Chapter 30 – A Narrow Encounter with an Old Foe

Shen Qing lifted her head. Since Xuanyuan Ling had already said so, she didn’t say anything more.

In truth, before she came, she figured that with Xuanyuan Ling’s abnormal stamina, he might not even have the energy to eat supper when he returned and would just go straight to rest—but he would definitely be hungry. So before coming, she ate a little more in advance.

This moment felt just like the first time she served in bed.

But back then, she had nothing to eat. Now, she wasn’t hungry.

Those were two different things.

Shang De came over to deliver the supper, and Xuanyuan Ling still instructed someone to bring food for Shen Qing.

Though she wasn’t hungry, Shen Qing had to give Xuanyuan Ling face.

She did eat, but just a little.

Xuanyuan Ling noticed, though he said nothing at the time. Once Shen Qing had mostly finished eating, it was about time to send her back according to protocol.

Xuanyuan Ling said, “Rest a while longer.”

“Your Majesty?”

According to regulations, unless the Emperor allowed it, no consort was permitted to stay overnight in Qianyuan Palace.

It wasn’t that it was absolutely forbidden, but ever since Xuanyuan Ling ascended the throne, no consort had ever spent the night in his Qianyuan Palace.

Xuanyuan Ling knew Shen Qing had misunderstood. This little girl had quite the imagination: “Weren’t you just saying it hurt earlier? The jostling in the sedan chair is uncomfortable. Rest a bit longer before leaving.”

Shen Qing realized she’d misunderstood and immediately leaned in, speaking softly, “Your Majesty is so kind.”

Xuanyuan Ling snorted. “You’re not pleased?”

“How could I not be pleased?” Shen Qing looked slightly innocent. “I would love nothing more than to accompany Your Majesty.”

She said it so naturally, and her eyes were pitifully delicate.

The desire Xuanyuan Ling had just managed to tamp down began to rise again. This little seductress really knew how to tempt a man. Just looking at that innocent expression made wickedness stir in his heart. He grabbed Shen Qing’s cheek and tugged it gently—her skin felt good to the touch. He grunted, “Trying to charm me?”

“It’s from the heart.”

Zhao Hai had never seen Xuanyuan Ling like this. After more than a month, the Emperor was still thinking about Shen Liangren. If it wasn’t affection before, it certainly was now. No one else in the harem could compare.

Zhao Hai had watched the Emperor make rounds through the harem this past month, and from his perspective, not a single woman drew the Emperor’s attention like Shen Liangren did. That’s why, unlike others in the harem, he never believed Shen Qing would fall out of favor.

After all, he had personally heard the Emperor mention wanting to reward Shen Qing with red jade. That kind of red jade wasn’t just handed out casually. If it wasn’t suitable, His Majesty would rather not give anything at all.

It wasn’t that the Emperor didn’t want to reward her—it was that he felt nothing else was worthy of Shen Liangren.

To Xuanyuan Ling, she was so precious that only red jade could match her worth. Wasn’t that special treatment?

It was a far cry from that Beauty Qiao who had to sweet-talk and flatter just to dress up nicely and beg the Emperor for some jewelry.

A gift freely given from the heart was completely different from something asked for.

Shen Qing said, “I truly wish to accompany Your Majesty, but…”

“But what?”

The Emperor disliked people bringing up rules in front of him, so Shen Qing certainly wouldn’t do something that foolish. She said, “But I don’t want another Noble Lady Lin to come to my palace and stay for many days.”

She couldn’t say it was against the rules, and she couldn’t say she didn’t want to accompany him.

So instead, she expressed her desire to accompany him—but lamented that being overly favored attracted jealousy.

Noble Lady Lin wasn’t even favored by Xuanyuan Ling, so… might as well use her as an example.

Xuanyuan Ling’s expression darkened slightly at the mention of Noble Lady Lin. He truly didn’t want to encounter such an unruly person again.

“She pestered you for many days after that?”

Shen Qing nodded, then muttered softly, “Exactly. I didn’t even leave my quarters, yet she came every single day, like it wasn’t any trouble at all.” Her eyes peeked up at Xuanyuan Ling again. “Your Majesty is simply too charming.”

Those words weren’t exactly slander, nor was she directly accusing Noble Lady Lin. After all, Xuanyuan Ling already disliked her. In fact, it sounded like a hint of grievance—directed not at Noble Lady Lin, but seemingly at him.

But those eyes—how could anyone get angry at them?

Xuanyuan Ling’s face didn’t show a smile, but his eyes certainly did. “You’re getting bolder.”

Shen Qing reached over and tugged his sleeve—just a little, then let go.

Her eyes sparkled with tears.

Xuanyuan Ling gritted his teeth. This little vixen.

He glanced back at Zhao Hai.

Zhao Hai immediately left the room.

The next moment, Shen Qing was suddenly pulled over and carried straight into the inner chamber.

“You dare seduce me? Do you really think I can’t tame you?”

Shen Qing hadn’t even had time to react before Xuanyuan Ling was already on her. She rolled her eyes inwardly—this damn Emperor. He had no self-control but still blamed her.

It had been a whole month since she last served him, yet he was still a beast.

By the time she left, it was already quite late.

After she was gone, Xuanyuan Ling’s expression wasn’t very pleasant. “Go to the Imperial Kitchen tomorrow,” he instructed. If he didn’t visit, the food on Shen Qing’s side might not be up to par. Otherwise, how could she have lost weight?

“If this happens again, then it’s time to replace the staff at the Imperial Kitchen.”

Seriously—this had already happened several times. The Imperial Kitchen shouldn’t be this clueless. But Shen Liangren had clearly lost weight.

The next day, Zhao Hai personally went to the Imperial Kitchen. After so many instances, he figured he might as well handle it himself—to prevent the kitchen staff from truly being ignorant of the situation.

Afterward, Shen Qing began receiving more attentive service from the Imperial Kitchen.

This time, someone even came to ask her directly what she wanted to eat. Shen Qing immediately knew Xuanyuan Ling must have given the order.

Chunhua was thrilled for her. “His Majesty really cares about you.”

Previously, she’d noticed Shen Qing had lost weight. Although they had silver, by palace rules, Shen Qing couldn’t just tell the kitchen to prepare whatever she wanted.

That privilege was reserved for consorts ranked higher.

Now that summer was here and the weather was hot, Shen Qing’s appetite had dropped significantly. Chunhua had been worried sick watching her lose weight, fearing her health would fail and she’d get sick.

But now things were better. With the kitchen taking care of her and better food coming in, the weight she lost would surely return.

Shen Qing was also delighted—after all, food was very important.

With Zhaohua Palace thriving, naturally, other palaces were less than pleased.

Originally, there was nothing too remarkable about just serving in bed. But when Zhao Hai personally visited the Imperial Kitchen, and the kitchen staff proactively approached Zhaohua Palace afterward—well, that was a different story altogether once the rumors began to spread.

Beauty Qiao scoffed after hearing about it. “Really a girl from a humble background. What, was she begging His Majesty for food?”

Truthfully, even if she had been begging, what difference did it make? Whether it’s jewelry or food, they’re both gifts from the Emperor.

The palace maid beside her comforted her, “Beauty, you’re favored as well, so the Imperial Kitchen tends to you too. That Shen Liangren is just a Liangren—perhaps her food wasn’t good, so she went to the Emperor to ask. His Majesty is kind-hearted and must have taken pity on her.”

That made Beauty Qiao feel better. She even had the energy to take a walk in the Imperial Garden the next day.

And as fate would have it, she ran right into her old foe.

Shen Qing typically didn’t like going out. But staying indoors too much made her feel stifled, and being in the cold too long was uncomfortable. Today, she had specifically gone out to get some exercise, work up a sweat, and dispel dampness.

Unfortunately, the dampness remained, and instead, she encountered Beauty Qiao.