Rebirth: So what if my husband is a little crazy? He loves me.

Chapter 33 Whether I draw or not depends on my mood

Peony watched the whole thing with her mouth agape. She had never seen her young mistress argue with anyone before, and she never expected her mistress to be so fierce.

"Did I scare you?" Shen Li leaned back on the couch, looking relaxed.

Peony's eyes were full of concern and worry: "Miss is so brave, but you just rejected the Imperial Concubine like that? I've heard that even the Empress has to give her some respect in this palace. Aren't you worried that she'll be angry if you don't give her face like this?"

Even someone with her impulsive nature would find this behavior reckless, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it arrogant.

“Now she’s the one asking me for a favor. Whether it works out or not depends not on her mood, but on mine,” Shen Li said lightly, as if stating an indisputable truth.

Peony was both surprised and delighted to see her young mistress like this. She was delighted that her mistress was finally no longer enduring everything, but she was surprised because it seemed like she had gone too far. She could even sense a faint domineering aura emanating from her mistress.

This is going head-to-head with that favored concubine who reigns supreme in the palace. Is this going to work?

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"How dare she not come when I summoned her?" A look of disbelief appeared on Consort Zheng's exquisite and beautiful face.

“Exactly, you didn’t see how arrogant she was, she didn’t listen to a word you said.” Su Mei added fuel to the fire, “This servant doesn’t know where she got the guts.”

Consort Zheng, having seen her share of storms, pondered for a moment and instead of getting angry, gave a cold laugh: "Fine, fine."

"What did you say, Your Highness?" Su Mei was completely confused.

"If she were to be so patient and tolerant, I really wouldn't be able to do anything about her. But look at her, she doesn't know how to avoid suspicion from the Crown Prince and even dares to show her dissatisfaction with me. Do you think I'm worried about not being able to find a reason to accuse her?"

Su Mei suddenly realized, "Your Majesty is brilliant."

"I thought she was very composed. What's the use of reading so many books? She's just a girl, she doesn't have any clever ideas."

Consort Zheng snorted triumphantly and then ordered, "His Majesty will be having dinner tonight. She will surely come to pay her respects then. I'll skin her alive!"

Su Mei seemed to see a glimmer of hope, and immediately perked up again. She wanted to see if Shen Li could still act arrogantly later.

Consort Zheng held a mirror made from a single piece of gemstone in her hand, and said while looking in the mirror, "Everyone says that this girl's painting skills and artistic conception are already comparable to many famous painters of the previous dynasty. I really look forward to seeing what she will paint me like."

“Your Majesty is unparalleled in beauty throughout history. Even capturing just a fraction of your charm in a painting would be enough to make your story a timeless classic,” Su Mei replied.

When Consort Zheng smiled, the fine lines at the corners of her eyes were already very obvious. Her face tightened almost instantly, and she got up and walked outside.

"Your Highness, where are you going?" Su Mei hurriedly followed, feeling a little uneasy. Why did Her Highness suddenly change her expression? Had she said something wrong?

"Wanbaoge".

Hearing this, Su Mei felt relieved. Whether the Empress was happy or unhappy, she liked to sit in Wanbaoge. But no matter what mood she was in when she went in, she always came out in a surprisingly good mood.

Wanbaoge is a side hall of Anhua Palace. Its windows are locked all year round, and two palace eunuchs are always guarding the door. The door will only be opened when they see Consort Zheng or the Consort's key.

The door slowly opened, revealing a room with only four walls. Twenty-three large pearls were placed on shelves along the walls, their radiance reflecting off the twenty-three portraits of beautiful women hanging on three of the walls.

Since she entered the palace, the emperor has commissioned a painter to create a portrait of her every year, and this year marks the twenty-fourth year.

In her heart, these portraits were worth more than ten thousand treasures in the world, so she named this place 'Wanbaoge' (Treasure Pavilion).

Consort Zheng looked at her youthful beauty and felt as if she were younger now, regaining her confidence.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Before Emperor Cheng arrived, a eunuch came to the inner palace to announce his arrival. When Shen Li came out, she saw Consort Zheng also walking out of the main hall.

"Greetings, Your Highness." Shen Li stepped forward and bowed.

Consort Zheng left Wanbaoge in the afternoon satisfied and dressed up carefully. She was in a very good mood, but when she saw Shen Li approaching, her gaze visibly darkened.

During the day, she was far away, but now, seeing her up close, I realized that she had grown into a beautiful young woman. With just a touch of makeup, she was no less beautiful than I had been in my youth.

Seeing such a face in front of her was like a constant reminder that her beauty was fading, and no amount of portraits could truly deceive her.

She gritted her teeth secretly, forcing a smile: "Madam Gu, there's no need for such formalities. Since you don't take me seriously, there's no need for you to bow to me anymore."

"Your Majesty's words are indeed putting me in a difficult position. My father is the Minister of Rites, and my husband is the top scholar in the imperial examination. If I don't know proper etiquette, wouldn't I be disgracing both our families and becoming a laughingstock?" Shen Li said in a playful tone.

Consort Zheng had hoped to hear some words of obedience, even if they were merely outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant, they thought they would at least overshadow her. However, she was not about to suffer any loss.

Is this still the Shen Li I remember, the one who was so bookish that she went crazy, and who would only choose to keep quiet even when bullied by princes or neglected by palace servants?

Seeing that even the Empress couldn't gain any advantage, Su Mei felt somewhat at ease, realizing that she wasn't the only one who had suffered a setback.

The other palace servants felt that Shen Li was even somewhat arrogant. If they heard correctly, Shen Li was admitting that she did not take Consort Zheng seriously, and that bowing was merely a matter of her family's etiquette.

"His Majesty has arrived."

A distant announcement interrupted Consort Zheng's words. She suppressed her anger and knelt down in front of the door.

"Welcome, Your Majesty."

"My beloved consort, you may rise." Emperor Cheng reached out to help Consort Zheng up, while looking at Shen Li: "Li'er, get up quickly too. Join me and the consort for dinner tonight and chat about everyday matters."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Hearing this warm tone, Shen Li couldn't help but compare it to the coldness of her previous life.

In his previous life, Gu Chang'an condoned Liu Ling's suicide. Emperor Cheng not only punished Gu Chang'an but also became very dissatisfied with the Shen family. Naturally, he did not give Shen Li a friendly look.

In this life, Emperor Cheng was very satisfied with Gu Chang'an's handling of affairs. He thought that although the Shen family was rigid and conservative, they were still able to distinguish right from wrong. As a result, he also became more affectionate towards Shen Li.

Consort Zheng was even more displeased upon seeing this, but at the same time she was even more wary. It seemed that Shen Li really couldn't be made things difficult for her easily.

"You've really grown into a beautiful young lady. You're lucky to have met Gu Chang'an." Emperor Cheng asked with a smile, "How good is that boy to you? If he dares to bully you, I will never forgive him."

"With His Majesty's approval, how could he dare to treat me badly?" Shen Li's brows held a hint of arrogance, yet she also had a coquettish demeanor.

Consort Zheng's expression became even more awkward. So this girl knows how to say nice things!

"Hahaha." Emperor Cheng was indeed amused and laughed, then said, "That's right, with me here to stand up for you, let's see who dares to bully you."

Consort Zheng's anger flared even more. She had intended to teach Shen Li a lesson, but now it seemed she had only brought trouble upon herself.