Chapter 65 – The Empress Takes the Blame

After saluting Emperor Xuanyuan Ling, the Empress cast another glance at Consort Yu’s utterly despondent appearance.

Xuanyuan Ling then shot a cold look at the Empress as well, saying nothing before turning his attention directly to Shen Qing.

The Empress felt a chill run down her spine under Xuanyuan Ling’s gaze. She didn’t yet know what had happened, but judging from the atmosphere, something serious must have occurred. She turned to inquire with Zhao Hai.

Zhao Hai naturally told her everything. After all, she was the Empress. Still, he understood what was going on—wasn’t it clear that the Empress had deliberately arrived late? Otherwise, how could His Majesty, who came from the Imperial Study, arrive sooner than she did from Fengyi Palace? No need to say more; the Emperor likely saw through it as well.

After hearing what happened, the Empress feared His Majesty might have caught on. But at this moment, that wasn’t the most important thing.

She could still find a reason for arriving late—it wasn’t such a big deal. What shocked her even more was that Consort Yu had such audacity—did she truly think she could rule over the harem? Even as the Empress, she wouldn’t punish a concubine without a valid reason. Had Consort Yu gone mad? Regardless of whether Shen Qing had fallen out of favor, it was not her place to take such matters into her own hands—not when the person she beat was still under the Emperor’s protection!

But judging by the Emperor’s current attitude and the way those servants were all beaten to death—it didn’t seem like how one would react toward a disfavored concubine.

With that thought, the Empress also realized something odd about Shen Qing being confined to Zhaohua Palace.

Meanwhile, Shen Qing was still semi-conscious as she was carried into a side hall of Zhongyu Palace. The imperial physician immediately checked her pulse and was soon startled.

“Your Majesty, we will need an experienced matron to examine Shen Liangren’s injuries.”

There were indeed experienced matrons available in Zhongyu Palace—those who had served Consort Yu during her previous miscarriage were still present. One of them was summoned.

When the matron arrived, she trembled upon seeing the bloodstains outside Zhongyu Palace that had yet to be cleaned.

Though she belonged to Consort Yu’s side, she dared not be negligent now. She promptly undressed Shen Qing to examine her.

What she saw shocked her—Shen Qing’s body was covered in bruises: her waist, abdomen, and back were all injured to varying degrees. But when she checked her lower body, she gasped in horror.

There was blood on Shen Qing’s undergarments.

The matron’s heart went cold. She had no choice but to report this.

She quietly whispered the situation to the imperial physician.

The physician’s earlier suspicions were confirmed, and his heart sank. He had already noticed internal injuries when checking her pulse. The external wounds could be treated, but the internal ones…

He grew uneasy and, upon reporting to the Emperor, only relayed the good news first: “Shen Liangren’s life is not in danger.”

Xuanyuan Ling finally relaxed a little. As long as she wasn’t in mortal danger.

Now that Shen Qing’s life was no longer at risk, Xuanyuan Ling’s thoughts turned elsewhere. He had seen the injury on Consort Yu’s face too.

Given that she had previously struck Noble Lady Lin, it wasn’t too surprising that she would retaliate if Consort Yu attacked her for no reason.

Had Shen Qing not been so gravely injured, the fact that she had harmed Consort Yu might have warranted punishment.

Even if not for Consort Yu herself, consideration had to be given to her children and her family background.

Just then, the physician hesitated before continuing: “However… Shen Liangren has suffered an abdominal injury. Furthermore, I discovered traces of long-term ingestion of contraceptive medicine in her system. Such medicine already harms a woman’s health, and with her current abdominal trauma, and as the matron reported bleeding… I fear she may have difficulties bearing children in the future…”

That final sentence was delivered with utmost caution and deep concern.

The Empress, who had punished Consort Yu, had come to visit Shen Qing. When a concubine committed a transgression, she naturally had to issue a punishment. But since the Emperor had intervened, the punishment was mild—merely confinement and copying scriptures for self-reflection. Yet now, that was no longer the issue—because the moment she arrived, she heard that final sentence.

She was startled and caught squarely by Xuanyuan Ling’s gaze. Her heart skipped a beat. “How could there be traces of contraceptive medicine? According to the palace records, Shen Liangren was never granted such medicine after serving His Majesty.”

Xuanyuan Ling’s face turned dark, and his voice was heavy with anger as he looked at her. “Indeed. I have never bestowed contraceptive medicine. So why are there signs she has taken it over a period of months?”

The Empress’s heart dropped. His Majesty had already suspected her once during Consort Yu’s miscarriage. Now, hearing his tone—could it be he suspected her again?

But she truly knew nothing about this matter!

She quickly asked the physician, “Was the medicine taken recently?”

Could it be that Consort Yu had gone so far as to secretly drug Shen Qing?

The physician replied, “No, Your Majesty. The traces in Shen Liangren’s body indicate long-term ingestion—several months at least.”

Several months!

The Empress was truly stunned. Then she immediately declared righteously, “Your Majesty, please permit me to investigate this matter thoroughly. Someone in the harem dares to act so boldly—how pitiful that Shen Liangren now faces difficulties with childbearing. This matter must be fully investigated!”

What she said was indeed righteous and reasonable.

Xuanyuan Ling recalled how she had behaved similarly when Consort Yu had her miscarriage. At that time, she had also spoken with righteous indignation, vowing not to forgive anyone who dared harm an imperial heir.

He gave the Empress a long, quiet look. “Then investigate it.”

That gaze made the Empress’s heart pound and her back go cold.

After excusing herself, the Empress stepped outside and pursed her lips, thinking about the Emperor’s concern for Shen Qing, and recalling what the physician had said.

She really would have difficulty conceiving in the future.

Judging by the Emperor’s attitude, he clearly favored this woman. Even if she currently held a low rank, it was only a matter of time before she rose in status.

The Empress had thought Shen Qing would need to be carefully guarded against in the future—but now she found out Shen Qing would likely never bear children?

The Empress resolved from then on that she would not touch Shen Qing again.

The Emperor was truly angry this time. A favored but childless concubine wasn’t worth her scheming.

But what troubled her most was that His Majesty clearly didn’t believe her. He likely thought she was the one behind this.

She turned to her maid: “Jinzhi, investigate this thoroughly. I must give His Majesty an explanation!”

Someone had done this right under her nose, and she had no idea. No wonder Shen Qing had gone so long without conceiving. Was this attack aimed at Shen Qing—or did the perpetrator know her intentions and target her instead?

If the Emperor pinned this matter on her, she might not only lose her authority over the six palaces—Pure Consort and Consort Yu might take over instead!

Inside, Xuanyuan Ling said expressionlessly to the physician, “Treat her external wounds first. As for the rest—nurse her back carefully.” He paused. “Is it really true? She may never bear children?”

The physician was sweating. “Shen Liangren is still young. With careful care and time, perhaps… someday…”

He didn’t dare speak too definitely. Who knew what the future held? She might be favored now, but in a few years, if she fell out of favor and still had no children, it would no longer concern him.

Xuanyuan Ling merely grunted, his expression unreadable. “For now, don’t tell her.”

The physician was taken aback.

In the harem, if a woman couldn’t bear children, she usually lost favor immediately. Yet the Emperor intended to keep this from her. Clearly, he cared a great deal for Shen Liangren.

The physician quickly returned to continue treating Shen Qing—applying needles, administering medicine, not daring to slack in the slightest. But soon, Shen Qing developed a fever, a common reaction after injury, and the physician cautiously tended to her.

Xuanyuan Ling left after issuing his orders.

Outside Zhongyu Palace, he told Zhao Hai, “Ask the physician when she can be moved. She likely won’t want to stay here after what’s happened. Also, summon the two attendants who serve her to come take care of her.”

Zhao Hai acknowledged the order. Seeing His Majesty’s expression, he sighed inwardly. Such a beautiful woman—what a pity that she might never have children.

Springhua and Fangyun were summoned. When they saw Shen Qing lying on the bed in that state, even though they had mentally prepared themselves, they were still shocked.

Tears streamed down their faces. Even though Xiao Quanzi had gone to report earlier, they hadn’t expected they’d still be too late. The two of them were filled with remorse and guilt, but since they were still in Zhongyu Palace, they couldn’t speak a word of it. All they could do was silently tend to Shen Qing and pray for her quick recovery.