Chapter 43: Has Consort Yu Ever Punished You?

Xuanyuan Ling pulled her to sit on the couch with him. “What are you afraid of? Is someone coming to look for you?”

A faint fragrance drifted to his nose. This wasn’t his first time getting close to Shen Qing. Not to mention her looks, she really was like a fragrant treasure—utterly pleasant to smell.

He hadn’t seen her for a few days, and now that he did, he noticed she had changed her hairstyle again. Today, she wore a flowing blue robe with wide sleeves and didn’t have a single piece of jewelry in her hair. And yet, she somehow exuded a natural elegance that couldn’t be put into words.

Shen Qing looked somewhat troubled. “Life in the palace is quieter with less trouble.”

Xuanyuan Ling found her quite well-behaved. But with that face alone, she was probably destined to provoke envy.

Thinking of this, he suddenly asked, “Has Consort Yu ever punished you?”

Shen Qing was startled. She nearly knelt down, but Xuanyuan Ling was holding her, so she couldn’t.

She was that afraid? In her heart, Consort Yu must be a nightmarish figure.

Xuanyuan Ling found it amusing for no reason. “Has she?”

Shen Qing said, “No, she hasn’t.”

But her face said plainly: Yes, she has, but I dare not say it.

Xuanyuan Ling frowned slightly, but considering her status, if she had bluntly complained about Consort Yu in front of him, he wouldn’t have liked it either—it would’ve shown a lack of awareness.

Shen Qing looked truly frightened now, so scared she dared not utter another word.

Even if Consort Yu was no longer favored, she was still someone Xuanyuan Ling had once genuinely doted on. She was also the mother of two of his children.

While Xuanyuan Ling might now despise her, anyone who wanted to use that to their advantage would need to consider their own position carefully.

“All right,” Xuanyuan Ling said. “If you say she hasn’t, then she hasn’t.”

Seeing her expression, he raised his hand to pat her back in comfort. Looking at her, he genuinely felt a bit of pity. She still cared enough to protect Consort Yu’s dignity—even when being mistreated, she hadn’t spoken out. She had had plenty of opportunities to say something over the past few days, and even now, only admitted nothing when he asked directly.

Compared to her, that Noble Lady Shen had immediately schemed against Consort Yu after being wronged. Truly the type to repay grievances with vengeance.

After comforting her, Xuanyuan Ling reached out to hold her hand. Noticing she wasn’t wearing the bracelet he had given her, he narrowed his eyes. “What’s this? Don’t like the bracelet I gave you?”

Shen Qing: “……” Who on earth wears such a heavy gold bracelet all day long? What did he take her for, a nouveau riche?

“Hmm?” Xuanyuan Ling gently pinched her wrist.

“It’s not that…” Shen Qing asked softly, “Isn’t it only meant to be worn at night when I’m with Your Majesty?”

Xuanyuan Ling had only asked casually, but her reply brought to mind the image of her in bed.

This wasn’t the first time. This little thing was just so enticing. He pulled her onto his lap, and with a low grunt, began nibbling at her.

Shen Qing was speechless. Honestly, ever since that daytime indulgence last time, it was like Xuanyuan Ling had opened a new door to a whole other world. Who would’ve thought that he used to be someone who, even if tempted, would suppress his urges until nightfall?

Still, nothing happened this time. Xuanyuan Ling did have other matters to attend to—he’d just dropped by on a whim. After some teasing, he left.

The atmosphere between them had been quite nice. Xuanyuan Ling was even smiling when he left.

Shen Qing was genuinely likeable. Now that he no longer viewed her beauty as overly seductive or threatening, getting along with her had become much easier.

Things continued peacefully for a while. After Xuanyuan Ling left, Shen Qing no longer kept her doors shut all day. She had grown tired of the Imperial Garden and had recently moved to a peach orchard within the palace. The peaches hanging on the branches were still a bit green and not fully ripe yet, but their sweet aroma filled the air, making them smell delicious.

Shen Qing liked them. Although these peach trees were ornamental and the fruits might not taste great, she was still craving them.

Seeing her staring at the peaches longingly, Chunhua couldn’t help but laugh.

She really was like a child.

So Chunhua went specifically to the Imperial Kitchen to request some sweet peach soup.

Of course, she brought silver with her.

Hearing this, the kitchen staff quickly added an extra serving of peach soup. Shangde Xi was pleased, thinking Shen Qing was truly well-mannered.

After all, she had been favored by the Emperor for a while now. Looking around the palace, though she held the lowest rank, she was clearly in favor. If it were anyone else, they would’ve been flaunting it by now. But this Lady Shen handled the Emperor’s affection with grace and never grew arrogant.

The Imperial Kitchen’s craftsmanship was superb. The peach soup satisfied Shen Qing’s craving, but after eating it for three days straight, she lost interest. She didn’t even visit the peach orchard anymore.

Xuanyuan Ling, after all, did not frequent the harem much. For someone as favored as Shen Qing, she only served him a few times a month. There were others in the palace who didn’t even see him once in a month.

That’s when they had to rely on festivals.

In a little over ten days, it would be the Mid-Autumn Festival. Though it was a festival, for the women of the harem, it didn’t mean much. They couldn’t reunite with family, after all. The Emperor’s birthday following Mid-Autumn was the truly important event.

The Empress mentioned it when the consorts and concubines paid their routine respects—it was a reminder for everyone to start preparing things the Emperor liked to cheer him up. After all, the Emperor wasn’t exactly fond of spending time in the harem.

That was the gist of this visit. Because Mid-Autumn was approaching, the Empress also handed out gifts to the ladies.

Naturally, Shen Qing received hers as well. This morning audience with the Empress was like a routine meeting—once it was over, she left.

Seeing Shen Qing walk away alone without anyone engaging her, several of the concubines began to harbor doubts.

Just what kind of person was this Lady Shen, always coming and going all by herself?