Chapter 54 – Quite Bold

Zhao Hai hadn’t expected the Emperor to ask such a question and was inwardly muttering to himself, but he still answered honestly, “Prince Cheng.”

Xuan Yuanling felt he was merely asking casually, “Besides him, there’s no one else.”

Zhao Hai thought, Of course. Among all the civil and military officials, only Prince Cheng dares to pull something like this. After all, when the Grand Empress Dowager passed away, what she worried most about was this very Prince Cheng whom she had raised since childhood. Before the late Emperor died, he even reminded everyone that while Prince Cheng was unruly in temperament, he wasn’t ill-intentioned. If he ever acted out of line, they should still be lenient for the Grand Empress Dowager’s sake.

Somehow, Xuan Yuanling’s mood improved. If it was him, then it likely wasn’t done with any ulterior motives.

Thinking this, Xuan Yuanling narrowed his eyes. It had been a while since he’d felt this sort of discomfort because of Shen Qing. That little girl always made him feel good. But now, out of nowhere, he had developed some inexplicable misgivings.

He recalled last night’s moment of losing control, and his face turned both black and red with embarrassment.

A lifetime of sticking to the rules, yet the Emperor was now both furious and ashamed! How could I have lost control like that?

In the past, he could be crazy with Shen Qing too, but at least it didn’t cross the line—at most, just wanting her more often, perhaps being a bit overly eager. But still within reason. Last night though—what happened—he truly felt like a beast. He vaguely remembered that little girl crying out loud. Did I hurt her?

Later, Shen Qing had someone send her back. He had passed out after his pleasure and truly didn’t know what happened afterward.

It was only due to the wine that he had summoned her last night. By rights, on the first day of the autumn hunt, it shouldn’t have been her serving him in bed—especially with the Empress and Consort Yu both present.

Now it wouldn’t be appropriate to visit her, and sending Zhao Hai was also not a good idea.

Xuan Yuanling was feeling frustrated.

Zhao Hai looked at Xuan Yuanling’s frustrated expression with some curiosity. Thinking back to how Shen Liangren had to be helped out looking so pitiful last night, he sighed silently to himself: Well then, he’s really grown attached to her.

Over on Shen Qing’s side, she was inwardly cursing Xuan Yuanling up and down!

Damn it, last night he actually forced himself on me using drunkenness as an excuse!

Bastard!

Originally, encountering the Prince wasn’t that big of a deal. She had casually mentioned it only because Li Meiren had seen it too. This kind of encounter with a man could be either a small or a serious matter—better that she bring it up herself than have it come from Li Meiren’s mouth. And what did this drunk emperor do? He went stupid, got possessive, and nearly killed her!

Chunhua felt heartbroken seeing all the bruises on Shen Qing and said miserably, “Liangren, we didn’t bring any medicine with us.”

Who would’ve thought the Emperor could injure Shen Liangren like this? In the past, it always seemed like he really cared for her. Even though Chunhua didn’t dare voice her complaints against the Emperor, deep down she felt disheartened.

If he truly cared about her, how could he only care about his own pleasure and hurt her like this?

“Go ask the Empress to summon an imperial physician.” Since the Emperor was away, imperial physicians were traveling with the hunting party. But given Shen Qing’s rank, she had no right to summon one directly; it had to go through the Empress.

She needed treatment. She was seriously worried she’d end up with some sort of gynecological condition. At this moment, every part of her body was in pain.

Chunhua hurried off to find the Empress. The Empress had already been somewhat displeased with Shen Qing—after all, it truly wasn’t in accordance with the rules for Shen Qing to have served in the Emperor’s bed last night. But when Chunhua arrived and explained, the Empress was taken aback. “What happened to Shen Liangren?”

Chunhua replied, “Liangren is injured and truly can’t get out of bed. She’s even bleeding.”

The Empress’s expression became unreadable for a moment. “Mm. Then I’ll issue a verbal order. Have an imperial physician examine her.”

“Many thanks, Your Majesty.”

Jinzhi, standing beside her, observed the Empress’s expression. “That Shen Liangren…”

The Empress said, “Seems I was overthinking it.” She had previously suspected the Emperor was showing Shen Liangren a bit too much favor. But now it looked like he was just using her to vent lust—treating her as a mere plaything.

The Empress felt much calmer now. Even if she told herself repeatedly that it was for the sake of the child and her husband, could she truly say she felt no disgust toward the woman being favored? Of course not.

Now that she understood the situation, she said, “Send Shen Liangren some nourishing supplements.”

She was still the virtuous Empress.

Jinzhi thought for a moment and then said, “I’ve heard that injuries at a young age can make it harder to conceive.”

The Empress suddenly understood. “No wonder Shen Liangren has been favored for so long but hasn’t gotten pregnant.”

That conveniently gave them a reason for Shen Qing’s lack of pregnancy.

Back in Shen Qing’s quarters, the summoned physician arrived. Xuan Yuanling frowned deeply when he heard about it but ultimately didn’t send Zhao Hai to check on her.

Li Meiren and Zhao Meiren were staying near Shen Qing. Li Meiren didn’t react at all—not even a trace of concern; if anything, she seemed a bit gleeful about Shen Qing’s misfortune. Only Zhao Meiren came to visit once. Shen Qing had little energy, so Zhao Meiren took a brief look and left.

Shen Qing was burning with rage. Yes, Xuan Yuanling was young and full of vigor—being hot-blooded was normal. But what he did last night went too far! She recalled how content he looked after venting his desires and, for a moment, she truly hated him.

She was not some object for him to unleash his temper on!

Before this autumn hunt, she had been hopeful it would be a pleasant time. Now it was utterly ruined. She was injured, couldn’t even ride a horse, and just lay in bed for several days.

Afterward, Xuan Yuanling didn’t call for anyone else to serve him. What should’ve been a grand and exciting autumn hunt, for Shen Qing, ended abruptly and miserably on the very first day.

On the return trip, Shen Qing had to be helped into the carriage by Chunhua. She looked absolutely miserable. Even with extra cushions laid out inside the carriage, sitting was painful. She returned to the palace with a cold, stony face.

After a few days of rest, Shen Qing recovered. But as soon as her name plate was hung again, Xuan Yuanling saw it—and flipped it once more.

Xiaochunzi from the Department of Rites came to deliver the message.

But when he arrived at Zhaohua Palace, Shen Qing told him coldly, “I’m still not fully recovered. I’m unable to serve His Majesty.”