Chapter 68: Don’t Plot Against Consort Yu

Xuan Yuanling massaged her for a while, watching her pitiful expression. Everything had been fine—until Consort Yu stirred up this mess.

It wasn’t just grievance—there was hatred too, right?

“I had all the people who beat you executed by caning,” Xuan Yuanling suddenly said. “Are you afraid?”

This question was not easy to answer.

If she said she was afraid, it would seem fake. But if she said she wasn’t, it would make her appear defiant. Consort Yu calling for beatings and killings was defiant, and clearly the Emperor disliked that sort of behavior. Yet hadn’t he repeatedly said that Consort Yu was in the wrong?

Shen Qing looked stubbornly at Xuan Yuanling. “I’m not afraid. I only feel hatred—hatred that I was innocent and yet suffered such a catastrophe. I hate those people who aided the wicked and struck so ruthlessly. I thank Your Majesty for standing up for me. I am endlessly grateful.”

Xuan Yuanling hadn’t expected Shen Qing to be so firm in her response.

Just like the time she lost her temper and dared to slap him—he hadn’t seen that coming either. And now, looking at her like this, his eyes darkened deeply. “Shen Qing.”

Shen Qing’s heart skipped a beat, her face slightly bewildered. “Yes?”

“Don’t go plotting against Consort Yu.”

The words were so direct that Shen Qing froze for a moment.

Xuan Yuanling reached out and stroked her cheek.

She wasn’t stupid. On the contrary—she was quite clever and knew how to use tricks. Hadn’t she previously refused to serve him in bed just to make a point over being hurt by him? He wasn’t unaware of that. Precisely because he knew, when she dared to admit in front of him that she hated Consort Yu, he hadn’t blamed her.

Saying she didn’t hate her now would also be fake. How could she not hate her? Anyone who was beaten like that for no reason would harbor hatred. And the harem was full of dirty dealings.

He truly did feel pity for her. This incident, however, had complicated things with unspeakable emotions.

“I promise you—no matter who else may come into the palace in the future,” even if you never bear a child again, “I will never neglect you.”

He looked at her as he spoke, his expression unusually solemn.

Only then did Shen Qing seem to come to her senses. “Your Majesty…”

She turned her head away in apparent anger, but quickly turned back, looking at Xuan Yuanling with careful resolve, as if making a promise. “I won’t.”

Xuan Yuanling curled his lips slightly, thinking how obedient she was. Seeing the look in her eyes, he couldn’t help himself—he leaned down and gently kissed her forehead.

Shen Qing’s lashes trembled slightly.

Xuan Yuanling’s hand softly stroked her hair. “Focus on recovering. Don’t be picky about Zhongyu Palace. Consort Yu won’t dare disturb you. Once your health improves, I’ll have you carried back to Zhaohua Palace.”

Shen Qing obediently nodded. “I understand.”

“I’ll come visit you another day,” Xuan Yuanling said, then stood up.

Shen Qing watched him leave, her heart finding his earlier words quite strange.

Leaving aside how sincere they were—his sentiments seemed like he didn’t want the harem to be filled with more schemes and infighting. But surely, he wasn’t going around making the same promise to others to keep them well-behaved, was he? Back when Consort Yu was so favored, did Xuan Yuanling do this for her? If he had, she wouldn’t be in her current state.

For an average consort, such words might inspire deep gratitude. But Shen Qing merely smiled and let it pass.

Still, she now knew for sure—she and Consort Yu were enemies. If nothing happened to Consort Yu in the short term, that was fine. But if something did, she needed to make sure Xuan Yuanling wouldn’t pin it on her. That would be troublesome.

Meanwhile, when Xuan Yuanling left, Consort Yu still came out to see him off, maintaining her usual manner. But Xuan Yuanling didn’t even glance at her and walked straight out of Zhongyu Palace.

Then he said with a blank expression, “To Fengyi Palace.”

It wasn’t the first or fifteenth day of the lunar month, so when Zhao Hai instructed someone to pass the message to Fengyi Palace, the Empress found it hard to believe. The matter of Shen Qing taking birth-control medicine hadn’t even been resolved yet—why would the Emperor come now?

The Empress felt a bit uneasy but still ordered preparations for supper.

When Xuan Yuanling arrived, the Empress received him with utmost respect.

She thought he had come to question the progress of the investigation into the birth-control medicine. She didn’t even know how to bring it up.

Despite all the effort she had poured into the investigation, not even the faintest clue had turned up. And despite her numerous spies in the harem, there wasn’t a single trace left behind.

Even the Empress herself was unsettled. Who was this ruthless and skillful person operating behind the scenes? Her fear now stemmed not only from failing to solve the case but from the sheer strength of the unknown figure responsible.

Whoever had made Shen Qing barren for so long, and did so silently and efficiently—what if that same method was turned on her?

Just the thought made the Empress shudder.

Xuan Yuanling had never had a comfortable meal in the Empress’s palace, but it didn’t matter—he wasn’t here to eat this time anyway.

“I’m planning to adjust Shen Qing’s rank,” Xuan Yuanling said. “What does the Empress think?”

The Empress was momentarily stunned, then quickly composed herself and began to weigh her words. “Shen Liangren suffered such a grave injustice for no reason. She ought to be appeased. I think, perhaps raise her by two ranks—let her become a Noble Lady. What does Your Majesty think?”

Clearly, she had gained the Emperor’s favor. He had protected her before, and now—even though she could no longer bear children—he still intended to raise her status.

Since she wouldn’t have children in the future, the Empress didn’t mind granting her this face.

“Mm,” Xuan Yuanling said. “Also grant her a title.”

The Empress was truly shocked. The Emperor had always been a stickler for rules. Shen Qing was childless and had only been in the palace for just over half a year. When she made her suggestion earlier, it was half out of diplomacy. She’d expected the Emperor to scale it back—not only had he not done that, but now he wanted to grant her a title?

Even Noble Lady Fang, who was pregnant, hadn’t been promoted yet.

“This… I will have the Imperial Household Department draft a title. Once Shen Liangren hears of it, she’ll surely be delighted.”

“No need,” Xuan Yuanling said. “I’ve already chosen one. It will be the character ‘Xi.’” (熙)