Chapter 20: Terrible Skills

Over in Noble Lady Fang’s quarters, the atmosphere was indeed heavy.

When she was punished to kneel, Consort Yu had even assigned someone to watch over her. It was sheer arrogance, and she didn’t even care who saw. As a result, Noble Lady Fang couldn’t even try to secretly rest; with someone constantly watching her, she had no choice but to endure the full two hours. Her legs were now in such pain it felt as if they’d broken—she couldn’t even crawl up from bed. Sitting up to drink water was uncomfortable, and she needed someone to help her use the restroom. The humiliation was so great that her eyes were red with frustration.

The palace maids serving Noble Lady Fang didn’t dare speak loudly when they saw her in this state. They were all extremely cautious.

By dinnertime, Noble Lady Fang caught sight of a dish with black fungus and pork ribs. The anger she had been suppressing all day erupted at once.

With a loud clatter, she swept the dish onto the floor.

“What is the Imperial Kitchen doing? How dare they serve me black fungus? Are they assuming that just because I was punished by Consort Yu, I’ve now fallen out of favor?”

The three servants immediately dropped to their knees. “Please calm your anger, Noble Lady.”

But Noble Lady Fang had no appetite at all. “Get out.”

Only the personal maid who had followed her into the palace dared speak. She dismissed the other two and stepped forward. “Please calm your anger, Noble Lady. That Consort Yu has been domineering not just for a day or two. Whenever someone in the palace gains favor, she sets her sights on them. But as long as His Majesty still remembers you, things could always turn around.”

Noble Lady Fang knew that much. But she couldn’t get over this. Today’s humiliation might not be something she could take revenge for right now—but she had firmly etched it into her heart.

During the next collective morning greeting, Shen Qing didn’t see Noble Lady Fang. Word was, she had taken leave.

Shen Qing merely listened and didn’t ask further. She always tried to stay as low-profile as possible during such events. After all, there was the example of Beauty Wang to learn from. Shen Qing felt she had the typical “cannon fodder” constitution—far too easy to be hated.

The Empress, as always, was dignified and composed. From her seat above, she said, “The Dragon Boat Festival is almost here. And not long after that will be the Summer Solstice. The weather is getting hot, so I’ve asked the Wardrobe Bureau to prepare new garments for all my sisters here, along with some fabrics, to prevent anyone from falling ill from the heat.”

Everyone chorused in thanks.

Getting new clothes in the summer was a good thing. Shen Qing also received a reward. Naturally, such gifts were distributed based on rank. But upon examining hers, she noticed that although the fabric wasn’t the finest, the style and embroidery were among the best.

Clearly, the Empress had paid attention.

Shen Qing smiled but said nothing. She figured she’d make sure to wear those outfits in front of the Empress to subtly let her know she was “trying hard to bear a child.” Especially in this tense environment, where Consort Yu was like a strutting fighting rooster, it was necessary to borrow the Empress’s influence for protection.

Although the Empress wasn’t necessarily easy to deal with, at least on the surface, she wouldn’t randomly punish people or frown upon Shen Qing attending to the Emperor.

Whenever Shen Qing had free time, she tried to learn new skills. Currently, she was working with Chunhua and Fang Yun on the fabric the Empress had gifted.

So she began learning embroidery and how to make clothes.

These were technically skills her predecessor had possessed. But while the knowledge was there in her head, putting it into practice was another story. Shen Qing was learning slowly, but her efforts weren’t going well. As she worked, she couldn’t help missing modern underwear, thinking about whether she could ask Chunhua to make some. Then she decided now wasn’t the right time.

After all, if she had just gained some favor and suddenly showed up in modern-style underwear, what if Xuanyuan Ling saw it? He might think she was being deliberately seductive.

That wouldn’t be good.

Better to wait.

That evening, just before dinner, Xuanyuan Ling arrived. The sky hadn’t completely darkened yet, and Shen Qing was still diligently trying to master embroidery. When Xuanyuan Ling entered the room and saw her concentrating, he even stepped closer to take a look.

All he saw were two unidentifiable blobs in her hands—whether they were ducks or something else, it was truly a tragedy to behold.

Xuanyuan Ling almost couldn’t hold back a laugh. He barely managed to stifle it to preserve his majestic and dignified image. With a dry cough, he made Shen Qing look up at him.

She was immediately embarrassed and quickly hid the embroidery behind her back. “Your Majesty is here.”

Xuanyuan Ling gave a low grunt. “What are you embroidering?” He genuinely couldn’t tell.

He knows it looks awful and still asked—clearly here to mock her.

Shen Qing’s gaze wavered slightly. “Mandarin ducks.”

Then she quickly changed the subject. “Has Your Majesty eaten yet? If not, I can have Chunhua send word to the Imperial Kitchen.”

Of course Xuanyuan Ling could tell she was trying to change the subject.

He found it a little funny—was her embroidery really that bad she didn’t want it mentioned?

What a delicate thing she was.

But he deliberately didn’t let it go.

“Mm.” He first allowed her to send for food, then circled the conversation back: “Is that a handkerchief you’re embroidering? For your own use?” Honestly, it looked a bit too awful to be shown around.

Oh, he’s really not letting this go?

Shen Qing thought to herself: Fine then, let’s hurt each other.

She lowered her head slightly, looking a little embarrassed. “I originally intended to give it to Your Majesty.”

Xuanyuan Ling: “…” Was she serious? Could he even use something like that? Wouldn’t it be a joke?

Shen Qing quickly continued, “But since my skills are poor, and Your Majesty always uses the best of everything…”

As she said that, she even looked a little disappointed.

Xuanyuan Ling looked at those so-called mandarin ducks again—truly hideous—but it was clear she had put effort into them. After thinking for a moment, he raised his brow. “With your skills this bad, of course I can’t use it.”

“….” So blunt.

Shen Qing was momentarily speechless.

Seeing her at a loss for words, Xuanyuan Ling raised an eyebrow. “But since it was embroidered for me, it wouldn’t be right to give it to someone else. Just finish it and have Zhao Hai store it away.”

If he couldn’t use it, then at least he’d keep it.

Shen Qing was delighted. She spread her arms and hugged Xuanyuan Ling’s waist, rubbing her cheek against his chest with a coquettish smile. “Your Majesty is so kind.”

She sounded so sweet and affectionate, and this bold intimacy surprised Xuanyuan Ling. They weren’t even in bed—this was the first time she had openly clung to him like this.

She was that happy?

He looked down at her sparkling, smiling eyes, and instinctively let out a soft “mm.”

Then he wrapped his arms around her and added, “Next time, embroider something better.”

If she improved, he wouldn’t mind using it—it would spare her from feeling disappointed.

Shen Qing: “…” He’s giving her a mission now? Isn’t this game over? She was just messing around earlier. That embroidery wasn’t even really for Xuanyuan Ling—she had only said that to tease him. Now she had no choice but to actually finish it? Exhausting.