served her when she was still a concubine's daughter in the Shen family. They accompanied her into the palace and went through thick and thin together. They were her most trusted right-hand women, and their relationship had long surpassed that of mistress and servant.

The lotus is lively and cheerful, a joy to relieve boredom.

Fuqu is calm and meticulous, and is good at managing daily affairs.

Now, Fuqu is about to leave her.

Although it was a joyous occasion, and Shen Zhinian was genuinely happy for her, the thought of soon losing such a useful and considerate person filled Shen Zhinian with a sense of melancholy and reluctance.

Especially now that she's pregnant again, her energy isn't what it used to be. Yongshou Palace is a complex place with many affairs to manage, and countless eyes are watching from the outside.

If Fuqu leaves and no suitable person takes her place, many problems may arise.

Not only will it tire you out, but it could also give others an opportunity to exploit you.

Noticing Shen Zhinian's gaze, Fuqu asked with a smile, "Does Your Highness have any instructions?"

Shen Zhinian shook her head: "It's nothing, I just came to see you."

"Your wedding is approaching, and Yongshou Palace will be your maternal home. I will never let you suffer any injustice."

Mentioning this matter, Fuqu's eyes reddened slightly, and she quickly lowered her head to hide it: "Your Majesty's kindness to this servant is as heavy as a mountain, and she thinks of this servant in everything. This servant, this servant really..."

"What are you talking about?"

Shen Zhinian said softly, "We grew up together. I'm happier than anything if you find a good home."

"Zhou Hanlin is a decent person, and his family has an upright character. Once you marry into his family, you will be a proper official's wife, and I will be at ease knowing that you will live a peaceful and stable life."

Fuqu nodded vigorously, forcing back the tears welling up in her eyes: "Your Majesty's kindness will never be forgotten!"

"Even if I leave the palace, I will always be Your Highness's person. If Your Highness summons me, I will gladly die for you!"

Shen Zhinian gave her a reproachful look: "Why are you talking about death and life all of a sudden?"

"It was my mistake."

Since Your Highness brought this up today, Fuqu took the opportunity to express her thoughts: "Your Highness, I have been observing this closely these past few days."

"Handan is clever and loyal. With her by Your Highness's side, I feel at ease."

"It's just that Han Dan's personality is a bit impulsive, and she's not as adept at overall management and detailed arrangements as I am. With Your Highness pregnant, you need someone who is meticulous and reliable to assist you."

Han Dan did not deny Fu Qu's words and asked, "Have you decided who will take your place?"

Fuqu said, "Among the second-class palace maids below, Qiuyue is meticulous and Xiafeng is straightforward."

"Xia Feng is loyal and efficient. However, he is straightforward and sometimes inflexible, which makes him easy for others to criticize."

"Although Qiuyue is younger than Xiafeng, she is thoughtful, observant, and very tactful in her speech and actions."

“I once secretly entrusted her with a few minor tasks that required careful verification, and she completed them all meticulously. When she gave her feedback, she was clear and organized, and she could even point out one or two details that I had not noticed.”

"What's even more remarkable is that Qiuyue is calm and composed, neither arrogant nor impatient, and knows how to assess the situation. She is never shy when she should speak, and she can also keep her mouth shut when she shouldn't."

As Shen Zhinian listened, the image of Qiuyue appeared in her mind.

She always stood quietly in the corner, with delicate features. She did things quietly and meticulously.

He is indeed a promising talent.

Han Dan blinked: "So, you're prettier than Qiu Yue?"

Fuqu nodded: "But Qiuyue is still young and inexperienced. If we suddenly entrust her with heavy responsibilities, I'm afraid she will not be able to handle them and may even make mistakes."

"So I thought I would take good care of her in the remaining five months, teaching her in detail the Empress's daily habits and preferences, the key points of various affairs in Yongshou Palace, the proper etiquette when interacting with other palaces, and the personalities of the eunuchs and maids below her, so that she could gradually get the hang of things."

“When I leave the palace, Qiuyue will be able to take over smoothly, so that Your Highness will not feel inconvenienced.”

Fuqu's words were thorough, taking all aspects into consideration.

Seeing how meticulously Fuqu planned, Shen Zhinian gently held her hand: "It's kind of you to think of everything so thoroughly."

"I also think Qiuyue is a good person, so I will follow your advice and nurture her well. With you in charge, I feel at ease."

"But this means you'll be even busier these next five months. You'll be busy with your own wedding and teaching Qiuyue... Can your body handle it?"