Chapter Fifteen: The Purple River Chariot

The banquet was held in the Frost Courtyard. When Shen Tuobai arrived, everyone else was already there.

Li Tinghan did not have many concubines in his rear courtyard. Besides Lu Side Consort, there were two maidservants surnamed Zhu and Tang, and another girl surnamed Qin, who, like Shen Tuobai, held no official rank.

It was said that before entering the prince’s residence, she had been married and even bore a child, entering the residence only a month earlier than Shen Tuobai.

“I, Lady Shen, pay respects to Side Consort Lu, to Maid Zhu, Maid Tang, and greetings to Sister Qin,” Shen Tuobai bowed. Only Sister Qin rose to return the courtesy.

Side Consort Lu sat motionless, calmly sipping her tea, clearly intending to impose a warning upon Shen Tuobai.

Shen Tuobai performed a half-squat bow, which, when prolonged, was equally exhausting. Fortunately, Mistress Xin had previously made her wait at least an hour before rising; even after Mistress Zhao replaced her, she did not relent.

She dismissed the discomfort, though inwardly displeased.

“Miss Shen, such arrogance! You think a single service to the prince entitles you to make us, your seniors, wait? Such insolence demands punishment to set things straight,” Maid Zhu, seated to Lu’s left, spoke with undisguised hostility.

Shen Tuobai raised a brow—not due to the hostility itself but because of Maid Zhu’s attitude toward Side Consort Lu, which seemed dismissive.

Lu Yuanshuang’s mood darkened upon hearing Maid Zhu’s words. Why did all those surnamed Zhu always meddle so?

Seeing Shen Tuobai showed no signs of fatigue, Lu Yuanshuang lost interest.

The more insolent Maid Zhu became, the more Lu Yuanshuang adopted a gentle and accommodating demeanor, smiling as she personally helped Shen Tuobai to her feet. “How silly of me to forget you were still bowing. Please, rise.”

Lu Yuanshuang was willing to play along, and Shen Tuobai cooperated, knowing it could only benefit her. “Since entering the residence, I have been grateful for the queen’s constant care. A person as virtuous as the queen deserves a memorial tablet in the temple, to be worshipped day and night, let alone a mere bow.”

For a moment, the expressions around the table shifted dramatically. Lu Yuanshuang’s face flushed, though it was unclear if from anger or embarrassment.

Everyone likes compliments, but such praise clashed starkly with Lu Yuanshuang’s usual demeanor. Yet Shen Tuobai’s face was sincere, as if every word was heartfelt. Even if Lu Yuanshuang wished to curse her for mockery, she could not bring herself to do so.

Maid Zhu’s expression twisted in disgust, as if she had swallowed a fly. She was the first to curse at Lu Yuanshuang: “Why do you imitate that vile Cui Xiwen? Do you think the prince will look at you more favorably? Trying to be fierce but ending up pitiful—bringing misery upon yourself.”

Before Lu Yuanshuang could respond, Maid Zhu turned to Shen Tuobai. “You too, if I hear such sour words from you again, get down on the stone path at the gate and don’t rise until you learn to speak properly.”

Shen Tuobai silently glanced at Lu Yuanshuang, who clenched her fists in anger. But after a subtle signal from Su Ye, she swallowed her wrath and gestured to her, “Ignore her. Please take your seat.”

Though she had anticipated no good would come from the banquet, and that Lu Yuanshuang’s invitation concealed ill intent, Shen Tuobai’s tolerance exceeded all expectations.

Shen Tuobai’s gaze subtly studied Maid Zhu. What surprised her most was this woman. Before entering the prince’s residence, she had thoroughly investigated the backgrounds of all the women in Li Tinghan’s rear courtyard.

If she recalled correctly, Maid Zhu’s father was merely a nominal fifth-rank official at the Ministry of Rites, while Side Consort Lu hailed from the prestigious Lu clan of Fanyang and was even addressed as aunt by the current Empress Dowager.

Yet Maid Zhu dared to openly insult Lu Yuanshuang, who appeared somewhat wary of her.

Could it be that Maid Zhu held some leverage over Lu Yuanshuang?

So engrossed in thought, Shen Tuobai failed to avert her gaze from Maid Zhu.

“What are you staring at? Keep looking and I’ll gouge your eyes out!” Maid Zhu slammed her wine cup on the table with such force that one could believe she was capable of such violence.

Shen Tuobai calmly looked away. Silence fell over the table, and no further incidents arose as the banquet neared its end.

Feeling slightly relieved, Shen Tuobai was caught off guard when Lu Yuanshuang clapped her hands mysteriously. “Sisters, don’t be in such a hurry to leave. I have something good to share with you all.”

Silver Vermilion, who usually delivered gifts to Shen Tuobai during the day, brought a bowl of soup to the center of the table. From afar, Shen Tuobai could faintly smell a metallic hint of blood.

She frowned instinctively; her intuition told her this was no ordinary dish.

Lu Yuanshuang, unusually spirited, called on her maid to “Open it.”

When the lid was lifted, Sister Qin, seated opposite Shen Tuobai, immediately covered her mouth and nose, turning away to retch.

The other two women’s faces also turned pale. Maid Zhu threw down her chopsticks, about to curse, but Lu Yuanshuang cut her off sharply.

“This purple river car was obtained only after I begged many medical shops. Sisters, you have surely heard of its efficacy.”

Shen Tuobai closed her eyes briefly. Folk tales claimed the Purple River Car was valuable and aided conception. Whether it truly worked was uncertain, but many childless women eagerly sought it out.

She vaguely understood Lu Yuanshuang’s scheme. Was today’s banquet merely a ploy to force her to drink this soup and disgust her?

Puzzled, Shen Tuobai saw Lu Yuanshuang’s triumphant expression. “Lately, there has been much gossip outside the residence, mocking the Yan prince’s house for lacking heirs. As the prince’s concubines, you should share his burden.”

With that, Lu Yuanshuang ladled a small bowl of soup before Shen Tuobai. “I have been here a year without bearing the prince an heir. I believe this matter requires the help of my sisters. Having just received the prince’s favor last night, this medicine may already be taking effect.”

“And Sister Zhu, your uncle is a general of the current dynasty, and you have trained in martial arts since childhood. Your offspring must surely be healthy and intelligent.”

Maid Zhu’s face darkened. If Lu Yuanshuang dared force her to drink, she would overturn the bowl onto her face. But for the prince’s heir...

Maid Zhu shut her eyes and, though trembling, finally lifted the bowl.

Before Lu Yuanshuang’s smug smile fully formed, Shen Tuobai swiftly stood, seized Maid Zhu’s bowl, poured the soup back into the container, and slammed the lid shut.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Lu Yuanshuang exploded.

Unfazed, Shen Tuobai replied, “Side Consort, I must report that the Purple River Car is a folk remedy and likely cannot aid conception.”

“You won’t know unless you try. The prince is the subject of gossip outside. Are you not even willing to endure a little hardship for him?” Lu Yuanshuang cast a heavy accusation. Everyone’s expressions shifted, even Maid Zhu’s gaze flickered back to the bowl, conflicted.

Shen Tuobai bowed slightly. “Side Consort, I say this because the Purple River Car not only fails to help women conceive but may cause pregnant women to bear stillborn fetuses. This is because such a substance is truly harmful to the natural order.”

“Is that really true?” Maid Tang, who had remained silent throughout the banquet, finally spoke, nervously twisting her prayer beads.