Silent Lover (The Silent Concubine) - Chap 126
Chapter 126 – Replacing the Old with the New
Everyone in the palace and the capital knew that Prince Zhenbei had recently taken a new concubine. Shen Yu, who never paid attention to outside matters, was probably the last to find out, and it was Hong Lian who came to the palace to chat and mentioned it.
“You didn’t know?” Hong Lian thought he had let something slip. “Sir Song was upset upon returning to the mansion, accusing the prince of being fickle and unfaithful.”
Shen Yu shook his head. He had never inquired about Jun Xuanxiao’s affairs. Jun Xuanxiao was naturally a fickle person. Shen Yu had been cold and distant, so it was only a matter of time before he lost patience and sought new love.
“Do you know who the new concubine is?”
Hong Lian, with a mysterious and mischievous look, winked at Shen Yu like a gossiping woman in a marketplace.
“It’s the eldest daughter of the Shen family!” Hong Lian couldn’t hold it in any longer. “Yes, the same Miss Shen whose name you used to marry Prince Zhenbei! Ah, how fickle fate is, so amusing!”
Since discovering Shen Yu’s subtle matchmaking efforts with Song Qing, Hong Lian had frequently come to befriend Shen Yu. Unfortunately, Shen Yu was mute and couldn’t join him in discussing other people’s gossip.
“That Miss Shen is really ambitious. She once tried her best to enter the palace and become the emperor’s consort. Now, with Prince Zhenbei ruling the land, she wants to climb into his bed. Her face is thicker than mine…” Hong Lian covered his face with a round fan, laughing coquettishly.
Shen Yu asked in sign language, “When did this happen?”
“Two days ago, Prince Zhenbei suddenly issued a decree to appoint her.” Hong Lian slapped his thigh. “I almost forgot, tomorrow is the wedding ceremony.”
Shen Yu looked through the window at the palace walls and eaves, decorated with red curtains, couplets, lanterns, and other festive items. No wonder, it was for Prince Zhenbei’s wedding.
On the day Shen Yu married into the prince’s mansion, he was veiled and too nervous to know what the festive scene outside looked like. Now he understood.
“There’s a wedding every year, new people replace the old; only the new ones laugh, the old ones are forgotten…” Hong Lian hummed a tune, lounging on a beauty couch. Shen Yu usually found his singing seductive and frivolous, but now he deeply understood its meaning.
Yes, new people replace the old. In just half a year, he had become the old.
As Shen Yu listened to Hong Lian’s song, Pian Shisi entered with a medicine box, giving Hong Lian a sidelong glance before walking straight to Shen Yu.
Shen Yu smiled and signed, “Did Doctor Pian find a good method?”
Pian Shisi handed Shen Yu several packets of medicinal herbs, pouting. “I found a few ancient remedies. I don’t know if they’ll work, but you can try them…”
Hong Lian, giving Pian Shisi a sidelong glance, said, “Oh~ aren’t you supposed to be a miracle doctor? Trying random medicine won’t kill people, will it?”
Pian Shisi snorted disdainfully. “Where did this gaudy peacock come from? Hurting my divine eyes.” He pretended to rub his eyes, avoiding looking at Hong Lian.
Hong Lian’s smile froze, and he laughed coldly, “A gaudy peacock is better than a wild chicken.”
Pian Shisi despised Hong Lian, who relied on selling himself. He sneered, “I was wrong. You don’t deserve to be a peacock. Sticking a few feathers doesn’t make you a showpiece. It’s May, you should use that fan to air out your stink, you shameless hussy.”
Hong Lian nervously put away his beauty fan. “You’re an elite, and I’m a commoner. But a good cat catches mice, regardless of color. At least I have men who want me, unlike some who have been a widow for years without opening for business.”
Pian Shisi was enraged. The biggest thorn in his heart was that his beloved had never expressed his feelings. That’s why he left for the northern capital in a fit of anger.
“I’m not like you, selling yourself to men for a living!”
Hong Lian stood up and retorted, “That’s my skill. Try it yourself? You’re already twenty-four or five, your rear is too wrinkled to sell…”
Pian Shisi, arms crossed, haughtily said, “I heard Commander Song hasn’t claimed you yet? Throwing yourself at him? Don’t end up losing both the lady and the army.”
Hong Lian was stung. “Commander Song and I are inevitable! You should worry about your childhood sweetheart being stolen!”
Watching the heated argument, Shen Yu found it both amusing and headache-inducing. These two quarreled every time they met. Pian Shisi, from a prestigious medical family, was self-righteous, while Hong Lian, having grown up among street thugs, was full of vulgarity—they were simply incompatible.
With them around, Shen Yu’s quiet palace had some liveliness. He listened to their bickering as he walked toward his wardrobe. Since Prince Zhenbei was having a grand wedding, he should prepare a gift.
