Chapter 33 – Prone to Jealousy

The next day, Shen Qing officially began her recovery. Since she had mentioned her injuries in front of Zhao Hai, it wouldn’t look good if she continued to act lively.

Shen Qing found the medical books a bit overwhelming, so she asked Xiao Quan to find her some storybooks instead. Being a eunuch, he had more access and knowledge than the palace maids who seldom left the palace.

Xiao Quan did not disappoint—he truly managed to find her some storybooks. Previously, Shen Qing had only been reading books about the knowledge of this world and practicing calligraphy in her spare time, afraid she’d regret not studying when she needed it later. After self-studying for a few months, she finally decided it was time to balance work and rest.

Xiao Quan said, “My Lady, these are popular storybooks from outside. Everything that’s available in the market, I had people bring in for you. Please take a look.”

Shen Qing rewarded him.

Xiao Quan grinned broadly, bowing and scraping with joy.

Then Shen Qing began reading the storybooks.

To her surprise, they were actually quite well-written—full of twists and turns. The stories weren’t long, and she ended up reading one after another. In this place with very little entertainment, reading these was almost like watching dramas. It was quite fun.

But once it got dark, Shen Qing stopped reading. These books were hard on the eyes.

After dinner, Emperor Xuanyuan Ling arrived.

Shen Qing hadn’t expected him to come. After all, the official word going around was that she was injured—and if she was injured, she obviously couldn’t serve in bed. So why was Xuanyuan Ling here?

When he entered and saw the little lady looking at him with wide eyes, her face clearly saying “What are you doing here?”, he instantly felt a little displeased.

He had come to check on her injury—was that wrong? Feeling slightly annoyed, he swatted her on the butt.

“Ah—ow!” Shen Qing furrowed her brows.

Xuanyuan Ling saw her reaction and suddenly remembered she was injured. “What is it?”

Shen Qing’s voice trembled with grievance: “It hurts…”

She looked so pitiful.

Her soft cry instantly calmed Xuanyuan Ling’s irritation, though his tone still held some sharpness. “You’re not happy that I came to see you?”

Zhao Hai once again learned something new: that a single sentence from her could calm the Emperor’s mood. If only he had that skill, his days at the Emperor’s side would be much easier.

The servants sensibly withdrew, and Shen Qing whispered, “I’m happy. I just didn’t react in time.”

Xuanyuan Ling snorted, “So I shouldn’t have come? Then I’ll leave.”

Of course, she couldn’t let him leave unhappy.

Shen Qing, after all, wasn’t a fool.

Realizing that Xuanyuan Ling had truly come to check on her injury—and had done so out of concern—she was genuinely touched. She hadn’t expected the Emperor to be so considerate, to care enough to come see her personally.

For that alone, she would coax him.

So she did.

Shen Qing wrapped her arms around Xuanyuan Ling’s, clinging to him. “Don’t go, Your Majesty. That’s not what I meant at all.”

“Then what did you mean?”

Shen Qing fell silent for a moment, lowering her gaze. Her expression dimmed, and the atmosphere subtly shifted. In a soft voice, she said, “I just don’t dare to hope too much…”

Her voice was pitiful, and even her lowered lashes trembled slightly. She looked like she was afraid, unsure what to say—so she could only voice the feelings she had buried deep inside.

Shen Qing had always been bright and lively. Xuanyuan Ling liked seeing her happy when she looked at him. But now she was truly upset about something.

And he could guess what it was.

Not daring to hope for what? Not daring to hope that he had come to see her sincerely, just out of concern?

Xuanyuan Ling looked down at his arm, still held tightly by her. She gripped it firmly, but not too tightly—like she was afraid she’d be too forceful.

She seemed to struggle internally before finally speaking:

“When I first entered the palace, my mother told me to treat Your Majesty as a sovereign to be revered and respected. She also told me I mustn’t be jealous—because there are so many beauties in the harem, and Your Majesty’s favor wouldn’t rest on me alone.”

She seemed very sad saying this, but she endured it and continued.

“But after entering the palace, Your Majesty has always treated me so well. Every time I’m summoned to serve you, I feel happy. Every time Your Majesty comes to see me, I can’t help but develop feelings I shouldn’t have. I know I’m not the only one in Your Majesty’s heart, but each time you come, I can’t help but look forward to the next time. I don’t know what’s wrong with me—I just can’t control it.”

Shen Qing sounded as though she was scolding herself. “So while part of me longs for Your Majesty to come, another part is afraid that your visits will only make my feelings grow stronger. When I saw Your Majesty arrive just now, I was both shocked and disbelieving. Your Majesty treats me so well—but because of that, I can’t help these feelings rising in my heart. What am I supposed to do?”