Chapter 37 – Affectionate and Unfeeling

The incident with Consort Yu had created quite a stir. Shen Qing had also received news of it. When she discovered that in the end, Xuanyuan Ling had traced everything only to a young palace page who handled medicine and then chose not to pursue it further, she understood the situation.

Xuanyuan Ling had realized who was really behind it.

As for who exactly it was—well, it was obvious. To be able to cause the loss of an imperial heir and still receive no punishment from Xuanyuan Ling made it quite clear.

This time, the Empress had exposed her hand. The reason there was no public uproar was that Xuanyuan Ling was still preserving the Empress’s dignity.

But this “preservation of face” wasn’t really about protecting the Empress. In matters like this, without concrete evidence, one couldn’t possibly take action based on mere suspicion. Since he wouldn’t punish her, giving her face was just another way to deliver a warning.

Regardless, although Consort Yu had lost her child, the Empress didn’t gain anything good from it either. On the contrary, the previously quiet Noble Lady Fang was now in a favorable position. Originally, the child of a Noble Lady like her would not compare in status to Consort Yu’s, but now that Consort Yu had lost hers, Noble Lady Fang’s unborn child suddenly became extremely precious—a true imperial heir.

Moreover, since Consort Yu had miscarried and the Empress had been implicitly reprimanded, she certainly wouldn’t dare let anything happen to Noble Lady Fang’s child now. She would have to protect it.

This woman really had good fortune.

Of course, none of this had anything to do with Shen Qing.

Previously, Consort Yu had been fixated on her. Now, with the Empress ahead and Noble Lady Fang behind, Consort Yu no longer noticed Shen Qing and instead directed her ire toward the unlucky Consort Shen. Shen Qing, by contrast, had become safe.

As for what schemes lay behind this incident? Once Xuanyuan Ling made his ruling, no one dared to speak openly. Not even Consort Yu.

After all, Consort Yu had truly been favored by Xuanyuan Ling for many years. This involved the face of the imperial family—without solid evidence or testimony, he wouldn’t dig deeper. He even chose to suppress the matter completely. This was the so-called favor of an emperor.

As for His Majesty—if you said he was affectionate, he could be affectionate. But if you said he was heartless, he could truly be heartless as well.

She thought, with something like this having happened, he would likely stay away from the harem for a while.

And Shen Qing’s guess was right. Xuanyuan Ling deeply loathed these kinds of underhanded tactics within the harem, especially when they involved harming children. He found it absolutely repulsive. This had crossed one of his bottom lines.

In his heart, he was certain the one behind this was the Empress. Though there was no evidence and no scandal had erupted, Consort Yu had been carrying his child. That the Empress, who had no children of her own, would stoop to such methods out of fear of Consort Yu giving birth to another and further threatening her position—it disgusted him just to think of it.

This month, not even on the usual ceremonial days—the first and fifteenth—had Xuanyuan Ling visited the Empress’s palace. It was a clear sign he was displeased with her.

The more Xuanyuan Ling disregarded the Empress, the more arrogant Consort Yu became.

Having lost her child, she pinned all the blame on the Empress. Once her health had recovered, she eagerly went to pay her respects to the Empress.

But this “paying respects” wasn’t sincere at all.

Throughout the entire visit, Consort Yu was full of sarcastic barbs—mocking the Empress for being childless, for being unable to bear children, and even implying she was no longer youthful.

Basically, whatever would annoy the Empress most, that’s what Consort Yu would insinuate.

Shen Qing happened to witness a few of these encounters and felt compelled to give Consort Yu a mental thumbs-up. Her nerve was truly impressive.

Yet, for all her snide remarks, she still kept within boundaries—never saying anything outright. That left the Empress unable to argue back. All she could do was maintain a dignified façade and respond with grace.

Shen Qing quietly thought that being the Empress really wasn’t easy. With someone like Consort Yu beneath her, one could die early from sheer rage.

Of course, since the fire wasn’t directed at her, Shen Qing was more than happy to sit back and enjoy the drama.

Gradually, the two hottest months passed, and the weather began to improve.

With the better weather, Shen Qing no longer had to suffer from the unbearable heat, and life became increasingly comfortable. However, while things were improving for her, they weren’t going as well for Consort Shen.

Consort Yu, aside from being at odds with the Empress, also had it out for Consort Shen.

With the Empress, she was merely sarcastic, but with Consort Shen—well, she used a heavy hand. After all, Consort Shen was just a Consort, not a Consort of Rank.

She issued orders for all the servants around Consort Shen to be beaten.

At first, Consort Shen had no idea what was going on and even tried to argue her case. But then someone from Consort Yu’s side claimed that the miscarriage had happened because Consort Yu had stepped on a pearl that Consort Shen had accidentally dropped in the Imperial Garden.

Consort Shen was terrified.

What else could she do? She had no choice but to let Consort Yu punish her servants and was even ordered to copy scriptures as punishment.

It was clear—Consort Yu held a grudge against her.

Consort Shen had no choice but to endure it. This bitter loss, whether she liked it or not, she had to swallow.

Xuanyuan Ling hadn’t been going to the Empress’s palace and had also been busy for a while. There were many in the harem hoping he would turn over their tag. Finally, when he had some peace of mind, he thought of Shen Qing.

His memories of Shen Qing were mostly positive—she was beautiful, had a good temperament. The moment she crossed his mind, he remembered her cool, jade-like skin and delicate frame. He said to Zhao Hai, “Bring me that red jade bracelet.”

Zhao Hai paused for a moment—this was the second time the Emperor had brought up the red jade bracelet.

Last time, he said it was for Lady Shen. Now, after ignoring the Empress for days, was he finally planning to appease her?

But then Zhao Hai realized he was overthinking it.

Because Xuanyuan Ling said, “We’re going to Zhaohua Palace.”

The red jade bracelet—something only the Empress was entitled to wear—had been considered for Lady Shen before. Now the Emperor didn’t even hesitate to give it directly to her?

Zhao Hai didn’t even bother trying to object this time. It was clear the Emperor had made up his mind. To try and stop him now would only result in trouble.

In fact, after thinking about it, even if he gave it away, so be it. Lady Shen didn’t seem like someone who lacked propriety. She probably wouldn’t wear it out publicly. If she were truly foolish enough to flaunt it? The Emperor hated people who didn’t know their place the most. So Zhao Hai kept his thoughts to himself.

Thus, Xuanyuan Ling arrived at Zhaohua Palace, smiling as he entered.

Seeing his expression, Shen Qing could tell he was in a good mood today. She was just about to have dinner, and when she saw him arrive, she smiled and said, “Your Majesty, stay and dine with me.”

Xuanyuan Ling placed a box in front of her.

Shen Qing looked delighted. “A gift?”

“Open it and see,” Xuanyuan Ling said, watching her intently.

From the look on his face, had he chosen it himself?

Shen Qing was intrigued. She opened the box and her mouth fell slightly open. “This…”

Inside were a pair of exquisite red jade bangles—imperial-grade. Even without taking them out, the vivid color and flawless luster made it clear these were no ordinary items. And they were a bold crimson red.

Why would Xuanyuan Ling give something like this to her?