Chapter 29 – Serving in Bed Again

Shen Qing said, “Probably.”

There had been someone tactless earlier, and since Xuanyuan Ling had run into it once already, he likely wouldn’t come again during the day. Moreover, Xuanyuan Ling would definitely be able to see why Noble Lady Lin had come.

If he figured it out, he would be even less likely to come again.

Indeed, Xuanyuan Ling didn’t blame Shen Qing. At most, it was Noble Lady Lin being clueless—there was no reason to pin anything on Shen Qing.

Still, being forced into a conversation by Noble Lady Lin had left him feeling annoyed. Xuanyuan Ling also realized that she had deliberately gone to Shen Qing’s place, clearly hoping to run into him by “coincidence.”

If their relationship were truly close, she wouldn’t have behaved so inappropriately.

It was obviously a ploy to bump into him at Shen Qing’s.

Xuanyuan Ling had already dealt with a Consort Yu in the past. Back then, Beauty Wang had tried to get his favor by cozying up to Consort Yu. Now Noble Lady Lin was doing the same with Shen Qing. It dampened his mood.

Thinking about it, among all the women in the harem, the one he currently favored the most was still Shen Qing. But if even someone with Shen Qing’s current low rank was being pursued as a shortcut to gain favor, then perhaps he had been visiting her too often—and the others too little.

So, for the next few days, he deliberately avoided flipping Shen Qing’s nameplate.

Beauty Qiao, one of the prettier women from the recent batch to enter the palace—second only to Shen Qing—had served him a few times before. Over the next several days, her nameplate was chosen repeatedly. She had barely had time to enjoy this fresh wave of favor before Xuanyuan Ling’s interests shifted once again.

In the month that followed, Noble Lady Shen and Beauty Zhao also seemed to regain some of the Emperor’s attention.

Compared to earlier, when he rarely sought out anyone other than Shen Qing, this change made it look as if she had fallen out of favor. Suddenly, other consorts were being favored, one after another.

The Empress had initially taken a liking to Shen Qing, not expecting the Emperor to suddenly change his preferences like this.

She couldn’t even say if she felt relieved or uneasy about it.

Most women naturally disliked their husband doting on someone else. But the Empress had wanted Shen Qing to bear a child.

Jinzhi said, “Your Majesty had originally thought that since none of the beauties were favored, Shen Liangren’s low status would make her easier to manage. But now those beauties are all being favored again. And as long as a child is born from a beauty, she still wouldn’t be able to raise it herself. It’s the same either way.”

The Empress understood that logic. No matter which beauty got pregnant, it would be the same outcome. She didn’t truly like Shen Qing; it had just been a strategic decision.

Now she simply let the matter go. Whoever the Emperor favored—she had no say in it.

But during the next group morning greeting, some of the favored women clearly came with a different air about them.

Beauty Qiao, in particular. After a few days of being doted on, she arrived adorned with elegant new accessories in her hair.

The Empress looked at her and smiled faintly, saying nothing. But after the greeting was over, a few consorts gathered around Beauty Qiao and chatted:

“Is that the jade hairpin the Emperor gifted you? It’s so beautiful.”

Shen Qing overheard just that one line. She’d never been close to these women, so she quietly returned to Zhaohua Palace.

Unexpectedly, that very night, Xuanyuan Ling flipped her nameplate.

It had been a whole month.

After many days, Shen Qing was once again carried before Xuanyuan Ling. He didn’t speak at first when he saw her.

“What’s wrong?” he asked. But the moment he laid eyes on her, it was hard to look away.

“Nothing much. Just that I haven’t seen Your Majesty for a month,” Shen Qing looked up at him with wide, expectant eyes, as if trying to imprint his face on her memory.

Xuanyuan Ling didn’t think it was inappropriate. This little one was always good at acting coy, and her words were honest too. Besides, she missed him. There were plenty in the harem who missed him, but not all of them made him feel pleased about it.

This one line from Shen Qing struck him as sincere and adorable.

He couldn’t help but curl his lips slightly.

He hadn’t seen her in a while, and now that she was clean and free of makeup, her skin looked even more delicate.

But… she seemed thinner.

He reached out and pinched her cheek. “Lost some weight?”

Yes, she had.

It was summer, and her appetite hadn’t been great.

But of course, she couldn’t say that.

Shen Qing lowered her gaze, her expression dimming slightly.

Xuanyuan Ling remembered her saying it had been a month since they last saw each other. He realized she really had missed him. Seeing her look so downcast made him wonder if her weight loss was from pining for him.

Over the past month, he had been with plenty of other women. Seeing her like this now, he felt strangely guilty.

It was a strange feeling. He was the Emperor—sharing his favor across the harem was completely normal.

But with her right in front of him, looking like she wanted to see him yet was scared to show it—she looked pitiful.

This little enchantress… Was she becoming even more beautiful?

Clearly, she wasn’t wearing any makeup. Her hair hadn’t even been styled properly after being bathed and carried here. And yet, that face looked like it had been crafted as the epitome of classic beauty.

Xuanyuan Ling felt conflicted. On one hand, he felt satisfied. On the other, frustrated.

He was pleased because she belonged to him.

Frustrated because among all the women in the harem, he could easily stop favoring anyone he wanted—except her. Her appearance seemed tailor-made to his tastes, and her personality was charming too. If he ignored her, even he would feel like he was wasting something precious.

See? He had planned to stay away for two months, and it had only been one when he came back to her again.

Xuanyuan Ling’s face darkened at the thought.

Seeing his expression, Shen Qing guessed this damn Emperor must be thinking some nonsense again.

Might as well get straight to the bedroom matters.

Still, she knew how to play her role. She showed a faint expression of fear.

Seeing her act like that, Xuanyuan Ling suddenly bit her ear, growling, “You weren’t exactly obedient when we were alone in Zhaohua Palace before. Now you’re scared when you see me?”

Before Shen Qing could reply, he tilted his head and moved from her ear to her lips, biting down on them.

Like punishment, he ground his lips against hers.

Shen Qing let out a soft whimper.

Xuanyuan Ling’s lips quirked upward, his heart trembling slightly at the sound.

It had been a month. Xuanyuan Ling was like a starving wolf. Maybe he was bottling up some frustration. Looking at Shen Qing now, he didn’t just feel desire—there was a strange complexity to it.

Her seductive beauty excited him. But the more excited he became, the more complicated his feelings grew.

Ultimately, Shen Qing was simply too tempting.

Deliberately wanting to wear her out, Xuanyuan Ling didn’t hold back.

But seeing her eventually begging for mercy, his heart softened a little. In the end, he didn’t have the heart to push her too far and let her go.

Even so, Shen Qing was too sore to get up for a long while. When she finally did, she tried not to show any resentment, though her face held a trace of grievance.

Xuanyuan Ling looked at her and didn’t think she was being dramatic. On the contrary, he felt a rare tenderness toward her. It was his own turbulent emotions that had caused him to vent on Shen Qing.

He had thoroughly enjoyed himself tonight. But feeling a bit guilty, he called toward the outside, “Bring food.”