Chapter 48 – Sick

In just a few days, it would be time for the Mid-Autumn banquet, and Shen Qing was already thinking about what to wear this time.

She had already shown her loyalty once by wearing the clothes gifted by the Empress—should she keep things low-key this time?

Shen Qing was still the earliest to arrive. After all, she always made a point not to be late, so she would head out in advance.

Once she arrived, the others gradually followed.

Today was the Mid-Autumn banquet. According to custom, all the concubines in the palace could attend. Noble Lady Lin and Beauty Zhao came in together—no one knew how those two had ended up walking in side by side.

Later came Noble Lady Fang, who was pregnant, followed shortly by Consort Yu. After Consort Yu arrived, Shen Qing no longer paid much attention—she only knew that the rest arrived one after another.

Today, Consort Yu and Consort Chun were both dressed quite strikingly. Previously, the Emperor had issued an edict stating that they were to assist the Empress in palace affairs, so now everyone knew of their elevated positions.

So it wasn’t surprising they were showing off a little.

When Consort Yu passed by Shen Guiren, she even cast her a sideways glance. Ever since Shen Guiren had schemed against her that one time, causing her to be frightened by Xuanyuan Ling, she didn’t dare try anything again. But naturally, just seeing her still made her feel disgusted.

Shen Guiren pressed her lips together and pretended not to see.

In front of so many people, being this aggrieved made her feel suffocated and miserable inside.

Not long after, Xuanyuan Ling arrived. He still openly showed respect for the Empress. Although the Empress had organized this Mid-Autumn banquet together with Consort Chun and Consort Yu, she still held the dignified authority of the mother of the nation.

Once the Empress took her seat, everyone around became more respectful, and as always, the Emperor arrived last.

Shen Qing didn’t care much about any of that. She only waited for Xuanyuan Ling to appear so she could bow along with the other concubines. Once that was done, the banquet proceeded with the usual uninspired performances of song and dance.

After all, the Mid-Autumn banquet was meant to celebrate moon-viewing. Shen Qing looked up at the round, bright moon in the sky. She hadn’t felt anything before, but suddenly her emotions rippled a little.

Ever since she had transmigrated here, she had deliberately avoided thinking about home—about her parents. But now, the thoughts crept in. Shen Qing pressed her lips together.

She hadn’t expected to eat her fill at this kind of banquet anyway, but now she didn’t even have the appetite.

Staring at the dishes with her head lowered, Shen Qing looked rather pitiful.

Xuanyuan Ling glanced over and noticed she didn’t look very happy.

But he only looked once before turning his gaze away.

When the banquet ended, Xuanyuan Ling still went to the Empress’s palace as per tradition. He was willing to give her that respect, and she wore a smile full of satisfaction.

With the event wrapped up, everyone returned to their respective palaces.

After rising, Shen Qing felt listless. She looked up at the moon and gave a bitter laugh at herself—why was she getting all sentimental? She had already transmigrated here, so what else could she do? Go back?

With a mind full of tangled thoughts, she returned to Zhaohua Palace.

Meanwhile, Xuanyuan Ling spent the night at Fengyi Palace but hadn’t forgotten about Shen Qing. He asked Zhao Hai, “Has the Imperial Kitchen been properly attending to Zhaohua Palace?”

Zhao Hai had heard this question more than once and thought to himself, What’s going on here? Why does the Emperor keep worrying that Shen Liangren isn’t eating properly?

He hadn’t paid attention to Shen Qing the day before.

Xuanyuan Ling had matters to deal with and couldn’t go visit Shen Qing in person, so he told Zhao Hai, “Send someone to check on her. If she’s sick, summon an imperial physician to take a look.”

Zhao Hai clicked his tongue. Shen Liangren really is the most favored in the harem now—not by rank, but in how deeply the Emperor thinks of her. She’s truly the first.

He didn’t dare slack off, fearing the Emperor would ask for details later. So he went personally.

He had thought nothing was likely wrong, but when he arrived, he saw Chunhua anxiously preparing to go out.

Chunhua was surprised to see Zhao Hai and quickly bowed.

“What’s going on? Why are you in such a rush?”

“Liangren is sick. I was just about to report to the Empress to request an imperial physician for her.”

Zhao Hai was startled. “She really is sick?” The Emperor had been right?

“She is.” Chunhua was clearly worried.

Last night, Shen Qing had come back in low spirits. She had sat alone in the courtyard looking at the moon, and who knew if that was when she caught a chill. After that, she went to sleep, but this morning when Chunhua went to wake her, she noticed something was wrong.

As soon as she touched her, she realized her whole body was burning hot.

Fortunately, Zhao Hai had come early and caught the timing just right.

Seeing Chunhua like that, Zhao Hai immediately ordered the young eunuch behind him to run and deliver the message. He would certainly be faster than Chunhua.

Zhao Hai himself went inside to take a look. There he saw Shen Qing lying on the bed, eyes tightly shut, face flushed red but lips pale—was this a fever?

Zhao Hai furrowed his brows deeply.

He had no idea how the Emperor had sensed yesterday that Shen Liangren might fall ill. If it were nothing serious, he could’ve just reported back and been done with it. But now that Shen Liangren clearly wasn’t well, he couldn’t just walk away.

Thankfully, the imperial physician arrived quickly.

The physician was a bit surprised to see Zhao Hai there, but the patient came first. He immediately stepped forward to take Shen Qing’s pulse.

“How is she?” Zhao Hai asked.

“Replying to you, Gonggong, Liangren has caught a cold. It’s a wind chill entering the body, combined with excessive sorrow and worry, which has caused the illness to strike hard and fast. I will need to prescribe medicine and perform acupuncture to help stabilize her condition.”