Chapter 43: The Colossal Hound and the Infant

As soon as Shen Quanyi reached the doorway, a flash of white caught her eye—it was the giant hound she had seen on the day of her arrival. A young eunuch stood beside it, while Li Changping leaned over, gently resting her small hand on the beast’s head.

Seeming to notice a stranger, the previously quiet and docile giant hound suddenly arched its back. A pair of eyes flashed with a peculiar, fierce light, and its lips quivered, baring a set of sharp, gleaming teeth.

Shen Quanyi had no doubt that had the creature not been restrained by a chain, it would have already lunged at her.

"Oh my, why have they let this brute out?" Zhulian, arriving as if fashionably late, hurried to wave her hand at the young eunuch, signaling him to pull the hound back.

Yet Li Changping raised her eyebrows, placed one hand on her hip, and looked coldly at Zhulian. "I wanted Snow Lion to be let out. No one is allowed to lock it away."

"Yes, yes, yes, as long as Second Young Mistress is happy."

A helpless smile crossed Zhulian’s face as she spoke. She raised her chin slightly toward the young eunuch, who merely flicked the whip in his hand, causing the giant hound to swallow its low, rumbling growl.

Even so, its pitch-black eyes remained fixed unblinkingly on Shen Quanyi.

Shen Quanyi withdrew her gaze without a change in expression, though she had caught a flicker of annoyance in the depths of Zhulian's eyes as she spoke to Li Changping.

"Second Young Mistress has a childlike temperament and always fancies such playthings. Since the Mistress's courage is great, I suppose she won't be frightened."

Zhulian narrowed her eyes, her gaze sweeping past Shen Quanyi to land on Mrs. Liu, though it returned to its original place almost instantly.

"Not at all. This concubine is as timid as a mouse." Shen Quanyi replied casually, her face devoid of emotion.

Zhulian paused slightly before the corners of her lips curved into an exquisite arc, forming a shallow smile as she gestured gracefully. "While we stand here chatting so lively, Her Ladyship must be growing impatient. This way, Mistress."

Though only a short time had passed since her last visit, stepping into the rooms once more revealed that many rare and uncommon decorative objects had been added.

The main hall was spacious. With a single glance, Shen Quanyi noted that besides the numerous flower pots arranged along the window sills, many hanging stands filled the space. They were laden with ink orchids, most of their blossoms a pale purplish-brown. Their slender petals drooped and curled backward, rising from thick, sturdy stems. While considered common flowers, they were notoriously difficult to cultivate, especially in the dead of winter.

The moment the curtain was lifted, a heavy, rich fragrance rushed to meet them.

Following quietly behind with lowered eyes, Mrs. Liu sniffed gently, a flicker of astonishment flashing through her eyes.

"That's enough. You stay here."

Seeing Mrs. Liu's footsteps unceasingly carrying her forward as if she intended to enter the inner chamber, Zhulian spoke up to stop her.

Mrs. Liu hurriedly bowed, knelt to kowtow once, and then stood rigidly by the doorway, not daring to make another move.

Entering the inner chamber, Shen Quanyi curtsied in greeting, but when Gu Tan did not grant her permission to rise, she slowly raised her head.

Gu Tan’s face was slightly fuller, suggesting she had been well-cared for over the past few days. Her complexion was rosy, and her previously dry, lusterless fox-like eyes had regained a brilliant sheen. Her jet-black hair was styled into a high bun, adorned entirely with gold and precious jewels.

Clad in a thin, light robe, she leaned against a soft couch. Her long, well-manicured fingernails were painted a vibrant, glossy red, and a pearwood-carved small table beside her held several jade dishes piled high with seasonal fruits.

With milky-white, polished fingers, she delicately pinched a green grape from a jade dish and popped it into her mouth.

The fruit burst open within her mouth, and crystalline juice stained her lips, making her crimson mouth appear even more striking and vivid.

The silent room echoed only with the crisp crackle of burning charcoal inside the brazier.

After a brief moment, as if she had just remembered the person kneeling on the floor, Gu Tan lazily straightened her waist. Lifting her cicada-wing-thin eyelashes, she cast her gaze down upon Shen Quanyi. "You certainly put on grand airs, Madam Shen. Several days have passed since your return, yet you haven't even come to Spring Elegance Courtyard to pay your respects. It took me summoning you."

Lowering her gaze, Shen Quanyi bowed her head and replied, "Her Ladyship is with child, and I only heard the Crown Princess say that quiet rest is paramount. My status is low and my tongue is clumsy; I was afraid of offending Your Ladyship."

At these words, Gu Tan’s clear voice rang out with a hint of amusement. Her nostrils flared slightly as she arched an eyebrow. "Ah yes, I almost forgot—you are truly respectful toward the Crown Princess. But you are far too modest. If your tongue is clumsy, then everyone else in this world must be mute."

"As for your status, it is indeed lowly, yet your seductress's skills are formidable. Back in the inner courtyards, His Highness the Crown Prince treats you like a precious treasure in the palm of his hand. Truly, I have no idea what potion you slipped him."

Shen Quanyi bit her lip and managed only, "This concubine wouldn't dare."

"Wouldn't dare? Is there anything you wouldn't dare do?"

At this, Gu Tan’s tone grew increasingly sharp. She sat up, moving her bare jade feet so that the circle of tiny bells dangling from her slender ankles chimed softly.

"Since you know your status is lowly, coming to serve me cannot be considered a grievance for you."

Shen Quanyi caught her breath and shuffled forward on her knees. She picked up the double-layered peony-embroidered silk shoes adorned with gold threads—a unique pair specially bestowed upon Gu Tan by Li Qian.

Catching hold of the warm ankle, she skillfully slipped the shoes onto Gu Tan's feet.

"I have been feeling fatigued lately and skipped breakfast. You shall serve me my meal, Mistress Shen."

Lowering her head, Shen Quanyi supported Gu Tan to the table in the front hall, where Zhulian served the meal with great dispatch.

Because Gu Tan was with child, many foods were forbidden, so her breakfast consisted mostly of light dishes: a plate of ginger-dressed cabbage, a bowl of winter bamboo shoots and lily bulbs, and finally, minced quail in crystal aspic.

The curtain at the doorway was lifted, and Zhulian walked in carrying a small dark-lacquered tea tray holding a covered bowl of golden bird's nest soup. Smiling at Shen Quanyi, she said, "Her Ladyship is accustomed to having a bowl of soup before her meal. Now that Mistress is serving, I must trouble you to take extra care."

The air was heavy with the lingering scent of food, yet Gu Tan closed her eyes as if entirely lacking interest. Shen Quanyi glanced sidelong at Zhulian, whose eyes held a trace of disdain, and stepped forward. Standing by the table, she rolled up her sleeves and used a porcelain-white spoon to ladle out a bowl.

The scalding heat of the broth transferred through the celadon cracked-glaze bowl straight into her hands. The unbearable burning sensation made her fingers curl slightly of their own accord.

Without a word, Gu Tan suddenly sighed and leaned back against her chair. Zhulian stepped behind her to gently massage her shoulders while softly complaining, "Just look at these cooks—they must have grown lazy, repeating the dishes over and over. Her Ladyship is far too lenient; it's time to teach them some discipline."

"Enough. I simply have no appetite. Even if you changed the dishes into hundreds of varieties a day, I wouldn't be able to eat them."

Without raising her head, Gu Tan waved her hand indifferently, a gloomy expression shadowing her face.

The two chatted as if no one else were there, completely ignoring Shen Quanyi. Sticky sweat beaded on her forehead, and the pain in her fingers pierced straight to her heart, sending throbs through her body that were almost impossible to bear.

"How can that be? No matter how poor your appetite is, Your Ladyship must eat something. You have the little master in your belly, after all. If His Highness were to find out, his heart would ache for you once more."

Zhulian coaxed her gently. Glancing at Shen Quanyi’s somewhat pale complexion, she sneered inwardly while maintaining a mask of disapproval, adding aloud, "This servant is certain Mistress Shen feels precisely the same way."