Chapter 19 – Shen Cairen Is Really Good-Looking

When they finally stopped, Shen Qing felt as if she were paralyzed—this time, she truly couldn’t get up. Her legs were as limp as noodles.

Xuan Yuanling looked at her in that state and was thoroughly surprised. It was said that the first time could cause injury, but afterward it generally wouldn’t.

Yet it wasn’t just there—when he looked at her now, the marks all over her body couldn’t be ignored, some red, some purple.

She looked utterly pitiful.

He hadn’t expected things to go this far either. Clearly, she had thoroughly bewitched him to make him lose control like that. Still, he didn’t blame her for it.
“You’re hurt?” he asked. “Want some ointment?”

Shen Qing looked uncomfortable. “Tomorrow…”

Seeing her like that, Xuan Yuanling found her quite cute. Was she shy?

But it was late now—she could just take a bath tonight, and he’d have someone deliver the medicine tomorrow.

After the bath, once the servants had left, he suddenly asked, “Are you hungry?”

Shen Qing looked shocked, as if she had just received imperial favor.

Her carefully crafted persona was working perfectly. The emperor had remembered.

Xuan Yuanling glanced down at her small, delicate expression and couldn’t help but find it amusing. He really did have food brought over.

Inside, the two were harmonious. Outside, Zhao Hai was thoroughly confused. She had been punished in the daytime, and now was being favored at night? What kind of situation was this?

He had been serving the emperor for many years, but this time, he truly couldn’t make sense of Xuan Yuanling’s behavior.

Zhao Hai was confused, and although the emperor’s nighttime favor hadn’t been widely announced, the Empress still got wind of it.

“Shen Cairen is certainly beautiful,” the Empress said while sitting before her dressing mirror, looking at her reflection. “In terms of appearance alone, no one in this entire palace can compare. The emperor probably favors her for her face. For now, it’s unlikely she’ll be ignored.”

“She may have gained favor, but her rank is still low. Her beauty may earn her favor now, but new always replaces old. How long can beauty last? I only hope she has enough sense to bear a child soon. Right now, I truly need a child raised by my side. Otherwise, Consort Yu really will climb over my head.”

Consort Yu not only had a pair of imperial twins, but she was pregnant again. This was the emperor’s first child since ascending the throne—unquestionably precious.

The worst part was, her disrespect had already become obvious. As Empress, she had her dignity and could not tolerate being challenged.

That night, some lay sleepless alone, while others—well, Shen Qing was nearly drowning in indulgence.

Who would’ve thought that after dinner, the emperor would still come for another round?

She had been so exhausted that she didn’t even know when she fell asleep. When she awoke, it was already late morning, with the sun shining high in the sky.

She was startled and immediately called for Fang Yun. “Where’s the emperor?”

Fang Yun replied, “His Majesty instructed us to serve you well before he left for morning court. He specifically said not to wake you to help him dress for court.”

Fang Yun was genuinely happy. The emperor had personally said not to wake her—how good was that? After being so frightened by yesterday’s punishment, Shen Qing had said it was nothing, and it turned out to truly be nothing.

Shen Qing was relieved. Since he had personally said so, it was all right. Once she relaxed, the aches and soreness throughout her body surged back, and she fell back onto the bed.

“Did you apply the ointment yet?”

Fang Yun said, “Not yet. Eunuch Xiao Xiazi brought it over early this morning. It’s for external use. This servant didn’t dare apply it without your permission.”

“Go ahead and apply it, I’m in agony.”

This damn emperor—every time, it was like a beast unleashed. She couldn’t help but wonder: were the other palace women not satisfying him? What was with that ravenous-dog-pouncing style?

Complaints aside, harmonious bedroom relations were beneficial for emotional development. Shen Qing wasn’t an idiot; of course, she wouldn’t reject it. Come on, it wasn’t like she wanted to die.

But thinking back, after getting tossed around like this, next time she could try begging for mercy.

That way, he’d genuinely feel sorry for her—thinking she was delicate and fragile. That would be in her favor.

When someone doesn’t yet deeply love you, but starts to feel sorry for you, that’s already halfway to winning their heart.

Though Shen Qing was sore all over, her good mood from the night before carried through the morning.

By noon, Chunhua came in with some news.

“I heard that when Consort Yu went out for a walk, she ran into Noble Consort Fang. For some reason, Noble Consort Fang offended Her Highness and was punished to kneel—for two full hours!”

Shen Qing’s ears perked up.

Kneeling punishment? The classic disciplinary move of palace villains. Consort Yu really was a committed antagonist. Shen Qing had thought she’d calm down a bit now that she was pregnant.

This time, Noble Consort Fang was the unlucky one. Kneeling for two hours—her legs probably couldn’t even straighten now.

All this because Xuan Yuanling, who rarely visited the harem, happened to flip Fang’s card first on his return. That placed Consort Yu after Fang. Her jealousy was understandable.

Which was exactly why it was a good thing Xuan Yuanling hadn’t come straight to Shen Qing’s quarters. Otherwise, the one kneeling for hours would’ve been her.