Chapter 69: Noble Lady Xi

The Empress was briefly stunned. “Xi? That character is…”

“It was chosen for its auspicious meaning—‘bringing prosperity and peace across generations.’”

The Empress truly froze in place. “That character… it’s a bit weighty. I thought perhaps ‘Ning’ would be better—it also conveys peace and safety. That Shen Lady-in-waiting has just suffered a grave injury, to name her…”

Before she could finish speaking, Xuanyuan Ling gave her a glance.

The Empress’s heart jolted. “Lady Shen is a good person, well-behaved and proper. After going through such a tragedy, it’s only fair to compensate her. I’ll instruct the Imperial Household Department to handle it.”

“Mm.” Xuanyuan Ling gave a nonchalant hum and stood up.

He came at this hour, but clearly had no intention of staying the night.

“Your Majesty, this consort respectfully sees you off.” The Empress felt bitter and helpless, though her only consolation was that Consort Yu would now fall out of favor and wouldn’t be in a better position than herself moving forward.

In this harem, the biggest threat had always been Consort Yu—mainly because she was the only one in the palace with two children by her side.

Jinzhi, standing nearby, saw the Empress reaching out for support and said, “That Lady Shen…”

“From now on, she is Noble Lady Xi.” The Empress’s expression was blank. “His Majesty is also elevating her. Right now, he’s heartbroken for her, and wants to compensate her. This isn’t just about not punishing Consort Yu—he likely wants to appease her and prevent future trouble. But now that she can’t have children, it is what it is. As long as she has favor but no child, she won’t become the next Consort Yu.”

As long as someone didn’t threaten her position like Consort Yu had, the Empress had nothing to fear. She had already decided not to target Shen Qing in the future. In fact, she might even use her to curry favor with the Emperor. Keeping her around might prove useful later.

Jinzhi nodded, saying no more.

Xuanyuan Ling had mentioned it himself, and the Empress had complied—there was no neglect in handling the matter. With a double promotion in rank, even the entire harem took notice.

Most people weren’t privy to the details—they only knew that somehow, while Shen Lady-in-waiting was still under confinement, she had been dragged off and beaten by Consort Yu so badly that she’d nearly died.

While everyone was still gossiping about that spectacle, news suddenly broke: Shen Lady-in-waiting had been promoted. Not just once, but twice. For a time, many speculated—was she on her deathbed and the Emperor was promoting her out of guilt?

But several days passed, and no word came of her death.

Originally, she should’ve been moved out of Zhaohua Palace, but this time, the Empress had the intention of letting Shen Qing return there peacefully. Remembering that Shen Qing had previously declined a move, and that Xuanyuan Ling had personally specified “Noble Lady Xi of Zhaohua Palace,” the matter was dropped.

The Empress even had Zhaohua Palace completely renovated, speaking in warm, benevolent tones, saying since the noble lady was still recovering, she’d be delighted to see the palace transformed upon her return.

But Shen Qing was still staying in Zhongyu Palace, and when this news reached Consort Yu’s ears, she felt the Empress was clearly targeting her—mocking her in broad daylight.

She had thought that even if the Emperor favored Shen Qing, he wouldn’t elevate her very far. But Shen Qing had actually been promoted—twice.

At this point, she still didn’t know Shen Qing had been given a title. Since Shen Qing hadn’t yet returned to Zhaohua Palace, and the Empress hadn’t made the title public, it was obvious they meant to honor her.

Consort Yu was both heartbroken and enraged. She cried over Xuanyuan Ling at night, and during the day her eyes remained fixed—like a ghost—on the direction of the side hall, filled with despair and sorrow. The Emperor had elevated Shen Qing, and with all the fuss the Empress was making—bestowing such grandeur on a mere Noble Lady and even renovating Zhaohua Palace—it was a blatant slap in her face.

By all reasoning, the Emperor should’ve come to visit her. So why hadn’t he?

Shen Qing was still residing in the side hall. The Imperial Physician had said she shouldn’t be moved for now.

News arrived first—Shen Lady-in-waiting had been promoted to Noble Lady. Chunhua and Fangyun weren’t particularly overjoyed, their happiness tinged with sorrow. Still, it was a good thing. They shouldn’t be feeling down about it.

Once the formalities were settled, a eunuch from the Imperial Household Department hurried to deliver the congratulatory message. The Empress had ordered that the title not be spread publicly, but also told the department that although no one else needed to know, Noble Lady Xi should be informed—so she could rest and recover in peace.

As soon as the eunuch entered, he bowed and said, “This servant pays respects to Noble Lady Xi.”

Shen Qing, having rested for several days, could now half-recline with a cushion under the physician’s advice. “Thank you, Eunuch, for making the trip.” After a pause, she added, “I hadn’t heard there would be a title.”

The eunuch beamed joyfully. “Her Majesty the Empress said the decree would be formally announced when Noble Lady Xi returns to Zhaohua Palace, but the ceremonial attire for a Noble Lady has already been prepared, so this servant came to offer congratulations.”

“What character is used for ‘Xi’?”

The eunuch replied, “Chosen by His Majesty himself—meaning ‘prosperity and peace through generations.’ Congratulations, Noble Lady!”

Shen Qing paused for a moment, then showed a faint smile. “Yes, it’s indeed something worth celebrating. Thank you for bringing the good news.”

Chunhua immediately offered a pouch as a reward.

The eunuch immediately felt the heavy weight in his hand. Rumors had always said that although Shen Lady-in-waiting’s rank was low, she was generous with rewards—never stingy. He had made the trip especially for that reason, and today, it had certainly been worth it.

After rattling off a long string of auspicious phrases, the eunuch finally left.

Once he was gone, Shen Qing raised her eyebrows, then shook her head with a smile. Prosperity and peace through generations? The phrase originally meant a reign of enlightened, virtuous rulers and a flourishing, peaceful world—how could it be used as a woman’s title? What the eunuch said about it being a great honor was true, though.

With a title like this—not to mention among Noble Ladies—even most Consorts wouldn’t dare act presumptuously in front of her.

“So… am I being raised like a good luck charm?”

She said this lightly, but Shen Qing knew the truth. This was Xuanyuan Ling’s way of compensating her—because she’d lost the ability to bear children. For most women in the harem, being childless meant lifelong sorrow. But for her, it wasn’t.

Previously, she had taken measures to prevent pregnancy partly to guard against the Empress—but honestly, she’d never wanted children that much in the first place.

She knew that a childless woman in the harem was essentially finished—but she wasn’t without a way out. After all, Chu Linglong hadn’t entered the palace yet. There was still time.

She figured she could keep fighting on her own. Deep down, she hadn’t hardened her heart enough to use a child as a stepping stone. At her core, she still believed children should be the product of love. And what love existed between her and Xuanyuan Ling?

Now that all hopes were gone, she didn’t have to agonize over whether she should bear a child. Rather than sorrow, she felt a sense of relief. After all, if she really had conceived, she wouldn’t have been able to get rid of the child. No matter how firm one’s principles were—once there was a child, everything changed. The harem was a place that ground people down. Hadn’t she come to hate Consort Yu?

After being beaten like that, how could she not hate? And with hatred came thoughts of revenge. She feared that one day, she might truly be changed—corrupted by the harem. If that day came, what if she used her child to achieve her goals?

Thinking about it now—she couldn’t accept it. But what if she changed?

Without a child, at least she wouldn’t be tempted to use one. That… was a good thing.

In the days that followed, Xuanyuan Ling did not enter the harem again. But Zhao Hai came occasionally to check on Shen Qing’s condition.

Once the Imperial Physician said she could move again, Shen Qing immediately said she wanted to return to Zhaohua Palace.

She had never liked staying in Zhongyu Palace. Her desire to leave had been fully anticipated by Xuanyuan Ling. After all, in his heart now, Shen Qing was someone who shouldn’t be wronged. She had endured so much at Zhongyu Palace—face-to-face with Consort Yu every day. Even if they hadn’t met, how could things between them not be strained?

When Zhao Hai came to report her wish, Xuanyuan Ling immediately ordered arrangements for her return.

And this time, upon her return—Zhaohua Palace had already been completely transformed.