Chapter 91: Pearl Cake

That very night, Zhao Meiren was sent to Xuanyuan Ling by the Office of Ceremonial Affairs.

The bedchamber service was carried out as usual. However, when Zhao Meiren was sent back, Xuanyuan Ling’s expression clearly did not look good.

Zhao Hai saw his expression and felt uneasy—could it be that Zhao Meiren hadn’t served him well?

In truth, it wasn’t that Zhao Meiren did poorly. The procedure of the bedchamber service was exactly what it always was. But Xuanyuan Ling felt that summoning Zhao Meiren that night had been a mistake.

Back when he had summoned Shen Qing in the artificial rock cave, she had stirred him up. He hadn’t done anything to that little girl at the time, but she lingered in his thoughts. Later, out of consideration for Consort Fang who had just given birth, and because there were affairs of state to handle, he hadn’t sought Shen Qing out again. As a result, he had been holding it in. It wouldn’t have mattered if he didn’t think of her, but once she came to mind, he became even more preoccupied.

Today he had summoned Zhao Meiren. It had been quite a few days since he’d last had anyone serve him in bed, so he should’ve been full of desire—but he wasn’t. After just once, he lost interest. Everything just felt… off.

In the end, he couldn’t hold it in. The next day, during his afternoon break, he went to Zhaohua Palace.

Shen Qing was napping at the time. Chunhua and Fangyun saw the Emperor approaching and were about to announce his presence, but Xuanyuan Ling stopped them. “Where’s your mistress?”

“She’s taking an afternoon nap.”

Xuanyuan Ling thought to himself, I’ve been holding it in all this time, and this little thing is living so comfortably.

Still, he didn’t have the heart to wake her. He waved Chunhua and Fangyun away and went inside by himself.

As expected, Shen Qing was sound asleep and didn’t notice his arrival. When Xuanyuan Ling stepped in, he saw her sleeping peacefully. It made him think of how he had been tormented with longing last night—what a miserable night it had been.

She stirred me up and left me uncomfortable, yet she’s sleeping soundly?

Just looking at her made Xuanyuan Ling angry. Under normal circumstances, especially during the day, he wouldn’t do anything inappropriate—Shen Qing hadn’t done anything wrong, so there was no real reason for him to be consumed by desire. But this burning in his heart wasn’t something that had started just today.

Unable to suppress it any longer, Xuanyuan Ling let out a faint grunt, climbed onto the bed, lifted her quilt, and slipped in beside her.

Shen Qing was enjoying a good nap when he roused her with his actions. She didn’t suspect anyone else—after all, in this palace, who else but Xuanyuan Ling would dare to do such a thing? But still, it was broad daylight. Was he out of his mind, coming to bother her like this?

Lack of sleep made Shen Qing irritable, and she began to fuss.

Xuanyuan Ling, clearly annoyed by her resistance, growled, “Behave and serve in bed. Stop making a scene.”

“Who made Your Majesty so angry?” Shen Qing’s expression was pure grievance, but inside, she was boiling.

Damn you! I was enjoying a nice nap, and now you’re messing with me? You dog of an emperor—just two days of being human, and now you’re back to being a beast?

From what she could tell, he must’ve had his interest piqued by someone else, only to come vent his frustration on her.

Xuanyuan Ling felt exasperated. He didn’t even want to explain—not because he had a better reason, but because it was simply too embarrassing. How could he admit that he had been thinking about her for days? He was the Emperor—could he really afford to lose face like that?

But the little troublemaker kept squirming. If he didn’t coax her, he would suffer himself. Xuanyuan Ling knew from her past demands that this girl was all about enjoying herself. If he didn’t serve her well, it would never go smoothly. Now he was stuck in a dilemma—not an ideal situation at all.

In the end, for the sake of his own comfort, he compromised: “Who else but you, little minx? Always know how to stir me up.”

Shen Qing was stunned and a little unsure: “Your Majesty… You’ve been thinking about me all this time?”

After all, she hadn’t seen him in days. If he had been stirred up, it must’ve been that time in the artificial rock cave, right?

“……” Xuanyuan Ling’s face turned crimson with embarrassment.

Shen Qing couldn’t help but giggle. Seriously?

Seeing his expression, her mood brightened. And once her mood lifted, she was happy to cooperate. This time, she really did tease him—using her legs.

When a little seductress cooperates, the result is that Shen Qing’s nap gets extended.

Xuanyuan Ling was completely satisfied physically, but emotionally… he was still unsettled. However, that little bit of discomfort was rubbed away completely by Shen Qing snuggling against his chest.

Deflated, Xuanyuan Ling gave Shen Qing’s bottom a few firm smacks.

He didn’t stay the night and didn’t even have dinner. Zhaohua Palace was, after all, located in a remote corner. Xuanyuan Ling visiting during broad daylight was already an unusual move. Since he’d never openly engaged in daytime indulgences before—not even with the Empress—no one suspected that he’d gone to Shen Qing for such a reason.

Even the Empress only commented when she heard of his midday visit to Zhaohua Palace: “This palace is truly lacking a confidante. The current batch of palace ladies has been here nearly a year. Among them, only Noble Lady Xi and Consort Fang are worth mentioning. Consort Fang is in her confinement period and can’t serve, and Noble Lady Xi has the Emperor’s favor, which is well-deserved.”

Jinzhi said, “But doesn’t His Majesty seem to… have some private affection for Noble Lady Xi?”

How could the Empress not have her own informants in the Imperial Kitchen? Others might not know, but the Empress certainly did. The Emperor was doting heavily on Noble Lady Xi—it was clear enough, and didn’t look good.

“The Imperial Kitchen—His Majesty pities her because she can’t bear children. That whole arrangement began after the Zhongyu Palace incident.”

Jinzhi thought for a moment and said, “I just feel that Noble Lady Xi is too bold, even in Your Highness’s presence…”

The Empress understood what Jinzhi meant.

But so what?

The Empress said calmly, “If she’s truly smart, she should know that if she tries to stir up any trouble, she’s signing her own death warrant. A consort without a child can only cling to the favor she currently has. If she lets that favor go to her head… well, isn’t Noble Lady Fang still here? There’ll always be someone to handle her.”

Someone as favored as Shen Qing was not someone the Empress wanted to get involved with. She didn’t want her relationship with Xuanyuan Ling to worsen further.

Jinzhi nodded and stayed silent, but she couldn’t help thinking: The Emperor really was going all out for Noble Lady Xi. Thinking back on his last two visits, they really did seem like he was trying to elevate her status.

But… The Emperor? Lifting someone’s status? For a woman who can’t bear children?

Jinzhi decided she was overthinking it.

Meanwhile, after serving in bed, Shen Qing was completely drained. Her back and waist were sore, so she just lay down and rested. When dinner time came, she noticed that the pearl cake she usually had was missing.

Wang Lu returned with the food and immediately reported, “The Imperial Kitchen made four portions of pearl cake today—one each for Consort Shun’s palace, Consort Yu’s palace, Consort Fang’s palace, and ours. But Consort Fang’s attendants said she’s been craving it the past two days and took two portions. I went too late and couldn’t get any. I beg for your punishment, My Lady.”

Shen Qing raised an eyebrow but didn’t blame Wang Lu. “Get up. I understand.”

She wasn’t angry. Instead, a thought flickered in her mind—Really? Consort Fang just gave birth, and her tail’s already starting to wag? Pulling something like this? Could it be that she’s been holding back through pregnancy for so long that she’s ready to vent now?

Whatever the case, she just hoped it wouldn’t be vented on her. It was only a cake today, and that could be overlooked. But if it were something else…

Shen Qing curled her lips into a smirk. “It’s fine. Just go earlier tomorrow.”