Chapter 13 – Your Majesty… It Doesn’t Taste Good

Shen Cairen was in high spirits after her recent good fortune, and during the day, she had resumed experimenting with new facial masks—so much so that Chunhua’s face ended up smeared with paste as well.

At noon, Fangyun went to fetch their lunch, and when she returned, she brought some unexpected news.

Apparently, someone from Zhongyu Palace had made a special trip to the Imperial Kitchen to give instructions: Consort Yu was pregnant, so extra care must be taken with her meals.

This was the very embodiment of a humblebrag.

After Fangyun relayed the message, Chunhua, knowing that Shen Cairen had previously suffered at Consort Yu’s hands, immediately said, “In time, Liangren will surely have a child of her own.”

Shen Qing understood what she meant, but simply responded, “Consort Yu’s pregnancy is really quite fortunate.”

She meant this sincerely—truly, from the heart.

It really was a good thing. With Consort Yu now pregnant, she would be focused on nurturing her unborn child and wouldn’t have the time or energy to stir up trouble. That alone made it a blessing!

Of course, there was a downside. In the original novel, Consort Yu gave birth to twins—a boy and a girl. Which raised the question: would the child survive this time? Shen Qing ran the thought through her mind again. Well, whether the child was born or not was none of her business. She certainly wasn’t saintly enough to warn someone who had targeted her in the past. The important thing was to make sure it had nothing to do with her. As long as she didn’t get dragged into anything unfortunate, that was good enough.

For now, this was still good news. Sure enough, a few days later, when it was time to pay respects to the Empress, Consort Yu sent word that she wasn’t feeling well and would not be attending. Shen Qing was delighted not to have to see that combative rooster of a woman.

Just as Shen Qing was beginning to enjoy the peace, she unexpectedly found herself under someone else’s scrutiny—one that was anything but friendly.

It was none other than the very Wang Meiren she had previously encountered in the Imperial Garden.

Back then, Shen Qing and Wang Meiren had coincidentally run into Emperor Xuanyuan Ling. It was a simple encounter and nothing more—or so Wang Meiren had thought. But that very night, the emperor had gone to Shen Qing’s quarters.

That left Wang Meiren feeling bitter.

Every woman in the harem wanted to climb higher. She and Shen Qing had met the emperor together, but in the end, only Shen Qing had received his favor. How could that not make her look inferior?

What was so special about Shen Qing anyway? They had been walking together in the garden, yet Shen Qing alone had caught the emperor’s eye. And her?

Shen Qing quickly realized that her only connection to Wang Meiren was that encounter. It was clear why the woman held a grudge. Shen Qing could only inwardly curse—Seriously? I can be hated just for that?

Well, it wasn’t for nothing she was playing the role of cannon fodder.

After leaving Fengyi Palace, Shen Qing—true to form—had no social invites. Meanwhile, the other consorts who lived nearby were gathered in groups of twos and threes. Wang Meiren was among them, accompanied by Fang Guiren and Li Meiren.

The three of them happened to cross paths with Shen Qing.

Since they were meeting face to face, Shen Qing had no choice but to greet them. “Greetings, elder sisters.”

“I’ve only ever seen Liangren Shen in passing,” Li Meiren said with a deliberate smile. “Now that I see you properly, you truly are quite beautiful.”

What a transparent provocation.

As expected, Wang Meiren’s expression darkened.

The comment dragged her memory straight back to the encounter in the Imperial Garden. Was it really her presence that had made Shen Qing stand out? Was that why the emperor, who had forgotten her for a month, suddenly remembered Shen Qing? She wasn’t ugly herself, so why did Li Meiren’s words make it sound like she was?

Shen Qing pretended not to notice. Consort Yu had backing and power—she had no choice but to play the submissive one around her. But these three? They were new to the palace, barely established. Besides, when the female lead arrived later in the story, none of them had much presence at all. So there was no need for Shen Qing to bother acting meek around them.

They were all women of the emperor, and right now, she had just received favor.

“Elder sister flatters me. We all have one nose and two eyes—there’s not much difference between us,” she said lightly.

Of course, Wang Meiren wasn’t about to make a real scene. She swallowed her discomfort and let it go.

After exchanging a few polite words, Shen Qing took her leave and began walking back.

Fang Guiren was arguably the most promising among the newcomers. Her family was also military, and she carried a natural air of heroism. She even resembled Consort Yu a little—just without the domineering presence. And men, after all, liked novelty.

Xuanyuan Ling had already experienced the real Consort Yu, so this look-alike didn’t interest him much. Since she lived near Li Meiren and Wang Meiren, once Shen Qing had walked far enough away, Li Meiren muttered, “She hasn’t even been promoted, but she already acts like she’s on equal footing with us.”

Wang Meiren, who normally kept quiet, simply lowered her head.

Fang Guiren smiled. “With her background, if she weren’t pregnant, it’d be difficult for her to move up at all.”

She deliberately mentioned pregnancy.

Beside her, both Li Meiren and Wang Meiren had a knowing look in their eyes.

Fang Guiren narrowed her eyes, a hint of mockery flickering within them.

Meanwhile, Shen Qing returned safely to Zhaohua Palace and enjoyed a peaceful day. That night, Xuanyuan Ling came.

This time, he arrived early—he hadn’t even had dinner yet.

When Shen Qing saw him, her eyes lit up.

Xuanyuan Ling assumed she was simply happy to see him. But as soon as she opened her mouth, she said, “Your Majesty hasn’t had dinner yet, has he?”

She sounded genuinely thrilled.

Xuanyuan Ling let out an amused breath. So this little thing was happy because she thought she’d get better food now?

He feigned displeasure. “Is the palace not feeding you well?”

Shen Qing replied sheepishly, “How could what I eat compare to Your Majesty’s meals?” Then as if suddenly remembering, she added, “Not that I don’t want Your Majesty to visit. I’ve been thinking about you.”

Xuanyuan Ling raised an eyebrow.

Shen Qing confessed, “It’s just… that midnight snack I had in Your Majesty’s palace—I’ve been thinking about it ever since.”

In short, it wasn’t just about the food—it was both the food and him she’d been thinking about.

Xuanyuan Ling thought to himself, Fine, at least she’s honest. So he didn’t say anything more and ordered the food to be brought in.

Normally, a liangren’s meals were fairly modest and fixed in variety. But with the emperor visiting, the meal had to follow the emperor’s standards.

So Shen Qing got to witness, for the first time, her little dining table filled with delicious dishes—an array so dazzling it made her feel like this wasn’t just supper; it was a proper feast, far more appetizing than that midnight snack.

She had very little entertainment in the palace, so she paid particular attention to food. As a liangren, her meals were hit-or-miss. But this—this was easily the best meal she’d had since entering the palace.

She was determined to enjoy it properly.

As for maintaining decorum in front of the emperor? Pretending to be demure?

Of course she had to play a role—but not everywhere. If she acted coy at all times, it would come off as too fake. The palace was full of obedient concubines. He’d initially been drawn to her beauty, but what made him notice that she had only one maid and even send her more?

It was her subtle defiance. Just enough to feel fresh and different—not enough to truly anger him, but enough to stand out. And that freshness made her memorable. What she wanted was for him to keep thinking about her.

So—Shen Qing refused to eat the carrots.

Xuanyuan Ling immediately glanced at her.

She blinked and looked sheepish.

“Why aren’t you eating?” he asked.

Shen Qing glanced at the carrots with clear distaste. “They don’t taste good.”

She liked eggplant, so she fixed her gaze on the dish of sauced eggplant beside her.

Xuanyuan Ling noticed her not-so-subtle cue and raised a brow. So she liked eggplant but not carrots?

In all his time with palace women, not one had ever dared show they disliked any food in front of him. Was she being serious?

Just to test her, he casually picked up a piece of carrot and placed it in her bowl.

Shen Qing blinked. “…Your Majesty… it doesn’t taste good.”

She looked at him with pleading eyes.

Xuanyuan Ling had only done it on a whim. But now, seeing her pitiful expression, it almost seemed like he’d committed some great offense. But I’m the emperor, he thought. If I give you something, how can you not eat it?

What a wicked little thing.

Of course, Shen Qing still ate it—but with great suffering.

Seeing her obvious distress, Xuanyuan Ling raised an eyebrow and mercifully picked up a piece of sauced eggplant for her.

The moment he did, Shen Qing’s face brightened. Her expression transformed so quickly that it made even Xuanyuan Ling laugh. What a spoiled little treasure—was eating really such a big deal to her?