WBSGVS Chapter 151 V1

Where Are We Going?

The five concubines, sitting in the carriage, each suggested a different destination. But it didn’t matter where—they were just thrilled to be going out at all.

Unlike the official wife of the household, a concubine was rarely allowed to leave the inner courtyard. Some spent their entire lives confined within its walls.

So, the fact that they were being permitted to go out for some leisure time was nothing short of a blessing.

After much discussion, they finally agreed on a destination—a teahouse near the Imperial Entertainment Bureau.

There, they could send messages to their old acquaintances and rivals from their time at the bureau. Whether to boast or simply check in, each of them had their reasons for wanting to go.

The coachman, obedient as ever, took them straight there.

Their outing budget was generous, so they immediately booked a private room. Before long, word had spread, and those who received their messages started to arrive.

Not everyone was able to leave the bureau freely, but those who did were undoubtedly of some standing.

One such arrival was Silver Bell, the longtime rival of Concubine Zhou. Both had once been rising stars in the entertainment bureau, competing fiercely for recognition.

The Imperial Entertainment Bureau housed official courtesans, but the majority of its members were musicians and dancers. It was considered a more refined institution compared to other establishments, as many of its women came from the fallen families of former officials. Others, like Concubine Zhou, were commoners who had been sold into it.

During their time at the bureau, Zhou and Silver Bell were constantly pitted against each other, always being assigned to the same group. Their rivalry ran deep, turning every little thing into a competition.

When they stood side by side before Lady Mu Qingli for selection, even their hair ornaments were adjusted in a silent battle.

In the end, Mu Qingli chose Zhou.

Zhou was ecstatic. Before leaving, she had even gone out of her way to gloat in front of Silver Bell.

But Silver Bell had cursed her on the spot, predicting that she would either be sent back in disgrace or, worse, tormented daily by the official wife.

After all, what kind of main wife would ever truly welcome a concubine?

For a long time, Zhou had secretly worried that Silver Bell’s curse would come true. But to her surprise, she had been living quite well.

Their mistress was shockingly magnanimous—far beyond what anyone had expected. She bore no malice toward the concubines, and they could all feel it.

And the more generous their mistress was, the happier they became. They were practically bursting with excitement, eager to flaunt their good fortune.

So, the moment Silver Bell stepped into the room, Zhou rushed forward to greet her, gripping her hands tightly with a dazzling smile.

“Silver Bell, my dear sister! You were right to tell me to please our mistress—she is truly wonderful! She was worried we’d be bored at home, so she even arranged for a carriage to take us out for a day of fun! Look at this hairpin—our mistress gave it to me herself!”

Silver Bell had expected to be irritated today, but she had still come to see things for herself. After scanning Zhou up and down, she scoffed, “Oh, sure. You’re living well now. But do you think it will last? Just wait until you have a son—let’s see if your mistress doesn’t ‘accidentally’ get rid of you.”

She made a slicing motion across her throat, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Zhou, however, didn’t react with either fear or smugness. Instead, she exchanged an odd look with the other four concubines, remaining silent.

Sensing something was off, Silver Bell narrowed her eyes. “What? Don’t tell me I hit the mark?”

Zhou shook her head hesitantly, then muttered under her breath, “Well, not exactly…”

“Cuiyu!” Concubine Zhang, the eldest among them, called out in warning.

Zhou stuck out her tongue, clearly holding back something. “Nothing, nothing at all.”

This only made Silver Bell more curious. She kept pestering Zhou, knowing full well they weren’t close enough to keep secrets.

Finally, in a moment of irritation, Zhou blurted out, “I haven’t even had the chance yet!”

Silver Bell’s eyes widened in shock. She clapped a hand over her mouth. “You’re kidding me.”

Zhou mirrored her reaction, covering her mouth in horror. “I didn’t say anything!”

Zhang shot her a sharp glare. “If you say another word when the others arrive, I’ll deal with you myself!”

Silver Bell, however, was practically glowing with excitement. She dragged Zhou aside, flashing a bracelet in her hand. “Tell me everything. I swear I won’t tell a soul. I’ll even give you this.”

Zhou hesitated briefly before finally giving in. She leaned in close and whispered, “Our husband… is impotent.”

Silver Bell gasped. “Oh. My. God.”

By the time the gathering ended, Silver Bell was still in a daze. Even as she left with the later arrivals, her mind was whirling.

That poor woman. What kind of luck was that?

Curious onlookers immediately swarmed her for gossip. At first, she kept quiet, but after being pressed repeatedly, she finally gave in.

“But you can’t tell anyone!” she warned.

The listener nodded eagerly. “Of course not! Just tell me already!”

Silver Bell lowered her voice conspiratorially. “It’s the top scholar from three years ago. He’s… impotent.”

“WHAT?!”

And just like that, the secret began to spread.

That afternoon, Mu Qingli suddenly had a craving for pastries from a bakery on the east side of town. She sent her servant, Qiyue, to buy them.

The moment Qiyue stepped off the carriage and joined the queue, she overheard a group of people gossiping.

She only caught a few words at first, but her expression instantly shifted. By the time she had listened a little longer, she was biting her lip, her shoulders trembling as she struggled to hold back laughter.

Someone ran into a friend and immediately pulled them aside. “Hey, have you heard? The top scholar, Xie Rongyun, is impotent!”