Chapter Twenty-Four: Audacious

Shen Tubai finally understood why Du Ruo held such an exalted position in the front courtyard, and why even Su Ye, with the head matron as her backer, dared not provoke her.

However, compared to her own past, Shen Tubai was now far more concerned about her summons to the palace.

The current Empress Dowager’s life journey was nothing short of legendary. Though nervous, Shen Tubai also felt a hidden spark of excitement at the prospect of meeting her. Yet, the Empress Dowager was, after all, the biological aunt of Concubine Lu. No matter how much Shen Tubai admired or respected her, if the Empress Dowager were determined to vent grievances on behalf of Lu Yuanshuang and had her dragged into the palace to be executed, Shen Tubai would have nowhere to turn for justice.

Sensing Shen Tubai’s anxiety, Du Ruo smiled and offered comfort: "If the Empress Dowager truly intended to punish you, why would she need to summon you to the palace? You need only be meticulous with etiquette and ensure you do not show any disrespect in her presence; the Empress Dowager will not make things difficult for you."

Shen Tubai did not believe a single word of it.

For a person as busy as the Empress Dowager, surely she wouldn't have summoned her just to show her the grandeur of the imperial palace before her death, nor would she have gone to the trouble of bringing her into the palace just to reprimand her for Lu Yuanshuang's sake. Shen Tubai did not think the Empress Dowager was that bored, nor did she believe Lu Yuanshuang carried that much weight.

In truth, Du Ruo herself felt uncertain. As she had said, if the Empress Dowager wanted to kill someone, it was merely a matter of a few words; there was no need to bring someone into the palace for an interrogation to discern right from wrong. A person of Shen Tubai’s station—let alone one who was merely pregnant—would not be fit to appear before the Empress Dowager, even if she had birthed eight or ten heirs for the Prince’s estate, until she had been formally granted an official title.

Whether she was willing or not, at the break of dawn, Shen Tubai boarded the carriage bound for the imperial palace. Li Tinghan did not appear throughout the entire process.

It was only then that Shen Tubai realized with a jolt that the Prince, who stood so high above her, had no room to intervene when faced with an order from the Empress Dowager, even if she had worked hard to win his favor.

She could not describe her state of mind. Entering the palace for the first time, Shen Tubai felt the palace paths were incredibly long; she had never walked such a distance in her life. Palace maids, guards, and nobles passed by along the way. Following behind Du Ruo, Shen Tubai stepped aside, not hearing a single sound the entire time. This solemn atmosphere pressed down on her, leaving her not daring to lift her head.

Finally, she stepped onto the white jade stairs, followed Du Ruo, and prostrated herself deeply. "Your servant, Shen, pays her respects to the Empress Dowager. May the Empress Dowager live for ten thousand years."

There was no sound from above granting her permission to rise, so Shen Tubai remained in her kneeling position, not daring to look up. All she could see was pitch blackness. She could not sense the passing of time, but her hearing became increasingly acute.

"Clack—clack—" the sound of memorial tablets being stacked above.
"Tiptoe—tiptoe—" the sound of a eunuch taking small, hurried steps into the inner chamber.

Shen Tubai did not know how long she knelt. She only knew that people came and went in the great hall, until finally, only two elderly voices remained, arguing below the dais.

"The country relies on a long-reigning monarch, and the catastrophe of the Emperor Shang is still fresh in our memories. This humble minister believes we should enthrone the Prince of Yan."

"Succession by the legitimate heir and the eldest is a rule passed down since the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Although the eldest imperial grandson is young, he is clever and agile, and with the Empress Dowager’s guidance from the side, why worry that he cannot hold the realm steady?"

The two argued back and forth for an unknown amount of time, until finally, they spoke in unison: "The country cannot go a single day without a ruler. We beg the Empress Dowager to make a decision soon."

From the phoenix throne, a light laugh suddenly sounded. "You have been bickering and attacking one another for days, all in the name of arguing for a crown prince. Yet, the throne has been vacant for so long, and I have not seen our Great Ye crumble."

"Empress Dowager..." Both men knelt at once, not immediately grasping her meaning.

She was unwilling to accept the gentle-natured Prince of Yan, and she was equally unwilling to accept the three-year-old imperial grandson, who was easy to manipulate. At first, both factions had been prepared to fight to the death, but now it was clear that the Empress Dowager had other plans. However, to them, backing the wrong side was not the most pressing issue; the most critical thing was that they still did not know which prince or grandson the Empress Dowager favored. They had been unable to speak to her heart, and the throne could not remain empty forever.

"One of you supports the Prince of Yan, the other supports the eldest imperial grandson. Does anyone else have anything to say? I grant you permission to speak your mind today." The Empress Dowager’s tone carried a hint of impatience amidst the expectation.

The palace maids and eunuchs in the hall looked at one another. They were among those closest to the center of power; they faintly understood that if they answered well, it might be a path to the clouds. Yet, apart from the Prince of Yan and the imperial grandson, they truly could not think of a suitable candidate.

"This servant is of humble origin and does not understand court affairs. I have only heard from the common people that there are two sages in the court. Although the Emperor has passed, with the Empress Dowager’s everlasting reign, I believe Great Ye will surely endure for ten thousand years."

The gentle, soft voice was not loud, but every word was clear, enough for everyone in the hall to hear.

The crowd fell silent. Once they realized what she had said, their faces were filled with terror, and all eyes turned to Shen Tubai. What terrified them even more was that the Empress Dowager showed no sign of anger.

The stifling atmosphere made it impossible for her to breathe; beads of sweat from her forehead dripped onto the floor. Shen Tubai closed her eyes, waiting for the verdict of the one in power.

"Hahahaha..." A hearty laugh broke the silence of the room. The Empress Dowager closed the memorial in her hand and said aloud, "Where did such a clever girl come from? Lift your head and let me see."

The crowd looked at Shen Tubai with complex expressions. The Empress Dowager had practically endorsed her words. Regardless of what happened next, this little concubine had caught the Empress Dowager’s eye; even if only for a moment, it was a sudden ascent to the heavens.

Shen Tubai had knelt for so long that her spine could barely straighten, but she dared not show the slightest slackness. Forcing herself to endure the soreness, she lifted her head, though her gaze still did not dare to meet the person sitting on the phoenix throne.

Du Ruo was the first to speak. "Reporting to the Empress Dowager, your servant Du Ruo has brought the Prince of Yan’s concubine, Shen, to pay her respects."

The Empress Dowager frowned slightly. "It is a pity that such a clever person is wasted on the Prince of Yan."

Shen Tubai did not know what else was said above; she only followed Du Ruo’s gestures as she slowly exited the chamber.

As the wind blew, Shen Tubai realized that her clothes were already soaked with sweat. From beginning to end, she had not seen the Empress Dowager’s face, only catching a glimpse of a bright yellow hem. There was no reward and no punishment, but simply surviving this ordeal was enough to let her breathe a sigh of relief.

"How did you think to say that?" Du Ruo suddenly asked.

Shen Tubai paused for a moment, then gave a sweet smile. "I don't know, it just came to me, so I said it. Thankfully, the Empress Dowager didn't blame me. Just listen to my heart—I'm still terrified."

"If I had to do it again, I wouldn't dare say it."

Du Ruo withdrew her gaze, her expression complex, and murmured, "You have been different since you were young."

Her voice was too soft, scattered by the wind, and heard by no one.