Chapter 67 – A Visit

Chunhua’s voice trembled more and more as she spoke, her heart aching with pain. She kowtowed heavily to Shen Qing and declared resolutely, “This servant understands. No matter what happens, this servant will never speak of this matter—not even under threat of death.”

Fangyun’s heart trembled as well. She followed Chunhua’s example and also kowtowed heavily. “If this servant ever speaks of this, may I die miserably, may I be reborn as a pig or a dog in the next life!”

Talking about death was considered highly inauspicious in the palace. Especially with Fangyun even cursing herself in the next life—it was taboo.

Shen Qing curled her lips into a faint smile. “Stand up, both of you. Of everyone in this palace, I spend the most time with you two. Would I not know what kind of people you are? This time, the Emperor came so quickly—Xiao Quanzi played a part too. When we return to Zhaohua Palace, there will be rewards. Let’s enjoy a good meal together.”

If the Emperor hadn’t come and the Empress had arrived instead, her corpse would already have gone cold.

Chunhua and Fangyun nodded through their tears.

Naturally, the news of Shen Qing waking up eventually reached Xuanyuan Ling’s ears.

That evening, upon hearing the news, Xuanyuan Ling made another trip to Zhongyu Palace.

Consort Yu, upon learning the Emperor had come, was waiting at the entrance. At this moment, she had removed her hairpins in a gesture of penitence. As soon as she saw him, she dropped to her knees.

Xuanyuan Ling merely cast a glance at her posture—a single, fleeting glance.

Then he walked past her without a word.

Consort Yu’s lips trembled. In truth, Xuanyuan Ling barely spared her a look before turning his gaze away. She stared at his retreating back in disbelief, her heart seizing tightly, a chill spreading inside her.

She had served Xuanyuan Ling for more than just a day or two. If he were angry, he would have exploded on the spot—as he had before, even when she was pregnant. He had imposed house arrest without hesitation. But now… he was simply cold.

Consort Yu, for all her jealousy and confusion, had always cared about Xuanyuan Ling’s moods. Now, watching him, she felt a growing fear in her heart.

The Empress had punished her, yes. But the Emperor hadn’t. She understood that if he had lashed out in anger, she would at least have known the extent of her punishment—and that it would pass.

But that indifference just now—that detached, cold demeanor—it was just like how he treated the Empress.

She had seen it before. Toward the Empress, he still maintained appearances, but emotionally, he was distant. Cold.

Consort Yu clenched her hands tightly. Her face remained composed, but her heart was in chaos. She could do nothing but grit her teeth and snarl under her breath, “Wretched woman! That wretched woman!” She had driven the Emperor this far from her!

Wan Zhao, too, was filled with anxiety. The Emperor was still here—they couldn’t afford another mishap. “My Lady, please get up. That Shen Liangren is half-dead anyway. His Majesty is showing a little concern, that’s all—for your sake, My Lady.”

“Think about it, My Lady,” Wan Zhao continued. “If Shen Liangren really died in our palace, how unlucky would that be? Even if His Majesty doesn’t punish you, he’d still need to show some concern for her. Otherwise, if she stirs up trouble, it would reflect badly on you.”

Was that really the case?

These words brought Consort Yu some small comfort. She managed to support herself to her feet and didn’t return to her chambers until she saw Xuanyuan Ling enter the side hall.

Shen Qing’s injuries were too severe—she couldn’t move around much. She had spent so much time lying in bed that now she couldn’t sleep. Staring up at the ceiling with wide-open eyes, she felt like she was lying in a coffin.

That was exactly how she looked when Xuanyuan Ling walked in.

Of course, what Xuanyuan Ling saw wasn’t someone lying in a coffin. Her face was pale, her eyes blankly fixed on the ceiling. The light in her eyes had dimmed—she looked like she’d lost her spirit. Yet he didn’t think it was ugly. With her previous air of innocence and injustice as a backdrop, seeing her like this tugged at his heart once more.

What he didn’t know was that Shen Qing was simply wide awake from oversleeping and was spacing out.

“Are you feeling any better?” Xuanyuan Ling’s voice broke the silence.

Shen Qing turned her head and saw him. Her eyes immediately reddened. “Your Majesty…”

Xuanyuan Ling’s steps paused.

She looked truly pitiful.

Seeing her struggling as though trying to get out of bed, Xuanyuan Ling feared that his lack of approach had made her think he was angry at her. He quickly stepped forward. “You’re still injured—why are you moving around? Don’t you want to get better?”

His tone carried a touch of urgency.

He exhaled and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. “I know. This matter was Consort Yu’s fault.”

Shen Qing’s expression froze for a moment. Then she pouted slightly.

Xuanyuan Ling’s hand stroked the side of her face as she gazed at him with teary eyes, then lowered her gaze shyly.

The way she lowered her eyes—so tender, so obedient—made her seem even more delicate. If she could bear a child just like herself, wouldn’t that child be equally sweet?

That thought lingered in Xuanyuan Ling’s mind, refusing to leave.

When the imperial physician had said that Shen Qing would have difficulty bearing children in the future, he hadn’t felt much at the time. He had never seriously considered her childbearing prospects. Deep down, he’d always believed he wouldn’t lack for children. Even though now he only had the First Prince, the Second Prince, and the Third Princess—the First and Second Princesses having passed away—he was still young, and there would always be new women in the harem.

After all, he was the Emperor. Women in the harem were there to bear him children—he wasn’t lacking in that department.

But now, looking at Shen Qing, he couldn’t help but think: in the future, she would never have children again. A woman in the harem without a child would be vulnerable—he knew that. If he didn’t protect her, she would truly be left with nothing.

That thought filled Xuanyuan Ling with guilt. He had promised to protect her, and yet she had been hurt so badly. He never imagined Consort Yu would dare go so far. He had thought her only domineering—never imagined she would so easily endanger someone’s life. The more he thought about it, the more disgusted he felt toward Consort Yu.

Still, with Shen Qing before him, his tone softened. “Does it hurt?”

“Yes,” Shen Qing bit her lower lip. “It hurts a lot.”

Xuanyuan Ling sighed, his heart softening completely. He reached out and gently touched her.

Zhao Hai, glancing back from the side, saw the Emperor carefully massaging Shen Qing’s abdomen and sighed to himself once more. What a pity. If she could still bear children, her future would have been limitless. But now… that was no longer something anyone could say for sure.