Wei Shu kicked Zhang Jing, angrily saying, “Move aside!” Zhang Jing did not dodge the kick, but Wei Shu was unable to take another step, feeling inwardly frustrated and angry.
Who could have imagined that the concubine who once allowed him to do as he pleased would now treat him coldly, merely for siding with a eunuch?
In his anger, Wei Shu let out a cold laugh and said sharply, “What can you do now that you’ve climbed to this position? For the rest of your life, you’ll only eat with this lowly eunuch. You’ll never know what a real man is like!”
Ruan Ning kept her eyes closed, ignoring him. She understood that Wei Shu could only curse her verbally, as he was powerless against Gu Lianchang, who was far more powerful than the superficial prince.
After leaving, Wei Shu saw Gu Lianchang’s calm face and felt a bit guilty. He dared to speak boldly before others but not in front of Gu Lianchang. Unsure if Gu Lianchang had heard him, he forced a laugh and hurried away.
Gu Lianchang had heard everything. Though accustomed to insults, he felt a bit nervous this time.
Wei Ying, who had come with him, sensed Gu Lianchang’s unease and said to Ruan Ning, “Mother Empress has been working hard for days. Let me watch over him tonight so you can rest.”
Ruan Ning did not refuse, as she was indeed exhausted.
She reached out to Gu Lianchang, who helped her up and instructed Zhang Jing, “Take good care of the Fifth Prince.”
The Kunning Palace was unfamiliar to Ruan Ning. Holding Gu Lianchang’s hand, she followed him through heavy doors to the empress’s bedchamber. As the palace maids helped her remove her hairpins and accessories, Gu Lianchang stood silently beside her, replaying Wei Shu’s words: he was a eunuch and could never allow her normal marital intimacy.
“Chief Gu,” she called, “I’ve just moved here and feel uneasy. Don’t leave tonight. Stay in the side hall.”
“Yes,” Gu Lianchang agreed, noticing her silently mouthing “come over tonight.”
After the third watch, Gu Lianchang entered Ruan Ning’s bedchamber. The night attendants had been dismissed, and the room was dark. She was waiting for him.
