Transmigrated into a Scummy Alpha Playboy in Ancient Times - Chapter 123

As soon as the Empress finished speaking, the group of examinees below broke into a commotion. Being chosen to follow the Empress was like taking a shortcut to success in government service. It meant a direct rise in rank and a place in the Empress’s team of secretaries. For many students from humble backgrounds, this was a dream they never dared to hope for.

Shen Kaiyuan smiled and continued, “Alright, everyone, calm down. As for the rest of you, I will also appoint officials based on merit to replace those from the Cui family. The top three scorers this time are Liu Ruhui, Zhang Qianxi, and Cao Tong. Step forward so I can take a look at you.”

The three women quickly stood and bowed to Shen Kaiyuan. He glanced at them and was surprised to find all three were women. Liu Ruhui and Zhang Qianxi appeared quite young, about the same age as Shen Xingyue and her friends. Cao Tong looked a bit older, probably around thirty.

Shen Kaiyuan smiled at them and said, “You three have been selected from among several provinces as exceptional talents. I hope you will serve diligently and do good for the people.”

“We will remember Your Majesty’s guidance,” the three responded respectfully, bowing again.

After the exam concluded, Shen Kaiyuan specifically asked Wen Jing to investigate the three women’s family backgrounds. Learning they all came from ordinary households, he instructed the palace staff to arrange accommodations for them in the capital.

Shen Xingyue had lunch in the palace with the Empress and the Little Bookworm. Since the Empress planned to host a banquet later for the top three candidates, she simply asked Shen Xingyue to stay and rest in the side hall.

Shen Xingyue was used to this by now. For the past month or two, the Empress often had her helping with various tasks. Sometimes she wouldn’t even return home at midday, instead taking a nap in the palace before getting back to work in the afternoon.

She slept through the afternoon in the side hall of the Hall of Diligent Governance. When she woke up, it was Wen Jing who called her.

Still half-asleep, she heard Wen Jing’s voice. “Your Highness, please wake up. Her Majesty has summoned you for a discussion.”

“Alright,” Shen Xingyue murmured as she rubbed her eyes and sat up. Thankfully, she wasn’t the type to get grumpy after waking.

She asked a maid to bring some water to freshen up, wiped her face, adjusted her clothes, and stepped out of the hall.

Inside the main hall, along with Shen Xingyue, were Shen Zhengchu, Shen Yining, several Grand Secretaries, the Grand Tutor, and the Imperial Preceptor. None of them seemed surprised to see her. By now, they were used to her presence. Whenever serious matters were discussed, the Empress always brought her in.

Seeing her arrive, Shen Kaiyuan smiled and said, “You’re awake? Come and join us. We’re discussing how to assign official posts to the candidates from the palace exam.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Shen Xingyue replied, bowing respectfully.

“There’s no need for such formality. Wen Jing, have someone bring her a seat,” Shen Kaiyuan said with a warm smile.

And so, Shen Xingyue reluctantly joined the group of hardworking officials. Together with the Empress’s trusted aides, she helped plan the appointments for the candidates. Sometimes, when she became distracted, the Empress would notice and call on her to share her thoughts.

Shen Xingyue had no choice but to speak up. All she wanted now was to finish everything related to the civil service exam and return to her relaxed life. Ever since she offered her suggestions, which helped both Beichuan and the Empress, she had been overwhelmed with responsibilities. She barely had time to rest. Most nights, she could only manage a quick bath before falling asleep. She hadn’t even had time to cuddle with her beloved cat.

Seeing Shen Xingyue’s tired and helpless expression made Shen Kaiyuan smile. She found her niece more and more endearing. Shen Xingyue had her own opinions, showed courage, and knew how to maintain proper boundaries. Most importantly, she didn’t treat Shen Kaiyuan solely as the Empress, but more as an aunt. Shen Kaiyuan could see it clearly. And as for Shen Yining, Shen Xingyue’s feelings were even more obvious. That time at the South Gate, when she risked her life to save her, said everything.

By the time the sky darkened, the discussion finally came to an end. Shen Xingyue and Shen Kaiyuan headed to the rear palace to join the Empress and the Little Bookworm in hosting the top three candidates. After the banquet, it was already very late when Shen Xingyue and Shen Zhengchu prepared to leave. The Empress even offered to let them stay the night in the palace, but Shen Xingyue missed Su Muyu too much and declined the offer.

In the carriage, Shen Zhengchu looked at his drowsy daughter and hesitated to speak. Recently, more rumors had been spreading throughout the capital. When he entered the palace that afternoon, he had even overheard a few palace servants whispering. The topic of their gossip was his daughter.

Clearing his throat, he finally asked, “Yue’er, have you heard any of the recent rumors?”

“Father, I’ve been so busy these past two months, it feels like I’ve been chased every day. I’m constantly exhausted and can barely stay awake. Where would I find time for gossip? If there’s something you want to tell me, just say it,” Shen Xingyue replied, almost on the verge of tears. She had made a few suggestions for the civil service exams that ended up helping both Beichuan and the Empress, but now she was the one being worked to the bone. Her whole family was filled with royal relatives, yet she was still being treated like a full-time servant.

Shen Zhengchu folded his hands together and took a moment before finally speaking.

“Lately, because you’ve been spending so much time with your aunt and with Yining—and with Shen Yiqian and Shen Yijia no longer around—some people in the capital have started spreading rumors. They’re saying… that you’re the illegitimate daughter of Her Majesty and the late Empress Consort, born before their marriage and raised in our household. That would explain why they care for you so much.”

Shen Xingyue was so startled that she started coughing and only recovered after a while. “Illegitimate daughter? These people must be bored out of their minds. Can’t they stop spreading rumors and gossip?”

“I know it’s not true,” Shen Zhengchu replied, “but there are a lot of people saying it. Especially after what happened this morning—it’s already spread all over the capital. During the palace examination, Her Majesty had you and the Crown Princess sit on the ninth step with the candidates. Isn’t that right?”

Shen Xingyue nodded, looking a little embarrassed. “Yes. But I didn’t want to sit there. The whole time, it felt like the chair was on fire. I was so uncomfortable. But Aunt insisted that I stay with Ning’er.”

“Didn’t you later go up to the fourteenth step with the Crown Princess and sit beside the jade desk?” Shen Zhengchu asked again.

“I did. I stayed where I was, but Aunt kept urging me. I didn’t want to embarrass her in public, so I followed Ning’er. Please don’t tell me people are making more assumptions because of that,” Shen Xingyue said, now clearly anxious.

“It’s not exactly new rumors, but that incident made the old ones sound more believable,” Shen Zhengchu said with a sigh. “Only palace attendants and the Crown Princess are allowed on the fourteenth step. For you to be up there made it look like you overstepped your position.”

He sighed again. This was his daughter—yet now people were saying she was his older sister’s secret child. The thought made his heart ache.

“I know it looked inappropriate, but I didn’t have a choice. Aunt was the one who insisted,” Shen Xingyue said, leaning back against the carriage wall. She really wasn’t cut out for all this. She’d only been doing proper work for a short while, and already such absurd rumors were flying around. She didn’t even want to imagine what might come next. Thankfully, the civil service exam was over. Shen Xingyue felt like she could finally relax a bit.

“Things should settle down now. With the exams wrapped up, maybe Aunt will stop pulling me into everything. I haven’t had a real break in almost two months. I just want to spend time with Yu’er. I’ve missed her so much.”

Shen Zhengchu gave a quiet cough. His daughter really was something. While others would do anything to earn the Empress’s favor, his Yue’er didn’t care at all. All she thought about was her wife. Still, there was no denying it—Yue’er had been doing better and better lately. So much so that the rumors about her being the Empress’s secret daughter almost seemed plausible. He had to admit, he felt a bit jealous himself.

“You shouldn’t think that way. Her Majesty values you. It’s only right that you help her when you can,” Shen Zhengchu said sincerely.

“I understand, Father. Let’s not talk about it anymore—we’re home. I’m going to find Yu’er. She must be waiting and probably worried by now,” Shen Xingyue said, hopping off the carriage and hurrying toward Feixue Courtyard.

Snow had started falling again, forming a light layer over the ground. A few servants were sweeping the paths when she arrived. When they saw her, they quickly bowed.

She waved at them and smiled. “Thanks for your hard work. Once you’re done, go rest, alright?”

“Yes, Your Highness,” they replied in unison.

Because of the snow, if it wasn’t cleared regularly, it would quickly pile up. So the household had servants rotate shifts to sweep it away.

When Shen Xingyue entered her room, Su Muyu was already asleep, curled up on the bed. The sound of the door opening stirred her awake.

Shen Xingyue saw her sleepy little cat blinking at her from under the covers and felt her heart melt. She took off her cloak, shook off the snow, and asked gently, “Did I wake you?”

“Yes. Why did you come back so late?” Su Muyu asked softly. Her voice was even more delicate than usual, full of sleepy charm.

“Her Majesty had Father and me stay for dinner with the top three exam candidates. We ended up talking for quite a while. You go back to sleep. I’ll have someone bring hot water,” Shen Xingyue said quickly, trying to soothe her.

“No. Why won’t you come and hold me first?” Su Muyu pouted, her voice sweet and tender.

“I’m still freezing. Let me warm up first, then I’ll come cuddle you,” Shen Xingyue said with a smile. She walked over, leaned down, and looked at her little cat with affection.

Su Muyu clearly didn’t believe her. She sat up, wrapped her arms around Shen Xingyue’s neck, and pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her lips. Then she tried to hug her tightly, only to shiver from the cold.

Shen Xingyue laughed and gently rubbed the top of her head. “See? I told you I’m cold. Be good. I’ll warm up first, then I’ll hold you.”

Su Muyu reluctantly lay back under the covers. She never slept well when Shen Xingyue wasn’t with her. Still feeling drowsy, she decided to rest her eyes for a bit and wait until Shen Xingyue got into bed. But before she knew it, she had fallen asleep again. She had been busy all day too—managing accounts and sending gifts to her mother and family. She was simply too tired to stay awake.

After washing up and changing, Shen Xingyue sat by the brazier to warm herself for a while. Once she was sure her body was no longer cold, she walked over to the bed and found her little cat already fast asleep.

Not wanting to wake her, Shen Xingyue quietly let down the bed curtains. Seeing Su Muyu had fallen asleep on the outer side, she carefully climbed in and lay down on the inner side. She propped herself up slightly to look at her for a few moments. Even then, it didn’t feel like enough—she still wanted to be closer. But her little cat was fast asleep.

Left with no choice, Shen Xingyue lay down quietly and tried to fall asleep. For the past two months, their days had been like this—most nights, they were both so tired they fell asleep before they could do much at all.

And just as expected, the moment Shen Xingyue’s head hit the pillow, she drifted off into sleep.

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