Chapter 11 – Let Me See What You’ve Learned

In the harem, gossip about who spent the night with the Emperor and who didn’t circulated daily. Shen Qing used to be summoned every few days to serve the Emperor. Among the newly entered concubines, she stood out. But after that third time, an entire month passed without Xuanyuan Ling summoning her again. Those who had once thought it wise to curry favor with Shen Liangren were now utterly confused.

Just three times, and the Emperor was already tired of her?

Consort Yu found this news odd too. “Could it be that she did something to displease His Majesty?”

Wen Qiu replied, “After all, she’s from a humble background. She might be charming, but His Majesty doesn’t only look at appearances.”

Consort Yu had to agree. She used to find Shen Qing’s pretty face irritating, but now that the Emperor had suddenly lost interest in her, her mood immediately improved. Naturally, Shen Qing no longer held any weight in her eyes.

Thinking back, she couldn’t believe she had once seen Shen Qing as a threat. It felt like she had been momentarily possessed.

Over in the Empress’s palace, the Empress frowned upon hearing the news. “Forget it. Who can guess the Emperor’s thoughts? What a waste of a beautiful face.”

Jinzhi added, “Exactly.”

The Empress said heavily, “Useless.”

As she spoke, she unconsciously rested her hand on her lower abdomen.

The Emperor stayed at Fengyi Palace on the first and fifteenth of every month—this was tradition. But they rarely consummated the marriage. She wished for a legitimate son, yet found it difficult to conceive. This had become a hidden pain in her heart.

Shen Qing’s fall from favor might have made her a laughingstock, but to the other women in the harem, she no longer stirred up envy or hatred.

Even greetings became more peaceful.

However, the better meals that had recently started appearing on her table had begun to deteriorate again over the past two days.

After Shen Qing returned to Zhaohua Palace, everything went on as usual. But by dinnertime, Chunhua wore a bitter expression. “The imperial kitchen is really…”

As she spoke, Shen Qing took a look. Today’s meal was indeed quite meager—simple to the point of being miserable.

Back when she had served in bed a few times, Xuanyuan Ling had specifically instructed the imperial kitchen to treat her well. The chefs had tried to curry favor, and her meals visibly improved. Even after half a month without being summoned, the food quality only slightly declined. But now, after a full month, it had reverted to what it was when she first entered the palace.

It wasn’t terrible, but once you got used to luxury, it was hard to return to frugality.

It looked downright pitiful now.

Shen Qing didn’t even want to complain anymore. If anything defined “two-faced,” it was the chefs at the imperial kitchen.

Chunhua grew worried. “Liangren, should we perhaps send some gifts?”

Shen Qing shook her head. “No need. Let’s wait a bit longer.”

Chunhua didn’t understand, but seeing how composed Shen Qing remained, she was puzzled. Clearly, it had been quite a while since she had last served the Emperor—wasn’t Liangren concerned?

Even so, she didn’t dare ask why the Emperor hadn’t summoned her in so long.

Over this past month, Shen Qing had grown increasingly satisfied with Chunhua’s behavior and treated her with greater affection.

The next day, Shen Qing ran into Wang Meiren in the imperial garden. Wang Meiren had entered the palace at the same time as her and had only served the Emperor once.

Shen Qing didn’t want to make things awkward. They were both consorts, so proper etiquette still applied. They greeted each other, but neither spoke further, and the atmosphere quickly grew uncomfortable.

Just then, to their surprise, Xuanyuan Ling happened to walk by.

Shen Qing hadn’t expected such a coincidental meeting, but since it had happened, there was nothing to be done. She and Wang Meiren both respectfully bowed to the Emperor.

Wang Meiren was extremely nervous. She had only served the Emperor once. Now that she saw him again, it was a chance—if he remembered her, there might be another opportunity in the future.

“Rise,” Xuanyuan Ling said.

His gaze swept over the two of them. Wang Meiren was nervously twisting her fingers, while Shen Qing cast him a careful glance—then quickly looked away, as though embarrassed. It was the look of someone who wanted to look but didn’t dare.

Xuanyuan Ling couldn’t help but wonder whether she’d dare to sneak another glance.

Sure enough, after holding back for a moment, she looked up again—and found that he was looking directly at her. Startled, she looked down once more.

Xuanyuan Ling nearly laughed. He was genuinely intrigued. “Since we’ve met, let’s walk together.”

Wang Meiren’s heart nearly leapt out of her chest. The Emperor had invited her to accompany him!

Shen Qing also looked pleasantly surprised and smiled sweetly at the Emperor.

Xuanyuan Ling found her smile pleasing to the eye and decided to walk with them.

But after a short while, he grew tired of strolling. He had nothing to say to Shen Qing or Wang Meiren, so after a brief walk, they parted ways.

Back at Zhaohua Palace, Shen Qing considered Xuanyuan Ling’s demeanor and thought—it’s been a month. Surely, the time is about right.

After dinner, she went about her usual routine—practicing some yoga. Once finished, she prepared for bed, and Chunhua also prepared to return to her own quarters. But unexpectedly, the Emperor himself arrived.

It had been an entire month without a single summons. Not only did he skip drawing lots—he came in person?

Chunhua was stunned, though she remembered to perform the proper bow.

Shen Qing also moved to bow.

“No need,” Xuanyuan Ling said flatly.

Shen Qing gauged the situation. “Has Your Majesty eaten? Would you like some tea?”

“No need.”

Two refusals in a row. Shen Qing fell silent.

Chunhua, unsure of what to do, quickly summoned Zhao Hai and left the room. Now, only Shen Qing and Xuanyuan Ling remained.

Xuanyuan Ling began studying Shen Qing intently.

She truly belonged to the “stunning at first glance” category. Beautiful indeed, but until now, he had never examined her closely.

Now that he did, he found that her brows, her eyes, her straight nose, and even the natural pinkness of her lips (without any rouge) were all perfectly proportioned. Even her hair exuded the unique charm of a beauty.

Shen Qing seemed a little uneasy, but still stepped forward to stand before him. There was no hint of grievance in her eyes for not having seen him in over a month. She seemed faintly happy—but subtly so.

Then she snuck a glance at him—only to be caught in the act.

“What are you looking at?” Xuanyuan Ling asked.

Shen Qing finally looked slightly flustered. “This concubine wasn’t sure what she might’ve done to displease Your Majesty, so I peeked at you to find out. Please punish me.”

“And what exactly did you do to displease me?”

“This concubine must have done poorly the last time I served in bed.” Shen Qing sounded regretful. “Though I did receive instruction from the palace matrons, I still lack experience.”

So this little thing thought that the reason she hadn’t been summoned in a month was because she hadn’t performed well last time?

That’s all? Such a simple mind.

In truth, Xuanyuan Ling had intentionally avoided her, trying to distance himself after his initial lust.

But now, seeing her like this—gentle temperament, stunning looks—what was the harm in indulging a little? It wasn’t as though she would monopolize his favor. He would still treat everyone fairly.

Was he afraid one little woman could bewitch him?

Xuanyuan Ling reached out and swept her into his arms. “It’s true you’re not very skilled. Do you admit your mistake?”

“This concubine admits her mistake.”

“Since you admit it, have you been practicing diligently?”

Shen Qing’s cheeks turned crimson. “This concubine… has practiced in private.”

Xuanyuan Ling’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “Then let me see—what exactly have you learned.”