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

Chapter 48 Taking Down Shen Li

In her previous life, Shen Li had only seen this person at a few palace banquets. Her impression of him was that he was a dissolute playboy who had failed the imperial examinations for a long time before being granted an official position by the emperor.

So much so that she was somewhat puzzled when this person appeared in front of her. She was looking at the several pots of chrysanthemums that Consort Zheng had sent when this person came out of the main hall and spoke.

"Miss Shen, I greet you." Zheng Youwei bowed slightly to Shen Li and said familiarly, "I have heard that Miss Shen has come to the palace, but I have not yet had the chance to meet you. I wonder if you are getting used to your stay here?"

Shen Li glanced at him up and down. He did look like a decent person, but even though he pretended to be refined, there was still a hint of lewdness in his eyes. His bluish brows also showed that he was a person who was addicted to wine and women.

“I am already married, so you should address me as Madam.” Shen Li’s demeanor was distant and aloof. “I suppose you have very strict family rules, so you won’t need me to correct you next time.”

Zheng Youwei seemed to be stung by Shen Li's sharp edge, and was momentarily stunned.

"Goodbye." Shen Li said again and went inside. She didn't want to say another word to this kind of person.

Zheng Youwei stared at Shen Li's retreating figure, the faint fragrance of her body still lingering in the air. His eyes widened, and he swallowed hard.

I had long heard that Shen Li and Gu Chang'an had a strained relationship. A woman without a man's affections just doesn't have much of a womanly charm. If she were to experience the pleasures of a man, she would surely become more sensible.

He licked his teeth, then turned and went back to the main hall.

"How could such an unlucky creature have come to the palace? If he were outside the palace, and he dared to look at you like that, I would gouge his eyes out!" Peony said angrily.

When has her daughter, with her background and status, ever come into contact with such low-class people?

"You've gotten better and better at choosing words lately, it's really bad luck." Shen Li shook her head: "But those few potted plants need to be taken good care of, I'm taking them with me when I leave the palace."

Although she disliked this kind of person, she didn't want to let it affect her mood.

"Yes." Peony responded and then asked, "Miss, a message came from the Crown Prince's concubine, saying that she wants you to think about how to help the Crown Prince lift his confinement."

"The officials outside aren't putting in the effort; His Majesty won't be able to withstand the pressure in a few days. What's the point of coming to me?" Shen Li washed her hands and went back to painting. "I don't care."

"How should this maidservant reply?"

"I can't say for sure."

"Is that so direct?" Peony felt that her refusal was already very direct, as long as she could understand it.

“Yes.” Shen Li picked up her paintbrush: “I don’t have time to deal with her.”

Peony felt invigorated just listening to it. She had never seen her young mistress stand up to the Crown Prince and the concubine before. This was a good omen.

In her opinion, she would only be happy if she got rid of the life of a bloodsucking young lady like the Crown Prince.

"I'll go right away. First, deliver the message, then water the flowers." Peony happily went off.

Hearing her barely concealed cheerful tone, Shen Li couldn't help but smile as well. Silly girl, you're already happy? This is only the beginning.

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.

“Aunt, think about it. If I get my hands on her, won’t she be completely at our mercy? If she helps my cousin, won’t he be even more powerful?” Zheng Youwei said vividly to Consort Zheng.

Consort Zheng looked at him with pity, rubbing her temples as she listened, her worry visibly evident.

What am I going to do with such a silly nephew?

"Aunt, please let me try. I didn't have any better ideas to begin with," Zheng Youwei continued to persuade. "Besides, isn't it much more valuable to win her over than to get rid of her?"

"Child, this is a good idea, but do you really think you can make her like you?" Consort Zheng tried to soften her tone.

After all, he is his own nephew, a member of the Zheng family bloodline.

“What kind of women hasn’t my nephew seen? This aloof woman might not be like that at heart. Who knows what she’ll be like in bed?” Zheng Youwei said with a smile. “If you give me just a little chance, I guarantee I’ll make her crave more and never want to leave me.”

Consort Zheng looked at him with some doubt, but to be honest, she was somewhat tempted.

Winning over Shen Li was an immense temptation for her.

Give it a try; even if it doesn't go as planned, there won't be much loss. Someone of Shen Li's status certainly wouldn't dare to make it public.

"What do you plan to do?" Consort Zheng asked.

"Aunt is wise." Zheng Youwei hurriedly came over to massage Consort Zheng's legs: "This couldn't be easier to handle, tomorrow night..."

"No," Consort Zheng interrupted him. "You can't disturb her until she finishes her painting. I'll find time."

"Oh, alright, nephew, you should prepare well too." Zheng Youwei was a little disappointed, but still served him attentively: "It's good that you've given me this opportunity."

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.

"It's done." Shen Li finished the last stroke, put down her brush, and looked at the lifelike painting of the goddess flying in the sky, feeling a great sense of pride.

This is her most satisfying painting to date.

"How beautiful!" Peony exclaimed in admiration. "Miss, your painting is so beautiful. I wish it were a painting of yourself."

“Silly girl, have you ever seen a master become famous by painting self-portraits? In a sense, you are often the one who understands yourself the least.”

"His Majesty just arrived, right? Go and announce his arrival. I'll send the painting over once the ink dries." Shen Li rubbed her hands together, eagerly anticipating seeing it.

Peony responded and left. When she returned, she was accompanied by the eunuch's voice: "His Majesty has arrived! The Imperial Concubine has arrived!"

"Your Majesty, Your Highness." Shen Li stepped forward and bowed, not particularly surprised.

"Get up quickly. The Imperial Concubine couldn't wait to see it after you said it was finished, and insisted on bringing me to see it." Emperor Cheng said with a smile, "Quickly show me how it looks?"

"Your Majesty, please move to the desk. The ink is not yet dry, so you cannot move."

Before Shen Li could finish speaking, the Imperial Concubine had already walked over. When she saw the complete painting of the goddess, she was so shocked that she couldn't speak. The painting was both realistic and dreamlike, to a degree that she could never have dreamed of.

Emperor Cheng was also greatly shocked when he saw it: "Shen girl, your painting skills have improved a lot. I remember at the beginning of the year, they were not as wonderful as they are now."

Shen Li could not say that she was no longer the soul of a seventeen-year-old, but her mentality was better than when she was a teenager, and naturally her paintings were more beautiful.

"It's not that I have good painting skills, but that Your Highness is so beautiful that I only managed to capture a few of the colors," she said, her words naturally half-truth and half-lie.

"You're such a humble child. This painting is beautiful. Now, tell me, what reward do you want?" Emperor Cheng asked.